With a vision of building a lifestyle brand for women like herself — fun, independent and fearless — Rebecca Minkoff has found a unique niche among fashion-forward, modern women around the world.
Rebecca founded the brand in 2005 with her brother and the Company’s CEO, Uri Minkoff. Together, Uri and Rebecca have grown the Rebecca Minkoff brand into the largest global fashion label led by a female millennial designer. Today, the Rebecca Minkoff brand spans ready-to-wear, bags, footwear, jewelry, watches, and tech. Her unique vision for the brand is singularly focused on her ideal millennial girl, who experiences all of life’s exciting moments, with her confident, go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. The brand is distributed in over 900 stores worldwide, with flagship stores in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Chicago. The brand also has free-standing stores in Hong Kong, Korea, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok.
Rebecca Minkoff is famous for her fabulous fashions and accessories,
What trip did you take when you first realized that you had “made it” in your industry and were a success and had extra money for a trip? Tell me about that.
I could only afford an economy ticket. A friend worked for Conde Nast, and she had drivers……she let me bunk with her at her hotel room, and go to Paris with her for Fashion Week. It was more than I could ever afford to do and I felt like I had “made it.” It was about three years into my company. I couldn’t afford to buy anything so I took picture of shoes and bags. I only had $200 to spend on inspiration stuff. When I could afford it I and six friends went to our friend’s wedding in Italy in 2010. We chartered a little boat in Bodrum, Turkey and it wasn’t expensive or luxurious. We sailed, swam, ate, drank and hiked. It was very rural.
Tell me about your favorite hotels.
Ohhh. OK. There’s a hotel in Italy in the south near the boot: Borgo Egnazia (in Puglia). That’s the name of the hotel. It is the most magical place I’ve ever been. The grounds were built to look like a re-created Jerusalem. They make fresh pasta and mozzarella in front of you, and they you eat the dinner. The spa is incredible – everyone whispers……it’s dark and it feels like the womb. I went there in 2018. My husband and I want to go back. It’s in Fasano.
Favorite brand of luggage?
Right now I use Rebecca Minkoff. It’s very unassuming, light, it lasts, has good compartments. If I don’t use that I use a Samsonite that’s a workhorse, and then I have an Oakley hockey bag for when we travel with all the kids. I have three kids. We have a lot of stuff.
A Rebecca Minkoff backpack can carry all of your essentials, and take the "travail" out of your ... [+]
What do you never travel without?
Currently, my breast pump. And a great Rebecca Minkoff bag. I think that there’s a style to it that is not flashy – not with a logo. They’re versatile – cross-body or clutch. The quality for the price I have yet to see matched. We have a clutch that starts at $95, and $195-$225 is our sweet spot.
Favorite airline.
Delta. I get upgraded a lot.
Favorite resort?
Beaches, when I’m with the kids. What I love about it – our kids are really happy here. Here they are happy and there is plenty for them to do.
The stunningly beautiful pool -- and sandy white beach surrounding it -- at Beaches in Turks and ... [+]
Favorite hotel brand as a couple?
We don’t go anywhere as a couple. We want to go The Dunmore in Harbour Island in the Bahamas. We used to take the kids there. The hotel looks like it is from the Fifties. You’re just waiting for Frank Sinatra to roll out.
What’s your diet and beauty routine when you travel and are on the road.
I’m primarily gluten-free, grain-free, and I take coffee with cream (I’d rather have fat than sugar). I try not to drink alcohol because it gives me a headache. I take a lot of vitamins.
Packing tips?
My grandmother taught me to roll my clothes. Stack all your shirts and roll together. Now I just plan all of my outfits.
Favorite item of clothing that you always pack?
A good pair of comfy sweatpants from The Great. They make great sweat pants and loungewear.
How do you treat yourself when you travel?
I always get a massage.
What’s your best general travel tip?
I travel with a face mask and moisturizer so you’re not as dried out when you land. Sunday Riley is a great brand I’m into right now. Wander Beauty has great undereye patches.
How do you fight jet lag and fatigue?
Melatonin. I take it whenever I land. It helps me reset my clock. I take it every day. At night before I go to bed. Exercise helps too. When you land, take your shoes off and put our feet into grass or sand – to get the energy and frequency of the earth. It grounds you.
For more on Debbi’s Wanderlust travels, Follow her on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.
