Nanette Lepore was determined to be a fashion designer. After graduating from Youngstown University, she packed her bags and headed east to New York City’s venerable Fashion Institute of Technology. With degree in tow, she set out to pay her dues in design studios around town. To make sure that her dream became a reality, she borrowed $5,000 from her dad, set up shop in the fashion district and quickly became the hangout for poets and painters. Gotta love her, right! My kinda woman for sure... The rest is fashion history. Above of some of my favorites from her Spring '09 line. Her designs are available at Neiman Marcus.