A Fashion Genius

On this past Tuesday afternoon I eased up Fifth Avenue to see the exciting new exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art called Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.  If you love fashion, the way I do, this retrospective is a must-see event.

Following the sudden suicide death of the fashion wunderkind last year, the designer's friends, as well as the entire fashion world, mourned his loss.  His talent was truly beyond measure.  Alexander McQueen's artistry and technique is woven throughout the exhibit evident in each of the ensembles on display.

While I was making my way through the maze-like corridors, I bumped into an industry friend who is a personal shopper at the Bloomingdale's flagship on 59th street.  We both agreed that Alexander McQueen had a boundless imagination.  But he also had access to a seemingly unlimited cash resource to indulge his magnificent imagination.  I couldn't help but feel pangs of envy as I thought about the arduous task that lies ahead as I prepare to frantically search high and low for financing to produce samples for my Spring 2012 collection, "Out Of The Dark".  But I also felt extreme gratitude for the gifts that Alexander McQueen left us.  His work inspires me to be a more creative designer.

Peace & Fashion!

In The News

Last week, you could hear every curvy fashionista hoop & holler all over the blogosphere when it was announced that the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store here in New York City would begin carrying sizes up to a 14 (and some beyond) of haute fashions from the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and others.  It makes dollars & sense considering the average woman is a size 14.  I say, "It's about time!"  I'm happy for all those fashion savvy curvy divas with lots of money to spend because now they have real access to the exclusive designers on the 3rd Floor.  But I hope my zaftig friends will also support me in my inaugural plus-size endeavor and continue up the escalator to Salon Z on the 8th Floor where (hopefully) you will find my line for a fraction of the prices on the designer floor.  I'm just saying!

I'm always ready to put in my 2 cents even when I am not asked for a contribution.  So when Gwen DeVoe, the founder of Full-Figured Fashion Week and super duper entrepreneur dedicated to all things fashionable for the fluffy girl, was a guest of the Life Size Radio show on blogtalkradio.com I called in and offered my input.  Luckily, the host, Stephanie Arnold, and Gwen were happy to hear from me.  You can tune into the broadcast at Life Size Radio and weigh in on all the positive plus-size talk.  Since I am never weary when it comes to talk, I was invited once again to be a guest on my new friend, Muriel's show where she talks about Changing The Narrative.  This Saturday past I read an excerpt from my book Memoir of a BlackFashionDude which is only in its early stages.  And I discussed the fears that many of us harbor, including yours truly, when we decide to step out on faith and pursue our dreams.  I think you might find the broadcast enlightening and inspiring so please listen to it by clicking on Muriella's Corner.

That is all the news for now, I'm afraid.  But please look for my next blog entry where I will share more fashion and less talk.  All this talk has got my mouth kind of dry anyway.

Peace & Fashion!

BLUE

Last week a friend of mine confided that she was mad at me. "Why are you mad at me?" We hadn't spoken in a few months and I had not uttered a word about her that could have been misconstrued as antagonistic or mean that might have gotten back to her. She went on to explain that earlier this year my blog had taken on a darker tone and she was not pleased about it. She had always anticipated reading about my odyssey because it made her feel empowered and energized and it motivated her to be a better person. Well, she didn't actually say that it motivated her to be a better person. I just added that because it sounds good. But, admittedly, I was caught up in one of my blue moods. Whenever there is an extended period of frustration because of money woes or lack of support from my business partners or I am invariably hitting a brick wall, I will fall into a funk. After I apprised her of the previous months' rough patch, I began to, without delay, admonish her for not reaching out to me to see if I was okay. "Instead of being mad at me, don't you think you should've checked up on me?" I asked. While I am certainly not in the same dark place as Alexander McQueen, the genius fashion talent who hung himself last month, I recognize that this fashion game takes a toll on my spirit and I liken it to a ride on an emotional roller coaster. My dreams for my life are bold and big and inclusive of so many others and I want so much for my hard work and persistence to begin to pay off. I am hungry for my moment to shine. In fact, I'm going to start referring to that as my Madonna moment, because, Lord knows, she is one person that has mastered the shine. So if you see my tone darken, just have a little patience with me. The sun doesn't shine every day and, unfortunately, neither do I.

Peace & Fashion!

A Fashion Marathon

This month has been KILLAH! And I am not speaking in a "Oh, these Roger Vivier pumps are killing my feet!" kind of way either. The BlackFashionDude has been whipping the garment district into a tizzy in an effort to have all the dresses from the Fine & Dandy collection completed in time for the photo shoot. After the plantation was kind enough to advance my salary a small fortune, I was able to move forward with the rest of the dresses. In addition, I've had to fit girls for my turn on the runway at Queens Fashion Week this Saturday, February 20. Remember I was supposed to present my denim frocks last Saturday, Feb 13, but because of the snowstorm and with Queens being what it is, the show was postponed. So it's not too late, you can purchase a ticket today at www.queensfashionweek.com and see yours truly rock the runway. I've been busy sewing up the purses I designed to accessorize the dresses after my handbag artisan bailed on me. They are not perfect because I am nobody's tailor, but they are pretty adorable. . .if I do say so myself. And Otis, my milliner man, has created the MOST fabulous toppers that will adorn the model's heads at Saturday's show.

Last week I outfitted The Mad Fashionista in one of my designs. She is the ubiquitous guest in the tents and an intrepid reporter during New York Fashion Week. I sure hope she was able to get into some of the newspapers wearing my creation because she looked like a dream in the dress.

My partners in fashion crimes and I are looking to revamp our current website which has none of the dresses on it, so we turned to our trusted friend - craigslist where we posted an ad for a web designer. We got lots of responses and we've held preliminary phone interviews with a few applicants to see who really shares a polished web vision with us. I'll keep you posted when the new site goes live, but you can rest assured that it will be HOT!

It appears that I was not able to seal the deal with Gabourey and her stylist to dress her for the Oscars. At times it seemed like the underdog (me) was finally going to have a bonafide feather in its cap. We spoke on a few occasions and I rushed to provide beautiful and appropriate designs, yet now I am only getting the silent treatment. And with the Oscars approaching faster than fast, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen this time. But I'll be watching no matter what because glamor is what I love.

And finally, a very sad farewell to Alexander McQueen who hanged himself last week. He was a design genius and he will surely be missed.

Peace & Fashion!