The Business Of Fashion

Thirty-two years after launching their now-iconic fashion label, Badgley Mischka, designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka continue to create dazzling, timeless gowns for the A-list. 

Oprah Winfrey, Kate Winslet, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Helen Mirren and Halle Berry have all graced the red carpet in the brand’s eveningwear.

In the ever-changing fashion industry, Badgley credits the duo’s continued success to remaining true to their original vision of designing figure-flattering clothes that allow women to look beautiful and feel glamorous. 

“Our brand is based on traditional luxury. We don’t always follow trends or try to be everything to everyone,” Badgley says of their evening gowns, which are largely inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. “There’s no bigger compliment than having a woman choose to wear one of our evening gowns.”

In addition to red carpet styles, Badgley Mischka has branched out to include sportswear, daywear, footwear, swimwear, bridal and fashion accessories, sold in Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and the flagship Badgley Mischka store in Beverly Hills.

The evolution was driven by the busy lifestyles of the brand’s clientele, Mischka notes: “Women today not only want to look beautiful; they also want comfort and practicality. The fabrics we’re using today are softer and more stretchable than in years past.”

Partners In Work And Life

Badgley and Mischka first met in 1982 while attending classes at Parsons School of Design in Manhattan but didn’t start dating until after they graduated in 1985. After spending 28 years together, the two tied the knot in Manhattan in 2013, shortly after same-sex marriage became legal.

While some couples might find it challenging to share their personal and professional lives, Badgley and Mischka believe it only strengthens their business and bond.

“I think it would be very hard to be in this business and to not have a supportive partner to lean on like we do,” Badgley says. “The fashion industry moves at such a fast pace, and, once you’ve finished one collection, you’re on to the next. It’s so nice to have someone that shares your same vision and philosophy and that you can bounce ideas off of.”

Mischka adds that the two share a large desk at work, where they sit facing each other. 

“We both love what we do, and working together allows us to be in two places at one time,” he says with a laugh.

Despite spending quality time together, the two do have separate interests. Badgley has maintained a lifelong love of horses and had ridden and shown them up until he began college. Then, after attending a horse show 20 years ago, Badgley decided to return to riding and now competes as a hunter rider in equestrian shows across the country. 

“Riding has always been a great stress-reducer for me,” he says. 

One show they regularly attend is the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, not far from their home in Palm Beach.

Inspired By South Florida

The design duo, both 59, enjoy spending time at their Palm Beach home and credit living in South Florida for having an impact on their fashion line. 

“Fall/winter fashion collections used to be so heavy,” Badgley says. “Early on in our collection, we introduced seasonless fabric weights that allow women to transition effortlessly from one season to the next.”

Plus, their vibrant color palette echoes the bold hues of the tropics. A case in point is the spring 2020 line, which was full of bright florals and shades of tangerine and lilac. 

“Living in Florida and experiencing an incredible year-round climate has definitely played a role in our use of colors and the weightless, simple designs of our dresses,” Badgley says. 

During the recent COVID-19 lockdown, as the two sheltered-in-place in Palm Beach, Badgley used the time to indulge his love of sketching and created a series of illustrations. He says the sketches are based on the moods, emotions and hopes everyone has been experiencing during the pandemic.

“We posted Mark’s sketches on our Instagram page, and people loved them,” Mischka says. “As a result, we thought it would be great if we could sell them to benefit a worthy cause. We put all 35 sketches on our website as part of an online auction through eBay for Charity, and 100 percent of the proceeds went directly to Feeding America’s food assistance programs.”

Philanthropy is an important part of Badgley Mischka. When the designers opened their flagship store two years ago, they donated a percentage of sales to the Red Cross to help those affected by the California wildfires. They have also donated ball gowns, handbags and shoes to fundraisers for charities close to their hearts, such as Danny and Ron’s Rescue, a dog rescue and sanctuary in Wellington.

While the couple is known for fashion expertise, they also have a keen eye for home design. Two years ago, they launched a home furnishings collection. Their three dachshunds – Rommel, Whiskey and Wally – also inspired the design of several luxury pet beds.

Next up for the designers is a venture into the real estate market. The Real Deal reported in April that Badgley Mischka inked a deal to brand boutique residential and hospitality projects in California, Florida and New York.

As with Badgley Mischka’s other endeavors, expect the branded properties to reflect the designers’ unique style.

As Mischka says: “There’s a thread of glamour in everything we do.” O