In part 2 of our 3-part New York Fashion Week focus on the up and coming YBF fashion designers, we chatted with an uber fabulous YBF chick you need to know about. TheYBF.com talked to Shauntele, an designer who focuses on beautiful clothes for women of all sizes. And she's already dressed well-heeled socialites like Ivanka Trump.
Come inside to meet Shauntele...
Shauntele, The Shauntele Woman
Describing her design house consumer as "The Shauntele Woman," Brooklyn-native Shauntele has created a brand for women who are powerful and feminine. With her design house known for its wide span of beautiful colors and textures, the range of size 0-18 garments, and pieces for women who need to have an array of ready-to-wear cocktail dress & casual business attire.
Her highly tailored garments have impressed a wide spectrum of women, including royalty. Princess Amira of Saudi Arabia is a fan, as is socialite and business woman Ivanka Trump (Shauntele was her classmate at the exclusive boarding school, Choate Rosemary Hall!). Here's a recap from our quick chat with her:
-On "The Shauntele Woman"
"The Shauntele Woman is feminine and powerful. She knows that you have to look great no matter where you are…it's part of our power as women." She also adds that The Shauntele Woman is one who buys beautifully made garments that she'll "one day she will pay onto her daughter" because they are timeless.
-On her 2012 collection
"My collection strives to make womenswear that is classic and interesting. I focus on classics shapes and use a wide array of colors to make them modern. It's about finding ways to accentuate the female frame and make beautiful clothes that reach out to a wide range of women."
- On her experience at Fashion Week
She made her first showing in 2008 with 10 pieces. After the collection was praise for her use of color, she found the "color" was her strength and at every showing since then, she has made the bold use of color her signature. She adds that showing at Fashion eek is important for upcoming Black designers to showcase that "we" do exist and to serve as an inspiration to the next generation.
- On what inspires her
"Music is what inspires me." Shauntele (who had recorded music with Soul II Soul) says that "sounds" motivates her sketches. She turns to everything from classic reggae to underground hip hop and R&B to find inspiration. She adds that this year's collection was inspired by the music of Little Dragon, a Swedish electronic band.
-On celebrities she'd love to design for
Kerry Washington and Scarlett Johansson are my top two.
- On making any outfit fabulous
"You can make any outfit fabulous by adding a smile...but I also believe in a good heel!"
Check out more of Shauntele over at her website and see some of her previous designs in the photo gallery.
