“Designer Confidential” is a series at CTFashionMag.com where we introduce the creative minds in fashion.
by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
When we last saw designer Latesha Richards of Niche-Elle NY, we were at the Love Conquers All and Connecticut Fashion Week runway show at Sutra in Hartford earlier this month.
Name: Latesha Richards
Brand Name: Niche-Elle NY
Location: New York City
How would you describe your style aesthetic?
My style aesthetic is classic and elegant, yet chic and unique
What inspired you to be a designer?
I was an illustration major back in high school but fashion never came to mind. When I began illustrating the female figure at Parsons School of Design, I had such a passion and respect for the female body and knew that I had the capacity to dress it.
Who is your fashion icon and why?
- Donna Karan – because she understands how to dress a modern woman, and she embodies New York City style, and 2. Vaughn Terry, who is my mentor, a fashion designer and the costume designer for the late, great entertainer, Prince during “Purple Rain” back in the 80s and other musical artists and entertainers during that era. I am inspired by his out-of-the-box and unique fashions for Prince, which started a new style movement then and is still respected today.
What celebrity – living or dead – or fictional character would you like to dress and what would you make for them?
Kerry Washington. She shares the elegance, and unique style of dress seen in her daily life and fictional character on the TV series “Scandal” that I put into my clothing. I would dress her in the metallic brocade pleated-back dress and the black and gold two piece outfit (both from the Fall 2016 Collection).
Website: www.niche-elle.com
Designers, interested in being featured in “Designer Confidential?”
Email a hi-res image that illustrates your line to mchaiken@BristolObserver.com.
And answer the following questions.
Name_____ Brand name________ location
How would you describe your style aesthetic?
What inspired you to be a designer?
Who is your fashion icon and why?
What celebrity—living or dead—or fictional character would you like to dress and what would you make for them?
Website to buy or see your clothes?
Email answers to mchaiken@BristolObserver.com
COURTESY of NICHE-ELLE NY
