Briar Figueroa is an Aotearoa-born creative now based in New York City, working across fashion, jewellery design, styling and trend forecasting. Her career has seen her build a multidisciplinary practice, shaped by both industry experience and a lifelong connection to fashion. We talk to her about her creative journey, the best places to visit in NYC, and what she does to escape its busy energy.

1. To start, can you tell us about your background. How did you find your way into designing and styling and what initially drew you to fashion?

My background is in fashion design, majoring in womenswear. I studied in Auckland and was fortunate to spend a semester abroad in Europe, an experience that broadened both my creative perspective and approach to design.

I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember. From the age of five, I would tell people I wanted to be a fashion designer. It’s always been something I’ve naturally gravitated towards. Growing up with three older sisters also played a significant role in shaping my love of clothing and personal style.

Today, I work as a freelance designer and stylist, with experience spanning women's ready-to-wear, jewellery design, styling, and trend forecasting. After working part time in design and production, I moved to New York, where my career took an unexpected turn into jewellery design. I met the woman who would become my mentor and manager, designing for Vera Wang's department store line. She taught me everything I know about jewellery design, and I'm so grateful for her guidance.

 
From there, I went on to design jewellery for several brands, including Chaps by Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld Paris. After nearly six years in jewellery design, I returned to apparel, working with Sea NY and later Loeffler Randall.

 
Throughout that time, styling remained an important part of my creative practice, but over the past few years it has grown into a much larger focus in my work. Editorial styling is where I feel most creatively fulfilled. I also love working one-on-one with personal styling clients, whether that's sourcing unique vintage pieces or helping them build a thoughtful, lasting wardrobe.

Alongside this, my work in trend forecasting keeps me immersed in what's ahead, allowing me to bring a broader perspective to every aspect of my practice.

I’m grateful for the diversity in my work. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built a career that spans many different creative disciplines, allowing me to do the work I love in a variety of ways.

2. When did you make the move from Aotearoa to NYC?

I’ve been living in New York for almost nine years now. I moved here with two of my close friends from university after we’d all spent a few years working for some of New Zealand’s larger designers and brands. We were eager to broaden our experience, and pursue the opportunities that New York had to offer.

3. What are some must-do’s for someone visiting NYC for the very first time?

Plan your days around different neighborhoods. One of my favourite things about living in New York is how walkable it is. There's something special about wandering from one neighborhood to the next—it's the best way to experience the city's character.

I love the old fabulous 90’s New York. Go to some of those spots that have been around forever and are part of the fabric of New York like Balthazar, Lucien, Bemelmans Bar, The Odeon - honestly any Keith McNally restaurant. That’s my favorite version of New York!

And of course spend time in the galleries and museums. You can’t go wrong heading straight to the MET, you could spend days there! I also love the Frick Collection for a more curated, intimate experience. The Neue gallery is another favorite too. If you go there, get lunch at Café Sabarsky as well.

4. With the city so fast-paced and always full of energy, what do you love doing right now to slow down and reset?

Being home with my baby and husband is always a reset for me. Being in our little back garden in Brooklyn is a luxury in the city for sure. I’m thankful for that quiet space.

Also walking down to the water and just being by the east river. I think being from New Zealand we’re so used to being by the ocean, so any body of water is calming to me!

Getting out of the city is also always a good way to slow down, even if it’s just going upstate for a long weekend. We try to travel as much as we can. Every time I go back to New Zealand I feel a deep sense of calm and that really is the ultimate reset for me, being home with my family and in the nature of New Zealand. 

 

5. What has it been like stepping into motherhood, and how has that experience shaped your sense of self and creativity?

I’m thankful I’ve had a somewhat smooth start to motherhood. I had an amazing pregnancy and feeding was a really smooth and beautiful experience for me.

I think one of the biggest things I was conscious of was not losing myself. I’ve witnessed a lot of that and it always made me really sad seeing that happen to women. 

Being a creative, I couldn’t imagine pausing that side of myself. I was working on a design project three weeks after birth and I think the flexibility of freelance enabled me to pick and choose how much I worked that first year with Marni.

The same goes for being out and about and seeing loved ones. I’m a very social person and being with friends and loved ones is a really important part of my life. We continued doing that from the start. It made me feel like myself and honestly made me really happy stepping into motherhood with Marni just fitting into our existing lifestyle straight away.

6. What currently feels inspiring to you creatively - whether that’s fashion, film, art, people, music or something more unexpected?

I love that fashion is embracing a more eclectic, personal approach right now. The mix-and-match mentality—unexpected colour pairings, sportswear styled with soft feminine pieces, whimsical details, and an emphasis on individuality, it feels incredibly refreshing. It's encouraging people to dress in a way that feels authentic rather than prescribed. The idea of things becoming very personal and unique to the wearer. It’s pushed me to revisit pieces in my own wardrobe that I’ve always loved but haven’t worn nearly as often as I should. Building outfits that are unexpected with unique pieces is my favorite. This trend of balancing opposites and playful styling.

The nostalgic moment right now is also really inspiring to me, I’m a very nostalgic person and seeing a few brand collaborations lately that marry a current voice with a brand or show reminiscent of the past has made me so happy. Pulling from the past and wearing it in a new way.

My current art obsession is Gabriela Mifsud’s work. Her mix of florals done in a Japanese style is so beautiful. She’s also the loveliest human ever! My dream is to have one of her light fixtures one day! 

I was also just in the Texas desert styling a shoot and being there was really inspiring. The colours and that type of landscape are so foreign to me. It was so beautiful!

7. When you make the visit back home, what’s the first thing you love to do?

Give my parents a hug! I’m very close to my family so I miss my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews a lot! All I want is quality time when I’m home. 

Add in some time at the bach, camping on the beach, fish and chips, some feijoa juice and I’m a happy girl. 

8. What does your beauty and/or body care routine look like day to day, and are there any non-negotiables for you right now?

My morning routine is pretty simple - cleanse, moisturize, and vitamin c serum. I like to layer on my other products at night and keep the morning easy.

I’m obsessed with the Elta MD tinted sunscreen, so that’s next without fail. Some other beauty products that are go to’s for me right now are the Chanel cream bronzer, Makeup Forever waterproof lip liner in anywhere caffeine, Dior backstage glow palette highlighter, Benefit precisely my brow pencil, and Dries Van Noten lipstick. 

For body I’m loving the Tronque Body Milk. It absorbs quickly which I love, it feels luxurious, and smells amazing. The Exfoliating Refining Serum is also a favorite at the moment! I’m obsessed with the bottle, and the product feels incredible on the skin.

Night time routine happens every night, even if I’ve had a martini or two I will ALWAYS do a double cleanse and full night time routine.

9. Which Tronque product has become part of your routine, and what makes it a standout for you?

The Body Milk and Exfoliating Refining Serum are big parts of my body routine. They’re such incredible products. I’m also loving the deodorant - the metal ball applicator is so refreshing and the product smells beautiful. The Scar Concentrate Serum was also really great postpartum.

Quickfire questions:

Favourite self-care indulgence when you need a reset?

A facial at Spencers Spa here in New York. I get one each month and I count down the days every time! It’s the most lush and beautiful space, designed to perfection, and the estheticians are incredible. Also a glass of wine with a bestie. Nothing like it!

 

If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend, where would you go?

Auckland to have dinner with my family. Or to Sicily to lay on the beach for a weekend. 

 

Last song you had on repeat? 

Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in preparation for the New York summer!