Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City. She attended the Nightingale-Bamford School, a private all-girls school located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and graduated in 1993. She began her college education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., but transferred in 1994 to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She graduated from UCLA in 1997 with a double bachelor's degree in history and art history.
After college, Gruss developed an interest in fashion. She started at the ground level, working in a lingerie factory to gain first-hand industry experience. In 1998, she founded her own clothing company with the help of a loan from her father, businessman Zack Lonstein. Her vision was to design clothing that would flatter a variety of body types, an approach that quickly distinguished her brand.
In 2001, Gruss launched a swimwear collection that reflected her inclusive design aesthetic. Following the birth of her daughter in 2005, she expanded her product offering by introducing the Baby Girl swimwear line. In August 2010, she entered the jewelry market by launching her own collection in partnership with QVC.
In 2009, Gruss collaborated with her long-time friend, fashion designer Charlotte Ronson, to release a swimwear line called “Made with Love,” which debuted in the spring of that year. This collaboration further elevated her brand credibility within the industry.
In 2013, Elizabeth Arden Inc. named Gruss their first-ever Style Director. In this role, she acted as a brand spokesperson and advisor, helping to align the company's fashion direction with its beauty offerings.
Gruss has also been involved in charitable and community-focused initiatives. In partnership with Century 21 Department Stores and the nonprofit Save the Garment Center, she designed a custom T-shirt titled “I Love NY.” Proceeds from the T-shirt went entirely towards supporting the Garment District’s preservation efforts.
| Birth Date: | 29 May, 1975 |
| Age: | 44 yrs |
| Occupations: | Fashion designer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Manhattan |
| Education: | George Washington University University of California, Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | Fashion designer |
| Net Worth 2021: | 50 million |
