Michele Blanchard
MB Design Gallery
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/CEO
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Copa: Where is you shop located?
Michele: MB Design Gallery is located in Windsor Mill, Maryland. Our address is 3304 Ben Valley Road, Windsor Mill, Maryland 21244. Copa: When did you acquire the idea of establishing a boutique?
Michele: I have been designing my own clothing since I was teenager. Working for Baltimore City Government for seventeen years. I resigned from my job and started doing what I always loved, designing women’s apparel. Upon building up my home based business in September of 2006, I opened my first store LoWear Designs in Baltimore, Maryland. MB Design Gallery opened in November 2010. 
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Copa: Have you always been interested in fashion? Yes, I am inspired by my mother, the late Delores Barnes, an accomplished seamstress and dressmaker who taught me the importance of doing quality work consistently. My earliest memories as a child I remember sitting next to my mother as she was sewing. I was designing and sewing clothes for my dolls by hand. At age 13 I designed my first prom gown for my sister. Coming from a large family, designing my own clothing was an option to wear something that was completely yours. Fashion design has always been my passion and labor of love.
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Copa: What type of attire does MB Design Gallery sell?
Michele: MB Design Gallery produces Custom Couture Designs for every woman. All garments are designed by Designer Michele Blanchard. MB Design Gallery specializes in Wedding, Formal and Ready to Wear Garments. We also provide restyling and alteration service’s for both men and women. Soon to be released our Made In America line of clothing will represent our couture line. It will be available to purchase at a boutique near you, or on our website. 
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Copa: . When did you get the idea to form a partnership with your husband Ed?
Michele: In November of 2010 an option availed itself to acquire a retail location in a trendy section of Baltimore. My husband became interested in assisting me operating the store. Ed has over 30 years of corporate management experience and was one of the owners of the former Rosewood Hudson & Associates and asset management firm. We opened the store and have moved forward ever since.
Michele: In November of 2010 an option availed itself to acquire a retail location in a trendy section of Baltimore. My husband became interested in assisting me operating the store. Ed has over 30 years of corporate management experience and was one of the owners of the former Rosewood Hudson & Associates and asset management firm. We opened the store and have moved forward ever since.
Michele and Ed Blanchard
Copa: Is an online presence that features your garments?
Michele: Yes. We have a website http://micheleblancharddesigngallery.com/. The website features options to purchase our custom designs, contact information as well as a photo gallery from prior MB Design Gallery events. The website will be dedicating additional space to custom wedding gowns and dresses. We are expanding our resources to place a greater focus on custom wedding attire. Nonetheless trendy cocktail dresses and ready to wear attire will also be a staple of our business.
Michele: Yes. We have a website http://micheleblancharddesigngallery.com/. The website features options to purchase our custom designs, contact information as well as a photo gallery from prior MB Design Gallery events. The website will be dedicating additional space to custom wedding gowns and dresses. We are expanding our resources to place a greater focus on custom wedding attire. Nonetheless trendy cocktail dresses and ready to wear attire will also be a staple of our business.
Copa: I met you about 3 years ago at the Crystal Couture Fashion Show & Sale in Crystal City, Virginia. How much has changed since then?
Michele: The MB Design Gallery brand has grown. We have expanded from a local brand to international exposure. I was the 2014-2015 International designer of the year for New Day Associates. Our brand has been seen on the television show The Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Boris & Nicole Show. Also our designs have been featured in Hype Hair Magazine, Modern Luxury Magazine DC, Sheen Magazine and the cover of Texture Magazine since we last met. We currently have a model styled in the current March-April 2016 issue of Sheen Magazine.
Michele: The MB Design Gallery brand has grown. We have expanded from a local brand to international exposure. I was the 2014-2015 International designer of the year for New Day Associates. Our brand has been seen on the television show The Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Boris & Nicole Show. Also our designs have been featured in Hype Hair Magazine, Modern Luxury Magazine DC, Sheen Magazine and the cover of Texture Magazine since we last met. We currently have a model styled in the current March-April 2016 issue of Sheen Magazine.
Copa: Do you produce any fashion shows? If so, please tell our readers all about them.
Michele: Our very first production is in the development stages currently. We will be finalizing the production date for the event in the near future. Our next Fashion Show is April 9, 2016 at the Marriot Newark Airport, Newark, New Jersey for the 37 Year Celebration for John Blassingame. We also will be in the Sheen Magazine, The Art of Fashion Weekend during late May of 2016. You can review our website for an up to date calendar of our events.
Michele: Our very first production is in the development stages currently. We will be finalizing the production date for the event in the near future. Our next Fashion Show is April 9, 2016 at the Marriot Newark Airport, Newark, New Jersey for the 37 Year Celebration for John Blassingame. We also will be in the Sheen Magazine, The Art of Fashion Weekend during late May of 2016. You can review our website for an up to date calendar of our events.
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Copa: Are there any plans for opening other stores in the foreseeable future?
Michele: No. We may change our location. However our foot print will be online or in a boutique near you.
Michele: No. We may change our location. However our foot print will be online or in a boutique near you.
Copa: What does the future hold for Ed and Michele Blanchard and the boutique?
Michele: A lot of hard work and effort is what the future has in store for Ed and I. We are very excited about reaching our goals to increase the brand penetration in our core business segments, and maintain a vibrant and trendy clothing line.
Ed and I both are on the Fashion Design Program Advisory Board for Stevenson University Fashion Design Program. We love mentoring new and emerging talent through our intern program.
Michele: A lot of hard work and effort is what the future has in store for Ed and I. We are very excited about reaching our goals to increase the brand penetration in our core business segments, and maintain a vibrant and trendy clothing line.
Ed and I both are on the Fashion Design Program Advisory Board for Stevenson University Fashion Design Program. We love mentoring new and emerging talent through our intern program.
~Copa
