I'm HAPPY!

The Citrus Tote by SK WiLBUR

Originally, I was designing a collection that was comprised mostly of leather.  It was an extension somewhat of my Holiday pieces with a little flavor from the Scandal collection thrown in for good measure.  I'm not sure why I was still in that creative mind space because neither one of those collections did well for me at retail.  I guess I was stuck.  But as I was shopping the Garment District one day, I came across a roll of this incredibly eye-catching cotton canvas in a shade of total lemony freshness that beckoned to me.  I didn't know what I was going to do with it, but I knew I had to have it.  After some contemplation and deliberation, I decided to turn the fabric into a tote.  The reaction among my friends and family was so positive that I was inspired to see what other silhouettes I could create in the heavy canvas.  Eventually, I scrapped everything I was previously working on and decided to focus on the new aesthetic in combinations of canvas and leather.  What has resulted is a spring collection filled with clean lines and bold, ebullient colors.  That's why I am calling it HAPPY.

 

After my successful crowdfunding campaign that ended on March 28, the Happy collection

The Young Americans Clutch by SK WiLBUR

quietly debuted last week on www.skwilbur.com.  My cousin was featured in the music video for Pharrell's global dance anthem, Happy.  And that was pretty exciting.  But then I started thinking about all of the other dance songs with "Happy" in the title and I was thrilled to discover Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Get Happy" and it really spoke to me on a very visceral level.  Great horns and awesome vocals make me wanna swing.  So as the temperatures start to climb, the flowers begin to bloom, and we emerge from the very arctic winter, I want to wish everybody a very joy-filled spring.  Come on and let's get HAPPY together!

 

Peace & Fashion!

 

Peace & Victory in Fashion's Name

 



Behind The Curtain on SK WiLBUR

I've been up until 1:00 in the morning several nights the last couple of weeks creating some of the accessories that we will be offering on www.skwilbur.com this coming fall.  Needless to say, I am exhausted.  But I'm not complaining.  In fact, I'm dying to share the images of the handbags and belts with you, but I'm going to hold out just a little longer.  In the meantime, however, I've provided the video interview that I did with The Stylish Maven during NY Fashion Week last month.  It is such a different perspective to see myself the way others see me.  So please take a quick look, learn about my inspiration, and get a sneak peek at some of the pieces that will coming to skwilbur.com this fall.

Peace & Fashion!

Don't Hate!

Okay, so it is time for me to come clean.  Earlier in my career, not that long ago, I would analyze the careers of some of my more established colleagues.  And I'd compare their seemingly meteoric rise to fashion stardom with my plight as I continued to languish in fashion anonymity.  Struggling to find creative ways to finance my dream, my reality was the cause of much consternation.  How had the young cat with the curly hair made such a splash and become the new darling of Seventh Avenue?  Why wasn't it my creations that magazines and store buyers and celebrities spoke of so impassionately?  Secretly, I wanted all the adoration and riches that young designers like him enjoyed and the fact that I had been passed over plagued me.  I thought I was as talented, if not more so.  I had integrity.  And I listened to all the constructive criticism that was provided by industry vets.  But the brass ring was still handed off to others.  "Damn them," I thought.

As I get older, I get wiser.  Now, I no longer compare myself to anyone else.  My path is unique and it is all mine.  I realize that all the riches and blessings in store for me are meant for me.  And me alone.  The current darlings of Fashion Avenue may have surpassed me for the time being, but we all know who won that race between the tortoise and the hare.  And I don't feel like I have to measure myself against the golden children of fashion.  I just want to be my best.  No more hating!  And I am moving along at my own winning pace.

Peace & Fashion!