Hi friends, After two weeks chasing the best surf spots in Central America, I returned to NYC this week–and wow, what a week to come back. As the tariff news broke, I happened to be at dinner with a group of fellow female business owners. Let me just say: it really is a gift to be with people in real life, especially when the kind of news hits that makes you want to chuck your phone across the room. JFC, this shit show just keeps getting worse. On that front, our family has decided to head to the Hands Off protest at Bryant Park tomorrow. I’ll share more thoughts on that below. But for now, I want to take a moment to reflect on what was without question the moment of my week–and honestly, one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of spending the afternoon at Gloria Steinem’s apartment with a small group of passionate, inspiring young women to talk about sustainability in fashion. (Though, as you can imagine, the conversation covered far more ground than that.) I was invited by the endlessly impressive Phoebe Gates, who you should absolutely keep your eye on. She just launched a new podcast and is cooking up something major with her new company, Phia. Gloria’s apartment, on the Upper East Side, is the same one she’s lived in for decades – at one point with artist and former roommate Barbara Nessim. You can catch a glimpse of her soulful, storied space in Architectural Digest, but even that doesn’t do it justice. I could’ve spent hours just soaking it in, thinking of all the women who’ve had powerful, world-shifting conversations there. Chills. What a time to be alive–with 91-year-old Gloria Steinem still hosting intergenerational circles of women to strategize, share, and dream up ways to make the world better. It was exactly the boost I needed post-tariff news. Of course, I brought her a sweater. It read: “A woman’s place is everywhere,” a phrase she herself coined. I’ll be thinking about my afternoon in Gloria’s living room for a long, long time. |
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It seems like menopause is trending in my world lately, what about you? I’m so grateful to the women who are boldly and fearlessly paving the way for my generation. It’s honestly wild that 50% of the population goes through this, and yet there’s been so little research, support, or even conversation around it. Thankfully, that seems to be changing–fast. We had the honor of hosting Dr. Mary Claire Haver at our townhouse last fall, and since then she’s been slaying it. I listened to her on the Armchair Expert podcast while I was away and literally squealed when they mentioned the LF sweater she was wearing. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, add it to your queue–it’s a must. I haven’t had a chance to watch Oprah’s menopause special on Hulu yet, but it’s at the top of my list. Another woman I deeply admire, Naomi Watts, (buy her book here!) was on the panel alongside Dr. Mary, Halle Berry, Maria Shriver, Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, and Leanne Morgan. What a lineup. We’ve had the joy of making sweaters for both Dr. Mary and Naomi—and yes, you can still grab them on our site today along with our "listen to old women" items from Julia Louise Dreyfus. |
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 | | "in my menopause era" Women's Crewneck |
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 | | "listen to old women, motherfu*kers" Women's Sweatshirt |
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It was genuinely impressive watching Cory Booker command the Senate floor for over 25 hours this week–breaking records and surprising me with his herculean physical and mental stamina. Civil rights icon John Lewis was a mentor to Booker, and he closed his 25-hour speech with a powerful reminder from Lewis himself: "He said for us to go out and cause some good trouble, necessary trouble, to redeem the soul of our nation." Call it theater, call it what you want– I found it inspiring. So inspiring, in fact, that I immediately pulled out my “Good Trouble” sweatshirt. And! I’m feeling fired up to create a little good trouble of my own.. |
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Many of you have probably heard by now that a massive, nationwide protest is happening tomorrow. I’ll be heading to Bryant Park with my family, and to be honest, I’m still processing a lot of feelings. In 2016, there were Women’s Marches – huge turnouts, with so many people (myself included) attending their very first protests. There was momentum, and energy, and the hope that collective action might shift the tides. In 2025, it feels… different. There’s been so little organized movement, and I think we all understand why. We’re exhausted. Disillusioned. Scared. Many of us don’t believe it worked the first time. If I’m honest, I still feel all of that– and more. But I also believe, deep in my gut, that we are living through historic times. And I want to be able to look myself in the mirror years from now and answer the inevitable question: What did you do? Where were you? We are in month three of this administration. It is too much to bear. So no, I won’t let myself feel powerless or voiceless. I’ll be at the march, and I’ll be sharing my time there on social media. If you want to cringe at me and my privilege, my virtue signaling, and my naiveté, go for it. If marches aren't your thing and you want to bear witness in your own way from home, that’s fine too. But just know: this is the moment. The one our children and grandchildren will ask us about someday. “What did you do?”
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I’ll try to bookend this newsletter with one more fun highlight from the week, but I’ll have to get back to you with my list of what I’ve been reading (so many good books out right now!), watching (Adolescence, alongside so many of you!), and buying. Gotta leave you wanting more, right? This week, we hosted about 15 women at our townhouse for an embroidery class. They are so much fun, and once again, I was deeply honored and inspired by the women I met. It’s always a gift to witness multiple generations coming together in the same space. I’m more excited than ever to keep these gatherings going. Stay tuned for our next class! More real-life moments from the week: dinner at Café Chelsea with new and old friends; lunch at Café Cluny with my dearest friend Monica Zwirner (whose company, MZ Wallace, continues to be a north star for me); a phone call or two with pals to check in, and a glass of wine with my friend Val, here from London to offer her take on how the Brits feel about this mess we are in! (Hint: not good!). And, just last night, the most scrumptious dinner at the newly opened San Vicente Club at the old Jane Hotel. The dinner was hosted by the new owner of the space, Jeff Klein, in celebration of designer Rose Uniacke – both dear friends. It was one of those nights that felt like a reunion with “our people”– a soul-filling evening of connection after what’s felt like a long winter. Our brand got its start in the basement of the Jane Hotel, a space my husband once owned and designed, and one where we’ve hosted everything from kids’ birthday parties to fundraisers and fashion shows. It was so special to see it beautifully reimagined, and with our townhouse just a block away, we’re excited to build community with our new neighbor. Not to beat a dead horse, but I really do believe this: right now, one of the most important things you can do for your well-being is to connect in person with your people. Put the phone down. Grab a lunch, coffee, drink, dinner, or walk – and take Gloria’s advice to heart: your body needs that real-life dopamine. Take care of yourself, and take care of each other. xo,
Rachelle |
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