History of Victoria MacKenzie-Childs in Timeline

Victoria MacKenzie-Childs is a ceramic artist and co-founder, with her husband Richard, of the luxury home goods company MacKenzie-Childs in 1983. Their whimsical style, described as "Mary Poppins meets Alice in Wonderland," gained prominence with their Madison Avenue boutique in New York City in the 1990s. They lost control of the company after bankruptcy in 2001. Victoria is the mother of organic textile designer Heather Chaplet.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1907: Construction of the Yankee Ferry

In 1907, the Yankee Ferry was first built in Philadelphia, before Victoria and Richard bought it in 2003.

August 26, 1948: Victoria MacKenzie-Childs' Birth

On August 26, 1948, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs was born. She later became a ceramic artist and co-founder of MacKenzie-Childs.

Others born on this day/year

1970: Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University and Studies at Boston Museum of Fine Arts

In 1970, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University and continued her studies at Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

1974: Continued studies at Boston Museum of Fine Arts

In 1974, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs continued her studies at Boston Museum of Fine Arts while teaching at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.

1976: Freelance Clothing and Costume Designer

In 1976, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs began working as a freelance clothing and costume designer.

1983: Founding of MacKenzie-Childs

In 1983, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs and her husband Richard founded the luxury home goods firm MacKenzie-Childs.

1983: Year MacKenzie-Childs was founded

In 1983, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs was working as a freelance clothing and costume designer, which was also the year the company MacKenzie-Childs was founded.

1992: Yankee Ferry on the National Register of Historic Places

In 1992, before Victoria and Richard bought it in 2003, the Yankee Ferry was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1993: Opening of Madison Avenue Store

In 1993, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs opened their flagship store on Madison Avenue. Their focus was initially on high-end, hand-crafted majolica dinnerware and glassware, later expanding to include linens, lamps, tassels, trims, and imaginative household furnishings.

1994: Entrepreneur of the Year Award

In 1994, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs received the regional Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

2000: MacKenzie-Childs Files for Bankruptcy

In 2000, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs' brand was forced to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following financial difficulties, amidst planning a second store on Rodeo Drive.

2001: Loss of Control of MacKenzie-Childs

In 2001, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs lost control of the MacKenzie-Childs company following bankruptcy proceedings.

2001: Launch of Victoria and Richard Emprise

In 2001, after their company MacKenzie-Childs was sold following bankruptcy proceedings, Richard and Victoria MacKenzie-Childs launched Victoria and Richard Emprise to continue creating and selling their designs.

2001: Purchase of MacKenzie-Childs by Pleasant Rowland

In 2001, the MacKenzie-Childs brand was purchased and restructured by American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland after bankruptcy. Victoria and Richard refused a $10 million offer contingent upon a non-compete clause.

2003: Purchase of the Yankee Ferry

In 2003, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs bought the last remaining Ellis Island ferryboat, Yankee Ferry, and converted it into a home and floating studio.

2006: Lawsuit Over Business Name

In 2006, Pleasant Rowland sued Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs for starting a new business using "Victoria and Richard," after their name had been sold off in the bankruptcy proceedings. The founders countersued Rowland for attaching their name to designs they did not create.

2008: Sale of MacKenzie-Childs to Twin Lakes Capital

In 2008, Pleasant Rowland sold the MacKenzie-Childs company to Lee Feldman and Howard Cohen, partners at the Twin Lakes Capital equity firm based in New York.

2017: Alfred University Commencement Address

In 2017, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs delivered Alfred University's 181st commencement address, recognized for their "artist's magic touch" and influence on contemporary artists and designer brands.

2020: Launch of YouTube Channel

In 2020, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs launched a YouTube channel on life on the Yankee Ferry, offering personal accounts on her life and career.

2024: Yankee Ferry docked in Staten Island

As of 2024, the Yankee Ferry, owned by Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs, is docked in Staten Island.

March 5, 2026: Victoria MacKenzie-Childs' Death

On March 5, 2026, Victoria MacKenzie-Childs passed away. She was known for her work as a ceramic artist and co-founder of the MacKenzie-Childs company.