Women's
Lela Rose: Bright Lights, Big City and Lady Chic Forever
Texas native Lela Rose began designing her signature collection of classic silhouettes with beautifully embellished details, in 1998. Driven by a clear vision and passion for design, she continues to create beautiful, bold frocks that exude a casual luxury and refinement, season after season. Rose recently debuted her Holiday/Resort collection at NM Fort Worth, and we caught up over popovers. (With strawberry butter.)
Designer Lela Rose
NM: What are you most influenced by in design?
LR: I am most influenced by New York City. I bike around the city, and I’m amazed! You experience life at different speeds in Manhattan because it’s a walking city that’s densely populated. You can walk, bike or take cabs, and each time the experience offers something new. That’s extremely inspirational.
NM: Describe your personal style?
LR: I’m always in a dress, and always wearing color. I truly find that a dress is the easiest way to look great and put together. It’s one zipper and you can accessorize it with belts, sweaters and necklaces. It’s the simplest way to go, and I enjoy not having a lot to think about in the morning.
Lela poses with models in Resort dresses.
NM: Who do you look up to in terms of style?
LR: My mother. I’ve also always loved Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. I love a very sophisticated, polished look that is not too fancy. I wish we had style icons today like we used to. Unfortunately, there are too many tabloids.
NM: What’s your favorite statement accessory?
LR: Necklaces and wedge shoes are my favorite statement accessories. I almost always wear a necklace, and I love the wedge shoe because you get the height of a heel without the discomfort.
Resort looks
Resort looks
NM: What was the inspiration behind your Spring collection?
LR: I like to call Spring the ‘neon graveyard.’ It is all about decrepit signs from the 1950s in Las Vegas and Coney Island. They used to be really bright and garish but over time, they have patinated. The neon orange faded into an unbelievable apricot, which is throughout the Spring collection.
Lela Rose Spring 2012
Shop Lela Rose at NeimanMarcus.com and Neiman Marcus stores.
