Saturday, April 27, 2013

Emilio Sosa - Interview with Project Runways Talented Designer Extraordinaire!


When I met Emilio Sosa of Project Runway a few months back, I was captivated my his charm and quiet nature. Soulful eyes and a gentleman manner pulled me in.  He attended an event along with Casanova, also of Project Runway, who I'd met several times before.  My husband and I attended the event for our Creative Voices Project.  Where we interview artist, getting the backstories on their passions.

I knew there was whole lot more to Emilio, than I knew from television.  There HAD to be!  And  we wanted to discover it.  He is an exceptionally talented designer, whose roots are deep in costume design. Rooted in skills of making characters come to life through their clothing and their voices.  Emilio's career is constantly unfolding and growing exponentially.  Just recently, he completed costume designs for the new Broadway hot ticket 'MOTOWN' The Musical.  Also, under his belt is the incredible 'Porgy and Bess' with the divine Audra MacDonald (whose wedding dress he also designed).  And if you were in New York and lucky enough to see the show... were character 'Sporting Life's' suits AMAZING or whaaaaaaaat?


Clearly Emilio has a WHOLE lot going on.  Project Runway was another vehicle to share his talents with the world.  Doing "what he already has mastered - in another way".  I think that's a fantastic approach to have to life and a career you've been wrapped in fro awhile.  Certainly a great way to keep things fresh!  Wouldn't you agree?


Friday, April 12, 2013

Designing in Curacao!


I recently returned from the most amaaaaaaaaaazing trip to Curacao.  A small island in the Caribbean sea, off the coat of Venezuela.  Curacao is part of the A, B, C islands... Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.  It is a constituent country of the Dutch Netherlands.


The official spoken languages are Dutch and Papimetentu (a Creole language) spoken by most of the inhabitants of the island, in all levels of society.  English and Spanish are largely spoken as well.  Curacao is a beautiful island, with temperatures in the high 70's (Fahrenheit) year round.  If you are looking for someplace new to discover, I recommend Curacao!

I was part of the African American Top 20 Interior Designers, invited to participate in designing a vignette for Building Depot which is the islands largest home furnishing/tool/garden store on the island.  The task was creating a room environment using product ONLY available at Building Depot.  We were given a blank floor, a back wall and that's it!  Here are a few images from my dining space...




The results were great spaces, where customers were enormously surprised were designed from the stores wares.  Notes chefs from Gordon Ramsey's Hells Kitchen, Chopped and Top Chef were on hand providing sinful meals for a week.  Oh, that's why my clothes don't fit! It was soooooo much fun it was ridiculous!  Great new friends were made and it was an absolute blast!  Big shout out to Nadin Benito of Interior Visions for her coordinating and 'vision' in making this all happen.

Blog Pinkeggshell recently did an amazing post of the trip.  So instead of recreating it all, please let me introduce you to Kimberly Ward of Pinkeggshell as our Guest Blogger!

So, if you have a moment please check out Kimberly Wards Pinkeggshell's coverage here!











Monday, April 8, 2013

Inspired by... Ralph Lauren Home and William Sonoma Home

Inspired by...


As you all know by now... I Love and Adore everything Ralph Lauren.  Blah, Blah, Blah - yes you all know I worked there for years... Blah, Blah, Blah...

So ingrained in my thought is RL styling and product ye, which I Love and Adore.  So just this morning I posted an environment from William Sonoma Home, which I too Loved and Adore.

I just new there was something about it... You decide... Inspired by...

Architectural Digest images of Alfredo Parades home

Architectural Digest images of Alfredo Parades home

and...

William Sonoma Home 


Yes, I STILL Love and Adore them BOTH!

Imitation is the best form of flattery.  Besides, NOTHING in design is truly original - right!


Feeling 'Beachy' with Williams Sonoma Home!


William Sonoma Home has released their Spring Home collection, and I tell you!  It's making me countdown days to the beach!  In the meanwhile I will just hang back, lie on the porch, reading in a hammock and enjoying watching the blossoms of Spring emerge.

I hope you too, find some quality time to stop and smell the flowers and inhale all the newness before us.  Work will always be there.  Time waits for no one, so let's just enjoy this time of awakening buds and Live it!






 www.wshome.com