Nanette Lepore
The Start of a Dream
Nanette Leopore Known for her bold colors, evocative prints and signature silhouettes, Nanette Lepore has become one of the leading names in contemporary... American fashion.
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Nanette Lepore
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Nanette
married painter Robert Savage and headed east to New York City. Outfitted with only her talent, tenacity and a $5,000 loan from her father, Nanette launched her label in New York City’s ’s Garment Center.
Nanette Lepore moved from Ohio to New York City, where she began to develop her professional career as a designer. She attended New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated with a degree 4
The Start of a Dream in design. Prior to moving to New York City, Nanette also earned an undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University.
Nanette Lepore, Local in New York
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Nanette Lepore
New York magazine has said that
“her gypsy-influenced designs are feminine and youthful. The looks are full of bold colors and bright prints, with ruffles and lace that manage to look good-time-girly but not overly frilly.” 6
Working Hard for The Dream Inspired by her artsy bohemian childhood and passion for a good party, Nanette’s designs are adored by style makers and celebrities alike, including Michelle Obama, Nicki Minaj, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, Abigail Breslin, Blake Lively, 7
Nanette Lepore
Working Hard for The Dream
Arianna Huffington, and Kristin Chenoweth. Nanette Lepore gained celebrity in the fashion world after she returned to California, opening a boutique store in Los Angeles and selling her outfits to clients in Europe and Asia. She also began to have her items featured in the famous American store chain, Neiman Marcus. She also gained renown for her flair on the runway. 8
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Nanette Lepore She also has her own fragrance named Nanette. In spring 2007, Nanette Lepore launched a collection of shoes with Keds. Mischa Barton was the face of the line. N a n e t t e ’s o u t s p o ke n e f forts to protect N e w Yo r k C i t y ’ s Garment Center have helped to raise awareness and demand for American-made clothing. 10
The Dream Came True
Today, Nanette Lepore is sold across America, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Macy’s. She has boutiques in Chicago, Boston on Newbury Street, New York in Soho and Madison Avenue, Los Angeles on Robertson Boulevard. “The Thirties are a great mix of everyday glamour and something a bit more practical.”11
Nanette Lepore
The Dream Came True
In 2012 she guest-starred as a judge on Project Runway All Stars. Nanette Lepore has grown her company considerably over the nearly 14 years since she and her husband, the painter Robert Savage, opened a small shop wedged between a gas station and a soup kitchen in New York’s East Village. Today, her women’s apparel line which bears her name and features
pretty patterns, textured fabrics and vivid colors . So far, she’s done it all without the help of outside investors - unless you count a $5,000 loan from her father in 1990. Private equity firms have courted her a few times over the years, but Lepore has opted to remain independent, she explained during a recent fireside chat with Mergers & Acquisitions editor-in-chief Mary Kathleen Flynn at the ACG New York Women of Leadership summit.
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Nanette Lepore
Many of the company’s employees have been with Lepore since the early days and feel like family.
Some of them actually are famzily members, including her husband who serves as CEO and her daughter Violet. 14
The Dream Came True Now that the economy is more stable, Lepore is ready to expand the business and is “open to” the idea of an outside investor. If an investor were to come into the company, Lepore has plenty of ideas for expansion, including: a “gorgeous” ad campaign; new product lines, including shoes, handbags and accessories lines; and expansion into other countries. 15
Nanette Lepore
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be suc-
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cessful.� Albert Schweitzer