“I’d like to have a national presence,’’ says Boston-based designer Daniela Corte.
G FORCE | DANIELA CORTE
Beyond Newbury Street
“I’d like to have a national presence,’’ says Boston-based designer Daniela Corte.
Newbury Street designer Daniela Corte has been outfitting local women in her sporty line of dresses and tees for the past nine years, but beginning this fall, she is looking to move her business beyond Boston. The Argentine-born Corte was chosen to show her clothes at New York’s Fashion Coterie in September, where national stores and major department stores look for potential new lines to sell. In addition to showing at Coterie, Corte is busy preparing for Boston Fashion Week, where she’ll show at the new W Hotel. She also recently added a line of swimsuits to her eponymous clothing label. We caught up with Corte earlier this week by phone from the British Virgin Islands, where she was taking a break from her hectic schedule. CHRISTOPHER MUTHER
Q. It’s very exciting that you’re going to be showing in New York.
A. It’s not Fashion Week, but Coterie is the trade show where designers show their lines to be picked up in stores. It’s a process of judging to get picked to show there, so I was really thrilled. It happens two times a year, in September and February.
Q. Are there any particular stores you’re hoping will carry your line?
A. I’d love to be in Barneys or [Henri] Bendel. Because my dresses are very Miami or California, I think they would be a good fit at Kitson. I also think Intermix would also be another place I’d like to see them sold. Right now I’m at Stil and Gretta Luxe. I’d like to have a national presence, it’s something we’ve been thinking about and working toward for a while.
Q. You recently added swimsuits to your line, what prompted the decision?
A. We’ve been making bikinis for over five years on special order. People who bought them have come back year after year, so I think that’s part of the reason why we decided to put them in the line. Also, one of the things that frustrated me was that it’s always hard to find a matching coverup for a bikini. You’d go through all the trouble to find a suit that fits well and flatters your body, and then you have to start all over again looking for a matching coverup. So I wanted to make a line that included the bikini and the matching coverup.
Q. Why do you think women have such a love-hate relationship with bathing suits?
A. Part of it is the time investment. You have to be in the right state of mind and you have to spend a lot of time finding the perfect fit. But I also think some of it has to do with living in the Northeast. In warmer climates, you’re used to wearing bathing suits more often. Here, we cover ourselves up nine months of the year. When we finally put on a bathing suit we feel very exposed.
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