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

Behind The Curtain on SK WiLBUR

I've been up until 1:00 in the morning several nights the last couple of weeks creating some of the accessories that we will be offering on www.skwilbur.com this coming fall.  Needless to say, I am exhausted.  But I'm not complaining.  In fact, I'm dying to share the images of the handbags and belts with you, but I'm going to hold out just a little longer.  In the meantime, however, I've provided the video interview that I did with The Stylish Maven during NY Fashion Week last month.  It is such a different perspective to see myself the way others see me.  So please take a quick look, learn about my inspiration, and get a sneak peek at some of the pieces that will coming to skwilbur.com this fall.

Peace & Fashion!

It's A Curvy Girl's World. . .this week

On this Sunday past, The NY Daily News published an article on the phenomenon that is Full-Figured Fashion Week.  (You can check out the story by clicking on the accompanying link - http://nydn.us/kfG1QO.)  It seems that for a few days, at least, the playing field for women of all sizes is level.  I've created fashions for the young contemporary woman, working women, and women of a certain age.  In the end, all women really want is to look good and feel like they matter.



Full-Figured Models wearing SK WiLBUR



I remember last year when my business partners and I launched the collection of dresses for the plus size woman.  My public relations friend, Simona Georgescu, contacted a fashion blogger who refused to attend.  Making no bones about her opinion she stated,  "Fat girls are gross and there is no such thing as plus-size fashion."  When the exchange was relayed to me, all I could do was shake my head and call her "a HOT mess".



I do believe that there is a point where carrying around too much weight can be unhealthy. But being too skinny is not good for you either.  And subjecting one's body to the stress of diet fads is just as bad.  We all should celebrate the woman who is a size 4 as well as the woman who is a size 14.  Because that is what makes us uniquely beautiful.

Peace & Fashion!

It's Hot & I'm Tired. Period.

SK WiLBUR handbags from Fall 2010

I am not gonna complain about the last couple of days where the temperature has risen above 90 degrees. I'm one of those people who HATES winter.  Yeah, I said it.  Although I am a native New Yorker, the cold weather and long stretches of darkness put a damper on my spirit.  Not to mention the backaches I endure from shoveling snow.  So, for me, summer is the lesser of two evils.

You may ask yourself, "What has any of this got to do with blackfashiondude's odyssey?"  Absolutely nothing.  But I'd just like to mention that I've been suffering in my not-so-cool basement slaving over my mother's old Singer while sewing up handbags for my forthcoming collection.  But this is my cross to bear.  I am not trying to do the "Woe is me" thing right now.  I am simply making a statement.  It's hot.  My bags are looking fabulous.  It's time for me to sign off.  Well, that's actually 3 statements.  But we're not going to argue over semantics.  I'm escaping to air conditioned bliss one floor up.

Peace & Fashion!

I'm Working On It



Ashanti wears SK WiLBUR @ FFF Week 2010 



Next week is Full-Figured Fashion Week.  Jam packed with seminars, panel discussions, and fashion initiatives designed to empower the curvy community, the festivities begin on Thursday and end on Saturday.  This will be the second year attending with my sister, Ashanti, who is also my company's Communications Director.  We have tickets for opening night where we will be sailing around New York City on a sunset cruise for an all white party.  Nice!  I am not sure what I will be wearing, but I have created a special look for my sister that I am sure will knock the socks off the crowd of curvy fashionistas.

Full-Figured Fashion Week is a huge opportunity for me to network with women who have come from near and far who may not be familiar with my fabulous design aesthetic.  After all, not all the action is happening on the catwalk.  I am really looking forward to getting acquainted with many of the ladies who come with high spirits and wide smiles ready to be encouraged and validated.  Although I will not be able to attend the finale runway event on Saturday evening, Ashanti will be there decked out in SK WiLBUR, of course, to represent.  She has strict orders to mingle and network as much as possible.  Once the ladies see her ensemble, I am sure they will have plenty of questions.  We did a preliminary fitting last night and all I can say is that she will look FIERCE.  I still cannot divulge any photos, but the day of reckoning is soon upon us.  Just wait. . .

Peace & Fashion!

Big Girls Are Beautiful, Too!

Okay, so this Friday past I posted my personal views (How You Like Her Now?) about Jennifer Hudson's drastic weight loss.  Many of you who follow the blog on Facebook weighed in with very insightful observations and strong opinions.  Some of you agreed with me while others believe that secretly many women who are a size 14 or more would trade in their curves to live their lives as skinny J-Hud clones.

Amber Riley

Amber Riley

I cannot begin to fully comprehend all the pressures that women face on the daily to fit into our narrow ideas of beauty.  Once upon a time, only fair-skinned women were considered beautiful.  And then our tastes evolved and now we consider women of darker hues just as comely.  And a long time ago, back in the 16th century, a vanguard Flemish artist  created THE standard of feminine beauty when he painted portraits of women who were plump and attractive. His name was Peter Paul Rubens.  And the term rubenesque was born.

I love women who are small, medium, or large.  I love women of all ethnicities.  And I love women who are confident and have a healthy sense of humor. But right now I am most concerned about full-figured women who aren't always validated as beautiful, sexy, and intelligent beings.  So I've presented images of some of my favorite glamorous celebrities who really seem to embrace their curves.  Without remorse.

Peace & Fashion!

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Recording Artist - Adele

Ashley Fink



Amber Riley







Peter Paul Rubens - The Three Graces