Breaking the Mold: Tracy Reese

(pic from TracyReese.com)

Tracy Reese was born in Detroit, MI in 1964. She graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York in 1984.

Answers.com says, "Tracy Reese ranks as one of the fashion industry's most successful African-American women whose realm is not relegated to the runway."

Reese started working with Martine Sitbon and for a fashion label called Arelquin Reese right out of Parsons. Reese was a designer for Magaschoni, Perry Ellis and designed an exclusive line for The Limited. The designer started her own company in 1998 and has two labels; Tracy Reese and Plenty. In 2004, the designer started a home goods line called Plenty Home.

The designer has also collaborated with other brands like Sally Hansen, Hue and Keds. 

Reese lives in New York and is one of the few African American women in mainstream fashion that owns her own label.