Lauren Santo Domingo is basically the blueprint for the modern "Gilded Age" New York socialite. She’s the co-founder of Moda Operandi, a contributing editor at Vogue, and a permanent fixture on every best-dressed list that actually matters. But while her public life is a whirlwind of Giambattista Valli gowns and front-row seats in Paris, people are always curious about what happens behind the scenes in that massive 19th-century townhouse in Gramercy Park. Specifically, they want to know about the Lauren Santo Domingo kids.
She has two. Nicholas and Beatrice.
Raising children while running a global fashion empire and maintaining a social calendar that would make most people collapse from exhaustion is no small feat. Honestly, she makes it look effortless, but she’s been pretty candid over the years about the fact that she isn't trying to be a "relatable" mom in the way influencers are today. There are no "get ready with me" videos featuring toddler tantrums on her feed. Instead, she offers a glimpse into a life where childhood is a mix of high culture, international travel, and very specific, old-school boundaries.
The Reality of Raising Nicholas and Beatrice Santo Domingo
Nicholas and Beatrice are the product of a true power union. Their father, Andrés Santo Domingo, comes from one of the wealthiest families in Colombia—his father was the billionaire industrialist Julio Mario Santo Domingo. When you combine that kind of lineage with Lauren’s sharp, Connecticut-bred business acumen, you get a family dynamic that is deeply private but undeniably influential.
Nicholas was born in 2011, and Beatrice followed in 2013.
They’re growing up in an environment that is curated, sure, but Lauren has mentioned in various interviews—most notably with Vogue and Saveur—that she tries to keep them grounded. Or at least as grounded as you can be when your godmother might be a European princess. She’s famously strict about screens. You won't see her kids hunched over iPads at a restaurant. In a world where most parents use a tablet as a digital pacifier, she prefers the "old-fashioned" way. Books. Drawing. Actual conversation.
✨ Don't miss: Shannon Tweed Net Worth: Why She is Much More Than a Rockstar Wife
It’s kinda refreshing.
A Home That Isn't a Museum (Mostly)
Their home life is centered around that famous Gramercy Park townhouse. It’s a literal architectural masterpiece, renovated by Gil Schafer with interiors by Virginia Tupker. You might think it’s a "look but don't touch" situation, but Lauren has often shared photos of the kids lounging on the furniture or playing in rooms that look like they belong in a museum.
One thing that stands out is how she integrates the Lauren Santo Domingo kids into her professional world. She doesn't hide them away. Beatrice has been known to hang out at the Moda Operandi offices, seeing the inner workings of a fashion tech company. It’s an apprenticeship of sorts. They aren't just seeing the "glam" parts; they’re seeing their mom work.
Travel, Culture, and the Santo Domingo Pedigree
The kids are essentially global citizens.
Between the family estate in Cartagena, summers in the Hamptons (Southampton, specifically), and trips to Paris for Couture Week, their passports probably have more stamps than most adults. This isn't just about luxury, though. For Lauren and Andrés, it seems to be about exposure. Exposure to different languages, different foods, and different ways of living.
🔗 Read more: Kellyanne Conway Age: Why Her 59th Year Matters More Than Ever
They’re often spotted at the annual Save Venice masquerade balls or high-profile weddings in Europe. But here’s the thing: they aren’t treated like accessories.
Lauren has a very specific "no-nonsense" approach to parenting. She once joked in an interview that she doesn't believe in "kid food." Nicholas and Beatrice eat what the adults eat. If you’re at a dinner party at the Santo Domingo house, the kids aren't in the kitchen with chicken nuggets. They’re likely trying the sea bass or the seasonal vegetables. It’s a very European way of raising children—incorporating them into adult life early on so they know how to behave in any social setting.
The Fashion Influence
Does Beatrice wear mini-Moda Operandi? Sort of.
Lauren is famously picky about children’s clothing. She hates anything that looks too "commercial" or has loud logos. She gravitates toward classic, timeless pieces—think Bonpoint, La Coqueta, or Marie-Chantal. It’s that "smocked dress and knee socks" aesthetic that never goes out of style. She actually helped launch a children's category on Moda Operandi because she found it so hard to find clothes for her kids that met her standards.
It wasn't just about vanity. It was a business move born from a personal need.
💡 You might also like: Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Balancing the Public and Private
In the age of oversharing, Lauren is a master of the "tease." She’ll post a photo of the kids from behind, or a shot of them in a beautiful garden, but she rarely shows their faces in a way that feels invasive. She’s protecting them. She knows the weight of the Santo Domingo name.
There’s a lot of pressure that comes with being an heir to a multi-billion dollar fortune. By keeping Nicholas and Beatrice out of the direct glare of the paparazzi and the 24-hour social media cycle, she’s giving them a chance to have a relatively normal—albeit incredibly privileged—upbringing.
People often ask how she "does it all." The honest answer? She has help. She’s never been one of those celebrities who pretends they don't have a staff. She has a team that allows her to run a company while being present for her kids' milestones. That transparency is part of why people respect her. She isn't selling a lie.
What We Can Learn From Her Parenting Style
Even if you don't have a billionaire's budget, there are takeaways from how Lauren handles her children.
- The "No-Screen" Rule: It’s a struggle for everyone, but seeing a high-powered tech co-founder prioritize analog play is a good reminder for the rest of us.
- Cultural Immersion: You don't need a private jet to expose kids to art, different cuisines, or history. It’s an intentional choice to include them in the "adult" world.
- The Uniform: Simplifying kids' wardrobes into high-quality, interchangeable pieces saves time and looks better than a closet full of fast-fashion trends.
The Future of the Santo Domingo Legacy
As Nicholas and Beatrice get older, they’ll inevitably step further into the spotlight. Whether they follow their father into the world of investment and philanthropy or their mother into the heart of the fashion industry remains to be seen. For now, they’re just two New York kids who happen to have a very famous mom and a very historic last name.
Lauren Santo Domingo has successfully carved out a niche where she is both a formidable CEO and a dedicated mother. She’s proven that you don't have to sacrifice your personal style or your professional ambitions just because you have children. You just have to be very, very organized.
Next Steps for Following the Santo Domingo Family Style
- Research Classic Childrenswear: Look into brands like Bonpoint or La Coqueta to understand the "timeless" aesthetic Lauren favors for her kids.
- Implement a "Digital Sabbath": Try a weekend without tablets or TV for the kids, focusing instead on books and outdoor activities, mimicking the Santo Domingo household rules.
- Explore Gramercy Park History: If you're interested in the kids' environment, look up the history of the only private park in Manhattan to see where they spend their afternoons.
- Follow Moda Operandi’s Kids Section: See the curated selections Lauren herself approves for the site to get a sense of her specific taste in children's fashion and lifestyle products.