![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05140648/020524-Founders-Press-Eventpolaroids.jpg 3000w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05140648/020524-Founders-Press-Eventpolaroids-600x200.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05140648/020524-Founders-Press-Eventpolaroids-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05140648/020524-Founders-Press-Eventpolaroids-768x256.jpg 768w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05140648/020524-Founders-Press-Eventpolaroids-1700x567.jpg 1700w)
Inside Our Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party with Natasha Pickowicz
To celebrate the launch of our Founders’ Seven collection, we teamed up with pastry chef and cookbook author Natasha Pickowicz for a magical and intimate party in Sarah LaFleur’s Brooklyn home. Natasha provided the pastries, of course, and upon arrival, guests were greeted by a tantalizing spread of her creations—along with cozy Emu slippers and hot toddys. Bathed in warm light emanating from Noguchi lamps, our co-founders, Sarah and Miyako, presented their favorite pieces from the collection and the style rules we’re exploring this year—but not before Sarah’s three adorable children could burst into the room for the first slice of cake. There was lots of dancing, plenty of eating, and mingling late into the evening—just how we like it.
Want to join us for the next one? Explore our upcoming events here.
![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party with Natasha Pickowicz](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135254/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Sarah.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135254/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Sarah-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135254/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Sarah-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135254/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Sarah-768x960.jpg 768w)
Our Chief Creative Officer, Miyako (left), wears the Larissa sweater, Bia pants, and D-Ring belt. Our CEO, Sarah (right), wears the Tatum top and Daria jeans.
![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135226/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-1.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135226/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-1-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135226/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-1-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135226/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-1-768x960.jpg 768w)
A customer wears the Pepper dress.
![Natasha Pickowicz](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135318/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-spread.jpg 2160w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135318/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-spread-600x300.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135318/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-spread-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135318/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-spread-768x384.jpg 768w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135318/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-spread-1700x850.jpg 1700w)
Natasha wears the Nicky jacket and Smith pants.
![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party with Natasha Pickowicz](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135259/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-food.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135259/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-food-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135259/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-food-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135259/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-food-768x960.jpg 768w)
Model Giannina Oteto wears the Anh jardigan + Axam turtleneck.
![Natasha Pickowicz pastries](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135331/020524-Founders-Press-EventPastries.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135331/020524-Founders-Press-EventPastries-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135331/020524-Founders-Press-EventPastries-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135331/020524-Founders-Press-EventPastries-768x960.jpg 768w)
A few of Natasha’s pastry creations.
![Miyako wearing mmlafleur](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135250/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Guests.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135250/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Guests-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135250/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Guests-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135250/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Guests-768x614.jpg 768w)
Miyako wears the Larissa sweater, Bia pants, and D-Ring belt
![Natasha wearing Nicky jacket, Choe top, and Smith pants](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135313/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-Guests.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135313/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-Guests-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135313/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-Guests-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135313/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-Guests-768x614.jpg 768w)
Natasha wears the Nicky jacket, Choe top, and Smith pants.
![models with polaroids](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135304/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-Selfie.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135304/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-Selfie-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135304/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-Selfie-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135304/020524-Founders-Press-EventModel-Selfie-768x960.jpg 768w)
For this event, we flipped the script and handed the cameras to our models, who captured polaroids of guests throughout the evening.
![mmlafleur models](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135308/020524-Founders-Press-EventModels.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135308/020524-Founders-Press-EventModels-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135308/020524-Founders-Press-EventModels-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135308/020524-Founders-Press-EventModels-768x960.jpg 768w)
Outfits from left to right: (1) Anh jardigan + Axam turtleneck + Milo jeans + Ella sandals; (2) Toula dress + Ella sandals; (3) Anh jardigan + Lottie dress + Ella sandals; (4) Janette jacket + Axam turtleneck + Allyn pants + Koio sneakers.
![Dolly jacket in plaid](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135240/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Collection.jpg 2160w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135240/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Collection-600x356.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135240/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Collection-1024x608.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135240/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Collection-768x456.jpg 768w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135240/020524-Founders-Press-EventMiyako-Collection-1700x1009.jpg 1700w)
Miyako shows off the Dolly jacket in check plaid.
![mmlafleur Marcella dress](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235839/020524-Founders-Press-Event-SallyHolmes-Marcella.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235839/020524-Founders-Press-Event-SallyHolmes-Marcella-432x600.jpg 432w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235839/020524-Founders-Press-Event-SallyHolmes-Marcella-1024x1422.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235839/020524-Founders-Press-Event-SallyHolmes-Marcella-768x1067.jpg 768w)
A guest wears the Marcella dress.
![Courtney Smith wears the Whitney skirt](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235843/020524-Founders-Press-Event-CourtneySmith-Whitney.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235843/020524-Founders-Press-Event-CourtneySmith-Whitney-432x600.jpg 432w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235843/020524-Founders-Press-Event-CourtneySmith-Whitney-1024x1422.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235843/020524-Founders-Press-Event-CourtneySmith-Whitney-768x1067.jpg 768w)
Courtney Smith wears the Whitney skirt.
![Keia Clarke of the New York Liberty](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135235/020524-Founders-Press-EventKeiaClarke.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135235/020524-Founders-Press-EventKeiaClarke-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135235/020524-Founders-Press-EventKeiaClarke-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135235/020524-Founders-Press-EventKeiaClarke-768x614.jpg 768w)
Keia Clarke, CEO of the New York Liberty.
![Sarah and Natasha](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135344/020524-Founders-Press-EventSarah-Natasha.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135344/020524-Founders-Press-EventSarah-Natasha-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135344/020524-Founders-Press-EventSarah-Natasha-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135344/020524-Founders-Press-EventSarah-Natasha-768x614.jpg 768w)
Sarah (left) wears the Tatum top and Daria jeans. Natasha (right) wears the Nicky jacket, Choe top, and Smith pants.
![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party with Natasha Pickowicz](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135326/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135326/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135326/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135326/020524-Founders-Press-EventNatasha-768x960.jpg 768w)
Natasha wears the Nicky jacket, Choe top, and Smith pants.
![Founders’ Seven Collection Launch Party with Natasha Pickowicz](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135231/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-Clothes.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135231/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-Clothes-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135231/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-Clothes-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05135231/020524-Founders-Press-EventGuests-Clothes-768x960.jpg 768w)
Guests browse the collection.
![Sarah's son Theo](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000934/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Theo.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000934/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Theo-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000934/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Theo-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000934/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Theo-768x614.jpg 768w)
Sarah’s son Theo.
![Sarah's daughter Astrid and son Kento](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000118/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Astrid-Kento-pastries.jpg 1350w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000118/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Astrid-Kento-pastries-600x480.jpg 600w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000118/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Astrid-Kento-pastries-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/10000118/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Astrid-Kento-pastries-768x614.jpg 768w)
Sarah’s daughter Astrid and son Kento.
![Charlotte Cowles wears the Merritt jardigan.](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235848/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Charlotte-Cowles-Merritt.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235848/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Charlotte-Cowles-Merritt-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235848/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Charlotte-Cowles-Merritt-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235848/020524-Founders-Press-Event-Charlotte-Cowles-Merritt-768x960.jpg 768w)
Charlotte Cowles wears the Merritt jardigan.
![Alicia Menendez alongside Katia Beauchamp](https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235830/020524-Founders-Press-Event-AliciaMenendez-KatiaBeauchamp.jpg 1080w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235830/020524-Founders-Press-Event-AliciaMenendez-KatiaBeauchamp-480x600.jpg 480w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235830/020524-Founders-Press-Event-AliciaMenendez-KatiaBeauchamp-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https://mdash.mmlafleur.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09235830/020524-Founders-Press-Event-AliciaMenendez-KatiaBeauchamp-768x960.jpg 768w)
Alicia Menendez alongside Katia Beauchamp, who wears the Rae top.
Bonus: A Recipe from Natasha Pickowicz
Nubby Granola Shortbread, Adapted from More Than Cake
In NYC, winter sunlight is scarce and therefore precious. I do whatever I can to bring delight to my day, especially when it comes to my baking. A recipe will live on in my kitchen if its versatility proves itself, over and over: is it as wonderful in the morning or afternoon as it is at night, curled up with my cat? With this not-too-sweet, crumbly shortbread, the answer is, happily, yes. Baking is all about pleasure, and how easily it allows us to share with others—through our personal style, our kitchen rituals, our small gestures of giving, tasting, and connecting.
—Natasha Pickowicz
Makes one 10-inch pan of shortbread
15 minutes active time; 2 hours inactive time
1 stick (110g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (55g) your favorite granola
1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons (50g) old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup (42g) walnut pieces
1 cup (150g) white rice flour
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon (3g) kosher salt
Flaky sea salt
Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
Prepare ingredients. Coat a 10-inch pie dish or cake pan with non-stick spray and set aside. Cube the butter into half-inch chunks and keep chilled in the freezer. Combine granola and walnuts in the food processor and process on high speed into a fine crumb, but not a paste.
Combine the dry ingredients. Add the granola, oats, walnuts, rice flour, granulated sugar, and kosher salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10 to 12 times until the mixture is pebbly and fine.
Add the butter. Pulse the mixture another 8 to 10 times until the mixture feels like damp breadcrumbs. The butter should almost “disappear” into the dry ingredients, but not taken so far that the dough is clumping and gathering around the blade.
Press into mold. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking tray and scatter evenly. Use the backs of your knuckles to lightly press the crumb into an even layer. It should be about a half-inch tall. Do not apply too much pressure as this will make the shortbread dense.
Bake and then score. Bake until the edges are lightly brown and the center feels soft but baked through, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt. While still hot, score into desired shapes using a small knife or cookie cutter. Let cool completely, slice or break cookies into narrow slices, and dust with confectioner’s sugar.