# Deirdre Quinn

> Deirdre Quinn is the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette 148 New York, the womenswear business she started with Shun Yen Siu and Ida Siu in 1996. A fashion-design graduate whose career centered on production at Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, and Escada, she built the brand around control of manufacturing, longstanding partnerships, and clothing for accomplished women. She also serves as a trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at Lafayette 148 New York
- **Organizations:** Lafayette 148 New York, Fashion Institute of Technology, Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, Escada
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Fashion design; exact degree designation not specified publicly, Bauder College
- **Known for:** Co-founded and continues to lead Lafayette 148 New York, established in 1996., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016, New York, Retail and Consumer Products category., Serves on the Fashion Institute of Technology Board of Trustees.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1996** — Worked in production at Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, and Escada; worked on the DKNY launch and traveled to more than seventy countries.
- **1996** — Co-founded Lafayette 148 New York with Shun Yen Siu and Ida Siu at 148 Lafayette Street.
- **2016** — Received EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in New York, Retail and Consumer Products category.
- **2018** — Moved Lafayette 148 headquarters to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- **2026** — Discussed developing future decision-makers at the September Women in Power event; Lafayette 148 opened its first Dallas boutique in October.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and continues to lead Lafayette 148 New York, established in 1996.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016, New York, Retail and Consumer Products category.
- Serves on the Fashion Institute of Technology Board of Trustees.
- Led the 2018 headquarters relocation to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Lafayette 148 opened its first Dallas boutique at NorthPark Center on October 6; Quinn described Dallas as an established market for the brand.
- **2026-09** — At the September 14 Women in Power event, Quinn discussed leadership development, transparency, and the brand’s 85 percent direct-to-consumer mix.
- **2025-07** — In a July 23 interview, Quinn emphasized product quality, her partnerships with Ida Siu and Emily Smith, and playing the long game.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lafayette148ny.com/deirdre-quinn
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-quinn-60b828123/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/deirdre-quinn
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11