Laurel Berman

“I’ve survived three Chapter 11s, I’ve had paychecks bounce, I’ve cried more than once. I’ve seen it all in this industry," says Black Halo designer and founder Laurel Berman. Now in her 10th year with the line, Berman has a job description that's a design school grad’s dream. She leads creative for a contemporary fashion house that she owns outright—with teams of pattern-makers, drapers, fitters, and now sales all under her wing. Still, the Spokane-bred L.A. native will be the first to tell you it’s no smooth sailing.