From Costume Designer to Fashion Mogul: Shelley Komarov's Inspiring Journey By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
Shelley Komarov is a self-made fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded her own women’s clothing company, Komarov Enterprises and built it into an international brand.
However, she started her career in the U.S. in a different industry: costume design. Komarov immigrated to the U.S. from the Soviet Union in 1977 as a political refugee. She had worked in fashion in the Soviet Union, and when she arrived in the U.S., she spent the next 25 years working in Hollywood as a designer for 40 films and miniseries.
During those years, she accumulated four Emmy awards for her work on “Peter the Great,” “The Kennedys of Massachusetts,” “Frank Sinatra” and “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.”
However, while working in costume design, Komarov noticed an issue. As she was working on “Frank Sinatra,” she and a fellow worker were in New York City and spent some extra time there to explore the city. One night, they were invited to the high-end restaurant The Russian Tea Room, but they encountered a problem: all their suitable clothing for a fancy outing was wrinkled from travel.
They requested ironing services at their hotel, but they were informed the ironing would take 24 hours. So, they did the only thing they could do: they put on their wrinkled clothes and went out to the restaurant.
But in that moment, the idea for a company was born. Komarov wanted to design clothes that traveled well and required less upkeep than traditional high-end clothing.
“We came home and I started thinking, and this is how I came up with the idea of pleat fit,” Komarov says. “This is basically how the company started.”
In 1997, Komarov launched her fashion brand. Her mission was to make stylish clothing that traveled well and that could fit a variety of body types without the need for alterations.
“I just thought that we were in a time when the whole fashion industry was going to change,” Komarov said. “I was working with the major stars, and the amount of alterations and [with the] amount of work [necessary] for prepping the costumes, I realized that normal people absolutely cannot afford to do it.”
Komarov initially tried to do both costume design and run her business, but she had to choose between her two careers. So, she quit costume design and focused on building Komarov Enterprises into an international company using patented technology — a special heat process that permanently bends natural and man-made fibers. The result is a pleated and modern yet luxurious fabric that fit different body sizes and is easy to care for.
“Everybody who wears my clothes tells me that they don't leave town without them because first of all, it's very easy to take care [of them] if you need to wash them,” Komarov says. “You can wash it in the sink and it will be dry in an hour. It’s never wrinkled. If you know your size, you practically don't need to do any alterations because pleat fit has a give that [works] for people who have a big bust or small bust, and for people who have bigger hips or smaller [hips].”
Komarov has faced challenges as a businessowner. Since her brand is based in Los Angeles, she has watched as fashion businesses and manufacturing has left the city.
“My heart is breaking, because now practically nobody can afford today to manufacture in Los Angeles,” Komarov says. “It's impossible to find fabrics, it's impossible to find people to work, it's impossible to find people who know how to cut. So, this industry is just gone.”
However, Komarov finds joy in seeing the positive impact her clothing designs have had on customers. She hopes to continue to inspire women and make their lives easier through her designs.
“What I really like [is] when people like my clothes,” Komarov says. “I have thank-you notes from my customers. They enjoy it. It's very convenient. It's very flattering. To me, when people like what I do, this is the biggest accomplishment.”
Shelley Komarov
You can find Komarov’s designs on her website and also in stores such as Nordstrom’s.
Emily McGinn: A Dedicated Journalist
Fueled by passion and curiosity, Emily McGinn is a fervent journalist whose heart beats for truth and creativity. As a graduate of California Baptist University, Emily’s academic voyage is adorned with rich interests in environmental science, political science, and graphic design. Her portfolio is a mosaic of hard work and dedication, evidenced by a repertoire of content that stands as a testament to her journalistic commitment and academic pursuits.
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In Emily's world, journalism is not merely a career choice, but a calling—a space where passion meets purpose, and stories are crafted with care and conscience. In the garden of journalism, she continues to cultivate a bouquet of skills and experiences that resonate with her dedication to truth, creativity, and excellence.