First established in 2001, the designer told WWD that it’s been an uphill struggle to gain momentum for her jersey dresses, but that Middelton found her through friends, declining to elaborate further. Thrust into the spotlight, Issa now has a celebrity following that includes Madonna and Kylie Minogue, and there’s no denying that Issa’s F/W 2011 show will have a who’s who of the fashion glossy mastheads in attendance. With that in mind, the designer is re-launching her business in the U.S. this year and introducing e-commerce to her brand’s website. That’s far from it, however, Issa’s plans also include opening the first of six stand-alone stores in Brazil, launching a children’s collection called Baby Issa at Harrods in early 2011, and going global with the Issa women’s collection.
Issa’s chances for success, judging by retailer feedback, seem very promising. Here’s hoping for a Manhattan Issa flagship!
Daniella Issa Helayel
