Deirdre Quinn (entrepreneur)

Deirdre Quinn
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinesswoman
Years active1982–present
Known forLafayette 148 New York
AwardsErnst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Deirdre Quinn is an American businesswoman. She is the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette 148, a New York-based fashion house.[1] She is also the 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient.

Biography

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Deirdre Quinn grew up in Cresskill, New Jersey, as the daughter of Irish immigrants. She studied fashion design in college in Miami, Florida. She began her fashion career with Liz Claiborne, becoming vice president of operations at the age of 28.[2] Subsequently she held executive roles at Donna Karan and Escada. She has travelled to over 70 countries as part of her work.[3][4]

In 1996, Quinn established Lafayette 148, a women’s fashion brand, with Shen Yen Siu and Ida Siu.[5] With the help of the Sius, Quinn set up a manufacturing facility in China in 2002.[6] When Shen Yen Siu passed away in 2013, Quinn assumed the role of CEO of the company.[7] Under her leadership, the company has reported a revenue of $200 million as of July 2019[8] with the collection available in 400 stores in North America and China.[9][10] During the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, she led her company’s partnership with the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the NY Economic Development Council (NYEDC) to design and sew PPE gowns for local hospitals.[11][12]

Quinn is a Trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology, an Associate Partner with the Partnership for NYC and is a member of C200, a women’s executive leadership organization.[3] She has actively supported charities that target Alzheimer's disease, due to one of her parents being diagnosed with the condition.[4] She has also served as a board member for the School of Dreams, a subsidized private school for elementary-aged children in Shantou. The school is funded by Lafayette 148.[3] She is also a Board of Trustee at The Brooklyn Hospital Center.[13]

Recognition

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In 2016, Quinn received the E&Y New York Entrepreneur Award.[14][15] In 2018, she was honored by Fashion Group International with their Corporate Leadership Award.[16] That same year, she was also a recipient of an Elly Award.[17]

References

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  1. ^ King, Kate (January 29, 2020). "Brooklyn Isn't Just for Startups". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ Bryant, Adam (November 4, 2016). "Deirdre Quinn: If a Meeting Starts at 9, Be There at 8". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Deirdre Quinn". CGS. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b Patrecia Carey (October 12, 1998). "Making Fashion in Manhattan". Crain's New York. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  5. ^ Jen Wieczner (October 3, 2018). "A 'Made in China' Retailer That Makes Clothes Like Milan". Fortune (magazine). Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  6. ^ Morse, Brit (27 May 2020). "Deirdre Quinn: How to Find the Perfect Business Partners". Inc.
  7. ^ "FASHION & PHILANTHROPY AT LAFAYETTE 148". Financial Women's Association. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Lafayette 148's Deirdre Quinn: 'Having stores gives us confidence'". Glossy Daily. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  9. ^ Normandy Madden (January 25, 2013). "LAFAYETTE 148 NEW YORK BUILDS ON HERITAGE IN CHINA LAUNCH". AdAge. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  10. ^ Tim Sandle. "Fashion brand Lafayette 148 New York goes digital". Digital Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  11. ^ Reiss, Robert (May 11, 2020). "Amid This Pandemic, Women CEOs Share That Leadership And Culture Matter Most". Forbes magazine.
  12. ^ April, Ryan (April 20, 2020). "Luxury Clothing Company Supplies Gowns to Health Care Workers - American Urban Radio Networks". aurn.com.
  13. ^ Esher, Elissa (October 8, 2019). "Brooklyn Hospital Center honors Kings County women". The Brooklyn Paper.
  14. ^ "Member Last Name - Quinn, Year - 2016, New York". Ernst & Young.
  15. ^ David Moin (June 24, 2016). "Deirdre Quinn of Lafayette 148 Named Entrepreneur of the Year". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  16. ^ Rosemary Feitelberg (October 11, 2018). "FGI 'Night of Stars' Honorees Line Up Presenters With Their Nearest and Dearest". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  17. ^ TV News Desk (June 1, 2018). "Hillary Clinton, Sheila C. Johnson & Deirdre Quinn to be Honored at The 8th Annual Elly Awards hosted by The Women's Forum of New York". Broadway World. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
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