Ann Caruso, Fashion stylist and consultant
Fashion stylist and consultant Ann Caruso has gained renown in the industry for her refined classic sensibilities and the iconic images she creates in collaboration with some of the world’s most esteemed artists.
Ann began her career at Ralph Lauren working as a design assistant. Following her tenure at the iconic American fashion house, she embarked on what would be a career and life changing move to work in the fashion department at Vogue Magazine. Ann stayed at Vogue for six years where she developed her reputation as a well-known fashion and accessories editor under the leadership of Anna Wintour. Her roles entailed working directly with leading designers in the market and helping shape trends for the season.
Ann has successfully transitioned to the world of freelance styling, and in the years since Vogue, her work has appeared in magazines such as Vanity Fair, InStyle, Town & Country, and Tatler, where she was a contributing Fashion Editor for several years. Also, Harper’s Bazaar named Ann a contributing Fashion Editor. In this role, Ann conceptualizes ideas, styles and oversees the production of her shoots.
Predominantly known as a high – profile international celebrity stylist, in recent years she has worked with the likes of Katherine Heigl, Elizabeth Hurley, Claire Danes, and Liv Tyler. Ann has also styled and consulted on many fashion shows for New York fashion week and styles advertising campaigns for such clients as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Talbots.
Ann is frequently interviewed as a fashion expert on television. She also lends her vast knowledge as a consultant with fashion and accessory houses looking to solidify their image. Ann’s experience allows her to work with both emerging designers and established brands that require building an image that positions them as leaders in the market. Her network of photographers, models, and key brands allow her to take on projects that will shape the way a brand will be perceived by both industry and consumers alike.
Shop and Tell with Ann Caruso:
SHOP
Q Short skirts or Maxi dresses?
A Short. I prefer above the knee or to the knee.
Q Black or color?
A Both.
Q Blackberry/iPhone?
A Both. Blackberry for emails and contacts. Iphone for phone, Facebook, and fun pics!
Q 1960s or 1970s?
A 70’s chic is so timeless to me
Q Beach or Snow?
A I’ll take the beach any day.
TELL
Q Most-played song on your iPod?
A Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, or Cold Plays’s Viva la Vida.
Q If you had three items in your purse, what would they be?
A My PDA, Credit Cards, and Lip Gloss.
Q All-time favorite movie?
A Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Q Favorite Restaurant?
A I don’t have one.
Q Biggest indulgence?
A Staying in bed and watching movies all day.
•previous guest editors_______________–––__
Kara Ross, Jewelry and Handbag Designer
One of Kara Ross’s fondest memories of her childhood is a safari to Africa with her parents at the age of thirteen. To commemorate the trip, Kara’s parents allowed her to choose a native gemstone of her choice. When they returned to their home, Kara was told she could design and create a ring with the tourmaline she chose. After a trip to “Jeweler’s Row” in downtown Philadelphia, Kara decided to create a square cut ring on an 18 karat gold band with diamonds. “To know that I could create something wholly original at a young age really affected me.”
It was a concept that would guide her vision as a designer. After graduating from Georgetown University and a brief stint in advertising at Harper’s Bazaar, Kara became a certified gemologist. For many years, she used diamonds, pearls, and 18kt gold to create one-of-a-kind custom pieces for private clients.
In 2002, Kara launched a comprehensive fine jewelry line and an exotic handbag line followed in 2006. Kara’s latest endeavor is the fashion jewelry line, Kara by Kara Ross. This collection has given Kara the ability to offer luxury jewelry at an accessible price. In each of these lower-priced pieces, the artist’s hand is apparent. The same gemstones and exotic skins that are used in the fine jewelry and handbag collections are featured. The premier collection provides an array of cuffs, earrings, necklaces, and rings.
Kara’s pieces have been featured internationally in top fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, and Elle, as well as on celebrities including Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Kate Beckinsale, Eva Longoria, Anne Hathaway, Demi Moore, Alicia Keyes, Miley Cyrus, and Oprah.
Shop and Tell with Kara Ross:
SHOP:
Q: Short skirts or Maxi dresses? Maxi dresses
Q: Black or color? Color
Q: Blackberry/iPhone? Blackberry
Q: 1960s or 1970s? 1970s
Q: Beach or Snow? Beach
TELL:
Q: Most-played song on your iPod? I prefer my iPad to an iPod
Q: If you had three items in your purse, what would they be? Blackberry, wallet, lipgloss
Q: All-time favorite movie? Annie Hall
Q: Favorite Restaurant? Re Sette in Manhattan is a new favorite
Q: Biggest indulgence? Anything sweet
Tory Burch, Founder and Creative Director Tory Burch
Tory Burch is an attainable luxury lifestyle brand defined by classic American sportswear with an
eclectic sensibility. It embodies the personal style and spirit of its Chairman Tory Burch. Recognizing a void in the market for a designer aesthetic at an accessible price point, Tory wanted to create stylish yet wearable clothing and accessories for women of all ages. Launched in February 2004, Tory Burch is carried at 33 freestanding Tory Burch boutiques across the US and Asia, www.ToryBurch.com and over 500 select department and specialty stores worldwide.
Lucy Sykes: Fashion Editor, Stylist to the Stars and Designer
Lucy Sykes Rellie grew up in Kent in the United Kingdom, where her designer mother, Valerie Goad (herself a designer of children’s clothing) and novelist father inspired a creative, fanciful and intelligent upbringing for Lucy and her siblings; Plum, Tom and Alice. Enamored of fashion from a young age, Lucy moved to New York in 1996, where she immediately found success at fashion and lifestyle bibles Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Allure, and at Marie Claire, where she was Fashion Director. Lucy’s quick-witted humor, natural enthusiasm and uber-chic, effortless sense of style made her an industry favorite and front-row regular.
In August 2004, Lucy founded Lucy Sykes New York (LSNY), a whimsical children’s fashion line, as well as Lucy Sykes Baby (LSB), a clothing line for infants and toddlers. Liberty prints, luxe but understated embellishments, and smartly tailored silhouettes characterize both labels. The company and the collections are inspired by Lucy’s experience and by her life. Lucy introduced a women’s line in the spring of 2006. In 2007, Lucy teamed up with Stride Rite to form a new collection that sets the trend on the street, providing little toes with style, comfortable, and high quality shoes. Her collection is now carried at a variety of major department stores, including but not limited to, Barney’s New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harrods, and Selfridges.
Lucy’s profile has appeared in numerous publications including- WWD, Vogue, Town & Country, Forbes, Gotham, Earnshaw’s, Cookie, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Child, Departures, Time Out New York, Fashion Week Daily, etc. The chicest moms, including, Reese Witherspoon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler purchase her collections for their well dressed broods.
Kendra Scott, Jewelry Designer & Founder of Kendra Scott DesignsIn 2002, Kendra Scott combined her love of fashion with her creative skills and began creating jewelry out of the spare bedroom of her home in Austin, Texas. Her initial investment in the company was a mere five hundred dollars, but combined with Kendra’s design talent, passionate determination and fearless selling skills, Kendra Scott Jewelry has become a global multi-million dollar company. Both Kendra and her jewelry have been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, The Rachael Ray Show, The View, People’s Choice Awards as well as all the major fashion magazines including INSTYLE, People, Elle, Allure, BRIDES and O, The Oprah Magazine to name a few.
Kendra was just 19 years old when she began her career in the fashion industry. She started a company called The Hat Box after her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. Kendra began designing and selling hats for cancer patients who, like her stepfather, had lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. All of the proceeds went to cancer research organizations.
In 2002, Kendra began creating her own jewelry and selling her mini-collection to local Austin boutiques. That mini-collection has since grown in to a multi-million dollar company with showrooms in Au
stin and New York City. Kendra’s line can also be found at top retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Henri Bendel and many specialty boutiques around the globe.
Kendra has also cultivated partnerships with fashion luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Randolph Duke, who have both featured Kendra as their accessories designer for their runway collections. In addition to working with these designers, Kendra works with many other national brands on the design and production of their jewelry.
In early 2010, Kendra partnered with Rachael Ray and Dress for Success, a non-profit program that helps disadvantaged women become economically independent by providing professional attire, support and resources. For every piece of jewelry purchased on www.kendrascott.com, Kendra will donate a Hope Pendant Necklace to a woman in the Dress for Success program.Kendra is also actively involved in her community and maintains a position on the board of LifeWorks, a non-profit that provides services to homeless and at-risk youth and their family in Austin. She is also a co-founder and co-chair of LEAP (LifeWorks Entrepreneurs & Professionals), a fundraising and networking organization that connects individuals interested in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Amy Smilovic, Tibi designer and founder
Amy Smilovic, began her career in the fashion industry shortly after moving to Hong Kong in 1997. Following a successful marketing position at American Express in New York City, Amy relocated to Asia with her husband and began designing a small collection of contemporary dresses. Four batik styles, heavily influenced by her international travels, quickly emerged into a complete line of women’s wear through word of mouth amongst the ex-pat community and a large overseas order placed through Saks Fifth Avenue. Tibi has rapidly expanded into its current offering of ten collections per year as well as a complete shoe line, swimwear, and home accessories. Amy hand designs a range of prints and styles to match her personal taste and distinctive approach to dressing which she showcases in the tents of Bryant Park each season during NYC’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Two years into the business, Amy was joined by her husband Frank Smilovic, now President of the company. Frank is responsible for developing and implementing Tibi’s global growth strategy and managing the day-to-day affairs. Before assuming this role, Frank was Senior Vice President of Gateway’s Japan, Asia and Australia operations. Prior to Gateway, Frank was with American Express for over 25 years in a variety of senior positions including Head of Finance for Europe, Vice President Worldwide Marketing based in New York and President Merchant Services Group for Asia.
September 2006 marked the opening of the first Tibi retail boutique in New York. The 2,200 square foot space, designed by Steve Blatz and Antonio Saracino, is located in SoHo at 120 Wooster Street and has received architectural acclaim in notable publications such as Interior Design Magazine. This is the first of many free standing stores in the comprehensive Tibi retail expansion strategy.
Tibi is now one of the largest contemporary lines found in over 600 specialty stores and upscale department stores worldwide including Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Scoop, Net-a-Porter, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Selfridges. Smilovic has recently opened showrooms in Dallas, London, Milan, Australia and Canada to better support the company’s expansion. Additionally, a licensing deal out of Tokyo, Japan has resulted in the opening of 17 free standing stores. Scarlett Johansson, Kate Hudson, Vanessa Hudgens and Eva Mendes are all fans of Tibi’s sophisticated prints and feminine designs.
Amy and Frank reside in Greenwich, CT and run the business out of their 8,000 square foot loft in SoHo, NY.
Audrey McClelland, Creator of mom blog MomGenerations.com
Audrey McClelland is a mother of 4 young boys and a founder of the website MomGenerations.com. After graduating from Brown University, and fueled by her love of fashion, Audrey moved to NYC and worked for Donna Karan International for 6 years; her first position was as Donna Karan’s personal assistant. The experience inspired Audrey to create a fashion component for all moms within her personal mom blog on Mom Generations. Drawing on her background in fashion, on January 1, 2009, Audrey launched the popular series “365 Days of Fashion Advice for Moms” on Mom Generations, offering one piece of fashion and/or beauty advice each day, either through a blog post or a vlog. Audrey also serves as the Beauty & Style Editor on Lifetime Moms and Fashion Editor on Blissfully Domestic. Audrey was named as one of “The Power Pack” Moms in Nielson’s Online 2009 Power Moms list. Her “Mom Fashion Report” will air on MomTV in May 2010. She is a vlogger for Johnson & Johnson’s “Real Moms” Health Channel, one of Hanes’ Social Media Comfort Crew members, a member of the Walmart Moms Social Media program, and she holds a position on Hasbro’s Playskool Panel.
Audrey has appeared in The New York Times, Redbook Magazine, The Boston Globe, Woman’s Day and Pregnancy Magazine. She has been on the Rachael Ray Show, hosted the People’s Choice Fashion Recap with Tim Gunn and Gretta Monahan and serves as a regular guest on FOX’s “The Rhode Show” in Providence, RI.
Audrey’s next upcoming project is Getting Gorgeous Events. She has teamed up with Vera Sweeney from I’m Not Obsessed blog to create Mom Fashion and Beauty events throughout the country. Their first event will launch on August 6th in NYC. Audrey is also writing the book, Digital Mom$ (will be published by Harper Collins) with Colleen Padilla.
Fashion
Shoshanna Beaded White Necklace Dress, $385
I have been a fan of Shoshanna for years! Her dresses mix elegance, chicness and sexiness all together. I recently bought this gorgeous Beaded Necklace Dress for a few functions for the summer. I love the style, the fit and the relaxed feel of this perfect summer dress. I can wear this to a summer picnic or to an after-hours event – it’s perfection. I’ve always been a fan of wrinkled cotton fabric… the dress is soft, comfy and just a summer staple.
Beauty
Lauren Luke’s My Glossy Lips, $9
I have been using My Glossy Lips for over 6 months and I love it! Talk about a powerful lip gloss. It gives you shine, it lathers, it conditions and it stays put! I’m not really into wearing lipstick, but when I want a little color, all I do is use a lip liner and add my gloss. This stuff is truly amazing! It’s my go-to beauty product.
Accessory
Lands’ End Canvas Slub Cotton Scarf, $19.50
I’m a scarf girl. It doesn’t matter the season, I love to add scarves as my go-to accessory. I just change up the fabric on my scarves to fit the season. Lands’ End has the most luxurious jersey cotton scarves right now in the most magnificent colors. I love to add them to a basic white tank, denim and sandals. I have the yellow, orange, green/white stripe and orange/white stripe… such an easy and fabulous summer accessory staple. Not to mention, they’re long enough so you have the option to wear then in a variety of ways.
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Jane Schoenborn, Fashion Director Lilly Pullitzer
Janie Schoenborn’s love affair for Lilly Pulitzer started at a very young age. Coming from a family of Lilly wearers, Janie remembers that classic Lilly Shift her grandmother wore and loved so much. And so it began, an obsession for all things pink and green. Janie Schoenborn, joined the company in February 2006 and serves as Design Director for Print and Pattern, Brand Presentation and Accessories and Footwear. Janie leads the creative direction and fashion design of Lilly Pulitzer prints and accessories, which are designed to cater to the lifestyle needs of the affluent-at-ease. Sc hoenborn has over ten years experience in the fashion and beauty industries including stints at Adrienne Vittadini, Calvin Klein, and Barney’s New York. Janie also had her own company Buzz by Jane Fox, a preppy Florida-inspired handbag-turned-accessories company with distribution in major department stores and boutiques nationwide. While at Buzz by Jane Fox, Janie served as President and oversaw design, product development, production, sales and public relations. Janie resides in the Main Line area of Philadelphia with her two Lilly-loving daughters Sabrina and Tiki who enjoy spending time in their pink and green bedrooms…but of course!
Fashion: Raquel Dress Printed (in Classic White Shimmy Shell or True Blue Anchors Away), $258
I can’t wait for 4th of July. There is a relaxed attitude to this dress – while staying in theme (love a red, white and blue moment!) – that makes it the perfect choice for the holiday weekend. Just add sparklers. xx
Accessories: Set in Stone Wedge, $268
Am I the only one who has issues with the grass? Sinking is not chic. The answer? A WEDGE OF COURSE! This white stoned sandal goes with EVERYTHING…
Beauty: Capri Sun Shield Spray, $20
I am a devout fan of Oscar Blandi…in particular his GENIUS colorist Kyle White. When I started seeing him 6 years ago my golden locks were literally breaking! SO SCARY. Now I have the most golden-delicious waves of color and the strongest hair e-v-e-r. One lesson? One MUST protect the color. Must! My top choice?
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Kevin McLaughlin, Chief Creative Officer J. McLaughlin
Kevin McLaughlin is the creative force behind J. McLaughlin, the classic American fashion brand featuring bold colors, signature prints and timeless preppy designs with a twist.
Kevin’s taste and design sense have guided the J. McLaughlin collections since he and his brother Jay opened their first store in 1977. Now, with 44 locations in the U.S. Kevin continues to introduce new pieces each season that clients regard as instant icons: an amusing new hand-embroidered detail on crisp cotton swim trunks or a fresh and sassy variation on the best selling Catalina Print T-shirt for women and girls.
Kevin and his wife Barbara reside in Manhattan where his favorite weekends are spent trolling vintage boutiques with his 14 year old daughter. “She’s always picking out edgy stuff,” he notes “so we have a bit of a sartorial tug-o-war.”
Tips for Father’s Day Gift Giving:
This Father’s Day let your Dad know that you’ve put more thought into the gift than just the fashion advice of the golf pro. Go for a three color story: pick up a golf shirt for Dad but add a coordinating ribbon belt and a set of golf tees. It’s easy to grab something off the rack but if you think the gift through by adding a touch of the unexpected, your present may be something Dad will use year in and out.
Kevin’s Picks
Fashion: J. McLaughlin Cotton Madras Embroidered Devon Short $185
These shorts are an updated version of our classic madras and embroidery shorts. This year we applied embroidery to the madras pattern for a new twist on this timeless summer look for men. Head off Dad’s tendency to wear his embarrassing above-the-thigh tennis shorts from the 70’s this summer by getting him this sharp, can’t-go-wrong classic.
Accessory: Tretorn T-56 Canvas $55
Kevin McLaughlin: This white canvas sneaker will always be in style. It’s the perfect complement to a great pair of shorts and a polo or the way to dress down khakis and a button down for a summertime barbecue. It’s also a great gift to replace the pair of shoes the dog chewed up but Dad refuses to throw away.
Beauty: Geo F. Trumper Sandalwood Hard Shaving Soap in Wooden Bowl $30
Kevin McLaughlin: Based in London for more than 125 years everything at Geo F. Trumper is still made by hand to maintain the quality and exclusiveness that is the brand has been known for. To stay true to the company’s heritage use a badger brush to create your own lather and obtain a closer shave. Shaving becomes a luxurious ritual when you use a brush and great soap like this.
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ALEXANDRA “ALI” GALGANO, Founder of Charm & Chain
Alexandra “Ali” Galgano is a lifelong lover of all things sparkly. She believes that the right jewelry can take a basic wardrobe and transform it into something spectacular. With that philosophy in mind, Ali founded Charm & Chain to give others easy access to the type of fashionable, wearable art that she discovers at vintage shops, young designers’ markets, industry trade shows, and street fairs both in downtown Manhattan and around the world.
Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Cornell University. She began her professional life in the financial services industry, but found herself spending most of her free time searching for vintage accessories, dreaming up her own designs, or fielding questions constantly about her unique jewelry. In 2007, she left her job to follow her passion. Ali is now a Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jeweler with a certificate in Jewelry Design from the Gemological Institute of America. Ali saw a void in the world of e-commerce for costume jewelry and launched Charm & Chain in November 2008.
In addition to owning Charm & Chain, Ali owns a private Engagement Ring Consultant, engagednyc.com
ABOUT CHARM & CHAIN
Charm and Chain is an online jewelry boutique that directly connects fashion-forward shoppers with the world’s most exciting jewelry brands. The site’s collection of designers includes more than thirty artists from all parts of the globe, with a mix of established and emerging brands from Erickson Beamon and Badgley Mischka to Issy Salomon and Kendra Scott. CharmandChain.com aims to provide customers with jewelry across a wide spectrum of price points, styles and wearing occasions, without overwhelming them. The selection is carefully edited, offering only the most interesting pieces of the best designers. Whether your style is bold and colorful, or delicate and dainty, there is something for everyone on the site.
In November 2008, Charm and Chain was launched to fill a void in the world of online shopping. This unique site makes finding chic accessories from all over the globe possible in a one-stop-shop. The company’s founder, Ali Galgano, focuses on providing an intimate shopping experience. Attentive and personalized customer service makes things like exchanges and returns simple and headache-free, and picking out the perfect gift a pleasure. Ali’s Charm&Chain Blog keeps the site’s visitors up to date on trends and happenings in the world of fashionable jewels.
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Pegah Anvarian, Creative Director of Three Dots
Pegah Anvarian Joins Three Dots as Creative Director, as she says, “Downtown just met uptown, with an L.A. twist”
LOS ANGELES — Pegah Anvarian, best-know for her eponymous women’s fashion collection favored by starlets such as Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Richie, has joined Three Dots as the new Creative Director, effective immediately. Her first collection will debut at Coterie in New York for Fall 09.
As fans of her previous collections know, Pegah’s signature is draping, and her passion is mixing fabrics. “I love the hard and soft,” is how she describes her technique of combining soft, drapey fabrics with interesting structures and sophisticated fashion shapes. Her plans to bring in her own sense of style and mix it with the Three Dots aesthetic – which she describes as “casual cool” – will have an eye for the cutting edge, with simple structures and shapes that will work on every body type.
To help pinpoint her design aesthetic, she points to Ann Demeulemeester, Balmain and
Rick Owens as some of her favorite designers – “they say not so much, but a lot, at the same time.”
Sharon Lebon, Three Dots president and owner, feels that Pegah’s expertise in knitwear along with her aesthetic is a natural fit for the brand. “Pegah brings a wealth of innovative ideas and effusive energy to the company, and we’re excited to move the collection forward with her creative direction.”
Pegah’s decision to join Three Dots was informed by the amazing potential she sees for the brand, and for the ability to “create a lifestyle.” She’s most excited to bring in new innovation, new bodies, new shapes, new textures, new energy and a new customer, who she sees as a cross between a young, fun, edgy girl and a working woman who isn’t afraid to experiment.
Working with innovative fibers and fabrics is another Pegah signature, as she was one of the first designers to work with bamboo in 2000. “I like to mix fabrics in unexpected ways, like combining a knit with a woven to create a sophisticated, edgy look that is comfortable and wearable from day to night.”
A sneak peek at Three Dots’ Fall 09 collection introduces a sheer jersey that’s being specially knit for the line. With an unbelievably soft hand, the fabric lends itself to interesting color effects when layered – cool and warm tones mixed together to create new shades. Bringing in more of a fashion element, there are jackets constructed of tweed knit mixed with ponte, and exposed-zipper, high-waisted skirts to match. The color palette includes rich, saturated autumnal colors along with wintery pales.
Based in L.A. for the past decade, Pegah really “gets” Three Dots’ SoCal sensibility, and actually prefers designing in L.A. to New York (“in L.A., when you’re inspired, you really have time to think about it!”). She sees layering as a key to dressing here, and knows Three Dots lends itself to easy, comfortable layering pieces that you never want to take off.
Looking ahead, Pegah wants to bring in more fashion items such as jackets and pants, introduce bathing suits, more wovens, and eventually add accessories. She also wants to elevate Three Dots’ popularity in Europe and Asia. “I’m excited to bring in a new customer base, while designing pieces the current Three Dots devotee will also love.”
Pegah, who is self taught, began her career as a stylist, and feels her styling background really taught her “what people’s bodies are like, and how to design pieces that look good on all different shapes and sizes.” Her big break came in 1997 as the head stylist for The B-52s, and a couple of years later she made a few dresses and tops out of a roll of cashmere she dyed and draped on herself. When she wore the pieces out, people went nuts, literally buying them off of her body. She showed those first few pieces to Henri Bendel’s, who wrote a huge order, and from that day forward, her fashion design career organically blossomed.
She’s inspired at home, too. Her husband is fashion photographer Andrew Macpherson who’s worked with Galliano, Theirry Mugler and Alaia, and his pictures and creativity continue to motivate her every day.
About Three Dots
Three Dots is an evolving concept in lifestyle dressing based on the perfect execution of a simple idea. Founded by Sharon Lebon in 1995 in California, the concept behind Three Dots was to “create the perfect t-shirt” – great fabrics, inspired design, fastidious construction and fit. Though this concept is still the very soul of the company, Three Dots is now a multi-million dollar company with a healthy and increasing global distribution and an expanded product range that includes women’s wear, men’s wear, and maternity.
Three Dots can be found in top boutiques stores across the U.S., such as Fred Segal Couture, and the company has a free standing store in Tokyo’s fashionable Daikanyama district. The brand also sells in Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
REBECCA TAYLOR, Designer
Growing up on the beaches of New Zealand, an early childhood interest in sewing and costume design sparked a fascination with the fashion industry. Rebecca Taylor arrived in NYC after graduating from the Wellington School of design, and has been designing her signature collection since 1996.
The Rebecca Taylor collection is best known for providing the eternally evolving modern girl with fresh, feminine clothing to compliment and refine her individual sense of style. Playful use of color, prints and textures in silhouettes that enhance a spirited lifestyle have cultivated a vast celebrity clientele to include Reese Witherspoon, Katherine Heigl, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicole Richie, and Vanessa Hudgens, to name a few. Through a series of collaborations and partnerships, the collection has grown to offer handbags, shoes, jewelry, eyewear, swim, and a “pink label” collection created exclusively for Rebecca Taylor retail stores.
Rebecca Taylor is now distributed in over 40 countries, and 250 cities world-wide. The collection can be found globally in about 500 outposts including better contemporary boutiques, select department stores, leading e-commerce sites, and Rebecca Taylor retail stores in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and a flagship store in Manhattan’s NoLita.
Rebecca is an avid supporter of the ASPCA and only uses ethical furs in her collections. Other philanthropies include the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, the North Shore Animal League, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Phoenix House, CFDA Fashion for Action, the Children’s Dream Foundation, and is a co-chair for the NYC Shop for Opera benefit.
Over the past 13 years, Rebecca Taylor has been featured internationally in numerous leading publications such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Glamour, W, Nylon, Marie Claire and In-Style. In the year 2000, she was nominated for the prestigious CFDA Perry Ellis award for emerging new talent.
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TRACY REESE, Designer
With an innate desire to create beautiful things, Detroit native Tracy Reese headed for Manhattan in 1982 to attend Parsons School of Design where she received an accelerated degree in 1984. Upon graduation, Reese apprenticed under designer Martine Sitbon while working for the small contemporary firm, Arlequin. Reese worked at some of the industry’s top fashion houses, including Perry Ellis where she was the design director for Women’s Portfolio.
In Spring 1998, Reese launched her eponymous collection to rave reviews. Perfect for the modern woman, Reese’s debut showcased ultra-feminine pieces layered with intelligent nostalgia, charm and luxury; a distinctive look that the designer has since become known for.
The designer’s second line, plenty by Tracy Reese, was introduced later that same year. A bohemian, ethnic-inspired collection that is of-the-moment, yet never trendy, plenty by Tracy Reese comprises pieces that unite myth and modernity with a rock-and-roll twist. The collection is both eclectic and adventurous, featuring Reese’s signature detailing.
In 2007 Reese was inducted as a board member of the CFDA; and over the past decade, the Tracy Reese name has become synonymous with frothy dresses and print driven heirloom fare that women across the globe can’t get enough of. Reese’s eye for detail and extensive knowledge of color, fabric and form continue to be evident each season as she consistently reveals timeless, wearable looks that evoke sophistication and elegance. Reese’s approach is deliberate, combining modern craftsmanship with vintage flair, creating a look that is clearly her own.
Both Tracy Reese and plenty by Tracy Reese have expanded into several brand categories. Tracy Reese footwear features ladylike silhouettes in luxurious leathers with exquisite detailing; while the whimsical, feminine and eclectic, plenty brand now includes a home collection, candles and footwear launching for fall 2010. Reese added a third collection to her line up, frock!, comprised of fun and flirty occasion dresses that easily transition from day to evening.
In the spring of 2006, Reese opened her first Flagship Boutique located at 641 Hudson Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. A gorgeous 2200 square-foot space that is as colorful and feminine as her designs, the shop offers the full Tracy Reese experience including her apparel lines, accessories and home goods.
Tracy Reese has become a mainstay in the fashion industry as she continues to develop a strong design philosophy by staying true to her specific point of view. Reese has collaborated with several top brands including Sally Hansen, Hue and a line of footwear, plenty by Tracy Reese for Keds that debuted in spring 2009.
Bright colors, unique prints and intricate patterns define Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! A consistent fashion favorite amongst industry insiders, celebrities and fashionistas alike, Reese crafts finely detailed looks that make a statement and are easy to wear, garnering the attention of the nation’s top media.
Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! are sold nationwide in top department stores and specialty boutiques including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Anthropologie as well as retailers throughout Europe and Asia.
Previous Guest Editors:
• Shoshanna
• Sarah Howard
• Trina Turk
• Josie Maran
• Kim Kardashian
• Sasha Charnin Morrison
