Good to Have You Back
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
To look at their clothes, which consistently radiate resplendence and elegance, most people would never think of branding designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka as rebels. And yet, fashion thrives on the quixotic and the obsessive embrace of extremes. Year after year, it swings from stoic minimalism to maxi madness, kohl-eyed goth to prim innocence, monochromatic simplicity to floral explosion. Regardless of pricing, fashion thrives on disposability.
And yet Badgley Mischka has remained in business for over three decades by always doing what they do best—making women feel like they’d be a star on any red carpet. Regardless of what’s galvanizing front-row arbiters or next-big-thing hungry influencers, these quietly confident partners in life and design are more likely to look at how to please their adoring and fervent loyal customers than over their shoulders at whatever fad everyone else is chasing.
And because fashion is forever cyclical, you can bet on it always returning to focus on elegance. Well, Badgley Mischka’s gaze has never lost that focus, which is why Badgley-Mischka’s boldface-named clients like Helen Mirren, Oprah Winfrey, Brooke Shields, Taylor Swift, and Halle Berry keep coming back to them when they want to look their most glamourous while the world is watching.
We can’t imagine a better fit for Gabriel & Co. Fine Jewelry than the spirit-lifting, figure-enhancing, and double-take inducing work of these two gentlemen.
Badgley Mischka is celebrating 35 years in business. Fashion brands come and go so quickly. Why have you had such staying power?
We stay true to our mission, which is very simple: make women look fantastic and feel glamorous. We’ve always believed that when you focus on elevating a woman’s power and beauty, you can’t go wrong.
Fashion these days seems obsessed with change. But you have never tried to show up with the next ‘in’ thing.
No, we don’t do trendy. And sometimes it has worked against us, especially when it comes to press. However, our customer knows what she is getting when she comes to us. We love the glory days of old Hollywood, when the studio system manufactured dreamy lives. You know those photos of stars doing gardening in evening gowns? Of course, it wasn’t real, but those women never looked less than beautiful. And what’s wrong with a little fantasy? Our customer knows that and loves it. That’s why they have stayed so loyal.
Glamour is not a trend. It’s a constant.
——Mark Badgley & James Mischka
Post-Covid, style appears less formal. What kind of adjustments did you have to make going forward?
Despite what people first thought, people don’t live in sweatclothes and tracksuits. Turns out, people still get married, travel to exotic locales, attend charity events, and have celebrations. But life has gotten more casual. Our women are still as chic as ever, but the silhouette has changed.
What’s different?
Comfort matters so much more. You see women dressed up with evening slices and kitten heels rather than stilettos. As for our designs, we have lightened up, pulled back on beading and volume, and relaxed construction, all of which adds a more youthful aura. We also put stretch in everything. Women demand it now, and the technology is so advanced that you can add it to any luxurious fabric or constructed jacket without compromising quality.
Does a simpler silhouette mean accessories matter less?
No! We love accessories. In fact, jewelry has become so important now that clothes have gotten more streamlined. Jewelry lifts the look and the spirit, but like the clothes, the sparkle has gotten lighter and more playful. It’s less about statement necklaces and more about layering and having pieces that offer more versatility, so they can be worn for almost any reason.
Does the red carpet carry as much weight as it used to?
It’s still a coup when you have that perfect combination of exactly the right dress on that actress currently in the spotlight, but thanks to social media, there are many other voices, and not necessarily those influencers who model outfits for the money. There are plenty now who really know their clothing and what works. Also, with everyone having more access to fashion online, our customer is more likely to choose on her own what’s right for her. And since we have so many loyal clients, our consistency works in our favor.
What has sustained your enthusiasm for this long?
This is a tough industry, and it can eat you up and shake your confidence because there are so many factors out of your control. Having someone to lean on whom you love and trust has been such a blessing. Being partners in work and in life has made us more confident and sure of staying true to our love of glamour. Maybe that’s why, after all this time, we are still smiling.
Some stylists now are very big on minimal accessorizing since some fabrics have become so intricate and dramatic.
It’s all about understanding balance. If dresses are over the top, as some of mine are you don’t want tons of jewelry on the wrist, but you do want pieces that enhance the drama of that great dress. For example, if I am styling a caftan, I want to complement the volume with simple rows of diamonds. In the winter, when women are more covered up, I reach for big chunky earrings.
