Quick Facts
Year Founded: 2004
Headquarters: New York, New York
Company Website: toryburch.com
Headquarters Location
Off and Running
When Tory Burch opened her very first boutique store on Elizabeth Street in Nolita in Manhattan, at 10 am, by the end of the day she had to scramble to get new product to the store by the next day as more than 50% of her inventory was sold! And Tory Burch was off and running and has kept on going since!
What a day and the beginning of the fashion empire that is Tory Burch today, spanning from boutiques from London, Hong Kong and to Dubai.
Childhood in a Farmhouse in Pennsylvania to NYC
Tory Burch attributes her designer style to her childhood roots spent in a farm house in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Self-noted tomboy, she spent her days climbing trees and traveling with her investor father and mother, a former Hollywood actress, who were very stylish, perfect at hosting parties, and worldly.
Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in history, Tory, like most ambitious youths found herself lured to the cosmopolitan of New York City. Here she began working for Zoran, a Yugoslavian designer fancied by her mother, who was influential in setting a stylish example to Tory. Followed by working at Harper’s Bazaar, Public Relations and advertising for Vera Wang, Polo Ralph Lauren, and at Loewe under Narciso Rodriguez.
The Tory Burch Brand
After spending several years in the fashion industry, Tory felt she could tackle her own brand representing a style mostly bo-ho chic and “American-prep remix.” What Tory offered was designer everyday pieces at a midprice point in her signature style. Thus she engaged into branding and launching her new designs. The trendsetting pieces were her logo medallion Reva ballet shoes, named after her mother, as well as her bo-ho/Moroccan inspired tunics that were flying off the shelves.
Tory Burch Leather Medallion Reva Ballet Flats.
Tory Burch Tunic.
No other brand has the teens, moms as well as the grandmothers all vying for the same shoes, clothing and hand bags. All her designs are simple but stamped with the undeniably Tory Burch double T logo. The logo itself is a nice symmetrical design fancy yet simple, that’s eye catching but not gaudy or tacky.
Tory Burch Leather Crossbody Handbag with Logo.
Oprah Boost
Who doesn’t know Oprah and her powers of persuading people? The biggest boost to the Tory Burch brand came in 2005 with Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement calling Burch’s line “the next big thing in fashion” on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Following her appearance on the show Burch’s website received eight million hits the very next day.
Tory Burch Logo Leather Crossbody, a must have!
Gossip Girl Fame
In 2009, once again Tory Burch was on T.V. influencing the viewership of Gossip Girl (The CW, running from 2007-2012). The show has been noted to have been the biggest influence on the fashion culture at the time. That’s quite a platform to be a guest, launching herself and her brand to the millions of teens and making an impression that continues to secure a lifetime brand following.
Tory Burch Leather Sandals.
Accolades
• 2005 Rising Star Award for Best New Retail Concept, Fashion Group International
• 2007 Accessory Brand Launch of the Year, Accessories Council Excellence Awards
• 2008 Accessories Designer of the Year, Council of Fashion Designers of America
Tory Burch Today
Tory Burch LLC is worth more than $3.8 billion with over 180 stores, and the brand is carried in 3000 department stores worldwide. And Tory Burch, the brand’s namesake, is ranked in the top 100 most powerful women in the world.
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