Kay Unger

Kay Unger

Kay Unger in her design studio
Born (1945-05-22) May 22, 1945
Chicago, Illinois
 United States
Residence SoHo
New York, New York
Nationality American
Education Parsons The New School for Design Washington University
Occupation Fashion designer/Entrepreneur/Philanthropist
Labels Kay Unger New York;
Phoebe Couture;
Career Separates by Kay Unger;
Kay J’s by Kay Unger

Kay Unger is an American fashion designer. Until July 2012 she was the creative head and public face of Phoebe Company LLC and its brands; Kay Unger New York, Phoebe Couture, Unger by Kay Unger and Kay J’s by Kay Unger.[1] She has recently decided to focus on her philanthropy. Kay resides in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood where her two sons often come by to visit.[2]

Biography

Kay was born in Chicago, IL and first studied painting in the Fine Arts Program at Washington University (Missouri) before switching to design at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.[3]

Upon graduation from Parsons in the late 1960s, Kay worked as one of three apprentices for Geoffrey Beene.[3][4] After a year, she decided to develop her own line. Modeling the client after herself, Kay set out to fill a void in the fashion industry for “clean dinner dresses.” In 1972, along with her two business partners, Howard Bloom and Jon Levy, she founded The Gillian Group.[3] Kay sold her dresses under the Gillian label, where the group and its many divisions quickly became one of the largest suppliers of women’s apparel in America.[5] They grew into a $125 million company.[3]

Company/Brand History

15 days after closing the Gillian Group, Kay founded Phoebe Company LLC.[3] It was here where Kay established the line bearing her name, Kay Unger New York. She began by offering women colorful alternatives to the little black dress and other predictable fashion staples, drawing inspiration from both Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn among others.[6][7][8]

In 1999, Kay was inducted as a Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the WorldTM. In 2005 the company launched Kay J’s, a whimsical print pajama brand. In 2007, they launched Phoebe Couture, a more youthful and edgier line of dresses for day and evening.[6][9] Later that same year, they began opening Kay Unger and Phoebe Couture boutiques in China through a licensing agreement with the JT Group of Hong Kong.[10][11][12] In September 2008 Kay Unger New York Eyewear and Phoebe Couture Eyewear were launched.[13][14]

The $40 million company’s dresses, suits, and eyewear are currently sold in more than 24 countries including the U.K., Turkey, Brazil, Australia, and Spain.[1][11][12][15]

The Kay Unger New York and Phoebe Couture labels have been worn by Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Vanessa L. Williams, Tyra Banks, Kathie Lee Gifford, Paris Hilton, Dakota Fanning, Angela Bassett, and Marcia Cross.[3][12] Her designs have been featured on television programs including “Gossip Girl,” “The Sopranos,” “Ugly Betty," ”Pushing Daisies,” “30 Rock,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The Today Show,” “Sex in the City,” “Tim Gunn's Guide to Style,” and “Dancing with the Stars”.[15]

Kay prides herself on customer relationships.[5] She makes frequent in-store appearances where she offers advice on clothing flattery techniques and personal style.[8][14][16]

Kay is an active member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Additionally, she is on the Board of Directors as well as a Trustee at her alma mater, Parsons/The New School for Design, as well as a participant in their education program in the Dominican Republic, where she has traveled as a guest instructor.[1][4]

Kay Unger Design

After leaving her company Kay founded Kay Unger Design LLC. Kay Unger Design is a multidimensional company whose products range from clothing and shoes to home products. These designs have earned numerous patents. As the CEO of Kay Unger Design, Kay Unger is a popular lecturer on design and entrepreneurship. After forty years in the fashion world, she is an expert on the business of fashion, and on dressing women of all sizes and ages. Under the Kay Unger Design rubric, Unger has sold high-fashion sketches via art sales around the world. Unger has also made philanthropy a cornerstone of her life. She serves on the board of numerous non-profits, and is the founder of the Kay Unger Family Foundation, a group that has raised funds for cancer research and arts education.

Philanthropy

Unger, in May 2009

Kay has been a longtime member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, of which she also served as the first woman board member. Her passion for women’s causes led to her role as board member and founding member of The Committee of 200, an organization that advances women’s leadership in business, and the Women’s Campaign Fund.[1] A cancer survivor herself, Kay has a personal interest in funding cancer research and raised over $250,000 for cancer research while she served as the president of the Fashion Group International.[4] Today, she continues her efforts working with Stand Up To Cancer, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to accelerating cancer research while bringing new therapies to patients more quickly, by raising funds and awareness in the fashion industry.[1] On May 4, 2009, Kay Unger was recognized by City of Hope as a "Spirit of Life Award" recipient who has made notable contributions to her profession, her community, and her charitable causes.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Creative Marketing Plus. "Kay Unger - Fashion Designer and Philanthropist." Press release. New York, NY. Nov. 2008.
  2. ↑ Listfield, Emily. "Conquering Space." O at Home Summer 2007: 106-11. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cantando, Mary (2006). “The Woman's Advantage: 20 Women Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business”, p.91-94. Kaplan, USA. ISBN 1-4195-3571-4.
  4. 1 2 3 4 City Of Hope. "Hoda Kotb and Kay Unger to receive top philanthropic honor from City of Hope." Press release. New York, NY. 30 Mar. 2009.
  5. 1 2 Gruber, Roberta H. "Kay Unger." Fashion Encyclopedia. 25 Jan. 2009. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  6. 1 2 Wilson, Eric. "Merrily They Dress." The New York Times 20 Nov. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  7. ↑ Chatzky, Jean. "Episode 24." Oprah & Friends. XM Radio. 28 Aug. 2008. Oprah.com: Oprah & Friends. 28 Aug. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  8. 1 2 Smith, Samantha. "Questions about formal gowns? Unger answers." The News & Observer 13 Oct. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  9. ↑ Smith, Samantha. "Another reason to love Kay Unger: Phoebe Couture." Weblog post. The Fashion Plate. 6 Oct. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  10. ↑ Covert, James. "Fashion's Silk-Road Dream." New York Post 28 Dec. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  11. 1 2 Feitelberg, Rosemary. "Tadashi, Kay Unger Opening Asia Units." Women's Wear Daily 11 Aug. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  12. 1 2 3 Lieberman, Bari. "The Comeback Queen." PINK Magazine Feb. 2009. 4 Feb. 2009. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
  13. ↑ Nicola, Gloria. "It's All About the Visual Effects." 20/20 15 Mar. 2009: 22-26.
  14. 1 2 "Young, Thin, & Fabulous (yes, you!)." Woman's Day 5 May 2009: 62-66.
  15. 1 2 Creative Marketing Plus. "Phoebe Company's Global Strategy." Press release. New York, NY. Oct. 2008.
  16. ↑ Smith, Samantha. "Kay Unger coming back to Raleigh." Weblog post. The Fashion Plate. 24 Sept. 2008. Retrieved on 18 Feb. 2009
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