Rich in experience that spans both the
business and artistic sides of running a design
label, Holly Morgan's newly launched self titled
label has produced a Fall collection that can
only be described as brilliant.

With wisdom and knowledge on her side
Morgan is posed to be one of the next great
American fashion icons.
You were the mastermind behind the designs of some
top junior labels such as Rampage, XOXO and
Contempo Casuals. How did your experience working
with mass-market brands contribute to your ability to
create and design a high-end designer label?
In the junior mass market, product is driven by price and
trend. In order to achieve success in juniors, you have to
possess extreme organizational skills as well as a
strong business sense to be able to handle the amount
of product that the market demands.  You have to be on
top of trends and have the ability to forecast, since timing
is everything in juniors. Also as a designer, you have to
be extremely creative, since you are limited due to price
restrictions. The business experience I learned in this
market has led to an easy transition in starting my own
line. As a designer I am no longer restrained because of
price and trend. I am able to concentrate on quality, and
not quantity. I am now free to design beautiful clothes
from an authentic place rather then have to be told by the
market what to create.
You are currently based in California. Has your extensive fashion career taken you to other locations on
assignment, and if so where? What city or cities do you feel inspire your creativity?
Yes, the one thing I love about this industry has been the travel. I have consistently traveled to Europe. Paris,
St Tropez, Milan, Florence, Rome, London, Amsterdam, to name a few. I have gone to see factories in Hong
Kong and India. I have done photo shoots in Aspen, Death Valley, Paris, and Morocco.  Anytime I can get out
of the office and experience other cultures, I get inspired. Italy and France are probably my favorite. The
immense beauty of these countries brings out a ton of inspiration for my line.
Your line proudly produces and manufactures your
designs solely in Los Angeles. What unique features
about Los Angeles apparel manufacturing and textile
techniques have been a factor in your commitment to
the area?
I think it is important to support our community. In my
early days of XOXO, we made everything in Los Angeles.
Then price started to become an issue, so the market
moved to China. It was a really hard transition. When I
started Holly Morgan, I wanted a more hands on
approach. You loose control when you are producing in
another country. I wanted to make sure for Holly Morgan
since it is a new label that I have more control over the
production process.
What fashion era do you absolutely adore, and why?
I absolutely love the 20s and the 40s. The glamour and
the femininity were so present in those decades. I love
the beads, the feathers, and the fringe of the twenties. I
admire the tailored fitted but always feminine and
strong suits of the forties.
How would you characterize the signature
“Holly Morgan” style? How much of your
own personal style is reflected in your
designs?
I am a beach girl and a mother of three active
boys but I still want to look glamorous. I like
taking dressy elements and pairing that back
to something casual. Like a long flowing silk
dress with flip-flops or a great silk blouse with
your favorite jeans. I love being a woman and
embrace my femininity. I believe sexy comes
from within, so I never attempt to dress sexy. I
do design for myself. When I design, I always
ask myself,  "Would I wear that?”
What specific pop culture trends influenced your Fall
collection?
We are facing some difficult times in our country and
globally. As a collective whole, I believe we are all in
agreement that things need to change in order to
continue to evolve. With the seriousness of the world,
and all the negative energy comes a desperate need for
lightness. People have been escaping through reality
shows, music and the Internet.  I want women to feel
light and fun with my collection!
Purple is one of the power colors for
Fall seen on the runways worldwide.
FashionQandA.com is keen on your
take and hue selection of this
versatile color. We get many
questions from our readers on how
the industry as a whole decides what
colors are “in” each season. What is
your personal process when
selecting color palates for your
collections?
I love color. My collection will always
be inspired by rich colors. Sometimes
a color just feels right. Purple has so
many wonderful hues and works so
well against grey and black. It is
feminine but yet such a strong and fun
color. There are many color services
that will offer a direction for designers.
Also, a lot of the textile companies will
offer direction. I like to go to Premiere
Vision, which is a huge fabric show in
Paris. There you can see certain
trends in color. I do look at trends but
at the end of the day the color has to
feel right and work with the design. My
color choices though can come from
many different inspirations. Right now
I am feeling RED. It is a very powerful
color! My spring line that I am currently
working on came from interior design
elements.  
What is your go-to piece in your closet?
I am a designer and need constant change
so I never rely on one item. What is consistent
is the style that is behind the wardrobe.
Everyone should find that first and then buy
pieces that fit who you are. I do think it is
important to have a few staples that fit great
and never go out of fashion, like a black pant,
a great white shirt, cashmere sweater and
great fitting jean.
What three things would people be surprised to know about you as a
person?
1) I want to write a book 2) I pretend I can’t cook so I won’t have too! 3) I
detest polka dots!
What are your short- and long-term goals for the line?
Short term goals are to continue to design beautiful product that will be
inspirational for my customers. I want them to feel beautiful when they are
wearing Holly Morgan. Long term would to be able to build the collection into
a lifestyle brand and have other product offerings like shoes, handbags,
jewelry etc. I have a huge passion for interior design so I would love to get
into home products!
You have accomplished so much thus far in your career: designer,
merchandiser, entrepreneur, as well as a brick and mortar store owner.
What other career or personal achievements do you see yourself still
trying to accomplish?
I constantly want to challenge myself in all aspects of my life so I can grow
as a person. I never know where life is going to take me but I want to enjoy
every moment of it. Since having children, you realize how fast life goes. I try
to just be with today and not worry about tomorrow.