44 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine ARTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT SULLY BONNELLY DESIGNER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, OWNER Sully Bonnelly New York, NY As a child in the Dominican Republic, Sully Bonnelly developed an early interest in fashion after watching Diana Ross portray a fashion student in the 1975 film “Mahogany.” From there, he was solely focused on becoming a skilled designer – not necessarily a famous one. However, since commencing his career, Mr. Bonnelly’s work has had a significant impact on the fashion industry. During his 46-year career, Mr. Bonnelly has counted several notable accomplishments. He created a concept under someone else’s name that became widely copied and significant in its field. Despite facing challenges breaking into the market when he established his own company, he successfully sold to some of the world’s best retailers. Mr. Bonnelly also played a crucial role in transforming the fashion business into what it is today, shifting from a showroom-oriented approach to a more product-focused model. After completing a degree in architecture at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo in 1979, Mr. Bonnelly moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion. He earned a bachelor's degree in fashion design from the Parsons School of Design at The New School, building a solid foundation in technical design and creative vision. Mr. Bonnelly’s skill and talent have led to positions with fashion icons. His first job was as a design assistant for Oscar de la Renta in 1980, who instilled in him that fashion is not truly fashion until someone wears it. A guiding principle throughout Mr. Bonnelly’s career is that products must sell to have any significant impact. He aims to design clothing that sells itself. In 1983, Mr. Bonnelly took a design assistant role at Akira, where he stayed for five years before moving to Tahari ASL as a suits and dress designer. He then worked as a designer at the Bill Blass Group, gaining valuable experience working with leading American high-end designers. In 1993, a turning point for Mr. Bonnelly occurred as he launched Sulley Bonnelly Ltd. and established his reputation for innovative design solutions. He founded his company as a bridge line, positioned between inexpensive clothing and high-end fashion. When the market shifted
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ5NDA2