This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 at 3:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
Project Runway lets the Truth be told.
Not Just a Fan but a
believer, Project
Runway is the truth.
Up and close with one of the Sista from
Project Runway :Zulema, who talks about what
life is like after the cameras get turned off. After
training at Parson’s School of Design,
fashion designer Zulema Griffin began her
career in the industry on the other side of
the runway, modeling. Although she enjoyed a
successful run as a Ford model, appearing in
such publications as Bazaar, The Face, I.D.,
Essence, Interview and Paper, Zulema soon
opted for life back behind the runway. One
evening while working as a restaurant
hostess in New York to support her modeling
career, a film director took note of a dress
Zulema was wearing. After discovering Zulema
herself was the designer, the director
offered her a job as a costume designer on
the set of his film. In the years that
followed Zulema worked on multiple films,
costuming talent such as Adrian Grenier,
Rhea Perlman, Barbara Hershey, Emily
Deschanel, and Douglas Smith. Zulema yearned
for more, however, and decided to take her
fashion background a step further into the
world of design. In May 2006 Zulema
presented her first fashion show, the
Matador-themed Pre-Spring ‘07 Collection, at
Brooklyn Fashion Week. Met by rave reviews,
Zulema followed up with a strong showing of
her Spring 07′ Collection during New York
Fashion Week in September 2006. Since then
Zulema has continued to show standout
collections during each New York Fashion
Week, landing her press mentions in media
outlets like WWD, The New York Times, Daily
News, Videofashion!, Style.com and AOL.com.
Zulema’s sportswear, suiting and cocktail
dresses are currently retailing at Love
Brigade co-op in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
VSG : Tell us about your life and the work it
took to become a fashion designer?
ZG:I modeled while I was an Art major at Parson
School of Design and I am advanced trained
pattern maker. I saw first hand how short lived the
commercial models career is so I decide to go
behind the scenes. Following school I was a
costume designer for Broadway, so the transition
to fashion designer was seamless; there are just a
few blocks in between Seventh Avenue and 42nd
street. And just one train ride from BK to the City.
VSG: I can recall my first moment I knew that
fashion would be my life, I was watching the
movie” Mahogany” staring the Original Diva, Ms.
Ross of “The Supremes”.’ It was instantly life
changing for me, what was your moment? How did
it change you?
ZG: I was always around creatives but I think my
light bulb moment was on a film set surrounded by
five stylist who had no idea about clothing
construction and how they were made, That was
my moment.
VSG: How does one prepare for something so
meaningful in the world of Dreams realized, What
does that feel like?
ZG: In creating my Collection I go by what I feel is
going on in the world and Politics and Social
issues drive a lot of it. It starts with my sketches, I
live in the library doing research. I am big on
numbers I show a specific number of garments for
a reason. My last show was inspired by the veils of
the 27 wives of Fela Anikulapo-Kuit my collection
was my interruption of each of the 27 different
Women as individuals The most difficult process is
always the editing that is what kept me up all
night. You need a strong team. I have a super Art
director and real support from my Hair and Make-
up team.
VSG : If your closet could talk to us what would it
say about who you are, during the week and who’s
in there?
ZG: Girl, you are need of a few new things. I have
been so busy I haven’t taken time for myself.
VSG: How did you get to Project Runways and how
are you changed for the experience?
ZG: My life has not changed very much, I am still
Me, Zulema.
VSG: When designing which is your favorite part of
a Woman’s body?
ZG: This changes for me with the seasons
sometimes it’s about Legs or Arm but this season I
am all into the Back.
VSG: Do you have a Muse and if so who is She?
ZG:This concept is always changing and this
season I do not have one because of the
inspiration of the number 27.
VSG: If you could wake up tomorrow having
gained ability that you don’t have
right now, what would you want that ability to be?
ZG: That is also a very interesting question, I
would like to have the ability to not be so worked
Up about things I have no control over. I am
getting better at not reacting to everything. I would
really like the ability to be Calm under every
situation. Full composure.
VSG: A hundred years from now what do you want
to be remembered for?
ZG: Wow, another good question. I can’t think that
far ahead right Now. I am still trying to have my
work leave a mark.
Here are a few Speed questions just for a little
Fun and to get a little more up close?
Do you wear briefs or a thong? Briefs
Would you have a Dogs or Cats? Cats
Do you like to drive or be driven? As long as I get
there.
beach or County home for vacation?
My Wife likes the Country and I like the beach
so a Country home near a beach
Asked once of now secretary of State Hillary
Clinton does you prefer Diamond or Pearls?
Both like Hilary
I am a champion and true believer that it is not
where you start but how and where you finish I
would like to sincerely Thank Lauren Rich of
Lauren Rich PR and Zulemla for there time and add
that my interview echoes that sentiment in it’s
most basic form. From Walking the Walk on the
Catwalk to as a fashion model to choosing Models
for her Cat walk Collection in New York City, Is
truly talking the Walk. Take chances, do your
homework and never, ever give Up on your
Dreams. Keep them bagged tightly but keep them
near.
Here’s a tip to tuck a way, Soak dull Diamonds
in Vodka (A solvent even pros use) for serious
sparkle, why waste a good martini.
For the record Zulema is happily married to Sherri,
whatever bag you carry just be stylish with it,
Thrive…… Until Next Time, VSG.
.