Natalie meets Gary Graham in 2009 when they are both finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Following the Los Angeles fashion show at Chateau Marmont, Natalie and Gary bond on the balcony of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon restaurant.
From Gary:
"I remember being on the balcony of Thomas Keller's Bouchon restaurant in L.A., with Natalie back in 2009 as part of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists; it was a very glamorous setting. We were alone, and she said to me, "I don't think they are really that interested in what I'm doing.” At the time, I was struck by how honest she was, sharing how she felt with me. It really opened things up with us. I wasn't sure what to do with her commentary when I had my own insecurities. I have always felt close to Natalie, and American fashion would not be the same without the world she has built and continues to grow.
After all these years, I look back and see what Natalie has accomplished. Her company was ahead of every major cultural movement. And now with the restructuring of our lives, with both personal and work intermixed, she is once again ahead of everyone and her legacy will continue."
—Gary Graham, artist and designer, GaryGraham422
Learn more about Gary Graham here.
Watch all of Making the Cut: Season 2 here.
Shop Gary’s styles on Amazon’s Making the Cut Store here.
Slide 1: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists: Gary Graham with model Sasha Pivovarova and Simon Spurr with actor Sebastian Stan (and Simon’s dog, Apollo), from "Top Ten," Vogue magazine, November 2009, photographed by Norman Jean Roy, photograph by Robert Rausch
Slide 2: Sampler Dress and detail of patchwork bodice crafted from an antique needlework sampler and lace, designed by Gary Graham, photographs courtesy of the designer
(P.S.: Here is a picture of Gary and Natalie on that night at Bouchon)