America’s fashion princess to open boutique in Manila Anton San Diego Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 10, 2009
IN ONLY five years of Tory Burch has made it to the top of the fashion heap. Best known for her combination of American sportswear and Park Avenue style, she has become a favorite of stylish and fashionable women around the world with her colorful tunics and T logo “reva” ballet slippers.
She designs clothes and accessories that are current, fresh, affordable, and of course, the all-important factor, representative of the wearer’s personality.
Who is this woman with the US$250-million fashion empire? With the help of Anton Huang, I was able to get an exclusive shoot and interview last June for Philippine Tatler.
We were fortunate enough to do the shoot in her 840-square meter apartment at the posh Pierre Hotel. Top fashion photographer Nigel Barker, also one of the judges of “America’s Next Top Model,” did the shoot.
Barker said: “On my way to her home I bumped into my friend and fellow photographer Mike Filinow who photographed her for Gotham magazine. He told me she was as charming as she was beautiful and that I was in for an easy day. He was absolutely right!”
Her Fifth Avenue apartment combines three suites. It was designed by top US-based Filipino interior designer Daniel Romualdez, who also designs all her boutiques.
“It was designed as a fresh take on the classic New York Fifth Avenue apartment with architecture based on many of the apartments done in the 1930s in the English Georgian style,” Romualdez said. “The decoration is largely traditional; we tried to use those elements in a younger way. The apartment is a family home so even though it has a slightly formal look it is still very child-friendly.”
Burch grew up in Pennsylvania. After college she moved to New York to work for Zoran, then at Harper’s Bazaar, Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang. At Wang she met her husband-to-be, the venture capitalist Chris Burch (now her ex). They have three sons and three daughters (from Chris Burch’s first marriage).
She became part of an elite circle of “Bright Young Things,” a phrase coined by Brooke de Ocampo in the ’90s, to describe the wealthy, young, jet-set, camera-friendly and powerful group that consisted of Aerin Lauder, the Miller sisters, Tamara Mellon and the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. In 2004, the New York Times touted her as the “pillar of New York’s young social set.”
Burch was a homemaker and mother before her fashion career. She wanted to address every stylish woman’s dilemma – where to buy quality, affordable and well-made clothes.
Burch also wanted to chuck the monotonous and minimalist look for fun and color. Her solution was to make clothes herself. In 2004 she opened her first boutique in the trendy Nolita district and made close to $100,000 in one day.
In 2005 Oprah Winfrey invited her to her TV show. The Queen of American television was ecstatic about the Tory Burch tunic she received as gift so that she had to meet the designer who made it. The show made Burch the new fashion princess.
A factor that adds to the Tory Burch mystique is that she is a bona fide New York socialite. She represents old-world wealth; buying her clothes is like believing that you have a Hampton or Connecticut mansion. I asked her if the title “Park Avenue designer” belittles her accomplishments. She says, “That was the title given to me before. Now, they call me a socialite designer. Actually I think I have proven myself to be a serious businesswoman. It’s very important to me to be a role model and encourage women to work or become a working mom. We’re starting a foundation about women and microfinance which helps women start small businesses and become entrepreneurial. It’s a way to empower women to take care of themselves and their family. It’s a very exciting project.”
Not since Diane Von Furstenberg in the ’70s or Donna Karan in the ’80s has there been an American woman designer who has gained so much attention not only for her designs but also for her personal life.
Today Burch has 18 freestanding stores in the US. Her line is at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harvey Nichols. She can also be found in 450 specialty stores all over the world, including Lane Crawford in HK. She will open in Japan this month and in the Philippines in November at Greenbelt 5 under Stores Specialists Inc.
I love Vetiver by Guerlain, candles from Vie Luxe and my favorite flowers are orange poppies and hot pink peonies.
Favorite NYC haunts?
Sushi of Gari and Milos are two of my favorite restaurants. I live near Central Park, so I take my boys there often. They also love to go to the Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium.
Favorite accessory/jewelry?
The sunflower pendant my father made for his mother that was passed down to me.
Do you have a beauty routine or fitness regimen?
My beauty regimen is very easy. I don’t wear a lot of makeup and often leave the house with wet hair. Keeping the skin moisturized is the key. I love Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer with SPF 25. It gives you sun protection and a natural glow. I usually run on the treadmill or go for a walk with friends in Central Park. In summer I get together with a group of friends a few times a week and play tennis.
What’s your favorite from the F/W 2009 collection?
Our Jaden boots. They are chic and sophisticated and look great on women of all ages.
From all your travels, what is your favorite city?
Marrakesh [in Morocco] is an incredibly inspiring place to visit.
All the amazing colors at Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens influenced our collection last spring. I always find amazing things when I travel. I love going to flea markets and bazaars to find local textiles, pottery and jewelry. It is also inspiring to experience different cultures and meet people from around the world. Anything from the print on the bottom of a basket to a box of colorful beads can lead to a new idea.
Who is the person you admire most or get inspiration from?
My parents. It would have been impossible not to have developed an interest in fashion and style growing up with my mother and father. They have always had an amazing and innate sense of style.
What are the charities you are involved in?
I am thrilled to announce that we launched the Tory Burch Foundation in June. Our goal is to provide economic opportunities for women and their families in the US and eventually abroad. I am also very involved with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre. Many people in my life, including my father, have been touched by cancer. It is incredibly important to me to support the search for a cure and to improve the lives of those living with cancer.
What is your favorite spot on earth?
Wherever my children are – our kitchen is my favorite room in the house.
Everyone gathers there at the end of the day to do homework, get dinner ready and catch up on the day.
