GWYNN’S: Your designs are synonymous with red carpet glamour, but what’s something people might not know about how you got started in fashion?
PAMELLA ROLAND: When I first entered this industry, Pamella Roland was primarily a sportswear brand. My intention was to emphasize daytime options for the Pamella Roland woman while concluding the collection with a few evening wear pieces. After a few seasons, we recognized the growing demand for red carpet and eveningwear designs, so we shifted our focus to create exceptional pieces for those special moments.
GWYNN’S: Was there a defining moment early in your career that shaped the direction of your brand?
PAMELLA ROLAND: In the spring of 2003, Neiman Marcus acquired our Spring/Summer 2004 collection. They recognized the potential of the Pamella Roland brand, and our enduring partnership with Neiman Marcus continues to flourish.
GWYNN’S: What’s a fun or surprising fact about your life or career that people wouldn’t expect?
PAMELLA ROLAND: When I started the company, I already had three children. Balancing motherhood and launching a business is no easy task, but my passion for both drove me to pursue them. It took time to find the right balance between being a mother and running my own company, but once I achieved that equilibrium, I focused on nurturing both my work life and home life.
GWYNN’S: Your collections are known for their intricate details. Is there a signature element or technique that’s deeply personal to you and your brand?
PAMELLA ROLAND: While we strive for new designs and innovative ideas, what we have become known for is our fit. We pay close attention to our customers, as their feedback often guides us toward designs they are passionate about. From there we explore fresh ways to present these designs while ensuring we align with our customers' preferences.
GWYNN’S: Can you share an unexpected source of inspiration that has influenced a past collection?
PAMELLA ROLAND: Our Pre-Fall 2017 collection, inspired by exotic sports cars, took an unexpected turn. While our customers are accustomed to our feminine designs drawn from art and travel, we opted for a sharper and more futuristic aesthetic this time. The collection features sleek gowns with cutouts and embroidery that reflect the elegant lines of sports cars.
GWYNN’S: When designing for women with such diverse tastes, do you have a “muse” in mind? Who is she, and what makes her special?
PAMELLA ROLAND: I draw my inspiration for the Pamella Roland woman from the captivating allure of travel, the expression of modern art, and the enduring elegance of timeless Hollywood glamour.
GWYNN’S: What’s one design challenge you’ve encountered that led to a creative breakthrough?
Pamella Roland: When I started my business, balancing work with raising three kids was a challenge. My main priority has always been to be there for my children, so I made it a point to handle everything related to them before switching into work mode, and vice versa. It's essential for me to ensure that all responsibilities are taken care of before I move on to the next task.
GWYNN’S: What’s something about your own personal style that might surprise people?
Pamella Roland: Many people may not realize I almost always wear heels, you’ll rarely see me without them. Heels not only elongate the legs but also elevate any outfit, making a powerful statement that enhances my overall look.
GWYNN’S: You’ve dressed so many high-profile women. Is there a celebrity fitting or event where something surprising happened behind the scenes?
Pamella Roland: We have experienced many surprising moments before stars wear our designs, but one incident stands out. Halle Berry wore our PF18 gown to the 24th Screen Actors Guild Awards, and we encountered a delay in the shipment of her custom embroidery just as we were finalizing her look. With little time to create a new piece, our design team quickly worked with the existing sample and replaced the embroidery with the desired color for her dress. Thanks to their swift efforts, we achieved the exact look she envisioned, and we were thrilled to see her on the best-dressed list that year. A few days after the event, the original embroidery finally arrived, and all we could do was laugh at the situation.
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