Michelle Ochs

Michelle Ochs is an American fashion designer. She has designed for Michelle Obama, Gal Gadot, Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Lopez.

She is the winner of the 2009 Ecco Domani Award, a finalist for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a nominee for the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear and 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award, and Forbes 30 under 30.

She has been an active member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 2012.

In 2023, she was named Creative Director of Hervé Léger.

She is also the founder and creative director of ET OCHS, which was launched in 2021.

Early life and education
She was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and completed a military high school education. She is of mixed German and Filipino heritage.

Ochs attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design. She received the Designer of the Year award in 2007.

During her time at Parsons, she worked as a design intern for Marc Jacobs before moving on to Isaac Mizrahi's Made to Order. She interned at Chado Ralph Rucci's workshop during her senior year of high school, where she learned firsthand about the couture processes.

Career
Ochs, along with her partner Carly Cushnie, established their fashion brand Cushnie et Ochs in 2008 following their graduation from Parsons New School for Design.

Her inaugural runway shows for Spring 2009, the duo has garnered Critical acclaim, Her debut collection for Spring 09 was exclusively retailed at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

In 2012, at just 27 years old, Ochs experienced a pivotal moment when a stylist from Michelle Obama's office reached out to their brand to design a dress for the First Lady.

In 2018, it was announced that she abruptly left the company. During her time at Cushnie et Ochs, she designed for Karlie Kloss, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Michelle Obama, Reese Witherspoon, and Diane Kruger.

In 2021, Ochs founded her eponymous label, ET OCHS; she Partnered with JS Group, a Canadian family-run business, and Ochs debuted her first spring collection via a virtual show on the CFDA's Runway360.

In 2023, she was appointed as the creative director of Hervé Léger; her debut collection at New York Fashion Week focused on adding dimension, movement, and fluidity to the brand's signature bandage dresses, expanding into streamlined separates like pants, jumpsuits, and tops.

Drawing inspiration from the brand's extensive archives, Ochs has Infused modern touches into classic designs,Taking the reins in 2023, she has revitalized the label known for its signature bandage dress, introducing contemporary updates and expanding its offerings beyond the famed silhouette.

Style and inspiration
She is known for using style and attention to detail; Ochs's style is characterized by sleek lines and silhouettes.

Ochs's aesthetic is characterized by staples that blur the line; she focused on tailoring and uses stretch fabrics to create silhouettes.

She has a knack for incorporating innovative elements into her collections, such as wire-filled hems for moldable silhouettes and sweater dresses crafted from recycled yarns.

Personal life
She married Matthew Kopko in July 2015. The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony held at the Flower Hill villa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Ochs is a mother of two children; son Adrian and daughter Penelope. Ochs's close relationship with her family and friends, including her business partner Carly Cushnie, has played an integral role in shaping her personal and professional journey.

Awards and recognition

 * PARSONS Designer of the Year 2007.
 * Winner of the 2009 Ecco Domani Award.
 * Finalist for the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
 * Nominee for the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear.
 * Nominee for the 2010 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award.
 * Named in Forbes 30 under 30.