After 15 years shaping LaPointe, CFDA member Sally LaPointe partnered with Oprah Winfrey to showcase her Spring 2025 Collection, The Muse. Their connection began in 2020 when Sally fitted Oprah with a custom suit for the Adele One Night Only concert. To Sally, Oprah embodies the brand’s empowering vision of confidence and self-assurance.

What inspired you to approach Oprah Winfrey as the muse for your Spring 2025 collection? 

After the fitting, she invited me to her terrace and asked about my career. I shared my journey as a self-taught entrepreneur persevering in a competitive industry for over a decade. She said, “It is the power of never giving up,” which resonated deeply. Inspired by her words, I asked her to be my muse for the spring collection.

How did that conversation influence both the collection’s aesthetics and the emotional message you aimed to convey?

For me, it’s always about the message. When the project launched, people connected with the “bigger idea” of perseverance. The overwhelming support and gratitude for this message was the most rewarding part. Seeing people relate to the story, no matter their identity or career, is what truly inspires me.

What challenges did you face transitioning from a runway show to an online lookbook featuring Oprah?

I have always been about challenging the “norm.” In fashion, there are established rules, and it often seems like breaking them means failure. But the truth is, the opposite holds true. When you stay true to yourself and what works for you, everything else falls into place.

How does this partnership align with the broader ethos of your brand? 

It showcased what my brand truly stands for. I know people found it refreshing to see fashion presented in a unique and relatable way, something that has always been my mission. My goal is to inspire people to understand the power of believing in themselves.

How do you hope Oprah’s involvement will inspire your audience, especially women pursuing careers in fashion or entrepreneurship?

Oprah’s recognition of my dedication to LaPointe meant so much. I believe in the survival of the kindest and hope her support inspires others to pursue their dreams and uplift others. There’s beauty in believing in and supporting one another.

How do you balance ambition with practicality and what strategies help you stay confident in pursuing your goals?

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to trust my gut. No matter how unconquerable the challenge may seem, if my intuition speaks, I follow it. It has never let me down.

What advice would you give to younger designers or creatives looking to collaborate with powerful figures? 

Be authentic. People want to be part of your vision. With so much noise and pressure from all sides, it can be difficult to find and maintain your voice. But if you stay true to yourself, others will be drawn to feel, connect, and understand you on a deeper level.