Boy Meets Girl and Strawberry Shortcake Partner on Unisex Back-to-school Collection

BOY MEETS GIRL® x Strawberry Shortcake Unveil a Limited-Edition Eco-Adaptive Varsity Vest as part of their Back-to-School collection

Exclusive 09.13.24 to WWD

This back-to-school season, BOY MEETS GIRL® is celebrating Strawberry Shortcake's 45th anniversary with an exciting and meaningful collaboration. BOY MEETS GIRL® x Strawberry Shortcake is releasing (on 09/13/24) a 13-piece back-to-school collection that features a mash-up of both brands’ logos within BOY MEETS GIRL®'s signature unisex styles, including hoodies, crew sweatshirts, tees, totes, and notebooks. For the first time, BOY MEETS GIRL® and Strawberry Shortcake are introducing a limited-edition eco-adaptive upcycled denim vest with magnetic faux leather sleeves, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and sustainable fashion. 

“Over the past twenty + years, BOY MEETS GIRL® has been a brand that shares stories and brings people together while giving back to communities,” said Stacy Igel, Founder of BOY MEETS GIRL®. “We have always said ‘confidence and courage never go out of style’. Introducing an adaptive piece of clothing to our collection was important to carry our message even further to those with a disability.”

Owned by WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, Strawberry Shortcake is one of the world’s most-adored brands. Since her creation in 1973, with the release of a simple Valentine’s Day greeting card, Strawberry Shortcake has grown and evolved with new content, toys, consumer products, and experiences for generations of fans. 

Elizabeth Litten Miller, VP of Franchise strategy at WildBrain, added: “We love collaborating with BOY MEETS GIRL® as they bring their amazing point of view to Strawberry Shortcake, capturing her sweetness, nostalgia, and kindness. Their new adaptive, upcycle denim vest, reflects our joint values of inclusivity and creativity as well as our Strawberry anthem of ‘baking the world a better place’.”

This past year, BOY MEETS GIRL® Founder Stacy Igel was a guest instructor at Columbia College in Chicago, where she once took design classes as a high school student. As part of this class, students were divided into groups and presented new concepts to Stacy, one of which included adaptive clothing. Designed to address mobility issues, sensory impairments, and disabilities, adaptive clothing is more comfortable and accessible for people who may face challenges with traditional clothing.

In true BOY MEETS GIRL® fashion of bringing people together, Stacy was so impressed with what she saw in her class at Columbia College in Chicago that she asked some recently graduated students to join her in a newly created collective, appropriately named the BOY MEETS GIRL® x Strawberry Shortcake Chicago Collective. Together, they worked to develop a limited-edition adaptive upcycled denim vest with magnetic faux leather sleeves. Stacy guided her Chicago-based team on how to source ethical production houses, what to look for in upcycled denim, and how to cast an adaptive model.

“It’s incredibly special to bring this project full circle and involve the next generation of designers from my hometown,” Igel said. “Adding Jessica Ping, a disability model we cast in our campaign, was very important so we could understand all the elements needed to empower someone with a disability. We had fittings and talked through the product together. Jessica epitomizes a confident young woman and is a perfect fit for our BMG x SSC collaboration.”

50% of the net proceeds will be donated to The National School Climate Center's Community Champions program.

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Tell us a little about you! 

"HI! I’m a mom of two boys, a proud wife, and Lifestyle Producer for TODAY with Hoda & Jenna.  I also love Pilates & red wine."

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work? 

"BALANCE is tough. Sometimes, I think it doesn’t exist.  It seems there is always one item, subject, or person that gets more attention. At present, I’m really trying to focus on my family as well as career. My boys will only be young once, so I want to truly enjoy every minute.. One day I’ll look back and think about all these moments at baseball and soccer games, art class, school drop off and pick up, and I’ll wish I could do it all again. I don’t want to miss a thing. Please don’t tell my boss, but when I’m 80, I doubt that I’ll be yearning for all that time in the office. Having said that, I also believe I have a tremendous flexible job and work my tush off. Plus, I think being a hands-on mom makes me a better TV producer."

Name another mom who inspires you? Why? 

"At this stage of my life, there are many inspirational moms in my circle of family & friends - with their own daily struggles doing the best they can and giving it their all each day. I can’t list one – but I can list 50 easily. My own mom inspires me. She always has been, and still is, there for my brothers and me, during our childhood and as adults. She pushes me when I need it. She pushed and inspired me to move to NYC from the Midwest. She encouraged me to set high goals and self-expectations with my career at NBC TODAY. She coached me and had my back when I bought my first home (and third) in NYC. I might never have seen my own potential without my mom. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader and her actions have inspired me to be a better mom to my two boys.  Nobody loves you more than your mom."

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you moving?

"I try to remember when the day is tough, it’s just a phase.  Everything is just a phase. While the phases can be really tough, they, too, will pass. Kevin Bacon once talked about phases in the documentary, “Fatherhood.” I think about it regularly and I believe it’ll stick with me for life. Soon the phase changes and ends and that phase will be a memory in the past.  The next phase will be a challenge for the future."

What’s your pump-up song for starting your day? 

"Right now my pump up song is “Praise the Lord,” by Breland.  I also just love everything about COLDPLAY music."

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world. 

"My son Wyatt was a micro-preemie born at 24 weeks.  The NICU experience is a trauma for any mom & the “Journey Bead” program was developed to help celebrate milestones and to help parents with PTSD. I give my love and admiration to any organization that helps preemies, especially groups that focus on the familial mental needs of parents during those challenging times."

Tell us a little about you! 

"I am a born and bred New Yorker. I am the daughter of Indian immigrant parents who tried their best raising me & my brother in this crazy city — 40 years later I find myself doing the same with my kids. Each day is filled with varying emotions –worry/fear/anxiety balanced with awe/wonder/amazement that they are now part of the fabric of NYC and vice versa."

What do you do?

"I work for Madison Square Garden.   I lead the merchandising strategy for their Christmas Spectacular Show Starring the Radio City Rockettes.  More recently, my husband Mark shot a documentary on the grim NYC pandemic shutdown, called Outside In which also featured my family.  It is making its rounds in a few film festivals and will be showcased at the Producer’s Club on May 16^th at 7pm."  

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work? 

"This is a trick question. At work, to-do lists keep me sane.  At home with family, to-do lists are generally thrown out the window.  Fortunately, my current work environment is filled with women at different stages in their life and career, usually with their own struggles in balancing work and family life.  They are incredibly supportive of familial duties and don’t hold family responsibilities against you. Sounds logical?  Unfortunately, I have been in working environments where this was not the case. It makes you appreciate the added level of support even more!"

Name another mom who inspires you? Why? 

"At this stage of my life, there are many inspirational moms in my circle of family & friends - with their own daily struggles doing the best they can and giving it their all each day. I can’t list one – but I can list 50 easily."

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you? 

"My kids are still very young and full of imagination!  By nature, I am a logical thinker more data driven than creative.  Being around them forces me to think different.  I relish their imagination & creativity.  Santa Claus, Leprechauns, Easter Bunnies, Tooth Fairies…we will be keeping these alive in our household for as long as possible!"

What’s your pump-up song for starting your day? 

"Depends on the day.  Most weekdays, it is just the morning routine playing in my head. On running days, it is The White Stripe’s ‘Seven Army Nation’. On weekends it is Preservation Hall Jazz Band. However, I am currently on a prolonged Hamilton soundtrack kick."

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world. 

"Concern, Doctor’s Without Borders."

Profession?

"Mom wife CEO and founder of Dana’s Bakery."

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work?   

"I get asked this question a lot and after many many years of trying to balance I have come to the realization that balance does not exist! In regards to this topic balance should just be self understanding and forgiveness because you never know what life is going to bring. Each day is different and demands different things. Some days I’m on point when it comes to my kids the next day I’m totally consumed by work other days it’s a mix of both and everything in between. I think we are all just doing the best that we can and as long as we are doing that we are doing a pretty damn good job."

Name another mom who inspires you? Why? 

"All moms inspire me, bring a MOM is one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs there can be. I I rely on my friends when I need them and it goes both ways it’s so important to have that support system. Now that I have two girls of my own I think about my mother often and everything just makes so much more sense now! I have so much more understanding and respect for all that she did for us and all that she continues to do. It’s a deeper level of understanding and appreciation that I don’t think I could ever have if I wasn’t now a mother myself!"

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you going? 

"Not necessarily a quote, but “Give zero fucks” has always been one of my favorites mottos. It fuels me to get after it."

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you?

"After having my girls, I take much better care of myself. I can only be good for them if I am in a good place and I want to be around as long as I possibly can to experience life together."

What's your pump-up song for starting your day?

"Used to be anything in the heavy metal / rock a d roll genre. These days it’s KidzBop or we don’t talk about Bruno (Encanto)."

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world.

• Zara Tisch (terez)

• Aimee Kestenberg 

• Heymama 

Profession?

"I'm an entrepreneur and journalist. I am the co-founder of themoms.com and I'm now a second time founder, and launching mycancerfamily.com - a health and wellness tech platform to support and help cancer patients and their families."

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work? 

"I think everyone's "balance" or "all" is different.  Balance for me, may not work for you. Balance for me one day, may not work for me another day. Because I'm divorced, I have always felt that I have balance because my kids go to their dad 1 night a week (sometimes 2) and every other weekend. So the nights they are with me, I am fully focused on them, and the nights they are with their dad, I'm fully focused on me! So I feel like I have the best balance!"

Name another mom who inspires you? Why?

"YOU (Stacy Igel)! Seriously. I always say you are one of my favorite people I don't know enough and I mean It. I have followed you on social media for years and you inspire me with your support of other mom entrepreneurs, and as I have learned more about you, it's truly amazing what you have built, continue to build and do it all while supporting important causes and other moms and entrepreneurs."

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you going? 

"Many days are tough but I truly believe those days make you stronger. My mom recently said to me, after hearing bad news about a close family members cancer diagnosis, "Denise, you're always so strong.  Maybe you don't always have to be." But that doesn't occur to me. I truly believe when things are tough, to find ways to find the positives and keep going. When I was going through a tough and aggressive cancer journey and treatment, I always planned fun things and adventures to look forward to. It got me through it. It hurts me more to support others going through tough times. I'm dealing with that now and trying to be strong but it was easier for me to get through tough times for myself than others. I guess I know how awful it can be and don't want others to experience what I have been through."

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you?

"My kids are my everything. My kids have been through so much at such a young age. Divorce, remarriage that wasn't easy for them (but good now), a sick parent etc...and of course a pandemic, so my kids have been through everything and are thriving. They have such love in their life and are so resilient and wise and empathetic that I truly believe they are better for all the tough times and will become such stars in whatever they do. They inspire me every day and I know they also do that for their peers and every one around them. I'm so proud."

Ask your child/Children, what is their favorite thing about their mom? 

Jaylan, 13 - "Mom is supportive loving and will always help us with anything and everything possible."

Jaron, 17 - "She understands the mistakes we may make."

What's your pump-up song for starting your day? 

"Classic rock and anything other than rap :). My older son Jaron is an artist, so I also love to listen to his songs!"

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world. 

"I'm very involved in a lot for cancer non-profits, as a survivor.  American Cancer Society, Susan G Komen and so many others like Unite 4 Her, Wigs for Wishes.  I'm a sucker for non-profits and anyone who reaches out, especially with a cancer connection will get me!!!!"

Profession? 

"I am a food and beverage entrepreneur, a broadcaster and a writer.  I'm the CEO of Frisky Whiskey, I host and produce TV news segments and I contribute food, beauty, style and wellness articles for Scary Mommy and HuffPost."

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work? 

"I cannot lie I don’t really have the answer to “how” I stay organized bet work and family life because I almost never feel completely “organized” and most days I’m not sure if I’m balancing or just riding the wave.   What I can say is that when it comes to work life and home life I’m nothing without my family. Having an extremely supportive husband whose always willing to pitch in on the home front (and at times the work front) definitely helps.  I also have to shout out my cousin Matt Moreira who literally gets me together.  He is my eyes and ears and anytime I’m even close to organized, it’s because of him."

Name another mom who inspires you? Why?

"Can I name 2?!  Lisa Ling inspires me.  She is a CLINICin time management and making the most of the time with your children.  She travels the world, tells the most compelling stories for a living and is imparting that worldly knowledge on her two beautiful daughters. The second is my own mom, who inspires me every day by being the most supportive, encouraging cheerleader a child could ever have. There is nothing more motivating than the support of your parents."

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you going?

"It's incredibly cliche but for me, "Rome wasn't built in a day" is KEY.  I remind myself everyday that staying committed to my goals and busting my ass until they've come to fruition is the only way they're going to come to fruition. Period."

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you? 

"My son Cole is such a determined little guy and his persistence and fearlessness inspires me every single day. I'm also kind of inspired by and in awe of his long eyelashes."  

Ask your child/children, what is their favorite thing about their mom?  

"Cole says his favorite thing about me is when we play with dinosaurs together and read our stories."

What's your pump-up song for starting your day? 

Lights Camera Action (Remix), Mr. Cheeks featuring Puffy and Missy Elliot

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world.

• Every Mother Counts.

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance 

• Women Business Collaborative

Tell us a little about you!

"I'm a mom of 2 littles and a lover of food."

Profession?

"Journalist."

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work?

"The truth is, I don't. But, like all working moms out there, I try my best. It definitely takes a village."

Name another mom who inspires you? Why?

"I'm inspired by so many moms and so it’s difficult for me to choose just one. Let me put it like this: I have mom-friends out there who are so on top of their family’s schedules and routines – and I become instantly inspired by how they’re able to maintain that level of organization and structure. I also have mom-friends who run global companies and accomplish major career milestones while also being able to dedicate time to their families, and so I get inspired by them. Then, I have mom friends who are so connected with their kids, who spend the time and the energy to understand and learn about them, and I'm inspired. There's no shortage of these moms and when I see any of them, it inspires me to be a better mom."

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you going?

"Ninjas never quit." - my 6 year old daughter

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you?

"My kids are two of the most interesting and confident people I've ever met. They push me to learn and think about things in a new light. Most importantly, they force me to be present in the current moment."

Ask your child/children, what is their favorite thing about their mom? 

"I love when my mom plays games with me." - E, 3 yrs old

What's your pump-up song for starting your day?

"Currently, I meditate on the Core App to get pumped up!"

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that gives back to women and/or momma's around the world.

• AAPI Women Lead

• Best Buddies

• No Kid Hungry

Tell us a little about you! 

"I am a mom of a 7 ½-year-old who is growing way too fast :( I am the Founder & CCO of BOY MEETS GIRL® And I am currently writing my memoir/business book under Harper Collins. The pub date is March 2023! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

Balance is key. How do you stay organized between family & work? 

“Covid changed my perspective on it all. I do not think there is a defined word for balance in my world but I have found how to compartmentalize work from family and friend time. I have accepted that I am doing my best and that is all I can do.”

Name another mom who inspires you? Why?

“My Mama but also my Sister who is a Mom and all the other Moms I know who have had to find a way to cope during a global pandemic. I am in awe of the Moms who are nurses and doctors and what they have done for our world during covid. They showed up to help others even if they had children at home. They are our heroes."

Some days are tough, what's a quote that keeps you going? 

“I wrote a song during rough times which I have shared on my social. The start of it goes “I woke up this morning and got out of bed. I looked at the sun and I looked ahead. I believe in you if you believe in me. Together we will see.”

#ChangeMakerMoms make #FutureBoss kids - how does your child inspire you?

“Dylan asks me questions that make me think even more. He is like a sponge wanting to know all about the world. I am inspired by his thirst to learn. I am also inspired by his wanting to succeed in everything he does and do the best he can do.”

What's your pump-up song for starting your day? 

“Most recent (as my songs always change) is a song from the movie Coda. It is originally by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. This version is by Emilia Jones & Ferida Walsh-Peelo.”

Drop some organizations you are passionate about that give back to women and/or momma's around the world. 

Some incredible organizations run by momma’s … Mama Said, Hey Mama’s, The Mom’s Network, NYC Moms for a Cause, In Kind Boxes and so many more.

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