FUR DESIGNER DENNIS BASSO: WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER

Text, Vivian G. Kelly


One of the highlights of attending last night’s FIT on the CATWALK, [Fashion Design Senior Collection 2009] was finally meeting fur king, designer DENNIS BASSO.
He was front row, with fellow FIT supporters/critics Nicole Miller. We took the opportunity to ask the jovial designer about his advice for graduating students and his various collections.
Like his contemporaries, Douglas Hannant and Ralph Rucci, Mr. Basso is uncompromising about the quality of his Collection garments. The “ladies” would never make do with less, after all.
Mr. Basso’s mission statement on his official website reads as follows,
“ …the combination of only the highest quality treatments on exotic materials and the most advance finishing techniques in the industry are generating limited products of unsurpassed standards and quality”.
THAT pertains to the Collection that Mr. Basso shows twice annually at New York Fashion Week. Then there’s the thriving QVC biz.


THE FASHION EXAMINER: It’s no secret that it’s tough out there. What advice do you have for graduating students?
DENNIS BASSO: That’s true, interestingly enough though; it’s not easy to be graduating in ANY profession, whether you’re a fashion designer, or an MBA.

TFE: Who’s going to make it?
D Basso: The most aggressive and talented will make it. It’s survival of the fittest.

TFE: Let’s talk about you. Are you toning down what you’re doing due to the times we’re going through?
D BASSO. No, I’m not toning it down. If anything, at this time what I make has to be even more fabulous and more interesting for her to get past her hesitation to spend. And the rewards are worth it, the rave reviews she gets about how great she looks.

TFE: A bank teller we know is in love with your Dennis Basso line for QVC. Are you enjoying doing that?

D BASSO: Yes! I’ve been doing it for 16 years, and that business is up. It’s extremely affordable and a great value. Where else can you get a Dennis Basso coat for $100?



To view more of Mr. Basso's work, visit
www.dennisbasso.com
www.qvc.com