The fashion elite: they are tastemakers and style purveyors--the power brokers behind the seams who put fashionable trends in motion.African Americans have long been associated with influencing fashion and its trends. It's also no secret that we are big consumers of style. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Target Market News, African Americans spent $22.9 billion on clothing in 2002. What we don't often hear about are the people behind the scenes--those who ignite, interpret, and cover the trends--all in a business that has never welcomed black creative talent with open arms. There are some trailblazers, however, who have weathered the fashion storm to become leaders in this transient industry. CONSTANCE WHITE Distinction: Style director for eBay, History: White has worked as a fashion reporter, editor, and director for several leading publications including Elle, The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times, British Vogue, and Talk. Pulse: "I relate to high fashion as well as accessible fashion. For the Web, you really have to grab people with information and articulate it in a timely manner." Fashion Changes: "The way people look at buying fashion, the way fashion information is delivered to the consumer has changed, eBay is the runway for the real world." TRACY REESE Tracy Reese (born on February 12, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American fashion designer. Tracy is the daughter of Claud (a manager) and Pat (a modern dance teacher). Distinction: Designer of signature lines TR and the moderately priced Plenty, which is available at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom's, Saks Fifth Ave., and Macy's West Macy's West is a division of Macy's, Inc. (formerly Federated Department Stores) and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It currently operates approximately 200 stores throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. . Milestones: With her creations featured in 300 stores globally including countries such as France, China, Germany, and Australia, Reese's annual sales topped $12 million in 2003. Advantage: "I am totally satisfied with where I am right now as a designer. I design a product that I believe in." Fashion Forward: Her Plenty Home line is debuting this fall, and she is pursuing an accessory and shoe license. PATRICK ROBINSON Patrick Robinson may refer to:
Distinction: Creative director of design, Perry Ellis Perry Ellis (March 3, 1940 – May 30, 1986) was an American fashion designer who founded a sportswear house in the mid-1970s. The Rise of Perry Ellis Perry Edwin Ellis was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, on March 3, 1940, as the only child of Edwin and Winifred Womenswear. History: Assisted Patrick Kelly For other uses, see Patrick and Kelly. Patrick Kelly may refer to the following people:
Challenges: Received negative publicity after launching his own line in 1996 and was dismissed from Anne Klein Anne Klein (August 3, 1923 - March 19, 1974) was an American fashion designer whose label was continued by designer Donna Karan after Anne Klein's death. Anne Klein was born as Hannah Golofski in New York City on August 3, 1923. after two seasons as design director. Fashion Forward: Credited with reviving the Perry Ellis line with color and upbeat styles. "I knew I wanted mixed patterns with lots of detail. It's evening and day all mixed together. People want fantastic, functional clothes." JUNE HAYNES Distinction: U.S. director of retail at Valentino, managing boutiques in Las Vegas; Beverly Hills, California; Palm Beach, and Bal Harbor, Florida; and Honolulu. History: Opened and managed the first Dolce dol·ce Music adv. & adj. In a gentle and sweet manner. Used chiefly as a direction. [From Italian, sweet, from Latin dulcis.] Adv. 1. & Gabbana boutique in the U.S., the flagship store in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , and two others in Bal Harbor, and Los Angeles. Business Motto; "Stay hungry, because once you're full, you're satisfied." Ambassador Attitude: "If I am going to stand for a brand, we should be the ones to do our own PR. I tell my managers and sales people that the majority of business is done when the stores are closed. You can't stay in the store waiting for people to come in, you've got to go out and bring the business." STEPHEN BURROWS Distinction: The only black fashion designer with a free-standing exclusive boutique in New York's prestigious Henri Bendel. History: A '70s icon for his signature bright knits with "lettuce" hemlines, Burrows dressed actresses, and supermodels. He won the American Critics' annual Coty Award in 1973, 1974, and 1977. Lessons: "I've learned you have to have a healthy business to have a business. It's learning to blend the artistic and the commercial." Forward: "I see more color, more body conscious, more fun. If you take fashion too seriously, becomes boring." JUNE HORNE Distinction: Senior buyer American/European Designer Collections Saks Fifth Avenue Saks Fifth Avenue is a chain of upscale American department stores that is owned and operated by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises (SFAE), a subsidiary of Saks Incorporated. It competes in the elite luxury department store market with Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys New . Vision: Covers shows in Europe and New York City to find clothes for 30 of Saks' 64 stores in the U.S. "The beauty of certain regions is the opportunity to select for different markets: Boca Raton is young, sexy, and hot. Palm Beach is more sophisticated and ladylike la·dy·like adj. 1. Characteristic of a lady; well-bred. 2. Appropriate for or becoming to a lady. See Synonyms at female. 3. Unduly sensitive to matters of propriety or decorum. 4. ." Trend Watching: The fall lines portrayed "country couture"--a contradiction between rustic and refined. Outlook: Horne is excited about a crop of new young black designers, particularly James Thomas, who worked for Calvin Klein and is now developing his own line. |
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