rafaella

CHRISTA MICHALAROS

I am asked everyday: “How do I get inspired to design a new collection?” “Where did the idea of that new style come from?” “How did I decide on that color?” The answer is simple… I have 2 women that I see everyday that inspire me and give me insight into what women on-the-go really need. They are “designer gold”… they are my reality check and your crusaders!

I would like to introduce you to those 2 women… my in house muses, my wear-testers, and many times my voices of logic: Christa Michalaros (the CEO of rafaella) and Rosemary Mancino (President of rafaella). Mothers, executives, commuters, and women who want to feel and look great and not fuss over what they wear. They are your champions, your peers, and the smart, successful women who I know love to wear rafaella. They are the basis of the design mantra at rafaella: smart, beautiful clothes for work and life… They commute a distance to work, race from meeting to meeting, travel for business, and need to not spend an enormous amount of time thinking or worrying about the impression their wardrobe makes. I make everything pass that test in order to get that rafaella label. When that label is sewn in, it means it has the rafaella seal of approval.

ROSEMARY MANCINO

Christa is a modern mother of two active sons who likes to feel sexy but yet appropriate. A youthful executive who is tall with a worked out physique… she likes easy to understand fashion that seamlessly melds into her wardrobe. Christa always reaches for a great tailored jacket and has a keen eye for a beautiful pant. I do not think I have ever seen her in a skirt, unless it was at a black-tie event. She gets so excited to see the new season’s styles and she is my litmus test for what works. Trying the new styles on, she is full of practical advice on how a style feels, the ease of putting a style on, and how she feels in the fit.

She will say: “I wouldn’t wear that!” or she will ask me what is the new “thing”. She translates what the women shopping reacts to and I can in turn make sure to use that advice to inspire each item that is designed and make each piece something I know every woman will love to wear.

Rosemary, also a busy mother of 2 boys, has a different style, but with the same needs. Petite and sassy, she doesn’t have time to shop…her family is her priority, but she still likes to look professional and appropriate. She shies away from anything too sexy or overt. She loves to dance and enjoys showing off those great gams. So a great pencil skirt suits her perfectly. Her fun personality looks great dressed in color and loves fashion that is easy but yet, she doesn’t like to think too hard about what to wear with what. No fuss, but without sacrificing style.

Rosemary is always curious about new trends and colors…she will push me to “wow” her with something exciting. She will pull me back from the ledge when my design meter goes off kilter (when I allow my designing to get overdone or fussy). She reminds me of what women want to feel when they buy great clothes and what scares them away. Inspiring me to take all the trends and make them something everyone can wear and feel great about, she is that reminder of what you expect from rafaella!

They are my true inspiration…before I swatch, sketch, or stitch a thing…I just have to look at my muses…these 2 inspiring women who you all would relate to. They embody all that rafaella is. I know that my inspiration will keep flowing and you can be sure, rafaella will continue to produce the great styles that you have come to love and continue to treasure.