GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com | 59
she wanted to work for herself. I love her
mission and I got sucked into her T V show.
I'm impressed with how she helps others
and provides garments that make other
women look and feel great. I admire not only
the brand and empire she has built, but the
person.
Fashion is about creativity, but it is
also extremely competitive. How did
you manage to stand out in the crowd?
When I started, there were no mentors that
I k new in the manufacturing side. Nobody
around for me to pick their brain or to save
me from potential heartache. at was really
tough for me because anyone that I would
approach would tell me, "You're cocky."
ey automatically put their guard up as if I
wanted to steal whatever they were doing. I'm
ver y confident in my work and what we've
grown so far. It's all about being smart and
walk ing away from things even if you want
them so bad. It's about k nowing whether or
not it's the right time. Timing is a lot in this
industr y.
What advice would you give other up
and coming designers?
Be smart. Be true and listen to yourself.
Stand your ground for what you believe in.
It's your livelihood. ere are lot of negatives
to using your name as a brand. If something
doesn't come quite right in production,
you're automatically k nown as the creator of
it. ough, there are also some great perks.
It's really exciting when someone asks who
I'm wearing and I can honestly say, "is is
one of mine." ere is a fine line between
being proud and just being arrogant.
What are the future plans for the
Tracy Negoshian brand?
I would like to open flagship stores in areas
that have a slightly different season, like the
Northeast, the Nantucket area, New port,
R hode Island and the Carolinas.
How do you juggle your work life and
balance your family while being a new
mom to son, Cooper?
Cooper just turned one, and I love this time.
To me, family is the number-one priority and
I tr y ver y hard to leave work at work and give
my full aention to my son and my husband
when I'm at home. I think having that
separation is what allows me to start fresh
ever y day.
D
Tracey with her husband, . The Tracey Negotion gang.
