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It’s all in the family at Trybe. Rebecca Clark and Molly Kircher are the creators of a modern clothing line for women.
See the collection Owned by Michigan-based North Coast Design Group, Trybe has distributors in New York and Los Angeles, and the clothing is sold in more than 23 states. To see the entire line, visit trybe.co.
Fashion Forward
Feel good fashion Don’t expect Trybe women’s apparel to be trendy or high fashion. Even though Rebecca Clark once worked for designer Vera Wang, she and business partner Molly Kircher have eschewed haute couture and created a line of modern, affordable clothing for real women. Trybe, based in Northern Michigan, is fashion that “looks good and feels good,” Kircher said. “It’s more multi-tasking than fashionista.” The two Michigan natives launched Trybe last fall after talking about starting a clothing line for many years at family gatherings. Kircher is married to the president of Boyne Resorts and lives in Walloon Lake. Clark is married to Molly’s cousin Peter and spent several years in New York City working for top designers. When Clark and family moved to Lansing in 2009, she taught design classes at Michigan State University and opened Michigan Fashion Proto, an apparel sample and production business. But she wanted to get back to designing
clothes. After much brainstorming, Kircher and Clark incorporated Trybe and introduced their first collection in fall 2012. Clark is lead designer and president. While working for Vera Wang, she designed and marketed the Simply Vera line sold at Kohl’s. “I don’t have a background in fashion,” said Kircher, who serves as Trybe’s CEO. “But fashion has always been a sideline passion.” Kircher says their styles are inspired by the women in their families. “Our aunts and cousins range in age from 16 to 70. Everyone wants to look good, but they don’t have a lot of time to fret and be perfect.” The collections are heavy in neutrals. “Our summer line will include some bright colors like kelly green and royal blue that work well with neutrals. But for the most part, our clothes are still very much earthy and muted tones.” Trybe samples are made at Michigan Fashion Proto, and the women use a New York factory for the majority of production. Eventually, they hope to have all the clothing made in Michigan. — maRTY PRimEaU
PHoToGraPHy courTESy Tom GENNara
Michigan natives launch Trybe women’s apparel.
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