WOMAN OWNED. Founder and President Kathryn McKechnie unveiled Crescendo’s first “Fire Your Tailor” collection for Fall/Winter 2009, followed by a Spring/Summer collection in 2010. McKechnie, an entrepreneur with a heart for philanthropy and mind for finance, understands her market so well because she herself fits squarely within it. She spent a lifetime struggling to find stylish clothes that fit her curvy figure off the rack. She founded Crescendo to give women not only high fashion that fits, but the luxury of feeling confident and comfortable in their own skin.

DEFINING A NEW MARKETPLACE SECTOR. Crescendo Apparel’s consumers, women with pear- and hourglass-shaped figures, wield considerable influence in their social spheres. The high-fashion industry has long overlooked this marketplace segment, leaving open the opportunity for Crescendo to step in. By solving a real problem in these consumers’ lives, Crescendo Apparel is leveraging the potential of this untapped, underserved and important consumer sector.

POISED FOR EXPANSION. As the company gains market presence, the brand plans to introduce additional collections that address a myriad of fit issues women face.

PHILANTHROPIC. As a clothing brand, Crescendo is committed to giving women high fashion that fits. As a company, Crescendo is committed to giving back to the community. Its first philanthropic initiative supports Step Up Women’s Network, a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. In Fall 2009, Crescendo was the exclusive sponsor of Step Up’s Midwest College Tour. The four-day tour gave 30 teen girls from underserved communities in Chicago the chance to visit universities across the Midwest, providing a well-rounded, informative view of the college experience.