This story originally appeared on Hamptons Moms.
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is renowned designer Cynthia Rowley. Her global lifestyle brand incorporates clothing, accessories and home décor, and has earned Rowley various accolades throughout her career, including a CFDA award and Designer of the Year at the American Images Awards. Hamptons Moms chatted with Rowley about her life as a mom, living in Montauk, NY, and more.
What is your connection to the Hamptons?
Montauk is my happy place. I have a little surf shack by my favorite surf spot and we also have a store in town. I spend every weekend of every summer out East surfing, what I call my own personal form of meditation. And while I love a far-flung adventures, there’s nothing better than jetting out east for the weekend after a busy week in NYC.
How long have you been coming out East?
Ever since my daughter Kit was born, so around 2000.
What is your favorite thing about the Hamptons?
Montauk is very different than the rest of the Hamptons. It feels very remote (because it is!).
Favorite month to be out east?
All summer long!
What do you do for a living?
I’m the founder and designer for my eponymous fashion brand. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by inspiring, creative people every day!
How did that come about?
I was studying fine art at the Art Institute in Chicago before I made the transition into fashion. After graduation I packed up a Uhaul and moved to NYC. The rest is history.
What do you want someone from another country to know about the Hamptons?
Take all the best beach towns in the world and roll it into one rambling paradise.
Best place to eat in the Hamptons?
Any place that has a great sunset, lobster roll, and a glass of rose.
Favorite beach for families?
The oceanside can get gnarly with some big waves, but it’s always fun for boogie boarding and surfing. The bayside is always pretty calm so it’s great for the young ones and if you’re into stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking.
Best restaurant that people bring kids to?
There’s one in every town!
Most charming month in the Hamptons?
October with all the apple picking and pumpkin patches.
How has motherhood changed you?
Life is so much more fun and exciting with my two best buddies.
How has being a mom changed how you view the Hamptons?
I’ve always loved being out East but being able to share it with my daughters has made it even more special. Everything is a family activity, from biking into town to surfing the waves and grilling out.
How many children do you have?
I have two amazing daughters – Gigi and Kit. Gigi is my youngest, 14, and is killing it on the drums and teaching surf lessons to kids out east during the summers. Kit is studying at NYU and just started her own fashion brand “KIT”.
Favorite place to bring kids to in the Hamptons?
We love a good game of badminton on beach with all our friends.
What do you want people to know about you that they haven’t read about already?
I have a signet ring with the initials “mOm” engraved, because to me being a mom is the greatest gift in the whole world.