
Monica Paolini Of Sea NY Invites Us Over
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by PHOTOGRAPHED BY BELATHÉE PHOTOGRAPHY
Monica Paolini is one half of New York City label Sea NY, which she runs alongside childhood friend, Sean Monahan. The seasoned industry veteran worked for some heavy-hitters in fashion (including designer Jill Stuart and as Design Director for Betsey Johnson), before joining forces with her bestie to help launch the line. Below, the talented fashionista invites us into her new Gramercy apartment, which she shares with fiancé Eric and their ten-month-old son Luca, and gives us a glimpse at Sea’s studio, her thoughts on becoming a mother, and more.
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“I knew once Luca would arrive, I would want to create a home that he would feel comfortable and safe in. I always remember my mom and dad created a warm environment for us to grow up in, and I wanted the same for Luca. That’s why we moved from lower Manhattan into the more family-friendly, traditional NYC co-op in Gramercy.”
Monica wears a white crochet sweater from Sea NY and vintage Wrangler jeans. Luca wears Bon Ton overalls and a Bon Ton shirt.
- “We recently moved into our home, and started with no furniture. Slowly, we are building a collection of our favorite things from antique markets, John Derian, and BDDW. It’s so much fun to take your time decorating to find the perfect piece for your home, so that you really love it.”
- “I think it helped me to have less clutter, a cleaner more livable aesthetic, with less things for Luca to get into.”
- “I don’t really have a philosophy, but have always loved being in a really warm hotel room, and have been inspired by some of my favorites: The Chateau Marmont, The Bowery, Lafayette House, and The Palace Hotel in Tokyo.”
- “My BDDW Captain’s Mirror.”
- “I like incorporating Luca’s toys in all rooms of the house, but find it safer if he plays most of the time in his room, where there are padded mats, and less things for him to get into that may be dangerous for him.”
- “My Kitchen. Luca and I love to sit and look out the window, watching the people go by. I also love to cook for my family when I have the time.”
- “We order in from Midwinter Kitchen, which is on the ground floor of our building. They have an amazing kale cesar salad. Or, I’ll buy some great cheeses and a baguette from Bedford Cheese, and make a salad. Lately, I have been making baked salmon with shishito peppers. It takes like ten minutes to make.”
- “Being on time. I am perpetually ten minutes late for everything in life, and am always running to get to where I need to go. I wish I knew how to budget more time for travel, and reduce the stress of being late.”
- “Eric and I try to take a really positive and laid-back approach, and want to teach him to be kind, honest, and brave. Each day, we try to have as much fun with Luca as we can, taking him everywhere, and never really sheltering him from our lives. Instead, incorporating him with our work, dinners, friends, parties, etc.”
- “I have always dreamt of giving my love to a child of my own. For years, I struggled to figure out when the right time would be in my career to start a family. I’ve worked so hard through almost all of my thirties, and finally felt comfortable in my career and with my company to think about trying. I feel so blessed that Eric and I were able to get pregnant and have our beautiful boy. I knew it was going to be hard to be a mom, but never imagined it would be half as amazing as it is each and every day.”
- “Not being able to spend enough time with Luca, and give my son all that he needs. Fearing that I will miss out on one of his firsts, or just not soak it all in fast enough. It’s incredible how fast time is flying by.”
- “I bought a few books—Bringing Up Bebe and The Happiest Baby On The Block. I honestly never had the time to get through them before having Luca. Save the money, I think!”
- “When Luca was first born, my mom always told me to try and nap while Luca napped. It wasn’t always possible, but did help give energy back to reboot from the sleepless nights in the early months of motherhood.”
- “Don’t listen to everything you hear or read. I think a lot of books and websites make you feel so scared and nervous, that it’s going to be so difficult and hard to handle. And, it is at times, but listen to your instincts. You find a way to manage once you get your daily routine down. After the first month, it all gets easier. I just went with how each day unfolded.”
- “She tells me that I am a bit more laid back than she was with me.”
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“My mother and my grandmothers. They taught me to be a kind independent, to follow my dreams, and that anything was possible if I put my mind to it. Also, Michelle Obama. Her speeches during the election have been so inspiring about our children’s future, and what they need.”
Monica wears the Sea NY Camelia Border Dress.
- “Sadly, I have been on a shopping fast since moving to Gramercy. But, I am usually in a mix of vintage, Sea, and some of my favorite designers like Lemaire, Dries Van Noten, and Celine.”
- “My dry cleaning bill has increased quite a bit since Luca has come into my life. I would say I’m wearing easier-to-clean, comfortable pieces.”
- “Online: Net-A-Porter and Smallable for Luca. Or, when I am on a work trip doing ‘market research’, usually in Paris to buy fabric, I’ll check out all the French children’s stores. I love Bon Ton and Le Bon Marche.”
- “High-waisted vintage jeans, a Victorian Sea blouse with ruffles and lace, or a white, classic tee.”
- “I wear Sea always, and like to mix it with vintage, Lemaire, Chloe, Celine, and Dries Van Noten.”
- “So happy that ruffles and puff sleeves are back.”
- “Our Exploded Eyelet Ruffle Top from The Resort Collection.”
- “It’s pretty simple. I wash my face each morning and night with Darphin Cleansing Milk, and use tinted face cream from La Mer with SPF. A little mascara, blush, and lip shine.”
- “I ride city bike to and from work every day when the weather cooperates. I also do pilates three times a week with an amazing teacher, Annie Venier, at Le Petit Studio, and have been learning a really helpful way of combining foods to give me energy and help to lose those last bits of baby weight from Daphne Javitch at Doingwell.com."
- “Ten months since he’s been born, and I’m still trying decide on wallpaper. But in any case, it’s quite simple, but cute, filled with toys and an Oeuf crib and dresser to match.”
- “His Schoenhut baby grand piano.”
- “He loves being on the move, and getting into trouble. He’s so into finding electrical outlets and wires, and climbs onto anything he can pull himself onto.”
- “Boys’ names are so difficult! Luca was the only name that I have always absolutely loved for a boy. I’m so happy that Eric loved it too, and we were able to agree.”
- “He usually gets up around six or so, and I’ll bring him into our bed with us to drink his morning bottle. When he’s done, we move to the kitchen, and I’ll make breakfast for him, while dancing and singing to Sesame Street songs. I’ll do whatever I can to make him laugh, while he sits in his high chair eating his O's. Then, we juggle bathing and getting dressed before his nanny arrives, and we are off to work. When we get home from work, we all eat dinner together. Luca goes to sleep around eight on good nights. If so, it allows Eric and I to have a glass of wine and catch up, or watch a fun TV show together.”
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“Well, I always have Luca’s little face in mind with whatever I am doing. That’s a big change. Before that, I only thought about work, and what we were going to do for the next collection. Now, I can’t wait to come home from work everyday to play with Luca. Which, of course, means less time to focus solely on work. That conflict still affects me—how to continue to grow our brand and be a great mom to Luca. Luckily for me, everyone at the studio loves having him around, and he loves being there, and we can all take turns playing with him, so we get our work done. Since becoming a mom, I have an incredible focus that allows me to get so much more done than before. I don’t spend hours pondering a color story or a dress design. I go with my instinct and do what I need to do in order to do be with Luca, and do a good job for Sea.”
Monica wears a denim wool suit by Sea NY. Luca wears a grey sweater and jeans by Bon Point.
- “Make sure to focus on being a couple, and have your own time to be together. It’s easy to forget that at times, when you have an adorable baby that you can’t get enough of.”
- “Sharing New York with Luca has refreshed my love for the city.”
- “I feel New York is, and always will be, home for me.”
- “The incredible access to diverse activities, culture, and parks. Right outside our door, there are parks full of children, and we are a quick car ride away from a museum or zoo.”
- “I didn’t really know that many other mothers, but any that I did know, I tried to connect with while I was pregnant to hear advice about breastfeeding, sleep training, etc. It’s so nice to feel support from other mothers.”
- “On the weekends, enjoying a cozy morning in bed with him, while having his bottle. Making breakfast for Eric and Luca, and after, all of us going to the farmer’s market to pick out ingredients for dinner. Then, making our way to the playground nearby. Lunch may be at the pizzeria nearby. Then, spending an early fall evening playing records and having a dance party in our living room with Luca before dinner.”
- “By my office, we eat frequently with Luca at Shigure, a wonderful and homey Japanese sake bar. Near my home, we have the farmer’s market at USQ, Bedford Cheese, a great neighborhood restaurant called Midwinter Kitchen, Gramercy Tavern for a glass of wine, and Motorino for Pizza. For Luca, Books of Wonder, ABC Carpet’s children’s department, USQ Park, Madison Square Park.”
- “I design clothing for my brand, Sea, that I own with my best friend, Sean Monahan.”
- “I was the Design Director of Betsey Johnson before transitioning to Sea nine years ago. Betsey is a wonderful lady that made coming into work every day dynamic and enjoyable. Although, I felt I needed to do something that was closer to my own design aesthetic, and my best friend Sean was starting his own company, Sea, so I joined him soon after. Before Betsey, I worked for Jill Stuart. Luckily, Jill saw something in me and hired me out of it.”
- “My partner, Sean, started the business about ten years ago, and was able to grow it to a point where it made sense for me to come over and work full-time on Sea. The genesis of the brand is our friendship. We have known each other since childhood, and I think this really shows in the way we work together. Our design ethos are aligned, and we completely trust each other. We both come from different backgrounds in terms of our previous work roles, and it has meant we can both bring a different dynamic to Sea.”
- “We always envision the Sea woman as someone who wants to dress like herself. She has a sense of freedom and creativity, while not looking like she’s tried too hard. She is elegant, cool, and sophisticated, but definitely fun!”
- “From Spring 17’, I love our Camelia border printed silk bohemian dress. It’s easy to wear, and simply makes you feel pretty.”
- “We haven’t moved in yet, but it will be with less stairs than we have now. So, very excited for the end of walking up five flights!”
- “I am doing what I love, and that it hasn’t had to change much since becoming a mother.”
- “Our customers, and the women you see walking on the streets.”
- “I have an amazing nanny who comes while I’m at work, and Eric is an amazing father who always partners in caring for Luca. When I have to work late nights and weekends before a collection needs to be finished, Luca comes to work, and everyone is so great about taking turns entertaining him.”
- “I am much more focused at work and getting my job done, so that I can get home to my son.”
- “It hasn’t.”
- “I’m not sure, just getting the hang of having one.”
- For more on Monica and Sea NY follow her on Instagram.
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