Whether she was wiling away the hours in her grandparents’ shop or fantasizing about being trapped overnight in her favorite clothing store, Stephanie Mark’s preoccupation with fashion was part of her chic DNA right from the start. She truly realized her life’s passion, however, after a conversation with friends, all of whom were interested in, like she was, getting the inside line on the style ethos of the unsung, behind-the-red-carpet heroes who made up the industry: hair stylists, makeup artists, editors, and P.R. execs. After co-founding The Coveteur—the online culture, life, and style destination—she began to cultivate the creative collaborations that have now made the site a sartorial go-to for all … and that also keep her inspired as she evolves and expands the brand. “The Coveteur has allowed me to see how hard so many industry leaders work to establish themselves. Of course, being able to get inside the closets of style icons, like Anna Dello Russo, was a big draw, too.” —Jennifer Henderson
Name: Stephanie Mark
Occupation: The co-founder of the style and culture site, The Coveteur, where she’s overseen, since Day One, the site’s brand and partner relationships, as well as its incredible editorial content. “We try to make elevated and luxury content feel relatable and I think people really respond well to that. We are also always trying to give our readers inside access to style and culture that they are not able to find anywhere else online.”
True [style] stories: “My grandparents used to own a clothing store and I remember sitting on the floor behind the cash desk watching all the women browsing on the security-camera screen that was hidden there. I found the whole experience of being in a store all day, of being able to sneak into the stock room, or watch everyone try on items, endlessly fascinating. I once begged my mom to leave me at Gap Kids so I could be locked in overnight. #truestory.”
Fashion first … and last: “I have always wanted to work in fashion. For me, there was really no other option. I started to lay the groundwork early on by working at clothing stores during high school and university, and then, eventually, I made my way to New York by enrolling in the fashion marketing program at Parsons School of Design. From there, I interned at a bunch of different companies where I was really able to see all the different facets of fashion—especially the business side—and build long-standing and meaningful relationships.”
Her work ethic: “It’s pretty strong. Having your own business means being okay with extremely long and intense hours, and also sacrificing things such as time with friends and family and vacations. But it’s all worth it!”
The secret to success: “I think the key to success for anyone, myself included, is pretty simple: Work hard, be nice to people, listen to your gut instincts, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion, and stand up for what you think is right in terms of the type of environment you create and the brand you want to have.”
Her personal style: “I used to be a terrible serial shopper, buying things I would never wear, overspending on trendy items, not looking at the holes in my wardrobe. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been inspired by people whose closets are well edited and tell a cohesive story. It has led me to discover a personal style which I would describe as ‘casual chic’: wide-leg pants, cropped sweaters, lots of jumpsuits, and stand-out bags and shoes.”
Her uniform: “Leather pants, Acne boots, and a Givenchy sweatshirt. Ironically, I am wearing that exact outfit right now.”
Unexpected inspiration: “I get inspiration from everywhere. Things that are unique, have a strong point of view, or are outside the box inspire me most. Listening to classic rock also helps. And let it be known that musicals, on TV or Broadway—Nashville, Rock of Ages, Hairspray—also get me really inspired.”
Her must-haves: “Here goes … Vanity Fair magazine, Sakara meal delivery, New York Pilates, SoulCycle, Uber, Image Skincare products, Gee Beauty cosmetics, tacos, and Netflix.”
Beauty is …: “Being kind to others and to yourself makes anyone beautiful.”
Giving thanks: “I don’t have a personal maxim, but I try to be thankful at least once a day for all the amazing things that I have in my life: work, friends, family, experiences. I like to take the time to appreciate what some people might consider ‘the small things,’ such as a great meal out or a workout with a friend. Also, I try to leave the past in the past.”
In her bag: “Phone, debit card, keys, some sort of colored lip balm, a phone charger, $20 cash. Nothing more, nothing less.”
What’s next: “We have a book coming out at the end of the year and that’s very exciting for us. But I can’t give away all of our secrets … you’ll have to stay tuned!”