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The First Designer
By Jenny Bailly
Michael Fairwho? That would likely have been your reaction to the name Michael Faircloth last year.
Today, however, his is practically a household name - all thanks to his long-time client Laura Bush's
ascendancy to First Lady status.
When Mrs. Bush sashayed into her husband's inaugural ball last January wearing a red crystal-embroidered
Chantilly lace gown of Faircloth's creation, she also brought the Dallas-based designer onto the national
fashion scene.
Now, he's solidifying his status with his first-ever runway show during New York Fashion Week. Faircloth's
premier ready-to-wear collection will debut on September 14th at 11am in the Studio at Bryant Park.
We tracked the designer down in Dallas just 10 days before his show to see how he's holding up under the pressure.
"I'm not nervous about the response," he explains calmly. "I'm just anxious about getting everything completed
in time."
Yet Faircloth also doesn't think he should wait any longer. "I'm not getting any younger for one thing,"
the 41-year-old laughs. On a more serious note, Faircloth asserts that he's "always wanted to have a ready-to-wear
collection and a presence in New York.
With all the media attention, this seemed like a really good time." He even admits that he expects to have
a permanent New York showroom within a year and is already planning the show for his fall collection.
Faircloth describes the new collection as "very ladylike." In fact, the collection of day suits, dresses,
eveningwear, and everything in between doesn't feature a single pair of pants. Yet he also insists that the
look will be young and spirited.
"The media will be quite surprised. It's a very young collection, younger than they've seen my work in the
past," he says. Of course, he admits, "You do have to be of a certain age to afford my clothes." The 51 pieces
will be priced wholesale from $900 to $6,000.
So will the long-time outfitter of Lone Star debutantes and social registrees put on a Texas-style show in
Manhattan next week? "No," he says quickly. "But it will be very spirited, upbeat, more of a lively show than
New York is used to - a lot more energy. There won't be a Texas feel though ... only Texas graciousness."
Those who have noticed Laura Bush's recent preference for her mother-in-law's favorite designer Arnold Scaasi
(he outfitted her for her recent European tour and she will wear one of his red gowns for her first state
dinner tonight) may wonder if there's been a cooling between Faircloth and the first lady.
But there are no hard feelings. "Mrs. Bush and I still have a wonderful relationship," says Faircloth in a
typical display of that Texas graciousness. "I'm excited that other designers are getting to meet her and
enjoy her warmth as I have."
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