Gabrielle Union, the 44-year-old actress and star of “Being Mary Jane,” has added a new title to her résumé: fashion designer.
Union has designed a collection for New York & Co., which will be sold in the retailer’s 335 full-price stores beginning Aug. 16, as well as online.
In a multiyear partnership, Union will design three collections for fall and another three for spring, followed by multiple collections in ensuing years.
“I wanted to offer on-trend fashion at affordable prices. That’s the bottom line,” Union said in a telephone interview. She explained that frequently her friends, family and those who follow her on social media will ask her where she bought something, and it might be a coat that costs $5,000.
“In that moment you say the price, you’re an asshole. There’s got to be a way of creating fly, dope, on-trend, fashion-forward pieces for a much lower price, and that was my goal,” she said. Once she realized she could do it and have the quality, “I just started running a little wild,” said Union, who is married to Chicago Bulls basketball star Dwyane Wade.
Asked to describe her personal style, Union couldn’t pinpoint a particular look, but rather talked about her eclectic taste.
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