All photos courtesy of Jay Maroquin
Laurel Berman, Chief Creative Director for Black Halo Dresses, did not start out to be in the fashion business. She studied political science, among other degrees, desiring to make her dad happy and learn business, which btw has helped her now in running her business. However, she soon realized that she wanted to be creative and move on to the fashion world and landed in San Francisco where she first studied fashion and then worked with such denim houses as True Religion and J. Brand and then had a great job at a company that was doing private label for Target. It was there that she and a friend had the idea to start their own collection and with nudging by her friends and hubby, she began in 2002 with just herself and a pattern maker/sewer. Ten years have flown by, she now has 30 workers and Black Halo has become a contemporary dress brand that is seen all over the red carpet and in most high-end boutiques and department stores around the country.
She considers Black Halo to be an indie brand, has been in Neiman Marcus for two years and opened an evening collection, Eve, there this year. She credits herself with beginning the high-waisted pencil skirt that became so popular that she extended it into a full dress, added a skinny belt and developed the Jackie O dress that has become her signature and literally put Black Halo on the fashion map!
Kelly Rippa was one that was first photoed in this dress and it just continues to reinvent itself and sell and sell and sell…doesn’t everyone need one of those!?
She designs for the modern contemporary career woman who she likes to say goes from the Boardroom to the Bar and has always taken great pride in adding just the right amount of sexiness to her designs. Another trademark style for her is the sexy date top, which she actually designed first.
Laurel is very enthusiastic about all that she is doing and has assured me that she and Black Halo are a collection that will be around for many years to come…..and we’re all looking forward to that.
Special Note: I didn’t mention that Laurel has created the “invisible zipper” that she has sewn into her hemlines and into other points in her dresses that gives the woman a chance to create as much skin exposure as she desires. A great, fun tool that gives the wearer some creativity and no limitations…..check this out! You can see more of her designs and learn more about her by visiting her current website now, www.blackhalo.com, and be on the look-out for her new and improved site coming soon.