Tory Burch

Tory Burch recently won big at the CFDA awards in accessories design, beating out Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. Not too shabby for a socialite-turned designer!

Tory Burch was born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in New York City. She launched her brand in 2004, although she has worked in fashion (but not design) for all of her career, including stints at Harper's Bazaar, Vera Wang, and Ralph Lauren.

Burch's aesthetic and inspiration comes from the 1960s and 1970s, and her style is also influenced by photography, art, vintage clothing, etc. Her designs are a mix of classic and modern, with some bohemian elements thrown into the mix. She hopes to cater to a sophisticated American aesthetic.

In addition to winning in accessories design at the 2008 CFDA awards, Burch has also won an award for Accessory Brand Launch of the year in 2007 from the Accessories Council of Excellence. In 2005, she received the Rising Star Award for best new Retail Concept from the Fashion Group International.

To see Tory Burch collections, click here.

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