Latin School of Chicago

latin magazine » spring 2015 29 S tacy (Morgenstern) Igel '95 discovered her love for fashion design early. She started hand sewing when she was just 10 years old. Today, the Latin alum is the founder and creative director of Boy Meets Girl®, a young contemporary clothing line sold at Nordstrom and other major retailers, featured in top fashion magazines and worn by celebrities and tastemakers. As if she isn't busy enough, Igel is developing a television show for a major network, expanding into cosmetics and writing a lifestyle blog. In her few spare moments, she devotes herself to causes she is passionate about, such as breast cancer awareness and anti-bullying programs. She also is the mom of a 7-month-old boy. To Igel, her years at Latin had a big hand in fostering her drive and determination to pursue her interests. "I found my passion at Latin, and I learned about working hard and perseverance there," she said. Always one to make her own opportunities, Igel took design classes during high school at Columbia College and the Art Institute. e classes proved invaluable. "I learned the basics about the construction of a garment and how to sketch," she said. "I learned the difference between a knit and a woven – all the little details that go into designing. I designed my own prom dress in one of the classes and wore it to my senior prom. I also worked in retail and interned at the Merchandise Mart to learn that side of the business." Igel graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a triple major in design, retail and business. From there she moved to New York City, worked with iconic brands and personalities such as Izod, Elie Tahari and Elsa Klensch, and then dove head first into developing and marketing her own line. She started Boy Meets Girl® out of her apartment, designing and making T-shirts by hand. From the beginning, Igel felt confident that through hard work she could make her company a success. "My mom was an entrepreneur, and I definitely inherited that 'go get 'em spirit' from her," she said. "It's in my blood. I knew what I had to do and just went for it." In the midst of building her business, she's also made a point of mentoring other entrepreneurs, using her blog, Behind the Seams™ with Stacy Igel, as a kind of advice column for aspiring entrepreneurs. She also launched Boy Meets Girl University®, a hands-on learning experience on college and high school campuses around the country for students who aspire to work in the fashion industry and who want to learn about the creative business side of building a brand. As frenetic as Igel's work life can be – running from finance meetings to fittings to power lunches with magazine editors – she still makes time to give back. Two organizations in particular get most of her attention: the Young Survival Coalition, which supports young breast cancer patients, and BullyBust, which develops anti-bullying programs. She has used her design skills to create fashion items with proceeds going to these two organizations. She also recently created #BMGLiveOutLoud, which celebrates "Upstanders" – people who stand up to bullying around the world. "When something is important to me, I can't stop thinking about it," Igel explained her tendency to give up on sleep in favor of her many endeavors. "I have to do it. But life is good when you are passionate about things and you are excited to get up in the morning to work on whatever you are doing." ese days that also includes motherhood and every so often putting everything else aside to spend time with her family. Stacy Igel '95 I found my passion at Latin, and I learned about working hard and perseverance there." latin magazine » spring 2015

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