Fashion Designer Profile: Cynthia Rowley
Cynthia Rowley was born in 1965 in Barrington, Illinois, USA. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago.

After her graduation in 1983, she moved to New York and sold her senior project, an 8-piece collection to the up-market stores, and made a nice profit which enabled her to get going.

A buyer from Marshall Field saw her on the train, and asked her who made the outfit she was wearing. When she said she had made it herself, Marshall Fields ordered from her, and she was able to meet their requirements.

Her classic lady-like clothes have grown to over $ 12 million per year. She has a large impressive showroom in a building with neighbours like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. Her chic store is in Soho and there are plans for many other stores.

She recently won the CFDA Perry Ellis Fashion Talent award.

She is now well-established, with nearly 20 years behind her. Her Fall 2001 collection was called "Indulgences" and featured clothes of colours like Champagne, Chocolate, Caviar and things to make us happy.

Cynthia sells shoes of many designs to department stores. The latest fashion is the round-toe high-heel. Round toes are something women designers have been pushing for several seasons. Rowley also offers a spectator design with a strap across the ankle. The round-toed pump is now her best seller with a range of heel sizes, made in pinks and plaids, even fitted with mink pompoms.

Spring/Summer 2005

  • During New York Fashion Week in September 2004, Cynthia Rowley presented her Spring collection.
  • This was an unusual collection, because Cynthia decided to present designer clothing made of easy-to-care for fabrics which can go in the washing machine. She wanted her collection to fit the demanding lives of her clientele without all the trouble of dry-cleaning every time you wear her clothes. She used linen, cotton and wool and collaborated with "All" detergent at her show.