CFDA winner, designer, mother host Cynthia Rowley seems to do everything! She recently took time from her hectic schedule to talk with us about her latest eyewear collaboration with Zenni (which only launched this week!) , how she’s finding inspiration during those not-so-normal occasions, and what it is like hosting a podcast. Read on to our meeting with the designer that is iconic.
Zenni: You do it all! Shoes handling your businesses, hosting a podcast, and eyewear with Zenni. How do you balance everything?
I get very excited about each new thought. Being able to envision something and make a reality feels like magic.
Zenni: What do you love most about this second Zenni x Cynthia Rowley collection?
Cynthia Rowley: What a huge honor to get to do another collection with Zenni!! We are so proud to present so many contours, colours, and technology that we have added this time. I’m so, so excited to talk about everything!
Zenni: Talking of technologies, you added Zenni Blokz in this collection. Why has blocking blue light turned into a priority for you?
Cynthia Rowley: OMG the blue light eyewear blockers are SO important right now! In quarantine we are currently spending so much additional time on our screens and that I believe my eyes burning and tired everyday.
Zenni: Inform us about what inspired the print that appears on the collector instances and lens cloths within this collection.
Cynthia Rowley: The printing is taken directly from the opening look of our Spring 2020 runway showthat was an homage to Dr Seuss’ famous book “Oh The Places You Will Go.” The book isn’t so much about travel since it’s inviting you to take chances and be inquisitive about life –very inspiring!
Zenni: You are known for your international aesthetic and carefree approach to travel. What are some of the favorite areas?
Cynthia Rowley: I have so many fantastic memories and are lucky to see numerous fantastic places in my life. I made it a priority together with my kids as it’s so important to learn about and appreciate other cultures to travel as far as possible. For the time being, my favorites have been Egypt, and Bhutan, Senegal, Tanzania.
Zenni: Obviously with everything going on in the world we are not able to travel right now. Here are some tips once we’re in your home, to have the beauty of the world and creativity?
Cynthia Rowley: Books, documentaries, and social websites are fueling my wanderlust for the time being. I also follow National Geographic on Instagram and enjoy documentaries such as Endless Summer and Beyond.
Zenni: We all know that giving back is important for you. How are you giving back in such times and currently offering confidence?
Cynthia Rowley: We have been producing masks and providing tutorials and patterns to people so they can sew their own. We’ve also been donating to charities, such as City Harvest. I think it’s great to look at GoFund Kickstarter and me and try to help companies who have begun campaigns there. By helping a buddy just starting is a pursuit too — join two people or contribute leftover materials. It’s all good even if it’s something small!
Cynthia Rowley and Kit Keenan in Cynthia’s newest series
Zenni: You have a podcast with your daughter Kit (that we love!) Known as Ageless. What is it like tinkering with Bundle?
Cynthia Rowley: It’s so much fun to perform the podcast! Kit went away to USC. Because we can speak for hours when she transferred to NYU and arrived back to New York, I was happy. She’s always been a classic spirit, while I am the one. Together we can push on each other to do things that are bold, whether it’s death-defying adventures or asking someone to join us. We hope our yin and yang inspires other people to live their fantasies!
Zenni: Why do your daughters come for you for style advice?
Cynthia Rowley: My kids just come for me to raid my closet! They both have their own take on what’s trendy, although neither of my girls will be obsessed with fashion.
Zenni: We want your information! Can you share some strategies for coordinating your furry friend?
Cynthia Rowley: The humorous thing about eyewear is that a lot of people just buy one optical and one sunshine and they’re done. However, to me, the way that you feel can your eyewear can be changed by exactly the same way clothes. The new Zenni X Cynthia Rowley collection provides so many ways to personalize your style which you may wish to have a few spares and is affordable.