Make Up 2 Break Up



Tara Taylor sports a natural makeup look by Tara Taylor



This afternoon I lunched with Tara Taylor, a make up artist whose talent is beyond compare.  Even her name has a superstar ring to it, doesn't it?  I met Tara over a year ago after my business partners and I first launched the full-figured collection.  I first noticed her work in countless spreads for Plus Model Magazine -an online publication that addresses plus size fashion, beauty, arts, and modeling.  And I made it my mission to seek her out and beg her to work with me.  It turns out that Tara is as sweet as she is talented and I didn't need to do much begging after all.  Although I have several months before the photo shoot for the Fall 2012 collection, I wanted to make sure that I got on the calendar of this very in-demand talent before she was booked.  So today over Cobb salad and devil's food cheesecake, courtesy of Junior's restaurant, I shared my vision for the upcoming collection "Eye Candy".  She seemed to be taken with my ideas and immediately inserted the shoot on her phone's calendar.  I cannot wait.  But in the meantime, check out her work at www.tarataylor.net.  If you're a woman who wants to put her best face forward, you want to take advantage of her talent before she becomes the next Kevyn Aucoin!

Peace & Fashion!

Which Way Do I Turn?

Anna D. wears SK WiLBUR
available at skwilbur.com

Everybody is feeling the funk as a result of this challenging economy, including yours truly!  My business partners, Ashanti and Serosh, and I thought that if we built it, the curvy women would come, with credit cards in hand, in droves.  I mean, that is what they told us after the JET magazine article ran.  But it has only been a mediocre response, at best, with only a sprinkling of full-figured women expressing interest.

Each season I do my best to really capture the trends while creating looks that will  compliment a fuller woman's body.  I visit high end stores to research what is being sold, not just in plus size departments, but in contemporary and designer departments, too.  But for my Spring 2012 collection Out of the Dark, I made an extra effort to use design elements that would appeal to a curvy woman's aesthetic while camouflaging the "problem" areas.  The buyers at the major department stores told me that marketing to the curvy customer is challenging.  They weren't kidding!  Now, as an e-tailer, I am seeing it firsthand for myself.

But something's got to give.  Moving forward, my team and I are looking for ways to refine our image and carve out a niche for ourselves in the marketplace.  I don't think the idea is to slash prices as much as it is to continue to offer BOLD, MODERN, and CLASSIC fashion with value.  Stay tuned as we begin to implement subtle changes.  And if you know of any curvy woman in need of a fabulous dress, please direct her to www.skwilbur.com.

Peace & Fashion!

All Hail The Queen!

Yesterday, after I finished my work at the plantation, I did what I always do and headed to the Garment District to work on my forthcoming collection.  I have dubbed Fall 2012 - EYE CANDY.  It's all decadence and luxuriousness and fabulosity, of course.  I was walking down 38th street on my way to Mood Fabrics when I crossed paths with none other than the Queen herself - Queen Latifah.  I am an avid fan of the Queen since her early days as a rapper.  Before she was transformed into a glamorous Cover Girl makeup spokeswoman, she was making moves in the male-dominated rap music world.  Do you remember her 1989 hit song, Ladies First?  It was an empowering anthem dedicated to women all over the globe.

Years ago, I met Latifah when I was an intern at Cynthia Rowley.  She was gracious and witty and signed my copy of MODE magazine where she was featured in an editorial fashion spread.  It was definitely a thrill.  So you know, I had to acknowledge the Queen as we passed each other on the street.  "Hey Queen!" I shouted barely able to contain my excitement.  She nodded and waved as she made her way to 7th avenue.  And we both kept it moving.

One of my dreams is to one day dress the Queen.  Because, let's face it, when you get that kind of endorsement from royalty, you have certainly arrived.

Peace & Fashion!

What's Hapenning?!

So it's been awhile.  I've been busy.  And now I am trying to play catch up.

Gabourey Sidibe at the
premiere of
TOWER HEIST

I've been trying to dress Oscar nominee, Gabourey Sidibe, since she first stepped in the limelight for her portrayal of the title character in the film Precious. Two Thursdays ago, in the afternoon, I got a voice message from her Los Angeles based stylist.  She requested a dress for Gabourey's red carpet appearance for the premiere of her latest movie Tower Heist.  The only problem was that she needed the dress for the following Monday.  That only gave me 3 full days!  Unfortunately, I had nothing in my arsenal of fabulous dresses that was suitable for the curvy star.  DARN!  I was disappointed about missing out on this big break, but only very briefly.  Because now I know I am, at least, on her glam squad's radar.  Another opportunity will most certainly present itself - I'm sure of it!  I think she could use a little SK WiLBUR in her life, don't you?



This Monday past, on my birthday, my business partners and I launched the online POP-Up Shop at http://www.skwilbur.com/.  You are now able to purchase some of your favorite looks from the runway and they will be delivered to you in time for your spring fling.  As an added bonus, we are extending a 10% courtesy off each shopper's entire order.  AND you can buy some of your favorite handbags from the runway, too!  Sounds like a curvy girl's dream to me.  I'm just sayin'!

In the meantime, I've been clawing and scratching to build retail distribution online through established retailers like Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom.  That's never a picnic, but I am up for the challenge.  In addition, I am busy working on the next collection for Fall 2012.  I've already completed the sketches and now it's time to turn the sketches into actual garments.  Whewww!  My journey continues. . .  And that's what's happening with me.

Peace & Fashion!