In the knitwear industry for over 20 years, designing for others, sometimes toiling in what she called "moderate purgatory," Lenor Romano took the knitting needles into her hands in 2003 and launched her own men’s knitwear company.

Lenor Romano and two male models after the Fall 08 shoot

In the few years she has been in business full time, her company Lenor Romano, has had great success. For 2007, her company posted a retail sales volume of close to $4 million, selling such prestigious national retailers as Nordstrom, Van Maur, Patrick James and a host of top men’s specialty stores.

Not unusual for a woman who determined her own sense of style at a very young age. By eight years old, her already refined taste repelled her mother’s attempt to dress her in ruffles and bows so she designed her own clothes, sewn by an aunt on her home machine.

"I was never a frilly child," says Lenor.

As an adult designer, Lenor found menswear more conducive to her design aesthetic than women’s apparel. And since graduating New York’s prestigious Parson’s School, she has established her own independent imprint on menswear in general and knitwear in particular.

"She has a great sense of what the American male wants to wear in terms of shape and color. I think she’s one of the true knit wear aficionados out there."  Says Kilgore Trout owner Wally Naymon.

Today, Lenor is building on this strength in knitwear with the addition of a secondary label with the debut of lenie R., the younger, more contemporary side of Lenor Romano. Debuting Fall 08, this innovative new collection will feature an extensive array of fancy and solid sweaters, shirts and scarves in diverse yarns and gauges from tissue weights to hand knits.

lenie R. is aimed at the segment of the better, contemporary mens’ market currently not being addressed with such an in-depth assortment. 

Lenor launched her eponymous company full time in 2003. Prior to that, it evolved in her spare time while she worked as Design Director for a large domestic sweater company. When that company folded, she knew the time was right to strike out on her own. Since then, retailers and consumers alike continue to gravitate to Lenor Romano for its distinct point of view, unlike any other in the market.

Says Lenor: "My designs are fresh and creative because I interpret traditional men’s patterns in innovative, unexpected ways. I offer my customer luxury at an affordable price along with timeless and ageless design. Ultimately, what sets me apart is that I control the entire design process, from selecting colors to developing unique fabrics. The finished product is beautiful, wearable, flattering and original."

Lenor lives in New York City with her husband, John McCoy and her two Korat cats, Tina and Carlyle. The design studio and showroom is located in midtown Manhattan at 159 West 53rd Street, Suite 34B.

For more information, contact Lenor Romano 212.755.2288 ext 101 or  email  info@lenorromano.com
For press inquiries contact Stuart Cohen at pr@lenorromano.com or 718.288.0462.