Friday, February 29, 2008

Tiger Tem Wants...Plenty

In this day and age when everything seems to be owned by the same people and backed by megabucks, its refreshing and inspiring to see a designer that has slowly and steadily worked her way up through the ranks without selling her soul to LVMH or PPR.

Today, the lady is question is Tracy Reese. Not really big in Europe but big in America. I'm a complete magazine whore so I had seen some of her stuff and heard the name a few times. Middle upper price range. Feminine, vintage inspired, quirky pieces.

Her designs are undeniably feminine with a wearable vintage/bohemian influence. Tracy Reese is the higher end line and Plenty is her diffusion line. In general you loose me at the word ‘boho’…I’m not a huge fan of the boho look, but Tracy Reese’s style sensibility seems to reflect the needs of the typical NY woman who needs to wear her clothes out the door in the morning, to the office, to dinner, to the bar and to the club.

A fabulous cream bag caught my eye and I did a little research in my usual obsessive way. And then I found out she was black. That made her story infinitely more inspiring because can someone please name one other black female designer with a flagship store in manhattan (2200 square foot), who’s line is sold at Neimans, Nordstrom, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Anthropologie and Scoop. Her work is consistently featured in Vogue, Elle, Harpers, Lucky, is a firm favourite with industry insiders, celebs and fashionistas. In 2006 she branched out into Home and Accessory collections.

Oh. My. God. That reads like my ultimate fantasy CV.


Plenty by Tracy Reese Halter Dress


Plenty by Tracy Reese Halter Dress


I’m loving this dress. Its flowy without being shapeless and with a cute cardi and some vertiginous heels, this is the type of dress that works for so many occasions and on so many different body shapes. And you see that little peek a boo keyhole…as tyra would say, FIERCE!

Plenty by Tracy Reese Inset Cardigan


Plenty by Tracy Reese Inset Cardigan


And this adorable cardi has my name all over it. The colour, the unusual crochet detail that gives a nod to vintage aesthetics but still looks sexy, pulled together and absolutely fabulous. The way it nips in at the waist is so flattering. Hmm. Think I’m going to get this one. And the stylists at www.tobi.com are just too damn good. I’m all over the bangles too.




And this is SO ME! Love it love it love it. Its a quirky twist on the LBD. The perfect cockatil dress...and I do like my cocktail dresses.




And this one too. I love the colours, the print, and the pockets on such a fitted dress are an unusual but fabulous choice. Perfect for dinner, drinks, parties, formal events, weddings..you name it, this dress has got it covered. I WANT this. I mean you'd she was paying me for this type of praise but you know how it is when you find something and you get that 'rush'...that WantItNeedItGottaHaveIt rush. Well that was what Tracy did for me.

And before you think that's it, just take a look at her handbags.




This satchel would make a great travel bag.



And this is such a gorgeous shape and colour.

Check out more of Tracy's collection on these sites
www.tracyreese.com
www.revolveclothing.com
www.nordstrom.com
www.anthropologie.com

8 comments:

Dropsofglamour said...

I really like the black dress and the print fitted one with pockets. Im impressed, saw her featured on Oprah. Good to see a sister doing so well.

Who knows Tigertem could be next for US domination!

Uzo said...

I love Tracy Reese... 'Met' her for the first time on an episode of Oprah.

I really love these bags..her stuff gets featured a lot in Essence so i know she has some other conservative pieces that dont have the boho look...

TigerTem said...

@Oyinkan...that would be my ultimate fantasy. Being big enough to get on Oprah..wow. I'd retire after that!


@ Uzo..ok, maybe I should actually watch Oprah more often. Missed that show. Nordstrom.com has loads of her stuff, love it. I might just post some more pics....

SET said...

I LOVE TRACY REESE, SHE IS CONSITENT AND IT IS PAYING OFF. I AM SO IMPRESSED BY THE CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY OF HER HANDBAGS. HER CLOTHING AS YOU SAID ARE SO FUNCTIONAL IT WILL WORK FOR ANY OCCASION. ONE JUST HAS TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THEM TO HAVE THE DIF EFFECT. LOVE IT.

xoliquoricexo said...

amazingness. didn't know she did bags. and shoes. superwoman?! patiently waiting for her print bags to go on sale, hehe...

love.this.blog

Naija Sutra said...

i love the black dress, it is really hot......can someone buy it for me, pretty please.

Anonymous said...

OMG Tracey Reese is my hero!! I stalk her clothes!!(if thats possible)....Plenty Frock is my go to for dresses( for budget fashionistas like me) and she never fails!! i always find something!! loovve her!!...waiting till i can afford the Tracey Reese brand...or even Rachel Roy( can u pls blog on how crazy she is to be charging those prices?!??! she must be outta her mind!!)

TigerTem said...

@SET...nothing like good old fashioned hard work is there?

@ShopLiqourice..thanks.

@naijasutra...make that for both of us!

@anon...not crazy about Rachel Roy's stuff but I did see her on Oprah. I think she's pretty new so probably still getting into her stride. Prices...good point. But my guess is she's aiming for the top tier designer market.