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!