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!

The Prologue

Today was the final fitting for the first dress for the Fall 2010 collection - Fine & Dandy. And I think it went swimmingly well. George and his team were able to really articulate my vision and bring it to life. I am a vessel for my creativity, so it is essential that my perspective be clear, concise, and translatable. Because if it is not, George's skills would be squandered. Each season I try many different incarnations with materials and concept before I settle on one that best expresses where my head is at that given moment. I began to conceive and sketch this line mid-summer. It is important to me that my sketches - my work - tell a story. It must have a beginning, middle, and an end. Yet, after I had all my sketches together and laid out on the dining room table, the story was not unfolding. So I would tweak the shape of a skirt here and the bodice of a dress there looking for a narrative. And still the sketches were not transforming to sentences. And then suddenly, weeks after summer had ended, it was as if a light bulb came on. I had a moment of clarity and the story became crystallized. I settled on the dandified gentleman as the inspiration for the dresses. And then I feverishly re-sketched some of the looks because a couple of the dresses just didn't fit in with my new storyline. It is a process that requires patience. Yet once the flicker of an idea is ignited, I am able to construct entire new worlds. I look forward to visiting this world as each of my dresses is assembled. Silhouette, shape, and line will build on one another until my story is complete.

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!

Rewriting The Scene

So it appears that Roger and I will not be collaborating after all. When we met, he remarked that he could tell I liked being the boss. But, honestly, being the boss is no picnic. As the heads of a business that has yet to take off, my partners and I are responsible personally for all the expenses including taxes, model fees, production costs, etc. We are, essentially, magicians who somehow do our best to turn a dime into a dollar. The business has not generated any revenue since its inception in 1998. And all of us work unsatisfying jobs on the side, funneling our monies into Sorta Kinda Enterprises. It is SO not glamorous. Honestly, I started my own line because I could not get a job in the industry. And although I lacked the experience, I was no longer interested in putting my dreams on hold. So I stepped out on faith. And I was willing to take that leap of faith with Roger. Unfortunately, he was not honest. When he did not return my last 2 phone calls after Monday's initial meeting, it became painfully apparent that we were not on the same page. My friend Kathryn M. was intuitive enough to caution me and point out that taking on a partner does not a fairytale make. And she is absolutely right. The decisions we make in desperation never end well. And blindly offering Roger a partnership before "courting him" was a sad, desperate attempt to decrease our production expenses. Better to have learned that lesson now rather than later.

On a sunnier note, today was the first fitting with my tailor, George, and my fit model, Ila, for Fall 2010. And it went very well. Even Ila, who seemed quite unimpressed when she glanced over my sketches last week, said she couldn't believe how great the muslin looked. I am always excited to see my ideas translated from the page to an actual garment, especially when it's done with precision and attention to detail. And I am just pleased with the initial outcome. Despite my money woes, my creativity is running rampant. This collection, in particular, has ignited an eruption of clever ideas and challenged me to explore further my notions of what is bold, modern, and classic. I have definitely hit my stride and I am going to continue to ride the crest.

So sometimes the script of our lives calls for a rewrite, but somehow we are where we need to be when the next scene takes place. And I am patient enough to see just how the story ends.

Peace & Fashion!

Something In The Air

After my self-imposed fashion detox, I have begun to feel more like myself again. My creativity is in full throttle. And I am happy to report that my seamstress, Alaina, and I are beginning the work for the Fall 2010 collection. I think the crisp autumn weather may have unlocked a treasure trove of ideas that's given my vision a focus & clarity that has been absent over the last couple of weeks. Or maybe it was that epic fever I suffered this Monday past which caused uncharacteristic hallucinatory visions? Whatever the reason - I am in possession of a tote bag spilling over with sumptuous wools, the sheerest silk organzas, the most exquisite silk/wool, the softest foiled leather skins, and the fiercest premium denim. My sketches are taking shape and I have created a story for the season that has my intrepid fashionista borrowing from the boys. The title of this collection is Fine & Dandy and the theme is based on the English Dandy - that very well turned out gentleman who wears clothing with finesse and style and panache. I searched the web to find contemporary images of a dandy and, once found, I translated them into something sexy, yet attainable for the modern woman. I applied motifs that are common for the dandy, such as the bow tie, the dress shirt, and the pocket watch with chain. But the shapes & silhouettes are very womanly. Some are voluminous, while others are body conscious. Each style will be named after a music diva's songs - just like spring 2010. And since I am "youtubing" a lot of vintage Diana Ross circa the 1970s, I have chosen her for my musical inspiration.

As Marla & I diligently work to get the spring 2010 collection on store racks early next year, I continue to follow through with my dreams and goals. And it requires that I tap into my reserves and commit to what I love most - conceptualizing and sketching beautiful new dress designs that women will hopefully covet. And sometimes the outside noise can wear me down and distract me. But I am never down for too long because there is something in the air. And it beckons to me to just keep on.

Peace & Fashion!