Tracy Murray, a fashion week director born in Copenhagen to a British father and an Italian mother. Inspired by her mother's background as a high-end editorial model in the 60s, Tracy developed a love for fashion at an early age. Even in her school years, she found herself dressing people up for graduation shows, choreographing dance routines, and participating in plays, subtly garnering recognition as a go-to source of opinion.
Fashion Week Director
Despite being initially drawn to the fashion industry, Tracy felt a deep sense of purpose to help others lead fulfilling lives. This led her to embark upon a journey of extensive education and internships as a pastoral counselor in Europe & the United States, where she worked for over a decade, making a positive impact in the lives of others. While having success as a counselor, Tracy never completely let go of her underlying passion for the Arts.
She re-entered the fashion industry as an Executive Producer & Creative Director of the major fashion capitals all while founding her own fashion company in Copenhagen dedicated to Fashion Week.
Collaborating with Fashion Week Studio productions for Milan, Paris, and NYC, Tracy brought a fresh perspective shaped by her background in counseling and spirituality into the fashion industry.
With this new outlook, she began to appreciate even more each individual involved in the fashion week creation process and the impact their work has in shaping the world. Tracy's unique approach has enabled her to contribute in a way that aligns with her values of encouraging a more compassionate and nurturing environment in the fashion industry.
Tell us part of your success story?
My Success Story is quite straightforward, actually. I find immense joy in creating beauty both in my surroundings and in the world. Especially in these times, there is a greater need for beauty and kindness. Having the opportunity to contribute to that brings me daily fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment.
Hi Tracy Murray, MFW/PFW, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
Hi Success Story Magazine! What an honor it is to be here and thank you for having me. A bit about myself, I truly love helping people, I believe it is one of Man’s greatest purposes. After all, don't you find that you feel uplifted and fulfilled when you make a genuine difference in someone's life? That innate desire to assist others has definitely shaped my journey. Additionally, I have an unabashed obsession with fashion. From styling myself to adorning teddy bears, dolls, and even pets like dogs and cats (yes, I admit it!), fashion has always been an integral part of my life. And so, I’m so happy I get to work with fashion and designers every day. It allows me to contribute to the creation of extraordinary end results, as witnessed in the captivating shows of Milan and Paris Fashion Week.
Please tell us what originally piqued your interest in Fashion, MFW/PFWs and the fashion week in general
What piqued my interest in Fashion and Fashion Week in particular, was the boundless potential for creating aesthetics on a daily basis. Each day brings fresh experiences, unique challenges, and an opportunity for personal growth. By persistently pushing myself, I strive to become increasingly skilled & more “lionesque” than the day before.
What are your thoughts on this past fashion week?
I am genuinely happy with the outcomes of the recent Fashion Week, both for our production team and the fashion industry as a whole. It fills me with great satisfaction to see how new ideas and innovative styles have been introduced, offering a fresh perspective on the vibrancy that lies ahead for SS24.
How did you become Creative Director of different places for Fashion Week, and what is your background
Getting to where I am took me a lot of hard work, for many exciting years and honestly, I’d say to anyone trying to break into the industry, persistence really is key. Additionally, I encourage aspiring individuals to proactively engage with as many people as possible. You never know who holds the resources or opportunities you seek, or who may benefit from your unique talents. By fostering those connections, a world of collaborative possibilities usually do unfold. Also, a big thank you to my friend Alexandra Loron, FWS Owner Nathanaelle Hottois & CEO Amelie Pimont, all of you for entrusting me with being part of the team.
What is the most important skill for a creative producer in fashion?
To create and produce a Fashion Week show, three essential skills stand out to me. Firstly, a problem-solving ability is vital. Fashion Week is notorious for unexpected challenges, and the capacity to swiftly assess situations and provide solutions is invaluable. Secondly, a flawless eye for aesthetics is crucial. Directing the creative aspects requires the skill to identify disharmony and promptly rectify it to align with the intended vision of Fashion Weeks’ standards. Anything less is looked at as inadequate. Lastly, Professionalism plays a pivotal role. It determines your ability to problem-solve, create, and refine aesthetics to meet the demands of Fashion Week. Without it, weak results are likely, and others may perceive you as an ineffective executive.
In your opinion, what are the most critical aspects of the fashion industry?
In my perspective, some critical aspects of the Fashion Industry are sustainability as well as ethical practices & resources. I firmly believe that aligning our support with designers who prioritize and implement ethical standards is crucial for bringing forth a more responsible future. By dedicating our focus and backing to such individuals, we can collectively work towards a fashion industry that values ethicality.
Tell us about your latest project?
Well, the latest project I’d have to say was Milan and Paris Fashion Week SS24, which was executed successfully. I do additionally have an exciting project on the horizon. Although I cannot reveal much at this moment, I will keep you informed as soon as I am able to.
What makes you a good leader?
So many factors are involved in being a good leader, but at its core, effective communication and understanding of one's team are essential. To achieve success, it is extremely important to establish clear targets and goals and communicate them in a way that’s real to the team. Providing well-defined programs and actionable steps in a comprehensible way ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards a shared objective. After all, success is only possible with a team, so y’all better be understanding each other.
What made you want to become a producer?
What made me want to produce & direct fashion week shows was my underlying admiration for the arts. Working with the creative aspects of various endeavors has always been a source of joy for me. Whether it was participating in school plays, choreographing dances, or immersing myself in design classes from a young age, I have always been drawn to the act of creation. This has definitely fueled my eagerness to bring captivating shows to life.
What inspires you most in your work?
One of the most inspiring aspects of my work is witnessing the culmination of all the hard work and late nights when the designers gracefully step off the runway, basking in the applause. In that moment, they radiate a serenity and genuine happiness that touches the soul. Additionally, the joy of seeing individuals triumph as they become part of the production and shows is truly beautiful. It is these moments of fulfillment that make all the challenging days worthwhile.
To be on trend with fashion today you must have?
Anything that gives you confidence. I know that’s a bit cliché of me to say, but it’s true. We have so many fleeting trends, however the one trend that stays in forever is wearing that Confidence…and hey, a good accent belt never hurt in elevating any outfit .
What motivates you in your achievements?
The people involved in the fashion shows are a constant source of motivation for me. Witnessing the crowd, press, and viewers enjoying and gaining value from the shows inspires me to embark on the next project. The dedication and hard work exhibited by the models and backstage staff are truly commendable. Their professionalism shines through in the results they deliver, and I truly admire their ability to make their work seem effortless. Moreover, both the backstage and front house staff form an exceptional team, and seeing their collective success fuels my motivation to keep going. Being able to contribute to helping others achieve their personal goals for each fashion week season is truly rewarding and drives me to continue my involvement.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
What brings me the greatest sense of pride is the impact I have made in helping others, even beyond the realm of fashion week. It has always been a deeply ingrained desire of mine to contribute to the betterment of humanity. Now, I take immense pride in the connections I have made with a multitude of remarkable and influential individuals. It is my hope that I can be of service to them, just as they have enriched my life with their artistic brilliance and power.
How did you motivate your staff during previous projects?
I believe that leading by example as an executive is a powerful motivator. When others see your dedication and hard work, it inspires them to take action as well. However, if there are staff who require additional motivation or are running into barriers in reaching targets, I find that having a sincere conversation can be super effective. By finding out what they are running into and addressing any areas of misunderstanding, we can often resolve motivation issues. This open and collaborative approach typically clears the path for renewed motivation and increased productivity.
What talent are you most proud of?
I do feel like I’m a skilled juggler when it comes to being a mother, supportive fiancé and businesswoman. It’s like a circus act, but instead of balls, I’m juggling teen-life, laundry, deadlines, and coffee cups. I can proudly say that I think I’ve mastered this balancing act, well, most of the time… with a few mishaps along the way, haha.
A few words about our magazine?
First of all, I truly & deeply love the name of your magazine, it is so perfect “Success Story Magazine”. It truly captures what the world craves – more success stories. We need an abundance of these uplifting articles to permeate the world with love, peace, and positivity, and your magazine consistently delivers just that. Your innovative articles and dedication to showcasing the goodness and achievements of remarkable individuals are highly appreciated. Thank you for the invaluable work you do.
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