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!

The Roof Is On Fire!

It's been hot as hell!  At least that's what some have reported back to me after their visit to the fiery depths.  But the heat cannot impede my progress with the collection.  I've gotten a ton of advance praise for my aesthetic from my fellow bloggers who represent the curvy customer.  And I am so pleased.  I will admit that it feels a little strange to go from a fashion community that virtually ignores me to a tight-knit club who reveres my work.  But I ain't complaining.  I really appreciate it, ladies!  Thank you.  One issue that has remained constant, however, is how my business partners and I are always on the hunt for valid and creative ways to finance our endeavor.  It is quite a challenge.  And I know I am only speaking to the choir because all of us are faced with a similar conundrum.  This time, though, the universe has spoken and there is a demand for what I do.  Unlike any other time, women are more interested in learning how they can find the dresses for purchase instead of just congratulating me saying, "That's pretty."  A few weeks ago, I had a phone conversation with my milliner friend, OH, and my sister-in-law who is such a gifted photographer.  I was telling them that I think the secret to financial success is to stop obsessing about money or in our cases the lack of it.  We should just release it as an issue and not worry about it.  If we can focus on the joy that our craft brings and just continue to look for new ways to express our creativity, then I think the dollars will come.  Listen, I heard it on Oprah and she's got a little stash, so it must be the gospel.  So I am taking her advice.  And it's not just her.  It's a lesson that is hard learned, so it is a message that I read or hear from other successful people.  And I just need to live it.  I was born a winner.  I feel it in my soul.  And I know that all of you are winners, too.  Now that's what's up!  Check out some of the notices that we've gotten from some of my blogging divas by clicking on the following links:  The Curvy Fashionista, The Fat Apple, Madison Plus, The Fat Shopaholic, and The Bohemian Diva. 

Peace & Fashion!

Going & Going & Going. . .

Time waits for no one. So I am just trying to keep up the pace. And that requires a juggling act of epic proportions. I've found it a necessary evil to manage multiple projects simultaneously without them crashing down around me. And that is just the life of a successful fashion executive. Ha. After my friend Chris teasingly called me a fashion executive a few years ago, it just sort of stuck. I think it has a nice ring to it. But back to juggling. As Ashanti, Serosh and I were busy selecting a new web designer and we were preparing for Queens Fashion Week and I was meeting with my hat man, OH, and my make up artist Alexandra, I was also finishing up the sketches for Spring 2011. It was absolutely insane! A couple of years ago, I answered one of those online personality assessment questionnaires and I found out I was a 7 which is The Enthusiast. And basically it described me as a serial multitasker who craves happiness through creativity. Yet, I also tend to wear myself out in the process. Sounds about right. I am so psyched about Spring 2011. It all began with the idea to dissect the trench coat that just mushroomed into an 18 look collection. Now that's ambitious. And I hear a lot about globalization, so this collection is called "Been Around The World". My lady has just returned from far away exotic locales like Bombay, Africa, Bali, and South America with a quick jaunt in Montego Bay, Jamaica too. But all the dresses have a distinctly American sportswear sensibility. Think It's A Small World in New York. And my songstress of choice for this season is Chaka Khan. Man, did I have a crush on her as a kid. Chaka is sexy, earthy, sensual and just bad to the bone. Everything I want these dresses to be. So just sit back, keep up, and enjoy the ride. I've got a ways to go before it's all said and done. I'm just getting started. But right now I've got to polish up my juggling act. The next few months are going to be very, very busy.

Peace & Fashion!

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!

Work It!

This past Saturday, yours truly was front and center as the inaugural Queens Fashion Week came to an end. It was a long day as Ashanti and I had to select & fit additional models to wear our pieces. Luckily, all the ladies were quite lovely which made for a very pleasant day. And there really was a sense of community backstage from the hair stylists to the make up artists to the dressers, volunteers, and other designers who were showing. No need for behind the scenes drama - it was all about love and purpose. When my hat man, OH, arrived with the last chapeau it was almost time for the show to begin. And his hats really were like the cherry on top of a delicious ice cream sundae. I cannot express how pleased I was to be a part of the event. It had been more than 5 years since I had shown a collection on the runway. And I say, "It's about time!" We were even able to make a few business connections which could potentially add up to more for the company's future. So you know it's all good. But there is no rest for the weary as I continue to plan the shoot for March 6 and make sure that the dresses are completed in time. After all, it all happens in less than two weeks. So excuse me while I work it!

Peace & Fashion!

A Fashion Marathon

This month has been KILLAH! And I am not speaking in a "Oh, these Roger Vivier pumps are killing my feet!" kind of way either. The BlackFashionDude has been whipping the garment district into a tizzy in an effort to have all the dresses from the Fine & Dandy collection completed in time for the photo shoot. After the plantation was kind enough to advance my salary a small fortune, I was able to move forward with the rest of the dresses. In addition, I've had to fit girls for my turn on the runway at Queens Fashion Week this Saturday, February 20. Remember I was supposed to present my denim frocks last Saturday, Feb 13, but because of the snowstorm and with Queens being what it is, the show was postponed. So it's not too late, you can purchase a ticket today at www.queensfashionweek.com and see yours truly rock the runway. I've been busy sewing up the purses I designed to accessorize the dresses after my handbag artisan bailed on me. They are not perfect because I am nobody's tailor, but they are pretty adorable. . .if I do say so myself. And Otis, my milliner man, has created the MOST fabulous toppers that will adorn the model's heads at Saturday's show.

Last week I outfitted The Mad Fashionista in one of my designs. She is the ubiquitous guest in the tents and an intrepid reporter during New York Fashion Week. I sure hope she was able to get into some of the newspapers wearing my creation because she looked like a dream in the dress.

My partners in fashion crimes and I are looking to revamp our current website which has none of the dresses on it, so we turned to our trusted friend - craigslist where we posted an ad for a web designer. We got lots of responses and we've held preliminary phone interviews with a few applicants to see who really shares a polished web vision with us. I'll keep you posted when the new site goes live, but you can rest assured that it will be HOT!

It appears that I was not able to seal the deal with Gabourey and her stylist to dress her for the Oscars. At times it seemed like the underdog (me) was finally going to have a bonafide feather in its cap. We spoke on a few occasions and I rushed to provide beautiful and appropriate designs, yet now I am only getting the silent treatment. And with the Oscars approaching faster than fast, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen this time. But I'll be watching no matter what because glamor is what I love.

And finally, a very sad farewell to Alexander McQueen who hanged himself last week. He was a design genius and he will surely be missed.

Peace & Fashion!

What's Going On?

Although this blog documents my journey in fashion, I simply cannot ignore the catastrophic earthquake that has recently brought the country of Haiti to its knees. My heart hurts for the thousands who have perished and the loved ones left behind. But it is at times like these that I really count my blessings for all that I have. I have struggled throughout my career, but I am rich in friends, family, and shelter. And beyond that, I have the capacity to dream and pursue my dreams. Please make a contribution to the relief efforts because the people of Haiti are severely lacking. We have got to help our fellow man. And I just believe that every little bit helps.

It seems weird to segue into fashion. But I need to honor the odyssey and, now more than ever, embrace my passion for fashion to its fullest. This week has been turbo charged with activity as I continue speeding towards the date of the shoot. The new collection will be photographed on February 13 - come hell or high water - so preparations are underway. My milliner, Otis D. Holley (I call him OH for short), is hard at work on the chapeaus the models will be donning. He's finished a couple of styles and I wanted to see how well the hats complimented one of the dresses. So at the fitting on Tuesday, I snapped a photo of my fit model, Ila, working it. I thought she looked HOT! She was the epitome of Fine & Dandy mixed with a little Smooth Criminal.

On this Saturday past, I met one of my sister's old friends from her junior high school days who happens to be a true artisan. We were celebrating Ashanti's 30th birthday at BLT Burger when I noticed Minkie (that's her name) carrying the most chic clutch handbag. When she admitted that she was the designer responsible for it, the wheels in my head immediately started turning. She didn't know this, but I had designed a bag to accompany the looks for this collection and had priced it out at a couple of manufacturers here in New York. It was just too exorbitant and it seemed like I might not have the good fortune to use one of my original designs. But I am positive that Minkie coming into my life at this time is kismet. I am bursting with anticipation to see the final product.

Yesterday, I placed a followup call to Gabourey's stylist, Linda M., who is out on the west coast. I was a little nervous - partly because I would really LOVE to dress Gabourey. And also because in the past when I've tried to make celebrity connections, I have often been met with the sound of crickets (SILENCE). So imagine my surprise when within a half hour Linda returned my call. Apparently, she never got our previous emails and calls so she asked me to send another email with images. Again, Ashanti crafted a great pdf presentation. Linda & I spoke again today and she seems to really want to work with me. The possibilities of a collaboration of this nature are endlessly positive. But I am trying to keep my cool. But wouldn't it be great to see Gabourey walking down the red carpet in one of my custom designed dresses?! Boy, am I happy that after almost 12 years in the trenches, I can still dream.

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!