Fashion Fame

Badgley Mischka, an American fashion label was launched by Mark Badgley and James Mischka, in 1988. Badgley and Mischka, two Parsons grads, borrowed $250,000 from their families to realize their vision of glamorous, Old Hollywood–style gowns. Quick praise from heavyweight magazines like Vogue, poured them in for a unique, often hand-beaded creations. But true Cinderella moments came in 1996, when both Teri Hatcher and Winona Ryder achieved red-carpet nirvana in Badgley Mischka gowns.

They designed a second wedding dress worn by Charlotte York on Sex and the City and scored Olsen twins as spokesmodels in 2006. Badgley Mischka’s designs are described as “red-carpet-destined evening wear” but they’re generally produced with lighter fabrics and less construction. They’re also known for fragrance, shoes, handbags, and eyewear. They also do dressed-up sportswear, day-wear, and lingerie, but embellished evening-wear is still their calling card.

The Badgley Mischka line is available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and two boutiques in West Hollywood and Boston.