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I am Dana Michele and I began designing as a very young child, spending hours upon hours handcrafting gifts, writing stories and sneaking my homemade cards complete with hand-drawn stamp in our mailbox for my family members to find. Throughout my career I have always expressed my vision through my designs using my love and passion for the people around me and my zest for life as the foundation for everything I create. My designs are often filled with whimsy and are intended as a way for others to better enjoy themselves and their lives because sharing love is ultimately at the heart of everything I design.
At 10 years old, I wrote a letter to Calvin Klein in the hopes they would have a position available for an up-and-coming designer. Calvin responded with a letter encouraging me to continue designing and to apply again when I was a little older. He also included a glossy catalog filled with his next season’s collection. Inspired by Calvin’s response, I continued to cultivate my creativity and skills developing products that have included jewelry, bath products, children’s toys, yoga and lifestyle apparel, home accessories, novelty and seasonal items and wedding related products.
I credit my passion for designing as the reason I stay motivated. My dream is to design a NASA space shuttle in my signature marigold color.
I have licensed my designs to numerous companies in various product categories. My products have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Good Housekeeping, Family Life, What Not to Wear, Fox News and Elvis Duran and The Morning Show to name a few, My designs have been sold at numerous retailers that include Toys “R” Us, Babies R Us, Origins, FAO Schwarz, Bed Bath and Beyond, K-Mart, Walgreens, Buy Buy Baby, Equinox and Hudson News and others.
In February 2016, Zale’s launched my Infinity Heart Collection. My tween line of DIY crafts and ready-to-wear accessories named Stranded will soon be available at Toys R Us and other retailers worldwide. I also have a children’s furniture and room accessories line that will be available through major retailers and online Fall 2016 with character licenses such as Frozen.
An avid lover of art, design, great food and cooking, I credit my Sicilian heritage for my love of really good food and desserts. A word to the wise, don’t get between me and my sweets! I love entertaining because of the absolute joy it brings me to watch as friends mingle and bond over good food and laughter, (which is an absolute must if you walk into my home). I have entertained such notables as Martha Stewart, Michael Strahan, Rosie O’Donnell, Rosanna Scotto, Nile Rogers, Maurice Dubois and Elvis Duran. I look for ways to delight and uplift my guests whether through a carefully chosen menu, personalized gifts, intricate table settings or festive hats everyone is presented upon being seated for dinner!
Just as important in my life is the opportunity to give to others. My husband, Michael Goldstein the former Chairman and CEO of Toys “R” Us, and I are actively involved with numerous charitable organizations including; The 92nd Street Y, Northside Center for Child Development, Rosie’s Theatre Kids and The Staten Island Zoo as well as support many other organizations such as HeartShare, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Mt Sinai Hospital, Promise Project and The Iyengar Yoga Institute.
We live in NYC with our deliciously entertaining red toy poodle Piccolina, and when not at my desk designing I can often be found walking every inch of the City finding inspiration in all that surrounds me and always in search of the perfect dessert, sushi or the kind of spaghetti and meatballs like my mom and dad used to make so I can share my delightful finds with my loved ones; because life is sweeter and more fulfilling when shared with others.