Trendsetters at Work: Rebecca Minkoff & Ben Minkoff

We caught up with the man behind both brands, Uri Minkoff

By Emily Popp Oct 06, 2014 9:28 PMTags
Trendsetters, Ben Minkoff, Uri Minkoff Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Cooper, E!

We love a good brother-sister duo, and one of our favorites (and the most stylish) is definitely Rebecca Minkoff and Uri Minkoff.

We all know Rebecca as a fashion designer, but her brother Uri is actually the CEO/Co-Founder of Rebecca Minkoff the label, as well as creative director of menswear label Ben Minkoff.

We caught up with Uri to hear about how he started a brand with his sister, his most sage career advice, his thoughts on the intersection of fashion and technology—and more. Is your interest piqued yet? Thought so. Keep reading!

Jennifer Cooper, E!

What was your very first job? 
I was an assistant physical therapist in high school for an injured family friend. Our parents had us working from a very early age. We were expected to support ourselves as early as possible.

How did you get started in your career?
I was always interested in fashion, so when my sister called asking me for help, I suggested we start our company. Prior to that I was a tech entrepreneur

Who are some of your career heroes? 
I respect businessmen like Mickey Drexler for being an amazing merchant and fashion executive; the late Steve Jobs who provided us with innovation we didn't even know we wanted; and Tom Ford for his style, grace, brand building and design prowess.

What's a typical workday like for you?
It's a marathon composed of sprints that never end. I start early, feed my older kids breakfast and take them to school. It is a total joy to be able to do that. Once I hit the office it's non-stop meeting with store buyers, working with merchandise and upcoming seasons, designing, planning out social and digital strategies, meeting with the PR and retail teams, meeting with vendors, etc. It literally doesn't stop. I try to be home and spend an hour or two with my family and then usually work and do research until early in the morning, before trying to catch a few hours of sleep.

Jennifer Cooper, E!

Describe your office décor. What was your inspiration?
My office décor is very minimalistic. I don't like a lot of clutter. I hate paper and try to avoid it as much as I can. I was inspired by clean lines and open spaces when designing my office. Natural light is key for me.

List five things that are on your desk right now.
MacBook Air, my cutting-edge mouse that I can't live without, my mouse trackpad with photos of my family, a bonsai plant (I am obsessed with Japanese culture), and my Ben Minkoff Jerry Pouch that I carry everyday.

What do you typically wear to work?
Skinny jeans, a white button down, and always a very fitted blazer and a tie. The last two are a must.

What are your favorite stores to shop for work clothes?
Barneys, Saks, Mr. Porter and East Dane.

What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Necessity is the mother of invention. I love how it blends art and science. I am fascinated by their points of intersection.

Jennifer Cooper, E!

Finish the sentence…

Today for lunch I had…a kale salad with salmon. I don't eat grains or dairy.

The first website I log onto every day is…WWD.

My go-to grooming essential is… Lab Series moisturizer.

My must-have work gadget is…my iPhone.

My typical coffee order is…I don't drink coffee, but I love herbal teas.

If I need a quick break during work, I usually…get up from my desk and take a quick walk to grab some lunch late in the day.

If I wasn't doing this job, I would be…creating a fashion/tech app.

The best part of my job is…experimenting with and integrating cutting-edge technology into our business plan. The new intersection of fashion and technology is what drives my interest.