Michelle Ochs is an American fashion designer.[1] She has designed for Michelle Obama, Gal Gadot, Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Lopez.[2]
Michelle Ochs | |
---|---|
Born | Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Parsons School of Design |
Occupation | Fashion designer |
Years active | 2005–present |
Title |
|
Spouse | Matthew Kopko |
She is the winner of the 2009 Ecco Domani Award, a finalist for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a nominee for the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear and 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award, and Forbes 30 under 30.[3]
She has been an active member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 2012.[4]
In 2023, she was named Creative Director of Hervé Léger.[5]
She is also the founder and creative director of ET OCHS, which was launched in 2021.[6]
Early life and education
editShe was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and completed a military high school education.[7] She is of mixed German and Filipino heritage.[8]
Ochs attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design.[9] She received the Designer of the Year award in 2007.[10]
During her time at Parsons, she worked as a design intern for Marc Jacobs before moving on to Isaac Mizrahi's Made to Order.[9] She interned at Chado Ralph Rucci's workshop during her senior year of high school, where she learned firsthand about the couture processes.[11]
Career
editOchs, along with her partner Carly Cushnie, established their fashion brand Cushnie et Ochs in 2008 following their graduation from Parsons New School for Design.[12]
Her inaugural runway shows for Spring 2009, the duo has garnered Critical acclaim, Her debut collection for Spring 09 was exclusively retailed at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.[13]
In 2012, at just 27 years old, Ochs experienced a pivotal moment when a stylist from Michelle Obama's office reached out to their brand to design a dress for the First Lady.[14]
In 2018, it was announced that she abruptly left the company.[15] During her time at Cushnie et Ochs, she designed for Karlie Kloss, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Michelle Obama, Reese Witherspoon, and Diane Kruger.[16]
In 2021, Ochs founded her eponymous label, ET OCHS; she Partnered with JS Group, a Canadian family-run business, and Ochs debuted her first spring collection via a virtual show on the CFDA's Runway360.[17]
In 2023, she was appointed as the creative director of Hervé Léger; her debut collection at New York Fashion Week focused on adding dimension, movement, and fluidity to the brand's signature bandage dresses, expanding into streamlined separates like pants, jumpsuits, and tops.[18]
Drawing inspiration from the brand's extensive archives,[19] Ochs has Infused modern touches into classic designs,Taking the reins in 2023, she has revitalized the label known for its signature bandage dress,[20] introducing contemporary updates and expanding its offerings beyond the famed silhouette.[21]
Style and inspiration
editShe is known for using style and attention to detail; Ochs's style is characterized by sleek lines and silhouettes.[22]
Ochs's aesthetic is characterized by staples that blur the line; she focused on tailoring and uses stretch fabrics to create silhouettes.[23]
She has a knack for incorporating innovative elements into her collections, such as wire-filled hems for moldable silhouettes and sweater dresses crafted from recycled yarns.[21]
Personal life
editShe married Matthew Kopko in July 2015.[24] The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony held at the Flower Hill villa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.[25] Ochs is a mother of two children; son Adrian and daughter Penelope.[26] Ochs's close relationship with her family and friends, including her business partner Carly Cushnie, has played an integral role in shaping her personal and professional journey.[27]
Awards and recognition
edit- PARSONS Designer of the Year 2007.[28]
- Winner of the 2009 Ecco Domani Award.[29]
- Finalist for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.[30]
- Nominee for the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear.[17]
- Nominee for the 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award.[31]
- Named in Forbes 30 under 30.[32]
References
edit- ^ Lockwood, Lisa (2023-06-12). "Michelle Ochs Named Creative Director of Hervé Léger". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Donovan, Louise (2018-02-12). "The Duo Behind Cushnie Et Ochs Talk Zaha Hadid, Curves And Dressing Gal Gadot". ELLE. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Scheidnes, Jean (2009-01-05). "Ecco Domani Names Award Winners". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Benissan, Ezreen (2023-06-12). "Michelle Ochs Joins Hervé Léger to Revive the Bandage Dress Brand". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Campbell, Nicky. "Michelle Ochs is the New Creative Director at Hervé Léger". cfda.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Grechko, Irina. "Beyond The Bandage Dress: Michelle Ochs Is Taking Herve Leger Into A New Era". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Hendricks, Kaitlynn. "The state of fashion in the District". Elevation DC. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "US fashion world asks: where are all the black designers?". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ a b "Carly Cushnie & Michelle Ochs". Fashion Elite. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Michelle Ochs Appointed as Creative Director of Hervé Léger". Authentic Newsroom. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs Celebrate 10 Years". CR Fashion Book. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ WW, FashionNetwork com. "Michelle Ochs steps back from Cushnie et Ochs". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Travers, Alex (2014-12-04). "Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs on Doing More Than Sexy Cutouts". Fashionista. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Barrow, Delece Smith-. "Designer Michelle Ochs brings a D.C. flavor to New York Fashion Week". Washington Post.
- ^ "Cushnie et Ochs Was One of New York Fashion's Most Striking Young Brands, Now its Founders Are Fighting in Court". The Fashion Law. 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Carly & Michelle Of Cushnie et Ochs Take Us Behind The Scenes Of NYC's Coolest Label". Guest of a Guest. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ a b Lockwood, Lisa (2021-09-07). "EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Ochs Is Back in Business With Et Ochs Collection". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "michelle ochs-herve-leger-nyfw-first-collection". Vogue.
- ^ Manoff, Jill (2023-11-01). "Hervé Léger's Melissa Lefere-Cobb and Michelle Ochs on reviving the brand with 'product, price and PR'". Glossy. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Novato, Olivia (2023-06-12). "Must Read: Michelle Ochs Joins Hervé Léger, Former 'America's Next Top Model' Contestants Tell All". Fashionista. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ a b "Designer Michelle Ochs Is Back, And Her Second Coming ..." Vogue Philippines.
- ^ Barrow, Delece Smith. "Designer Michelle Ochs brings a D.C. flavor to New York Fashion Week". Washington Post.
- ^ "Et Ochs Spring/Summer 2022: Gorgeous Cut-Outs & Fit". Fashionality.nyc. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Bobb, rooke (2015-12-21). "Cushnie et Ochs's Michelle Ochs and Matthew Kopko's Destination Wedding in Jamaica". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Faz, Silvia (2015-12-21). "Michelle Ochs and Matthew Kopko's Jamaican Wedding". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Syrett, Alison (11 May 2023). "4 Fashion Designers On Style And Motherhood (& What They Think Of The Sad Beige Trend)". Romper.
- ^ "Matthew Kopko, '12: Marries Designer and Cofounder of Cushnie et Ochs, Michelle Ochs | University of Chicago Law School". www.law.uchicago.edu. 2015-12-28. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Mackin Cipro, Jessica. "Michelle Ochs: New Hervé Léger Creative Director Honored At Hamptons Fashion Week". Jameslane post.
- ^ Murg, Stephanie (2009-01-06). "Ecco Domani Announces Fashion Foundation Award Winners". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "The 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists". Vogue. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Michelle Ochs". fashionshow.fitnyc.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ Adams, Susan. "30 Under 30: The Bright Young Stars Of Art And Style". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-10.