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Monday, August 22 2016 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Fashion Designer Mark Badgley: From the Red Carpet to the Riding Ring

 

Mark Badgley Portrait by Isabel J. Kurek

Mark Badgley
Portrait by Isabel J. Kurek

By Doris Degner-Foster

It was a seemingly innocuous day at a horse show during some rare time away from the office about 20 years ago that changed fashion designer Mark Badgley’s life. “I was really stressed from work — James Mischka and I were working round the clock then,” Mark said, adding that he’d ridden and shown up till college. “I went out to the Hampton Classic Horse Show and I remember sitting there watching the hunters and realized that I really missed it, so I started riding again. I came back the next year and was champion on my two horses! I felt like I’d really gotten back into the sport that I loved and missed so much.”

Mark competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Photo by Sportfot Photography

Mark competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Photo by Sportfot Photography

One of the things Mark missed was the feeling of camaraderie among others involved with horses. “It’s the best sport; it’s incredible the friendships that you gain along the way. I just love everything about it. I’ve never been to a horse show where I didn’t have a blast,” Mark said. “It’s always such a privilege to be at them and maybe it’s because I never quite get enough of it because of my schedule, so when I’m there I’m grateful for every minute of it.”

Mark Badgley, right, and James Mischka watch singer Taylor Swift on the red carpet wearing a Badgley Mischka gown. Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Mark Badgley, right, and James Mischka watch singer Taylor Swift on the red carpet wearing a Badgley Mischka gown.
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Mark’s riding career began as a child on ponies showing in the northwestern U.S. and Canada, and only ended when his time was taken over by college and the Parsons School of Design in New York, where he met James Mischka. After graduation, they both worked at other design houses before forming their company, Badgley Mischka, in a loft in New York — with just the two of them and one seamstress. With his usual relaxed good humor, Mark said that at first they weren’t sure about the name, joking that Badgley Mischka sounded like an old Russian lady. The name choice turned out to be a positive one and their brand now includes shoes, handbags, jewelry, eyewear and a bridal collection. But it’s their elegant, glamorous evening gowns for which they’re best known.

Building a Business of Dressing Ladies

In the 20 years since Mark came back to the horse, Badgley Mischka has grown considerably in the competitive design industry. Mark and James decided early on that they’d specialize in evening gowns — where their interest and enthusiasm was highest — and that they’d never try to be everything to everybody. “It’s been a huge advantage to have a partner like James because we always had each other to bounce things off of and we could be two places at once, which comes in very handy in this industry,” Mark said. “You just have to do what you believe in and you can’t get discouraged. It’s all about focus, hard work and determination.”

Ashley Judd Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Ashley Judd
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

When a major turning point came in their business, it didn’t initially seem noteworthy. “We got some phone calls from Hollywood when the awards show season began in 1995,” Mark remembered. “We were asked if we could send some evening gowns and we thought, ‘Well that’s strange, but why not?’” Although evening gowns were their specialty, they were a bit puzzled because in the early 1990s New York designers weren’t in demand in Hollywood; it was more common for stars to turn to their own sources for the awards shows and red carpet occasions.

Helen Mirren  Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Helen Mirren
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

That incident set the design house into motion playing a leading role in celebrity dressing. That year, Teri Hatcher wore a Badgley Mischka dress to the Emmys and a few months later, Winona Ryder also wore a Badgley Mischka creation to the 1996 Academy Awards. “It put our name on the map,” Mark said. “It’s such an amazing way to introduce a brand: When a celebrity wears one of your dresses on the red carpet, it’s sort of instantaneous.” Their gorgeous, old-world glamour gowns have since been in demand among celebrities. Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Kate Winslet, Taylor Swift and Ashley Judd are among Badgley Mischka’s regular clients and fans.

“Here we are a few decades later and it’s just this huge ongoing project that never really loses its importance, so that’s been a really fun part of what we do,” Mark said. “The stylists and celebrities know they can come to us because we do such a wide assortment of evening clothes.”

Glamorous Gowns Within Everyone’s Reach

The phrase One zip and you’re glamorous! sums up Mark and James’ philosophy. They feel that it’s important to keep the act of dressing up simple and not intimidating, reasoning that when a woman’s going out at night she has other important things to be concerned about.

Kate Winslet Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Kate Winslet
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

“It’s our job to drape a gorgeous gown and work on the proportions and the silhouette, the fabrications and the fit,” said Mark. “It’s important, too, that the clothes are comfortable. I think gone are the days that a woman will suffer to be beautiful. She really demands it all now. It’s hard for a woman to feel glamorous if she’s not comfortable.”

Through online shopping and stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, in addition to the brand’s flagship store on Rodeo Drive, women anywhere in the world have access to their elegant evening and wedding designs. Although Mark was skeptical at first about making their products available online, that’s where the most successful increases in sales have been, especially with shoes, handbags and other accessories. “We’ve dressed amazing women; it’s also just as exciting when we’re out for dinner and we see a woman across the room in one of our dresses,” Mark said. “That’s always a true compliment.”

Mark was just as thrilled recently to provide a gown for a young lady who isn’t a Hollywood celebrity, but certainly just as important to him. “My niece graduated from high school last spring and she wore one of our evening gowns to graduation,” Mark said with pride. “It’s the small things in life that are fun and exciting, that close to home.”

Kate Mara Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Kate Mara
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

A Change in Focus

Although riding horses and training for competition requires time and focus, for Mark it’s time well spent. “It’s really something that takes my mind off work and that’s one thing I’ve always loved about it,” Mark said. “I can’t be really stressed and thinking about work or designing an evening dress as I’m cantering down to an oxer; it’s a total escape.”

Mark made his dream of having his horses at home with him a reality when he and James bought a farm in Kentucky, but the commute to New York became too difficult and they now have a house on Long Island. “I ride with Mike Zuckerman and it’s awesome!” Mark said. “I commute from there — I ride in the morning and I can be in the office by nine, so it’s perfect.”

Queen Latifah Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Queen Latifah
Photo courtesy of Badgley Mischka

Michael Zuckerman’s Lynnewood Stables is within minutes of Mark and James’ home in Oyster Bay on Long Island. “Mike’s excellent with amateur riders who have careers outside of the ring,” Mark said. “I always know that during busy times at the office, I can arrive at a show or even for a lesson and my horse will be perfectly prepared. He has a real knack for that.”

Michael’s stable moves to Wellington and the Winter Equestrian Festival for the winter season and Mark is looking forward to showing his 9-year-old European Warmblood gelding By George in the Adult Amateur Hunters during the 2017 winter circuit. Michael will keep George ridden during the weeks when Mark is working and show him in the Pre-Green classes.

Mark in Wellington, Florida. Portrait by Isabel J. Kurek

Mark in Wellington, Florida.
Portrait by Isabel J. Kurek

Mark acknowledged that the sport is a test of support, patience and understanding for everyone involved, and he said, “James is an amazingly supportive partner and my riding is certainly no exception.”

Because Mark is able to enjoy a mental break from stress — spending time in the saddle focusing on his horse’s strides to the fences — he’s able to return to his other passion of design refreshed and ready for the next challenge.
About the writer: Doris Degner-Foster rides with Harvard Fox Hounds in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when she’s not interviewing fascinating individuals in the horse sport or writing fiction. Soon to be available is a middle-grade series about teenagers who ride and solve mysteries, and a mainstream murder mystery where a horse appears strangely in peoples lives to help an ER doctor through a crisis.

 

 

 

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Tagged under: Doris Degner-Foster, fashion, Mark Badgley

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

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Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

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The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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