Loose Threads: March 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Jacqlene Monet - "I used to want to be a dentist...until I took my first sewing class."

Jacqlene Monet & Cabana Club Fashion Show 2010

Designer Jacqlene Monet Corbin at Cabana Club Fashion Show 2010

Jacqlene and I, 2010 Rags 2 Rhythms Fashion Show

The Designer - Squeezing a meeting time into our busy schedules, my good friend of about 4 years now, designer Jacqlene Monet Corbin and I met for lunch this past Tuesday afternoon. Wearing shiny leggings and bright colors, Jacqlene was definitely making a statement. We small talked, then quickly went deeper into Jacqlene's past, present and future as a clothing designer. Ms. Corbin has wanted to be a designer since the beginning of college when she realized her career path in dental care was not right for her. At first she was apprehensive about jumping into a fashion major, but after taking her first sewing class at California State University, Long Beach, she knew this was the right decision.

Loose Threads - At this point in time, Jacqlene is still attending CSULB, but she is focused on much more than being a fashion student. She is applying herself to any opportunity or experience that will help her reach her goals in the competitive fashion industry. Jacqlene has been featured in the 2010 CSULB fashion show Rags2Rhythms, showcasing her first clothing line Jacqlene Monet. This collection was inspired by the female figure and filled with hour glass silouhuettes, leg of mutton sleeves and bright statement colors. Another thread that Jacqlene has recently added to her sewing kit, was the opportunity to design a dress for Angela Jollivette or DJ Moon Baby, the gospel section coordinator at the 2011 Grammy Awards Ceremony.

Making Ends Meet -Future plans for Jacqlene include creating her new collection inspired by the 1950's and the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. We can expect this line to be retro, with a classic twist. The creative young designer plans to use "Glamour colors" as she calls them, such as red and gold giving the line an old Hollywood feeling. To make ends meet, with this new collection Jacqlene hopes to define herself and excel even further into her career as a fashion designer. She is currently in the second round of a Style Network design competition with Jeannie Mai of the television show "How Do I Look". If Jacqlene makes it through to the next round, this could be her big break. Let's all congratulate Jacqlene Monet on her accomplishments! Knowing her personally, I see a promising future ahead.

Thanks for reading everyone!

- Melissa

Blog#4

Monday, March 7, 2011

SKiMWEAR: "More Than Underwear, Less Than a Swimsuit"

S K I M W E A R

designs by D i c e

Dice, models & I pose on the red carpet

~~::THE D E S I G N E R & I::~~ It was August of 2010 when I called Kim "Dice" Douglas, a 31 year old Dallas, Texas native, asking if she'd be interested in showcasing her swimwear line at a fashion show I was set to host. Nicknamed Dicey by her grandfather, Kim decided to shorten it up and use the childhood name as her own within the industry. Although the name was given according to her edginess perceived at birth, Dice appears as humble and calm while working. However, do not let this petite woman's smile, class and style fool you. She may not be that edgy little girl anymore, after all, who has time to be when they could simply express it through designs.

Myself hosting in a Skimwear bikini top

~~::L O O S E~~ ~~THREADS::~~ With her first love and background being costume design, Dice did not have intensions on specializing in swimwear. "A photographer friend of mine was shooting for Playboy and needed very specific swimsuits for an interesting concept he was aiming towards. He asked me if I would make him some, so I did. All the models LOVED them so much, [I] didn't even wind up taking any back home, so I just started making swimsuits from that point on." Dice decided to call her line Skimwear because after her first experience with making swimsuits, she realized she enjoyed making skimpy swimwear without elastic and padding. Making a line specially for show and not to swim in, she further describes her line as being "more than underwear, but less than a swimsuit". By appreciating the world a lot more, Dice also tries to create new swimsuits by using recycled pieces of fabric from other textiles. For instance, the bikini top I am wearing while hosting in the picture featured above was made from flower petals of an old purse, which is what I appreciated most about her line.

~~::MAKING ENDS M E E T::~~ Aside from continually being requested to borrow pieces for various shoots by many, some projects Skimwear has been featured in will awe you. In 2009, four leading models wore Skimwear in a music video by R&B artist Ray J. In 2010, the hot swimwear line had five different pieces featured on the iphone application Bikini Flip. Later that year, not only did the line make it onto Maxim Online but was also displayed in Physique Fitness Magazine. In addition to other offers, the line was taken into consideration by Guess. Although mind-blowing and certainly flattering, Dice decided to turn down the opportunity in being one of the key designers stating "the use of African American models for Guess is nonexistent and probably always will be." Standing her grounds within her African American heritage, Dice is driven and dedicated to reassuring that Skimwear remains her own and I am, personally, honored to have worked alongside this ambitious woman of great talent and craft.

xoxo,

SaBRiNa a.