When I think of a true style icon—someone who shaped my sense of fashion from the very beginning—I think of my Nana, Gloria Rose.
Born in 1926 in northern New Jersey, Gloria grew up in a family of sisters who loved trips into New York City for shopping and summers spent along the beaches of Atlantic City. After high school in South Orange, New Jersey, she earned a teaching degree from the University of Delaware, where she met her husband, Kurt—the love of her life. They married in June 1950 and, through Kurt’s career with DuPont, lived an adventurous life in places including Wilmington, Beaumont, Northern Ireland, and Mexico City.
Travel was central to Gloria’s life. Together, she and Kurt explored Europe, Asia, and Central and South America by land and sea. Some of my earliest memories are visiting them in Mexico City, surrounded by vibrant colors and rich textures. Nana dressed my sister and me in authentic Mexican clothing and taught us to embrace boldness—bright pinks and purples, mixed patterns, statement accessories, and her signature wine-colored lipstick.
She sewed many of her own clothes and later discovered a love for quilting. Fearless in both fashion and honesty, Nana always had an opinion—quick to compliment, but never shy about telling you if something wasn’t your color. In the final years of her life, we loved debating outfit choices and imagining how she would have designed them differently.
Growing up with such a strong, expressive woman was an incredible gift. It felt only natural to name my daughter after her. Shortly before she passed, Nana told me, “Don’t worry about your age—it’s just a number.” It’s a philosophy I carry with me, in life and in fashion.
