My Communications Director, Ashanti, and I will be attending the opening nigh
t runway event for the 2nd annual Full Figured Fashion Week on Wednesday, June 16 at BLVD. Started last year by plus-size trailblazer, Gwen DeVoe, Full Figured Fashion Week looks like a great initiative that celebrates the curvy fashionista as well as businesses that cater to her. So I will be there workin' it and connecting with store buyers and personalities as we prepare for our debut during New York Fashion Week. But you know that Ashanti, Wilbur's original curvy girl, has got to represent. So she will be wearing one of the designs from the new line in a fabric and color that I chose with her in mind. This Sunday past we met with my seamstress Victoria who nearly had the dress complete. And it was obvious that Ashanti will be a knockout. On this Friday past, I held a casting at Mood Designer Fabrics to meet a batch of curvy cuties who would potentially model the new line. It was such a pleasant experience. No diva attitude and all the ladies were ready with a word of support. I am feeling positive about this new endeavor and I don't think it's going to take as much arm twisting as it has in the past to get retailers to invest in my aesthetic. Although I've been carried in quite a few stores over the years, none of them welcomed me or got excited about building a real business relationship. But I've got a feeling that my luck is about to change. . . for the better.
t runway event for the 2nd annual Full Figured Fashion Week on Wednesday, June 16 at BLVD. Started last year by plus-size trailblazer, Gwen DeVoe, Full Figured Fashion Week looks like a great initiative that celebrates the curvy fashionista as well as businesses that cater to her. So I will be there workin' it and connecting with store buyers and personalities as we prepare for our debut during New York Fashion Week. But you know that Ashanti, Wilbur's original curvy girl, has got to represent. So she will be wearing one of the designs from the new line in a fabric and color that I chose with her in mind. This Sunday past we met with my seamstress Victoria who nearly had the dress complete. And it was obvious that Ashanti will be a knockout. On this Friday past, I held a casting at Mood Designer Fabrics to meet a batch of curvy cuties who would potentially model the new line. It was such a pleasant experience. No diva attitude and all the ladies were ready with a word of support. I am feeling positive about this new endeavor and I don't think it's going to take as much arm twisting as it has in the past to get retailers to invest in my aesthetic. Although I've been carried in quite a few stores over the years, none of them welcomed me or got excited about building a real business relationship. But I've got a feeling that my luck is about to change. . . for the better.Peace & Fashion!
I can't wait to see the pictures! I've always loved your plus size creations because they really make curvy women look amazing and glorious. Thanks for continuing to do what you do, Wilbur, even though Lord knows that artists have to run around finding ways to make it happen. My dream is to make it big so that I can provide all my artist friends with support, but what do you do when you are an artist yourself (I rarely get paid for any of the work I've published)?? Where is that wealthy patron when you need him/her?
ReplyDeleteEither way, I know your work is going to be amazing and I can't wait to see the pictures!!
Grisel-
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your encouraging words. Thank you so much. As far as that wealthy patron is concerned, I am not sure where he/she is. So somehow, against all odds, people like you and I have got to keep knocking on doors while remaining open to evolving our vision until enough of the right people hear us and give us a chance to prove ourselves. I am looking forward to the culmination of this collection when we shoot it in August and see the confidence and charisma of all these dazzling curvy ladies in the photos. So stay tuned.