Entrepreneur Nancy McCormick joins us for the latest instalment of From The Desk Of...
Utterly underwhelmed by the clothing selection available for kids, Nancy McCormick decided to take matters into her own hands and launched Florence Fancy, a children’s clothing company, in 2010.
Much has changed for the McCormick Harvesting International heiress since she founded Florence Fancy as a boutique, appointment-only atelier on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, over a decade ago. Now, the mother of three (she had two little ones when she founded the brand) splits her time between NYC and her waterfront estate in Miami’s charming Coconut Grove and runs her the business via wholesale (think Maisonette) and online sales. We recently caught up with the stylish socialite to learn more about her daily routines and discover what’s in store for her adorable children’s brand.
How do you start your days?
I start my days by cuddling with my three-year old Charlie; is there really anything better? I see my two older kids off to school and drive my toddler to his preschool in our golf cart – yet another plus from moving from New York to Miami. The mornings are then a series of answering emails and conference calls until my workout.
What’s your go-to uniform?
As soon as I wake up, I put on athletic clothes, because once you are dressed to work out, you are one step closer to your goal of working out. I work out five days a week, and it really helps me clear my mind and revives my body.
Ever since moving to Miami, my wardrobe is so much easier to manage. I can throw on a cute summer dress and some nice sandals and you are good to go and look perfectly put together. In New York, it’s jeans and a blazer, and as much as I love Miami, I do miss my New York wardrobe!
Describe your workspace/ workplace…
As a mother of three, my workspace is on the go! I am always non-stop, so I can take work calls and answer emails from almost anywhere. I do have a gorgeous showroom in New York, in the top floor of a townhouse which is the most inspiring place.
What time of day are you at your most creative?
After my kids are off to school and before I work out, I do emails and conference calls. It’s not my most creative part of the day but it’s the CEO part of the day. Without getting into the details, budgets, and processes in place, I can’t focus on the fun stuff, which is the creative part.
I’m most creative after my workout. I have a new rush of energy and I have the most clarity. Anything can trigger my inspiration from a nice lunch setting to the way a girl is styled at a party, or it can be as simple as a flower arrangement or a colour palette.
I also love to bounce ideas and get creative with my daughter, Cyra, who is 13. She really gives so much input to the brand, from the cut to the vibe that she’s looking for. I started the brand because I couldn’t find the things I wanted in the market. And now I continue to produce the looks my daughter and her friends are looking for. It’s an ever-revolving process.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I really enjoy seeing girls being fancy and comfy, walking into a party and seeing girls being confident and comfortable in our looks – this is really my goal. I find such happiness when I see my clothes on a happy girl.
… and the most challenging?
The challenge is really evolving our looks in a world where athleisure and comfort take a front seat in fashion. Don’t get me wrong, I like being comfy, but I do miss getting looks together for any occasion. Our evolving looks really try to balance the new way we live.
What was your first job?
I worked at Christie’s in the New York headquarters.
Where are you from originally?
I am from France.
What sparked your interest in creating Florence Fancy?
When I had my first son, Sebastian, I noticed that there was a gap in the market. I would travel to Italy quite a bit and it all started with me curating looks and doing trunk shows in New York. In no time, I decided to design my first collection of dresses and it launched at Bergdorf Goodman.
What are you working on right now?
Since moving to Florida, we have been inspired to move into swimwear. We wake up on the weekends and we immediately put on a swimsuit. So, we wanted to create a collection of swimwear looks that would be more fun, colourful, and stylish. We are continuing to evolve our swim line and we really want to tap into the teen market, and design looks to bridge between girls and women’s styles. It’s a hard balance to strike but my daughter is really inspired as well – I can’t wait to share it all with you!
Any Questions or Tips to add?