Industry: Design

Additional Information

New York Native Barbara Tfank began her career as an apprentice to designer Cesarani, after she successfully earned her B.A. from Skidmore College and her M.A. from the prestigious Stanford University. She learned art and design while simultaneously earning both degrees. Right away, Tfank dipped into clothing designs for major films and television commercials such as Midnight Clear (1992), Dream Lover (1994) and Beautician and the Beast (1997). After this slight claim to fame, numerous celebrities opted to wear Tfank’s designs to red carpet events and award shows. Barbara Tfank moved to Los Angeles in 2001, but still splits her time between California, and her originating city of New York. Barbara Tfank found inspiration for her 2008 Spring collection from the doe-eyed grace of the 1960’s famous French actress, Anouk Aimee, star of Un Homme et Une Femme. Tfank uses rich brocade fabrics, silk, and taffeta to emulate this classic look, but placed a modern spin on the design by using metallics and a variety of textiles and patterns. By using a simple palate of silvers, crisp whites and pastels, she captured that classic flair that personified the 1960’s. Tfank’s muse for the Fall ’08 collection came from Leger’s painting The Three Women, which currently resides in the MoMA in NY. This abstract painting embodies a base color of hues of gray and black, with subtle hints of bright primary colors, which causes this 1920’s painting to have a vivacious feel. Her clothing line for Fall worked the exact same way, with vibrant colors and materials framed by black creating a strong silhouette—conveying a Doris Day chic. Move over Versace, this designer is well on her way to great success.