Rebecca Minkoff won over the hearts of women everywhere when she introduced her now-famous, party girl-inspired “Morning After” bag. Fast forward eight years and the young designer is still charming the world with her must-have handbags, only now there’s even more to obsess over, including her coveted ready-to-wear and footwear collections. With a gift for tapping into the desires of her loyal following, she’s achieved that elusive combo of critical and mainstream success. Minkoff has approached new motherhood with the same passion and honesty she applies to her growing empire. Loving husband and easy-going newborn son complete the perfect picture. Enviable life aside, it’s the wicked sense of humor and girls’ girl charm that make Minkoff our perennial crush.
Luca, three months, December 2011
1. "My husband
2. Chocolate
3. Sleeping baby on my chest
4. Calm, the calcium-magnesium drink that helps me relax
5. When Luca coos at me during feedings
6. Watching my husband, Gavin, be such a hands-on father
7. Seeing my mom and dad play with my son
"I have not found the time to exercise yet since going back to work, but I plan to breastfeed for at least six months—the weight has been melting off."
"I wish it were easier to hear him cry! We are trying to get him to sleep through the night but I can’t bear to let him cry in his crib, so he comes into bed with us—I know I might regret that later."
"I make sure to set aside time for me and Gavin, even if it’s just five minutes a day. And I try to acknowledge his skills as a parent on a daily basis—flattery and encouragement go a long way."
“I went back to work part-time after six weeks. I was ready to go back. I go in for five hours a day, Monday to Thursday. At first it was really hard emotionally. Before I had him, I used to work late but now I have to cut myself off. I’m torn because I want to go home to him, but it feels like I just got there."Parker top and Urban Outfitters jeans
“Originally, I thought that when I went back to work that I’d just bring him with me. Then one day early on I was in a design meeting and had to say, ‘Oh sorry, let me just put him on my boob.’ It was hard. On days when I have to work late, I’ll have the nanny bring him to me at the office.”
"We don’t have a lot of stuff for the baby—we’re kind of minimalists. This plane was Gavin’s when he was little, and we use the same receiving blanket that Gavin's mom made for him when he was a baby."
“The most surprising thing about being a mom is the time management! Working and being a mom are now a constant pull on my heart! I'm still trying to figure out the work/mommy balance. I try to cut off the day once I get home—work stops and I focus on the baby.”
On Luca: Baby Gap onesie
Receiving blanket made by Gavin's mom
"The best advice I’ve gotten from my mom is to let him learn to play on his own—it makes the baby more independent and less reliant on you for all their entertainment."
Childhood photos of Rebecca
"I decided to have a natural birth because it’s what women have done for thousands of years. In the last 100 years, women have been taught to think they can’t do it, or that numbing the pain or having a planned C-section (not for health reasons) is better. Facts say it’s not. I believe you have a more aware, more alert child when you have a natural childbirth, and the risk of intervention is less and the healing process is easier. Our bodies were built to deliver this way, and I didn’t want to mess with nature. Is it painful? Hell yes, but what makes us think we can’t deal with a little pain? Being educated, taking birthing classes, doing prenatal yoga, and living an active, healthy lifestyle were key. For me, it was a rite of passage, and the power I feel from going through something like that was well worth it."
“I worked with a midwife and a doula, and was at home until the last two hours. We held out until my contractions were two minutes apart—I was nervous about giving birth in the cab on the way to the hospital.”
"Natural childbirth was my ultimate goal—no drugs, no nothing. I worked hard to prepare myself mentally and physically. There is a lot they don't tell you, and for good reason, but ultimatley it was the best thing I could do for Luca and myself."
“A woman that works for me gave me three presents when Luca was born. I framed the wrapping paper she used and put them over his crib.”
"My mom was here for a month after the baby was born. She said, 'I’m going to take care of you so you can take care of him.' She cooked all my meals, cleaned, and did our laundry."
“This is the crib he doesn’t go in. He sleeps in the middle of us.”
"I feel really natural—it was instant. The thing that I thought would also be natural was getting him on my boob, but it wasn't. I was determined not to give him a bottle but we ended up having to supplement with a little formula when he was first born because his blood sugar was low, and he smelled different to me. By the time I left the hospital, we had figured it out, but it was so painful.”
"We don’t like to leave him, so we take him out at night. He’s so easy, we just end up passing him around the table at restaurants."
"I love how babies make anyone who is having a bad day smile—people are much nicer when you are wearing a baby."
“Staying calm and collected makes my baby calmer, too.”
My essentials are mascara, and Darphin hydrating cream which gives me a glow despite the lack of sleep.
"My proudest moment so far as a mom was seeing Luca smile for the first time."
Rebecca's pumpkin bread recipe
