B Michael launches first designer RTW collection

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Mar 8, 2017

B Michael on Monday announced the launch of his first designer ready-to-wear collection over 15 years after launching his first couture collection.

 
The fall 2017 collection is a lifestyle-inspired collection that is informed by B Michael’s expertise as a couture designer. The new line is priced competitively for the luxury designer ready-to-wear space, and is produced in New York City. The American designer has begun wholesaling the new collection with buyers, unlike his couture collections, which he retails to private customers.
 
Andrea Thurlow, a former pattern maker at Jasper Conran in London, joined the team as head pattern maker for the new designer ready to wear collection. In addition, Marvin Traub Associates Operating Partner Laura Hall worked closely with B Michael on merchandising the new collection. Hall is also a former division senior vice president at Burberry and later division president at Ralph Lauren,

B Michael said of the launch: "I realized I had an opportunity and almost responsibility to dress the women who have been asking me to design a ready to wear collection for years," says Michael about his aha moment.
 
The CFDA designer launched his first couture collection in 1999 with the help of Eleanor Lambert, and Beyoncé, Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, Tamara Tunie, poet laureate Elizabeth Alexander and others have worn his designs. B Michael also designs the B Michael America Red ready-to-wear line sells at Macy’s.
 
In October, the designer received an investment from Brett Howroyd, the son of Act-1 Group founder Janice Bryant Howroyd. B Michael and CEO and Chairman Mark-Anthony Edwards said the investment will aid in the brand’s global expansion.