I was fortunate in high school to meet and know some amazing people. I have the privilege of still being able to call them friends to this day. David Michael was as phenomenal then as he is now. However, now he is in a position to make things happen. I always admired him. He was and still is my personal fashion dictionary.
If there is one thing that I want readers to take from my blog, it is that you should always strive to be able to do, in life, EXACTLY what makes you happy. In high school David lived, breathed and manifested fashion. Fast -forward nearly five years and he is doing the same thing but on a scale that is similar to him, fabulous. This is my Fashion EXchange with the living breathing Fashion dictionary and ICON David Michael- designer, stylist and visionary---- Envy it.
How long have you been designing and making clothes?
I have been designing for as long as I can remember. I know it started in elementary school and has blossomed from there. I didn't start making clothes until high school.
What inspires you?
Hmmm...what inspires me the most is art. It's so magnificently wondrous and illustrates the inner workings if someone's imagination. Art transforms in prints, textiles, shoes, bags etc.
We know each other how has your style changed over the years. How did it start out? Why did it evolve?
My style has finally reached a stopping point!!! (Laughs)! In high school I started to experiment with A LOT of different styles; from preppy to rockstar and everything inbetween. My mother has always encouraged me to be my own person. And my sexuality had a lot to deal with the transformation. But that is always another subject for another day.
Magazines? Which ones do you read?
I read the usuals; Bazaar, Vogue, W, V and sometimes GQ! A lot of Sister 2 Sister.
Which designers do you like? Who do you emulate?
Sooooo MANY DESIGNERS! I love them all, but as far as my favorite designer, it would be Giambattista Valli. He just astounds me every time! Alexander the Great (Alexander McQueen) was one of my favs before he was so popular. I love Marc Jacobs (as everyone should!). Lagerfeld gets me every time! I own a few Lagerfeld items! In order to be a designer you have to understand that you will emulate others and sometimes I feel like I do. Innovators like McQueen were completely on another level and that ain't something I can compete with! I know my design estatic...lol
Where do you shop?
I live in Atlanta, Georgia and I shop at boutiques ALL THE TIME! I'm not a mall shopper my favorite is SickBoy Vintage in Tallahassee, Fl., 774 in Atlanta, Ga HAS THE HOTTEST STUFF when it comes to accessories! Little 5 points is the BEST place to shop for me! Stefan's Vintage and Junkman's Daughter are my favorite spots.
How do you feel about shopping in season?
I don't shop in seasons. It's too close to buying trends. I like classic staples that never leave me outdated. Classic silhouettes will never steer you wrong!
Style icons?
Hmmm...style icons....my mother and her 3 sisters are my overall inspiration. My aunt Vickie is a grandiose diva who always makes a statement with dashing jewelery. My aunt Verne was always elegant and pulled together right down to her Manolo. She never missed a beat. My auntie Frances showed off...period. There is a playfulness to her that I translate to clothes. My MOTHER! Ugh!!! What is there NOT to be said?! My mother's carefree bohemian nature translates into clothes! With her big natural hair and effortless chic persona! She is the epitome of CLASSIC COOL! In another life she was Carrie bradshaw, I swear.
What is your favorite piece of clothing?
My favorite piece of CLOTHING is a hot jacket! I dress in layers even in the summer months....so I tend to like the flexibility that jackets, cozies or just outerwear in general can provide.
Finish this sentence clothes should____________.
Clothes should express you as a person. They do exactly that for me...sometimes.
What do you think of my style?
Ju'Lia, you have always had a very simple style BUT you love extravagant statement pieces! Like your winter coats of fur or an ornate bag. Your style is very polished and refined! It's always just enough to make someone double take. I love it
Okay I am blushing!!! Describe your style.
My style...o boy...it's a mix of different things. I love different eras of fashion, when I get dressed up formally, I love the 1920's and 50's! But I don't like to be so tied down. So I don't dress up often! On an everyday basis...I really put on whatever. I tend to look like the art student I was or sometimes like I just left a summer music festival...I'm very bohemian all the time. Lol. It reflects my attitude on life.
Fashion is artistry. Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace etc...all of them are the best in their media of choice. The list goes forever. Fashion to me is a walking canvas; a reverie if one's own imagination. Couture shows are my favorite because the show that fantasy, that creativity that tends to lack in ready-to-wear.
Are you tired of the term Fashionista?
The word fashionista is ok...I don't feel anyway about it. I just wished it was used properly.
What is your background in design?
Designing started at an early age. I taught myself. Once I started learning basic shapes I started to apply them to clothes...I haven't made anything in a while. I have been more on the styling side of the mirror. I like that better but I have six sketch books full of ideas so I'm getting back into it!
What was the first thing that you made?
The first thing I ever made was a pillow! Lol! But I made my Best Friend's prom dress in '06! But prior to that in '05 a lot of people wore my designs to prom. I wasn't as serious as I am now! So sadly I don't have any pics!
Five rules of fashion to live by?
Honestly, I don't have any rules...wait a minute, my biggest rule is to not buy into so many trends! I hate that! Trends are fabulous but if you buy too many, your WHOLE closet will be LATE (that means not fashionable)! But being stylish goes beyond clothes and shoes! I have a friend who owns her own cosmetics company, Tonnae Nicole Cosmetics. Check them out Ju'Lia at tonnaenicole.com, she opened up a whole new window as to being fashionable. Make-up is something a girl should have! You have to have the right make up to tie a look together. It's just like having the right shoes or necklace.
Pick one accessory?
One accessory...hmmm. That's a tough one...but I will say shoes. Only because you have to have shoes on your feet at all times. A bag is optional. Especially since there are so many other options like clutch wallets, mini skinnies and even fanny packs! Lol
I really love The Gap...I'm a very basic dresser and I feel my sexiest in a white tee. I love the fit of the clothes. That's about the only place I will go in a mall for myself.
What would you like to see change in fashion industry?
In the industry, I would love to see more black and I don't mean on a dress! I would love to see more of my sisters and brothers in ads or on the catwalk.
What do you define as urban fashion? Is there such a thing?
Urban fashion...hmmm. There is such a thing...and I don't care for it BUT obviously there is a market for it so someone likes it...
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself up there with Rachel Zoe. I admire her soooo much! Scratch that, I want to surpass Rachel! She is just such an inspiration! I want to be a staple at Fashion Week, all of them! It's just so much I want to do. But I most assuredly would like my business (World of David Michael) to have blossomed from there. My heart is in design but my company shifts those gears in focuses on my true passion, wardrobe styling!
Do you want to have a line one day?
Eventually yes, I do want a line of clothes. I haven't thought of a name but whatever I choose it would reflect me. Of course I want to do a women's line but lately I have taken an interest in men's fashion. I feel like the younger generation (our generation) is a little more fashion conscious. And men are now crying out for a more fashionable realm rather than the cookie cutter things that seem to flood the market every season. We want more prints and not on a tie. We want more colors and not just in our Converse. I'm thinking that if I do it, I would want it to just be a boutique. No commercial chains or anything just one location. And I want to offer the best of the best, from costume jewelry to clothes. People take a certain pride when they know that what they are wearing is exclusive...but I must say if I do all this, the prices maybe a little up there. But it's a boutique, I can haggle a little! Lol
Life in D.C. is amazing and I can honestly say that I know I am not getting the full effect. I have strict roommates but I am grateful for the place! At any rate, if I had to point out one thing I like, it would be the different personalities that I get to meet. The Washington D.C./ Maryland area definitely feels like the Mecca of black people right now. People seem to be really affluent here. It is refreshing, to not just see one type of group. There are college students; families, younger people and older people all nestled into the local Starbucks or Chipotle!!
Highlights:
I went to a happy hour and I took a few pictures. I felt like I was at the club. The “lounge” was over flowing with people. It was really fun because the majority of the people there were in my age range. So it is just nice to see 22 year olds with jobs unwinding from a weeks long worth of work. One time for people with jobs, yayyyyyyy!!!
Other highlights
I went to a roof top party at 3p.m. and like happy hour it was over flowing with people. Sadly I never made it to the roof. I stayed in the AC!!
Pictures in the next post!!!!
Internship highlights
*That is a picture of my desk. The other pictures are of the office!!
They are still letting me write!!!! Check out the website for my articles and many other awesome stories on the Web site, for the latest updates on your favorite stars. I still love the job. Two- minute- honest-open conversation, this internship has been a really positive experience for me. It has shown me that while there are people in this field, who will play off your insecurities and tear you down if you allow it, that it is still a wonderful profession to be in. My goal in life is to be able to do the things that I enjoy. Coming back to this has shown me how much I enjoyed it. It’s not reporting class, which in my opinion can find an error in a Pulitzer Prize winning piece. You get correction and you keep moving. So anyway other high lights, I have been transcribing interviews. I can’t say with whom because that will ruin the surprise for other people and the competition but the people were cool. Transcribing took forever though.
Another highlight, we had an office meeting to brainstorm ideas for an upcoming issue of the magazine and they actually likedsome of my ideas, ten points for me. I am super excited about that!!! So yeah, I feel like I am a super lucky intern. I get to write, offer input that is used at meetings, transcribe interviews, create interview questions and then whatever else they ask me to do. Considering what I hear about other internships, this is amazing!!!! Crazy thing is I had to be encouraged to apply. Much thanks to that person for that!!! You live and you learn.
Much Love Folks
My cell phone for the most part is my camera!!! I need batteries for my camera LAME excuse. However,I am being honest!!
Creative content creator and Editor-in-Chief of Worthy Magazine over-sharing and growing along the way. This blog will be talking about all things food, female health related, books, creative projects and more.
Unless otherwise stated images on my blog were taken by me. All other images on this site are readily available on the Internet and are believed to be in public domain.Images posted are believed to be published according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.)
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