Black Dress owner favors chic designs

The buttons are extra-shiny, the silk ultra smooth, the colors vibrant. The patterns are… The buttons are extra-shiny, the silk ultra smooth, the colors vibrant. The patterns are ingenious and the fabric is fierce. All of these details are similar to the designer: a Bosnian refugee of class, distinction and elegance.

Sitting cross-legged in her form-fitting denim jeans and gray, heart-print T-shirt, designer Diana Misetic says she often wears her heart on her sleeve, for she is open and free with her story of success.

In 1994, Misetic’s life as she knew it changed completely: The war in her native Bosnia forced her family to migrate to America with no food or family – and, more importantly, no place to call home. But that didn’t stop Misetic – she was up for the challenge and viewed America as a chance to pursue her dream of opening her own boutique.

Before the war, Misetic planned to open a fashion boutique to share her designs with her country. In her effort to pursue her dream, she obtained a degree in textile design and pattern construction. But once the war began, Misetic was forced to place her businesses on hold and move for the betterment of her family.

“Though I had no choice to move to America, I didn’t mind. I never had to be a part of a group to be identified. I identify myself,” said Misetic.

The move to America initially felt unnatural, but she, her husband Zoran and 10-year-old son Dino, adjusted well, and within a few weeks, they were “Americanized.”

The migration department chose Pittsburgh for its ethnic diversity and growing industrial development, and Misetic seized the moment. By July of 2000, her long-term dream was finally taken off the shelf, and her custom-made boutique was well underway.

“I wanted to open my own specialty shop because I have so much creative energy. There’s something in me that drives me to create original pieces – I was born to do it,” said Misetic.

Misetic envisioned a classic shop that would showcase prototypical pieces while remaining timeless and affordable. The Little Black Dress, meaning elegant simplicity, answered her every prayer.

“I named it The Little Black Dress because I don’t like too many colors. Colors have a tendency to take away from the real beauty and personality of the wearer,” Misetic said. “Black dresses allow people to be individuals, and that is true beauty.”

Though the name of the shop denotes opaque simplicity, its interior is quite the opposite. The sun-drenched foyer of her shop matches the hand-painted red swirls along the hardwoodfloor, and the symmetrical walls are covered with dramatic designs embellished just enough to be noticed, but concealed enough to highlight the shop’s clothing collection.

But what really makes the shopping experience phenomenal is the unseen element: the echo of festive, nostalgic music that permeates the cozy ambiance. Misetic uses music to inspire her unparalleled creations of high quality apparel.

“Pop culture is projected here. Fashion is undeniably entertainment,” said Misetic.

Browsing the racks at her Shadyside boutique, the designer sees much to wear – and much more to admire. Misetic’s pieces denote haute couture style, complete with classy chiffon and vintage silk. The most dramatic of these is a non-traditional, mid-length silk dress with a veil long enough to outlast any marriage. Her other timeless pieces include flirty, animal-print cocktail dresses for the pristine, and skull prints for the avid punk lovers.

And that’s just the first floor.

The second level of her shop adds a dash of spice to the mostly black-and-white collection. As you enter the second level, you are greeted with sparkly pinks and reds that are bound to appear later, perhaps on her son’s original paintings that are scattered throughout the ready-to-wear collection.

Priced $600 to $2,000 for custom-made outfits and $35 to $70 for ready-to-wear designs, The Little Black Dress offers a beacon of hope for Pittsburgh’s fashion market.

Her soigne pieces are gaining notoriety, for even Princess Mary, the Crown Princess of Denmark, is seeking her own custom-made little black dress. And Juliana Morris, the wife of Pittsburgh’s pop artist Burton Morris, wore a custom-made dress to last year’s Oscars.

Although Misetic is more than pleased to assist the famous, fame means nothing to her. Misetic’s stardom comes from the smiles and satisfaction from her customers; for she is already – as the store’s name suggests – classic and chic in her little black dress.

The Little Black Dress is located at 5896 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call (412) 363-6442 for more information.