Celebrating In Style

My mother in her
"Birthday Suit"

This week the career takes a back seat as my siblings and I celebrate my mother's 70th birthday.  It's a huge occasion for us because many from both sides of my family have not lived long enough to see this age.  In fact, my great Aunt Edie who turns 80 next year and my mother are the only "chosen" ones so far.  To commemorate the celebration, I, of course, designed a dress for the old girl.  It will also be included in the Spring 2013 collection I am calling Clandestiny.  It's all color blocked saffron and marigold linen with a cotton ikat thrown in for good measure.  Here's a sneak peek and a lovely photo of the two eldest family members.  Stay tuned and I will keep you posted on all the festivities.

Peace & Fashion!

My mother and my Aunt Edie

Possessing A Prizefighter's Determination

Sometimes I struggle with what I am going to write in my online journal.  Someone in PR once told me that I should not share too many of my doubts.  She reasoned that potential collaborators/investors would be turned off by my transparency and seeming lack of confidence.  She said, "Investors are confident in people who are confident in themselves."  She's probably right.  But the truth is that self-doubt is just par for the course when you are in a creative field.  I've spoken to writers, filmmakers, painters, singers, and, of course, other designers and we all suffer with bouts of self-doubt.  There are actually many similarities in our approaches to attaining success.  But what strikes me most is that we are all bold and confident enough to put our creativity out there for the world to judge.  I think transparency can be very liberating.  It demonstrates that my struggles and imperfections are no different than yours and that is unifying.  It also lends me a certain approachability.

Oscar Dela Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather

I mean, I'd  like to be able to consistently create a minimum of two collections a year without worrying about how I am going to afford fabrics and the costs of construction.  And I wish I could mass produce without fretting over finances and wondering how I am going to turn a dime into a dollar and a dollar into twenty-five thousand dollars.  But in the end, I don't let the odds against me prevent me from dreaming and pushing forward.

Last week, I finally accepted that I would not be able to actively participate in New York Fashion Week which officially begins on September 6th.  And I learned that I was not one of the twelve recipients of the Mission: Small Business Grant from Chase Bank.  Back in June, many of you voted so that I would be considered.  It's a bummer to have to sit out this fashion week, but there is still a Spring collection that must be completed and you better believe that I have already started preparing for Fashion Week February 2013.  And I just know the finances to fuel my vision will come from somewhere.

Do not judge me based on my bouts with self-doubt.  Save the judgements for how I am able to weather those moments and keep it moving.  With fifteen years under my belt, it is clear that I am a survivor.  And I am a winner.

Peace & Fashion!

It Ain't Over

Last Thursday evening, after posting to my blog and shutting down my laptop, I noticed the flashing red light on my phone signaling I had a new message.  The crackberry moniker is so appropriate because I have become quite addicted to checking my messages as soon as I feel the vibration or see the light.  I never thought I would become one of those people, but I have surrendered to the sweet intoxication of being tapped in at all times.  When I tapped the little envelope on my screen I was able to see - "Fashion Star - CONGRATULATIO. . ." and  I immediately let out a loud yelp.  I opened the message, but after the first sentence - The Fashion Star Casting team is so excited to move you on to the next round! - everything else was a blur.  I was so happy, grinning from ear-to-ear, and in total shock.  I just cannot believe how the universe, the stars, and the planets have aligned and what they made happen.  I'd given up on being the next FASHION STAR when I wasn't called back within a week.  But it seems that every time I am ready to throw in the towel, things start to turn in my favor.  I guess my faith needs to be a little stronger.  Although I am only at the quarterfinal stage, I am encouraged.  I'll keep you posted.  I am in it to win it!

Peace & Fashion!

Just A Quick Look

This week, in the midst of trying to figure out how I am going to overcome what seems like insurmountable hurdles in moving my business forward, the video from Full Figured Fashion Week was posted on YouTube and Facebook by Gwen DeVoe, the founder of the weeklong celebration of curvy women.  It reminded me of how validating it was for me to be chosen to participate in the Independent Designer's Showcase.

Each season is going to have its own set of obstacles and each season I'm going to have to be more creative in finding solutions if I am going to attain the kind of success I have dreamed of for so long.  So today, I am not going to dwell on the headaches or the hurdles, but I am going to celebrate how far I've come on this journey.  Please watch the video below and enjoy!

Peace & Fashion!

Everybody Is A Star

Last Saturday, I stood on line among other designer hopefuls for almost three hours  for a chance to be a competitor on the next season of NBC's Fashion Star.  Truth be told, I was a little disappointed with the outcome of my stint on "24 Hour Catwalk".  I may have lost, but I was the most graceful and distinguished loser in the history of reality TV.  I fully expected to be hounded by TV executives looking to add a more polished flavor to the reality TV landscape.  Surely the popularity of all this Jersey Shore Real Housewives Basketball Wives foolishness is waning and viewers are ready to get back to good old fashioned values.  Apparently NOT!  I have not even been approached by a production intern.  So I've continued to work on the plantation in the mornings and pursue my fashion dreams afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Last year when I auditioned for Fashion Star, it was pure chaos and disorganization.  No wonder I wasn't chosen!  How does one stand out from all the noise and mayhem?  Clearly, I could not be heard over the din.  This time, however, it was completely organized making my chances at being selected much stronger.

I approached the task with vim and vigor.  I got all artsy craftsy and made mood boards which creatively displayed my inspiration for my EYE CANDY collection with images of Alice in Wonderland and a still from "The Hunger Games" along with my sketches and catchy phrases like Sweet Sophistication and Mouth Watering Style.  I packed up my strongest pieces and brought along some pieces from my FINE AND DANDY collection so the judges could see that I wasn't just a one note designer.  I can do fierce and fabulous for the smaller sized divas, too!  I was determined to get a spot on this next season.

Almost two weeks ago, my honey had bought be a new pair of shoes, but I refused to wear them fearing I might scuff them prior to the audition.  Hey, I need to look polished and fabulous as well.  I shaved my head when I woke up that morning giving me that just shaved Black Mr. Clean gleam.  Although I had not stuck to my commitment to drop some weight prior to the big day, there was no way in the world that the judges would be able to pass me over this time.  I was ready to W-I-N!

When I got to the head of the line, I was still cool as a cucumber.  After all, this is what I am destined to do.  I got my application and was escorted into the hotel where everything was happening.  Then I was seated in a waiting area along with about 15 others as we listened patiently for our numbers to be called.

When they called 173, I made my way into the small room where numbered tables were set up in front of rolling racks.  I excitedly unpacked all my pieces and laid out my look books and mood boards and waited for one of the judges to approach me.  Jennifer introduced herself.  I pulled each look from the rack and explained my inspiration.  After I showed her the clean, professional workmanship on my pieces, she nodded and said another judge would be coming over to talk to me.   When the next judge came over, I animatedly explained my aesthetic and showed her the pieces, too.  She asked me, "Are you from New York?"  I answered, "Born and bred from Queens. Woo!  Woo!"  She smiled and exclaimed, "You certainly have a lot of energy."   My tongue-in-chic response was, "I hope it's a good thing."  When she asked if I had auditioned for any other reality shows.  I told her of my stint on "24 Hour Catwalk".  As she scribbled some notes, I cheekily added, "I hope you don't hold that against me."  We chatted briefly about how we didn't think there was going to be another season of "24. . ." and she finished by saying, "Okay, we'll be in touch."

I haven't heard from them since.  Each day my hope of becoming the next Fashion Star dwindles a little more.  But this is not the end of the road.  Tailor made opportunities for me are on the horizon.  I can just feel it.

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!

When The Fake Fur Flies

Yes, it's true, I've been out of the blogging mix for awhile now.  And I've been quiet on purpose.  Frankly, I am just tired of writing about my money woes.  And my lack of money was heavy on my brain and my heart.  You just didn't need to read another post about it, because I know everybody's in the same proverbial boat.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Lew

I really relied on the universe to provide the pathway to eliminating my $8000 deficit for my samples.  I prayed, fasted, and meditated.  There were tears and a couple of sleepless nights.  In the end, the money came at the last minute from a resource that I have called on before.  Every door and window was shut, except this one and I am really grateful.  Just imagine if you had come to see my runway presentation and all I had to show were a couple of dresses and some really pretty drawings.  That's just not the look.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Lew

Photo Courtesy of Alec Turner



Ashanti in SK WiLBUR original
design with model
MariJo and Wilbur



Photo Courtesy of Richard Lew



Full Figured Fashion Week was an AWESOME experience.  It was validating for me as a designer and empowering to the hundreds of Curvies who descended upon NYC for the occasion.  It started with a "Meet The Press" Event for all of the designers.  All of the bloggers and people from the media got a chance to meet Ashanti and me up close and personal.  There were also PR people there from some of the cable networks.  We are looking to get more involved with TV.  There was an All White Attired Cruise around NYC, a fashion show at the Bloomingdale's flagship on 59th street, a networking party where I got to meet new people and reconnect with some of my industry friends, and then the Independent Designer's Runway Showcase where my pieces came down the runway.  It was all like a whirlwind.



Blogger Gaelle-Vanessa Prudencio
in a custom
SK WiLBUR look and Wilbur



But work is never-ending.  And I love it!  If you haven't heard, we're trying to get all of our friends on facebook to vote for SK WiLBUR at http://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/ so that we can become eligible for a $250,000 business grant from Chase.  If you haven't voted yet, please vote now.  And if you have friends on facebook, please urge them to vote for us, too. We're pretty close to the goal.

I have already begun work on my Spring 2013 collection.  The working title is "CLANDESTINY".  It's all about looking chic from day to evening, of course.  But I wanted my muse to be a little more vampy, sexier,  for that lunch break tryst.  Sounds scandalous, right?!  A lady's got to be prepared, no matter the circumstance.  If she's wearing SK WiLBUR, she always is.

That's it for now!  Don't forget to VOTE.  We'll chat soon.  I promise.

Peace & Fashion!