THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: 09/26/12

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT: TRACY REESE, A MICHELLE OBAMA FAVORITE...

Most people from either side of the political fence will agree that First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning during her DNC speech in Charlotte a few weeks ago. Aside from her outer beauty (awesome guns, notwithstanding), that gorgeous dress commanded a presence on its own.

First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2012 DNC

Tracy Reese is the amazing designer responsible for that creation. Reese, who launched her first collection in 1998, has been flying just slightly under the radar for some, until then. The dress, made of a raw silk jacquard in a luminescent mix of hot pink, rust and copper with an accent hemline of silver and blue, was a showstopper.

Her clothes are aimed at women with a similar sense of strength and femininity as Mrs. Obama. "She's got a clear vision of how she wants to look," says Reese. The FLOTUS is a big fan of the designer having been spotted in several of her creations over the years.

In the spring of 2006, Reese opened her first flagship boutique in NYC’s Meatpacking District. The 2200 sf space reflects her colorful and feminine design sensibility and offers the full Tracy Reese experience including her apparel lines, accessories and home goods.

For her farmhouse getaway in upstate New York, Tracy's personal style is quite evident in her design choices. Her flair for feminine strength is also displayed in her choice of strong yet girly color palettes and textural furniture and accents like wicker and antiques.