A rising star in the design world, Molly Torres Portnof brings her background of fashion, pop culture, and music to nearly every space she designs. We profiled her own Brooklyn home in the summer issue of the magazine and were just as smitten with her most recent project — the vibrant (and often hilarious) Betches HQ. The female-founded and led media and entertainment brand is known for hot takes on everything from Real Housewives to viral memes, and Molly created a physical representation of the brand. Learn more about the space here, and get to know Molly in our signature #5MinutesWith Q&A below.
YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
My phone. I feel like it’s an extension of me. To quote Countess Luann, it’s totally “like, uncool.” I definitely need to create boundaries so that I’m physically without my phone for at least a few hours every day. Ironically, I’m constantly losing it, too.. .so I’m either working on it, doomscrolling, cradling it like a newborn baby or trying to find it. A very dysfunctional relationship!
MY DREAM COLLABORATION:
I’ve always wanted to design a boutique restaurant, marrying two of my favorite things in the world: design and food.
THE ONLY PLACE BETTER THAN NEW YORK:
Typical born and bred New Yorker response, but truthfully there is no place better than New York. However, there have been a few places I’ve traveled to where I could see myself living happily and they are: Manhattan Beach (California), Bondi Beach (Australia), and Europe in the summer because… duh, it’s Europe in the summer!
WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
It means I’m burnt out, something I used to ignore and try to soldier my way through. I’m trying to be gentler on myself these days and listen to my body’s cues a bit more. If I’m feeling sluggish and uninspired after weeks of working late nights, demanding presentations, sourcing trips and the general daily grind… it’s time for some rest and a mental reset.
ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Say no! No to the unrealistic budget, no to the bonkers timeline, no to the perpetually unhappy client, no to skipping meals, weekend plans and vacations for work. Saying no actually leads to better opportunities and the freedom to say yes to them.
IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
With many more joyous, celebratory, design-filled moments under my belt.
ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Splurge on that sofa or piece of art or rug that makes you happy. You deserve it, I promise!