Lexington, KY - The Bluegrass region may not be considered a mecca for the fashion and design business, but a number of local design companies have worked quietly and diligently to find national recognition and distribution over the years.
Perhaps most famous is Lexington-based clothing and fashion accessory catalogue and retail company J. Peterman. While the company is well known for the parodied character of owner John Peterman on "Seinfeld" (Elaine's boss, portrayed by actor John O' Hurley), it is equally known for its classic, quality products, as well as the illustrations and unusually lengthy and entertaining copy used throughout the catalogues to describe the company's "uncommonly good stuff" (www.jpeterman.com). (Interestingly, O' Hurley actually partnered with Peterman to re-purchase the company in 2001, after the company's too-fast growth forced it into bankruptcy.)
Lexington has often been considered a great place to own a business - a central location with a high quality of life and low overhead costs. We hunted down the chief designers and owners of three local companies that focus on different elements of textiles, merchandising and design, picking their brains about how they got started, the road since then, and what they would advise young entrepreneurs who are interested in pursuing a career in design. Read on.
Bella Bliss
Children's apparel
Designer: Lisa McClean