Shoshanna Lonstein was born and raised in Manhattan, New New York With a loan from her father, Zach Lonstein, chief executive officer of Infocrossing, she started her clothing company in 1998 with the mission to design a clothing line that appealed to different body types.
She attended Nightingale-Bamford School for girls in New York City"s Upper East Side, graduating in 1993. In 1997, she graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a double bachelor"s degree in history and art history.
She began college at George Washington University in Washington, District of Columbia but, in 1994, transferred to the University of California, Los Los Angeles Upon graduation, Shoshanna decided to explore her interests in fashion by starting at the ground level, working at a lingerie factory. After being the face of Judith Ripka"s advertising campaign in 2009, Gruss paired with Judith Ripka to launch her own jewelry line through Quality, Value, Convenience in August 2010.
In 2013, Elizabeth Arden, Incorporated. named Gruss the brand"s first-ever Style Director.
In this new role, Gruss serves as a spokesperson and adviser for the design label. Gruss partnered with Save the Garment Center and Century 21 Department Stores in February 2014 to design a one-of-a-kind I Love New York T-shirt with all proceeds directly benefitting Save the Garment Center.
Foreign summer 2014, Gruss partnered with Club Monaco to launch the retailer"s first-ever designer swimwear collaboration. The Shoshanna for Club Monaco capsule collection featured an assortment of bikini, one-piece and rash guard styles.
Gruss served as a Piperlime guest contributor when the Gap Incorporated. brand refreshed its website in fall 2014.
Since launching her label in 1998, Gruss has participated in Super Saturday, the designer sale that benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
