Legendary fashion designer Joseph Abboud recently published his autobiography, Threads: My Life Behind the Seams in the High-Stakes World of Fashion, which offers a revealing account of his adventures (and misadventures) as he moved his way up in the fashion industry.
Abboud began his career at Louis of Boston where he spent 12 years, first in sales and eventually as a buyer. In 1981 he made a move to Polo/Ralph Lauren where he later became Associate Director of Menswear Design. Soon thereafter, Abboud realized he had his own unique style that had yet to be introduced to the market and was determined to share his vision. In 1987 he launched his own signature menswear label and quickly found a niche for his American neo-traditional approach to design.
Over the years Abboud has been the official designer for The NBC Olympics and CBS’s March Madness. He has wardrobed Don Imus, Tom Brokaw, Bob Costas, Pat O’Brien, Bryant Gumbel, Jack Ford, Bill O’Reilly, Stephan Marbury, and Jeremy Shockey. In addition to men’s clothing, Abboud has also designed cars for General Motors and Buick. He has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, CBS, The Metro Channel, The Mike Barnicle Show, and The O’Reilly Factor.
Abboud has held a position with the University of Massachusetts, Boston as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Marketing. He has taught the Management of Creativity at Sacred Heart University at the graduate level and taught the Marketing of Creativity at Fordham University, and frequently lectures on related themes. In addition, he is on the Advisory Board for Laboratory Institute of Merchandising College.
Abboud has won many awards and honors. In 1995, he was honored by the United States Department of Commerce “for creative contributions promoting the American fashion and retail industry,” “for actively promoting American design to the world, and for bringing the hallmark for excellence to American fashion.” In 2000, Abboud was honored by the American Jewish Committee for his philanthropic work and his contribution to the fashion industry with a special proclamation from Senator John F. Kerry from Massachusetts. He is also the only designer to boast winning back to back CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards for Menswear Designer of the Year.
Abboud sits on several charity boards including the C.J. Foundation for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the Sean McDonough Foundation which raises money for children in need as well as those afflicted with serious illnesses in and around the Boston area, the Nomar 5 Foundation to help raise money for the under privileged children of Boston, and the CFDA for “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.” Abboud is the Co-Chairman of Swim Across the Sound, an organization that raises money for cancer. He created the Mohegan Sun/Joseph Abboud Celebrity Tennis Tournament which has raised nearly a million dollars to benefit the Imus Ranch for children with cancer, the C.J. Foundation for SIDS, and the Northern Westchester Hospital and its new neonatal unit.
In addition to writing his second book, a mystery novel set in the fashion industry, Abboud is currently working with network television to develop a lifestyle program that marries athletics and style. He remains focused on promoting creativity by nurturing uprising American design talent and artists.
Abboud resides with his wife Lynn and two daughters Lila and Ari in Westchester, New York.