The Quiet Life: 5 Shocking Facts About Jenna Lyons' Ex-Husband, Vincent Mazeau, Since Their Split

The world knows Jenna Lyons as the J.Crew style icon, the "Woman Who Dressed America," and now a star on *The Real Housewives of New York City* (RHONY). But behind her highly public career and personal evolution is a man who has intentionally retreated from the spotlight: her ex-husband, Vincent Mazeau. On this December 2025 update, we dive deep into the life of the man who was married to Lyons for nine years, revealing his dramatic career pivots from a celebrated artist to a Brooklyn restaurateur, and the quiet, successful co-parenting life he maintains with the fashion mogul. Vincent Mazeau’s life is a fascinating study in creative reinvention, contrasting sharply with the relentless public scrutiny his ex-wife faces. While their 2011 divorce was a media spectacle due to its timing and Lyons' subsequent public relationship with a woman, Mazeau has quietly built a new professional identity and prioritized his private life, especially their teenage son. Here is a complete look at his life, career, and the surprising details that have emerged since his split from one of fashion's most powerful figures.

Vincent Mazeau: Complete Biography and Profile

Vincent Mazeau is an American artist, designer, and former restaurateur who gained significant public attention through his high-profile marriage to fashion executive Jenna Lyons.

• Full Name: Vincent Mazeau
• Known For: Ex-husband of Jenna Lyons; Artist and Sculptor; Former Brooklyn Restaurateur.
• Education: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Yale University (1995).
• Profession: Artist, Set Designer, Sculptor (15-year career); later, Restaurateur.
• Marriage to Jenna Lyons: Married in 2002.
• Separation/Divorce: Separated in 2011; divorce finalized shortly after.
• Son: Beckett Mazeau (born c. 2006).
• Notable Business: Cherry Point (Restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY).
• Current Residence: Reportedly still resides in the New York area.

The Shocking Career Pivot: From Yale MFA Artist to Brooklyn Restaurateur

Before his marriage to Jenna Lyons and well into it, Vincent Mazeau was a successful and critically recognized figure in the contemporary art world. His background is rooted in fine arts, having earned a prestigious Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University in 1995.

Mazeau built a 15-year career as an artist, designer, and set designer, with his sculptural work being featured in exhibitions at major venues like the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati and the SculptureCenter in New York.

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The Birth of Cherry Point

The most surprising chapter in Mazeau's professional life came years after his divorce. In 2016, Vincent Mazeau made a dramatic, high-stakes career pivot, trading his established life as an artist to become a restaurateur.

He opened Cherry Point, an intimate, acclaimed restaurant located in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

• Concept: Cherry Point was housed in a former Polish butcher shop, giving it a unique, old-world charm.
• Acclaim: The eatery quickly gained a reputation for its sophisticated menu and ambiance, a testament to Mazeau's eye for design and detail, which clearly translated from the art world to the culinary scene.
• The Why: Mazeau’s decision to leave a successful art career for the grueling world of food was a testament to his desire for a new creative challenge and a different kind of daily engagement.

The Untold Story of The Divorce and Co-Parenting with a RHONY Star

The separation of Jenna Lyons and Vincent Mazeau in 2011 was an explosive media event that dominated fashion and celebrity headlines. The split came after nine years of marriage and coincided with Lyons beginning a relationship with jewelry designer Courtney Crangi, making Lyons' coming out a very public affair.

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While reports at the time sensationalized the "messy" and high-stakes nature of the divorce, which involved custody and financial disputes, the couple has since established a respectful and functional co-parenting dynamic for their son, Beckett Mazeau.

Prioritizing Their Son, Beckett Mazeau

Jenna and Vincent’s primary focus has always been their son, Beckett, who was born in 2006.

The commitment to co-parenting was evident even during the initial separation, when the estranged couple reportedly continued to live in the same Brooklyn home for a period to ensure stability for Beckett.

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Lyons has spoken publicly about the challenges and rewards of their arrangement, even recently on *The Real Housewives of New York City* (RHONY).

• A United Front: Despite the dramatic split, both parents have maintained a united front, ensuring Beckett remains shielded from the intense public interest surrounding his mother’s career and reality TV fame.
• Beckett's Privacy: Vincent Mazeau's private nature has helped keep their son’s life out of the relentless media cycle, allowing Beckett to grow up with a degree of normalcy despite his mother's celebrity status.

The Impact of COVID-19: The Permanent Closure of Cherry Point

Perhaps the most current and little-known detail about Vincent Mazeau's post-divorce life is the fate of his beloved restaurant. Cherry Point, which opened in 2016, was a successful venture that represented a significant personal and professional risk for the former artist.

Tragically, the ongoing global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be too much for the intimate Brooklyn eatery. The restaurant was among the many small businesses in New York City that were forced to close permanently.

• The Closure Date: Cherry Point officially closed its doors around April 30th, 2020, a "fraught decision" made by Mazeau due to the economic and operational devastation caused by the pandemic lockdown.
• A Return to Roots: The closure marked the end of Mazeau's foray into the culinary world. Since then, the most recent public mentions of his professional life point to a return to his original passion: art and design. He continues to live and work in the New York City area, creating unique and conceptual works, quietly re-engaging with the world that first brought him critical acclaim.

Vincent Mazeau's Enduring Legacy: Style, Art, and Private Life

While Jenna Lyons' influence on American style is undeniable, Vincent Mazeau's legacy is a quieter, more personal one. His artistic eye and design sensibility were integral to the creation of the iconic Brooklyn brownstone he once shared with Lyons, a home that became a touchstone for interior design across the country.

Today, Vincent Mazeau represents a powerful contrast to the high-wattage world of his ex-wife. He is a man who successfully navigated a public divorce, reinvented his professional life in a challenging industry, and then quietly returned to his artistic roots after a global crisis. He remains a dedicated father, a respected artist and designer, and a compelling example of a public figure choosing a life of creative endeavor and privacy over the endless spotlight of celebrity culture.

His story is a reminder that while the world focuses on the fashion executive's next move on reality television, her ex-husband continues a rich, complex, and private life focused on art, design, and, most importantly, the well-being of their son.