Cruz on Mango

As more women search for fashion at easy-on-the-wallet prices, Monica and Penélope Cruz aim to solve their problems. The Cruz solution? A cute, relatively inexpensive line for Mango.

INTERVIEW. A few things about Monica Cruz: She prefers lip gloss to lipstick, trousers to skirts, and likes her fashion chic and affordable. Her closet features more vintage items than anything else. And she designs a budget-friendly collection along with her sister, actress Penélope Cruz, for the Spanish high street chain Mango, a wonderland of fast trends that rivals the U.K.’s Topshop in its speediness. “[It’s] good quality with sensible prices,” she explains. Her timing couldn’t be better.

Who is your personal style icon and why?

I don’t have a sole icon. I like to look at different lifestyles, cities, and so on. But if I were to choose a favorite, it would be the Italian woman. I like to meld ideas and borrow from all women of all generations. Each one is special in her own way. One example is Audrey Hepburn. But she’s not my only style icon.

What kind of woman do you envision wearing your line?

We envision a woman of all ages. We take each stage and occasion of her life into consideration. She is modern, independent, a fighter, a professional and a hard worker — but likes to dress and feel beautiful.

When it comes to shopping  what is your biggest vice?

I am obsessed with vintage shops. They are my passion. The truth is, I’ve learned to shop over the years and with age. When I was younger, I would shop to shop. Now, I’ve learned to shop for function and use.

When designing, how do you and Penélope divide up the creative responsibilities?

I look for ideas and choose them individually. And my sister chooses her ideas and inspirations. We then organize six to seven hours of collaborative brainstorming where we choose colors, styles, examples and finally we meet with the experts at Mango. It’s a hard process, but so much fun.