- ABOUT US -
Julie Simon and Gillian Wynn met as classmates at Yale University 30 years ago. Now, living in Los Angeles, these dear friends come together to co-found Julie Simon Cakes, bringing together their mutual loves of art, food, entertaining and all things beautiful. They share a passion for bringing delight and magic into people’s lives.
JULIE SIMON - CHIEF CREATIVE
Julie Simon developed her dual passions for art and baking as a child growing up in New York City. Wandering the hallways of the Met’s impressionist galleries with her mother, and baking alongside her home-chef father with a well-worn, and chocolate-stained copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking tucked under her 8-year old arm at most times. A musician and self-taught artist, Julie tinkered in many visual media, and as a lifetime foodie, she began baking elaborate pastry recipes as a child. But it wasn’t until a trip 20 years ago to London and Harrod’s famed Food Hall, that she considered truly putting her love of desserts and art together. Entranced by the glittering wedding cakes festooned in sugar lace, she realized that cake art was her calling.
Before dedicating herself to her cake artistry, Julie had a full-time executive career in media. She also spent many years as a recording artist and performer, counting among her most exciting lifetime experiences her performances at the Apollo and Beacon Theaters in NYC.
Julie graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University and has two beautiful children who are artists and imagineers in their own right
GILLIAN WYNN - CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Gillian Wynn was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and raised in both Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sun Valley, Idaho. Gillian grew up in the hospitality industry, and worked in both areas of high-end design and VIP customer service. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in History of Art from Yale University, Gillian began a career the entertainment and music industry before starting her family.
She partnered in several businesses, ranging from biodegradable plastics to music consulting and supervision. In addition to raising her four children, Gillian is an active philanthropist. She has served on several local, national and international boards, including H.E.A.R.T. (helping ease abuse related trauma, a support arm for the Violence Intervention Program in Los Angeles), Nevada Ballet Theater, United States Artists, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Leadership Council for the global organization, Conservation International.
She has chaired and produced events and spoken publicly on behalf of the arts and the environment since 2007
Deborah Jaffe - CREATIVE DIRECTOR - PHOTOGRAPHER
Deborah studied Painting & Drawing at Carnegie Mellon University & Parsons School of Design in Paris. While in Paris she studied at Le Cordon Bleu. She became a well known photographer & creative director first in New York City & later in Los Angeles.
Deborah has shot fashion campaigns, lifestyle, portraits, fashion, food, travel, photojournalism & worked as a Creative Director for Salvatore Ferragamo, Bally of Switzerland, Martha Stewart, Mercedes, In Style, The New Yorker, Marie Claire, Pottery Barn, Town & Country, Chanel, Real Simple, Domino Magazine, The New York Times & The Washington Post, among others. She has been a contributor to Elle Magazine, Domino Magazine, John Kennedy Jr.’s George Magazine & British Elle Decoration. Her portraits of Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Dave Chapelle, Joan Rivers, Mariel Hemmingway, Geoffrey Beene, have graced the pages of major magazines worldwide.
