Sherri Hill
Sherri Hill (born 1949 in Minco, Oklahoma) is an American fashion designer and businesswoman whose specialty is formal evening wear. Early years. Sherri Hill was born Sherri Branum, one of five siblings of James and Roberta Branum and was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma. Hill's parents owned local general stores selling everything from fabric and clothing to shampoo, candy and school supplies; she was given the opportunity at age eight to join her older sisters in part-time work at the family store. The colorful fabric that was sold in the store sparked  Hill's interest in fashion and eventually she was allowed to “dress” the four mannequins in the front windows by draping yards of fabric around each. While Hill was studying fashion design at the University of Oklahoma, her family opened stores in Norman and Oklahoma City where they focused on ladies’ clothing and evening wear. It was during these years that Hill began designing her own line of evening gowns. Career. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Hill worked for various manufacturers in the evening wear business. She started gaining recognition in the pageant world when various Miss America , Miss USA and Miss Universe contestants won in the gowns she had designed. Along with designing pageant gowns, Hill worked for 12 years as designer for Jovani Fashions, helping launch the brand. Hill eventually left Jovani in 2008 to begin her own evening gown line under the name Sherri Hill, Inc. which now has a network of over 800 stores. Various celebrities have worn Hill's designs for various red carpet, charity and social events. One of the dresses of the Sherri Hill brand, style 1403, was worn by Selena Gomez while performing in a 2011 concert. Kendall Jenner and  Nicole Polizzi are also fans. Hill was on Google's annual "Year in Search" results for the top-trending fashion designers in 2014. New York Fashion Week. In 2011, Sherri Hill debuted at New York Fashion Week in the Trump Tower. This was Kendall Jenner's first runway show. World-famous model, Carmen Dell’Orefice also walked the 2011 Sherri Hill runway as well as Miss China 2011 Luo Zilin, and Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella. In September 2012, Hill debuted her Spring 2013 collection at New York Fashion Week in the Trump Tower with Kendall and Kylie Jenner and Miss  Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza on the runway. At the 2013 New York Fashion Week, Sherri Hill held an 'Evening By Sherri Hill' show at the Trump Tower. Hill debuted her new prom and couture collections in front of several celebrities, including the Duck Dynasty family. Sadie Robertson, the 16-year-old daughter of Willie Robertson of Duck Commander, walked in the runway show modelling the 'Sadie Robertson Live Original' range. At the February, 2016 NYFW show, Sherri Hill's show was held at Gotham Hall and in addition to Sadie Robertson, she had Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach walk the  runway in New York. Television appearances. Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2011) as herself (Season 6, Episode 2) Kendall Jenner is hired to walk her first New York Fashion Week runway show by Sherri Hill. Anti-counterfeit work. On June 20, 2012, Hill made public her success in a lawsuit against online counterfeiters. She was awarded $5,000,000 in the case against the two defendants that were accused of selling hundreds of fake gowns under the Sherri Hill pretense. After winning the legal battle in 2012, the company has hired staff devoted to reporting violations of copyright laws via the  Internet. In an interesting side note, according to Manhattan federal court papers, not only has Sherri Hill alleged that knock-offs of her dresses are poorly constructed, uncomfortable to wear, and made of inferior materials, but also that one particular knock-off was constructed in such a way that it “makes the customers appear heavier around the waist and hips.” In March 2013, Sherri Hill, Inc. was featured on "The Today Show" and discussed their work with fighting knock off designer goods and their experience with individuals that have received counterfeit Sherri Hill dresses from fraudulent online retailers. In May  2015, Sherri Hill, Inc. was featured on "Inside Edition" and discussed continuing challenges faced with knock-off designer goods.