Fashion designer looks for cool and comfort

Barbara Lesser, designer of casual contemporary sportswear and dresses, launched a highly successful business based on her own desire to look good yet remain comfortable during her hectic life. Whether setting a new season's color palette or shuttling her two teenagers across town, Lesser wants exactly what her customer has come to expect - comfort and ease of care in a beautiful, fashionable, feminine package. This innovative entrepreneur knows from experience that adapting to change and evolving a business to meet market demands is the way not only to survive, but also thrive in the fashion industry. But I knew her back in the day....

Even though we were college roommates, I don't remember why you went to Eastern Michigan University. Did you love fashion as a kid?

Absolutely! I was drawing dresses when I was really young and sewing Barbie doll clothes by hand. I got a sewing machine when I was about 8 years old and started making simple clothes for myself - I remember making a pair of corduroy culottes. Remember those? I always wanted to sew and make clothes and I never let go of that little girl dream.

When you went to EMU, were you an art major?

No, I followed my high school boyfriend there! I was a "nothing" major. When I found out everyone went there to become a teacher, I left!

Where did you go?

I went to Wayne State University because my parents lured me home with a car. I took home economics courses -- that's really what it was called then -- and I took a lot of sewing. I loved sewing and learned a great technique for sewing at Wayne State, but it was too home-ecky, too un-business like. I needed more than just an assignment to make myself an elegant, fabulous dress.

How did you end up in New York City?

I told my mother I wanted to go to New York City and she said, "Over my dead body." And the next year I was accepted to Pratt Institute! She came to terms with it; her sister also lived there and helped pay for my room and board. I had two years of academics and then it took me three years to finish. I studied hard and loved Pratt. I earned a BFA in fashion design.

Today young designers can go on the TV show "Project Runway." How did you start out?

I panicked when I was about to graduate, trying to figure out what to do, but I sorted it out and I had the credentials to do a good job so I went straight to Macy's. I went to the juniors department and wrote down the labels of all the names of clothes I liked. I took my list over to Broadway in the garment district and looked at the directories of all the biggest buildings, like 1400 and 1411, and found the names of the companies I had just written down. I went home, prepared a resume and picked up the phone. I started calling and asking if they needed anyone. I was scared!

It's funny -- that strategy still works! My daughter did the same thing this summer, only with photographers. Now you can search the Internet and it's even easier to find contacts. I never told her that was what I did, too!

How did you end up in California?

I was offered a job and moved to Los Angeles in July 1976. I moved to Venice Beach and worked for two years and then moved to San Francisco to work for Espirit. Eventually, I met my husband and together we figured out that we could work together, and so we started our own business. At 30 years old I had my own business, I had a son in 1986 and then a daughter in 1988. I was designing sportswear, coordinates -- it was a boutique business.

What inspires you today?

Today our sportswear division is called FIBERS by Barbara Lesser. You'll see pretty things, color, things that appeal to me; I get inspired by clothes themselves. I'm inspired by what I see, what I imagine, what I want to wear. Whatever the product, I always think about my customers. They are busy women who want fashion that is both cool and comfortable. I design clothes that are flattering to a variety of body types, and fabrics that fall primarily into the stretch category. Lifestyle, as well as fashion trends and exciting colors, are what I am all about.

I'm so lucky to have such a creative outlet. It's sometimes my downfall -- I am able to design and I love to design, and before you know it we have too much product!

What are your predictions for fashion for the boomers?

You know, everyone wants to look good! I want to produce items that are fashionable, comfortable, easy-care and high quality. You know life's too short... . I want women to enjoy their clothes. I want to make the best products possible and have as many laughs as I can, along the way.

On the Web

Barbara Lesser www.barbaralesser.com