Entertainment
Veronica Beard: Two women, one vision, and the jacket that changed their lives
In the bustling heart of Manhattan, the women behind the luxury fashion label Veronica Beard are running a brand that has become synonymous with modern American style. And in a twist of fate, they share more than just their company; they share a name.
Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard first met at a wedding, where they were seated next to each other. That day, Swanson Beard made two important connections.
“I met my husband and my work wife all at that wedding,” she told CBS Saturday Morning with a laugh.
Their their lives began on opposite coasts: Miele Beard grew up in North Caldwell, New Jersey, raised by a single mother, while Swanson Beard was raised in California as an heir to the Swanson frozen-food fortune. The two became sisters-in-law when they married brothers. As their families grew, so did their careers. Swanson Beard pursued fashion, while Miele Beard thrived in finance. What the women shared was a passion for style.
“Since I was four years old, that’s been my dream,” said Swanson Beard. “Fashion was the greatest expression of yourself. You could wake up and be whoever you wanted to be.”
For Miele Beard, even on Wall Street, what she wore was a statement of confidence and authority in a male-dominated environment.
CBS Saturday Morning
But when it came to dressing for work, both women noticed something missing: a staple piece that could anchor a modern woman’s wardrobe. Their answer was inspired by history. In the 1840s, detachable shirtfronts known as “dickeys” gave men the appearance of a full shirt beneath their waistcoat without the bulk. Reimagining that idea, the duo designed a tailored blazer with an interchangeable insert.
In 2010, their namesake label, Veronica Beard, was born, along with its now-iconic Dickey Jacket. The early days were anything but glamorous. Swanson Beard set up a makeshift showroom in her apartment, juggling young children and a dog, while Miele Beard announced mid-launch that she was pregnant with her fifth child. Between the two, they had eight children and a fledgling business.
Their breakthrough came with Saks Fifth Avenue, which gave the brand its first major retail platform. From there, Veronica Beard rapidly grew, and today boasts 42 stores worldwide, including a flagship location on Madison Avenue in New York City.
“It was the most thrilling moment of our career,” Swanson Beard said of the store opening. “It was the physical manifestation of all of our hopes and dreams.”
CBS Saturday Morning 
Fifteen years later, the brand has evolved into a full lifestyle label, offering ready-to-wear, denim, shoes, and handbags, while still promoting the power of a great blazer.
“We love the idea of the uniform being your blazer with jeans,” said Miele Beard. “Get your best pair of jeans, throw on a white tank and a jacket, and you’re done. You’ve just elevated your style.”
The Dickey Jacket remains the brand’s signature piece. When Gwyneth Paltrow featured it on Goop, the Beards knew they had made it.
“For us, that was like being on Oprah’s list,” Swanson Beard said.
Beyond fashion, the duo is committed to giving back. Their philanthropic initiative, Veronica Beard Gives Back, supports causes including Feeding America, the American Heart Association, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Their mission resonates with the women who choose their clothes. Recently, Katherine, Princess of Wales wore a Veronica Beard dress to announce she had completed her cancer treatment.
“She could have chosen a power suit to say, ‘I’m strong,'” said Swanson Beard. “Instead, she chose something feminine and earthy. I was so emotional about it.”
At its heart, Veronica Beard is more than a label; it’s a mantra.
“We always say our battle cry is ‘make it happen,'” Swanson Beard explained. “For us, being the clothes on a woman’s back when she’s making it happen is the greatest thing in the world.”
KARACHI: Geo Television, in collaboration with 7th Sky Entertainment, is set to present a thought-provoking new drama serial, Case No 9, directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain and penned by renowned journalist and Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada.
The drama tells the powerful story of “Sehar,” a fearless young woman who becomes a symbol of resilience and defiance against societal barriers.
Playing the central role is acclaimed film and television actress Saba Qamar, who portrays Sehar as a confident, determined, and talented woman.
Opposite her, celebrated actor Faysal Quraishi stars as “Kamran,” a wealthy and arrogant businessman who tries to overpower Sehar with his influence and ego.
The narrative unfolds around Sehar’s courage, struggle, and defiance — raising the critical question: will Sehar fall victim to Kamran’s schemes, or will she emerge victorious through her strength and perseverance?
Produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, the high-profile project boasts an ensemble cast featuring Junaid Khan, Rushna Khan, Aamina Sheikh, Shehnawaz Zaidi, Hina Bayat, Gohar Rasheed, Ali Rehman Khan, Noorul Hassan, Naveen Waqar, Zahra Aamir, Mizna Waqas, Kamran Jilani, Faiza Gillani, Azra Mohyeddin, among others.
The central theme of Case No 9 revolves around a woman’s struggle for justice in a society where sexual violence, judicial trials, legal battles, social pressures, propaganda, and the influence of media and power all come into play.
The drama highlights how, in such cases, defeat often stems not from a lack of evidence, but from a lack of courage.
“Because of the fear of ‘what will people say,’ thousands of women remain silent, allowing crime to flourish and justice to be denied,” the script emphasizes.
Speaking about the project, Faysal Quraishi said: “This drama is the need of the hour. I wanted to be part of something that would make history and leave a lasting impact. We worked very hard on this, and I believe this is a landmark project.”
Meanwhile, Saba Qamar shared: “I never say yes to a project without reading the script. This is Shahzeb Khanzada’s first drama, yet when I read the script of Case No 9, it felt like it had been written by a seasoned playwright.” Case No 9 will soon premiere on Geo TV, bringing to screens a bold and socially significant narrative that challenges conventions and speaks directly to today’s realities.
Prince Harry’s long-anticipated meeting with King Charles III has set off an online storm among royal watchers, with many framing the encounter as the monarch siding with his youngest son against heir to the throne Prince William.
The meeting in London earlier this month was the first between Harry and his father in 18 months.
It followed Harry’s interview with the BBC earlier this year, in which he expressed a desire for reconciliation with Charles and William.
Representatives for the monarch and the Duke of Sussex reportedly held private discussions in the months leading up to the face-to-face.
William was not present at the meeting, which some royal supporters quickly dismissed as brief and insignificant.
Others went further, accusing Charles and Harry of conspiring against the Prince of Wales.
On social media, one popular account argued that “Charles meeting with Harry effectively throws William under the bus,” noting the duke’s swift travel to Kyiv afterward to support wounded Ukrainian veterans.
Another commentator claimed royal podcasts were “dragging William” in the wake of the meeting.
The debate comes as William prepares to take a prominent role alongside King Charles during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K. next week.
Cardi B made a striking appearance at New York Fashion Week on Friday night, arriving at the Alexander Wang show with her eight-year-old daughter Kulture in matching outfits.
The Grammy-winning rapper wore a voluminous fur skirt and coordinating jacket, while Kulture sported a nearly identical skirt without the wrap, as per Daily Mail.
The pair posed confidently on the red carpet before taking their seats by the runway.
The outing comes less than two weeks after Cardi was cleared in a civil assault case, where she had been accused of attacking a security guard during her pregnancy with Kulture in 2018.
A Los Angeles jury sided with the star, ending a $24 million lawsuit that had drawn widespread attention.
Cardi, who shares Kulture, son Wave, four, and daughter Blossom, one, with ex-husband Offset, is also ramping up promotion for her upcoming album Am I The Drama?, due September 19.
She recently turned heads by selling physical copies of the record on New York City streets and announcing a limited “courtroom edition” inspired by her high-profile trial, as per the outlet.
Despite swirling speculation that she may be expecting a fourth child, the rapper appeared in high spirits at Fashion Week, proudly sharing the spotlight with her eldest daughter.
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