Trendy Fashion Report: Designer Stephen Burrows Struts Down Memory Lane

Stephen Burrows has had the kind of career that necessitates a momentous and nostalgic case study. How does one remain so firmly grounded in an industry that is dictated by lovely chaos and constant restlessness?

Burrows will have the opportunity to visually interpret his vibrant biography this Thursday when a retrospective of his work graces the interiors of the Museum of the City of New York.

He has painstakingly selected the pieces that best illustrate his lifelong mantra of effortless chic with the right amount of zing to command the endearing attention.

The sundry exhibition titled; “Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced”, is also an homage to his appreciation of music which explains why he chose “Up The Ladder to the Roof” by The Supremes as the soundtrack for the upcoming festivities.

His love for New York City is glaringly apparent. Whether it was the climatically charged club scene or the creative fusion of the bustling boroughs, all the various elements systematically bonded to help provide the stimulants he needed during the experimental phase.

He has played with the best of them; Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass and Anne Klein, can all count him as a once valued teamster, which was demonstrated when they participated in the legendary “Battle of Versailles” which pitted them against their European contemporaries, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Emanuel Ungaro. Burrows impressively managed to make his mark despite the threatening names around him.

The Seventies was admittedly his favorite era, due largely to the laid-back atmosphere and tolerant mindset. This probably explains why he won the Coty Award during that decade, making him the first African-American designer to be bequeathed the honor.

Since closing the doors to his business in 1982 to care for his sickly father an brother, Burrows has remained for the most part shielded from the glares of the spotlight. His private clientele were still fortunate enough to partake of his magic portion from time to time.

And it looks like there will be more good stuff to come since it has been confirmed that Burrows and his brand manager Mary Gleason are intently speaking to potential investors in the hopes of securing funding for the launch of a 2014 collection.

We can hardly wait!