stephanie oshva
gen·er·ous ~ showing kindness toward others; or a readiness to give more of something than is necessary or expected
I met STEPHANIE OSHVA precisely five years ago at our daughters’ kindergarten potluck. She had a fabulous British accent (instant cred), big bold red earrings (style), and this exuding kindness. We hit it off immediately, which we recently learned was because when I mentioned working at ABC she assumed ABC CARPET + HOME (not ABC NEWS, which was a massive later let down). SO grateful for that misunderstanding...
Steff is the human thanklessly running around between three kids, and offering to take three more home to help someone out--whilst actively hosting via making snacks, doing some sewing activity or crafting. Once her kids are asleep she’s night owling, designing a range of delightful items from Christmas tree skirts + ornaments to Chambord pillows + pouches. Often siphoning off sales towards a charity. My kids call her a superhero, cause of how much she is always doing + giving to others. Defining generosity at every level. And you literally never feel how much she’s doing because she’s so damn lovely all the time. Master juggler, humble fashion designer with the patience of a saint.
Raised in England, I didn’t learn til last year that her dad was a spy. LEGIT. Like there’s been a book based on this man, who was an integral player around the berlin wall coming down, and instrumental in getting nazi intel during WW2 (nbd). Now in hindsight this makes complete sense to me, because Steff in many ways is completely undercover on all of her magical skills.
Being a military raised kid, attending a very posh boarding school, Steff was a top student. She was also drawn to arts and sewing - something prominent through generations of her grandmum and own mum. And despite being told successful students shouldn’t be doing art or fashion - she in fact did and then some. Working her way into THE world-renown fashion school. Her career is full of fantastic stories ranging from her first job designing the decorative end of dildos, where her first one went to GINGER SPICE…. to interning with Alexander McQueen, who obviously took her to Paris, where she met + was hired by John Galliano. She went onto other fashion houses, doing things like designing a diamond encrusted corset with a bodyguard overseeing each diamond being sewed in. But it was Diane von Furstenberg, who brought her stateside, for what was supposed to be three months. She ended up sponsoring Steff’s green card (AMEN), where us New Yorkers have successfully grounded her for years now.
Ok ok but lets get to the everyday Steff. The undercover avid runner, Mary Poppins extraordinaire. Steff fell upon running seeing the marathon outside her company apt years ago. The next year she’d run the marathon, iron clad in a hot pink leopard DVF designed running kit. This was when her training included running from BKLYN to Soho House where she would shower, put a robe on and walk across the street to her office to change. Yep, Steff is F.U.N. too.
We have run two half-marathons together, and most recently the NYC Marathon last weekend -Steff’s NINTH. Two of those being virtual as in BY HERSELF during covid’s height (who does that?). A modest runner, who just banked London and NYC marathons weeks apart with smashing times. But to be clear, the best part of my beloved running buddy is she’s my go to validator when we both decide to drink the night before a long run. Never take it too seriously friends. What’s more Steff was diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes last year, one that impacts her life rather significantly but she barely mentions. Part of this is her lovable denial, most of it though is just steff, quietly handling and never complaining.
The Hallmark of Steff, though, is how truly lovely her daughters are. The most polite, sincere and kind little people - just like her. Indeed, Steff is probably the most self-less, big hearted person I know, with a quick wit that puts me in stitches on the regular. Yes of course the moral of the story is to be more generous in the spirit of Steff, but also take note of the Steff’s in your life. They lift us up, design dildos and bring out the best in all of us….xop
the picks
give
achilles international ($20) throughout the marathon you see guides in bright yellow Achilles t-shirts running alongside someone with a disability. Steff continues to be moved by this awesome org. They do a lot of course but Steff is honed in on how incredibly moving it is that AI that sponsors and assists people with disabilities to participate in marathons. She’s considering volunteering as a guide herself, which is steff in a nutshell.
watch
the woman in black (off-broadway play/$84-$114) By off-broadway, Steff is talking about a ghost story that takes place in a hotel pub, literally, that’s where you watch it. A long running hit in London, this limited engagement in NYC looks super cool both in venue and as a live thriller. (ps check out all the other offerings - like a magic show in a speakeasy!)
read
bravey (Book/$20) up next on steff reading docket, this inspiring read form Alexi Pappas, the Olympic runner, writer, actress, filmmaker. She just did the NYC Marathon as regular folk for fun to high five fans, making friends with a guy named VITO, whom she ended up running with the duration of the race. This is a woman who in 2016, made her Olympic debut as a distance runner and wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film. She shares what she’s “learned about confidence, self-reliance, mental health, embracing pain, and achieving your dream.”
listen
the shrink next door (podcast series/40 min episodes) classic steff. Not knowing this same storyline premieres on apple TV TODAY and the reason we’ve been seeing Paul Rudd everywhere all week, she’s like ohhhh i love this wickedly baffling true story podcast series of an nyc psychiatritist who manipulates, cons and tricks people out of money, taking control of their life et al. We’ve now reached the “but did you listen to the podcast before you saw the series” point of life.
try
miracle balm (jones road beauty/$38) from bobbie browns new make-up venture, this balm is apparently magic in a compact. Apply as bronzer, lip pop, tint, whatever you fancy but it looks pretty magical.
