Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren, has really made a name for herself and not only through having such an iconic figure as a parent but also through her own achievements.

Like many children, Dylan had quite the sweet tooth when she was young, collecting candy when traveling which quickly evolved into a hobby and then a business once she grew up. Dylan’s Candybar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life is her newest accomplishment combining fashion, art, pop-culture and candy recipes all into one book. Her new book is now available in stores and online at Dylanscandybar.com, so make sure to check it out!

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Tell us about your book, Dylan’s Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life.
DYLAN LAUREN: My book celebrates the Pop Art aspect of candy, combined with recipes and entertaining ideas. I love candy and wanted to show the fun of candy and how Dylan’s Candy Bar merges fashion, art and pop culture with candy to bring out the creative spirit and inner child in everyone—especially readers who can’t get to one of our stores. It includes history, trivia, mouthwatering candy recipes, and inventive candy craft ideas for holidays and special occasions.

FM: What drew you to running your candy business, Dylan’s Candy Bar?
DL: I just always loved candy. I grew up sort of [around] candy. I traveled and started collecting candy from all over and then I realized . . . I can meet with vendors and other sellers who had candy stores and it just kept evolving and then I created the world’s largest candy store. To me, candy is more than an accessible everyday product we consume. Candy is an artful masterpiece.

FM: The word “skinny” and “high fashion” almost go hand-in-hand… because your father designs high fashion, what kind of feedback have you gotten for going into the complete opposite direction, that being, making sweet, sugary treats?
DL: My aim for Dylan’s Candy Bar was to merge fashion, art, and pop candy culture. We do carry a lot of non-edible items related to fashion such as T-shirts, pajamas and designing motifs. Although it is a different direction, my father has always been supportive from the start and wanted me to do something that I loved.

FM: How has having a fashion icon like Ralph Lauren as a parent shaped your life?
DL: My dad is very down-to-earth, and I view him as a creative genius and I am very proud of that. He continues to launch successful brands, which are very exciting for me to see. Watching him has taught me that surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial in starting a company. He makes sure everyone feels involved, and I’ve tried to do the same thing. What I’ve really learned being his daughter is how to be entrepreneurial and the importance of working hard. In addition, since I have always been inspired by fashion around me. I always look at the swatches of colors, patterns, and textures of clothes or bags and project how I can package candy in a more artistic, hip way.

FM: Do you think that your sense of style is mirrored in Ralph Lauren designs?
DL: Yes, Ralph Lauren is so wearable and colorful-similar to my style. Many of the fall and spring collections with their different shades of color have even inspired the design of Dylan’s Candy Bar.

FM: How would you characterize your own personal sense of style?
DL: Casual with a sporty side, a dash of sexy and of course, colorful!

FM: What is your favorite outfit (any occasion) or piece of clothing that is in your closet?
DL: Jeans, boot cut. They are flattering and you can dress them up or down with any top.

FM: What is the next goal you would like to accomplish?
DL: We are looking to expand and open stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, and Japan.

FM: Where is your favorite place to travel?
DL: I love to travel everywhere and I am always on the hunt for new and interesting candies and packaging designs!

FM: What do you love about Chicago? Any favorite shopping neighborhoods?
DL: I am a big fan of Neiman Marcus on Michigan Ave—it’s such a great place to shop and carries Dylan’s Candy Bar products. The food and atmosphere at RL Restaurant on Chicago Avenue are also wonderful!
-Leigh Loosbrock