Beyonce & Beyond

I am not much of a football fan.  Yet there I was face-to-face with my mother's Samsung flat screen watching the Giants win last year's SuperBowl.  GO NEW YORK!  I will admit, too, that I was initially more excited to see Madonna during the halftime spectacle.  And Ms. Strike A Pose did not disappoint.  This year, without New York in the finals, I was more than a little crestfallen.  But then I learned that Beyonce (first name will do, thank you very much.) would be performing.  I can't say anything that has not been said about the sistah.  Her accomplishments really speak for themselves.  She is Bad To The BONE!

Beyonce in GQ magazine

And that is why I was so baffled by the Inauguration lipsync flap.  What Gives???  When I first noticed the headlines, all I could think was, "What The H*ll?!"  Anybody who can hear, knows Beyonce can SANG.  I thought the clamor would die down and I was completely satisfied when she wouldn't even address the tidal wave of negativity.  I even admitted to my sister, "I'm so happy she's ignoring all the BS."  But then, at the SuperBowl press conference, Beyonce asked the assembled reporters to stand as she flawlessly sang an acapella rendition of the national anthem.  I was really annoyed.  How dare anybody question Bey's talents?  After the last note was uttered, the songstress asked, "Any questions?"  With grace and humility, the goddess quieted the noise of the naysayers.  I think the lesson is that no matter how large you get, sometimes you must do things that require you to swallow your pride.

Now I am so pumped to see a lot of BOOTYLICIOUS, GET ME BODIED sounds and Sasha Fierce dance moves.  Let 'er rip, Beyonce!  I'll be cheering you on.



Peace & Fashion!

Accessorize!

Steffany Allen - STYLIST

Just like last season, I am designing handbags to accessorize some of the looks in the forthcoming collection.  My Aunt Patty, in town as my mother's caregiver since her surgery, has saved me a lot of anxiety and frustration by sewing up the first 2 styles.  Thank God!  She is really amazingly talented on the sewing machine.  And the bags are HOT!

While I was collaborating with stylist extraordinaire Steffany Allen last year on The Superwoman collection, we became close and I now count her as one of my friends.  These first handbags are inspired by her, so in her honor I've named this particular style The Steffany.

It is too soon for the big reveal, so I hope you'll stay tuned as all the details come together.  That way you can see the complete look - clothing, shoes, jewelry, hair, make up, AND handbags.

Peace & Fashion!

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!

Taking A Minute For Me

After this weekend, it's time for me to take a moment to recharge.  So I am hightailin' it to Maryland for a few days to hang with my boyfriend's daughter and her family.  But before I go, I am gonna fill you in on all the happenings in my world.  As you know, last week my Communications Director released a teaser for our upcoming September launch titled "Have You Heard About Wilbur?".  Using Diana Ross's classic I'm Coming Out as background music, we received some positive responses from many of you.  But we need all of you to get as excited as we are about this new venture and just start "biggin' us up", as they say in the 'hood, to all your friends.  I'm sure we each have a friend who happens to be a full-figured woman who we know can certainly benefit from wearing one of my fab dresses.  So tell her about me.

On Friday, Ashanti and I attended the opening night Meet & Greet of the Young, Fat, & Fabulous Bloggers Conference at Re/Dress boutique in Brooklyn where we met the faces behind some of the most influential blogs having to do with body confidence and fashion & beauty for the curvy fashionista. Alli McG, the supermodel, accompanied us wearing the premier look from the upcoming spring 2011 collection.  We were received with warmth and adulation by all the attendees who remarked that the dress I had conceived was awesome.   If we can continue this kind of momentum with retailers, then, who knows, I may be able to finally quit my job at the plantation.

On Saturday, I started my day as a guest on a radio program on blogtalkradio.com.  My friend, Marcia, made an introduction to Muriella whose show Muriella's Corner is about changing the narrative.  And she thought it was important to have me as a guest since my mission is to remove the stigma of ugly plus size clothing by creating wearable, classic, and modern dresses for the full-figured woman.  If you missed it, you can still catch it if you click on Changing the Narrartive.  Immediately following the broadcast, my team began to arrive for a photo shoot for the follow-up to the "Have You Heard About Wilbur?" video teaser with my sister-in-law driving up from Maryland to do the behind-the-camera honors. It was an awesome experience with all the ladies involved looking magazine cover ready.  My new make-up artist, Lakia McCoy, is beyond talented and really worked the ladies faces as if she was completing works of art. And she was.  Once the images have been selected they will be released for all of you to become witnesses to the magic of fashion.

On Sunday, Ashanti, Alli McG, and I were once again in the throes of another fashion happening as our friend Dhylles launched her new venture called Katwalk Katerers.  At a chic little spot down on the lower east side in Manhattan, we watched as she presented an informal runway presentation (with Alli McG donning my dress for the 3rd day in a row) and announced that she would be more democratic with her approach to fashion by including models no matter what their size or height in her cavalcade of  upcoming events.  I think this will be empowering for all those men and women who feel that they've been ignored by mainstream agencies.  I wish her much success and prosperity.

So now you know why my tank is on E.  And I am happy to get away.  I'll be back in a few days, but until then let's keep on movin' up to a place of fulfillment and enlightenment.

Peace & Fashion!

Let's Get Away. . .

As I sit here with a laundry list of things that need to be completed to make my September launch of the Wilbur plus-size dress collection a success, what really stands out in my mind is my need to distance myself for a moment from the day-to-day grind.  Don't get me wrong, I am still a fashion-obsessed designer that sleeps, eats, and speaks creativity.  But I could certainly use a break.  A week and a half ago, when my baby brother was here for Father's Day, he announced that he would like to spend his 40th birthday in Hawaii with the entire family.  I am definitely down for that!  But it's not until December and it just cannot come fast enough.  Lately, every magazine I pick up has a piece on the Pacific paradise.  Elle Decor has these great photos of Waikiki complete with places you must visit and Departures features the right kind of things to wear while acting like an "Aloha" native.  Coincidence?  Probably.  Or the universe is dropping me subtle hints that Hawaii is a locale that I need to revisit.  And fairly soon.  My mother took me during the summer of 1986 before I returned to college.  We went with my aunt and my cousin.  That was when I had hair and learned that a luau was the best kind of party comprised of unlimited Blue Hawaiian cocktails.  I've already put my time in at the plantation and so now it is Hawaii or bust.  For now, I bide my time.  Patiently, I suppose.

On Monday, I met with one of my fit models, DeeDee, and my seamstress, Victoria, for our first fitting.  I can no longer squirm out of my commitment to this new venture because it is really underway.  And I keep on getting a positive return of energy.  DeeDee was a doll.  And the site of the dresses on her made me smile as they have begun to take shape.  It really doesn't matter if I am dressing a woman who is a size 4 or a size 14 or a 24.  There is a giddiness that takes over my soul when I see something I dreamed up come to life.  I am sure it's like that for every designer, but since this is my blog I am going to act like it's all about me.  Too focused on the matter-at-hand, I forgot to snap photos of the experience.  But when these dresses are complete, I promise to share the raw footage.  DeeDee so believed in my talents that she saw fit to make an introduction to a business associate.  While I wait for a response from this connection, I am reminded of my sister's words last week.  This is going to be a success.  Just wait and see!

Peace & Fashion!

Fashion Persists

On Memorial Day, I paid my respects to the Motherland by taking a short trip to the African Street Festival - the annual celebration of African culture held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). My best friend, Donelle, invited me to join her and her daughter (my goddaughter), Anaya, and our friend, Lisa, for the festivities. My sister, who is a Brooklyn resident, also joined us. I hadn't been in so many years. I think the last time was when I had my own Brooklyn address on Washington Avenue. So I was really happy to be hanging with the ladies as we browsed rows and rows of booths filled with African garb, jewelry, art, and other sundries. I was inspired by the beauty and majesty of all the richly colored fabrics and vibrant baubles and plucked a number of business cards from a few vendors. These wares will be added to the mix of accessories for the collection I am currently working on. There were the typical food vendors as well who sold fresh fruit, corn on the cob, cakes and pies, the ubiquitous funnel cake, and freshly squeezed fruit juices. And although the sun was merciless as it beamed down on us, everyone was pleasant and cordial. In fact, there was a real sense of community as we greeted vendors with a friendly hello and passersby with a smile. It would be nice to spread that feeling all over New York everyday. But then, I guess, it wouldn't be New York.

Today is my niece Samarra's 6th birthday. And you may ask why I am mentioning it in the context of ". . .Odyssey." Truth be told, she probably has little to do with my journey. But Samarra is such a little fashionista who appreciates the feminine side of dressing preferring to wear frilly dresses and cute shoes. And, of course, I encourage it because you can never have too much fashion in your life. Even when you are 6 years old. And when you see that kind of fastidious attention to style at an early age, you know there is an icon in the making. Happy Birthday, Samarra! May you continue to wave your fashion flag.

Peace & Fashion!

How Do I Look?

Each morning I try to read an inspirational passage from the Daily Word. My mother started reading them to my brother and me as kids and now before I brush my teeth, sometimes after, I will pick it up and take a moment for pause. It helps me to start my day on the right note. Today's passage was about beauty, it's passing quality, and staying connected to a higher power so that you do not base your worth on something that is bound to fade. And it's all quite paradoxical for those of us who find ourselves in the business of beauty. After all, advertising and media would have us believe that if we don't wear the right make up, dress the right way, or weigh a certain amount then we are all destined to be unhappy losers. But I try to put out a different message. Beauty really is an attribute that should emanate from within. And my dresses should be a way to express your inner beauty. I am not here to make anyone believe that if they slip into one of my dresses it will magically transform you from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan - contrary to what those makeover shows teach you. Really, you've got to have confidence and be lovely on the inside to pull it all off. Because if you don't, it doesn't matter how stunning you are on the outside. You will soon be found out. And everyone will see you for what you really are - ugly to the bone.

Peace & Fashion!

Who are YOU wearing?

It all starts with an idea or concept that blossoms into a sketch. And that sketch leads me to fabric choices. Fabric sourcing often makes my heart skip a beat as I scour the aisles of some of my favorite emporiums, like the Project Runway famous Mood. But since I am fully committed to changing the perception of how denim can be worn, each dress is rendered in denim, and usually in a crisp, dark blue hue. But for the buyers & consumers who may not be open to the idea of denim for cocktail dressing, I must pick a fabric that has versatility and fluidity with commercial appeal. And each season, that other fabric is different depending on the trends and my whims. This Monday past, Ila was fitted with the red wool gabardine versions of my designs. I love red. It's passionate and fiery and majestic. And I was really pleased with the drape and ease. When Eric Hason photographs the collection on March 6 (God willing), I think it's going to be a moment of bliss. Each season I feel my voice getting stronger and stronger as I carve out an identity for myself. And one of these days, hopefully soon, more will be listening and watching. But until then, I am enjoying the ride. And I am definitely taking note of my progress.

Peace & Fashion!

New Alliances

The creative process often requires me to seek out the expertise of skilled artisans in other categories of design. For instance, last season for the "Just Zip" collection I commissioned my dear friend Comfort B., a shoe ornament designer, to create the zipper flowers for one of my dress styles. Once I formulate a concept for the collection, I have a very clear idea of how I want to develop the "story". This season my vision centers around the dandy - a refined gentleman who places particular importance upon physical appearance. And since a hat is often an important element of a dandified look, I needed to find an accomplished milliner who could translate men's styles, like the fedora, into something enchanting for women. So I asked my girl Yvette from church, who wore some killah styles for our Easter production, if she would make an introduction to the person who created her artful chapeaus. This Saturday morning past, I sat face-to-face with Otis Damo'n Holley, the young man responsible for those hats. He showed me a slide show of several of his creations and I was simply floored by his talent. When we spoke, it was as if we had worked together for years. We discussed my ideas for Fall 2010 and I shared my sketches, fabric swatches, and exactly what I wanted this collection to convey. And we've settled on 2 different hat styles to adorn the models when we photograph the collection in January. I am very enthralled with the notion of forming new alliances and working with undiscovered talent. I cannot wait to see the final outcome and how all my seemingly disparate ideas will come together. But there is much work to be done before that happens. Gotta get back to the grind.


Peace & Fashion!