Rebecca Minkoff on taking risks, effortless style and lessons that built her brand
For designer Rebecca Minkoff, the roots of her career didn’t begin on a runway or inside a fashion studio. They began much earlier at flea markets, watching her mother build small businesses while raising a family.
“My mom was an entrepreneur in many facets of her life,” Minkoff told “GMA.” “She was selling cast covers at flea markets, and I got so excited by the idea that you could make something and sell it.”
As a child, Minkoff was encouraged to try her own entrepreneurial experiments, creating items like spin art and puffy paint sweatshirts to sell alongside her mother. Even though her sales weren’t booming, the experience planted a powerful seed.
“It was very humbling,” she joked. “But I was inspired by the fact that she was working and doing something she loved, and I could see it happening right in front of me.”
That early exposure helped shape a philosophy Minkoff still lives by today: embracing risk.
The designer recalls moving to New York City with no industry contacts. She said it was a leap of faith that ultimately helped launch the brand that now bears her name. Over time, she realized a pattern: the moments when she leaned into risk often led to the greatest breakthroughs.
“In building Rebecca Minkoff, we learned that the more risks we took, the more success we had,” she said. “When we played it safe and did what everyone said we should do, that’s when we didn’t find success.”
Most recently, she designed an exclusive fashion collection with QVC. The collaboration represented another leap into new territory.
The spring collection leans into one of fashion’s biggest movements right now: effortless dressing. According to Minkoff, the goal is to create pieces that feel polished without requiring hours of styling.
“You want the woman to shine,” she explained.
Minkoff did mention subtle design elements of the collection that she thinks are unique like dropped shoulders, slight flares in denim and delicate stud detailing, which help create that easy yet intentional aesthetic.
“They’re small things that aren’t always obvious, but they make the outfit feel stylish without looking like you tried too hard,” she said.
Minkoff also believes modern fashion is less about rigid trends and more about personal expression.
“It used to be that if you weren’t part of the trend, you were out,” she said. “Now there are so many styles happening at once. If it looks good on you, go with it.”
One standout piece from the collection holds a special place for the designer herself: a bold animal print denim set.
“When we decided on the zebra print in that silhouette, I was like, ‘I’ll be living in this,’” she said with a laugh.
By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave ABCNews.com and GoodMorningAmerica.com, and these e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here.
