MARKE T STUDY ST Y LE NOTES
DESIGNER DETAILS
Let’s start by talking about first impressions. What was your first fashion memory? VERONICA SWANSON BEARD When I was five, I was
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he Veronica Beard showroom is a light-filled space located in the bustling Flatiron neighborhood of Manhattan, it is a living mood board of the brand. Extra-large panels are covered in tear sheets of inspiration from the upcoming collections; the current theme is from Resort, where the designers made references to Andy Warhol and other 80’s party nostalgia through a maroon velvet pant suit, a hip-hugging floor length black velvet dress with ruching and another bedecked in sequins. Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard are sistersin-law that began their namesake brand in 2010, after successful careers in fashion and finance. I caught up with the designers to hear about the start of their line, balancing motherhood while running a business – they have eight children between the two of them and how thinking differently is the key to their success in the fashion industry.
obsessed with Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Let’s Get Physical’. I would put that song on my record player, wear a jazzercise outfit and do workouts in my parent’s living room - I loved wearing workout outfits (laughs). VERONICA MIELE BEARD I am from New Jersey, so it was all about big hair and big outfits. I also rode horses and I remember going to buy my jacket and jodhpurs. All of the girls would choose outfits based on the color of their horse. I loved riding, because it was dress up; it wasn’t just Guess Jeans and your typical Jersey wear.
If the fashion stars hadn't brought you together, would you have set out to be designers on your own? VSB I definitely would have been in fashion. I was in the industry before, working as a buyer and then in wholesale before launching the brand. Having my own brand is surely my dream come true, but having a partner has made it so much easier to do. VMB Not necessarily I was in finance before, but I did work at VOGUE for a minute, on the publishing side. I have always loved fashion and being a shopper; however, I am more about supply and demand and finding holes in the market. We had talked about starting a few other businesses too, most were fashion related. I love being an entrepreneur and the fact that we were able to marry that to fashion is the best of both worlds.
VERONICA 19
ROSE & IV Y JOURNAL