Fashion Stardust

You know, it's those little things that can make me feel like I really matter and that I am not completely overlooked. A few months ago, my partners in crimes of fashion, Ashanti & Serosh, convinced me to write a blog. Originally, Ashanti was the author of her own online diary. I was convinced that people would really respond to her, particularly women. You know, Girl Power! and all that. But A & S persuaded me that more people wanted to hear from the man behind the seams, so to speak. And now here I am probably sharing more than I normally would or should. I guess since President Obama has taken a vow of transparency, I sort of adopted the vow, too. And it is quite cathartic. But sometimes I feel like I am starring in some really bad reality show that is about to get cancelled because nobody's watching. Only it is my life.

While many times I feel like the kid in the lunch room who is not worthy enough to sit with the cool kids, every so often I get invited to the table. This week I made a concerted effort to reach out to designer extraordinaire Eric Gaskins. I wrote about him last week (http://iamfabulous-ablackfashiondudesodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-if.htmlablackfashiondudesodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-if.html) and thought we shared some loose similarities. The idea of finding a potential friend in a seventh avenue alum excited me. Maybe he's not a hang out buddy, per se, but I welcomed forming an alliance with him as my new online confidant. After posting a response to his blog and not receiving an acknowledgement, I decided to search him on FaceBook. I found him! I quickly invited him to be my facebook friend and wrote effusively about how much I loved the blog. Within minutes, I received a response from him. It read: "I'm glad you like the blog. Thanks for letting me know. E" Wow! I am cool by association. I can now apply for membership as a fashion insider. It doesn't matter that he didn't accept my friend invitation. And it certainly doesn't matter that he did not respond when I followed up with a link to the blog post I wrote about him. I am not really sure what I expected. Perhaps he thought I was a bit stalker-ish? But it's all good! Whatever that means. I have been sprinkled with the fashion stardust. And I know it's only a matter of time before Ralph Lauren and I are discussing his vintage car collection over an exceptional bottle of bordeaux.

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!