How being part of the first generation affects my professional attitude

I think the immigrant mentality is that you never know when you’ll have to pack up and leave. There’s this sense of urgency, paranoia and work ethic, mostly based on this internal fear of having to leave and start over. It really conveys the values ​​of courage and hard work; There really is no choice but to find a path to success. In my interviews I always ask people: What does the American Dream mean to you? It is valuable to understand the opportunities and possibilities that this country can offer. And I think immigrants can really understand that better.

What I learned from Bratz dolls

The power of brand building and the power of details. I think what made the Bratz brand so successful was the attention to detail. Children’s worlds are so, so small, so they pay attention to the little zipper; You pay attention to the eyeliner, the extra strokes. The child will be obsessed with this and will see it and it will bring him joy. And I feel like I’m doing the same thing with Cult Gaia. I make a product where the more you look, the more you see. It is an exercise in creating something artistic and beautiful.

The power of my original flower crowns

It taught me that when you have a product that hangs on someone’s head and is very easily recognizable, you don’t need as much marketing money because the product in and of itself becomes viral and has legs of its own. The flower wreaths were a coincidence. It wasn’t the grand plan. It also taught me the importance of being able to pivot. The flower crown was truly the seed of our brand DNA, creating something that makes people happy, feels beautiful and is a conversation starter. It’s one thing for a girl to say, “That’s great.” But when random postmen, security guards, or men on the street ask, “What’s that?” – it hits a whole different nerve.

How I invent viral products

We made this Reina clutch, the Boob brass clutch – it’s new; I’m obsessed – based on a small bust I had of Kelly Wearstler. I thought, “I just want to keep this as a bag.” And our flower earring – I’ll never forget it, I was in Miami having dinner at Milos and I see a flower. I just pick it up, hold it to my ear, take a photo and send it to the team. I say, “That. We have to do this.’ Then I applied it to shoes and they were really successful. It’s these moments that actually create the best products. My mother is like, When this happens, angels speak through you.

My design checklist

When it comes to bags I always think: This should just be beautiful on a bookshelf or coffee table. This isn’t a blanket rule, but I really appreciate bags that stand up – I think they should stand like people. When it comes to clothes, I want them to feel unique and make someone feel truly amazing. Fashion has a transformative power – a good fabric, good fit, good quality with lots of small details. I always say, “Does she want to give this away when she’s finished, or does she want to keep it for her archive?” (The latter) is a good piece for me. Then a new one is: If she finds this at the bottom of a gift box and pulls it out and it’s still beautiful, we’re doing something right.

How the Cult Gaia x Gap collaboration came about

When I say yes to things, I ask myself, “Can I bring something unique?” Is there creative tension?” To me, the amazing tension of Gap is: It’s so clear, it’s so iconic, American classics in the Comparison to our brand. Great things happen with a little contrast. The contradiction of both brands is that in the end the product is great. We’ve really added the Cult Gaia brushstroke to the Gap world. They’re things we want to wear to the office every day.

It was so much fun working with their team and it’s just so exciting to be part of an iconic brand that I grew up with. I have great stories about Gap. I’ll never forget I had a pair of red leather pants from Gap that I thought was so cool, and I thought, “Oh my God, I’m so cool.” I’m going to wear these to all the bar mitzvahs.” And then my cousin did bought the same. She is my best friend. It was my first fashion memory – the first time I felt the need to claim my fashion identity.

Shop Cult Gaia x Gap below

Gap × Cult Gaia Barrel Mini Dress

Gap × Cult Gaia Asymmetrical Denim Maxi Skirt

Gap × Cult Gaia vegan suede wrap coat

Gap × Cult Gaia High Rise Stride Chain Jeans

Gap × Cult Gaia leather jacket

Gap × Cult Gaia cropped cable knit sweater

Gap × Cult Gaia backless classic shirt

Gap × Cult Gaia cropped denim bustier

Gap x Cult Gaia short logo sweatshirt

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Madison is deputy digital editor at ELLE, where she also covers news, politics and culture. If she’s not online, she’s probably sleeping or trying not to fall while climbing.