The Wilbur Show

I don't really have much to say. Surprised? Believe it or not, there are some days when I don't have much to report or harbor a desire to weigh in on a hot topic. But those days are few and far between. Today, I am just here to ask any one of you readers who have not yet voted for me for fashion designer 2010 at julib.com to do so as soon as possible. Time is running out. I think voting ends on Friday. It's not like it's that big of a deal. I don't win gobs of money or a trip to an exotic locale. But I've hardly won anything in my life. I mean, I won an art contest when I was in the fifth grade. We were asked to depict brotherhood and I drew the Pilgrims shaking hands with the Indians. That was exciting. And back when I was in college, I won a silver plated trophy in my video production class for the music video I shot for "I Wish It Would Rain" by The Temptations. I had my baby sister who was about 8 at the time and her friends from across the street playing in the rain with their umbrellas. And on a couple of occasions, when I've played MegaMillions, I've won $7 here and $9 there. But the big fashion prize continues to elude me. So it would be nice just to say that somewhere I was voted for best in show. After all, doesn't everybody love a winner? I'm only about 148 votes short of being in the lead. LOL! Below I've included some of the images from the new collection shot by Eric Hason. Maybe they'll inspire you to click, register, and vote.

Peace & Fashion!

No Romance Without Finance

I've been journaling my odyssey for a little more than a year now. And I've divulged some pretty personal and intimate details about myself and my life. But now it's time to come clean. No more secrets. I have a romantic view of my life. Okay. There. I said it. I love a great romantic comedy like It Happened One Night or You've Got Mail or Notting Hill. And I guess I fancy myself a character from one of those movies where the music crescendos at the end and everything and everyone is beautiful & happy. But the truth is my life is a far cry from a romantic comedy. I am struggling with trying to find new ways to finance my dream besides robbing from Peter to pay Paul. And I am tired of dealing with fashion industry crazies who appear to be one way when I first meet them making lovely promises and then pulling back as I reach out to take them up on their offers. And I am just frustrated with working so diligently only to feel like I am running in place. Sure, you might say, "Cry me a river!" And it's the truth. My story is no different from anyone else's. It's called life. So I just try to bite my lip. . . without chewing it off. I've read stories about successful people who have achieved the American dream like Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey and they don't seem any smarter than me. But they sure have a lot more money than I do. Don't get me wrong, even in a romantic comedy, money isn't everything. But it would make my life a helluva lot easier. So I am calling on all of you to stage an intervention for me. I need to break my addiction to romantic comedies. I am still trying to take this journey one step at a time without basing each step on the the contrived fairytales that Meg & Julia & Claudette have starred in. And if I've learned anything over this last year, I've learned that there is no such thing as romance without finance.

Peace & Fashion!

Point, Click, and Shoot

I haven't been writing much about the photo shoot that's going to take place this Saturday. I've been diligently and quietly working on all the details. Yes me - QUIET. Did I mention we also have someone updating our website to reflect the new direction with the dresses? And we are about to ship a small order of the spring collection to Rhinoceros - a tres chic boutique located in Buckhead, an upscale neighborhood in Atlanta. So please forgive me if I am a little distracted. But I've got nothing but love for you.

We were supposed to conduct a casting this Sunday past, but we really didn't get enough of a response from models, so we cancelled. Thank God for Queens Fashion Week where I was able to meet some lovelies who are enthusiastic about working with us on this shoot. And by the end of the week, I should have all the pieces delivered in pristine condition by my tailor, George. We're still short on cash, but I know the universe is not gonna let me go out like that. And I'm treating our shortage like a non-issue. I gotta have faith that it will all work out. But yesterday, I was singing a different tune as I stressed about where our windfall was going to come from. I even had trouble sleeping. But I am moving on. So many opportunities seem to be coming our way. And I am just going to focus on that. It truly has been a long time coming. And with each one, I will keep you in the loop.

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!

The Storm Before The Calm

Yesterday here in New York we were faced with a raging wind and rain storm. Trees toppled and residents in some parts of the city were even left powerless. A quick glance would suggest that, at this moment, my odyssey is like yesterday's rainstorm - raging out of control. But I know that this is only the storm before the calm.

This Friday past, I had to terminate the photographer I was slated to work with on the shoot for my fall line Fine & Dandy. We never really got along from the time we met a few years ago. But I thought that since some time had passed, perhaps we both would be able to forge a new, more amiable path. I was sadly mistaken. Devaughn and I are still like oil & water. But it was his unprofessional attitude when he announced that he had to work on the day of the shoot and instructed me to reschedule the date that really rankled me. I was incensed. When I explained that I had already secured the space and retained a portion of the glam squad for that day (not to mention that he was being paid for his services as well), he informed me that I was asking him to choose between his job and this job. Explosive text messages were volleyed back and forth culminating in a quick swipe of the delete button erasing him from my life for good. Although I have been lucky enough to call on my longtime photographer, Eric Hason, we are in the throes of finalizing the date since he too is unavailable for February 13. Increasing my anxiety, yesterday I got word from Minkie, my handbag artisan, that her circumstances have also changed and she may not be able to have the bags completed by deadline. When it rains it pours. And I am still counting every penny so that I can pay George, my tailor, for the remainder of my pieces. But I know that these are only temporary situations. I am sure that whenever the photo shoot happens, it will go off without a hitch and the pictures will be gorgeous. The handbags will be fabulous! And somehow I will find a way to pay George. I've got to trust the path that I have chosen. It can be unnerving, but in every life a little rain must fall.

Peace & Fashion!

Fashion's Next BIG Thing?

I am tired. This latest endeavor to launch a line of denim cocktail dresses has been emotionally draining. And I'm not even out the gate! Roadblocks to fashion nirvana have been reported by me ad nauseam. I am so ready for the style council to smile upon me and grant me entree to the VIP area behind the red velvet rope so I can hang out with Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. When my great Aunt Edie wrote in my 8th Grade autograph book, "The elevator to success is broken - Take the stairs," I had no idea how right she was. So after 11 years of climbing stairs, I am beginning to wonder if the elevator will ever be repaired. As my tailors near completion on the remainder of the looks, I have been hunting for accessories, including shoes, jewelry, and handbags for the photo shoot scheduled on June 20. I called in a favor from my sister-in-law, Rebecca Rodriguez, who is a positively talented photographer to take up the lens after I realized I had no budget to pay my long-standing photographer, Eric. I will be casting the other model for the shoot in a couple of days, but could not work with Ford Models after I was informed that their models do not work for anything less than $1,250 a booking. Ouch! That is just way beyond my company's budget. But after all the dust settles, I know that my journey is very similar to many others who have preceded me. In my heart of hearts I understand that Ralph, Oscar, and Carolina did not get to their perches in the VIP area without struggles. I just wish the elevator was working. . .

Peace & Fashion!