What's Hapenning?!

So it's been awhile.  I've been busy.  And now I am trying to play catch up.

Gabourey Sidibe at the
premiere of
TOWER HEIST

I've been trying to dress Oscar nominee, Gabourey Sidibe, since she first stepped in the limelight for her portrayal of the title character in the film Precious. Two Thursdays ago, in the afternoon, I got a voice message from her Los Angeles based stylist.  She requested a dress for Gabourey's red carpet appearance for the premiere of her latest movie Tower Heist.  The only problem was that she needed the dress for the following Monday.  That only gave me 3 full days!  Unfortunately, I had nothing in my arsenal of fabulous dresses that was suitable for the curvy star.  DARN!  I was disappointed about missing out on this big break, but only very briefly.  Because now I know I am, at least, on her glam squad's radar.  Another opportunity will most certainly present itself - I'm sure of it!  I think she could use a little SK WiLBUR in her life, don't you?



This Monday past, on my birthday, my business partners and I launched the online POP-Up Shop at http://www.skwilbur.com/.  You are now able to purchase some of your favorite looks from the runway and they will be delivered to you in time for your spring fling.  As an added bonus, we are extending a 10% courtesy off each shopper's entire order.  AND you can buy some of your favorite handbags from the runway, too!  Sounds like a curvy girl's dream to me.  I'm just sayin'!

In the meantime, I've been clawing and scratching to build retail distribution online through established retailers like Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom.  That's never a picnic, but I am up for the challenge.  In addition, I am busy working on the next collection for Fall 2012.  I've already completed the sketches and now it's time to turn the sketches into actual garments.  Whewww!  My journey continues. . .  And that's what's happening with me.

Peace & Fashion!

This One's For You

So many times over the past 11 years, I have been encouraged and complimented on my fashions by family and friends. But whenever I hear someone praise my designs who is not related to me or who knows me personally, it is a real treat and an indicator that I've done something outstanding that I can be proud of. This Monday past, I received a lovely email from Marge who happens to be a curvy girl. She is dying to see the sketches that I created for Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe and admits that it is difficult to find flattering contemporary designs for the woman over a size 12 that are not frumpy or scream, "Here comes the fat lady!". And she really loved the dress I designed for the Mad Fashionista. Now I am about to let you in on a little secret. The dress that the Mad Fashionista received from me was not specifically designed for her. It was actually a design from my Fine & Dandy collection for Fall 2011. I made a minor adjustment by adding sleeves, but basically it was constructed exactly as I had designed it. So for all you larger lovelies who are reading this, just because you see a thin diva wearing a certain dress doesn't mean that it won't look good on you, too. The proof is in the pudding.

I honestly do love designing for women of every size. But the industry is segregated and you must do plus sexy (to borrow a term from my friend and fellow designer, Qristyl Frazier) separate from 0 -12. It confuses retailers and, unfortunately, alienates the small boned consumer if you offer a line, God forbid, in sizes ranging from 0-22. And maybe it's not smart, anyway. Each segment of the market comes with their own set of rules and demands. But I digress. Because Marge was so lovely and personable, I am going to finally share the sketches for Gabourey. I think I was holding back from the big reveal because it was an almost moment that did not materialize. I'd wanted to dress Gabourey for the Oscars SO badly and when it didn't happen I was really disappointed. And maybe this is the way for me to move on. So if you'd like to weigh in, then please leave a comment. Marge, this one's for you.

Peace & Fashion!

Oscar Who?

Last night, I, like millions of others, watched the Academy Awards presentation on ABC. And I was really pleased with many of the choices that the A-list actresses and their stylists made. And I'd like to begin with my favorite for the evening. Jennifer Lopez. She was an absolute vision in Armani Prive. And no other actress could hold a candle to her in that frothy & dreamy pale pink confection. Other standouts included Amanda Seyfried (also in Armani Prive), Demi Moore, Queen Latifah, best actress winner Sandra Bullock, and Penelope Cruz.

Not to be outdone by the drama of the Oscars, I had my own fashion-filled weekend. Saturday was the photo shoot for the look book for my fall collection Fine & Dandy. All of the members of Team Wilbur were assembled at the designated space at the designated time. That is - all except for one. After about an hour had passed and there was no sign of our second model, I began to panic. I had created a story for two women. I had prepared and drawn a story board to keep my photographer and I focused on each frame set up. I also came prepared with shoes and dresses and jewelry and hats and make up styles for 2 different women. Ashanti called her, but went directly to voice mail. About half an hour later, Ashanti texted the missing mannequin and then we waited. Finally she responded writing that she had been up very late the night before and was feeling sick and she was sorry she would not be able to make it. But please have an amazing day! After I yelled and screamed, I went into Make It Work mode. Because we had hired everyone and secured the space, I couldn't very well reschedule. As my mother used to say, "One monkey don't stop the show!" So we photographed Alexis wearing all the pieces. It took us a lot longer to finish, but judging from the raw images that I have seen already, it was a smashing success. . . luckily.

On Sunday, before I sat slumped in my easy chair like a typical couch potato glued to the Oscar program, I attended The Queens Fashion Week wrap up. I net-worked the crowd, was interviewed for a local program complete with television camera and reporter and had a model photographed wearing one of my signature looks. As awesome as it all was, I was happy when it was over and I could rush home to my cave. Because sometimes it is more fun to be in your sweats observing fashion from the sideline than to be in the thick of it.

Peace & Fashion!

A Fashion Marathon

This month has been KILLAH! And I am not speaking in a "Oh, these Roger Vivier pumps are killing my feet!" kind of way either. The BlackFashionDude has been whipping the garment district into a tizzy in an effort to have all the dresses from the Fine & Dandy collection completed in time for the photo shoot. After the plantation was kind enough to advance my salary a small fortune, I was able to move forward with the rest of the dresses. In addition, I've had to fit girls for my turn on the runway at Queens Fashion Week this Saturday, February 20. Remember I was supposed to present my denim frocks last Saturday, Feb 13, but because of the snowstorm and with Queens being what it is, the show was postponed. So it's not too late, you can purchase a ticket today at www.queensfashionweek.com and see yours truly rock the runway. I've been busy sewing up the purses I designed to accessorize the dresses after my handbag artisan bailed on me. They are not perfect because I am nobody's tailor, but they are pretty adorable. . .if I do say so myself. And Otis, my milliner man, has created the MOST fabulous toppers that will adorn the model's heads at Saturday's show.

Last week I outfitted The Mad Fashionista in one of my designs. She is the ubiquitous guest in the tents and an intrepid reporter during New York Fashion Week. I sure hope she was able to get into some of the newspapers wearing my creation because she looked like a dream in the dress.

My partners in fashion crimes and I are looking to revamp our current website which has none of the dresses on it, so we turned to our trusted friend - craigslist where we posted an ad for a web designer. We got lots of responses and we've held preliminary phone interviews with a few applicants to see who really shares a polished web vision with us. I'll keep you posted when the new site goes live, but you can rest assured that it will be HOT!

It appears that I was not able to seal the deal with Gabourey and her stylist to dress her for the Oscars. At times it seemed like the underdog (me) was finally going to have a bonafide feather in its cap. We spoke on a few occasions and I rushed to provide beautiful and appropriate designs, yet now I am only getting the silent treatment. And with the Oscars approaching faster than fast, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen this time. But I'll be watching no matter what because glamor is what I love.

And finally, a very sad farewell to Alexander McQueen who hanged himself last week. He was a design genius and he will surely be missed.

Peace & Fashion!