Eva Mendes on How Culture, Motherhood, and Ryan Gosling Shaped Her New York & Co. Collection

"I think it's important for me to pour anything personal into my clothing because my experiences, where I'm from, and where I am at this point in my life is all I have to offer. I feel like when the collection has not been as personal to me, it hasn't been successful in the way that I like it to be. It's important that women know that I really care and labor over these things, and I fight for pockets in dresses because we should have them! I fight for quality zippers and other things because it's not just about wearing beautiful clothes, but it's about having quality pieces at affordable prices. The only way I truly love what I do is if I really make it personal."

"We wanted to incorporate a lot of t-shirts and easier fabrics that feel more casual because I'm still a dress girl in my off time, but I don't have the time to put effort into getting dressed in the morning. When you have kids, you don't have time to get dressed in the morning — you just grab whatever is available and clean and keep it moving."

"I went through a phase where I was wearing my man's clothes a lot, and I think it's just because they felt really comfortable and accessible. I used that feeling from wearing his clothes and incorporated that into the line. We have a boyfriend cardigan that's actually coming soon, and it reminds me a lot of one of my man's favorite sweaters I would always wear."

"I definitely think scarves are my most treasured item. We have scarves in every collection, but even old, vintage scarves I have are really special to me. I just put them into a head wrap and they just save me when I don't have time to do my hair but still want to feel stylish."

"My mom's fashion advice to me was 'never leave the house without lipstick on,' and she told me to always curl my hair before I leave the house. Now, sometimes, she's mortified when she sees me. But who knows what I'll pass onto my girls by the time they're of age? Right now, they pretty much live in pajamas, and I just want them to be themselves and be comfortable."