Style Without Rules: Tracy Christian on Redefining Plus Size Fashion + Staying Power in Hollywood
Tracy Christian juggles managing the careers of household music & film stars we know and love- but she's also designing a brand that is redefining accessible luxury fashion with SANTE GRACE.
Hello Lush Life friends,
This week’s musing features a profile on an incredible woman who doesn’t need any introduction, lest from me.
But I’m such a fan of how she moves through the world, and the work she is building, and it felt fitting to share with you.
I remember scrolling through instagram during one of my many travels (I was in London, I believe) and I was jet lagged. I kept seeing these promotional ads pop up in my feed from this brand, offering “luxury plus size fashion”.
I did a quick google deep dive, and couldn’t find any reviews or any of my go-to influencers talking about the brand. I hemmed and hawwed, and impulse purchased my first order.
From there, I became a fan.
I would chat with Tracy Christian, the founder and designer of Sante Grace, and she would send me pictures of fabric rolls she was working on, and we would discuss at great length our frustration with the fashion industry, and how it has chosen to ignore 65% of the population.
Fast forward, years later, I was in Los Angeles for work with a philanthropist, and decided to schedule private fittings at different showrooms in Los Angeles.
Ms. Tracy pulled up in her beautiful Aston Martin, and we had dinner, laughs and conversation until 4 in the morning- a special night, I won’t ever forget.
It’s an interesting experience to be your authentic self, but feel as if you are an odd cookie- a crinkle cut french fry in a sea of wedge cut potato fries.
It’s an experience I’ve had for so long, I’ve worn it as a second skin- feeling both celebrated for my difference, but also wishing I could find someone like me, who understood me without translation.
That night, I’d never felt so seen. Until I met Ms. Tracy.
Ms. Tracy has been the go-to Hollywood agent, talent manager & publisher for decades, managing the careers of many of the pop stars, actresses and starlets we know and love- the household names that are cemented in history of music, television and film.
And she’s been wildly successful at it.
But at the same time, she had a dream she’d been holding on for so long- constantly wondering if it was worth exploring.
If you’re already critically acclaimed and “successful”, do you take a risk to travel the road not crossed?
Sound familiar?
Tracy launched her brand, SANTE GRACE in 2020- when the world was on fire, the pandemic raging on, and so many of us sheltered in place, at home, wondering if there will ever be a cure or a vaccine to come forth?
It’s the dream she kept suppressing, and finally, she launched it.
A curated space, with a mix of styles and wardrobe for the plus size women she was designing for- women like her, who were attending the Cannes Film Festival or attending magazine launch parties or simply, having lunch with Kris Jenner in Beverly Hills.
It’s easy to scoff at such frivolities when you are miles away from a reality like this- but when you’re in these spaces, how one looks, matters.
Especially in Hollywood. And how one looks as a visibly plus size dark skinned Black woman? One fashion misstep and we’re instantly the butt of jokes referencing Aunt Jemima or “Precious”.
In an environment that implies plus size women should hide away or don trash bags a la Missy Elliot to move through the world- Tracy Christian’s SANTE GRACE has been bucking against those tropes, fighting to showcase an empowered plus size woman and catering to her- from the perspective of a Black plus size woman designer.
There are fortunately, more options for plus sizes than there ever have been. But unfortunately, as the economy plummets- few independent brands are able to withstand a deep recession.
There are now, only a handful of brands still standing that provide plus size women with elevated apparel options for the office, for lifestyle, for events. And in that handful, only a few are led by plus size women themselves.
Tracy Christian, the celebrated Hollywood agent and manager, and more recently, Fashion Designer, is working to fulfill her childhood dream whilst accommodating women who have consistently been ignored.
I’m such a fan, and I hope you are too! Learn more about Tracy and why Sante Grace matters, below.
-aria
Interview With Tracy Christian
Aria: Ms. Tracy Christian, you are an icon! I’ve admired your journey—from representing major Hollywood talent to launching Sante Grace, a contemporary fashion brand shaking up the plus-size market.
How did you get to a place to be inspired to launch a fashion brand and how do you juggle running both a talent agency and a fashion label?
Tracy: I’ve always had a deep love for fashion—my grandmother, an excellent seamstress, taught me to sew and style wardrobe for dolls growing up, which inspired Sante Grace’s name.
Growing up as a San Francisco native gave me a fearless sense of style. From blue mohawks to 501s and penny loafers, I never felt the need to follow rules. From my love of eclectic music (New Wave, Rock, Punk, Hip Hop) and films like Last Tango in Paris, The Mack, Rocky Horror and Max Fleirscher cartoons- I had so many references to draw from. San Francisco gave me freedom—to explore, to experiment, to imagine.
As for balancing it all—I’ve kept a datebook since I was 13 and I don’t work in silos.
I plan each day around what needs my attention, whether it’s my agency, TCA [Tracy Christian Agency], or Sante Grace.
I’m proud to have built an agency and a platform that empowers both agents and clients—to shape careers, not just book jobs. But work that is career defining.
Aria: When you’re designing, who is the Sante Grace woman?
Tracy: She’s got taste, she asks questions, and she wants options.
She’s not trying to look like me—she’s building her own look.
Our customers range from actors and models to moms in corporate and nonprofit jobs. They all want to feel stylish and confident—never out of place.
“90% of success is showing up.”- Tracy Christian, on the best advice she’s ever received.
Aria: Who’s inspiring you in fashion right now?
Tracy: Always La Dame June Ambrose. Law Roach is fascinating. Whoever’s styling Yseult and Doechii is doing a killer job.
And I’ve been loving Chloe and Saint Laurent for their consistency. I’m actually hopeful about this year’s Met Gala for once!
Tracy’s favorite quote:
“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” – Winston Churchill
Aria: What’s been your biggest luxury indulgence?
Tracy: Working from bed like Joan Crawford! HA!
Building an office at home, traveling, and lounging at my friend Mona’s [Mona Scott Young] house watching arthouse films over curated cheese plates from my friend Glen’s Los Feliz shop.
I treasure different things now at this age.
Aria: What's on your wishlist?
Tracy: Real estate!
And I’m nudging my friend Octavia Morgan to release a moisturizing scented oil for summer.
I’m also excited to release more caftans and two-piece sets—it’s how I live now.
Aria: Your go-to fragrance?
Tracy: Octavia Morgan - Oud.
