Real Mom – Joy Gryson of Joy Gryson Handbags

We are so excited to have Joy Gryson, the designer and CEO of Joy Gryson handbags as our real mom today. I loved all her answers during our Q&A about her favorite spots in NYC to treat herself and her favorite designers. She’s amazing and so are her bags.

JOY is giving away one of her JOY GRYSON handbags!! We are obsessed with her bags and we love her entire collection. Make sure and follow her on instagram for sample sales,deals and new designs. My favorite Joy Gryson bag is always on my arm and people stop me to find out where it’s from. You can read all about the talented designer behind these amazing bags below…

Tell us about how you started JOY GRYSON HANDBAGS?

I had worked for amazing powerhouse design companies and learned so much, but it got to a point where I had started a family, and was traveling so much for work, that I did not have much of a work/life balance. My husband Peter, and I had actually met when working at Calvin Klein Accessories, so we were both in the fashion industry, and between the two of us, we felt we had the knowledge and experience to start something on our own. From a Design perspective, I did feel that there was a void in the market place for really beautiful, chic handbags that were not a typical big brand name, but still had the similar aesthetics and make, as those, but without the oversized logos, and oversized price. I wanted to offer women an alternative to the typical “it” bags, I wanted to design bags that were appreciated for its form, function, design, material and make, and not just for the brand name. Our vision was to design and make bags that offered amazing design with a downtown cool edge, that would still be timeless and wearable for years to come.

What has surprised you most about being a business owner while also being a mom?

I was most surprised at how many women I met who were doing the same thing! My generation is filled with serious hard working women who want to have it all, and sacrifice a lot to be able to make it work for their families, and for themselves. It’s very empowering to be able to do this, but it’s such hard work and long hours, but definitely worth it!

What is your number one beauty item?

Since it is coming into the colder months – La Mer Moisturizing Cream. It really does keep my skin moist and soft in the winter. It is definitely worth the cost – and you really are supposed to use only a dab – so it does goes a long way.

If you could only have one Joy Gryson bag which one would it be?

Of course, the Olivia bag! Named after my daughter Olivia – and the very first JOY GRYSON bag I ever designed.

Do you have a favorite spot in the city to go and recharge your battery after a long day/week at work?

I love the spa called Aire Ancient Baths on Franklin Street. It is just a block away from work, yet when you go inside, you feel like you are transported into a completely different world. The massages are amazing, and the many different baths are so relaxing.

Who is your favorite designer to wear?

My favorite designer to wear is probably Isabel Marant – I love her casual yet cool vibe. Her pieces are very comfortable, and easy to wear, and for my lifestyle work well from day into night.

Do you have any role models in the fashion world?

I admire Alber Elbaz (Lanvin), he is super talented, seriously creative, while still seeming like a genuinely nice, kind, and humble person. All of the articles I have read about him, he exudes this genuine kind of person and a true gentleness about things. There are a lot of over the top personas out there – and to find someone who has accomplished so much with still such a kind heart and a humbleness, is truly rare.

I’m dying to know where you go in the city to get your guilty pleasure fix?

Clementine in TriBeCa has this amazing Whoopie pie – which for some reason I have only now just stumbled upon, but it is amazing! My entire office loves it, and I told them that for every birthday celebration, we are celebrating with their Whoopie Pie. The only thing is that it is not available every day, sad face!

How do you spend quality time with your family in NYC?

We love NYC, and along with the typical touristy things we do (like see shows, go to museums, and exhibits) . All 3 of us like to play tennis, so on nice days we stroll or bike ride on the West Side Highway to the public tennis courts and wait in line and then play for the 1 hour allotted. The 1 hour wait (not always that long) is just as fun as playing together. We also like to take the whole family including our dog, Captain, to Central Park.

What’s your life motto that you live by?

Always be nice. On a daily basis, we probably interact with minimally 2 dozen people a day. It only takes 1 person who acts rude or meanly, to ruin your day. But even in bad situations, if people are nice and deal with things in a decent manor, even the bad issues, don’t seem as bad when relayed or dealt with in a kind voice. ……Not to mention, this world is a small place, I meet people all of the time who know someone I know, etc. – so you never want to have a reputation of being mean, it helps no one.

Enter JOY GRYSON giveaway