Sky!s the Limit!
VK: Which designer would you say greatly influenced your choice of career? SB: Georgiou Armani, Bill Blass, Michael Kors, Vivienne Westwood, Betsy Johnson, Kate Spade, Banana Republican, J.Crew and Clothestime have always influenced me. Many designers and companies who have chains stores; they’re some new designers that are awesome as well. It takes me awhile to know a designer by their name. But I’m always on Style.Com looking at the latest trends and styles. I collect almost every magazine. VK: Any up and coming models that you work with? SB: No not at this time. I’m just now getting back onto the fashion scene after building a strong business portfolio and moving into my first location. I haven’t been able to see the models
that are up and coming. This is a tough spot for me when working with today’s models. I try to choose models who have done fashion editorial shoot for catalog, brochure and commercial work. We always need models who photograph well close up and have great facial expression. Also, hands are important. How the model poses that is fit the SWC style. Posing and standing position is the biggest factor of marketing a garment. We have a teen, junior and missy/women market for ages 11 and up. Our work will be seen mainly by fashion industry mainstream. Information in the hands of assistant buyers and store owners. These new clients are mostly at the fashion markets. Our challenge starting this year is to focus only on the fashion calendar and the fashion markets. Dallas Mart, Atlanta Mart. L.A. Mart, Las Vegas Mart and Miami FL market were the buyers are, so we must prepare for the markets as an apparel company that mass produce clothes. Include an introduction package of our company, wholesale package of what we’re selling by style, sizes and color. Delivery time 30, 60, 90 or 120 day delivery. COD or cashier check. How many stores does the client have? How many garments per store? Once we have begun production and have met our clientele, we will begin to have the Skylier Wear Collection Trunk Showing meeting new customers. VK: Describe for us how fashion has changed. (For the better or worse) SB: Fashion has change for the better for me as a growing apparel company. Fashion means more to me than just being a fashion designer. New technology gives me more option to fulfill many roles in fashion. Not just one role or one aim. We can participate in many creative avenues to market our collection on-line. Through, video, T.V. or You Tube; plus attend the fashion markets globally. A designer today can have global production. The market is open to manage your on prosperity. There is no limit!
Sky!s the Limit! VK: Aside from your career choice. How has fashion influenced you? SB: I love fashion, clothes has influence me, fabric and interior designs has influence me, beautiful buildings has a great influence on my up and coming pictures. Beautiful furniture, sophisticated cars and food, too. The love of foods awe!!! And the many restaurants that are popping up on the scene is elegant. All these things are fashionable, people love to look good, dress nice and eat well wine and dine and also drive a nice car. VK: You've had your work photographed a number of times, Tell us whom you've worked with? SB: There are only two photographers that I give credit to for my work so far: Is Moja Maat and Curtis Jeremy of GZ Soulye Studio. Wonderful I’m working with some new photographers now I can’t wait to see their work as well. I’ve always been an admirer of Glam Couture Magazine. I’m so happy at the chance to share in an issue with the magazine. I’m very honor and excited. VK: What tips would you give to a person trying to develop his or her own clothing line? SB: Try to get as much experience as you can. Work with as many designers and department stores as you can. In house merchandising is a great job. You’re always merchandising different products. The market is getting larger the only designers in the future will be giant corporations, movie stars and sitcom stars. Or $250,000.00 to start. VK: What do you feel it takes to be a successful designer in today's economy? SB: To be a successful designer you will need at least 15 years experience or more, and have on hand $50,000.00 to $250,000.00. You need a market for your products. Make sure you can make your first prototypes from the sketch to the pattern to the sample sewing into first production.
Each collection production cost between $1,500 and $,000. Before you even take to the market make sure you can afford it. For any beginning designer most of your losses are in the beginning years of development. The payoff is when the market is aware of your product and all your attention is on getting those orders. Only then you will begin to see some sign of relief or profits. VK: Have we seen any red carpet inspired looks that you’re personally responsible for creating? SB: I’ve seen a few styles that has surfaced. Zoe Saldana wore this beautiful dress, a white dress with a black waist that reminded me of one of my white party dresses. Immediately I knew she was my market. Also, my colors of 2004 still surface on the market every year. The orange and teal blue Urban Asian Collection. Now I’m seeing commercials with the beautiful colors orange and teal blue. I’m also seeing a lot of colors surfacing. We been marketing our beautiful Faux Fur Handbags since 2007 and they continued to shine on the market. Our Faux Fur Handbags is definitely one of our unique collections. VK: What's next? SB: The one thing that is always on my mind is making first production and opening up the first threeSkylier Wear stores. I’m always planning around these 4 things. Making sure production gets closer every year. This year is a great year because we finally accomplish our first location. Now first production is about to begin. I like it and I’m grateful for seeing the phase of a difficult task through. Now I’m preparing myself for the next phase and much bigger goals and challenges ahead. This should be very interesting!! Thank you for this interview Skylier. Your work is very beautiful and I’m sure our readers will enjoy every bit of your style. Thank you so much Ms. King for having us. I’m very honored to share in your work and to be part of your beautiful magazine. Glam Couture Magazine.
successful viral/internet marketing powerhouse. Her secret to success you write her she writes back! Since then I have watched her take her career in her own hands and boy has it grown. Besides from being the arch nemesis of Chrissy “Jim Jones Girlfriend” on VH1’s hit show Love & Hip Hop my girl is an actress, she has participated in American Psycho, The Scorpion King, Ride or Die, Miss Cast Away, GB2525, The Girl from the Naked Eye, Go for It, and in hit television shows Girlfriends and Entourage. Somaya is a commercially recognized model; she has appeared in high-profile campaigns for Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Macys, Zoom, Colgate, Pepsi, Budweiser, and Coors Light. There is no stopping this lady Somaya Reece recently introduced her hit single “Would You Still Love Me” Ft XO which is available on itunes.
Cherry Picking Love & Hip Hop Style by Cherie Johnson I was introduced to the beautiful Somaya Reece like most of the world back in 2006 on Myspace where she has over 23.7 million views and more than 759,000 friends. Somaya Reece is the first Latina on MySpace that has proven to be a
I was recently in NY catching up talking trash with Somaya over Starbucks. The weather is different on the east coast than the west and being the product guru I couldn’t help but to wonder if her beauty regiment has changed and if so how. So I asked and she said, “Yes it has, the biggest change is Moisturizing!” Here are Somaya’s 8 NYC beauty secrets she uses almost daily.
Revlon Top Speed fast dry nail enamel in a nude color, incase my nails chip and I need to do a quick touch up. It has a built in topcoat to give you that salon finish. I tried it and the best part is it doesn’t streak so you don’t have to be a professional to have salon looking nails any more. $4.29 at target stores. Coconut Passion ultra moisturizing hand and body cream by Victoria Secrets. Experience the luxury of fragrant hydration. Intensive formula is fortified with replenishing avocado and sweet almond oils, plus hydrating honey. Massage on for rich, 24-hour moisture, focusing on dry, rough areas. Skin feels soft, smooth and touchable: the ultimate sexy sensation. 6.7 oz. $12 at Victoria Secrets
Perfume, Lanvin Eclat D'arpege Eclat D'arpege Perfume by Lanvin, A soft floral fragrance, eclat d'arpege by the design house of lanvin was created in 2003. A sophisticated fruity scent is a blend of Sicilian lemon leaves, lilac green, wisteria flowers, green tea flowers, peach flowers, red peony, white cedar of Lebanon, musk, and amber. $33.00 for 3.4 oz on amazon.com
This is my new favorite product (of the month) Votre VU Paris France Duette Luxe Lips moisturizing lip balm! This nourishing lip balm made from coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax gently protects, nourishes and softens lips in every condition. A deliciously light and natural coconut flavor delivers a guiltless treat to your mouth with every application. Intensively nourishing, your lips will become supple and shiny again. Plus it comes with a mirror $27.65 at votreu.com 5. Healthy DefenseÂŽ Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 this innovative formula contains Helioplex, the sunscreen complex that helps block the harmful UVB-burning rays and UVA-aging rays which can cause premature lines and wrinkles. This daily moisturizer has an exclusive anti-oxidant blend with pure Vitamin E, which helps prevent environmental damage. Lightweight, non-greasy, it's powerful protection and hydration you can rely on all day, every day. $12 CVS stores.
La Prairie white caviar illuminating cream The White Caviar Illuminating System combines luxury and innovative technology to offer the most advanced anti-pigmentation and firming benefits available from cosmetic treatments. It is a multi-tasking system of fast-penetrating formulas that drench skin with moisture, each product adding to brilliant lightening, brightening and lifting effects with unparalleled luxury. The White Caviar Illuminating Cream contains powerful actives for lightening, detoxifying, moisturizing and firming in one formula. This blissfully light and luxurious cream drenches the skin with moisture as it lightens, brightens, and lifts, giving you a more even skin tone with improved firmness. Pearlescent powders in the cream give immediate illumination while a complex of brightening ingredients works to control age spots and discoloration on the skin’s surface. Continued use gives you brighter, younger-looking skin as dark spots are prevented and your skin is firmed, moisturized and protected from environmental damage. Over time, you'll be rewarded by extraordinary results: age spots are diminished, surface darkness fades away, future spots are put on hold, and iridescent pigments reflect light brilliantly, as luminosity is
restored and amped to a glowing radiance. Ok this is a luxury item but I am going to have to splurge because I am in love with the results. $450 at Nordstrom’s Stores! Powdered rice paper blotters any brand. We have
all heard about having a nice dewy glow, but there’s a big difference between looking like you just returned from the beach with glistening, sunkissed skin and just being plain and simple – oily! Never worry about being oily again! Everyone makes them from MAC, Clean and Clear; Bourjois, and Palladio are my preferred ranging from $5.00-$15.00 everywhere beauty products are sold.
Aveeno Oatmeal Moisturizing Bar Aveeno Moisturizing Bar for Dry Skin is a unique soapfree cleanser that combines a special form of silky smooth oatmeal with skin softening moisturizers. The natural oatmeal works to absorb dirt and oil then gently rinses away. Rich emollients moisturize dry, sensitive skin. Aveeno Moisturizing Bar looks and feels different because it contains a high level of oatmeal to leave skin soft and smooth. Aveeno Moisturizing Bar is fragrance free and dye free. $5.00 at any drugstores.
Water is very sensual. If you have a pool, hot tub or even a bathtub, use it. There is something so sensual and relaxing about water. Take your clothes off, and take your time sharing your silky skin, the warmth of the water and light a few candles. Get to know your soul and body. Have a night out with your partner. Go to a beautiful restaurant and plan an evening alone. Wear something bold. Look through your closet and pick the dress you think is the best, then go to your favorite boutique and get something ten times bolder. Wear a dress you typically say “Oh I can’t wear a dress like that.” I’m not talking the uncomfortable skin-tight dress that revels areas you don’t like on your body. I’m talking the sexy dress that brings fear to your mind when thinking of wearing it. For extra flare, add some opera length gloves- do it. Make an appearance, and entrance in your chosen spot. If you have a date meet them at the restaurant. Walk like a super model and stand tall. Watch the look on everyone’s face as they wonder “Who the hell is this?” Let your date/ the crowd undress you with their eyes all night.
Have a night in the bedroom of eye contact only. Light some candles, soft music and don’t use your usual words. Use your eyes to seduce him. Look at him constantly, not in a “I’m psycho” kind of way, but in a way that says “ I want devour you.” Then, the next day you can talk about how hot it was. Buy something sexy, something to enhance your best features and have a photo shoot to really capture your beauty. A good photographer will make you extremely comfortable and relaxed and find your perfect look. Frame one of these photos and give it to your special person as a gift. He will look at you like a Victoria’s Secret model and when you’re gone the picture will entrance him with your beauty. He will be counting the moments until you come home.
Dominate and take charge. If you are usually the shy one take this time to show them who is really the boss. Shock your partner. Start early in the day with little surprises. Grab them in places where you would normally wait til dark. Nibble on their neck and ear then walk away. Slip a note in their pocket with the date, time, location and what you’re going to do to them. Let his mind wander and then take him off track and leave to run errands. But… when the time comes, take charge and conquer your mate. Whew….Is it getting hot in here? Enjoy, ladies - you only live once. Your sexuality is part of who you are so wake it up and take it for a drive around the block. Gia Claire Www.GiaClaire,com