CFDA x MARCHAY: CHAPTER 3 TRACY REESE

New-York based designer Tracy Reese is famous for her flirty, colorful dresses and celebrity clientele, including the First Lady. Michelle Obama wore a Tracy Reese dress when she gave her Democratic National Convention speech in 2012. That was a watershed moment for Reese, but she never forgets she’s a Detroit girl at heart who loves a little fantasy vacation to the Amalfi Coast. Here is her travel Blackbook.

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YOU GREW UP IN DETROIT, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOMETOWN RESTAURANT AND WHY?

Detroit has a great food scene that has really flourished in the last couple of years. Selden Standard is at the top of my list of places to try.

WHAT MUST YOU BUY OR TRY WHILE IN DETROIT?

Détroit is the New Black is one of my favorite stops in the city. Roslyn Karamoko is the owner and a Detroit-based designer who is setting an amazing example for local designers. She has a wonderful aesthetic and her store is beautiful!

3 REASONS WHY SOMEONE SHOULD SPEND A WEEKEND IN DETROIT:

The Detroit Institute of Arts is always on my list of stops. Not only are the exhibits fantastic, but they show a mix of contemporary and classic films as well. There’s a café that serves wine upstairs and check out the Diego Rivera murals before seeing a show. Growing up, I spent a lot of my Saturdays at the Detroit Historical Museum. There’s an entire “old Detroit” with cobblestone streets and antique cars – a signature exhibit — that tells the history of the city. And cap off the day with a stop at jazz club Cliff Bell’s. You’re always guaranteed a great cocktail and talented musicians proving Detroit’s reputation as a music mainstay.

AMALFI COAST, POSITANO AND CAPRI

FAVORITE SHOPS:

My favorites are always the small, local stands and shops, places where you can tell the owners have been living and working on their crafts all their lives. In Positano, Giovanni is one of those. He makes handmade leather sandals to whatever specifications your heart desires at his shop, La Botteguccia da Giovanni. In Capri, the nights can get a bit chilly, so pick up a great knit at Farella. They can whip up a custom shawl in the back workroom or, if you need something right away, buy one of their sweaters — the perfect topper for dinner.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:

In Capri, Da Paolino is a must see; there’s a beautiful lemon grove inside the restaurant giving it a truly romantic feel, plus the seafood is super fresh! While in Amalfi, we stayed at Monastero Santa Rosa, a beautiful old monastery situated on the cliffs overlooking the sea, some of the most gorgeous views you could ask for! And the restaurant, Ristorante il Refettorio, had some of the most mouthwatering food on our trip.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH PACKING FOR A HOLIDAY:

For better or for worse, I am usually working until the last minute before a trip and end up packing very last minute. To make things go as smoothly as possible, I try to plan a few outfits in my head throughout the week before I leave. And I always make sure to bring my gym shoes, since I like to keep active no matter where I am visiting.

3-5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT:

Gym shoes, a colorful maxi dress, fun sunglasses, red lipstick and detangling conditioner.