Stephen Sprouse
| Stephen Sprouse | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 12, 1953 Dayton, Ohio |
| Died | March 4, 2004 (aged 50) New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Awards | Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) |
| Labels | SS83, SS84, SS85 (1983–1985), Stephen Sprouse, Sprouse, S (1987–1988), Stephen Sprouse for Bergdorf Goodman (1992–1993), Stephen Sprouse for Barneys New York (1995), Sprouse(tm)/Andy Warhol(c) (1998), Stephen Sprouse(tm) (1998–1999), Sprouse(tm) (2002–Target) |
Stephen Sprouse (September 12, 1953 – March 4, 2004) was a fashion designer and artist credited with pioneering the 1980s mix of "uptown sophistication in clothing with a downtown punk and pop sensibility".
Stephen Sprouse's initial Day-Glo bright, sixties-inspired, graffiti-printed fashion collections for men and women caught the attention of fashion editors, store buyers, and fashionistas, garnering much media coverage. His initial collections (1983–1985) were huge critical hits, sold at only the best stores (his 1983 collections were sold exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel in New York City on a small scale). To much surprise in the fashion and retail communities, Sprouse declared bankruptcy in June 1985 (even though his base of influential fashion editors and high-end stores were firmly in place). Sprouse cited production, late deliveries, and financial problems in an interview with Women's Wear Daily shortly after he closed his initial business.
Sprouse informally showed a Fall 1985 collection to buyers and the press at his new showroom in Union Square on Broadway - the last location of Andy Warhol's infamous "Factory" lofts. A runway presentation at Club USA in NYC was initially planned (and largely promoted) for its grand opening. Subsequently, the show was cancelled; a Stephen Sprouse Incorporated representative stated at the time that the show was cancelled due to the company relocating to their new Union Square location. The apparel shown were "finished samples."
Sprouse referred to his Fall 1985 collection as being "more hippie weird" and early seventies-inspired, with bell-bottom trousers, psychedelic prints, and maxi skirts, but the company lacked the funds and staff to produce the apparel.
Sprouse was initially noted by fashion magazines and retailers for using high-quality, expensive, custom-dyed fabrics (his woolens were largely sourced by the high-end Italian textile house Agnona). Sprouse personally did the graffiti that adorned many of his very early, expensive garments (1983, early 1984), which added to their desirability.
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