A Sense of Style
Would it surprise you to know that the current president and CEO of Nicole Miller, a preeminent name in the fashion industry for over twenty years, is a Dartmouth grad? Bud Konheim, '57, was an English major and an avid socialite during his years in Hanover. He left Dartmouth for nine months following his sophomore year, during which time he worked on Wall Street.
For two weeks following his stint in the financial world, Bud worked at his father's textile factory and enjoyed the fashion industry a great deal. Unfortunately, his father went bankrupt and was unable to pay for the rest of his son's education so Bud began working in the fashion business. His father eventually started a new company which Bud bought into in 1962. Bud's mother also started her own company in 1955 and she took over his father's company in 1970. By 1975, Bud's mother was unable to maintain her business, so he took charge.
He hired Nicole Miller to do the designs and made her a partner in 1982. Today, Nicole Miller is one of the premier fashion houses in the industry. Bud's advice for those interested in a career in the fashion business? He says to pick out the clothes you love and go interview at that company. "Say that you love their merchandise and that clothes are your passion. But the key to fashion is merchandising ... the reds go with the reds and the yellows go with the yellows."
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