Tracy Reese is an American designer whose signature designs for the modern woman transformed the fashion industry and paved a significant path for black designers across the globe. In 1998, Tracy Reese launched her namesake fashion brand in New York City and expanded into sub-brands like Plenty, Frock! and Black Label, which sold in stores like Barney’s Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie for more than two decades. She is also the first black member on the Board of Directors for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese dress to address the DNC. Other notable fans of the brand include Sarah Jessica Parker, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Oprah Winfrey.
Tracy Reese continues to evolve and has pivoted her business strategy to a more sustainable, slow-fashion model. Tracy recently moved her design studio to her hometown, Detroit, where she built an artisan studio to create economic opportunities for women in under-served communities. In 2019, Tracy launched Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese, a responsibly designed and produced collection. Hope for Flowers’ mission is to create a positive social impact by empowering women and young people through arts programming in public schools and collaboration with local artisans in Detroit. In this episode, host Kirsten Holtz Naim discusses Tracy Reese’s legendary fashion career and the importance of sustainable design.
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Show Notes:
Shop Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese at HopeForFlowers.com
Follow Tracy Reese on Instagram @tracy_reese
Follow Hope for Flowers on Instagram @hopeforflowersbytracyreese
HistoricDetroit.org article on Crowley’s Department Store: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/crowleys-department-store
Learn more about Stephen Burrows: https://stephenburrows.com/
Learn more about Parsons School of Design: https://www.newschool.edu/parsons/
Follow and learn more about designer Mariane Sitbon on Instagram @martinesitbon
Vogue Article Perry Ellis Spring 1993 Collection (feat. the work of Marc Jacobs): https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-1993-ready-to-wear/perry-ellis
Learn more about Fe Noel: https://fenoel.com/
