Tracy Reese’ Shop for a Cause Campaign for Haiti

I didn’t want to go out at all last night in the blizzard.  I laid in my bed contemplating whether or not I wanted to trek out into the snow, but I decided I had to go out. Why?  Because one of my hometown fashion designer idols, Tracy Reese, was having a shopping event to honor the One Year Anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake which included three hours of free cocktails.  The event was held at Tracy Reese’s boutique to benefit post-earthquake Haiti and promote the sale of goods by local artisans such as Artisana du Soleil. As well as launching her partnership with Akyson, a non-profit organization.  Regular-priced Tracy Reese goods were offered at a 15 percent off discount too and 10% of that night’s proceeds were donated to Akyson.

I remember when I was a student at Michigan State and Tracy came to speak at an event I went to for my school.  I was so inspired by her story of her and her mom packing up her car and moving to NYC.  Her parents were so instrumental and supportive in her success.  It reminded me of my own parents.  Tracy inspired my move to NYC.

Tracy Reese ranks as one of the fashion industry’s most successful African-American women whose realm is not relegated to the runway. In a business where few designer labels seem to make it past their fifth anniversary, Reese has two clothing lines, TR and Plenty, which have been sold at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and other top retailers since the mid-1990s. Her company’s sales topped $12 million in 2003, and it launched a Plenty-label home line that same year and a footwear collection the following. Reese has an unerring eye for what women will buy.

I absolutely adore Tracy’s clothing.  Her dresses look great on curvy girls like myself and she goes up to a size 12.  Here are some snap shots I took of the event.

Tracy Reese

Myself and Tracy Reese