Julie Macklowe (born Julie Lerner in December 1977) is an American socialite. Formerly in finance, she later founded vbeauté, a former luxury skincare line for women. She is also a former hedge fund manager and philanthropist. In 2021, she released The Macklowe, an American single malt whisky.
Background
Macklowe was born in Aspen and raised in Arizona, the daughter of Frank Lerner. She took over her grandfather's T-shirt company and turned it into a women's sportswear company. She completed her B.A. in Economics and B.S. in Commerce, graduating magna cum laude at the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce in 1999. It was there that she received an early induction into New York finance circles while taking John Griffin's class.
Career
2000-2008: Early Career
In 2000, Macklowe worked with Chase Capital Management (now JPMorgan Partners) in Seoul and Hong Kong where she helped structure leverage buyouts. Between 2003 and 2006, Macklowe was the managing director of Metropolitan Capital Management, and in 2006, she joined the investment firm SAC, where she managed investment portfolios for Sigma Capital Management.
2009-2010: Macklowe Asset Management
In 2009, backed by Millennium Partners, Macklowe opened her own $250 million hedge fund, Macklowe Asset Management. In October 2010, Macklowe closed the fund to pursue her own investments in fashion businesses. In an interview the following year, she said, "I haven’t looked at a stock since the day I left.”
2010-2020: Fashion Industry Investments
After leaving a career in hedge funds and finance, Macklowe turned to the fashion industry, leveraging her prior business experience with her family's clothing business.
BaubleBar
In December 2010, Macklowe's first fashion industry investment, BaubleBar, launched with help from Accel Partners. The online startup, sells jewelry directly from suppliers and designers, which normally work with retailers. Macklowe helped the company in its initial fundraising efforts and currently sits on the company's board.
Macklowe was the muse for Zang Toi, for his Spring 2013 collection and debuted on the runway show September 9, 2012.
vbeauté
Macklowe launched her own skincare company, vbeauté on November 1, 2011. Vbeauté started as a luxury, travel-friendly toiletry kit that meets TSA regulations for carry on luggage and was developed by CRB Cosmetics, a research lab in Switzerland. The inspiration for the company came in 2009, when she was flying to a friend's wedding in France, when her toiletries were confiscated by security. In 2011, the company raised $4 million and sold at 37 stores. In September 2014, vbeauté launched a deal with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) to be sold exclusively at HSN and select boutiques. After its first year on HSN, vbeauté became one of the fastest-growing beauty brands on television. Vbeauté currently sells a wide range of luxury skin care products, known for containing the Alpine Rose as a main ingredient.
2021-current: The Macklowe
In December 2021, Macklowe launched The Macklowe, the first luxury American single malt whiskey label. Macklowe is distilled in limited quantities, and according to The New York Times, retails for $1,500. It is available at select New York bars and restaurants. Macklowe told The Wall Street Journal that decades of curating her own massive collection of high-end whiskey inspired her to create her own brand.
Macklowe teamed up with Scottish distiller and blender Ian MacMillan, known for his work with Bunnahabhain and Bladnoch. The brand follows a farm-to-table philosophy, which includes locally sourced malted barley. The product is made, matured, and bottled in Kentucky using traditional bourbon production techniques, using a column still and copper doubler. The product is bottled in hand-crafted, hand-painted bottles that are designed after flasks.
Jean-Georges’ restaurants, Eleven Madison Park and Daniel, the Polo Bar, and institutions like Marea, Catch Steak, Carbone, Le Pavillon, Le Bilboquet, Casa Cipriani, Casa Lever, Lola Taverna, Nick & Sam's Steakhouse, Bemelmans at the Carlyle, the Grill, the Lobster Club, and Tutto il Giorno serve it.
Personal life
In 2004, Julie married Billy Macklowe, son of Harry B. Macklowe, and founder of the William Macklowe Company. The couple lives in Manhattan and Long Island with their daughters. In addition to their residence in New York City, the couple owns houses in both Aspen and the Hamptons.
In 2008, Macklowe was named Vogue magazine's "It Girl".