Happy Friday:
to all my wonderful, outstanding, stunning, gorgeous bloggers and readers! I am back with a Friday's prevailed effect, how exciting?!? I hope you guys are as excited as I am because I located one talented girl from Cleveland, Ohio. I absolutely love supporting people from my hometown. I will warn you now.. Just look out for Paris because she is definitely a fashion designer I look forward to seeing on the runways in a few seasons. Enjoy!
Q: Hi Paris! First and foremost let me tell you how much I admire your God-given talent! Like seriously, you have something that I see A LOT of potential in for your future! Any who tell me a little bit about yourself?
A: I’m a junior at the University of Cincinnati Design, Art, Architecture and Planning Program (DAAP), and I also run track for UC, specializing in the hurdles. I’ve always been so passionate about fashion since I was 6! I would sketch designs and make clothes for my Barbie dolls. This then inspired me to design clothes for myself and friends. I would often get scolded by my mom for cutting up perfectly good clothing to make them into what I called, “my style.” Since then, I’ve been on a designing rampage. Any free time I get I’m working to expand my brand Monroe Drive.
Q: What is Monroe Drive? Where did the name come from and when was it created?
A: Monroe Drive is a clothing brand I created that’s driven by fashion and beauty. The name idea came from the famous actress Marilyn Monroe. She inspires me because she was never afraid to be the center of attention, and was very comfortable with her sensuality. I know for me when I get all dolled up and have on something amazingly beautiful I feel like I’m on top of the world, and that’s how I want all women who wear my clothes to feel. So giving my customer this feeling of being the most beautiful creature to walk this earth is what “drives” me to create amazing designs. So that is how Monroe Drive came about.
Q: What inspires your fashion sense and motivate your designs? Is there a message or theme that you try to convey through your garments?
A: The things I see around me inspire me. What I mean by this is I can look at a painting or a sculpture or just everyday nature, but I don’t see it as it is. It transforms in my mind as ideas for garments. I also get inspired by other famous designers as well. I look at their garments and sometime combine ideas I love from each piece to create my own design. The message I try to convey through my garments is to wear your confidence. Sometimes women tend to dim their light because they don’t feel good enough or pretty enough and these insecurities tend to hide our true beauty. I want my customer to not be afraid to wear their confidence and let their beauty shine for all to see and admire.
Q: Being involved in the fashion industry is really competitive but what separates your designs from other designers?
A: What I feel separates me from others is continuing to create designs that stand out and not being afraid to take risks on ideas that are not typically seen. I see fashion as an art, and a woman’s body is my canvas. It allows me to express my creativity and let it run wild with no restrictions or boundaries.
Q: Where do you see your brand within the next year and next 5 years?
Within the next year I just want to continue to keep learning and growing as a designer and student. For the next 5 years I would love to see my designs on runways all over the world and being sold in major retail stores.
Q: Are all your garments “made to order” or do you make garments and just put them up for sale?
A: Both, but as of right now I’m taking a break so I won’t be taking any new orders till mid march.
Q: Where can customer purchase your garments and how long does it typically take it? What is your price point for the garments?
Q: Lastly, what is the most difficult thing about running your own label/brand?
A: Doing it alone! I’m a full time student in a highly work intensive fashion program and a division I athlete so time has been the most difficult thing for me. I do all the designing, sewing, and PR all by myself.
So.....What do you think everyone??
