Lisa Rinna’s first job in fashion was not on a runway or in a showroom, but as the founder and driving force behind the beloved Los Angeles boutique, Belle Gray. The store, named after her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray, was born from a potent mix of desperation, passion, and a lifelong obsession with style that began with her first copy of Vogue in Medford, Oregon.
The Catalyst: How Financial Fear Sparked Lisa Rinna’s First Job in Fashion
The origin story of Lisa Rinna’s first job in fashion is rooted in necessity. At 40, with her acting and hosting work dwindling and her family on the brink of losing their home, Rinna and her husband, Harry Hamlin, faced a crisis. “We were barely covering our expenses,” she recalls. It was Hamlin who identified her untapped potential, noting her consistent appearance on best-dressed lists. This observation sparked the idea to monetize her innate skill as a “professional shopper,” setting them on a path to create a clothing line or boutique.
Building Belle Gray: The Grit Behind the Glamour
Transforming the idea into Lisa Rinna’s first job in fashion required relentless hustle. Rinna immersed herself in the retail world, seeking advice from icons like Scoop’s Stephanie Greenfield and veteran retailer Elyse Walker. She learned the cutthroat rules of showrooms and secured a bizarre, pink-walled space on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. With a budget a fraction of typical build-outs, Hamlin and a handyman renovated the store themselves for $40,000. Rinna then navigated the clique-ish LA showrooms, fighting for hot brands like CNC and Da Nang, which initially cost her a friendship with a rival boutique owner.
The Oprah Effect and the Harsh Reality of Retail
Belle Gray’s breakthrough came from a phenomenon of the era: Oprah’s Favorite Things. The feature forced the couple to rapidly build a website and create branded merchandise. The day after the segment aired, they made $125,000. “That segment made the business skyrocket,” says Rinna. However, the highs were met with brutal lows. Overbuying led to chaotic parking lot sales, and the 2008 financial crisis devastated their second location in Calabasas, which was locked into an unforgiving 11-year lease. The brick-and-mortar venture ultimately couldn’t survive the downturn.
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The Pivot: From Storefront to $50 Million QVC Empire
The end of the physical stores was not the end of Belle Gray. Lisa Rinna’s first job in fashion brilliantly pivoted when QVC approached her. Translating the boutique’s curated aesthetic to television, she built a $50 million business, proving her fashion sense was scalable. This transition from struggling retailer to TV retail magnate cemented her business acumen.
The Lasting Legacy of Lisa Rinna’s First Fashion Chapter
Today, Rinna views her boutique years not as a failure, but as a foundational chapter. “All these different chapters of my life have served their own special purpose,” she reflects. The experience granted her an enduring education in the fashion industry, which now fuels her front-row presence and support of young designers. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Have a billionaire backer.” The story of Belle Gray remains a testament to the power of risk, resilience, and a deep-seated love for fashion that can turn a survival instinct into a lasting legacy.
Source Information:
This article is based on Lisa Rinna’s firsthand account and recollections shared in her personal narrative.
Explore more on Lisa Rinna’s career: Lisa Rinna Official
