Nanette Lepore - Fashion Designer

Nanette Lepore was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1972. One of the younger designers on the scene, she is still considered to be a great American designer who went from one small boutique in Los Angeles to several worldwide. She is known best for her collection of dresses and accessories that encompass her bohemian chic sensibility and style.

Nanette Lepore credits her mother's free spirit and father's artistic creativity as a painter for her talent, which they encouraged after she dressed a neighbor up in a gypsy quilt with face paint at the age of 9. Yearly trips along Route 66 to California made her feel like a gypsy and a traveler, two aesthetics that you can see in her designs even today.

After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Lepore moved to California and opened up her first store, while also selling her fashions to Neiman Marcus as well as Asian and European buyers.

After marrying painter Robert Savage, he encouraged her to open up a small design studio and branch out, which she did from the Garment District of New York City. Because of her mixture of bohemian parties and tireless work, she persevered and now has stores in such locales as Las Vegas, Tokyo and London.

By signing on with shoemaker Keds to design a line of footwear, Lepore has introduced herself to a new line of buyers and fans who appreciate her smart, easy-going designs and flair for prints and color.

At NanetteLepore.com, you can learn more about Nanette Lepore, view her collections, shop online or find a retailer near you. You can shop for Nanette Lepore at Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and a variety of boutiques around the country.

You can find the "Nanette Lepore for Keds" line at Keds.com (Visit Their Site), Nordstrom, Piperline, Zappos (Visit Their Website) and other online shoe retailers. The line includes canvas skimmers, sneakers and wedges in wonderful colors and prints.