On the eve of her first Mother's Day, the multi hyphenated designer talks about her first year as a mom

Business woman/jewelry and fashion designer/author/T.V. personality Ivanka Trump added the most important title to her name last year—mother. We were able to steal some of her precious time to find out how she manages to balance her many roles and still have time to sneak home and feed her daughter during the day. —Melissa Schweiger

When did your interest in fashion begin?
New York City architecture has always inspired me. My desire to launch a jewelry collection [Ivanka Trump Collection] came from my love of structure and architecture, along with my appreciation for the classics. "Heirloom chic"—the youthful reinvention of important legacy jewelry—is the creative vision behind my jewelry line. I like to put a modern twist on classic jewelry, capturing a sense of fine workmanship, tradition and off-hand elegance.

What closet essentials should every mom have?
Everyday pieces of versatile jewelry are essentials in any mom's wardrobe. The long rose gold chain with rock crystal and diamonds is a great example, as it can be worn long for a contemporary look, doubled as a chic necklace, or even wrapped around your wrist for a bolder style. Also, every mom needs a great pair of flats to run around in!

What inspires your designs?
My mother's legacy jewelry collection has always inspired me and helped propel my vision forward. I realized the fine jewelry market was missing a fresh, young approach and that's where my "Rock Tradition" vision plays a vital role. I draw inspiration from glamorous art deco pieces from the 1920s and combine it with modern day influences from architecture and my travels.

What does your typical day at the office look like?
Usually I wake up, feed Arabella, exercise, read through a copious amount of newspapers and arrive at the office somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning (my brothers and I are always the first ones in!). My days are often filled with meetings—regarding everything from hotel design to building management to jewelry initiatives to new deal development to marketing strategy. Sometimes I also film for The Apprentice. Between it all, I try to schedule time to return phone calls and emails, as I think it's very important to respond to people in a timely manner.

What pieces from your collections (both fashion and jewelry) do you wear the most frequently?
A fabulous pair of earrings that can transition from the office to a night out! My favorites are the medium signature oval diamond earrings from my collection. They really make a statement.

You are clearly a very busy mom, how do you balance it all?
I live close to my office, so I usually go home several times a day to accommodate Arabella's needs. It's definitely a balancing act!

What's the best advice you've ever received?
My father taught me that hard work never goes out of style and to always be prepared for everything. Create a strong and consistent identity, as your name and reputation are your best assets. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor.

What are your Mother's Day plans?
I'd love to spend time with my family this Mother's Day. It's an incredibly important holiday to me since it's my first year as a mother to Arabella.

Source: Elizabeth Street