Designer Profile - Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves

With summer right around the corner, swimsuit season is swiftly upon us. Thankfully, Charleston based designer Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves will make sure you’re the best dressed gal on the beach. The designer behind the line marysia CHARLESTON is originally from Poland and has traveled the world, yet makes the Lowcountry her home base. She primarily designs swimwear for women and children, but also has beach cover-ups “that are not your typical tunics,” says Reeves. “The line is more of a ready-to-wear version for a vacation.”

She attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA, and after her internship with Milly in New York City, she was inspired to start her own line. “With my first baby on the way, the thought of getting a fashion job in New York City was gone, and the possibilities in Charleston limited, so I took a leap of faith and set up shop.” Her determination has paid off, garnering her the win in Charleston Fashion Week’s 2009 Emerging Designer Competition: Southeast and accolades at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim.

Marysia’s designs feature vintage silhouettes with feminine details and a modern touch, “but also some masculine shapes,” she says. “A line you can take from the city to the beach.” Marysia’s mother was her first influence. “I believe she is the reason I love fashion,” says Reeves. Her inspirations come from many muses though, including the draping on a vintage Yves Saint Laurent dress, fabric from Brazil, colors from stationary and a dream of traveling to Fiji. “I try to think of my customer while putting together all those ideas, and think of what she needs to pack for this once-in-a-lifetime resort getaway,” Marysia says. With her ideal client in mind, Marysia designs for modern and chic women “who enjoy fashion and great quality...and looking great on their vacation.”

Not forgetting the little ones, Marysia outfits children as well with her Bumby line. “Bumby is a nickname I borrowed from Hemingway,” says Reeves. “It was his son’s nickname and it’s been used in our family – we call our daughter Bumby all the time now.” It was Marysia’s daughter who inspired the little girl’s line, because she couldn’t find any swimwear she liked for little girls.

A typical day for Marysia is hectic at best. She’s “all over the place, switching coasts and environments,” but starts by checking email, filling out and shipping orders, and making phone calls and emails about production. She also has to contend with fabric orders, press requests, tracking packages, picking colors, and updating her Facebook fan page. “It's non-stop till my daughter comes home from school. Then we play while my husband makes dinner – I know, I'm a lucky girl!” Then she puts her daughter to bed and works “until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.”

These duties also compete with showing a line for Charleston Fashion Week. It takes about 6 months of planning and legwork before her ideas for the runway are actually seen on the runway. It’s long and arduous, but also her favorite part of the job. She loves “seeing it come to life on the runway.” Marysia also remains very hands-on with all the aspects of putting on a runway show. “I don't think I could ever hire a stylist, unless I really trusted someone else's taste better then my own,” she says. She hand picked all the models herself in Charleston and Miami last year, adding “I would even paint their nails myself if they let me,” she smiles. “I'm an excellent manicurist!” Her stylist’s eye comes into play in every day life too, citing people watching as her favorite pastime. “I redress passersby in my mind or tweak their outfits to look just right.”

She loves living and working in Charleston, and considers herself lucky to be where she is. “I feel that it sets me apart from others to be from a charming city like Charleston,” adding that she thinks it would be harder to set yourself apart in New York, despite the ease of everything being close by.

Her goal with this year’s Charleston Fashion Week is for her collection to be ready, and to not have to make many changes afterwards. Ultimately, she’d like it “ready to sell,” she smiles. “It was really stressful last year being in a competition so I'm so glad I'm not competing this year!” The former ballerina who used to put fashion shows on when she was a little girl will debut her 2011 collection at Charleston Fashion Week on Saturday, March 20 at 8:25 PM.

“Be strong!” she advises. “Follow your own vision and hope the public will agree.” Look for Marysia at Charleston Fashion Week 2010, buy her collection at stores around the United States and online (store list available on her website), and keep your eye on the lookout for her pieces at Urban Outfitters too!