PHYLLIS BRASCH LIBRACH
2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE

A former award-winning journalist, Phyllis Brasch Librach traded deadlines for hemlines after she failed to find trendy plus size Prom dress for her curvy teen-age daughter. In the beginning, Librach was just another mother anxious to wipe away her daughter's tears. 

So, twenty years ago she founded Sydney’s Closet, which has become an international company that sets the bar for fashion-forward Prom, Wedding, Formal and Evening gowns, and Party dresses in sizes 14 to 40 that fit and flatter curvy women and teens. The Company now produces 10,000 dresses annually in 8 different collections.

In addition to the Sydney’s Closet Prom and Bridal labels sold on www.sydneyscloset.com and other marketplace websites, Librach also designs two collections - Tease Prom and Michelle Bridal - which are sold exclusively in more than 300 stores in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany and Australia Tease Prom and Michelle Bridal.

Of recent note, she now has an annual design collaboration with Johnathan Kayne, of Project Runway fame, which has vaulted Sydney's into serving plus size pageant and evening customers.

The Chicago Tribune once called her the "plus size fairy godmother."

Outside work, Librach enjoys yoga, pilates, gardening, reading, genealogy and, most of all, spending time with her three grandchildren.