Tag Archives: 2011

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row
Nominated for: Swarovski Award for Womenswear

What was the first piece you designed? How old were you at the time, and what was the reaction?
M: The first pieces we designed were white silk suits in an atelier in Los Angeles. I think we were around 14 years old. It definitely wasn’t our introduction into the world of fittings and custom-made clothing, but the luxury of the atelier and craftsmanship was a great experience.

What would you say was your first big success at The Row?
A: Our first big success was our Spring Summer 2007 season. We launched The Row with 14 SKUs including T-shirts, T-shirt dresses and leggings. It took us over a year to get these 14 pieces perfected to where we felt comfortable showing anyone besides our friends and family.
M: The collection was small but the quality, for a T-shirt, was impeccable and we ended up selling to Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Forty Five Ten and a number of other amazing retailers.

What was the first piece you designed for The Row?
A: The first piece we designed was a silk modal T-shirt with no side seams. Just a French seam down the center back. It was made on a lingerie machine.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever gotten, whether from a teacher, mentor or fashion critic?
M: You can accomplish anything with hard work and a great team.

What was your reaction to your first CFDA nomination?
A: We were so excited. It is such a privilege to be included with these amazingly talented designers.

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