Dream On

Last night was the opening for Lonette McKee's show Can't Help Lovin' at the Algonquin Hotel.  My family and I took our seats in The Oak Room around 8 p.m. and I began to get giddy with excitement.    It was really happening.  I'd designed an outfit for Patti LaBelle years ago, but I never got a chance to see her wear it.  This was going to be the first time that I would witness a celebrity actually wearing one of my looks.  It was almost surreal.

Before the show was about to begin, I excused myself from the table to go to the restroom. And I was hoping to see if Lonette was waiting in the wings.  Then I saw her, standing in the hotel lobby preparing to enter the show space to begin her set.  She asked, "Oh Wilbur, did you come out here to check on me?"  "Absolutely," I lied only partially.  She confessed that she'd had difficulty weaving the grosgrain ribbon through the button holes on her french cuffed shirt.  I immediately went to work threading the cuffs with the ribbon.  It took about 15 minutes before I had the perfect bow!  And then I had to return to my table because the show was about to begin.  Oh well, my bathroom break would have to come after the show!  It didn't matter.  My bladder issues took a backseat to Lonette's stage presence and the way she carried me and the rest of her audience on a journey through song of some of her greatest moments in show business.  Songs from her films "Sparkle", "Round Midnight", and "Cotton Club" were pitch perfect fabulous and a couple of Billie Holliday faves were arranged in such a way that breathed new life into them.  She also sang a few songs that she had written over the years and when her musical director Bette Sussman joined her at the piano for one selection it was an awe-inspiring moment that I will never forget.  I never would have thought as a little boy of 9 years old that I would grow up and work with this woman from the silver screen whose beauty I dreamed about for so many nights.  This was a wish fulfilled.  And I hope there are many more dreams that turn into reality to come my way.

Peace & Fashion!

Star Wattage

My friend HOWARD

I've known Howard for a minute.  He's tried to convince me that he came into my sphere back when I was a kid going to dance school.  But I don't really remember that.  He used to hang tight with my cousin Lamesha back in the day.  He's also vacationed with my mother and aunt when they flew to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival.  So he's pretty much an integral part of the family dynamic.  This weekend he sent me a message on facebook informing me that a legendary actress/singer/entertainer was looking for a New York based fashion designer who would provide her with an original look for her "comeback" engagement at a renowned NYC area hotel.  "Wow," I thought, "it sure would be cool to work with her."  I remember, as a kid, falling in love with her after I watched her movie portrayal of a tragic member of a soul singing girl group consisting of three sisters.  It is believed to have provided inspiration for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.  On that screen, she was beautiful and glamorous and sexy and my eyes were immediately drawn to her.  I watched her career progress as she starred in movies, television miniseries, and had lead roles on Broadway.  So I immediately banged out a message introducing myself and pressed send.  I was surprised when I heard back from her almost immediately.  After a couple of back and forth emails, we chatted on the telephone.  And her down-to-earth disposition was so refreshing.  In a matter of three days, I have designed something that blurs the line between masculine and feminine, she's approved it, and I've already met with my friend Brandon who will be overseeing the construction.  As we move full steam ahead, I will keep you posted on more of the intimate details.  And stay tuned for the big reveal when I disclose her name and her outfit as the opening of her cabaret show draws nearer.

Peace & Fashion