You Should Know: Cynthia Rowley

Cynthia Rowley is no amateur when it comes to taking risks. From surfing the waves in Montauk (inspiring her to create a popular high-end wetsuit line), to documenting her travels to far off places like Tanzania and Kenya, to secretly video taping the 2014 Met Gala, she is a spirited designer that continues to bend all of the rules. Since launching her first collection in the early 1980s, she has established herself as an award-winning designer (receiving the CFDA award for womenswear), and has expanded her brand to include apparel, shoes, handbags, eyewear, fitness gear, and most recently a surfer line.

With her design chops and infectious spirit, it is no surprise that she is consistently called upon as a style authority on Project Runway, Oprah, David Letterman, The Today Show, and America’s Next Top Model. Few career paths carry as much weight as Rowley's and, to top it all off, she is constantly switching hats between being a top designer, wife, mother, blogger and world traveler. Not to mention, founding one of our favorite online art sites, Exhibition A, with her husband, gallery-owner Bill Powers. Balancing it all is no easy task, but  Rowley, who's motto is "Say yes to everything" seems to always be on the cusp of something great.

[You Should Know]

More Cynthia HERE.

[Wearing all Cynthia Rowley]

Occupation: Designer etc. Instagram/Twitter: @cynthia_rowley

"Say yes to everything."

What do you actually do all day? Dream up ideas and then beg people to make things.

Favorite song growing up? I used to dress up like Cher and sit on my parent's piano belting out "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves."

My biggest secret is... Now if I told you...

Why do you live in NYC? We've got it all here.

Uber, Taxi, Subway, or Citi Bike? Vespa.

My motto is... Say yes to everything.

My alter ego is... Maybe one ego is enough?

The last drink I had was... Well deserved!

What was your first job? I was the only girl working for an old man house painter. They would pick me up at 5:30 a.m. for steak and eggs before a 10 hr day.

If you had one day left to live in NYC what would you do? This is too depressing to even think about!

Coming from? Going to? Adulthood back to childhood.

What is your favorite work of art? The Love Letter by Fragonard.

Who should we know? Genieve Figgis - fantastic Irish painter.