THIS WEEK'S ISSUE — Updated Every Monday!

it-must-suck-to-be-a-black-woman

It seems that it sucks to be a black woman these days. Or at least that is what the media…

teairra-mari%e2%80%99s-sponsor-is-the-new-theme-song-for-pimps-ho%e2%80%99s

In her newest single “Sponsor”, Teairra Mari decides to speak out for the full fledged and would-be gold diggers out…

on-cheating-fathers-and-their-daughters

I grew up in a loving home – both parents, older sister, older brother. I went to good schools my…

you-really-really-should-stop-frontin%e2%80%99-girl

I have a long, lengthy laundry list of irks and pet peeves, and anybody who stands even on the outskirts…

culture-wars-standing-in-way-of-progress

When Monique stepped on stage to accept her Best Supporting Actress award at the Oscars, residents in California could hear…

the-top-five-best-worst-things-about-working-with-black-women

I am blessed with a unique situation in life in that I work mostly with African American women. When I…

why-i-snub-the-oscars

It’s like a broken record isn’t it? Pretty much every year an African American or two is up for an…

weight-loss-lies-we-tell-ourselves

Black women are some of the most beautiful women on the planet, with God-given curves that some go under the…

tips-for-the-college-recessionista

Picture this: You are awakened with soft and gentle kisses from the glistening rays of the Saturday morning sun peeking…

mane-chic-a-wonderful-combination-of-natural-hair-and-fashion

Mane & Chic is not your ordinary natural hair blog – it’s an eclectic mix of hair and fashion. Don’t get…

green-is-the-new-black

It’s hip. It’s hot. It‘s totally fab. All the cool kids are doin’ it….going VEGAN, that is. And, one of…

falling-out-of-faith

For my sisters in the struggle, my fellow prayer warriors who bum rush altar calls and wait, who bombard clergy…

technology-and-relationships-a-hazardous-mix

Have great fear. Tiger Text is here.

As if practicing fidelity wasn’t hard enough, somebody saw fit to create an mobile…

you-still-got-time-to-get-there

My mother always taught me to pace myself…

Yet like the ticking of a clock, I hear the urgency in garnering…

the-faux-beef-we-could-all-do-without

Ding, ding.

The Tavis-Sharpton on air fight over whether or not President Obama was going to have a black agenda started…

he%e2%80%99s-just-not-that-into-you-no-really-girl%e2%80%94he-isn%e2%80%99t

You don’t need to survey five or six of your girlfriends and listen to their opinions. You don’t need the…

mothers-and-daughters-when-money-is-love

My mother and my grandmother are like the father and mother I never had – my mother being the father,…

shes-gotta-have-it

I recently had the chance to sit down and watch Spike Lee’s 1986 film, She’s Gotta Have It. The main character,…

Nanette Lepore

Tuesday May 1, 2007 – By Clutch

nl-spring-07-19.jpg

I have a secret to share. Underneath a stack of books in my office, far from most peoples eyesight is a lonely little folder. The folder itself is not embarrassing, it’s what’s in this folder that brings me shame. This folder contains pictures that have been torn, ripped and stolen from magazines whenever my fancy strikes. Pictures of things that I secretly adore and dream about but probably will never own. Pictures of hot jeans that I love that I could never afford, handbags that I covet but that will never touch my shoulder and beautiful dresses that I imagine swirling in around town. You will see names in the folder like Manillo, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Zac Posen, and Nanette Lepore. The latter is a recent obsession and her designs have started to take an ever increasing space in the tiny folder. Nanette is known for her feminine style and sophisticated detailing. She makes ultra chic clothing that is at the same time easy to wear.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Nanette produced her first couture look at the tender age of nine outfitting a neighbor in a floral bedspread, beaded choker and face paint. The girl posed in the family’s front yard behind a hand-lettered sign declaring “Lepore,” and thus began Nanette’s lifelong interest in fashion. Artistic innovation flourished naturally in a household headed by an abstract painter-father and a fabulously stylish mother of four. Road tripping on Route 66 with her bohemian parents each summer instilled in Nanette a free spirit and a taste for travel.

After completing her undergraduate studies at Youngstown University, she packed her bags and headed east to New York City’s venerable Fashion Institute of Technology. She aced her degree in design, married painter Robert Savage and set out to pay her dues in design studios around town.

However, Nanette knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until her creations bore her own name. In 1992, bolstered by a $5,000 loan from her dad to strike out on her own, Nanette set up shop in a penthouse office in the garment district. It quickly became an incubator for poets and painters who would bounce ideas off one another while stargazing on the roof.

Today Nanette designs in her atelier in New York City alongside her husband, Robert, who helms the business side of the worldwide brand as its President. Nanette enjoys a strong following among editors, chic style-makers and celebrities including Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker and Eva Longoria. Suitable for a tea at The Ritz or a night out on the town, each collection balances feminine details with a seductive sensibility.

The Nanette Lepore brand extends to three complete fragrance lines, “Nanette Lepore,” “Shanghai Butterfly,” and the latest, “Love Bird.” She has six Nanette Lepore boutiques worldwide, in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, London and Tokyo.

In Fall 2006 the brand continued to grow with an international launch of Nanette’s first comprehensive shoe collection. The shoes were an instant hit and have become a staple in any crave worthy shoe collection. And most importantly they have earned a place in my trusty dusty fashion folder along with her beautiful clothing creations. A girl can always dream.

What brand or designer do you love? Let us know at welove@clutchmagazine.com

nl-spring-07-20.jpgnl-spring-07-28.jpgnl-spring-07-23.jpgnl-spring-07-32.jpgnl-spring-07-38.jpgnl-spring-07-502.jpgSport Keds Nanette Black Cream

Nanette Lepore Raffia Skimmer GemsNanette Lepore Raffia Skimmer BowNanette Lepore Script Print Slip On

Related Tags:

3 Comments – Add Yours

  1. Sibbonai Sibbonai says:

    I absolutely love Marc Jacobs, Nicole Miller, and Tracy Resse.

  2. Lala Brown Lala Brown says:

    I enjoyed the Spring 07′ collection. Its refreshing to know that I’m not alone with my “little folder”,lol except I keep mines in my bag.

  3. NK Molly NK Molly says:

    i totally have a folder…except mine’s a binder

Leave a Comment

  • We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.
  • Please keep comments related to topic.
  • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

You are commenting as a Guest. Optional: Login below.

Twitter + Facebook Users
Enter your personal information in the form or sign in with your Twitter/Facebook account.

NEWS.GOSSIP.INFO — Daily Blog

rachel-stewart-keeping-the-online-artisan-revolution-aflame

There has been a renewal of African American entrepreneurs and artisans in the past few years, and a majority of…

liya-kebede-floats-for-vogue

Kebede’s spread for Vogue April, “Float On” is the definition of a fashion editorial. Styled by Edward Enniful, Kebede graces romantic dresses…

faux-news-conservative-hit-job-on-president-obama

If this isn’t proof that Rupert Murdoch’s Fox organization is a mouthpiece for an sinister, counterproductive and archaic faction of…

memo-introducing-clutch-readers-panel

Clutchettes & Gents,

We at Clutch want to enhance our ability to capture the complex needs of our audience, so we want…

howard-stern-dont-mean-jack-to-gabby-sidibe

It’s a good thing that Gabourey Sidibe is comfortable in her own skin because there are plenty of people out…

will-roethlisberger-get-the-michael-vick-treatment

Article from The Grio – For the second time in less than a year, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has…