FASHION
New York fashion
designer Jamie
Herzlinger continues the
tradition of her fashion
family.
Jamie Herzlinger wears her own creations.
Born To Fashion
J
CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ
Local Columnist
amie Herzlinger has
fashion in her blood.
Her grandfather,
Samuel Herzlinger
was a coat manufac-
turer in the late 1920s, while
her mother, Nan, designed
the first sportswear collection
for Abe Schraeder & Co.
"When you grow up in the
industry, it's like osmosis.
It's in your blood, and if you
are around it too long, that's
what you want to do," said
Herzlinger.
Although this third
generation fashion descen-
dant grew up in Great Neck,
N.Y., on Long Island, she
remembers going to her
grandfather's factory on
Seventh Avenue after
Shabbat. The Herzlinger
family was just one of the
many Jewish families dur-
ing the 1950s and '60s that
dominated the garment in-
dustry. Family friends of the
Herzlingers included fashion
giants Anne Klein and Betty
Hanson.
Fashion is still a family af-
fair for Jamie Herzlinger.
Her mom Nan is a consul-
tant for her design company,
the Herzlinger Collection,
62
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1989
which was launched in spr-
ing 1987.
Within a year her fashions
graced the windows of Henri
Bendel in New York. In May
1988 she was featured in the
New York Times and
Women's Wear Daily. Today
her clothes are sold
throughout the country in
department stores like Bon-
- wit Teller and Bullock's and
boutiques like Diane M in
Birmingham, where she re-
cently appeared to unveil
her fall collection.
Herzlinger describes
herself as a minimalist. This
season's collection has 26
wool jersey pieces in
neutrals — black, red, creme
— and for spice, she adds a
curry color. She explains
that the quality fabric is on
par with top designers
Donna Karan, Bill Blass and
Ralph Lauren
The silhouette is spare and
proportional, simple yet
sophisticated. A black and
oatmeal striped blazer looks
great with trousers and a
top. A red jersey pant or
skirt complements the V-
neck top and cinched waist.
Some of the buttons on the
Herzlinger collection, which
she purchased in Paris,
resemble antique jewelry.
All the separates mix and
match.
"I believe that everything
needs to have a function,"
she states. She reiterates the
philosophy of Italian
designer Gianfranco Ferre
that form follows function.
Herzlinger wants to be
known as a quality
American designer who
designs with an American
fit. "Who wants to feel that
you have to be anorexic or
bulimic to feel fashionable?"
said Herzlinger, referring to
clothes that have a skimpy
European fit. Herzlinger is a
bit zaftig at size 10 and
knows the importance of
clothes that fit.
She also aims to design
feminine clothes. Herzlinger
wants to target fashion con-
scious, educated women.
"My customer is a woman
who wants quality and
design. She's not a trend-
setter." Herzlinger believes
she offers classic styles with
pieces to build a wardrobe.
Herzlinger's customer has
to be able to afford her
prices: A jacket costs bet-
ween $450-$525, while pants
range from $300-$370 ; tops
are priced at $250 and up.
Although it's no surprise
Herzlinger is in the fashion
industry, her route was cir-
cuitous. When the family
moved to Arizona, she at-
tended Arizona State Uni-
A model wears Herzlinger's red wool jersey design.