Article from the Examiner.com.
By:Matt Martin
The beloved Gretchen Rossi (GR), from Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), talks with me about her ventures in entertainment, makeup and handbags. GR became without a doubt a front runner from the beginning of her appearances on RHOC. Speculations surrounding her relationship with her fiancé Jeff to being a liar, all gave GR enough motivation to pull forward and make a change. That change would be the GRETCHEN CHRISTINE ROSSI we hear about now!
"I was approached to do the show..." GR informs us "It wasn't necessarily about me having interest as much as it just seemed to keep showing up in my life. I had been asked to be involved in the Entertainment business since I was a little girl. My parents kept me far away from that whole world. Then I was asked to do two other reality shows before Housewives, when I was approached to do RHOC, Jeff (my dear late fiancé) encouraged me to finally take up the offer. Jeff was ultimately the one that convinced me to go for it! He knew that I had desires to be in the fashion and beauty industry and he saw it as an opportunity for me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams and desires." Like so many other housewives GR has boosted her career through the exposure of the show.
Unfortunately, that does come at a price. GR along with other housewives have come across as RHOT likes to call haters. "Haters are my motivators! They more people talk trash on me the more I get excited about proving them wrong. There will always be haters in life, in business, work, school, etc. If anything I just feel sorry for the people that have to tear me down to make themselves in some weird way feel better. Most of the haters are people sitting behind a fake name on a blog somewhere and aren't' brave enough to just come forward and trash talk to my face." Boy do we know what you are talking about! "I know someone is always going to disagree with something I do or say, or talk about how I look etc. that is what makes this world go round, but if only this world had a little more tolerance towards people. We don't have to agree with each other, but just respect being different from someone else." Can we get an AMEN! "More than anything I know who I am. No matter what anyone says it can't hurt me because I know the people that matter love me and know who I am."
A day in the life of Gretchen:
"My life is so nuts and everyday is a new adventure! I have appearances, charity events, red carpet events, TV shows like TV Guide, or Style Network etc. to discuss my new business ventures. I might be filming for housewives or traveling for work. Everyday truly is an adventure and things come up so quick I am just always on the go. When I do have a normal day home my day goes something like this. Get up in the morning and have coffee and turkey bacon. Then meet with my employee/assistant to talk about our day and what the plan is for the day. We then work on all things regarding the make-up line, e-mails, phone calls, and any new orders that have come in for Gretchen Christine Beaute' that day. Next we discuss all things that have to do with GCC and new marketing or lines that need to be designed or worked on. After a full day of work I tend to like to wind down my day by going to the park with my dogs and trying to exercise a little while there. Then I come home and cook dinner and love to sit with Slade and catch up on the day. I then end up going back to work around 8:30 or 9pm and end up working till 2 or 3 in the morning due to working with international buyers and clients for my make-up and handbag line. Needless to say I am not the best morning person." I am exhausted!
"STYLE BY GRETCHEN"
Where did your passion for handbags and makeup come from to create Gretchen Christine?
"I have always loved beauty and fashion! I have always been a "girly girl" and love to play dress up and do my hair and make-up. My parents still tell stories about me always coming down the stairs in my crazy outfits, and makeup all over my face (starting at age 3) and presenting myself in the middle of one of their business dinner meetings, they said I was so proud of my creations! I was the "fashionista" of my household and everyone in my family and a lot of my friends would always came to me for style advice or hair and make-up tips growing up. So my passion stems from just being that little girl that has always loved fashion and beauty!"
Who are your biggest influences in the designs?
"When it came to my handbag line, my fans were my true inspiration behind them. They made me realize that there was something missing in the market place... high quality handbags at affordable prices. I would receive so many e-mails from woman asking about my designer bags I would be seen with on the show. Once the realized the price of my handbags they would be so bummed out. I decided I wanted to make designer looking and high quality bags (all leather, high end embellishments, functionality, good zipper pulls etc.) at affordable prices for the everyday woman. The combination of loving fashion and design mixed with the inspiration from my fans is what helped create The Gretchen Christine Collection."
As an individual with 8 years in high end fashion I can attest to the quality to her products. The overall package has a very high end look without the high end price tag.
"Our handbags range from $129 for the clutch (that you saw Kristin Cavallari wearing on the red carpet to the hills finale)... to just under $300 for the large tote! For all leather bags with the embellishment details, tassel zipper pulls, hidden outside pockets, and the special functions inside the bag like the hidden inside make-up wall, this price point is amazing! So many great features on these bags!"
Explain a little backround on your handbag line:
"The handbag line is a collaboration between me and a powerhouse by the name of Lust 4 Luxe. They are a manufacturer based out of San Deigo and have has a very successful brand with their line of handbags. They approached me to collaborate with them and do a collection. I have always loved design and fashion so this was such an exciting opportunity for me to continue to grow my brand "Gretchen Christine" and also get to be involved in the actual design process as well! Me and their head designer Jeff, worked together for months to come up with our first two collections; the Pearlized Leather collection (with four different silhouettes and styles) and the Woven Collection (with three different looks and styles)."
Her taste in designer duds definitely helped her creatively. "There are so many designers that I love and I have a handful of all of their bags." GR does admit to some favorites though! "One of my all time favorites is Louis Vuitton. I love the classic designs of Chanel, and the unique designs of Gucci and Fendi, but you can never miss with a Prada or Versace handbag it seems."
Now for all of you looking to get your hands on one of these amazing bags... Get in line! They have become extremely popular in a very short time. After debuting July 30th on http://www.shopnbc.com >Shop NBC "There is only a few styles and colors left for sale" GR tells me "...before the first collection is completely sold out and no longer available in those colors! We will however be working on a fall collection that is even more affordable with different materials used and different color schemes."
GR confirms that we will love the fall collection, "...the colors are magnificent and so plush! We have also made all the embellishments in gun metal instead of Gold in this collection. Gun metal is the color for fall!" The line is in talks with large retailers now, "I hope to have the collection available in stores as well as our exclusive collection on Shop NBC in the fall."
But that's not all! We have seen the slow, but promising debut of her makeup line, "Gretchen Christine Beaute", featured on RHOC.
"I started playing with makeup right out of the womb it seems like. I love love love make-up and own so much of it, I should start my own retail shop! I can not get enough of it and love to always be playing with new colors and looks. I have always been an entrepreneur and starting "Gretchen Christine Beaute" was something I have always wanted to do. I wanted to bring high quality make-up to the everyday woman. I was tired of spending so much money for make-up. Honestly I could no longer afford it, but I wanted to have access to the same colors and high end quality as the brands. Gretchen Christine Beaute has been a work in process for a while now and thankfully was made a reality last year! It has come with a lot of hard work, sweat and tears, but ultimately I am doing what I love....making women look and feel their best the affordable way!"
What should every RHOT and woman have in their wardrobe?
"A "Gretchen Christine Collection" handbag of course, or accessory soon to come! Hehe!"
Whats next for the Gretchen Christine line? What can we look forward to?
"The GCC collection will include, shoes, jewelry, hats, scarf's, clothes, everyday wear, dresses, etc. basically everything a woman could ever want in her closet, and who knows possibly stuff for men as well (as I have had so many requests). I am so excited for what is in store for GCC and its customers, we have been working hard!"
We at RHOT could not be happier for Gretchen and all the things she has overcome! Her products are as top notch as she is herself.
Be sure to find all information on Gretchen at her official website! Here you can read her blog, stay up to date on appearances, contact Gretchen and shop! Be sure to!
http://www.gretchenchristine.com/
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