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NEW YORK STYLE: STACY MORGENSTERN

Stacy Morgenstern is the Chicago native turned Manhattan resident and founder of the hip clothing line DEESH Designs.

The idea behind it all was dressing the all-natural, feminine and simply gorgeous girl; whose priority is comfort yet desires style.

Morgenstern seems to have always known what her goals were, and she is a living example that going for your dream is the key to success. Early on, playing dress up was commonplace. Later, during college at UW-Madison, she earned a triple major in Fashion Design, Retail and Business. Once settled in New York, her projects crystallized. The culmination of this fashion conscious path is DEESH Designs, a well thought out winning idea, which caught the eye of the girl next door and the girl on the cover. It is a brand offering a spectrum of designs for an assorted clientele. Cinch-ribbon details are among Morgenstern’s essentials, along with panel skirts, sparkly trimmed blazers and baby t-shirts are also available. The brand’s VIP product is the widely recognizable Boy Meets Girl signature design logo. It is something that everyone wants to own.

Feel like being captivated? Check out www.deeshdesigns.com

This Woman of Style shares a few of her tips, tricks, and tastes.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Give us a little insight as to what type of woman is a DEESH gal.
STACY MORGENSTERN: A DEESH gal is fresh, flirty, an individual with a free flowing, classic and confident spirit. A DEESH gal is fashionable without falling victim to every fashion trend.

FM: Describe your signature style.
SM: I would have to say that my style is the same as noted above, with a vintage twist.

FM: Define the style in Manhattan. What do you think about the style in Chicago?
SM: Manhattan is filled with personal expression. It is a melting pot for so many ethnicities and talents. Thus, the style ranges from punk to classic, vintage to prep or a mix of them all because in NYC, really anything goes!

In the City of Chicago the feeling is similar to NYC. However, the Midwest has a slower reaction to the newest looks and trends. So, whatever is “Hot” in NY takes a few months to get to Chicago.

FM: According to you, which woman has impeccable style and why?
SM: Kate Moss, who dresses with a vintage yet classic and sexy feel. She is a woman that does not try too hard and never appears on a page in a magazine that's bearing a fashion don’t! She has the ability to adapt into the setting, yet always makes a statement when she walks into a room with a flair of her own personal style shining through.

FM: What women in which city worldwide have the best style? Where is your favorite place to travel and why?
SM: London. I studied for a year in London (8 years ago!) and worked under the great Zandra Rhodes. I think the city is beautiful and filled with unique, smart, fresh and witty people.

I love the clean, charming parks and the Pubs that are a part of London’s daily lifestyle, creating an environment that allows for work and play. The style is a classic mix of vintage, traditional, sexy and fun. The convenient stores are like little nooks and crannies where you can find interesting items everywhere. The flea markets are amazing.

FM: Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought? Is it something you just have?
SM: I think style is something that a person has and develops, with or without money …your personal style is a portrait of your personality; an expression of your own innate glamour. However, there are a lot of people who do pay for style, simply by hiring a stylist or purchasing the most expensive or the most “now” brands. Due to this, they can be perceived as a stylish woman. This does not make them unique or an individual, which I feel style is all about.

FM: What key fashion pieces do you always have in your wardrobe?
SM: a. DEESH solid 2x1 solid satin cinch tank, which comes in a plethora of colors. It is my basic item that goes under and over anything I wear.

b. A classic pair of Jeans (my new favorite is Paige Jeans...I get so many compliments on my butt in these!) I feel you always need a great jean to go with all DEESH tops.

c. A perfect pair of Black pants. Mine are from HM London, purchased 8 years ago. The fit is amazing and they are versatile. I can wear them to a trade show or to a fancy dinner. I call them my “go to” black pants. Everyone needs a pair of these.

d. DEESH Boy Meets Girl® grey with black faces short sleeve shirt. This is perfect under a blazer with a cute necklace.

e. My everyday gold dangle earrings. They are light and wearable.

f. My vintage butterfly necklace. The butterfly charm signifies a deep connection I hold with my grandmother. At the time of her passing, a monarch butterfly landed on my shoulder. Every year around the same time, the same monarch finds its way to my side. It gives me the feeling that she is watching over me.

g. Vintage belts, one in black and one in light brown. I wear them with everything.

h. My DEESH couture comfort twill black blazer made in our 2002 first season line. I wear it over everything and will be bringing it back to DEESH soon.

i. Summer – my reef flip-flops & Winter- my brown boots with floral detail that I bought 12 years ago. They are comfortable, vintage inspired and durable (with a few re-soleings)!!

j. My new engagement ring!!!

k. I hope to say one day my Missioni pants!!

FM: What is your biggest fashion vice?
SM: Yard sale vintage finds

FM: What are your favorite shops in Manhattan? Chicago?  How about worldwide?
SM: Manhattan: Bergdorf Goodman. It was the first store that bought DEESH in 2002.

Chicago : E Street Denim –although I am a Chicago city native (and tend to make fun of my burbie friends out of pure kindness) this store is a great choice for the latest and greatest in denim.

Worldwide: Juju & Moxie, the best Vintage store in Madison, Wisconsin!

FM: What's a fashion no-no when attending special events, galas and more? Any tips for getting ready for an event?
SM: Definitely have fun, but try not to drink too much. You don’t want to make a fool out of yourself at special events.

When getting ready I always make sure that I know what I am wearing the day before the event. This way I am not rushed when I am actually getting ready and know that I will be comfortable and confident for the sure-to-be amazing night ahead of me!

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
SM: That my favorite movies are Herald and Maude and Airplane!

FM: What are your own personal standards of beauty? And, what are your standards for style?
SM: Beauty has to come from within...that is the only standard...and wearing minimal makeup. Why hide natural beauty? In style, do what you love. Incorporating what’s hot and being ahead of the trend is always good, but don’t let it consume your personal creativity. Always wear “pieces of yourself,” whether it be a charm bracelet handed down as a family heirloom, your favorite pair of almost-worn-out jeans or any other item that is personally your style.

FM: What’s next for DEESH?
SM: To keep growing in the DEESH formula categories Boy Meets Girl, Couture Comfort and DEESH ribbon Cinch and to stay true to what DEESH does best!

Also, DEESH is linking up with an accessory designer soon to launch a Boy Meets Girl charm line!!

Check out the growth of DEESH Boy Meets Girl personalization carried on www.shopintuition.com as well as www.deeshdesigns.com

Intro by Kasia Koniar, Interview by Melissa Maynard