SUCCESS STORY | NANETTE LEPORE For designer, family is always in fashion

Lepore's designs have been worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock and Bette Midler.
By NANCILYNN GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
For fashion designer Nanette Lepore, family is extremely important. Her family was a constant means of support as she struggled to create her business. When she finally became successful, her family celebrated her accomplishments.
Lepore credits her family's enthusiasm and her own determination for helping her establish her designs and clothing line.
She was born into a creative family: Her father, Jim, is a former YSU art professor, and her mother, a teacher and a "fabulously stylish woman," encouraged her children's artistic expression. Lepore cites her family, friends andher daughter, Violet, as inspirations for her designs.
Early days
Lepore graduated from Youngstown State University with a major in business and fashion design through the individual curriculum program, which allowed her to work with a downtown tailor and acquire an associate's degree from the Fashion Institute.
She moved to New York in 1982, where she worked for other designers in various capacities, including a position as a pattern maker, and took her first trip to Italy -- one of the world capitals of fashion. Gaining experience during a time in fashion history when only a very privileged few were successful as designers, Lepore found it difficult to advance her career.
"I felt like I was five years behind when I arrived. Some people had gone to New York right out of high school," she said.
Demand increases
Though she has had success as well as difficult times with her company, in the past five years, Lepore has found an increased demand for her clothing and her time.
She has seen her fashions worn by numerous celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker in an episode of "Sex in the City," Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde 2," Sandra Bullock and Bette Midler.
Lepore's flagship store is in New York, and she has boutiques in Los Angeles and Tokyo. Her line is also carried at various high-end department stores and boutiques. Her Web site, www.nanettelepore.com, has a locator search that finds the nearest stores that carry her goods.
In 1987, she opened her own business. "I couldn't get a bank to give me a loan. I used my credit cards and my father took out a mortgage on his home. It took me five years to pay him back, but I felt very successful when I did," said Lepore.
Getting started
Her first boutique, in a small store on First Avenue and First Street, became a gathering place for many creative individuals. The location was not ideal, but Lepore was thrilled to be branching out under her own name even though she did hit a few bumps along the way.
"My first designs were these white shirts. They were for a trade show. I wasn't sure about inventory. I had so many of those shirts left over," said Lepore. "My sister Michele was living and working in New York at the time. She helped Bob (husband Bob Savage) and I get a job at Friday's. It was like TGI Friday's. I was a waitress for a while, before my company became successful."
The company grew gradually and slowly. Her initial partner quit when it was not thriving.
"She came in and took her sewing machine. I've never heard from her again," said Lepore.
Since then, Lepore replaced her with her husband, Bob. She concentrates on the creative side of the company, while he handles the business side of the company. "I didn't have a business plan. I took a course, and the teacher laughed when I said I wanted to start a business with $10,000," said Lepore.
Having a successful fashion design company creates many challenges for Lepore. She must try to be ahead of fashion trends and keep aware of popular culture, while being true to her designs, which have a vintage sensibility yet are flirty and feminine. The economy, which can increase or decrease customers' disposable income, and the fickle taste of the public, can affect sales.
"You never feel stable in this business," she said
Models
Another aspect of the profession is working with models. Many of them are very young or they are alone for the first time in a foreign country. "Many of the models are as young as 14. One time I had a father come to a show to pick up his daughter so he could bring her back to school," said Lepore.
She then recalled another memorable time working with models.
"I was having a runway show and a model just didn't show up. She had already been fit for the outfit. Luckily another model was visiting her friend, so we hurried up and fit her for the outfit so she could go down the runway."
Because she is working in a very demanding field, Lepore gauges her success by continuing to have the opportunity to do something that she loves. Her designs have even received tangible accolades.
"I have received fan mail," she stated.
As her business grows, so does the demand for her clothing.
"My dresses and suits are doing very well. We ship every month, but some stores want us to ship more often," said Lepore.
This spring, Lepore will launch her signature fragrance, Nanette Lepore. The half moon shaped bottle features the Nanette Lepore logo surrounded by a rose petal wreath. The fragrance is inspired to complement her designs.