Meet Tracy Christian, the powerhouse behind luxury plus-size brand Sante Grace who’s redefining what elevated fashion looks like for curvy women. As a veteran talent agent with over 25 years in entertainment —Tracy has been named one of the top Black female executives by Forbes, Hollywood Reporter, and Essence. But her most personal venture came from a gap she lived firsthand: the lack of quality, luxurious options for plus-size women who refuse to compromise on style. Tracy never accepted that she should settle for less —so she created Sante Grace to ensure no woman ever has to. This is what it looks like when you turn your pain into purpose and build an empire that elevates every woman who enters it.
We celebrate life’s pivots in Elevated Living. You changed careers going from agent to designer. What inspired you to create Sante Grace?
I’ve fantasized about having my own line since I was a little girl making clothes for Barbie, Chrsty, and Skipper! I continued to follow fashion and develop my own clothes/wardrobe as I got older but having a line like Sante Grace seemed impossible until the pandemic. I’d chosen to work in entertainment as an agent; a job I LOVE. But now my love of fashion was dovetailing with the need for a wardrobe that represented me. How we show up in the world is important and very few things at Lane Bryant et al inspired me. The pandemic gave me time to attend Parsons and create Sante Grace
Sante Grace is one of the largest plus size retailers right now? Has your business model changed in the face of the striking plus size market and current recession threats?
We’ve always been sensitive to the market. Remember we came into existence during the pandemic when people didn’t know if they’d have a job to return to. So we present accessible luxury. And baby when we have a sale – it’s a deep one – 50 – 90% off. But what we’re doing has never been done before. I’ve never seen a plus collection where everything is silk or composed from luxury textiles. I want plus women to have the same access as a straight size woman who shops at Celine.
1. Vegan Leather Coat Dress/Vest $125 2. Light Sleep Set, $250 3. The Ghost Mesh Xray Dress with a Jewel Neckline $99 4. Drawstring Crossbody Mini $26 5. Sage Colored Crane Scarf $19. 6.The Workaholic Cotton Shirt dress in White $125
From all your business and entrepreneurial experiences, what would you tell your younger self?
I think back to the wisdom gained from people like my grandmother and I would say “relax”. I’ve always been hyper driven and wanted to be the best at whatever I do. That’s great but it needs to come with a balance I never had. Today I still choose my clients, agency, and Sante Grace over everything but somehow I have a more balanced life cause before I was crazy!
What clothing piece from your closet makes you feel powerful and confident
So many! You’re catching right after a trip to Tulum where I wore Sante Grace all week and was just myself. Usually a vacation involves tons of shopping trying to find clothes that accommodate my big body, the weather, and whatever activities will be happening but Sante Grace is so well designed that everything fit perfectly and I was well dressed for every occasion. I wore lots of silk caftans for lounging around the pool and dinner. The Flying Squirrel for hanging around the resort and daily yoga – even went swimming in it. Light Sleepers took me from dinner to falling asleep in the hammock outside my room. No need to iron anything and despite the luxury fabrics everything is hand washable.
A life well styled means… (what does it mean to you?)
Freedom
Shop more at SanteGrace.com
