Jen Mankins got her start in fashion as an assistant buyer for Barney’s New York in its heyday as the most important and influential design destination in the world. Inspired by the independent design scene booming in New York City in the late 90s, Jen went on to cofound the women’s fashion label Charlotte Corday. She quickly realized that retail was her calling. Bird Brooklyn was the manifestation of this passion. For over 20 years, Jen created beautifully designed spaces to gather and celebrate thoughtful, independent design. A self-described failed minimalist, Jen’s colorful personal style could be felt throughout the stores and the expansive roster of coveted designer collections from around the world.

In the spring of 2020, after having twins during the height of the pandemic, Jen felt a personal evolution in the works and started the groundwork of closing Bird to allow for the possibility of new endeavors. In the spring of 2022, together with her husband and twins, she embarked on a move to Sweden after nearly 25 years in her beloved Brooklyn. Drawing on her extensive experience of working in fashion as a buyer, designer, merchandiser and curator, she decided it was time to take the plunge and officially start helping others create their own dream spaces filled with things they love. Jen was just beginning to conceptualize what her future work in design could look like, when she was contacted by a Bird client about the possibility of helping her gut-renovate a five-story brownstone in Cobble Hill. And her official foray into professional design was launched.