What Does The Designer Say?





I've been on a creative jag sewing up all style of purses that I think will be haute for spring.  Cleaner, simpler lines with boldly patterned cotton linings are the details of distinction.  I am hoping that this refined aesthetic will garner more fans and customers.  Since I have already declared 2014 as my Year of Triumph, my expectations are high.  But proof is in the pudding, as they say.  So take a look below and let me know what you think.  I can always use some feedback.

 

Peace & Fashion!



The Black Sea Leather Shoulder Tote

Traveling Mercies Leather Cross Body

Lemon Cotton Canvas Tote with Tangerine Leather Stripe

Everybody Is A Star

Last Saturday, I stood on line among other designer hopefuls for almost three hours  for a chance to be a competitor on the next season of NBC's Fashion Star.  Truth be told, I was a little disappointed with the outcome of my stint on "24 Hour Catwalk".  I may have lost, but I was the most graceful and distinguished loser in the history of reality TV.  I fully expected to be hounded by TV executives looking to add a more polished flavor to the reality TV landscape.  Surely the popularity of all this Jersey Shore Real Housewives Basketball Wives foolishness is waning and viewers are ready to get back to good old fashioned values.  Apparently NOT!  I have not even been approached by a production intern.  So I've continued to work on the plantation in the mornings and pursue my fashion dreams afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Last year when I auditioned for Fashion Star, it was pure chaos and disorganization.  No wonder I wasn't chosen!  How does one stand out from all the noise and mayhem?  Clearly, I could not be heard over the din.  This time, however, it was completely organized making my chances at being selected much stronger.

I approached the task with vim and vigor.  I got all artsy craftsy and made mood boards which creatively displayed my inspiration for my EYE CANDY collection with images of Alice in Wonderland and a still from "The Hunger Games" along with my sketches and catchy phrases like Sweet Sophistication and Mouth Watering Style.  I packed up my strongest pieces and brought along some pieces from my FINE AND DANDY collection so the judges could see that I wasn't just a one note designer.  I can do fierce and fabulous for the smaller sized divas, too!  I was determined to get a spot on this next season.

Almost two weeks ago, my honey had bought be a new pair of shoes, but I refused to wear them fearing I might scuff them prior to the audition.  Hey, I need to look polished and fabulous as well.  I shaved my head when I woke up that morning giving me that just shaved Black Mr. Clean gleam.  Although I had not stuck to my commitment to drop some weight prior to the big day, there was no way in the world that the judges would be able to pass me over this time.  I was ready to W-I-N!

When I got to the head of the line, I was still cool as a cucumber.  After all, this is what I am destined to do.  I got my application and was escorted into the hotel where everything was happening.  Then I was seated in a waiting area along with about 15 others as we listened patiently for our numbers to be called.

When they called 173, I made my way into the small room where numbered tables were set up in front of rolling racks.  I excitedly unpacked all my pieces and laid out my look books and mood boards and waited for one of the judges to approach me.  Jennifer introduced herself.  I pulled each look from the rack and explained my inspiration.  After I showed her the clean, professional workmanship on my pieces, she nodded and said another judge would be coming over to talk to me.   When the next judge came over, I animatedly explained my aesthetic and showed her the pieces, too.  She asked me, "Are you from New York?"  I answered, "Born and bred from Queens. Woo!  Woo!"  She smiled and exclaimed, "You certainly have a lot of energy."   My tongue-in-chic response was, "I hope it's a good thing."  When she asked if I had auditioned for any other reality shows.  I told her of my stint on "24 Hour Catwalk".  As she scribbled some notes, I cheekily added, "I hope you don't hold that against me."  We chatted briefly about how we didn't think there was going to be another season of "24. . ." and she finished by saying, "Okay, we'll be in touch."

I haven't heard from them since.  Each day my hope of becoming the next Fashion Star dwindles a little more.  But this is not the end of the road.  Tailor made opportunities for me are on the horizon.  I can just feel it.

Peace & Fashion!

If I Told You That

 

SK WiLBUR, The Stylish Maven, & Nicole Z.
She is wearing the studded baseball jersey
sweatshirt with the "Licorice" tweed skirt
and heather grey gloves.



The SK WiLBUR "Lollipop" sleeveless top and skirt with the "Gumball" hat byOtis Damo'n Millinery. 



I was interviewed on this Friday past by Troy Artis, aka The Stylish Maven.  It really was a pleasure meeting him.  I was readying my model Nicole Z. for her on-camera appearance at the sample workroom, when he and his crew stepped out of the elevator.  I apologized for running a little behind, but Troy would have none of that.  "No apology necessary.  We're just going to check out the place so we can set up our shots."  His laidback manner made it a very pleasant, and easy experience.  Both his videographer and photographer were on hand to document each word and movement.  He asked questions about the collection, my experience on 24 Hour Catwalk, as well as the impetus for me to design for the curvy woman.  I think it all went swimmingly well.  As soon as the video is posted, I will supply you with the link.  In the meantime, I have posted a couple of stills from the interview.

I would be terribly remiss if I didn't address the untimely passing of one of my favorite R-n-B divas, Ms. Whitney Houston.  More than any other singer, she provided the soundtrack for my young adult life.  I felt very connected to her, like she was a friend or family member.   In fact, one of my very dear friends, Wanda Jones, whom I met so many years ago while in college, used to tease me that Whitney and I were "close personal friends".  But Whitney did seem to know me so well because whatever emotion I happened to be feeling, she had a song to express it.  When my baby sister called with the news on Saturday night, I was shocked and saddened.  I've been reminiscing with my best friend. . . talking about some of our favorite performances, posting them on my facebook page.  That has alleviated some of the sorrow.  She was an amazing talent who enriched my life.  Whitney will be sorely missed.  May she rest in peace.

Peace & Fashion!

24 Hours A Day of Fashion

I was supposed to write something yesterday.  But between watching the Michael Jackson homage on "Glee" and sewing another handbag, I missed my mark.  If only I could have more than 24 hours in a day.  As Miss Scarlet said, "Tomorrow is another day."  And so, alas, here I am on my tomorrow.

I have had to come down from my reality TV high and get back to reality, actually.  So yesterday, after I did my time at the plantation, George (my incredibly skilled tailor) and I met with my new favorite model, Nicole Z.  She really is quite lovely and when you've found someone like her, a fitting, while it is work, really can be a lot of fun.  It's like having your own live version of a curvy Barbie doll and you get to change her outfits including shoes, hosiery, and jewelry.  Each time I work on a collection, when I see the clothes begin to take shape a giddiness starts to set in.  Yesterday really was no exception.

Next week is the beginning of NY Fashion Week.  I won't be doing a presentation of any kind and the collection won't even be finished until next month, finances notwithstanding.  My business partners and I are looking to use the money that we would use for a presentation more wisely when we revamp our website for a late August/early September re-launch.  But in the meantime, the boutique at www.skwilbur.com is still open for business.  So why don't you stop buy and order a fabulous dress or an amazing handbag?!

Peace & Fashion!

Check Yourself B4 You Wreck Yourself!

All the attention that I've been receiving as a result of my appearance on 24 Hour Catwalk has been validating.  Mind-blowing, in fact.  First, when the commercials began to air before my episode did and people were reaching out to me on Twitter and Facebook, it was very flattering.  I grinned excitedly.  Once the previews began to pop up on movie screens in multiplexes everywhere and everybody from my LinkedIN connections to people I know through the plantation started to hit me up, it became so surreal.

Since I taped the show almost 6 months ago, I hoped that my "fans" would not be disappointed with my showing.  But what was done was done.  There just was no use tripping on it now. So I watched, just like everybody else, to see how the editors would make me look and what the episode's final outcome was.  There has still been an outpouring of compliments and congrats.  And I am so appreciative.  But I have also received an email that made the devil rise up inside of me.  It might have been easier to ignore it, but I felt the sender deserved a tailor-made response. Below is the original email followed by my response.  What do you think?

You can't be serious. I saw you on Lifetime and came to your site to see your line. It looks like the stuff you see at Torrid and Lane Bryant. I am so disappointed. I am a tall, athletic (yes I work out) plus size woman.  Size 18. And, I can't find a grown up, sexy dress for a 42 year old. I want to wear dresses like the real housewives of Atlanta. Is there a real "plus" size designer anywhere? Plus size doesn't mean bigger ugly. The clothes still need to be fashion forward and pretty.

Greetings ------,

My business partners and I are in receipt of your email and have carefully reviewed it. While I can certainly understand your frustration with finding "grown up, sexy dresses" for your "athletic" PLUS size frame, I take issue with your approach. Perhaps you were having a bad day when you sent the email, as I've had a few of my own a time or two. But there really is no excuse for your bad manners and poor email etiquette. If there is nothing to your liking on the company site, the more polite, dare I say, adult, thing to do would have been to dismiss us as another plus size design company who just cannot get it right. But your slam against my designs was really unnecessary. Since I am 44, it is clear we are from the same generation, but my parents taught me not to comment at all if I didn't have anything constructive or nice to say. In light of my mother's advice, I am going to end this response now. I hope you are able to find a designer who does PLUS size clothing suited for you that looks like something from "The Housewives of Atlanta".

Peace & Fashion!

Wilbur E Pack, Jr.

Designer/Principal

SK WiLBUR/Sorta Kinda Enterprises, LLC

We need to think about what we say and what we write to people because we just don't know the kind of effect it's going to have on them.  As my friend Deborah G. told me many years ago, "Words have power."   If I was teetering on the brink of a psychotic break, this email might have pushed me over the edge.  I might have even gone postal on the sender.  Please try to remember, nasty and rude behavior is uncalled for and never in style.

 

Peace & Fashion!

What You Didn't See Last Night. . .

Being chosen to be a competitor on 24 Hour Catwalk was a great experience and a fantastic opportunity.  Of course, it would have been better if I had won the $10,000 prize, but I am stoked about the exposure expecting that the appearance will move me to the next level in the fashion game.  After years of auditioning for the most popular (Project Runway - season 1) to the most obscure (anybody remember The Cut which lasted only 1 season?), I am pleased that I finally got my 18 minutes of fashion reality fame.

It was everything that I expected and a whole lot more.  Some of the minor details were edited out and so I am going to share them now.

• Although I am only in the first 18 minutes of the show, the call time was 5 a.m. and I didn't finish until 5 p.m.  Many of the crying fits that we witness on reality TV are probably due to a lack of sleep.  I was SO exhausted after it was all said and done.
• In one of my outtakes, I mention that I was so surprised to see Cynthia Rowley as one of the judges.  What they cut was that I interned with her almost 13 years ago.  She probably didn't recognize me since she just stared at me blankly on camera - AND off.
• But probably the most important thing that was edited was the fact that Indashio (a crowd favorite, I know) broke the needles on the only 2 home sewing machines that were provided in the workroom.  I am so not a whiz when it comes to garment construction, but I can do it somewhat adequately.  However, I am definitely no good on industrial machines - AT ALL!  That's why I ended up draping the entire challenge.  When I auditioned,I was led to believe that I would not have to sew.  To my chagrin, the very first challenge was a sewing challenge.  In my mind, I said, "UGGHH!"

All in all, it was a great experience.  I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe winning).  But don't feel bad and don't apologize for my not winning.  I sure feel like I did!

Peace & Fashion!

Good Bye, 2011!



Wilbur and his goddaughter
at Rockefeller Center 2011



2011 was quite an eventful year.  It began with me wondering whether or not I wanted to continue pursuing a career in fashion design.  My greatest love seemed to be turning her back on me.   It was one of the darkest periods of my life.  Trying to let go of my one true love proved to be a heartwrenching ordeal.  And because fashion is like the air I breathe, I felt like I was gasping to catch my breath.  But I was only swallowing more disappointment.

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and had to have surgery, I asked God for mercy and healing.  And I asked Him to change the dynamic of my relationship with fashion.  I was convinced it was not time for my mother to make her way to heaven; He already had the company of my maternal grandmother and my father and a host of other family members who succumbed to cancer.  And I wanted to believe that fashion and I still belonged together, too.  My mother recovered from the surgery.  She has a scar down the center of her chest.  But she is alive and she is cancer free.

Wilbur & his goddaughter on Christmas Day 2011

I decided to step out on faith and press forward in the name of fashion.  That is when I began to see glimmers of hope.  Finally.  I was featured in an issue of JET magazine.  And that led to many plus size women around the country reaching out to me.  Fashion was starting to show me love.  Then I was cast for a new reality show that will be airing on Lifetime called 24 Hour Catwalk.  And then I showed my Spring 2012 collection during NY Fashion Week which received positive reviews in the trade publication Women's Wear Daily and on bluefly.com.  In an effort to capitalize on all the great PR, my business partners and I set up a Pop-UP Shop on our website www.skwilbur.com to pre-sell our Spring 2012 line.

Things seem to be turning around and I can see the light of day.  But it is only through perseverance that I am able to see how resilient I truly am.  And that resilience is my birthright.  I get it honest from my mother.

Here is to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2012!

Peace & Fashion!