icons & influencers
JACKIE ROGERS
la dolce vita’s continued influence on this iconic fashion designers style By Peter Elston
J
ackie Rogers holds the unique distinction of being possibly the only living fashion designer who personally learned from fashion icon Coco Chanel and remains actively engaged in the craft of designing and producing couture fashions. Jackie has for many seasons continued to inspire with her collections which feature bold designs and unexpected fabric selections. Many of Rogers’ collections are influenced by her friendships with some of the world’s most well-known people and her time spent in some of the most fascinating cities in the world. Rogers has lived a life full of inspiration – from big-band singer to Hollywood starlet, denizen of Rome’s la dolce vita in the company of princes and magnates, a muse for Federico Fellini, Coco Chanel’s favored mannequin, and a successful New York model. The makers of HBO’s recent 2017 documentary on the life of Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli turned to Jackie as one of the tastemakers from that period and for her insights into the lifestyle and the man. Jackie Rogers has dressed some of the most recognized women in entertainment, politics and finance, and her prestigious client list includes icons including Jackie Onassis. In terms of her design credo Jackie utilizes materials other designers steer away from to create unique, timeless fashions. From blouses to pants to beautiful gowns, each piece is handcrafted in the New York showroom to ensure the highest standard of quality. When you enter a room, the
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beauty and craftsmanship of a signature Jackie Rogers design is unmistakable as Jackie still uses sewing techniques she perfected while originally working with Coco Chanel at the latter’s Paris atelier. It is her zest for both life and the experiences it offers that gives Jackie Rogers her extraordinarily sophisticated point of view, which translates into designs that make a statement of sophistication and style with every piece being impeccably tailored. The signature Jackie Rogers garment is the burlap jacket, which Jackie tailors to the body, creating beautifully structured designs. These often feature a perfectly paired colorduo, imparting to the wearer a striking, bold and modern look. Some of the most extraordinary experiences on Roger’s personal resume which have informed her fasion designs includes her past as a runway
model for the most renowned couturiers of Rome, including Simonetta and Fabiani, and her role in Fellini’s cult classic film 8 ½ where she starred against Marcello Mastroianni. However most impressive of all is probably her time working at the House of Chanel, where she absorbed the immaculate style and techniques of her mentor. Said Rogers, “It was the greatest experience of my life. I never realized what an effect she [Coco Chanel] had on me.” The effect was to prove lasting, and Rogers devoted her life to being a fashion designer on her return to New York. Rogers is often referred to as “America’s Coco Chanel,” and she likes to point out that, “I do not believe in fashion, I believe in style,” and this motto is reflected throughout her collections, which are made with the timeless elegance that is the signature of the Jackie Rogers brand. jackierogers.com