Blacklisted Couture

I am both honored and proud to have done this interview with Shellice Beharie, designer of Blacklisted Couture. When I met her in high school, I knew she would go on to do great things. Back then she had a style of her own and now she is sharing it with us in the curvy community. I am so excited for her and can’t wait to get my hands on some of my favorite pieces in her collections. I have included some pictures so you can judge for yourself.  Tell me what you think.

Designer Shellice Beharie Cener

 Smart Curves: Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What's your educational background? What are your general professional and non-professional interests?

Shellice: I was born in Boston Massachusetts but was raised all over the place. I never really spent longer than 2 years in any given place. I was actually really fortunate to be able to travel and experience different cultures. I graduated High School from Princeton High in 98” and like most new college students ran through so many different majors it made absolutely no sense. I was trying to stay as true to my creative roots as possible and decided to study Fashion Design. Graduating with my degree in 2003 from the Fashion Institute of Design& Merchandising. I’ve spent a lot of my time working/interning within the Fashion, music& entertainment Industry. When I am not doing fashion I love to travel, I am a lover of music and such the foodie.

Smart Curves: Describe the general process you go through to design a piece of clothing.  

Shellice: I’m a stickler for clean lines and can be artistically inspired by the shape of a building, sidewalk, street or city scapes. The sound of a musical piece or beat sure helps the creative juices flow and once I have all that, I get to drawing. A lot of the time, I have to self delete to keep my pieces clean, classic but with a hard edge.

Smart Curves: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
Shellice: What matters most to me as a designer is staying true to who I am as a person and a creative mind. But also keeping mindful of my target customer and how they may look or feel wearing my garments.
Smart Curves: What is the best perk in being a designer?

Shellice: The best perk about being a designer is being able to be creative and watching an idea go from concept to garment to a complete collection.

Smart Curves: Where do you get your inspiration?  
Shellice: My inspiration comes from a hogpog of music genera’s, my collection of stamps in my passport (different cultures) and architecture.
Smart Curves: Describe your collection and which ones are your favorite pieces.

Structured Black Leather/Puff Shoulder Dress

Black Leather Warrior Jacket  & Black Leather Riding Pant

Shellice: My collection for the Fall winter season 2013 is glam rock/goth rock inspired, clean lines, classic but dark and edgy. My absolute favorite piece has to be the puffed sleeve Warrior dress.

Smart Curves: What size range does your collection cover?
Shellice: Sizes 10 -24

Smart Curves: How does your personal style effect your collection?
Shellice: This particular collection was all me.  I designed pieces that broke the “rules” of plus size fashion. I created pieces that I personally would love to wear but couldn’t find in any store or online store. I gave garments shape and structure. I gave my collection a definitive style. I gave the curvy girl a sexy, sassy, spunky, designer edgy.

Smart Curves: Where can readers find out more about you and your work? 

Shellice: Google me…lol j/k  You can find out more about me and my collection at www.blacklistedcouture.com  

Black Long Sleeve Knit Dress with Leather Detail

Long Sleeve Hooded Dress

Lets show Shellice how much we appreciate her by checking out the rest of her collection at www.blacklistedcouture.com. Don't forget to let her know Smart Curves sent ya!

Elocin Boutique & Empress Lingerie

Nicole Nolan(Designer & Owner of Elocin Boutique) Model Angel La'Che

Domonique Revere-Lincoln (Model & Owner of  Empress Lingerie)

 I am in love with the new collections released by Elocin Boutique and Empress Lingerie. They are bringing sophistication, sassiness, style, and sexy to the plus size woman. You can wear these pieces to work, for a night on the town and definitely in the bedroom. Incredible photography by Empire Photography- Beth Revere-Lincoln (Empress Lingerie's photos) and N'DIE Lite Photos- Slawfie (Elocin Boutique's photos).  The models were breathtakingly beautiful and did a AMAZING job. Judge for yourself and you tell me what you think.

Model Angel La'Che for Elocin Boutique

Model Kare Johnson for Elocin Boutique

 Elocin Boutique is now in the process of taking pre-orders online at www.elocinplus.com. 

 

Model Amanda Kinley for Elocin Boutique

Empress Lingerie is now taking orders online at www.empresslingerie.com.  You can also get a look at the complete collection at http://empresslingerie.uberflip.com/t/28312.

Models Kirby Cernosek and Ashley Edwards for Empress Lingrie

Model Ashley Edwards for Empress Lingerie

Model Kirby Cernosek for Empress Lingeri

Models Ashley Edwards and Kirby Cernosek for Empress Lingerie

Model Bombchiel Williams for Elocin  Boutique

Model Bombchiel Williams for Elocin  Boutique

If you are looking to see some of these pieces in action on the runway, check out my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/marketdanielle. You can view the video's from Elocin Boutique's Grand Opening where both collections were featured.  

To find out more about these two fabulous collections you can find Elocin Boutique and Empress Lingerie on Facebook and Twitter.  Tell them Smart Curves sent ya!!

Sean Anthony Designs

"You don't have to be a size 10 to stay in style." 

Lori Ruffin

I met Ms. Lori Ruffin at the Curvy Closet’s Plus Size Fashion Showcase in September and became overly excited by her collection. Then I had the opportunity to sit and have a discussion with her and she astounded me. She is an amazing woman who truly wanted to design for the average woman. I am honored to be able to share this Jersey Girls story with you.

Lori Ruffin @ Curvy Closet's

Lori is a trained chef, a manager at Starbucks (one of my favorite coffee shops) and Designer and CEO of Sean Anthony Designs. She started out designing for the size 2-10 crowd but when she was told that, the average woman was a size 12 she changed her focus. Lori wanted to create a line for the average woman that was comfortable and stylish. Inspired by her mother, the 60’s, and the feedback from full-figured women, she launched her online store www.seananthonydesigns.com in February 2012. You will find ready to wear, comfortable and stylish clothes for the office or for the evening.

If you are anything like me, you like to try on the clothes; well you can find Sean Anthony Designs at Couture Queen in Parkville, Maryland, Verenique Boutique in Collingswood, New Jersey and BellaNOR Boutique in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can also find Lori’s collection at Sense of Style Boutique, a mobile/online store.

Sean Anthony Designs

Sean Anthony Designs

When I spoke to Lori before the Layers of Fashion show that was held this past Saturday, I asked her what could I expect to see. Her answer was simply, “Outerwear, dresses, sheaths, color, and prints. It will be an exciting show.” Well lets just say, exciting was an understatement. The combination of the models, clothes, and accessories was astonishing. I have included some pictures of my favorite pieces of Sean Anthony Designs along with Marle’ Fashions, who also presented.

Sean Anthony Designs

 Included in the show was a segment that acknowledged that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Two of the models are breast cancer survivors and they were presented with pink roses.  Domonique Revere-Lincoln, Model & CEO of Empress Lingerie, spoke about how during Breast Cancer Awareness month, Empress Lingerie will be donating part of its sales to Hairless 4 Her Awareness Inc(H4HA). H4HA is a non-profit that educates and advocates for those affected by breast cancer.  Let's show our support by visiting Empress Lingerie's website at www.empresslingrie.com.

Marle' Fashions - Beautiful Model was 82 years old .

Sean Anthony Designs

Sean Anthony Designs

Marle' Fashions

Marle' Fashions

I have to give a shout out to Jermaine Pratt from J. Pratt Custom Shoes.  The shoes perfectly complemented the clothes; even added some flare and drama. DJ Cutlas (Thomas Coleman) did a great job with keeping the music going and the crowd dancing in there seats. I had the delight of meeting another blogger, Grown and Curvy Woman. Check her out at www.grownandcurvywoman.com. Kat Quarterman of Sense of Style Boutique, another Jersey Girl, it was a pleasure seeing her again too.

During our last discussion, I asked Lori, what type of advice would you give someone interested in becoming a designer; she said not to give up so easily. Being a designer is tough and will be time consuming. However, once you see your garment on someone and their facial expression, then you know you are doing the right thing. She also mentioned to be open to feedback. We can take that advice and use it in anything that we do.

Lori’s ultimate goal is to open her own boutique and to be in a major department store. With her determination, passion, and drive, I know she will reach her goals. Lori is not just a beautiful person, she is so humble and grateful.  Let us show Lori that we are thankful to her dedication to the full-figured community, while looking fabulous in her designs.