Adam Lippes
Adam Lippes | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 24, 1972 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Founder of Adam Lippes brand; former Global Creative Director at Oscar de la Renta |
Adam Lippes (born December 24, 1972) is a prominent American fashion designer recognized for his tenure at Oscar de la Renta and for establishing his own brand since 2004.
Early life and education
Born in Buffalo, New York, Lippes is one of three siblings raised by Gerald S. Lippes, a practicing attorney, and Sandra Lippes, a nurse. He completed his secondary education at the Nichols School in Buffalo, earned a Psychology degree from Cornell University in 1994, and furthered his studies in art history and architecture at the American University of Paris.
Early career
Lippes began his professional journey at Polo Ralph Lauren in 1995 before moving to Oscar de la Renta. There, he progressed to the role of Global Creative Director between 1996 and 2003, managing design, marketing initiatives, and business growth strategies.
Own Label
In 2004, he introduced ADAM + EVE, a collection centered on cotton basics. The brand gained national exposure through an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and secured investment from The Atelier Fund, affiliated with Compagnie Richemont. This support enabled expansion into a wider range of contemporary apparel under the name ADAM.
Lippes was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2007 and presented his first runway collection at New York Fashion Week that same year. His work attracted significant media coverage, including a feature on the cover of Women's Wear Daily and inclusion in Vanity Fair's "Next Establishment" list. ADAM maintained retail locations in New York City, Buffalo, and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, while collaborating with Mango (retailer) for international distribution.
The brand was acquired by Kellwood Company in August 2010; however, after CEO Michael Kramer’s departure from Kellwood, Lippes regained ownership of his label in 2012.
Rebranded as Adam Lippes in 2013, the label emphasizes sophisticated luxury sportswear using high-quality fabrics and precise tailoring. Its collections have been met with critical praise and extensive media attention.
Adam Lippes releases four collections annually: Pre-Spring, Spring/Summer, Pre-Fall, and Fall/Winter. The brand is available through more than 75 upscale retailers across 20 countries, including Bergdorf Goodman, Matches Fashion, Neiman Marcus, Net-a-Porter, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In Fall 2015, Adam Lippes collaborated with Target on a special designer line.
On Inauguration Day 2025, First Lady Melania Trump wore a navy silk-wool double-breasted coat designed by Lippes. Other distinguished clients have included Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, and Kamala Harris.
Personal life
Lippes actively supports fundraising efforts for the Sandra F. Lippes Foundation at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. He has also held leadership roles as co-chair at the Whitney Museum of American Art and served on the board of God's Love We Deliver.
He maintains residences in both New York City and the Berkshires.