Portal:Philadelphia/Selected biography/November 2008

Tory Burch is an American fashion designer, socialite, businessperson, and celebrity who was born, raised, and educated in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and is described as having Main Line roots. Her parents had been a part of the Hollywood celebrity culture and were part of Philadelphia high society. Thus, Burch was raised in an upper-class home with live-in household help. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, she moved to New York City, where she pursued a professional career with various leading fashion industry businesses. While living in New York, she maintained personal relationships with a series of extremely wealthy men. With the financial savvy of her former second husband, she began a fashion label in February 2004 in New York City. The label was an immediate success and was even endorsed by Oprah Winfrey the following year. The label has opened stores in several large American cities and has lines that are sold in several upscale specialty department stores. Burch has won several fashion awards for her designs, and she continues to be involved in high-profile personal relationships within the social elite of New York City.