14 SIDELINES AUGUST 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
Fashion
LeeAnne Colamarino and Erin Krasner
are, undoubtedly, women who follow their
passions. Certifed to practice law in both
New York and Florida, LeeAnne graduated
from New York Law School with her Juris
Doctor. Erin procured a degree in design and
merchandising from the prestigious Fashion
Institute of Technology. But to LeeAnne
and Erin, a day at work isn’t case fles and
business suits - as owners, originators and
executives of Dyer Equestrian, LeeAnne and
Erin are attempting to bring a bit of horse
sense back into equestrian fashion.
The startup company run by LeeAnne and
Erin has become a smashing success in the
show world, seen on everyone from trainer
and rider Tiffany Morrissey to the adorably
pint-sized Olivia Sweetnam. “We wanted to
create an outft that would be wearable in
South Florida,” said LeeAnne. “Something
that was more reasonable than wool,” added
Erin. “We both saw that we could still go home
and wear our show clothes from high school,
that nothing had changed. So we started
Dyer.”
The expectation of comfort, quality and
fashion-forward looks for the show ring is
obvious in all of Dyer’s aspects, from the
company’s motto – Designed with the Rider
in Mind -- to the customizable details on their
show coats. With three lengths in breeches,
Dyer is pushing the envelope to make sure
every rider wears what looks best on them.
But making riders comfortable isn’t just a
business venture for Erin and LeeAnne.
“Because it was the only way to get back
into the saddle,” said LeeAnne and Erin,
when Sidelines asked her why they have
chosen to create Dyer as a career. “We are
real people, with real horses. We create our
products out of things we have experienced.”
Although Dyer’s clothing ideas are ingenious
(think a show shirt with an adjustable back so
it always fts right), Sidelines wanted to know
if they would stand up to the ultimate test of
timeless show ring fashion - George Morris.
“What would George Morris say?” giggled
LeeAnne, when Sidelines asked her what she
thought the icon’s opinion on Dyer’s show
outfts would be. “You look sharp.” Coming
from the voice of George, that would be pretty
high praise - and something I’m sure he
would, albeit begrudgingly, bestow on Dyer.
“Our goal,” said Erin, “was to stay true to the
heritage that defned the sport, while updating
ft and fabric. We didn’t want to overdesign.”
And with their crisp, simple, fashion-forward
details and classic look, they delivered.
“You Look Sharp”
Dyer Equestrian founders Erin Krasner,
left, and LeeAnne Colamarino.
All photos courtesy of Dyer Equestrian
The Fashion-
Forward
Story of
Dyer
Equestrian
Olivia Sweetnam
competes in a lead line
class wearing a jacket
from the Dyer Trots™
collection.