Tracy Zych

Early life

Born in Hollywood, Florida, one of three siblings, to Myrtis (Kier) and Andrew Zych, early childhood years were spent in south Florida where the family owned and operated a campground RV resort known as Kozy Kampers. The family business was sold in 1984 which prompted Zych's parents to move northward, set tling in Ocala at age eleven.

Zych credits an early sense of style to her mother, having dressed her in high fashion trends at a young age while following vanguard styles and designers such as Halston over the years. Zych's mother also designed her own one-of-a-kind clothing such as stylish short-sets which were sewn by her mother-in-law.

Thus cultivating an interest in fashion early on, Zych's adoration for handbags would develop during childhood. She purchased her first designer bag, the classic shoulder bag by Gucci, at age thirteen through a department store lay-away plan, using money earned from babysitting jobs. After graduating from Forest High School in 1991 Zych attended Central Florida Community and Palm Beach Community colleges before pursuing design independently. Also attributed to family roots is Zych's business acumen and entrepreneurial pursuit, in particular to that of her third cousin, Walter Diemer, inventor of bubble gum.

Career

Zych, whose surname serves as the said trade name and brand, thus stylized as ZYCH, launched her first line under Tracy Zych New York, LLC in 2004, partnering with her sister, Ashley (Zych). The initial line featured a small yet elaborate collection which gained instant recognition, thus securing representation by W29, a New York showroom. Soon thereafter, Zych became established in the industry for a signature style, often described the industry and media as modern or edgy while also embodying luxury. Photographs of celebrities carrying Zych's designs also surfaced, one being that of actress Rachel Bilson in Los Angeles at a Marc Jacobs premier carrying Zych's very first design, the Hampton's striped clutch. Such was the onset of high profile appeal which led to further success and influential clientele such as Sienna Miller, Rachel Bilson, Hayden Panettiere, Rebecca Gayheart, Vanessa Minnillo, and Selena Gomez among others. Many in the celebrity circuit own multiple ZYCH handbags including the (aforementioned) Edie bag which inspired by the character Edie Sedgwick in the 2006 film Factory Girl played by actress Sienna Miller.

As popularity and success grew, press coverage including international media attention would also grow respectively. Publications featuring Zych vary among outlets and forms, including printed magazines such as People, In Style, Us Weekly, Lucky, In Touch, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Gotham, OK, Ahlan, Public France, GenLux, Sunday Style (New York Times), and others. As partners, both Zych sisters continued to build upon the initial brand which included new, subsequent lines which were funded not only by the preceding success but also supplemental income from (both sisters maintaining) individual full-time day jobs. Consequently, more product including new designs were sold in luxury boutiques across North America and London in addition to being on exhibition at global industry trade shows, i.e. Designers and Agents, Coterie and Tranoi (Paris), et al.

In 2012, stemming from market reasons and the U.S. economy crash in 2008, a decision was made to dissolve the initial brand, Tracy Zych New York, LLC. Zych introduced an exclusive collection of handbags inspired by the professional racing motor sports industry in late 2012 which received praise and market success.

In January, 2015, Zych announced returning to the fashion industry with mention of a new, upcoming launch although no specific details or further comments were provided.