Happy Father’s Day! 6 Designer Dads on Balancing Fatherhood and Careers, and the Lessons They Want to Impart on Their Children

It’s not very often that we get to hear from parents in the fashion industry about how they make it all happen, and even rarer to hear from fathers themselves. To celebrate Father’s Day, we thought we’d ask a group of designer dads to share with us how they approach parenthood and to let us in on the biggest lessons they’ve have learned from their children. Happy Father’s Day!

Jonathan Simkhai, SimkhaiJonathan Simkhai, TJ Allers, with their children River and Eliot.

Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Simkhai

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
Yes, very much it just didn’t seem like an option when I was growing up. There weren’t any queer families represented anywhere, neither was there any representation of queer happiness. The narrative around being gay and queerness was so unkind and so confusing to me as a kid so being a dad always felt so far out of reach. In my early 20’s when the cultural narrative started to shift and showed more acceptance of queer love, I began to realize that becoming a dad and starting a family could be possible.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
It’s not easy and I don’t know if I’m balancing anything but you just go day by day and show up as best as you can. Be there, be their dad, be the best dad you know how to be, and shower them with as much love as you can.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
A friend wrote a note to me right before the babies were born and it just said, “everything is going to be different now.” And I think about that line every single day since they arrived because nothing is the same.

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
To be kind and grateful and to remember that everyday there are so many people struggling without anything in this world, and to always give what they can, whenever they can, and whatever that might be.

Joseph Altuzarra, AltuzarraJoseph Altuzarra with his daughters, Charlotte, 2, and Emma, 4.

Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Altuzarra

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
I always knew I wanted to be a dad, and have a family.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
Balancing the demands of being a parent with the demands of a job is definitely tricky, and I struggle with it daily. I often feel guilty when I am at work and not with my kids, and when I am with the girls, I feel like I am not working enough. To manage this, I have found that setting boundaries, establishing clear expectations, and being kinder to myself are crucial. These strategies help me stay fully engaged and present when I am with Emma and Charlotte, allowing me to strike a better balance between work and family.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from being a parent so far is patience, I’ve always considered myself to be a relatively patient and calm person, but children will test your limits! I’ve discovered that taking a deep breath and staying calm and patient helps you navigate almost any situation effectively (This works for the office as well!)

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
The number one thing I hope to impart to my children is the importance of kindness and empathy. To me, there is nothing more valuable, and it is central to how I strive to live my life.

Peter Dundas, DundasPeter Dundas, far right, with his partner Evangelo and his children Eleni, 2, and Alexios, 3. “They are nine months apart, which an Irish friend told me is called ‘Irish twins.’”

Photo: Courtesy of Peter Dundas

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
I have always felt I could have a family whether with a wife or a husband but my work was basically my child for years. I am frequently asked after shows which was my favorite look my answer was always “how do you pick your favorite child” which I can obviously no longer say. When I met EV that changed because, coming from a big Greek family it was so important for him and I was in a place in my life where I was ready to be a parent, as much as that is truly possible.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
Finding the balance between work and parenting is not always easy. I get up a lot earlier in the morning, that is for sure. Luckily EV and I work together on so many projects so we can split our time more easily but sometimes you have to make hard choices on what is your priority which is a continuously moving target.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
I think with being a parent you get a deeper understanding of your own parents, maybe in the ways they reacted to you which may not have made sense at the time. I grew up with a single dad so being a parent has taught me a lot about him and our relationship. Also you redefine, in your conscious and also subconsciously, who you want to be as a person because that is who you will need to be to your kids.

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
It’s very hard to say just one thing but maybe kindness? Of course I won’t mind at all if they are great dressers. Passion and purpose are so important too, especially today.

Wes Gordon, Carolina HerreraWes Gordon with Henry, 3, and Georgia, 16 months.

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
I never imagined myself with children and now I couldn’t imagine my life without them. It was my husband, Paul, who dreamt of kids and I am forever grateful to him for it. They are center of my universe.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
Balance is tough but not impossible. I have a job I love and a family I love. Mornings and evenings (wake up and bedtime) are sacred to me—I won’t schedule anything until after 7:30 pm. Every chance I have, I’m with the kids.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Every adage and cliche is true. Kids are the best. Your life is better with them. They bring you more joy than you ever thought possible and make your heart grow enormously.

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
Kindness.

Humberto Leon, Designer & RestaurateurHumberto Leon with his mother, Wendy, and his daughters Emi and Mazzy.

Photo: Courtesy of Humberto Leon

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
Always! At one point I thought I wanted six kids like The Brady Bunch.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
I try to keep the kids in mind always, the girls are my number one priority.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
Listening is the most important thing.

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
To do things that bring them joy and to always think about helping others, and love your family. Love should always be Mazzy and Emi’s guiding light.

Stuart Vevers, CoachStuart Vevers with his 3-year-old twin River after the Coach spring 2024 fashion show…

Photo: Courtesy of Stuart Vevers

… and with Vivienne.

Photo: Alyssa Greenberg / Courtesy of Stuart Vevers

Did you always know you wanted to have children?
When I was growing up, I just didn’t consider it was an option for me. So I learned not to think about it. Fairly soon after I met my husband, he told me that if I didn’t want to get married and have children it would be a deal breaker. It woke me up to the possibility and to what I think I always really wanted. I’ll be forever grateful for that.

How do you balance the demands of being a parent with the demands of your job?
I think like for a lot of parents it can be a challenge. I think it’s made me prioritize what’s most important in my work. And also what I love most and feel most passionate about which has helped me creatively focus. But mostly there’s a lot more planning ahead.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent so far?
I think being a parent is helping me to continue to grow and learn. Particularly patience and empathy. Experiencing everything new through them has changed how I see the world.

What is the number one thing you hope to impart on your children?
Love.