Uptown Girl

As the Senior Vice President of Global Communications at Vera Wang, Priya Shukla has her finger on the pulse of all things fashion. But it’s not just her own chic style that deserves an award, this NYC mom’s glamorous home (where she raises her Mini fashionista, Belle) will give you all of the heart eyes.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your beautiful home! Tell us about the place.

PRIYA SHUKLA | We have lived here for three years. We moved when I was pregnant (side note: I do not recommend moving while pregnant) as we needed more space. I would describe our home as comfortable, glam, zen. I can’t take all the credit for nailing the design. My friend Nicole Fuller is an amazing interior designer and she helped me with every detail.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room?

PRIYA SHUKLA | The nursery. I love the colors, I love the canopy and I love it because it’s Belle’s room. We spend so much play time in there. It just represents togetherness to me.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?

PRIYA SHUKLA | I love our bar cart; it houses less liquor and mostly candy. Can you believe I bought it from an antique dealer who was selling things on the side of the road? I also love our chandelier and our mirror wall. We got the chandelier at Restoration Hardware and the mirror was custom.

MINI | Tell us how you decided on your daughter’s name.

PRIYA SHUKLA | It actually came to me in a dream. It’s a sad story with a very happy ending. I was really depressed after suffering a miscarriage. I had a dream where I believe I was visited by an angel who told me that I would be having a baby girl soon and her name is Belle. I woke up from that dream feeling positive and uplifted for the first time in ages and I just knew it to be true.

MINI | As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.

PRIYA SHUKLA | My days never look routine or typical. I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I can be working on anything from a runway show to writing strategy, reviewing ad budgets, or working with celebrities or on our company philanthropy.

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

PRIYA SHUKLA | Two really stand out for me: landing my first internship in LA as it changed the course of my life and then getting hired by Vera. I had always wanted to work for Vera and I will never forget when they called to ask me to interview with her.

MINI | What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

PRIYA SHUKLA | Figuring out how to balance everything. I think the concept of “having it all” is a false one and that instead we should embrace the notion of doing the best we can and accepting that guilt is part of it. Some days are hard, some are great, some days are “meh.”

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

PRIYA SHUKLA | I often drop many of the balls I am juggling; it’s all part of the journey. My husband is a great partner and very supportive. We also have a great nanny who has a wonderful connection with Belle.

MINI | How has motherhood changed you?

PRIYA SHUKLA | Honestly, motherhood has made me more patient. It taught me that life doesn’t revolve around me and my timing and that is a lesson I needed. Kids bring chaos and unpredictability. I can roll with the punches much better than before; I am more tolerant of imperfection. I have also taken my multi tasking skills to expert level.

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?

PRIYA SHUKLA | How little time you end up having for yourself. And how important it is to carve that out. I feel it is vital to take some time to do things that you feel replenish you whether it be working out, meditating, reading. I believe that kind of self care allows you to be a better mom and you are able to give more of yourself. Don’t get me wrong, some days I am lucky to even get in a five minute shower, but wherever it is possible, I make it a priority to take some time out for me. Sometimes I sit in my closet and meditate for ten minutes, everything counts.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

PRIYA SHUKLA | Being pregnant forced me to accessorize more because I felt a bit limited with clothing and I think that has stayed with me.

MINI | Where do you like to shop? For yourself and your daughter.

PRIYA SHUKLA | For myself, I shop anywhere and everywhere, from Bergdorf to vintage stores. For Belle, I am an avid online shopper. I love Maisonette; they have an amazing assortment of clothing and toys.

MINI | Let’s talk beauty. What is your skincare routine like?

PRIYA SHUKLA | I am very into Korean skincare products right now and have recently developed an obsession with sheet masks. Cannot live without them!

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your daughter?

PRIYA SHUKLA | That she feels safe and loved, that she grows up in a society that recognizes her as an equal and that she feels her opportunities are boundless.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry?

PRIYA SHUKLA | When it comes to my child, I fear the things I can’t control, AKA everything. I fear my child being hurt or injured, or feeling unsafe in this world. Or that I am not being the best example for her. I heard this saying once, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”

MINI | What are you looking forward to about raising your daughter in NYC?

PRIYA SHUKLA | I love the diversity of people this city has to offer and also the access to culture. I can’t wait to see what kind of person she grows into and what will interest her. Whatever she likes, it’s all here. New York has the best food, art, music, dance, theatre.

MINI | Favorite places to go in NYC with kids? We’d love to hear a few of yours!

PRIYA SHUKLA | We love going to Dylan’s Candy Bar, Central Park, and Carl Schurz Park. Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO is also a new favorite.

MINI | Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?

PRIYA SHUKLA | Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t feel guilty that you have to Google everything.

Resort to bribery.

Cappuccino.

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Farber and Julie King.

TED Talks.

When I was little, I loved The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Water, lip balm, book, and a family photo.

Ice cream.

Beauty and the Beast and Enchanted.

Dark chocolate, Greek yogurt and a variety of cheese.

Anywhere with good pasta and wine works for us.

Vera Wang, of course.

Homeland and recently my husband and I have become obsessed with Million Dollar Listing.

Photography by Charlie Juliet Photography