Elise Labau Topaloglu
Co-Founder of Golden Edit
Mother of a 6-year-old daughter and expecting Baby #2
Elise grew up in the Caribbean, raised by French parents. She now resides and has lived in New York city for the past 15 years. After a career in branding and communications, Elise and her business partner, Florencia Cavallo, launched a beautiful e-commerce site for the fashionable sun-seeker. Golden Edit is a highly curated online destination dedicated to celebrating summer and escapism year-round. Golden Edit brings together independent brands and artisans from around the world, with a focus on craftsmanship, sustainability, quality and travel. Elise and Florencia recognized a gap between what was going on at brick and mortar (read: no warm weather essentials beyond the traditional Summer and Resort seasons) and the fact that there was simply so much online, yet no one was choosing to focus on that category. Travel plays an important role in both founders lives; Florencia grew up between Argentina and Australia, and Elise between the Caribbean and Mallorca, Spain.
How has motherhood informed or changed your current career path?
When I first became a mother, I was working full time for a NY PR agency. I struggled with the elusive “balance.” My work did a lot for my identity at the time, and it was a stark beginning with my daughter. I felt I had been stripped of something that defined me in a way, all the while wanting to care for this new little person more than anything. I started Golden Edit three years ago and honestly, it has been an adjustment to create our own schedule. But, the ability to toggle between what I’m passionate about and raising my daughter with so much more flexibility has been liberating! That said, when it’s your own business – and that includes the branding/communications consulting practice Florencia and I also run – it never really leaves you, so you have to be ready for it.
Tell us something that is bringing you joy as a mother right now.
I’m expecting baby #2, and to watch my now 6-year-old adjust to the idea of welcoming a sibling has been so wonderful. She has been making these cards for her dad, baby, and I every night at bed time and leaves them on our pillows before sleep. Like our very own turn down service. It’s so sweet.
What are you doing to welcome baby #2?
Hoping to repurpose a lot of what we already have, besides some early newborn essentials of course. And a lot of friends we’ve lent gear to are returning it to us. It feels so much better than purchasing those bulky items a second time around. And of course, spending time with my daughter to manage the transition hopefully as smoothly as possible.
As a Montessori parent, anything you have implemented in your home or parenting to instill independence for your daughter?
Our daughter has always been very independent. She never even shed a tear when she started at our local Montessori school at age 2. That said, it is definitely more challenging to replicate at home. I would say creating little corners for her throughout our apartment is a great way to include her in our environment all the while giving her some control. For example, she has her own bookshelf in our living room stocked with all her favorites. I’ve also opened up little areas on shelves within her reach where she can have her own setup with her toys, encouraging open play.
Any words on trying to juggle parenthood, relationships, and being a business owner?
It is challenging. It really is. But I’ve found so much comfort in the fact that women have shared so much more recently, have been more honest, and very vulnerable at times – especially after the year we’ve all been through. I realized I never did well with the “we can have it all” narrative and it impacted me a lot more than I cared to admit to myself. I think it’s so important for all of us to recognize that the juggle is real and some days can be absolutely overwhelming, and to stick together as much as possible as we go through our individual journeys.
How would you describe your personal style? Has being a mom influenced that?
It’s no secret that I love sunny weather, so I thrive in a breezy dress. Something light and versatile, to be paired with a great straw hat or basket makes me the happiest. To be honest, being a mom hasn’t really changed what I wear, give or take a very few instances. My off-duty look would consist of a baseball hat and casual tee.
How are you bringing your French background and love for travel to your children?
Our love of travel is something we’ve shared with her since the very beginning. We took her to Turkey (where my husband is from) for a gorgeous wedding of some of our dear friends just 5 months after she was born. From there, she has traveled with us to other areas, from France, to Spain, the Caribbean, Norway, etc. And she’s always been really great through it all (plus or minus some epic airport/airplane tantrums in her 2’s/3’s but those are par for the course)!
As for my French background, I speak some at home, but that can be challenging as my husband and I communicate in English with each other. I’d like to think there’s a certain je ne sais quoi in my approach to everyday life I’m transmitting to my daughter and will to my second as well.
Any child products your daughter is enjoying right now?
Just recently discovered sensory kits for my daughter (I know I’m late to the party on this one), which inspires independent play for hours. I feel really good about supporting and purchasing from small businesses when selecting items for my daughter. As for baby #2, I’m looking forward to trying Lou Lou & Company’s knotted gowns. I remember fighting my way through buttons, and tiny head holes. This makes so much more sense, especially for those middle of the night diaper changes.
A few of my favorite small businesses I frequent:
Flora Brook, Hidden Gem NY and Junes
Any exciting projects in the works?
We just launched our very first capsule collection which I am obsessed over! It is limited edition inspired by Florencia and my favorite sunny destinations. The 'Sol' dress will launch with one silhouette, and be available in three colors / fabrications – Polignano, Deia, and Bozburun
Follow the dreamy Golden Edit here for wanderlust and fashion inspiration.