Today, at 50, she is still looking to her younger self for inspiration.
I remind myself that 28-year-old me wasnt afraid to ask.
The collection is for any and everyone, she said.
It speaks to a womans curves, it speaks to her youth, her boldness, her fearlessness.
They play many roles.
This collection celebrates their superpower, their ability to beat the odds.
They go at it in a very brave way, and thats inspiring to me.
Take me back to 1999 when you were 28.
What were you doing career-wise?
I left corporate America investment banking when I was 28.
I was working in marketing at a clothing brand calledCross Colours.
And thats what I did.
Is that when you started working with Jay-Z?
I had met Jay before he was an artist.
I was taking on clients at the time.
Thats how I met Jay.
Weve been working together since then.
What did a typical weekend look like for you at 28?
I used to love hosting dinner parties.
If I wasnt working, I did something very therapeutic, which was cooking.
I loved entertaining, I loved having friends over.
I looked at food like fashion, so I just enjoyed it.
I would make charcuterie boards and great meals that were colorful to the palette.
We would just unwind, plot, and plan with like-minded people.
It was a village.
I bet you make an epic charcuterie board.
It gets me so excited.
Its so much fun.
What was your biggest fashion splurge at the time?
Oh, Ill never forget this.
I was walking down Fifth Avenue and I saw this woman with an alligator belt buckle.
She was an older, very astute white woman.
I remember stopping her and saying oh my god, thats so striking.
Where did you get it?
And she was like oh, its Barry Kieselstein-Cord.
And I didnt know who that was at the time, we didnt have Google.
So I went home and did my research and discovered the brand.
I went and bought the buckle.
It was my first splurge.
I still have it to this day.
How did it feel to buy it?
Buying a $2,500 belt buckle was a big deal then.
Am I going to make this back?
What else was part of your signature style back then?
It was like, urban high-fashion.
I was wearing combat boots and long gowns.
I was that girl.
It was the juxtaposition of wearing a Gucci pinstripe suit with a baseball cap.
There was just something about it.
What were your goals at 28?
I thought about retirement.
I wanted to own property.
When I hit 30, I retired my mom and that was it.
What do you think your 28-year-old self would think about you now?
She would say wow, youre still having fun, huh?
Because I feel 28 still.
Shed probably be doing the dance with me right now.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
