All Hail The Queen!

Yesterday, after I finished my work at the plantation, I did what I always do and headed to the Garment District to work on my forthcoming collection.  I have dubbed Fall 2012 - EYE CANDY.  It's all decadence and luxuriousness and fabulosity, of course.  I was walking down 38th street on my way to Mood Fabrics when I crossed paths with none other than the Queen herself - Queen Latifah.  I am an avid fan of the Queen since her early days as a rapper.  Before she was transformed into a glamorous Cover Girl makeup spokeswoman, she was making moves in the male-dominated rap music world.  Do you remember her 1989 hit song, Ladies First?  It was an empowering anthem dedicated to women all over the globe.

Years ago, I met Latifah when I was an intern at Cynthia Rowley.  She was gracious and witty and signed my copy of MODE magazine where she was featured in an editorial fashion spread.  It was definitely a thrill.  So you know, I had to acknowledge the Queen as we passed each other on the street.  "Hey Queen!" I shouted barely able to contain my excitement.  She nodded and waved as she made her way to 7th avenue.  And we both kept it moving.

One of my dreams is to one day dress the Queen.  Because, let's face it, when you get that kind of endorsement from royalty, you have certainly arrived.

Peace & Fashion!

In Short. . .



This evening my seamstress, Yvonne, and I met with curvy supermodel  Allie McGevna at Mood Fabrics.  The purpose: to take her measurements for the next batch of samples for the spring 2012 collection.  It was Allie's first visit to the mega fabric store made famous by Project Runway.  I, on the other hand, live in Mood.  As I greeted the owner and the employees, Yvonne remarked how familiar I am with the store's floor plan.  It really is high on my list of NYC go-to destinations for beautiful fabrics.

Taking measurements is always brief and the three of us were done in a snap.  Thank God.  This morning, I left the bag with my sample fabrics home in Southeast Queens and had to ride back home and then all the way back into Manhattan for my 6 p.m. meet-up with the ladies.  Between all the commuting and the oppressive heat, my energy was completely zapped.  But I can't complain.  Sometimes you've just gotta suffer for fashion.

Peace & Fashion!

I'm Still Here

It's been awhile since I've written and posted anything here.  I am not neglecting you.  I swear!  It's just that I've been swamped with all the work it takes to become a fashion phenom.  After 13 years of pursuing my dream, maybe I am finally reaching the pinnacle that has been heretofore unattainable: OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.  If you have been following my odyssey, and I hope you have, then you know I was preparing my collection for New York Fashion Week.  It was with steely determination, focus, and a lot of help from my angels who inhabit the universe that I was able to present a small installation of 10 looks on Tuesday, September 14 at The Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Gallery.  The story for this inaugural collection that has the curvy fashionista in mind was based on an American woman's journey around the globe with stops in exotic locales like Indonesia, Africa, and Latin America and how she collects pieces to accessorize her wardrobe.  Drawing inspiration from the recent Julia Roberts movie EAT, PRAY, LOVE with an added shopping subtext, I used classic sportswear fabrics like indigo denim, crisp men's cotton shirting, and tan khaki for the dresses.  My milliner, Otis Damo'n Holley, and I created linen fedora hats swirling with fabrics like taffeta, zebra print cotton, and organza that complimented some of the looks. Individualizing each chapeau, I dyed and accessorized them with feathers and painted wood brooches that I crafted from items I purchased at Michael's.  It gave the men's style hats a more artisanal and feminine feel.  I designed and sewed 6 handbag styles out of everything from denim to a vibrant cotton ikat to a tribal print linen I discovered at Mood Fabrics.  And the shoes were graciously supplied by Sergio Zelcer with me "filling in the blanks" with more styles that I "tricked-out" myself by adding suede fringe.  It was all time consuming to be sure, but I was so pleased with the head-to-toe looks, that I've been considering adding handbags to my repertoire.  And each look conveyed exactly what I wanted - a world traveler who, with accessories piled on, was the picture of chic sophistication.  The newest addition to my creative cluster is Steffany Allen who styled the ladies with fabulous jewelry.  She's a keeper because each piece told a story of a far-flung destination.  Victoria did a fine job on the dresses, although I had to keep the growing crowd at bay as the final pieces were late getting to the showspace.  But all's well that ends well.  And I think everybody who attended thought I really honored the ladies with tailored dresses that inspire curvy confidence.  Next step: Convince retailers that my dresses are must-have items that their customer will be clamoring for.  The merry-go-round never stops and if it did, I wouldn't want to get off for anything.  I live for this stuff!

Peace & Fashion!

I've Got A Feeling. . .

My Communications Director, Ashanti, and I will be attending the opening night runway event for the 2nd annual Full Figured Fashion Week on Wednesday, June 16 at BLVD. Started last year by plus-size trailblazer, Gwen DeVoe, Full Figured Fashion Week looks like a great initiative that celebrates the curvy fashionista as well as businesses that cater to her. So I will be there workin' it and connecting with store buyers and personalities as we prepare for our debut during New York Fashion Week. But you know that Ashanti, Wilbur's original curvy girl, has got to represent. So she will be wearing one of the designs from the new line in a fabric and color that I chose with her in mind. This Sunday past we met with my seamstress Victoria who nearly had the dress complete. And it was obvious that Ashanti will be a knockout.

On this Friday past, I held a casting at Mood Designer Fabrics to meet a batch of curvy cuties who would potentially model the new line. It was such a pleasant experience. No diva attitude and all the ladies were ready with a word of support. I am feeling positive about this new endeavor and I don't think it's going to take as much arm twisting as it has in the past to get retailers to invest in my aesthetic. Although I've been carried in quite a few stores over the years, none of them welcomed me or got excited about building a real business relationship. But I've got a feeling that my luck is about to change. . . for the better.

Peace & Fashion!

Fear Of The Unknown

Tomorrow I meet with Victoria. She is my new seamstress. Oh, I will still be working with George. After the job he did, I would be a fool not to. But because I have more looks for Spring 2011, I need more manpower. Victoria was referred to me by another George who works at Mood Designer Fabrics. She hails from the Ukraine and after seeing some of her work, I think she is going to enrich the process. And she says she can sew a dress a day. Whoah! I won't be able to keep up with her! I've already discovered one fit model for my latest project. Her name is Alli McG. And she is GORGEOUS! I've only spoken to her over the phone, but she has a very professional and friendly tone. Today I picked up a pair of shoes that will be used for one group of looks for the collection. I had taken them to the shoe maker for adjustments. I really liked them before the adjustments, but now I LOVE them. It's like Mtv's Pimp My Ride, but for shoes. And they are sick! And I've already begun to compile a list from the google search I did on high end plus size boutiques from here to California. There are dozens of them! Who knew?! And I just met with my friend Ron Goldstein who was the brains behind my very first guerrilla show on the sidewalk outside of Bryant Park during NY Fashion Week when we used Sex and the City as inspiration. So everything is rolling right along. But I am a little nervous of what the future might hold. Although many people have applauded my decision to cater to the curvy woman, I am afraid of the new. I mean, that is to be expected. But I am also excited with the promise of possibilities that this new direction can have on my journey. So I am embracing the mixture of emotions that I am feeling right now. And I am so looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.

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!

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!