How JoAnna Levenglick Blended Fashion, Television, and Innovation Into a Singular Career

How JoAnna Levenglick Blended Fashion, Television, and Innovation Into a Singular Career

JoAnna Levenglick has built a career that moves confidently across fashion, television, digital media, and specialized entrepreneurial ventures. Her work reflects a steady commitment to creativity and practical problem solving, supported by strong instincts for understanding audiences and emerging opportunities. From her early years in retail fashion to the development of Kids News Network and later pet-related services, Levenglick has shaped a professional life defined by curiosity and reinvention. Her range has allowed her to work with celebrities, major media outlets, and community-focused businesses, giving her a presence in several different industries over more than four decades.

Levenglick was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in June 1953. She studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1972 to 1977, where she developed an interest in film. This early interest in visual storytelling helped guide many of her later decisions in broadcasting and media production. After leaving university, she moved into executive training within the fashion retail world, which became the starting point for her first professional chapter.

Levenglick entered the fashion industry in 1977, when she joined the executive training program for buying at Ohrbach's. After gaining essential retail and merchandising knowledge, she continued her development at Bloomingdale's. She spent five years at the company and advanced to the role of buyer. The position gave her an in-depth understanding of product selection, fashion trends, and consumer behavior.

Her next step came in 1984, when she joined Swee Lo Couture. Over the course of a year, she held several roles that included design assistant, sales manager, and public relations manager. The experience exposed her to couture design, luxury fashion, and brand promotion. These experiences motivated her to launch her own fashion label.

JoAnn Molkenthine Designs

Levenglick created JoAnn Molkenthine Designs, a clothing business that specialized in custom pieces for models, professionals, and television productions. Her contemporary sportswear collections reached upscale department stores and appeared on well-known soap operas. She also became one of the earliest designers to introduce leggings during the 1980s. Her work appeared in a wide range of media, including a feature film, window displays at Henri Bendel, and publications such as Cosmopolitan, McCall's, the New York Times, Daily News, Glamour, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Gannett Press newspapers.

Her designs were worn by professional models and celebrities, and sold through Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Linda Dresner, and Macy's in both New York and San Francisco. She continued to run her company until 1991.

Creating Kids News Network

In 1991, Levenglick founded Kids News Network, a project that offered children the rare opportunity to act as junior reporters. The program allowed them to conduct interviews, attend events, and ask questions from their own point of view. Kids News Network ran until twenty ten and became a respected platform within entertainment media.

Levenglick conducted thousands of interviews through the network. The list of people featured is extensive and includes sports icons, actors, musicians, authors, illustrators, and business leaders. Some of the notable interview subjects included Shaquille O Neal, Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Martin Short, Rosie O Donnell, David Foster, The Corrs, Ray Manzarek, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Howard Gardner, Joyce Brothers, Mimi Leder, the Power Rangers cast, Fred Rogers, S E Hinton, Patricia Polacco, Todd McFarlane, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Ruth Handler, Chuck Mangione, Brian Jacques, Matt LeBlanc, and Ann M Martin. The scope of these interviews reflected Levenglick's ability to connect young audiences with well-known cultural figures.

Broadband Media and Digital Programming

In 2006, Levenglick created Sexy Sassy Smart TV, an online network focused on content for women, over 40 years old. The platform delivered lifestyle and entertainment programming during a time when digital streaming was still developing. Her interest in online channels continued through later work with HollywoodOnlineTV. Beginning in 2010, she served as Executive Producer and Host for HollywoodOnlineTV, which further expanded her presence in broadband media.

Levenglick also served as a press judge for the Software Publishing Association WebAwards, a role that recognized her experience and credibility within the online media space.

Pet Care Innovation and New Ventures

In 2016, Levenglick founded Pet Cab NYC, a transportation service for pets in New York City. The service provided reliable travel for animals going to veterinary appointments, grooming sessions, and other locations. Pet Cab NYC gained public recognition and was used by well-known clients, including Anna Wintour and Jane Rosenthal. The business was featured in the New York Post, Air Mail by Graydon Carter, Dogster Magazine, the New York Historical Society, and appeared in a promotional video for Kelsea Ballerini's Madison Square Garden performance.

Levenglick also created a product called Doggie Loo, a portable toilet for dogs prepared for retail distribution through Walmart. Building on the success of her transportation business, she also launched PetCabNews.com.

Authorship and Creative Expression

Levenglick added author to her list of accomplishments with the release of the children's book Igby Goes to NYC. The story follows a dog experiencing adventures in New York City. The project combined her interest in storytelling with her long involvement in animal-related businesses and media.

Levenglick married Martin Levenglick in the mid-1980s, and the couple separated in 2005. They have two children, Elliott and Alexis. She has spent most of her professional life based in New York City.

JoAnna Levenglick's career reflects that of someone who consistently sought new ways to communicate and create. She has a deep passion and empathy towards the welfare of animals and also created https://www.iphography.nyc/ to explore her love for photography and visual expression. Levenglick's path moves from fashion and retail to television and digital networks, and later into pet care services and authorship. Through every stage, she relied on creativity, business sense, and a willingness to explore new ideas. Her influence is visible in children’s programming, online media, independent fashion, and pet-focused services. Each project shows her dedication to making storytelling, style, and practical solutions accessible to a wide audience.

Media Recognition

JoAnna’s work has also received broader media attention over the years. She has been featured on CNN, with archival footage currently being retrieved. She has also been mentioned in publications including USA TODAY, Dan’s Papers in the Hamptons, TV Guide (in connection with Kids News Network programming listings), Little Times Magazine, and NY Family Magazine. Documentation of these features is in the process of being collected and verified.