Now that the new issue of UNVOGUE has been uploaded and ready for viewing by the rest of the world, I wanted to share a little insider’s secret with my CS&B peeps.
UNVOGUE'S MODEL MOMENTS
(A new approach to truly bringing the fashion pages of a magazine to life)
After viewing the video above you will notice that the final shot is of a Mal Sirrah evening gown designed several years ago for America’s Next Top Model Cycle 3 winner, Ms. Eva Pigford. It has always been my goal to design amazingly crafted pieces that look as beautiful and stylish today as they looked when they originally went down the catwalk (or in this case the red carpet)… Now you be the judge… Let me know your thoughts about this evening dress simply entitled “The Diva”… Has it passed "The test of style?" - - - Would you too also wear it today?
"The Diva" as it sat draped on my "infamous" dress form where all Mal Sirrah creations are born
Designed for "EVA THE DIVA" circa May 2005
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the folks of UNVOGUE for allowing me to utilize the pages of their magazine to carry out this experiment in “The Test of Style”…
p.s. There is also a hidden connection in the entire "UNVOGUE - Model Moments - The Diva" trilogy... Can you figure it out???
Today, I witnessed perhaps one of the most important and moving speeches that I have heard to date regarding the “race” (no pun intended) for President of the United States from Senator Barack Obama. Now that we have finally put the spotlight on the ecru elephant in the room – “Where do we go from here?”
Barack Obama Philadelphia Speech on Race Part 1/4
As an African-American working in the fashion industry, I often find myself feeling many of the frustrations that Senator Obama voiced during his speech today. For fear of being accused of playing the “race card”, I am forced not to bring the issue of race into my daily dealings within the fragile and sensitive fashion industry. But as we all know, this finely decorated elephant has always been planted firmly on the catwalks and within the glossy pages of our favorite magazines. However, in fashion we have simply found the perfect shades of aubergine and/or ecru to camouflage racism’s glaring existence.
Barack Obama Philadelphia Speech on Race Part 2/4
I truly do thank the universe for allowing us all to be present for this very important time in the history of our country as well as the future landscaping of the world. It’s funny I never imagined I would find myself spending four hours today attempting to design the perfect “modern” shift dress, two hours rescheduling a planned trip to Tibet with a documentary filmmaker and the next three hours calling and emailing colleagues and friends encouraging them to vote for Obama.
Barack Obama Philadelphia Speech on Race Part 3/4
I also find it odd that almost a week ago I felt the need to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King as I strolled through New York City enjoying all the freedoms that his generation’s struggles and battles now afford me as an artist and proud American… Today I celebrate the man that I truly do believe has the vision and ability to make Dr. King’s dream a reality for future generations as we move forward in finally becoming the “United States of America”. Senator Barack Obama!!!
There are days when I can’t believe how powerful and strong I feel… And then there are other days when I ask the universe, “Why has my strength abandoned me?”
Today, however, was one of those days when I felt like a KING… Today I felt happy to be a creative - to be strong - to be excited – to be black - to be different - to be caring – to be alive - to be an American - to be sensitive -to be me - to be MALCOLM.
As I sat here preparing to share my thoughts with my peeps this evening, I was hit by an overwhelming sense of gratitude. A sense of gratitude for the man I know to be the reason for every proud step taken by me today. I wondered to myself if I had finally begun to truly live up to his dream…
When you click this video there is a wonderful treat in store. (hint N.S. )
There are so many reasons why I wish Martin Luther King Jr. were still alive to see us ALL today!!! I believe we are truly reaching his dream…
I don't believe we should only celebrate our great leaders and thinkers on their birthdays. We should celebrate them every single time we move towards their ideals.
Calling all my shopping gals here in New York City!!! One of my dearest fashion mates and hugest supporters, Holly Dunlap, of the brand Hollywould is holding a sample sale today in NYC.
Ms. Holly Dunlap
Holly is truly one of the kindest and sincere people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with in the fashion industry. To be quite honest when we started Designers For Darfur, Hollywould was the very first company to sign on to the project. They didn’t ask any of those fashion and/or P.R. questions like: “What other designers are participating?” - “What do we get out of it?” or worse, “Where is Darfur?” None of these questions came in to play. Hollywould simply responded by saying “Yes – we would love to be a part of Designers for Darfur.” Holly even went the extra mile by designing a beautiful limited edition pair of sandals on behalf of Designers for Darfur (sorry girls they are no longer available).
2007 Limited Edition Hollywould sandal for Designers For Darfur
Please also check out the Hollywould website and see all the wonderful work this company and their founder continue to do all over the world. Not to mention, Holly’s Diary section is absolutely delightful.
Enjoy the sale!
p.s. I can't wait for the "Hollywould for Men" collection - hint, hint Holly!
So many of you aspiring designers and fashionistas are constantly asking me to explain how I come up with my unique designs. As I mentioned in a previous post, I wish I could tell you that I was one of those designers that sat around and sketched whimsical frocks all day, but this is a bit typical and surely not the Mal Sirrah way…
A single design or group for me usually starts with the sighting of an interesting and engaging woman. You would think in a city like New York you would run across this type of woman all the time, but this is not completely true. For the most part, I find a great number of women in New York City to be quite disengaged if not downright disconnected. But this type of woman holds no interest to me at all. I am only interested in women that live life to its full; women that are active participants in their journeys and not idle voyeurs. I can spot and feel a Mal Sirrah woman a mile away. The spirit of the Mal Sirrah woman doesn’t possess a certain height, weight, race or body type, she simply possesses a vitality and/or vibration that allows her to stand out in a crowd. Therefore, my design process usually starts out by the fortunate sighting of this elusive and rare creature followed by a bit of stalking as well as active voyeurism.
History's greatest story tellers
As an English Lit major I have always been more fascinated by great story telling than in benign drawings and illustrations. My writing and designing are both very much of the Gertrude Stein persuasion wherein grammar and/or punctuation mean very little to me – it is the spirit of the story that always prevails. Therefore my design process actually starts more like that of a novelist than a fashion designer. It is through jotted down notes and ramblings instead of elaborate sketches and/or croquis that my designs come to life. I am much more interested in helping women to tell and/or translate their own stories through fashion rather than projecting and/or dictating my own fantasies onto their pages and form.
Therefore a Mal Sirrah dress is born as follows (excerpt from Malcolm’s Daily Journal):
- Pale toned girl got on subway at 59th Street Columbus Circle (a bit too pensive and serious for a sunny afternoon).
- What a great touch in the dead of summer – a super lightweight pink cashmere scarf! You don’t even have to touch great cashmere – you can tell its quality by the way it drapes and hangs.
- She has the face of a young Amy March in “Little Women” (the book not the movie).
- I can imagine her at that sweet little garden party Taylor is attending this weekend. I wonder why she wanted me to make her dress in black. (Just remembered Taylor’s party has a “Tarts and Vickers” theme). Well maybe she won’t be at Taylor’s afternoon soiree.
- Chiffon would really lighten the spirits of our young Amy March (total Sirrah girl). I am sure a bit of chiffon would really make her come to life.
- How long has it been since I’ve seen a girl secretly reading “The Rules” tucked inside of The New Yorker.
- Maybe she should show a wee bit of skin. Nothing vulgar just a hint or a peek-a-boo detail (could really help her in the opposite sex department, and avoid a re-reading of “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus”). Screw it – desperate times call for desperate measures - she might need to show a lot of skin.
- Judging from the Equinox gym bag, I’m sure she has great legs.
- Why is she getting off at 14th Street? I figured her for more of Broadway-Lafayette girl. (Bingo – Whole Foods!!!)
So with visions of a modern-day Amy March, a slightly perverse garden party, and yards of gingham chiffon I was able to create one of my favorite Mal Sirrah dresses to date:
Hot off the press (or in this case - Hot off of Adobe PhotoShop) - Here is the new spring cover of UNVOGUE Magazine featuring Megg Morales of Red Model Management. I truly do believe that Red Models is one of the strongest and diverse new agencies in the business. Therefore the fit with UNVOGUE and Red Models seems to be a marriage made in fashion heaven - as this cover proves.
Check in with the folks at UNVOGUE later this week to see the full issue.
p.s. Props to the folks over at Marc Jacobs for being one of the first luxury brands on board with the UNVOGUE project (after Mal Sirrah of course - smile)... As you will see from the upcoming issue, it didn't take long for the rest of the industry to follow...
You guys won’t believe what happened to me this afternoon, as I still can’t process this random and almost surreal moment. I'm talking Dali surreal...
Today at approximately 2:30 p.m., I found myself rushing off to meet my boyfriend at an amazing photographer’s studio to check out the results from a recent collaborative shoot. On my way to the studio, I found myself gabbing on my mobile with a friend that had just returned to the States from Hong Kong and unfortunately was also being detained in U.S. Customs due to his French passport (long story but he made it home safely). Simultaneously, I was carelessly walking and rummaging through my open Louis Vuitton Broadway (the gay man’s Chanel Classic Bag) trying to find a semi-important number that I had jotted down on a random slip of paper. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack amongst the random receipts, bank withdrawal slips and chewing gum wrappers. According to my accountant I should always save all of my receipts. However, I still haven’t figured out how to properly transfer them all into the bright red folder that my intern has clearly marked “RECEIPTS”. One day soon I will get around to finally filing them away properly. But at that particular moment, I was a walking and talking mess…
Then all of sudden as I whipped around the corner headed to my destination (Lafayette and Bond for those of you who are familiar with Manhattan) I bumped dead smack into a slender gray haired man and his lovely waif-like Japanese assistant. The only reason I knew her to be Japanese was the fact that she began to feverishly apologize “to me” in her native tongue for almost knocking her to the ground. I must admit that I just assumed she was this guy's assistant as she was carrying a pile of folders, a shopping bag and a purse while the older gentleman was completely care free. But before the entire moment could truly register, I noticed that the care free gray haired guy with this apologetic assistant was none other than “Malcolm McLaren”. My mouth at this point was wide open. They both must have truly thought me to be completely bonkers. All time and motion in the surreal world of Mal Sirrah literally stopped.
Can you imagine? The blog post, the inspiration, the transporting to Paris, fashion/style doppelganger, namesake, the whole bit - - - I couldn’t say a word. All I could do was to make a pitiful attempt at pulling myself together with some resemblance of dignity as I quickly and sheepishly ran off… By the time, I reached my boyfriend at the photographer’s studio I was a rambling fool (as my loyal CS&B readers know – this is not a stretch)… They both smiled at me (while shooting “What is he talking about?” looks towards each other) and continued selecting the photos for the editorial. I sat there quietly as Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Girls” played in my head and break dancers hip-hopped across the photographer’s images. Afternoons like these kiddies can only happen in New York (or Paris).
You all must view the video below as Malcolm McLaren discusses art and commerce. I post the following for more reasons than any of you can ever imagine at this very crucial juncture in the development of the Mal Sirrah brand:
Today I found myself day dreaming and being moved through time by two of my favorite style influencers and fashion doppelgangers - Malcolm Mclaren and Catherine Deneuve (former muse to Yves Saint Laurent). These two ghostly figures shadow me around every New York City and Paris street corner. There are often times when I can hear my namesake's "give'em hell whispers". While I am truly a collective of all the artists that I believe have paved the way, I must admit that I am void of all nostalgia. I am simply committed and compelled to forge forward where they left off. (I truly hope that all of my aspiring designers that email me on a regular basis are truly getting the real message here - - - A fashion designer's collection is simply a "collective" of his or her's inspirations, dreams and influences held together by materials and craftsmanship. Everything after that is the business of fashion.)
Once you click the following video you will know exactly where I was transported for the majority of my work day. I hope that it's viewing does the same for you!!!
Malcolm Mclaren's album referenced above guided me through my "return to fashion collection" as reviewed below by "The French Review" in this Mal Sirrah fashion flashback:
NEW YORK, Sep 8, 2005 - Believe it or not, the very first show for this Spring 2006 season took place in a Harlem mansion, a somewhat unusual venue, but really fresh surprise.
You certainly remember Katsumi and Malcolm, a label formerly designed in Manhattan and now headquartered in Tokyo. Well, Malcolm Harris, who has been designing both ready-to-wear and made-to-order pieces for more than ten years is the same Malcolm as in Katsumi and Malcolm, just as in Mal Sirrah. He has just dropped the second syllable in his first name and spelt his surname backwards for this new solo project.
Cool wasabi green, whispering canary yellow and antique rose are the tones for this collection which focuses on the urge to regain calm via color.
This color therapy complements very well the research for true simplicity that the designer seems to have undertaken in a very sincere way, trying to fight the blatant turmoil and heightened volume of today’s world with a wardrobe designed to reveal the delicate girl inside, her fragile tenderness and her soft charm.
Gingham or crinkled silks, sometimes very finely pinstriped, sometimes sequined with craft, are interpreted in short dresses, jackets and shorts. These refined pieces, especially in their structure, give an overall Impression of simplicity that is the sign for a truly mature design. A light mint organdy overlay comes in nicely on a tuxedo shirt inspired shift dress, a sleeveless tee-shirt is happily valanced on the shoulders, a very short charmeuse dress worn under a short silk trench reveals a contrasted length in the back.
Inspired by the sixties’ looks, Malcolm Sirrah reinterprets clothes for today, showing much personality and pertinence. Although Mr. Harris likes to describe his pseudonym as an “alter ego”, Mal Sirrah could well be just a rosebud that will astonish and enchant when it becomes a mature flower.
It deeply saddens me to provide you all with the latest update on the passing of the legendary uber model Katoucha. As you all now know, Katoucha was not simply another black model that graced the runway - she dominated the catwalk. But as my dear friend Jay Alexander said, "Only Katoucha would have the nerve to resurface on the same exact day as the showing of the new Yves Saint Laurent Collection. Now that is what you call a true Runway Diva Extraordinaire. " Rest in peace our "Black Princess"...
Katoucha in Yves Saint Laurent's Farewell show on January 22, 2002
This is the way the "Black Princess" will forever remain in my dreams and heart.
Katoucha was truly one of the my favorite models of all time.
Paris (AP) Paris police found a body in the River Seine today thought to be that of a missing Guinean former model, one time muse of fashion giant Yves Saint Laurent, who vanished from her houseboat a month ago.
Nicknamed the “black princess”, the 47-year-old Katoucha Niane went missing from her home on a central stretch of the river on the night of February 1.
The mother-of-three disappeared after being dropped off from a party and her handbag was later recovered near her houseboat.
A woman’s body fitting Katoucha’s description was pulled Thursday from the Seine, in Boulogne just west of the capital, according to a police official, who said investigators were at the scene gathering evidence.
Police said the body, which was spotted under a bridge by a passer-by and was thought to have been in the water for close to a month, appeared to be wearing the former model’s clothes.
The death appeared to be accidental, officials said, but an autopsy was needed to determine its exact cause.
Police said they had no evidence so far to suggest the model may have been murdered. Born in Conakry, Katoucha worked with the greatest haute couture stars at the height of her career in the 1980s including Saint Laurent.
Katoucha left the catwalk for good in 1994, but in recent years she made headlines as an outspoken campaigner against female circumcision, launching a foundation against the practice.
Excised at the age of nine, in her home country Guinea, Katoucha recounted the ordeal in a recent book entitled “In My Flesh”.
She said she saw her career as a top model as a form of “revenge” for the horror of excision. “I embodied the most arrogant and admired kind of feminity, I who was supposed to be diminished,” she wrote.
A few months ago the folks from Glamour Magazine approached me about participating in a nationwide internship contest they were conducting in association with Correlle, Inc. Originally I was a bit skeptical as I thought to myself, “Why would anyone in their right mind want to schlep all the way to New York City to intern for a relatively unknown designer.” Listen, this isn’t me doing the humble routine - it’s that I pretty much get my deal and my place in the fashion food chain. Unless you are a diehard fashionista and/or an avid reader of the gossip pages, the name Mal Sirrah isn’t really ringing any bells and/or whistles in your world. And for “now” that is completely fine with me. Not to mention, nothing against Glamour Magazine, but I don't believe until this contest entered my life that I had ever made it past the cover of a single issue since my early 20's. Glamour in those days was like what Lifetime TV is to today's gay man. Anyway, after a bit of encouraging from both the folks at Glamour and one of my staff members, I agreed to participate in their little intern contest “thingy”.
Well to my surprise and disbelief, in less than a one month period Glamour.com had received thousands of emails and contest applications for the internship at lil’ol Mal Sirrah. It was at this point that I realized maybe the whole Mal Sirrah "thingy” was starting to catch on. However I was even more thankful that all I needed to do was to take a look at the narrowed down list of potential interns and not the entire batch. Glamour Magazine actually made the final decision on their own based on the contestant’s submitted application and essay. They finally chose a winner at the beginning of December and forwarded me the selected intern’s bio and winning essay. Her name was Vi and she was from Houston, Texas. Not to mention, as cute as a button.
Glamour Magazine Contest Winner - Vi
Through Vi’s essay, bio and application, I could feel this young woman’s enthusiasm and excitement for wanting to be in the wonderful world of fashion. Therefore, I immediately began to panic. I panicked mainly because we had already decided that Mal Sirrah would not be showing during fashion week (one week before Glamour Magazine's internship winner was to arrive in NYC), nor were we going to be hosting a big “blowout” to mark the one year anniversary of Designers For Darfur. Instead we had chosen to host a very low key event strictly for supporters of DFD and for those looking to “truly” become involved in our efforts. But imagine trying to explain this to an intern that was coming all the way to New York City from Texas to work for a “real-live New York City designer”. I kept thinking to myself, “I will never be able to live up to these expectations.”
As luck would have it, the winner’s one week internship would also take place during the same exact time that we were scheduled to pack-up our Harlem showroom in order to move downtown. The showroom was a disaster area and this poor girl from Texas was truly doomed.
At this point, I will not provide you with the details of her trip. I will however allow an excerpt forwarded to me from an editor at Glamour Magazine taken from Vi’s own personal blog “le petite coquette”. This entire experience truly proved to me that sometimes all we have to do is simply show up – 100% ourselves.
Pre-arrival, I actually am ashamed to say that I had not heard of my chosen designer, Malcom Harris (a.k.a Mal Sirrah). After looking him up online, not only was I excited, but of course nervous at the same time. I was actually worried I'd end up running to get cigarettes for an insane and egocentrical "designer" (ahem, Kim). I'd rather not name drop, but there are tons of talentless or "designers" I'd steer clear of. I fell in love with his Spring 07 line, from a link my fiance found and sent to me:
Malcolm Harris [Mal Sirrah]
Not only were the clothes beautifully designed and made, but the message that Malcolm sent out made it even more meaningful. He is actually a philantropist, devoted to helping spread the message about saving Darfur [ http://www.savedarfur.org/ ]--Please take the time to learn about the serious crisis currently occuring in Darfur.
Everyday of my trip from around 11:00-3:00pm, I was "interning"; although I'd like to say simply soaking up valuable information from Malcolm. Not only was his advice beneficial to my decision, but I had the opportunity to see New York in a differently "non-tourist" manner. I am just extremely gratful to have had such an amazing experience with a real designer. For the most part, I was at his office in Harlem, which is not as bad a train ride as I originally was prepared for.
Mal Sirrah's Office
Malcolm took me to the garment district of New York on the second day we were there. It was actually pretty amazing to see so much fabric selection. It was definitely an experience, and not even comparable to what we have here in Houston.
Another trip outside of the office was at The Met. It was "inspiration day", and we took a brief trip to the museum to see The Costume Institute of New York's exhibit called Blog: Mode. I'm not sure whether most of the exhibit was related to technology, but it was inspiring nonetheless. To see the garments displayed as art rather than fashion, up close as opposed to in the pages of VOGUE and Style.com, was breathtaking to say the least.
The Met
To say I enjoyed my mentorship with Malcolm is a true understatement. I couldn't think of a more perfect fit for my personality and view of the fashion industry. He is a truly humble and a true talent, which is so extremely rare these days. He truly has seen and done it all, is successful, and will continue to make a positive mark in the world of fashion. For more information, just google Mal Sirrah, and you'll find a slew of articles on his successes [his first line, Katsumi & Malcolm, was actually backed by Madonna!]. He also has a blog called 'Cut, Sew, and Blog', which is also an interesting read: http://www.cutsewandblog.com/
During a recent conversation with a certain well-known stylist the subject of me not willing to dress celebrities came up yet again. I feel as if I am always defending my position on this subject over and over again. Therefore, I am going to use today’s post to set the record straight once and for all… And then, can we move on???
Click photo to read full article - I can't believe it has been almost two years and people are still talking about this article...
I am NOT opposed to dressing celebrities. I am not even opposed to dressing “certain” celebrity clients’ pro-bono (I believe someone should also explain to celebrities the difference between pro-bono and “free-stuff”). This particular celebrity client however would have to be someone that I respect and admire as well as someone that fits the Mal Sirrah’s design aesthetic and philosophy. I personally believe that when a designer dresses a high profile “customer” it symbolizes and says to the world this individual embodies and embraces our brand. These days however this sort of synergy is very rarely the case with the exception of stars like Renee Zellweger, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and a few others. I truly do believe that this is also why these women are “true” style icons.
Renee Zellweger - Faithful to Carolina Herrera
Listen, I would be a fool if I said I didn't understand what celebrity attention can do for a designer just starting out in this business. Hell, my very own career was launched by one of the biggest stars on the planet - MADONNA. The one lesson we have all universally learned is "Never bite the hand that feeds you." And I guess that's just it - I am not looking to celebrities to feed me. I am looking to create a loyal and satisfied client base of "real" women leading "real" lives.
Madonna launched the career of Malcolm Harris - However " real women" will sustain the dream of Mal Sirrah
That being said, what I am NOT WILLING to do is to dress every fly-by-night starlet and/or reality television star that believes she is entitled to “free-stuff”. There is absolutely nothing that excites me as an artist or designer about dressing one of these nymphets as she strolls down the red carpet towards the end of her 15 minutes of pseudo-fame. Lucky for these PYT’s there are a host of other designers waiting in the wings to plop one of their ill-fitted samples on them in exchange for hopefully hitting the mother-load of free publicity - Us Magazine’s “Who WHORE It Best”. Just kidding… Lighten up…
Nymphet vs Starlet
To be quite honest, there are some celebrities that I absolutely adore and admire. Just to name a few: Alicia Keys, Ashley Judd, Reese Witherspoon, Kerri Washington, Angelina Jolie, Scarlette Johansen, Chloe Sevingy, and Angie Harmon. I guess I simply like women who are more than just a pretty face.
Tilda Swinton - She truly does follow her own drum - Hit or Miss it's always 100% Tilda
Speaking of celebrity women I absolutely adore, I would really like to congratulate Tilda Swinton on her Oscar win on Sunday evening. Tilda and I share a really dear friend in common and I have for several seasons been intending on designing a dress for Ms. Swinton. That being said and after witnessing her questionable choice of Oscar gown, I wished I would have pushed to design an evening gown for Tilda sooner. However, immediately after Tilda’s Oscar win on Sunday, my team and I began designing a version of the dress below for Ms. Swinton - - - Pro-bono!!!
Mal Sirrah original recently featured in Thirteen Magazine
Upon awakening yesterday morning I immediately felt an unknown sadness and/or melancholy. I just couldn't figure these emotions out. But even stranger, I kept thinking to myself, "Nina, Nina, Nina." I therefore thought perhaps my dear friend and soul mate Nina Clemente was in need of my assistance. So I reached over and grabbed my mobile from the nightstand to send her a text message to check on her status. Never mind the three hour time difference, my dear friend could really need my help. But within seconds I received one of her humorous and upbeat messages proclaiming all was well and magnificent with her in LaLaLand and she was going back to sleep. I still can't for the life of me understand why any sane person would ever want to live in a place like Los Angeles. But I guess different strokes for different folks.
Malcolm and Nina C.
Then all of sudden as I lay in bed pondering my life’s work, as one does when deciding whether to stay in bed an extra 30 minutes or to spring out of it to face yet another New York City day, the answer to my query hit me like a ton of bricks. Today is Nina Simone's Birthday.
Happy Birthday Ms. Nina Simone
Now this might seem like a random bit of trivial information to have at one’s finger tips, but you must understand that Nina Simone has shaped a great deal of the human being that I am today. Especially the bits that scream REVOLUTION!!!
Above are photos from my September 2006 show's finale wherein I protested the lack of black models and designers during New York Fashion Week. At the time, I was declared a trouble maker and instigator by many in the business. Almost a year and a half later mainstream media and the fashion industry are finally starting to have a real discussion concerning this serious issue.
If you have been following CS&B you will note that great women have played a major role in forming Malcolm Harris as well as Mal Sirrah. Let’s face it, at the end of the day we are all simply bits and pieces of those that inspire us as well as those we despise (sad but true as they show us whom we don't want to become). For me, Nina Simone has been a major inspiration. The name Nina alone has been bestowed upon three of my greatest loves and influencers: Nina Simone, Nina Clemente and Nina Hirschfeld. I have never actually met the latter and my love for her has been lived vicariously via her father’s work, the famed caricature artist Al Hirschfeld.
Al Hirschfeld and his work - "note the Nina highlighted in red"
Historically Mr. Hirschfeld used to create these elaborate illustrations for the New York Times and would cleverly incorporate Nina’s name throughout his artwork. His caricatures (now created by his son after his passing) always remind me of being a little kid at the kitchen table watching my mother read The New York Times while I colored the Al Hirschfeld illustrations. I later grew up to own several of Mr. Hirschfeld’s illustrations purchased exclusively at the Margo Feiden Gallery here in New York City. But I digress…
Nina Simone - The High Priestess of Soul
Now back to Nina - Nina Simone that is… So last night, after a long hard day’s work, my boyfriend and I decided we would prepare a wonderful Spanish style dinner. It must have taken us at least two hours to complete all the grocery shopping and preparation for this anticipated festive feast. Then out of the blue I received a text message from a dear friend that had been given a last minute assignment to produce a segment for BET’s Black Carpet. The message read, “Meet me at the Canal Room – I have someone that is dying to meet you. Her name is Simone and she is performing tracks from her new album. She is Nina Simone’s daughter.”
Nina Simone and daughter (Simone)
I swear on all I love that at this very moment - time stopped. Now I don’t flatter myself by believing that Ms. Simone had any idea who I was before last night. However, I can assure you that my dear friend and supporter had built me up to Simone and her husband/manager as if I were the second coming of Christ in the world of fashion. That being said, I still allowed myself to be swept into one of those time freezing and surreal moments. It truly was like a scene from one of my favorite movies and novels, “Like Water for Chocolate”. All of the ingredients from the Spanish feast began to magically float around the kitchen while I frantically text messaged my friend the following, “That would be a dream come true. Leaving now. Be there in five minutes.” Luckily, I have just moved to downtown Manhattan and the Canal Room is literally a 10 minute walk away. However I knew with the right motivation I could do it in FIVE. I made it to the Canal Room in 7 minutes flat.
Recording Artist: SIMONE
You should have seen my frantic entrance. I was a complete mess (now this is your cue to send tons of comments about how I didn’t look so bad). However, I am sure I looked like Lucille Ball from one her famous kitchen scenes on reruns of “I Love Lucy”. There I was with flour all over my face, reeking of Adobo and Sofrito, wearing a ratty old American Apparel t-shirt and completely camouflaged in my favorite Yves Saint Laurent leather trench coat (circa Tom Ford). Yes, I was a fabulous mess, but a mess none the less.
Here I am posing in front of one my all time favorite Nina Simone photos which provided the ambiance for the evening.
By the time we made it inside of the venue (I say "we" as of course I dragged my poor boyfriend along) the show was just about to start. Actually the band was doing that cool warm-up thingy that bands do just before the artist hits the stage. I immediately caught the attention of my friend that had invited me and as repayment she forced me to do an impromptu red carpet interview (Oh how I dread signing that release). But before I could beat myself up for appearing on camera in such as state, I was overwhelmed by an amazing presence in the form of the lovely Simone.
SIMONE
I was speechless. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't do anything... Just the notion of knowing that this amazing woman held within her the torch and legacy of Nina Simone left me paralyzed. I immediately went back into my starring role in “Like Water for Chocolate” – spinning room, floating cocktails, visions of Nina. Luckily before my friend could make a formal introduction, Simone heard her cue from the band and made her elegant yet slightly dramatic way to the stage. Her movements were very un-Nina and much more Josephine Baker (avec Cheetah). In this weird synchronicity, Simone actually looks like the actress Lynn Whitfield who portrayed Josephine Baker some years ago. Remind me to one day tell you all about Lynn Whitfield’s amazing 16 year old daughter Grace Gibson (her late father, Brian Gibson, actually directed Lynn in her Golden Globe winning potrayal of Josephine Baker). Grace and I have become quite friendly over the past year and I am always encouraging this bright young torch bearer to follow her “own” path. But once again, I digress (I may have just segued into rambling)…
One of my favorite books and movies
Okay, where were we??? Oh yeah, me standing in the middle of a crowded room, “Like Water for Chocolate” and Simone. Got it. Good. I must tell you, Simone has the voice of an angel. Her voice is nothing at all like her mother’s voice - technically it is much better. But this is like comparing apples and oranges. It's sad to say, but I truly do believe that this great talent is not as celebrated due to the enormous legacy of her mother. It is perhaps a bit of the double edged sword that comes along with being the offspring of someone as famous and beloved as Nina Simone. That being said, Simone had no problem packing the Canal Room. Her eclectic crowd proved that she has a strong and loyal following. A crowd which oddly enough included Stephen Baldwin and Michael Lohan (Lindsay Lohan's father). According to her publicist they are both huge Simone fans. Let's simply file that one under "weird but true."
Stephen Baldwin and Simone
Michael Lohan and random chick (secretly he gives me the creeps)
Now here's the punch line. After all of the above, I never actually got to meet Simone. Part of the reason was that we were starving and wanted to get home to enjoy our Spanish feast (all evening I had a nagging feeling that I had left the stove on in my mad dash out - luckily I hadn't). Another reason for our premature departure being I was afraid that during my introduction I would turn into one of those gushing, slightly stalking, fans that scare celebrities into reclusion. However, I did have a chance to meet and chat with Simone's enthusiastic husband/manager (my friend must have really sold him a bill of goods) who said that both he and his wife would love to meet with me in the near future regarding some sort of fashion collaboration. Something about a limited edition Nina Simone inspired fashion collection… I immediately went back into a “Like Water for Chocolate” state and floated all the way home whilst the song "To be Young Gifted and Black" played in my head..
Nina Simone performs “Aint got no… I got my life” Harlem 1969 – This is truly the song that has moved me through the toughest times of my life… Thank you Nina…
Bonus Track - Nina performs for the first time "To be Young, Gifted and Black"
From this point forward - The Changing Room - will only feature a weekly blog post giving you a wrap-up of my life as a fashion designer, creative-activist and general pain-in-the-collective-ass of the fashion industry and world-at-large. What this simply means is that you can find me daily on FaceBook where I will be micro-blogging my passions, dreams and hopes for the world and fashion on a 24 hour basis.
Let the Micro-blogging begin!!!
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