Suzanne Lerner Is Bringing Everyday Fashion A Deeper Purpose With Michael Stars
April Buying Week is almost here, delivering the next wave of top apparel, formalwear, and accessories for buyers and retailers in Atlanta, Georgia. Ahead of the inaugural event, we caught up with Michael Stars founder Suzanne Lerner on her brand’s highlights and advancements, career successes, and what she’s looking forward to during the week! Below, discover Lerner’s reflections and more before visiting AtlantasMart from April 1 to 4.
You’ve run your brand Michael Stars since 1986—that’s nearly 40 years! What are the secrets to your success over the decades?
We’ve always challenged ourselves to create high-quality fashion that’s timeless, contemporary, and made to last—pieces meant to be passed down to the next generation. I love it when people tell me about their first Michael Stars tee and how their daughters raid their closets for our tees and sweaters! Being cross-generational is so important for a fashion brand, and it’s something we truly embody. It’s not just about quality—it’s about how our clothing becomes part of people’s lives. One of the reasons we’ve been able to maintain that quality is because we made a decision early on to produce the majority of our clothing in Los Angeles. We’re close to production and that’s been key to ensuring high levels of quality. The decision to produce in LA was not only about ensuring quality, it was also about creating opportunity for our community. Producing locally also allows us to support our broader business ecosystem and keep jobs in the community. That’s been part of our DNA from the beginning, and it’s something our customers really value. Our dedication to community and quality has inspired us to continuously evolve as a brand. We built and grew our direct-to-consumer business, engaging on social media with influencers who share our values, and formed strategic partnerships with partners like ThredUP for sustainability and Stitch Fix for curated styling. We’ve also celebrated our heritage with our vintage truck and pop-up events.But our mission and purpose have always been about more than just clothing. We’ve always believed in using our platform to make an impact. Through the Michael Stars Foundation—which we started over 20 years ago — equality , mentorship programs, voter engagement, and emergency relief efforts. Ultimately, people connect with our brand on a much deeper level because we wear values on our sleeves!