MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Tiffany Koury, Designer
Tiffany Koury embodies confidence and sophisticated elegance and makes every woman feel like a bombshell. Ms. Koury launched her eponymous line of dresses in 2005 and swimsuit line in 2008. Ms. Koury understands proportions and draping is one of her greatest skills. Ms. Koury’s goal is to help women express themselves with confidence and classic beauty to make every woman feel like a bombshell. For the past three years, Tiffany Koury has been the go-to designer for made-to-measure dresses and gowns for celebrities and socialites.
Ms. Koury’s collections have showed at the Forbes Family Private Gallery, Penthouse Eleven, 151 East 51st Street, and The National Arts Club during the Mercedes-Benz NYC fashion weeks.
Ms. Koury, voted one of the Top 10 Designers to Watch in 2006 by the Doneger Group, is inspired by both the cotillion culture of her youth and the timeless glamour of Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich. Channeling Ms. Koury’s designs is her unique professional and educational background. At 22 years old she graduated from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Fashion Design and Fabric Styling. Upon graduation she took a position in Istanbul, Turkey, designing for a New York based boutique for one year. Ms. Koury then returned to the U.S. to work as a production associate for two years at Polo Jeans then transferred to Ralph Lauren Corporate for another two years.
After working at Ralph Lauren, Ms. Koury was recruited by Bryan Norris of Nautica to oversee the creative merchandising men’s woven’s division for four years. She departed Nautica shortly after David Chu sold the company to VF Corporation to launch her fabulous retro dress collection.
Ms. Koury sits as an Honorary Board Member for the Sounds of Silence Foundation for the awareness of pregnancy and postpartum depression. The Sounds of Silence Foundation for the Awareness of Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression, mission is to advocate for the health of women, infants, children and families everywhere by breaking the stigma and the ‘sounds of silence’ a mother suffers from pregnancy and postpartum depression, and she is also on the board of redlightchildren.org.
Peachy Deegan interviewed Tiffany Koury for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: When did you realize you wanted to be a designer?
Tiffany Koury: When I was fourteen, my fashion design teacher recognized me as a prodigy. She highly encouraged me to enroll in a summer program for high school students at The Fashion Institute of Technology when I was sixteen. Once I spent that summer in NYC, I knew this was the career choice for me.
What is your favorite piece that you have designed?
I would have to say my Lucille and Vivien gowns. They each have such a timeless glamour to them with very intricate and stunning details.
Which experience working for others in fashion shaped you the most before you went out on your own and why?
I always knew I wanted to launch my own label, and working for others allowed me to gain the knowledge in order to venture out on my own. After working at Nautica in men's wovens for four years I knew it was time to branch out.
How would you describe your styles to someone that has not seen them before?
My styles are romantic and inspired by the early Hollywood sirens! Lace, silk, and pearls are favorites of mine that I consistently work into my designs. I want to make women feel like they are glowing at all times of the day or night. My grandmother was truly the one who influenced my style. She was always dressed in timeless silhouettes. This inspired me to launch a collection that is reminiscent to her style and to the style of the early Hollywood bombshells.
Are all of your items bespoke?
Currently, I am approaching my business similar to that of Charles James. Therefore, I stick to custom pieces as I like to establish relationships with my clients. I find this very fulfilling, yet playful as well. My motto is, "Come and play dress up with TK."
What kind of dresses are the most challenging to design?
I love working on the bias as Vionnet was famous for. However, it can be tremendously difficult at times due to the draping involved.
What bathing suits are hottest for 2009?
I would have to say my retro suits trimmed with tonal lace and Swarovski crystals or pearls. My favorite style this season is the bombshell booty short with ruching and lace ties. This is such a flattering style for everyone. I also favor Deep V one-pieces this year in classic cuts from the 1950's.
What is your favorite place to be in NYC?
At home with my fabulous fiancé Marten Kayle and our two precious Shih Tzu's, Axl Rose and Cody.
What is your favorite shop?
Barney's and Bergdorf's are at the top of my list mainly because of the extensive selection of immaculate brands, but I most often prefer to wear TK.
What is your favorite drink?
Rose Champagne
What is your favorite restaurant?
Daniel
What is your favorite NYC book?
The Bombshell Manual of Style
What is your favorite thing to do in NYC that you can do nowhere else?
Visiting the museums here of course!
What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
The most underrated is taking a horse drawn carriage in Central Park. The most overrated are Broadway musical shows!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
It is my goal to make women feel confident and beautiful with what they wear, and I will always strive to bring out the inner bombshell in every woman through my work.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
via email at info@tiffanykoury.com
