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| Wilbur and his goddaughter at Rockefeller Center 2011 |
2011 was quite an eventful year. It began with me wondering whether or not I wanted to continue pursuing a career in fashion design. My greatest love seemed to be turning her back on me. It was one of the darkest periods of my life. Trying to let go of my one true love proved to be a heartwrenching ordeal. And because fashion is like the air I breathe, I felt like I was gasping to catch my breath. But I was only swallowing more disappointment.
When my mother was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and had to have surgery, I asked God for mercy and healing. And I asked Him to change the dynamic of my relationship with fashion. I was convinced it was not time for my mother to make her way to heaven; He already had the company of my maternal grandmother and my father and a host of other family members who succumbed to cancer. And I wanted to believe that fashion and I still belonged together, too. My mother recovered from the surgery. She has a scar down the center of her chest. But she is alive and she is cancer free.
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| Wilbur & his goddaughter on Christmas Day 2011 |
I decided to step out on faith and press forward in the name of fashion. That is when I began to see glimmers of hope. Finally. I was featured in an issue of JET magazine. And that led to many plus size women around the country reaching out to me. Fashion was starting to show me love. Then I was cast for a new reality show that will be airing on Lifetime called 24 Hour Catwalk. And then I showed my Spring 2012 collection during NY Fashion Week which received positive reviews in the trade publication Women's Wear Daily and on bluefly.com. In an effort to capitalize on all the great PR, my business partners and I set up a Pop-UP Shop on our website www.skwilbur.com to pre-sell our Spring 2012 line.
Things seem to be turning around and I can see the light of day. But it is only through perseverance that I am able to see how resilient I truly am. And that resilience is my birthright. I get it honest from my mother.
Here is to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2012!
Peace & Fashion!
You have had such an exciting life, Wilbur. Yes, that includes, at times, some very low moments, but the highs are very high, too. A magazine cover, a reality show and, most importantly, a healthy mom all in one year - wow! Remember this: most of those bill collectors have NEVER had a magazine cover or will NEVER be on TV. The most exciting thing they've ever done is dial your number. :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Grisel! You certainly put things into perspective. Happy 2012 to you, too!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a happy and healthy 2012 - love you! Love that little cutie in your pics too! :-)
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