We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Broussard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is having a distinct design point of view, and the technical know-how of product development. I design statement jewelry, and shoes and have a boutique in the West Village of Manhattan.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I launched a shoe brand under my own name which I later expanded into statement bags and capsule collections of bags. The brand began after a strong career trajectory of working with Calvin Klein followed by Christian Dior, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, JP Tods, all produced in Italy.
I am proud and honored to have worked at such strong fashion houses under great design directors, such as John Galliano at Dior, Tom Ford at Gucci, and Sr. Armani at Giorgio Armani.
Each Director has their own way of leading and inspiring a design team, but there was invaluable experience also in merchandising collections and witnessing the business side and what makes money in a successful fashion house.
For my brand, I create fashion statement accessories made in Italy which elevate an outfit but underlying all is the intention of empowering women to feel great by looking powerful and cool.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In New York City, Manhattan, I love bookstores, art supply stores, and the abundance of Japanese stores .
Some of the bookstores: The Strand, Three Lives, Kinokuniya, Rizzoli, Air Mail.
Art Supply and Pen/Paper: Goods for the Study, McNally, Kinokuniya, Blick,
Fabric stores in the garment center and the lower east side.
Best Magazine store: Casa Magazines
Favorite cultural interests: New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic
There is tremendous eating and drinking in the West Village, near my boutique and cool old school NYC bars. A new favorite bar is Dante.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to one of my first bosses early in my design career, Calvin Klein. I joined Calvin’s company only to design the first Calvin Klein Underwear and Sleepwear. Calvin would have me change to design other product categories within his company, like shoes, jewelry, gloves and sunglasses. He sent me to develop products in Italy and Italy was a wealth of information of where to have luxury accessories sourced, developed and produced. After seven years with Calvin Klein, I was approached by companies in Europe to work for them. He gave me design skills to develop the sketches I made for his company.

Website: https://www.dianabroussard.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianabroussard/

Linkedin: Diana Broussard https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-broussard-28b1321

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Diana-Broussard-100063685234783/

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