Tracy Reese
Tracy Reese | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1964 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Women's ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, and home décor |
Tracy Reese (born February 12, 1964) is a prominent American fashion designer known for her focus on women's ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, and home décor items such as linens. She holds a position on the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, having been inducted in 2007.
Early life
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Reese completed her education at Cass Technical High School. From an early age, she honed her sewing abilities alongside her mother. In 1982, she relocated to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design, where she graduated in 1984. Reese gained valuable experience working with Martine Sitbon at Arlequin and occupied roles at prestigious fashion houses before overseeing the Women's Portfolio for Perry Ellis. This experience paved the way for her to establish her own label.
Tracy Reese label
The Tracy Reese brand was founded in New York City in 1998, offering collections that include ready-to-wear and resort wear. To reach a broader audience, she introduced mass-market lines such as Plenty (2000), which emphasizes home goods, and Frock! (2006), both designed to be more accessible. The Tracy Reese Black Label was launched in 2009.
Reese’s designs are recognized for their feminine, vintage-inspired aesthetic characterized by vibrant hues and striking patterns. Her products are available at retailers including Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Modcloth, and Nordstrom. The brand’s flagship boutique opened in New York City in 2006, followed by a second exclusive location in Tokyo in 2011.
Among Reese’s notable patrons is First Lady Michelle Obama, who has chosen her creations for significant occasions such as the 2012 Democratic National Convention speech and the 50th anniversary celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Collaborations
By 2011, Reese had established several important partnerships:
- Tracy Reese for HUE hosiery (since Fall 2007)
- Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen (since Fall 2007)
- Plenty by Tracy Reese for Keds (since Spring 2009)
- Tracy Reese by Jamberry (February 2016 to August 2016)
- United Airlines global uniform redesign initiative (starting 2018; postponed in 2020)