Perspiration & Inspiration

As I sweat it out during these dog days of summer, I am busy finishing up the pieces for Fall/Winter 2013.  The purses are a mélange of wool menswear fabrics, metallic leather, and faux fur.  Here is the inspiration and the actual piece it inspired.  What do you think?

 

SK WiLBUR menswear-inspired purse

Paris Designer, Bouchra Jarrar





Is it going to be a winner with you ladies this Fall?

 

Peace & Fashion!



Hey, Mr. Mercury!

Elizabeth Taylor in costume as Maggie the Cat

It's been hotter than hell!  So during the week, holiday included, I sought refuge inside where I could luxuriate in an air conditioned space.  For the most part, I stayed home venturing out only when absolutely necessary, i.e. putting my time in at the plantation and grocery shopping.  See, my life really isn't all runway shows and ducking from the paparazzi.  So it left my mind plenty of time to go creative crazy!  And as a result, my ideas for the next collection have come fully into focus.  The name of the Spring 2013 collection is CLANDESTINY.

While I remain steadfast in my mission to create sophisticated, tailored pieces for the curvy woman, this time my muse is sexier.   She smolders.  My mind zeroed in on the timeless beauty of Elizabeth Taylor, specifically in her role as Maggie the Cat in the movie "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof".  Ms. Taylor looked oh-so-sublime in the scene with Paul Newman in which she is wearing a second-skinned slip.  Talk about tailoring!

The basic story arc for this collection has to do with a high-powered businesswoman taking a lunch break from the boardroom to meet her built-like-a-Greek-god lover at a nearby hotel for a passionate turn between the sheets.  Hey, divas need love, too!  Just to reiterate, I design fashion pieces that allow a woman to seamlessly transition from 9 to 5 to cocktails after work and beyond.  This scenario would be one of those beyond moments.  Stay tuned as the collection and all its elements come together.

In other news, I'd like to thank you for helping my team and I reach our goal of garnering 250 Votes in Chase bank's Mission: Small Business initiative.  We have moved forward to the next level.  I am not sure what the next step is, but you can be assured that I will keep you in the loop.

Peace & Fashion!

It's Hot & I'm Tired. Period.

SK WiLBUR handbags from Fall 2010

I am not gonna complain about the last couple of days where the temperature has risen above 90 degrees. I'm one of those people who HATES winter.  Yeah, I said it.  Although I am a native New Yorker, the cold weather and long stretches of darkness put a damper on my spirit.  Not to mention the backaches I endure from shoveling snow.  So, for me, summer is the lesser of two evils.

You may ask yourself, "What has any of this got to do with blackfashiondude's odyssey?"  Absolutely nothing.  But I'd just like to mention that I've been suffering in my not-so-cool basement slaving over my mother's old Singer while sewing up handbags for my forthcoming collection.  But this is my cross to bear.  I am not trying to do the "Woe is me" thing right now.  I am simply making a statement.  It's hot.  My bags are looking fabulous.  It's time for me to sign off.  Well, that's actually 3 statements.  But we're not going to argue over semantics.  I'm escaping to air conditioned bliss one floor up.

Peace & Fashion!