Wait

Sunday night I went out dancing with friends. And I had a ball shaking my money maker to some of my favorite 70s R-n-B classics. But I just couldn't miss the Golden Globes, so I asked my mother to DVR it for me. Thank God for her! Early Monday morning I watched all the nail-biting drama unfold before I could be bombarded with images and news online. I'm crazy about the movies and I am always interested to see if my faves for the year are in line with the award voters. And since I LOVE the whole idea of glamour, I have my eyes glued to the red carpet. Although this is football season, cheering for my favorite couture clad actresses teetering on sky high stilettos is my preferred kind of spectator sport. And even with the soggy-from-the-rain red carpet, the ladies did not disappoint. A couple of my favorites included Jane Krakowski in an amethyst one shouldered number by J. Mendel and Halle Berry who was a knockout in her sexy, black form-fitting Kaufman Franco gown. Of course the actress I was waiting to see was first-time nominee Gabourey Sidibe. Since I have designs on her, professionally speaking of course, I was interested to see what direction she and her stylist had gone in. And I was pleased with the results. A jewel tone (emerald) is great for her dark skin tone and the Empire silhouette is perfect for her body type. But I think she would have really sparkled in one of my creations. I'm just saying! But I wait and hope that I will be able to clothe her for one of her future soon-to-happen red carpet appearances.

In the meantime, my fit model, my sister, and I got caught up in our own glamour moment when we glided into the New York Times event space on 41st street for the Supima Cotton Runway spectacle. Although I was not among the chosen finalists to show this time around, the powers that be were gracious enough to extend an invitation to yours truly, a previous participant from 2008. Although I've been mistaken for being quite reserved and modest (LOL!), I decided to make a splash for this event and have Ila wear one of the looks from my upcoming Fall 2010 line. She was quite an eye catcher even in the elbow-to-elbow sea of fashionistas. So much so that she caught the attention of a camera crew that immediately began to interview the two of us. Once I become aware of when & where that interview will be broadcast, I will share it with all of you. Coco Rocha, the mannequin of the moment and one of my sister-in-law's favorite models, announced the winners after a breathtaking runway spectacle. I definitely agreed with the judge's pick for Best In Show - Gina De Silva. Her work was impeccable and her aesthetic is sublime. Glamour was in full effect in each of her designs. Afterwards, my companions turned back into pumpkins as they doffed their Wilbur creations and slipped out of their pumps. It was back to reality as my sister and I made our way home to Queens and Ila caught the subway uptown. Now my wait to hear whether or not Gabourey will wear me continues.

Peace & Fashion!

Happy Birthday To Me!

When my grandmother was alive, she was the light in the room. The energy force that galvanized everyone from my great aunt & great uncle (her brother and sister) to my mother and her sister (my aunt) to all my cousins, my grandmother was the core and the center of our family. And she also knew how to have a good time. In the weeks and then the days leading up to her birthday, she'd loudly proclaim, "Happy Birthday To Me!" And it didn't even matter if it was someone else's birthday, we knew that if she was in the room it was going to be her birthday as well. She was really some kind of special.

This Saturday I will be turning 42 years old and I have begun to utter those words my grandmother did so may years ago. And remembering the celebration of life has brought me from a dark place. This weekend past, I learned that I was not selected as a semifinalist in the Supima Cotton Runway Competition. And it really did thrust me into a tailspin of disappointment. I was confident that the universe had provided this opportunity to circumvent the defeat my business partners and I experienced with our poor showing during Market Week. This kind of recovery would have been validating by reminding me that I am headed in the right direction. It would have confirmed my gut instinct that it is kismet for me to design cocktail dresses. After all, I thought my audition went rather well. The judges seemed to like my work and my particular kind of pizazz. So it was a crushing blow when the 12 semifinalists were announced and there was no Wilbur on the list. But now, I have learned that I must, more than ever, encourage myself. It's not easy. In fact, there are moments when the demons of self-doubt and self-worth attack me. And I question if my odyssey is just some vain attempt to distance myself from the modest and my talent is only mediocre at best. But I just keep trying to move forward because I know the answers to my questions, whether they are favorable or not, are coming. With each birthday I learn more about fortitude and accepting defeat of the smaller battles with grace. And it is truly cause to celebrate. Because I know more today than I did yesterday. Happy Birthday to me!

Peace & Fashion!

The Chosen

Last year I was selected by a panel of judges to participate in the inaugural runway design competition sponsored by Supima cotton. My mission was to create a dazzling evening look utilizing the world's finest cotton. It was such a validating experience. Until then I relied on my family and friends, who may have felt obligated, to assuage my anxieties about my designs. Was I really good enough to call myself a fashion designer? But when complete strangers and colleagues recognized my talent, my journey was legitimized. And I was proud to be one of the handpicked 25 whose frocks graced the runway that very warm evening during the summer of 2008.

Fast forward several months and Supima is readying for their 3rd runway competition. When I first caught wind of the announcement, it landed in my email box via the Mad Fashionista. At first, I was quick to dismiss it. Been there, done that, blogged about it! But then I looked over the information and noticed that there was a new component. Apparently, the winning designer will have their garment featured in Bloomingdale's and promoted by Supima. Jackpot! I am diligently working to get my collection into stores. My business partners and I hired a salesperson specifically for that purpose. Unfortunately, the person in charge of designer collections at Bloomingdale's declined to place an order for this spring. Maybe this would be a way to begin a dialogue with the powers-that-be and see if I can turn that no into a yes? I felt the universe beckoning to me. My first Supima experience provided the impetus to change direction and launch a more sophisticated, luxurious line. Who knows what possibilities lie ahead for me and Sorta Kinda Enterprises? So I had to answer the call.

My model, Vanessa, and I met up at the plantation where she changed into one of my denim cocktail confections. And we walked over to Bloomingdale's where we found camera men and sound guys with boom mikes recording the interviews that the judges were conducting with each candidate. It was amazing! I saw the team responsible for public relations with whom I worked when I was a Supima cotton virgin and greeted them warmly. And I was filmed as Topaz, the camera operator who is a west coast transplant, asked me questions about my past experiences with the Supima brand. When he questioned if I was nervous, I replied boldly, "Do I look like I am nervous?" I laugh at myself now, but it seems that all you have to do is turn a camera on me and I perk right up. And on top of that, the judges seemed to really appreciate my aesthetic. All I can say is that I really enjoyed today's excitement and pray that I am again one of the chosen.

Peace & Fashion!