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The Art of Inheritance

From couture to comedy, these mother-child duos prove that creativity is a family affair.

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Franca Sozzani with her son, Francesco Carrozzini. Sozzani was an Italian journalist and the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia from 1988 to 2016. Photo by FC Studio featured in Assouline's Franca: Chaos & Creation.

Creativity may be innate—but when nurtured within families, it often becomes something even more powerful: legacy. These visionary mother-child pairings have each shaped their respective spheres with distinct voices and shared values. Whether building brands, challenging norms, or crafting unforgettable narratives, their intergenerational collaborations tell stories of style, strength, and staying power.

Jo Carole Lauder with her daughter Aerin Lauder, who is the Founder & Creative Director of her brand, AERIN. Photo by Claiborne Swanson Frank featured in her book, Mother and Child.

Aerin Lauder + Jo Carole Lauder

Beauty and lifestyle entrepreneur Aerin Lauder continues the legacy of her legendary grandmother Estée Lauder and mother Jo Carole, who helped elevate the brand into a global powerhouse. Aerin's namesake line infuses a sense of heritage with modern femininity, from floral-forward fragrances to dreamy home decor. Rooted in the traditions of strong women and refined aesthetics, Aerin carries forward a matrilineal vision of beauty defined by grace, warmth, and the comfort of ritual.

Prudence Fairweather + Alexandra Fairweather

Artist, filmmaker, and publisher Alexandra Fairweather continues the creative legacy of her mother Prudence, a sculptor and philanthropist known for her work alongside husband John Chamberlain. Together, Alexandra and Prudence co-founded Fairweather Magazine, a platform that blends art, culture, and humanitarianism with a refined, intellectual lens. Their collaboration reflects a shared devotion to storytelling through both visual and social impact—proof that artistry, when rooted in empathy and elegance, becomes a force for cultural dialogue.

Franca Sozzani with her son Francesco Carrozzini. Photos by FC Studio featured in Assouline's Franca: Chaos & Creation.

Franca Sozzini + Francesco Carrozzini

Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani was known for her fearless, boundary-pushing vision in fashion editorial. Her son Francesco Carrozzini, a director and photographer, carried her legacy into visual storytelling with his own signature depth. His documentary Franca: Chaos and Creation is both homage and portrait, revealing the intimacy and complexity behind a woman who shaped how the world sees fashion. Together, their work creates a visual language of emotional intellect and daring beauty.

Lisa Bonet + Zoë Kravitz

A tale of two icons, Lisa Bonet and Zoë Kravitz are the embodiment of intergenerational cool. Bonet’s ethereal style and artistic spirit found a modern echo in Kravitz, who has emerged as both a fashion fixture and a fearless actress. Whether appearing in campaigns together or championing personal, independent aesthetics, the duo reflects a powerful blend of mystique, grit, and generational pride in personal expression.

Bette Midler + Sophie von Haselberg

The Divine Miss M and her daughter Sophie von Haselberg share a theatrical spark and a penchant for wit. With Sophie carving out her own path in acting and production—notably co-producing feminist performance experiences—the pair's creativity dances between comedy and culture. Their rare public appearances together are tinged with humor and mutual admiration, hinting at a backstage bond fueled by curiosity, conviction, and stage-ready charisma.

Angela Missoni with her children, Margherita, Teresa, and Francesco Maccapani Missoni. Courtesy of Missoni.

Angela Missoni + Margherita, Teresa, and Francesco Maccapani Missoni

Few families have woven creativity into their DNA quite like the Missonis. From founders Ottavio and Rosita to their children and grandchildren, including Angela, Margherita, and Teresa, each generation has reimagined the brand's signature zigzag motif with fresh perspective. What began as a pioneering fashion house has evolved into a multigenerational design dynasty—spanning runway collections, home decor, and lifestyle ventures—all while maintaining a throughline of bold color, artisanal craft, and unmistakable Italian flair. Their legacy is a vibrant tapestry of innovation, intuition, and familial synergy.

Patti Hansen + Theodora Dupree and Alexandra Nicole

Supermodel Patti Hansen and her daughters Theodora and Alexandra share more than photogenic genes. With Theodora and Alexandra venturing into music, fashion, and visual storytelling, their trio has become a multigenerational muse for modern Americana. Whether fronting campaigns or collaborating on projects that honor their heritage (including tributes to their father, Keith Richards), the Hansen girls embody a cool, creative continuity rooted in rock-and-roll legacy and effortless glamour.

Adam Charlap Hyman + Pilar Almon

Interior designer Adam Charlap Hyman and his mother Pilar Almon share a fascination with texture, color, and history—translated into richly layered interiors and a standout textile and wallpaper line. Their designs reflect a maximalist dreamscape, merging academic references with lush creativity. With one foot in tradition and the other in the fantastical, their collaboration is a love letter to old-world romance and contemporary artistry.

Venezuelan American fashion designer Carolina Herrera with her daughter Carolina Adriana Herrera. Courtesy of Carolina Herrera.

Carolina Herrera + Carolina Herrera de Baez

The epitome of elegance passed down through generations, Carolina Herrera and daughter Carolina Herrera de Baez have defined timeless style with distinct yet complementary visions. While the elder Herrera built a fashion house rooted in polished femininity and global glamour, her daughter shaped the brand's fragrance identity, crafting scents that encapsulate the grace and boldness of their shared lineage. Their collaboration reflects a harmony between visual and sensory storytelling—one expressed through fabric, the other through perfume.

Gloria Vanderbilt + Anderson Cooper

Gloria Vanderbilt was an heiress, artist, fashion designer, and cultural icon whose life defied easy categorization. Her son, journalist Anderson Cooper, has long carried her story with reverence and critical reflection. Their co-authored book and documentary, Nothing Left Unsaid, peeled back the layers of a complex relationship shaped by fame, tragedy, and reinvention. Their bond was both deeply personal and universally resonant, rooted in storytelling as survival and connection.

Celebrate Mother's Day

The Classics Collection Mother and Child
Regular price
$120 USD
The Legends Collection Estée Lauder: A Beautiful Life
Regular price
$195 USD
The Icons Collection The Missoni Family Cookbook
Regular price
$60 USD
The Legends Collection Franca: Chaos & Creation
Regular price
$250 USD

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