The Time Has Come

This weekend I did some serious soul searching. The catalyst for which was a very lengthy and introspective phone conversation I had with my friend Alexandre, the successful art gallery owner and purveyor of fine contemporary Russian art. An article published in this past Saturday's New York Times about the disappointing demise of Michelle Obama design darling Maria Pinto's business also contributed to my weekend of reflection. It forced me to take a closer look at my life. And I must, somehow, come to terms with the fact that my circumstances may have hindered my chances to be a successful fashion business owner. I've known from the beginning that I've had more than my share of handicaps. The business is severely under capitalized. I do not possess the technical skills like sewing and pattern making which might have made a small difference for my success. And I do not know the "right" people who would have catapulted my line to star status. But I always felt that the universe was speaking positively to me regarding my fashion odyssey. And it was telling me to keep on, persevere, and my monetary rewards were just on the horizon. Now 12 years later, I am unsure and tired. But I have given myself a year to give it the old college try. I need to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat. And I am hoping that my plus size design endeavor is that magic trick. But if it's not, I will reinvent myself and become something more fabulous. Hey, if Madonna is the poster child for reinvention, then I certainly can become the postcard version!

Peace & Fashion!

This Christmas

Some people leave milk and cookies for Santa. Others leave M & M candies. Michelle Obama said she was going to leave Santa some apple slices with her milk & cookies. I am not sure what I will be leaving Old St. Nick, but it will be something thoughtful. Maybe he'd like a trimmer for his beard because he is starting to look a little, um, unkempt. Or maybe I'll leave him a membership to a local North Pole gym because it's been said many times many ways, "Thin is in." I know I need to be hitting the treadmill myself before people start mistaking me for Santa Claus. And that's just not cute! But this is the season to show your appreciation for people who mean a lot to you whether through a kind word, gesture, or gift. So if that means doing a fashion intervention and telling your good friend to retire that colorful '80s Cosby sweater, then go for it.

Two nights ago, George and I had a fitting with Ila for the next 2 looks. FABULOUS! I cannot wait to see the finished dresses. This year's Christmas gift from my mother is a sample from the line courtesy of her checkbook. Can you say, "Fa, La, La, La, La!" I will be picking it up early next week so that it can be tucked neatly under my tree. And I've been talking to acquaintances and friends to see if it will be possible to stage a presentation during New York Fashion Week. It is kind of a long shot, but I remain cautiously optimistic. In fact, if all goes according to plan, I will be inviting you, my readers and supporters, to come take a look. As soon as I have a date, I will let you know. I haven't participated in fashion week for several years now, so I am bursting with excitement.

Every day is filled with the promise of possibilities. And it feels great to be able to live out those promises. I think one of the finest things about Christmas is that this time allows you to assess all the wonderful things in your life. That is, if you're not too jaded to recognize them. Listen, I gotta go now and put the finishing touches on my Christmas decor. But don't forget your milk & cookies. After traveling all over the globe, Santa needs a hook-up, too!

By the way, check out the latest from my diva friend The Mad Fashionista. She interviewed me and asked some very probing questions I was not expecting. I think you'll find it fascinating and fun reading. Perhaps you may even learn some tidbit I had not yet disclosed.

Peace & Fashion!

A New Diva on the Horizon

Two days ago I spoke with Elisa DeCarlo, a fellow blogger whose over-the-top alter ego goes by the name of The Mad Fashionista. Elisa is a writer, actress, and storyteller who created The Mad Fashionista as a way to match wits with the elitist androids who are at the top of the fashion food chain. Her curvy, full figure and outsize personality are the antithesis of many editors-in-chief of high fashion glossies. Anna Wintour @ Vogue eat your heart out!

I met Elisa, or was it The Mad Fashionista, at a charity event last February when she expressed her delight with the denim gown my sister, a curvy girl herself, was wearing. When she discovered that I was the creative mastermind behind the elegant frock, she wanted to know more. Unfortunately, Ashanti & I were swept up in the pop of flashbulbs and the fizz of fabulousness during the entire evening so we really did not get a chance to chat further. But after I started journaling about my odyssey, The Mad Fashionista reached out to me and offered words of encouragement and pointers about maintaining a blog. I thought, "How wonderful for this diva to be so considerate and giving." I knew then that The Mad Fashionista and I would forge a wonderful friendship. And then I discovered that although she adheres to the fringes of fashion, she's also been featured in The New York Times Styles Section. This campy character that Elisa DeCarlo has created has a lot to say. Quirky, yet fabulous and elegantly trashy, I will again come face-to-face with Elisa and her alter ego when we meet on Monday. So while I wait for Oprah and Michelle O. to get back to me, I am going to have my hands full working with Elisa by adding a little more sophistication to The Mad Fashionista's wardrobe. And who knows what opportunities lie ahead.

Peace & Fashion!

What If?

Last night while on my way home from the plantation, I read an article in The New York Times that caused me to reflect on my odyssey. How Do You Like Me Now? is the account of a very talented and somewhat accomplished black fashion designer (Eric Gaskins) who, after 22 years in the business, is forced to shut down his line. Last year he started writing a blog called The Emperor's Old Clothes and seems to be having more notoriety and success with that than with the quietly elegant frocks he has up until now been known for. The noticeably similar parallels in our lives are startling even if I have yet to reach the same level of success as Mr. Gaskins. After all, his dresses hung in many stores including the very posh Bergdorf Goodman here in New York City. I have yet to see my confections on the racks of those kinds of stores. And I am not sure if my online journal is as widely read as Mr. Gaskins's is either. Nonetheless, the newspaper item did give rise to a moment where I questioned the validity of my existence in fashion design. What if my success in the fashion design sector is only moderate like Mr. Gaskins? Am I prepared to humbly accept those terms and be grateful for just the opportunity to have chased my dreams? And will I be happy knowing that after so many years, if nothing else, at least I gave it the old college try? The jury is still out on that as I believe that no one pursues their goals as doggedly as I have just to get an honorable mention badge. But right now I've still got to believe that the apex of fashion success is still within my reach. Interestingly, I visited the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) this week where the work of Isabel Toledo is on display. Ms. Toledo is another astonishingly talented designer who seemed to be destined only to enjoy a moderate level of success. That is until first lady Michelle Obama chose Ms. Toledo as her designer of choice for her Inauguration day ensemble. Catapulted to the world stage by one event, Ms. Toledo's fashion star is now shining brightly. It just speaks to the possibilities and how important it is to perservere. Since anything is possible, the what if question persists.

Peace & Fashion!

Michelle, ma belle. . .

Like myself, many people around the globe are excited about the new era in American politics ushered in by our country's first black president, Barack Obama. There is a renewed spirit of optimism and hope coursing through the veins of citizens of the world despite the numbers of victims the economic crisis has claimed. Millions are hoping that President Obama can put a stop to the economy's bloodletting. But fashion insiders are looking to Michelle Obama to reinvigorate the fashion industry. No, we don't expect the first lady to create a fashion stimulus package. But it is hoped that her choices will motivate women to shop. And everyone has weighed in on Mrs. Obama's fashion choices. And now it is my turn. Not surprisingly, I think she should add a little SK Wilbur to her closet. After the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration, two angels whispered in my ear and suggested that I send a little somethin' somethin' to the first lady. Surprisingly, I had never even considered it. But then I thought, "Why not?" So I pulled some fabric swatches from my favorite store Mood (anyone who has watched Project Runway knows about this fabric emporium), and began to really study her style. In two weeks, I had sketched about 5 or 6 looks for our first lady. I wrote a letter to include with the illustrations and asked my friend in public relations to edit it accordingly. I mounted each design and arranged the swatches to make it all pop and unearthed a clear plastic case at The Container Store so that the presentation looked exceptional. And I made a duplicate package to send to Ikram Goldman, the woman who owns a store in Chicago who has acted as her fashion advisor. According to my tracking numbers, UPS promptly delivered one package to Desiree Rogers, The White House social secretary, and one package to Ikram. But I have not heard anything. Bombarded with identical requests and busy with first lady obligations, I am not surprised. But it sure would be nice to answer the phone and hear Michelle's voice on the other end.

Peace & Fashion!