Unveiling Cynthia Rowley’s net worth and how she built her fashion empire
Cynthia Rowley is a renowned American fashion designer. She has built a formidable empire in the fashion industry, accumulating an estimated net worth of $100 million. The fashion icon launched her eponymous fashion line, the Cynthia Rowley Collection, in 1988. Explore Cynthia Rowley's net worth, career journey, and assets.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Cynthia Rowley is an acclaimed American fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- She launched her fashion line, the Cynthia Rowley, in 1988 after securing a $3,000 loan from her grandmother.
- The fashion brand started as a women's clothing line with vibrant and carefree designs.
- Rowley has expanded her brand beyond women's clothing to include accessories, cosmetics, shoes, handbags, perfumes, and eyewear.
- Cynthia Rowley is also an author who has written and co-written several books.
Cynthia Rowley's profile summary
| Full name | Cynthia Rowley |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 29 July 1958 |
| Age | 66 years old (as of April 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Place of birth | Barrington, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Washington Heights, New York City, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Height in feet and inches | 5'5" |
| Height in centimetres | 165 |
| Weight in pounds | 124 |
| Weight in kilograms | 55 |
| Father | Ed Rowley |
| Mother | Clementine |
| Siblings | 2 |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Husband | Bill Powers |
| Children | 2 (Kit Keenan, Gigi Clementine) |
| Profession | Fashion designer, author, entrepreneur |
| Net worth | $100 million |
| @cynthiarowley |
What is Cynthia Rowley's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth and The List, Cynthia Rowley has an alleged net worth of $100 million as of 2025. She has amassed wealth from her successful fashion and lifestyle brand and savvy investments. Here is how the entrepreneur makes her money:
Rowley’s fashion milestones
Rowley developed an early interest in fashion, making her first dress at seven. She studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During her senior year, she won a SAIC fellowship award and utilised the money to move from Chicago to New York.
Source: Original
Later, Cynthia launched her fashion line in New York with a $3,000 loan from one of her grandmothers. Her first fashion show faced challenges, as none of the invited fashion editors or celebrities attended.
Nevertheless, her unwavering commitment led to the establishment of the Cynthia Rowley Collection in 1988. She rapidly gained popularity for her designs, which were distinguished by their flirty and vibrantly coloured dresses and tops, which embodied a carefree and simple spirit.
The growth of the Cynthia Rowley Collection
Over the years, the fashion designer expanded her brand beyond women's clothing to include accessories, cosmetics, shoes, handbags, perfumes, and eyewear.
Source: Getty Images
Her collections are showcased twice a year at New York Fashion Week, and her signature stores are in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago, as well as international locations in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Beyond traditional fashion, Cynthia Rowley made a name for herself in home decor, designing furniture, fabrics, and decorative items that reflect her vibrant and youthful style.
In 2003, she teamed with Target to create Swell, a line of home accessories inspired by a book series she co-authored with Ilene Rosenzweig. She has also collaborated with brands such as Roxy and Band-Aid to create affordable, fashionable products accessible to a broader audience.
In 2011, the entrepreneur expanded her portfolio by launching the Mr Powers collection, a limited menswear line named after her husband, Bill Powers.
Reality TV and talk shows
Rowley is also no stranger to the media. She has appeared as a judge on the reality television programs Design Star, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and 24 Hour Catwalk.
The American entrepreneur has also appeared on Gossip Girl, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, the Late Show with David Letterman, The Today Show, and Celebrity Jeopardy, among other programs.
Authorship
Cynthia Rowley is a celebrated author. She has authored and co-authored several books, including:
- Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good Life (with Rosenzweig, Time Warner, 1999)
- Home Swell Home (with Rosenzweig, Atria, 2002)
- Swell Holiday (with Rosenzweig, Atria, 2003)
- The Swell Dressed Party (with co-author Ilene Rosenzweig, Atria, 2005)
- Slim: A Fantasy Memoir (Random House, 2007)
Awards and honours
Cynthia Rowley's creative approach to fashion has earned her multiple awards and accolades. They include:
Source: Getty Images
- The Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (1994)
- The Legend of Fashion Award from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2012)
- Designer of the Year honours from the 37th Annual American Apparel and Footwear Association American Image Awards (2015)
- An honorary doctorate from The Art Institute of Chicago (2023)
Cynthia Rowley's house and real estate ventures
Cynthia Rowley might dominate the fashion world, but the designer is also well entrenched in real estate. At one point, she owned four properties in the West Village.
In March 2019, she sold one of the properties for $14 million. She purchased the home for $10.995 million in 2014 and transformed it into a dynamic live-work space for her brand.
FAQs
- Who is Cynthia Rowley? She is an acclaimed American fashion designer.
- How old is Cynthia Rowley? The author is 66 years old as of March 2025. She was born on 29 July 1958 in Barrington, Illinois, United States of America.
- Is Cynthia Rowley married? Yes, the entrepreneur has been married to his current husband since 2005.
- Who is Cynthia Rowley's husband? Her husband is Bill Powers, a writer, art dealer, and entrepreneur.
- Is Cynthia Rowley a luxury brand? Although Cynthia Rowley is a well-known fashion brand, it is not considered a luxury brand.
- Where can I buy Cynthia Rowley's dresses? You can purchase the outfits on the official website, Amazon, or their physical locations.
- How many kids does Cynthia Rowley have? She is a mother of two daughters: Kit Keenan (born 1999) and Gigi Clementine (born 2005).
- Who is Bachelor contestant Kit Keenan's mom? She is the eldest daughter of Cynthia Rowley.
Cynthia Rowley's net worth illustrates the power of creativity, perseverance, and adaptability. From a young artist to a renowned fashion designer with a global brand, her ability to diversify her products while remaining relevant in the ever-changing fashion industry has solidified her legacy as a true icon.
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