Designer Spotlight

We are constantly inspired by the work of creative women working within the field of home design, and when those design professionals are also moms, we are floored by their dedication to both their work and their children. To celebrate Mother's Day this year, we asked some of our favorite design industry professionals to tell us how being mothers has also inspired their work. Keep reading to see how moms like Kathryn Ireland, India Hicks, Cat Seto, Tamara Kaye-Honey, and many more find balance, inspiration, and humor in their lives as designing moms.

If you loved the last Novogratz for CB2 collection, then you'll flip for the latest collaboration inspired by the designer couple's family vacation home in Brazil. Filled with playfully modern pieces like swing chairs and monkey lamps, the Novogratz Brasil Collection for CB2 launches tomorrow, along with a sweepstakes contest that boasts a pretty sweet prize — a slumber party at the couple's vacation pad in Brazil! Seriously. Keep reading for a first look at the whimsical new collection and details on how to get in on the grand prize.

After Thomasine Dolan's two decades of experience with labels like Ralph Lauren, Armani, and Banana Republic, it's only fitting that she too would craft her own line that pays homage to cool American classics. Two years ago, she did just that with the launch of her semieponymous label, Thom Dolan, offering up a collection of smart, tailored menswear-inspired separates, all with a charming little twist. Knit sweaters are adorned with buttons down the back. The oxford silhouette is more than just a button-down — it's a sweet silk printed shirtdress — and the Fall '12 looks are brimming with plaid. If you ever wore a school uniform, you may see the resemblance — only these pleated skirts and button-downs are all grown-up. Click on for a few of our favorite pieces to shop right now, and be sure to check out Thom Dolan for a complete look at the lineup.

Launched in 2012, Jeunesse (which translates to "youth") is a conceptual collection that recognizes the art of working together for common goal. The line, which is available online at Shopbop, Intermix, Saks, and more, focuses on the art of collaboration, and each season it partners up with emerging artists and industry tastemakers to bring a fresh twist to the classics. For Spring 2013, creative director Cynthia Mittweg teamed up with two LA-based artists to create a collection of silk blouses in eye-catching prints and billowy button-down silhouettes.

The prints for next season are the work of Emily Factor, great-granddaughter of legendary cosmetician Max Factor, and Grant Shumate, an up-and-coming print artist who is currently managing the Saint Laurent studio for Hedi Slimane. Emily created the painterly floral patterns in the collection, ranging from Poison Flower, Blocked Peony, and a large-scale feather design in contrasting Spring hues, while Grant pinpointed the Aztec trend by offering up vivid geometric prints in rich purples and reds. While the idea — a spin on the silk shirt — doesn't seem overly innovative, the outcome is remarkable. By combining an iconic silhouette with original prints from cutting-edge artists, Jeunesse is introducing a new way of creative clothing that everyone will love — and we'll be snapping up these lovely, light-as-air pieces as soon as possible. Click through to see some of our favorite tops from the Spring '13 lookbook now.

What do you get when you combine a former Calvin Klein stylist, a footwear-construction expert, and a mutual love for ultracool Transformers-style designs? New shoe line Freda Salvador. The Sausalito, CA-based brand was cofounded by Megan Papay and Cristina Palomo Nelson in the hopes of creating a shoe that provided functionality and luxury — and they did just that. With their joint fashion backgrounds (Papay worked in the celebrity styling department of Calvin Klein, and Palomo Nelson not only hails from one of the largest shoemaking families in Central America, but also has studied shoe design at Ars Sutoria in Milan), it's not hard to see why or how Freda Salvador caters to an every-girl sensibility. There's a mid-calf riding boot — classic, colorblocked, and multistrapped — that, when folded down, morphs into an edgier ankle boot. Or, there's a printed calf-hair saddle shoe that transforms into the slickest pair of smoking slippers with just the removal of a strap. It's all in the details, and Papay and Nelson have taken care to pay attention to even the slightest footwear nuances. We've picked our favorite styles fresh from their first-ever collection, plus provided an inside look at the ladies behind Freda Salvador, when you keep clicking.

Last season, we introduced you to five up-and-coming fashion designers who had a special place in our hearts, and now we're highlighting another handful of newcomers who are planning to light up the runway during Spring 2013 Fashion Week. From Tanya Taylor's playful vintage-inspired prints to Jennifer Fisher's rocker-cool baubles, click through to see five fresh designers that are ready to kill it on the catwalk in the next few weeks.

A trip to Jennifer Fisher's Soho studio is like a trip to Candy Land — and the designer, herself, is like your fairy godmother, albeit the kind that wields amazingly edgy and awesome studded gold cuffs and jeweled skull cocktail rings instead of sweets. If you haven't yet heard of the insanely talented jewelry designer — whose celebrity clientele reads like a who's who of Hollywood and includes A-listers like Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Miranda Kerr, and Sheryl Crow (who just sported Fisher's jewels at the Tonys) — consider this your formal introduction. Fisher welcomed us into her studio with open arms – then opened up the jewelry cases, giving us free reign to try on her cool-girl collection and revealing just how she began her career as one of the hottest up-and-coming designers in her field. Read on to get to know our latest designer crush and her gorgeous collection of baubles.

FabSugar: How did you get started designing jewelry?

Jennifer Fisher: I was a wardrobe stylist for film and TV before I made my first piece. I ended up being diagnosed with a really rare sarcoma in 1998, and I was dating my husband here in NY and flying back and forth from NY to LA, working on jobs and going through chemotherapy at the same time for this tumor. Work saved me. After we got married, we wanted to have a child, but my oncologist didn't want me to . . . Long story short, it was a really long journey to get to have my son.

When he was born, I wanted something cool to wear with his name on it, and there was nothing out there. It was all very generic, and I didn't want to look like everybody else. I wanted something that felt heavier and edgier and had some grit to it and some substance.

So I went out and sourced how to make these tags and started making them, just with his full name on a long chain, and people started stopping me on the street and asking me to make them, and that's sort of how it started. And then other pieces, oh, you know, 'Will you make me this?' And it just started growing into 1,000 different options of charms now.

FS: Do you have a specific girl in mind when you're designing?

JF: No, it's funny — I don't design seasonally, although I'm starting to sort of have to, now that I'm in stores. I started designing wanting something sort of different, so in designing pieces, I sort of go for what I feel like wearing. I think trying to worry about what everyone else is doing sets you up for failure. It's not really designing for someone in mind so much, but more what I want to wear that week or that day.

Someone always says to me, 'What season is this from?' But I wanted pieces you would wear in Fall and Summer, and pieces you don't get sick of after a year. I try not to be too trendy, and that's why I don't work with stones too much or with color. I really like the metal base because I feel like it's timeless.

FS: What's up next for Jennifer Fisher?

JF: I'm working on these larger statement things and working toward more earrings — I'm really into earrings right now! – more heavy necklaces, because that's the one thing that's lacking. I was so into bracelets when I started the line that now I want to go into earrings more. It was really bracelets and rings to begin with, and now I want to do big necklaces, charm bracelets on a really heavy level. It's fun! I'm also working on a collaboration, but it's not finalized yet.

It's fun to grow and to see what this has turned into from this little thing. It's fun to create what you want to create and to have people on the street that I don't know wearing it — that's the most amazing thing in the world.

FS: If you weren't a jewelry designer, what would you be?

JF: Growing up I always wanted to be a plastic surgeon. I have such a crazy, type-A, detail-oriented personality that that's something that I would love to do.

Just in time for bikini season, we came across Giejo, a new swimwear line created by Gabby Sabharwal. "The idea to create a swimsuit came about really as something that was initially just for me," said the supertalented 26-year-old, who also leads a double-duty life as a PR girl at BCBG Max Azria. "I was looking to purchase a new swimsuit for my upcoming vacation with my girlfriends. We were going to St. Thomas to celebrate my 25th birthday and of course I wanted to look fabulous." That said, Giejo — the name stems from a childhoood nickname — was born in Spring '11 and has already garnered a cult following from stylish girls looking for a unique twist on swimwear. When we say unique, we really mean it; Gabby uses deadstock textiles so only a certain amount of pieces can be made in a collection. In fact, Barneys loved her line so much that it asked Gabby to design an exclusive collection (available now in stores and online). Want to learn more about Gabby? Just read below for the 411, then click the slideshow to see her Summer '12 lookbook.

FabSugar: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Gabby Sabharwal: Everyone in New York City. I could spend hours people watching. They are the real people wearing fashion. I always dreamed of moving to this city and I am grateful every day to wake up and experience what surrounds me.

FS: How would you describe the Giejo girl?
GS: The Giejo girl is me, but she is all of my girlfriends, too. She's fashion forward and wants to stand out. She is aware of the trends but is also price conscious, and she is a bit sick of hitting the sales. She wants an affordable line that is fashion forward and not mass market. She is a smart packer and smart shopper who is always on the go and trying to think of ways to simplify her wardrobe without sacrificing style.

FS: How do you balance being a designer and a BCBG PR girl?
GS: With a lot of organization and coffee! I work from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed! I usually wake up around 6 a.m. to start getting together the orders for Giejo, answer emails, run errands, pick up samples/fabric. Then, I'm in the office from 8:45 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Then, I go home to finish everything that I didn't get to during the day and start preparing for the next day. Every day there is a new challenge!

FS: Favorite food?
GS: French fries and ice cream.

FS: First memorable fashion purchase?
GS: For making national honor society in high school, my father bought me a Louis Vuitton purse — it was the one that everyone had — the mini wallet on a chain. I was obsessed!

Cartier recently released its first "short film," a fantasy short called L'Odyssée de Cartier, where a diamond panther set in the window of the Paris store comes alive and goes around the world in a series of adventures that touch upon memorable notes in the famed jeweler and watchmaker's 165-year-old history. Screened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last week, it was an impressive debut for what is, by definition, an ad, but an extremely beautiful, well-executed, three-minute one. We were particularly fascinated by the scenes in St. Petersburg, India, and China and the plethora of animals shown. We did some research and found enough history to do a feature film. Considering this short film was two years in the making with a crew of 60 people, we won't wait around for the feature, but we're going to stick to one of our trusty slideshows to show you some seriously impressive jewels — and the Indiana Jones-worthy stories behind them.

Photos courtesy of Cartier

Finding the perfect leather jacket can be quite the challenge — the fit and the price have to be just right. In comes Veda to the rescue: the brand, first conceived in 2008 by Lyndsey Butler, not only offers edgy chic leather jackets, but also delivers them at an affordable price point. Veda designer Lyndsey grew up splitting her time between Texas and Argentina and quickly developed a love for sumptuous, rocker-cool leather goods. After graduating from NYU, Lyndsey followed her fashion dreams by launching Veda, a line of super chic, amazingly innovative leather jackets ranging from classically cool to fresh, slightly offbeat designs. For Veda's Spring '12 collection, Lyndsey mixed things up even further by serving up architectural, sculpted leather tank tops, hot shorts, and floaty, boho-chic tops and dresses. We caught up with Lyndsey to talk Veda's Spring pieces, her personal style icons, and tips on finding the perfect leather jacket. Click through to see Veda's Spring '12 lookbook, as well as some exclusive quotes from the designer — and find out for yourself why this line should be on your style radar.