Draft:Gordon Henderson (fashion designer)

Gordon Henderson (born 1957) is an American fashion designer for Calvin Klein. Henderson has exclusive collections with Saks Fifth Avenue. Henderson was also a Creative Director on the Katie Brown Show.[1]

Early Life

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Gordon Henderson born March 19, 1957, in San Joaquin Valley, California. He is the son of Gordon Henderson Sr and Yvonne Simmons [2] Henderson's father left him and his mother at a young age.[2] Despite this, Henderson motivation never gave up. Henderson's mother said that he showed an interest in fashion at a young age.[3][4] He learned to sew by watching his mother create dresses for herself from Vogue patterns.[3] By the time he reached high school, Henderson was stitching his own jackets, pants, and shirts.[2]

After high school, Henderson considered becoming a doctor at UC Davis but ultimately went into fashion and transferred to New York City’s Parsons School of Design.[4][2] Henderson graduated in 1984 and became an assistant to Calvin Klein, where he learned the importance of precision and consistency in design.[2]

Career

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Drawing inspiration from Klein's approach, Henderson developed his own unique style, focusing on creating versatile and accessible clothing for women.[4] In 1990, Henderson gained widespread recognition when he received the Perry Ellis Award for best new fashion design talent.[2][4] His success continued with the launch of his own fashion line, "But Gordon," which offered affordable yet stylish clothing options.[2] Henderson's commitment to providing fashionable, yet practical garments resonated with consumers, leading to significant sales and industry acclaim.[2]

In 1992, Henderson secured an exclusive partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue.[4][2][5] This collaboration allowed Henderson to expand his reach and further establish himself as a prominent figure in the fashion industry making his products available in stores. His focus on affordability and versatility has made him a favorite among consumers seeking fashionable yet practical clothing options.[2] One of his less know lines is his bespoke line which launched when he designed John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s wedding suit for his marriage to Carolyn Bessette.[4][5]

Between 1997 and 1998, Henderson was Creative Director for the Katie Brown Show.[1] The program ran thirteen episodes.[1] He designed the wardrobe for Katie Brown. He also appeared as a guest on the show.[1]

Between 2008 and 2011, Henderson branched out into interior design in Bainbridge Island, Washington and New York.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Henderson, G. (2024). Founder/designer - gordon henderson custom. linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-henderson-2a39102a
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gordon Henderson | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  3. ^ a b Murphy, Nicole (2022-02-17). "Celebrating the Impact of Black Fashion Designers". Aspire. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "28 Days of Black Fashion History: Gordon Henderson". 383designstudionyc. 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  5. ^ a b Blazio-Licorish, Tonya; Anyanwu, Obi; Blazio-Licorish, Tonya (2020-07-15). "Equal Measure: Moving the Conversation Forward". WWD. Retrieved 2024-04-22.