Barbara “Bree” Harris is proof that it’s never too late to pursue a dream.
Harris–who grew up in Monroe, N.C.–is the designer behind the Multi by Bree line, which launched in 2003.
Actually, this is her third career. The other two were in the non-profit world and in corporate America, mostly at General Electric.
Her new job isn’t a surprise to anyone who knows her. “As a child, when others were drawing pictures of houses and trees, I was drawing clothing and beautiful women wearing them,” says Harris, who is in her mid-50s.
Upon graduating from high school in Charlotte, N.C., she was accepted to Parsons School of Design in New York. However, heeding her parents’ advice to get a college degree, she enrolled at nearby Fayetteville State University.
She continued to sketch clothing in the `70s while working for youth programs in New Haven, Conn. Later, as a business executive, she drew clothing after a day of meetings or long business flights. “My husband can show you drawers full of them,” Harris said.
Harris took early retirement as vice president of human resources at Praxair, a manufacturer of industrial gases and coatings, in late 2002.
Four months later, she finally pursued her childhood dream of fashion design.
Multi by Bree is a line of updated yet classic business suits, casual/resort wear and special occasion attire for men and women.
The collection is in boutiques in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Utah and Michigan. Suit separates start at $650. The evening wear ranges from $350 to $1,400. Casual/resort wear is $250 to $400.
Harris, who frequently visits North Carolina to tend to her ailing mother, sat down in her showroom, amid racks of the latest pieces and top-sellers, to talk about her latest career.
On making the leap to the fashion world, she says she has come “full circle. After I retired for a whole four months, I honestly had more time to think about [fashion] and sketch. A lot of people talk about the things they would like to have done and `Gee, I’ve always been interested in this area,’ but I didn’t want to be one of those people. I’m very confident and I have a very high risk threshold.”
Harris’ years of corporate travel taught her the value of a four-piece suit in an all-weather wool and how to pack
“How do you put together outfits that are going to travel from Singapore to Brussels? You’ve got to be worried about the weight of the fabric and the versatility of the pieces. I carried that process into the company. I really make sure, because it’s the way that I dress.”
Three to four basic pieces in an all-weather wool–say, two jackets, pants or skirt–can multitask, “and you’re good for a week or two,” she says. And “Bree” is her childhood nickname.
And for those dinners with clients Harris wanted to “make that transition very quickly–because you don’t have time to go back to the room, shower and change–and fit into that dinner environment with those executives’ wives who have obviously had the day to look very wonderful.”
Harris’ solutions include a little black dress that’s corporate-appropriate with a jacket. Another option could be a blouse with an asymmetrical hem under the business suit.
Harris’ muses for her spring collection are “Greta Garbo, Jackie O and Oprah Winfrey.” The trio gives you a real sense of Harris’ vision and influences: old Hollywood glamor, classic styles and one of the most powerful women in the world. (“Oprah can wear something that’s a little bit edgy to something completely formal and not end up on the worst-dressed list.”)
She says the line challenges the notion that women must dress like men or adopt a uniform.
“We try to bridge the gap between being conservative and bringing in a little touch of who you are. You should be able to express yourself and not go totally into uniform attire. But you’ve got to be respectful of the environment that you’re in–otherwise you’re not taken seriously.”
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Multi by Bree suit pieces are often 150- to 180-thread count wools (good for Brussels and Singapore). A beautiful black pinstripe jacket features lace trim on a pocket. A tweed jacket has a detachable fur collar. Another traditional pinstripe is lined in a brilliant red. “We do crazy linings,” Harris says.
Multi by Bree also is becoming known for its beautiful eveningwear. The vibe again is classic Hollywood idol meets contemporary chic.
“When I look at the fabric, I can see the dress,” Harris said. “And it works in reverse, too.” There are flowing silk gowns in rich hues (red, yellow, copper) and sexy ones in a delicate French lace with ribbon stripes and finished buttons up the back.
Harris doesn’t usually name-drop her celebrity clients, but one she will talk about is former model Naomi Sims. When Sims was invited to Oprah Winfrey’s “Legends” weekend last summer, Harris provided her wardrobe. Sims was among the women whom Winfrey credits with being influential in her life. In the group photo taken at the luncheon, Sims is standing behind Winfrey in a black pinstripe suit with a chartreuse blouse. Later, for the formal dinner, Sims wore a black tuxedo by Harris.