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Michelle Ochs

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Michelle Ochs
Born
Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materParsons School of Design
OccupationFashion designer
Years active2005–present
Title
Founder of Et Ochs
SpouseMatthew Kopko

Michelle Ochs is an American fashion designer.[1] She has designed for Michelle Obama, Gal Gadot, Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Lopez.[2]

She is the winner of the 2009 Ecco Domani Award, a finalist for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a nominee for the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear and 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award, and Forbes 30 under 30.[3]

She has been an active member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 2012.[4]

In 2023, she was named Creative Director of Hervé Léger.[5]

She is also the founder and creative director of ET OCHS, which was launched in 2021.[6]

Early life and education

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She was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and completed a military high school education.[7] She is of mixed German and Filipino heritage.[8]

Ochs attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design.[9] She received the Designer of the Year award in 2007.[10]

During her time at Parsons, she worked as a design intern for Marc Jacobs before moving on to Isaac Mizrahi's Made to Order.[9] She interned at Chado Ralph Rucci's workshop during her senior year of high school, where she learned firsthand about the couture processes.[11]

Career

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Ochs, along with her partner Carly Cushnie, established their fashion brand Cushnie et Ochs in 2008 following their graduation from Parsons New School for Design.[12]

Her inaugural runway shows for Spring 2009, the duo has garnered Critical acclaim, Her debut collection for Spring 09 was exclusively retailed at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.[13]

In 2012, at just 27 years old, Ochs experienced a pivotal moment when a stylist from Michelle Obama's office reached out to their brand to design a dress for the First Lady.[14]

In 2018, it was announced that she abruptly left the company.[15] During her time at Cushnie et Ochs, she designed for Karlie Kloss, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Michelle Obama, Reese Witherspoon, and Diane Kruger.[16]

In 2021, Ochs founded her eponymous label, ET OCHS; she Partnered with JS Group, a Canadian family-run business, and Ochs debuted her first spring collection via a virtual show on the CFDA's Runway360.[17]

In 2023, she was appointed as the creative director of Hervé Léger; her debut collection at New York Fashion Week focused on adding dimension, movement, and fluidity to the brand's signature bandage dresses, expanding into streamlined separates like pants, jumpsuits, and tops.[18]

Drawing inspiration from the brand's extensive archives,[19] Ochs has Infused modern touches into classic designs,Taking the reins in 2023, she has revitalized the label known for its signature bandage dress,[20] introducing contemporary updates and expanding its offerings beyond the famed silhouette.[21]

Style and inspiration

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She is known for using style and attention to detail; Ochs's style is characterized by sleek lines and silhouettes.[22]

Ochs's aesthetic is characterized by staples that blur the line; she focused on tailoring and uses stretch fabrics to create silhouettes.[23]

She has a knack for incorporating innovative elements into her collections, such as wire-filled hems for moldable silhouettes and sweater dresses crafted from recycled yarns.[21]

Personal life

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She married Matthew Kopko in July 2015.[24] The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony held at the Flower Hill villa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.[25] Ochs is a mother of two children; son Adrian and daughter Penelope.[26] Ochs's close relationship with her family and friends, including her business partner Carly Cushnie, has played an integral role in shaping her personal and professional journey.[27]

Awards and recognition

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References

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  1. ^ Lockwood, Lisa (2023-06-12). "Michelle Ochs Named Creative Director of Hervé Léger". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  2. ^ Donovan, Louise (2018-02-12). "The Duo Behind Cushnie Et Ochs Talk Zaha Hadid, Curves And Dressing Gal Gadot". ELLE. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  3. ^ Scheidnes, Jean (2009-01-05). "Ecco Domani Names Award Winners". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  4. ^ Benissan, Ezreen (2023-06-12). "Michelle Ochs Joins Hervé Léger to Revive the Bandage Dress Brand". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  5. ^ Campbell, Nicky. "Michelle Ochs is the New Creative Director at Hervé Léger". cfda.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  6. ^ Grechko, Irina. "Beyond The Bandage Dress: Michelle Ochs Is Taking Herve Leger Into A New Era". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  7. ^ Hendricks, Kaitlynn. "The state of fashion in the District". Elevation DC. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  8. ^ "US fashion world asks: where are all the black designers?". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  9. ^ a b "Carly Cushnie & Michelle Ochs". Fashion Elite. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  10. ^ "Michelle Ochs Appointed as Creative Director of Hervé Léger". Authentic Newsroom. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  11. ^ "Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs Celebrate 10 Years". CR Fashion Book. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  12. ^ WW, FashionNetwork com. "Michelle Ochs steps back from Cushnie et Ochs". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  13. ^ Travers, Alex (2014-12-04). "Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs on Doing More Than Sexy Cutouts". Fashionista. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  14. ^ Barrow, Delece Smith-. "Designer Michelle Ochs brings a D.C. flavor to New York Fashion Week". Washington Post.
  15. ^ "Cushnie et Ochs Was One of New York Fashion's Most Striking Young Brands, Now its Founders Are Fighting in Court". The Fashion Law. 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  16. ^ "Carly & Michelle Of Cushnie et Ochs Take Us Behind The Scenes Of NYC's Coolest Label". Guest of a Guest. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  17. ^ a b Lockwood, Lisa (2021-09-07). "EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Ochs Is Back in Business With Et Ochs Collection". WWD. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  18. ^ "michelle ochs-herve-leger-nyfw-first-collection". Vogue.
  19. ^ Manoff, Jill (2023-11-01). "Hervé Léger's Melissa Lefere-Cobb and Michelle Ochs on reviving the brand with 'product, price and PR'". Glossy. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  20. ^ Novato, Olivia (2023-06-12). "Must Read: Michelle Ochs Joins Hervé Léger, Former 'America's Next Top Model' Contestants Tell All". Fashionista. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  21. ^ a b "Designer Michelle Ochs Is Back, And Her Second Coming ..." Vogue Philippines.
  22. ^ Barrow, Delece Smith. "Designer Michelle Ochs brings a D.C. flavor to New York Fashion Week". Washington Post.
  23. ^ "Et Ochs Spring/Summer 2022: Gorgeous Cut-Outs & Fit". Fashionality.nyc. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  24. ^ Bobb, rooke (2015-12-21). "Cushnie et Ochs's Michelle Ochs and Matthew Kopko's Destination Wedding in Jamaica". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  25. ^ Faz, Silvia (2015-12-21). "Michelle Ochs and Matthew Kopko's Jamaican Wedding". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  26. ^ Syrett, Alison (11 May 2023). "4 Fashion Designers On Style And Motherhood (& What They Think Of The Sad Beige Trend)". Romper.
  27. ^ "Matthew Kopko, '12: Marries Designer and Cofounder of Cushnie et Ochs, Michelle Ochs | University of Chicago Law School". www.law.uchicago.edu. 2015-12-28. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  28. ^ Mackin Cipro, Jessica. "Michelle Ochs: New Hervé Léger Creative Director Honored At Hamptons Fashion Week". Jameslane post.
  29. ^ Murg, Stephanie (2009-01-06). "Ecco Domani Announces Fashion Foundation Award Winners". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  30. ^ "The 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists". Vogue. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  31. ^ "Michelle Ochs". fashionshow.fitnyc.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  32. ^ Adams, Susan. "30 Under 30: The Bright Young Stars Of Art And Style". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
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