Narciso Rodriguez

Narciso Rodriguez (American Spanish: [naɾˈsiso roˈðɾiɣes]) is a Cuban American fashion designer.

Narciso Rodríguez
Born
New Jersey, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationThe New School (Parsons division)
Label(s)
Narciso Rodríguez
AwardsCFDA best designer, 2004, 2005

Early life and education

Rodriguez is the eldest child and only son of Cuban parents. His father, Narciso Rodríguez II, a longshoreman, and Rawedia María Rodríguez, are of Spanish descent.[1] He grew up in Newark, New Jersey.[2] His parents were against Narciso entering fashion.[3] He was educated at the New School in New York, studying at their art and design college, Parsons The New School for Design. He graduated St Cecilias High School in 1979, a small Catholic school in Kearny NJ.

Career

Rodriguez did some freelance design work in New York, before becoming Women’s Design Director for the Anne Klein label, then later working for Calvin Klein. In 1997 he launched his own label. His first major attention came when he designed the wedding dress of fellow Calvin Klein employee Carolyn Bessette for her wedding to John F. Kennedy, Jr..[4]

By 2006, Rodriguez, who had ended his partnership with his label's manufacturer, Aeffe, was over US$1 million in debt to his suppliers, and needed fabric donations for his spring collection.[4]

On May 5, 2007, Liz Claiborne acquired a 50% interest in the Narciso Rodriguez label.[4] In 2008 Narciso Rodriguez bought the 50% interest back from Liz Claiborne for 12 million dollars.[5]

On November 4, 2008, Michelle Obama wore a dress from Narciso Rodriguez's spring 2009 collection when she joined her husband, Barack Obama, appearing for the first time as president-elect of the United States, on the stage at Grant Park in Chicago; it received substantial attention in the press.[6] The dress, originally unveiled at New York City's Fashion Week in September 2008, came from Rodriguez's "stress-relief" design collection. Rodriguez was a strong supporter in the fashion world of Barack Obama's campaign; in August 2008, he blamed a slowdown in his business on "this Bush mess".[7] Michelle Obama wore Narciso Rodriguez for her final State of the Union appearance as First Lady.[8]

References
  1. Narciso Rodríguez biografias
  2. White, Constance C. R. "A Phoenix Rises to Take His Influence Global", The New York Times, December 30, 1997. Accessed January 11, 2008.
  3. "Narciso Rodríguez". hispaniconline.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
  4. Horyn, Cathy; May 7, 2007; "Fashion Industry Rallies to Aid Designer in Trouble"; The New York Times; retrieved May 7, 2007.
  5. May 5, 2007; "Narciso Rodriguez and Liz Claiborne Inc. Announce Partnership Agreement". Accessed June 29, 2008.
  6. La Ferla, Ruth, "That Dress? Everyone Has an Opinion.", The New York Times, November 5, 2008. Accessed November 5, 2008.
  7. WWD Staff, "Rodriguez Poolside... Moving On.", Women's Wear Daily, August 20, 2008. Accessed November 6, 2008.
  8. Yotka, Steff. "The Significance of the Dress Michelle Obama Wore for Her Final Speech as First Lady". Vogue. Retrieved June 3, 2020.

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