Meet Stephanie Broek

Between daycare drop-offs and fashion week deadlines, this Vogue Editor shares her insights on motherhood and what's currently on her radar

It warms my heart to introduce you to a woman I both admire and love so dearly this week. Stephanie is one of those rare souls who glow from the inside out. Based in Amsterdam, she’s not only known for her impeccable and effortlessly chic style but also for her thoughtful and intelligent voice in fashion and culture. As Editor-at-large at Vogue NL, a writer and creative, she has an incredible eye for beauty, whether she’s curating an outfit or sharing a glimpse of her stunning home.

What inspires me the most about Stephanie is her kindness, her creativity and her love for the everyday moments she shares with her partner Younes and their beautiful daughter, Olive. There’s a calm strength and grounded warmth about her that makes me and everyone around her feel seen and safe. I’m endlessly grateful to have this angel woman in my life and I’m so excited to be featuring her in this week’s newsletter.

Stephanie: I love spending time with my daughter Olive, enjoying our little family routines—going to the farmer’s market, searching for the prettiest fall leaves in the forest, cooking big stews and soups—and, admittedly, I have a low-key Vestiaire Collective addiction”.

How has motherhood changed you as a person? What has been most rewarding and most challenging?
In so many ways. What surprised me most, especially when it comes to work, is how much more efficient I’ve become. I have less time for nonsense—basically, I get things done. I also know my worth more now and feel more confident in what I do (though that might also come with age!). Motherhood taught me patience, and while I was already an empath, I’ve become even softer.

The most rewarding part of motherhood is the love you receive. Every day there’s this little person who’s so happy to see you. She runs to me with her arms open, hugs me, holds my face in her tiny hands, and tells me she loves me—it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s also deeply rewarding to watch her grow and develop. As a parent, you put in so much effort for them to learn new skills, eat well, and become kind, social beings—and when you see that shaping their personality, it’s incredible.

The most challenging part is doing it all. How can I be a present mother while also excelling at work, making time for my partner, friends, and myself? Some weeks I feel on top of the world; others, I feel like I’m failing. I was one of the first of my friends to have kids, so I kept many of the challenges to myself. There’s also so much unsolicited advice and judgment once your baby arrives—constant questions about whether they’re walking yet, eating healthily, or sleeping through the night. It all feeds into insecurity and mom guilt.

How do you balance being a mother and having a successful career? Can you describe what a realistic workday looks like for you?
We have daycare and the sweetest in-laws—thanks to them, I’m able to work four days a week. On Wednesdays, I’m with Olive. It’s our day to sleep in, have a long breakfast and bath, and then go to the playground, petting zoo, or even a concert or theatre show.

My workdays start at 9:30, after dropping Olive off at daycare. I usually have meetings in the morning and spend the afternoons writing. I pick her up at 5:30 and try to cook beforehand so we can have a healthy, home-cooked meal together.

Do you have any advice for soon-to-be or current working mums?
Depending on how things are organised in your country, I hope you’re able to take your time. Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. In the first few months after Olive was born, I didn’t feel tired—I was still running on adrenaline—so I started picking up work early. But it hit me when she was around six months old; I had used up all my energy reserves. If I’m lucky enough to have a second baby one day, I’ll be much more careful, knowing those first 18 months are tough. I started feeling more like myself again when she turned two.

How has your style evolved since becoming a mother? On weekends and my “mom days,” I hardly dress up. I have a simple everyday uniform that’s practical yet chic. I don’t want to worry about her spilling food on my clothes or getting dirty at the playground. She loves jumping in puddles and always asks me to join her—so I do.

What’s a ritual that keeps you grounded during busy fashion months or particularly hectic weeks? Walking to meetings. It clears my head—the fresh air helps a lot.

Which items or designers are you drawn to right now, and why?
I love what Pieter Mulier is doing at Alaïa—his universe keeps amazing me. I also love Toteme; their Garderob line is exactly what I wish my everyday wardrobe looked like. I’m currently saving up for their Slim Leather Coat, which I recently tried on at their Stockholm boutique—it was even better IRL.

Most treasured investment of the year?
My AW14 Gucci leopard coat that I found on Vestiaire for a great price. Being chronically on VC has its perks! The coat has such a distinctive leopard print and silhouette—almost like a dress—with silver hardware. It’s also from the year I started as an editor and attended Milan Fashion Week for the first time, which makes it extra special.

What scent, fabric, or taste feels most “you” right now?
Papyrus by Maison Crivelli. I love clean, soapy fragrances, and this one is powdery yet also woody and smoky. I can’t get enough of it.

Lastly, can you share an outfit that recently made you feel sparkly and confident?
I love the word “sparkly.” The dress I wore to your wedding—the one I bought at Preclothed in Paris—made me feel exactly that.

Alice <3