“I’m not like a ‘regular’ mom, I’m a ‘cool’ mom,” said Mrs. George aka Amy Poehler in Mean Girls. Today’s profile features Grace Sun of blog Mama is Haute, who isn’t running around in a pink Juicy jumpsuit as her daughter booty shakes to Kelis, but is in fact a cool mom—the coolest. Her resume includes interning for Philip Lim, creating the movie poster for ‘The English Patient’ (true story) and designing her own collection, Grace Sun Designs, which was picked up by Barneys in its first season. Read about this jack of all trades whose humor is as cutting edge as her accessories!
“I was a 34-year-old intern running to Macy’s for nipple pasties for the Philip Lim fashion show at Bryant Park.”
How did you come up with the name, Mama is Haute? It was originally Mama Wears Prada but, I wasn’t able to use their name so Mama is Haute is the product of my two best friends and a few martinis!
You entered the fashion industry later in life. Can you give women climbing that fashion ladder a tip? Always be nice and always be humble. It’s a small industry and you will see people again.
What is your fashion high?
- Interning for Philip Lim. I got to experience everything with him before he blew up. Working there was like a start-up. He is so down to earth, sticks to his work, and is totally married to delivering the best product. He’s a perfectionist and doesn’t do drama. His office is like a machine yet laid back and never a girl crying in the corner.
- Starting my own collection, Grace Sun Designs. It was picked up by Barneys its first season. I had no fashion schooling and that stamp of approval was incredible.
What launched Philip Lim? His first presentation at Bryant Park (didn’t do a runway show) was in a photo studio and he created a sculptural fixture that he placed his models on. Everyone wanted to be there … the line was out the door for his first time.
What is your fashion low? My final show at Philip Lim and had to run to Macy’s to buy nipple pasties for the show. I was a 34-year-old intern running to buy pasties for a partner.
You have had quite the resume in many different industries. Walk us through each!
- Print Design: I designed movie posters for a small design house, including ‘The English Patient’ poster.
- Technology: I launched a social networking company for ethnic communities in 1997, which was sold to Interactive One in 2008.
- Clothing Design: Grace Sun Designs, my own collection.
- Edition Market: This is my newest endeavor where we design products (accessories, apparel, home goods) with fashion influencers and bloggers and sell it online. I create products from scratch and I have a partner who sells them online.
- NET-A-PORTER
- Asos (hint – these pink sunglasses are from Asos and are head over heels).
- The Outnet
- eBay
- Buenos Aires: I love their fashion because it’s so funky and there is a lot of vintage. The Argentines have such individual style.
- Sardinia: I went to this tiny, hippie town filled with boutiques like Calypso-beachy with a lot of local designers.
- Laconda Verde: The breakfast is amazing…get the Ricotta Pancakes
- Greenwich Grill: Downstairs is Japanese and upstairs is Italian
- The Odeon: This is a staple, go for rose, frites, steaks and oysters and park it outside.
- Tiny’s: Get the White Lady (I order a White Lady for an Asian Lady). It’s a delicious cocktail.
- Weather Up: Get the Enfante (tequila with a brick of ice).
