Fashion 101

An interview with VH1 Tough Love Miami’s Leilani Dowding Photo by Deja Jordan       MSM: What did you find appealing about TOUGH LOVE that made you consider participating in the show? LD: I had been single for a while and figured I needed some hard truths about why I was single MSM: How would you say the experience on TOUGH LOVE changed your perception on dating? LD: I think I realized the biggest problem for me was the difference in the way American people date and court each other, that here in the states I need to communicate obvious things  and  have “the talk”  none of which I’ve ever had to do back home. MSM: Do you feel the experience on TOUGH LOVE was overall a good experience? LD: It was definitely a positive experience. I learnt a lot about my issues, and from all the other girls. MSM: What was the main source of inspiration behind your collection? LD: I wanted something that is elegant AND sexy, not slutty sexy. I just find it hard to buy sexy clothes in LA that are at a decent price range that aren’t all about showing your boobs. MSM : Describe your personal fashion style. LD: Simple, elegant, sexy and fun MSM: Do you feel your line is a good representation of women feeling comfortable in their own skin, and a celebration of confidence? LD: I definitely think they were made with making a women feel confident in mind. They are elegant sophisticated and show a lot with out showing too much. They can be dressed up, or dressed down. MSM: What are some of the latest fashion trends that you feel can compliment all body types? LD: I think the trends right now that can compliment all body shapes are sequin dresses, and FAKE fur Vests for winter, not together though LOL  I think its harder to get into specifics trends, as they tend to suit a couple of body types rather than everyone. MSM: Do you encourage women to wear white after labor day if they have a dress that makes them feel confident? LD: Its funny, as I sell a lot of white dresses online after Labor day, and that is perhaps because its so hard to find white in the shops. Since I’m from England there is no Labor day so I didn’t know you weren’t meant to wear white until recently. I LOVE dressing up in white in the winter, it makes me feel like a snow princess. MSM: What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers? LD: Just to basically keep your costs as low as possible. Not to spend a fortune on fashion shows. Do them if they don’t cost much, but really people will buy from line sheets and show rooms. As you get bigger do it.  There is also a great site called UStrendy.com where you can sell stuff on line, you use their store front and they take a small percentage. MSM: Tell us about the new bikini line in the works. LD: The beginning of the year (in January), I am going to start a bikini line in addition to my clothing line. when i first started modeling years ago, it was a niche market to do bikinis for girls with big boobs. because np one had boob jobs. They used to use the skinny models. Now it seems like all the bikini lines are using models with huge boobs or fake boobs. I am doing a bikini line for girls with smaller boobs. I’m always being photographed in a bikini whether I know about it or at my shoots in magazines. I’d like to use models that are A and B cup, maybe C, but i’m not going to use the stereotypical bikini girls they have modeling.  

By Sandra Mateu “When you look at a Tiffany box you see uniqueness, exquisiteness and quality without even opening the box,” a metaphor Tonya Seavers-Evans uses to explain her job as a Style Strategist. The box speaks to you while closed and your overall appearance should do the same for you. That is why Tonya passionately works “teaching clients how to marry style with a powerful message.” The magic started during a business trip when the airline lost her boss’s luggage. With meetings to attend and nothing to wear, her boss desperately asked for help. Tonya who always had a passion for fashion happily embarked in this unusual mission. Tonya went shopping and put together an amazing wardrobe that not only saved the trip, but that surpassed all expectations. Tonya knew then that her love for style had become her new career path. Today, Tonya Seavers-Evans is a Miami-based image consultant that helps professionals and celebrities align their inner talents with a sharp powerful image. She teaches clients everything from how to clean out closets, how to organize them, and how to come up with the right outfits for every occasion. To accomplish this, Tonya offers figure and style sessions, color analysis, personal shopping, personal style solutions, and more. “This is not a cookie cutter process. This is an enhancement of the self,” said Tonya Seavers-Evans. She believes that personality is an extremely important element for a unique result. She also considers public speaking skills and business etiquette key for a successful overall package. Now that the holidays have arrived, Tonya shared with Miami Shoot Magazine some important tips when fixing your closet for the New Year: “First, take out all pieces you haven’t worn in a year. A good trick is to move the hangers the opposite way every time you use an item. At the end of the year you can donate all pieces that haven’t been moved. Second, you can take out all pieces that need to be repaired and take them to an alterations shop. Third, once the black-tie events are over you can place all gowns in a different room to have more space in your closet.” Remember that style “IS” important and that it speaks for you. “Styling is an everyday thing. It will help you in the competitive world we live in, to find a job or move up in your organization,” said Tonya. visit www.stylestrategist.com  

Marcela Stark; designer of Claudine Stark, talks fashion, fame and culture. Interviewed by Gabrielle Compolongo GC: At what age did you know this was the career for you? MS: I’ve always been super artistic since I was a little girl. My mom used to buy me markers because I loved painting and drawing. I used to copy drawings from cartoons and dress up Barbie dolls. My mom was very much into fashion as well. From the days as early as my elementary education through high school graduation, fashion was something that I’ve always enjoyed. I had the option of interior design, but I wanted to go for something that made me happy. Everything related to fashion for me, I love it. GC: Where does your inspiration come from? MS: My inspiration comes from many different places, but I have to say it mostly comes from within myself. I’m very independent and I love feminine women who know what they want. My designs contain a lot of the decades of the 80’s mixed with the 20’s. In the 20’s you see the elegant women, chic, those kinds of elements. And the edgy way of the 80’s, dancing and movements. For colors, I like to play with pinks & fabrics themselves. GC: Who would you love to see in one of your designs?  MS: I really like Sarah Jessica Parker. Actually, I just came back from New York, and while I was there I met her on the streets my last day. I took it as a sign. She’s a fashion icon for me. I love her style in Sex and The City. Very vintage but shows a lot of attitude. She’s the kind of person I see wearing my designs. She’s somebody I like a lot. Madonna for example, she has a lot of personality and at the same time she has good energies. I want to say Lady Gaga, but she’s very very edgy, and there’s something weird about her. (laughs) GC: What trends do you see in Miami right now? MS: Miami is a place where you see so many cultures. If you walk in the street you don’t really see fashion, it’s a beach place. When you go out at night you see that people like to show off their bodies, wear sexy things, show skin and all of that. The jumper trend, I see that a lot; the one-piece romper jumper. Rompers with shorts, jumpers with pants. I see a lot of sheer with tank tops underneath, showing the shoulders a lot. Since it’s hot here, they also want to be comfortable. GC: Is there a specific trend you go for? MS: My designs are super flexible. You can wear them during the day, during the night, dress them down, dress them up. My jumpers and rompers come with a chain at the back that you can remove or pull back with some heels. My designs have functionality and versatility. There are also two ways to wear my tops so you get two for example, she has a lot of personality and at the same time she has good energies. I want to say Lady Gaga, but she’s very very edgy, and there’s something weird about her. (laughs) GC: What trends do you see in Miami right now? MS: Miami is a place where you see so many cultures. If you walk in the street you don’t really see fashion, it’s a beach place. When you go out at night you see that people like to show off their bodies, wear sexy things, show skin and all of that. The jumper trend, I see that a lot; the one-piece romper jumper. Rompers with shorts, jumpers with pants. I see a lot of sheer with tank tops underneath, showing the shoulders a lot. Since it’s hot here, they also want to be comfortable. GC: Is there a specific trend you go for? MS: My designs are super flexible. You can wear them during the day, during the night, dress them down, dress them up. My jumpers and rompers come with a chain at the back that you can remove or pull back with some heels. My designs have functionality and versatility. There are also two ways to wear my tops so you get two garments in one. With the slow economy, people don’t want to spend too much, so if you can get two in one, that’s a great trend. I love edgy, with a lot of cutout shoulder. The dress featured in this magazine has triangles of silk and a lot of movement. Fashionable women are looking for changes right now and are wearing a lot of accessories. I see my dresses as a dress and an accessory all together, creating those elements in the dress. Chains, ruffles, and zippers. Things that make the garment special and different. GC: What has been your greatest setbacks in launching your own line? MS: I went to school for fashion and I learned a lot of aspects. You can’t compare practice to real life. All of these months I’ve been starting my business, it helped me to realize that not everything is “pink” in life. There’s tough competition and tough people. You’re going to have people that love you, but you can have clients that don’t need your things for their styles, or ages. You have to have a steady personality. You have to be professional and show them you are serious. 10% of fashion designers actually make it. GC: Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years as a designer? MS: I will continue to find out about opportunities through events and talking with people. I’m also looking to do events related to different organizations. I see myself collaborating with communities of non-profit organizations such as charities. It benefits both a good cause and my business as well. I will grow. I will have a steady clientele nationally and internationally. I’m putting in my best. I