Jessica Wang, founder of Not Jess Fashion

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“The fashion industry is much more welcoming for just about anyone now, and I think blogging democratized it for people like me as well as others. And I love how brands are more open to casting and showcasing moms and their children in campaigns and advertisements these days.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your children?

“I dress my kids for comfort and style. When they’re uncomfortable, they get fussy, and all moms know how that goes.”

What’s your philosophy on social media and your children?

“I was really cautious and careful in the beginning but over time began to open up more. I don’t think there are any rules except to do what feels natural and don’t force it.”

Rachel Blumenthal, founder and CEO of Rockets of Awesome

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“The industry desperately needs diversity in entrepreneurs and CEOs, as well as in investors. If not for women, there are a multitude of categories that will never be innovated.”

Do you have styling rules for dressing your children?

“Nothing enters my house that I’m not OK with them wearing (no free-event T-shirts, gifts, etc.). I’d prefer to avoid the struggle every morning, so I’ve found that as long as I’m happy with the items in their dresser, I’ll be comfortable with what they decide to wear.” 

Favorite kids’ shoe brands?

“For my son, we’re loyal to Nike, Native and Birkenstock. The Nike SB Mogan high-tops are a classic in our house. For my daughter, we love Zara, Stella Mara, Kenneth Cole, Adidas, Golden Goose and Gap. I love the Golden Goose Superstar gold glitter sneakers.”

Nasiba Adilova, founder of The Tot

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“When I was pregnant the first time, it didn’t feel like a trendy thing. You wore clothes to not accentuate it. Now I feel like it is a trend, posting photos of bellies. Even in Hollywood, 10 years ago, people hid their bump. With social media, you can connect and look at images of [of other pregnant women]. There’s so much more out there now that tells you it’s a beautiful thing.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your children?

“I love to put my 3-year-old son in things he can put on and take off by himself. Athletic brands are great at doing that — Nike and Adidas and Reebok have Velcro versions of their sneakers. It’s incredible for their brain development. Fashion brands don’t think about that, but that’s where I want to come in.”

Rebecca Minkoff, creative director of Rebecca Minkoff

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“It’s become more welcoming. I was maybe one of the first of my crop to have a kid six years ago, and now, as more of these women — whether it’s Leandra Cohen or Eva Chen — have kids, the camaraderie and empathy have improved. There are still places where it’s not where it needs to be, but in my immediate circle, there’s been a real change.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your children?

“I started out wanting to dress them cool and cute all the time. That has gone out the window because as they get older, they have their opinions and I don’t care enough to force them into some sort of mold. My son has gone through phases. We’re in an athletic jersey phase now — he looks like he’s going to soccer practice every day. My daughter likes to paint, so every single piece of clothing she owns has stains, and I’m done buying her anything that’s pricey. I’ll make sure she has the stylish looks for the moments that count, like school pictures or events or birthday parties.”

Arielle Charnas, founder and designer of Something Navy

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“Most people respect it. There was one brand that preferred not to have anything baby-related, which was a bummer, but we understood and parted ways. Other than that, I find that most brands constantly try to find a way to incorporate Ruby into my posts.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your daughter?

“Absolutely not. I let Ruby wear whatever she wants, even if it doesn’t make sense. I get a lot of negative feedback from followers telling me to dress Ruby more like a girl, to put a bow in her hair, put a comb through her hair, get her ears pierced. It’s funny to me — she’s 2 years old; I choose to let her live and explore. If her hair looks messy, it’s because she wanted to brush her own hair. If she throws on a pair of boots instead of patent leather party shoes, it’s because I let her have the creative freedom.”

June Ambrose, celebrity stylist and designer

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“The idea of being a mom is looked upon so differently now. When I had my kids in the early 2000s, most of my peers and clients didn’t have kids. Jay-Z didn’t have kids then. When I gave birth to my daughter [Summer, now 13], I was doing an ad job for L’Oreal, and I worked up to the day of her birth. When I gave birth to my son [Chance, now 16], I was working on a shoot with Albert Watson and I was breastfeeding on-set. That is the luxury of working in this industry, and I didn’t take it for granted.”

What is your philosophy on social media and children?

“My daughter uses it for marketing, she’s selling slime and went to culinary school and had a baking business last summer. But she always runs things by me; there is not one post that we don’t communicate on. Now that they are teens, it’s asking them what social issues they’re interested in. You can empower them and teach them to have their own voices. Look at what happened when our kids got together and marched [in the March for Our Lives].”

What shoes are your kids wearing?

“We are a sneaker family. Summer loves Converse and Adidas. Chance is a skateboarder; he loves Jordans and the Calabasas. Of course, there are perks that I get — Pharrell sends his sneakers to us. But at school, they want to be under the radar and wear a beat-up pair of Converse.”

Sophia Webster, designer of Sophia Webster

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“I can’t speak for the industry as a whole, but as a company, we are welcoming to mothers. The sacrifices I have to make with my time to grow the business are not the same sacrifices I would expect my staff to make. I understand the need to be very adaptable with maternity leave and to allow staff to return at a pace that suits them. We also introduced an early finish on Wednesdays so that our employees — whether they have a family or not — get a bit of extra personal time midweek.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your daughter?

“Not really. I dress Bibi in a lot of color and prints. My mum saved all of my old OshKosh dungarees from when I was tiny, so I love dressing Bibi in those. I have to fight to get them on her, though, because at the moment, she only wants to wear skirts and dresses. I just try to encourage her to be herself.”

Tabitha Simmons, stylist and designer of Tabitha Simmons

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“Yes, I think it is. I have been so incredibly fortunate to work with Vogue, Dolce & Gabbana and Tory Burch, which are all brands that support a healthy work-family balance.”

Do you have any styling rules for dressing your children?

“I like to err on the side of not overdoing it. My 2-month-old daughter looks sweetest and feels best in babygrows [rompers] rather than frilly dresses. Comfort is ultimately key. My older boys love tracksuits.”

Favorite kids’ shoe brands?

“Clarks and Bonpoint. Start-rite Mary Janes are my favorite — call that one the nostalgic option.”

Sofía Sanchez de Betak, art director and founder of Chufy

Is the fashion world welcoming enough to mothers?

“Nowadays, I can work from almost anywhere. I think tons of industries and positions have given more freedom — and more intense work schedules. I work weekends, nights and holidays. It’s up to you to make yourself efficient and free for your family.”

Any style advice for other moms?

“Be comfortable. You cannot look stylish if your kid is losing his shoes at every corner while you’re in heels trying to push a stroller that’s 10 inches shorter than you.”