Taylor the Tailor Helps Celebrities Dress for Success

As millions of people are searching for work and business owners struggle to attract consumers, Ryan Taylor may be better positioned than most to weather the economic crisis. Taylor is a custom tailor who brings his showroom to clients' homes and offices. The day before singer Johnny Gill left for a U.S. concert tour in March, Taylor sat in the musician's condo taking measurements for a customized shirt and suit that needed to be completed and shipped in a few days. Even on short notice, "Taylor the Tailor," delivered on his promise -- and made Gill a loyal and satisfied customer.

Ryan Taylor says he wants to change the apparel business model by personalizing a customer's needs, instead of having large inventories and high overhead costs that can quickly put someone out of business in a bad economy. His recipe for success: virtually no inventory and prices competitive with brand name department stores.

His story in the apparel business began with the word "wardrobe" itself. He wondered why would a word associated with business suits or casual attire have such a negative prefix? He decided to remove the word "war" and create a brand called DROBE that would offer professionals and smaller mom-and-pop boutiques his personalized custom style. But his first foray into the apparel business began and ended about 10 years ago at a trade show in Las Vegas. He borrowed money to pay for a booth, but like many entrepreneurial designers getting started, Taylor found out that buyers were not interested in clothing without established brand names. Soon after, Taylor was broke.

Several months later, Taylor was surprised that some of his personal customers were coming back for more shirts because of his attention to size and detail. "I discovered that clothes off the rack fit less than 50 percent of the consumer population," he said, "and that my custom clothes can be generally close to the same price as those on the rack." He also began visiting his clients in their living rooms or offices for custom fittings and offering a range of fabrics, textures and designs favorable to an individual's style.

Although he discovered his custom-tailored clients looked great in his shirts, he noticed that most Main Street customers wore pants and suits that did not properly fit, so Taylor saw that as another opportunity to expand. With no inventory and a small staff on commission, Taylor's reputation spread throughout the Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta business communities, partly with the help of fellow Hampton University alumni. He said television shows and celebrities began to take notice, and soon he found himself in the fitting rooms of major motion picture and recording studios.

His first celebrity clients was the late Bernie Mac. Some of his other celebrity clients include Al Pacino, Martin Lawrence, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, George Lopez and musician and multi-Grammy winner Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. But his reputation did not change his business style. The vast majority of men and women who make up Taylor's clientele earn a living on Main Street. Ryan Taylor eliminates the cost to have your clothes tailored and eliminates the time it takes to go shopping.

His business has expanded to include custom-tailored dresses, ties, shoes and accessories. What began as a small loan has turned into 1,300 loyal clients. He averages close to $30,000 per month in revenue, and sales are down by only about 15 percent this year. In a volatile economic climate, Taylor is not cutting back. He recently opened a second DROBE office in Pasadena, California, and wants to add 200 clients before the end of the year. "To survive in this tough economy, you have to be willing to customize your product as well as your service for the specific tastes of individual people so they will talk about you with glow -- with a feeling of excitement about your product," said Taylor.

Mataano: Twins

Born to Somali parents and raised in both Somalia and Washington, D.C., identical twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are anything but ordinary. Having fled Somalia at the age of nine to escape the country’s civil war, the twins completed their college education; Ayaan at University of Michigan and Idyl at Boston University, before making the bold move to Manhattan where they aimed to stand out from the rest in the world of fashion and design. They always shared an interest for fashion. Experiencing the industry from the ground up through careful study and practice, they slowly crafted their talent in their studio with only distant dreams of launching a collection. They each had worked in fashion (Idyl at Jill Stuart and Ayaan at Betsey Johnson), and used that experience to learn the industry and, eventually, start their own line. In 2008 the time had come to stand on their own four legs.

On November 1, 2008, the Mohallim sisters took their first step together, launching a new brand, Mataano (ma-taa-no), meaning “twins” in Somali, and launched their premier Spring 2009 collection in New York City featuring a boutique preview of ten dresses. Not long after that they got a call from Oprah. The twins recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show featuring the Olsen twins and young millionaire moguls. Paralleling their success with the Olsen sisters, Oprah lauded the duo for their inspiring story and much deserved success, and gave them the national credibility that will undoubtedly launch Mataano as an emerging brand with a rich cultural heritage.

They have a strong presence in the internet. They have videos documenting our photo-shoots on youtube, and they blog. The twins say that they are greatly influenced by their Somalian heritage; growing up and being surrounded by beautiful women wearing colorful dresses. Africans love color and you can see how that influenced their Spring 2009 designs.

Their advice and recipe for success is “never give up your dream and be ready to really work hard.”

The First Lady Has Big Named Designers Crying the Blues

The first lady of the United States of America had an amazing, whirlwind week. She traveled through multiple European countries, met heads of state, attended official dinners and concerts, sat with the sick, gave inspiring speeches to children, embraced the Queen, and she wore many, many different outfits. Lots and lots of people wrote about those outfits—some folks were extraordinarily angry about her fashion choices. Others raved and declared that Mrs. Obama was the best thing that's ever happened to fashion. So, what does it all mean? Why is it important?

Michelle Obama, through her words, actions—and, yes, her clothes—is setting a new standard for what we think of as an American first lady. She's approachable, she's warm, she's highly educated, and what she wears is unlike anything you'd expect from someone in such a prominent position. Mrs. Obama (much to the disappointment of luxury labels like Oscar de La Renta and others in the fancy, high fashion-designer establishment) is using her profile to champion the fashion underdog. She wears clothes by little-known labels, often the work of first-generation Americans of Cuban, Thai, and Taiwanese descent. She loves J.Crew, a brand that many of the middle class grew up wearing. Her taste is great and affordable.

But perhaps what is most interesting about Michelle Obama's style is it seems honest, real, and relatable. It's fashion with a sense of humor. She wears comfortable shoes. She makes mistakes, and who doesn’t. She's like regular folks. She falls for a favorite belt and puts it on with everything, even when it sometimes doesn't match. It is nice to have a first lady that dresses like a real person. And just like a real person she does not always get it right. Her clothes are stylish, yes, but somehow informal. Last week, when designer Oscar de la Renta slammed the outfit Michelle wore to meet the Queen, stating rather snottily, "You don't...go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," one could almost hear our first lady saying, "Why not?" And saying it with a smile.

Big name designers like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren are asking where the love has gone. And it sounds like some designers are getting downright cranky.
Oscar de la Renta thinks she is sending the right message at this particular point. He said that he thinks it’s wrong to go in one direction. Would he say this if she was wearing mostly Oscar de la Renta? I don’t think so.

Donna Karan took a more positive tone: “I hope to be able to dress her, and not only dress her but address her, sit down -- I'm interested in her totality as a woman." (Interpreted: I want that big pay day that J. Crew and others are getting).

And Vera Wang also weighed in: "I love seeing young designers and their vision and how they grow and all of that," she says. "On the other hand, of course, I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make." (Read: I want some of that money too).

Beauty comes from the inside and for the first lady, she is real beauty. Clothes or money do not make a person, however, the first lady makes a statement of good and affordable taste for everyone. She is a beautiful and elegant First Lady. She is bound to make a few fashion blunders just like you and I. My deep admiration for Michelle Obama has absolutely nothing to do with what she is wearing. She is educated, empathetic, intelligent, and compassionate. I suggest that if the big name designers want First Lady Michelle Obama’s money and others that following her lead, they should make something that middle class shoppers can afford to wear. If not, keep crying the blues.

2009 Black History Month Nike Air Force 1

It’s February and you know that means the shortest month of the year, Valentine’s Day, Lincoln’s birthday, Presidents Day, Washington’s birthday, my birthday and of course, Black History Month. And once again Nike presents an Air Force 1 for the occasion...

Nike is known for producing limited edition Nike Air Force 1’s to commemorate holidays and special events. This year they have come up with Air Force 1’s to celebrate Black History Month and the 100th year anniversary of the NAACP. This limited edition sneaker features a predominately black leather upper with red and green accents on the inner lining, tongue and heel. The latter area also features the centennial logo of Black American culture surrounded by 44 stars representing the American government (44th president). Obviously, this sneaker contains the same color way of the African-American flag. More red and green is seen in the form of contrast stitching seen throughout the upper. The Swoosh has a luxury material of metallic black leather and the outsoles are marbleized like the courtrooms of the US Supreme Court – the place where many civil rights battles were fought and won. I thought the 2008 Black History Month AF1s were well thought out and developed, but these top those by far. Unfortunately for collectors, Nike only made 350 pairs and they gave them away to people they thought deserved them for their support of the Black community.

Remember back in school when you had to turn in your Black History reports… Nike challenged seniors at Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School, to create their own artistic expression regarding Black History Month through the art of spoken word. The finalists composed an original spoken word piece to interpret this period drawing upon such pivotal moments including the Civil Rights Movement. A panel of celebrities including popular former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning and Nike representatives announced the contest winners.

Jazmine Snyder, the first place winner received a $1000 scholarship, and both Staresha Charles and Walter Peterson, Second and Third place winners respectively received a $500 scholarship. All three will also receive a pair of the limited edition Black History Month Air Force 1 shoes.

First Lady Michelle Obama to Grace Vogue Magazine

First lady Michelle Obama, who has been called a new fashion icon, will grace the cover of Vogue’s March issue. And she is interviewed in an article inside. The first lady said that first and foremost she wears what she loves. And that is exactly what you should do; wear what makes you happy and what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. Men and women should feel good about what they wear and have fun with fashion. You do you because in the end, someone will always not like what you wear. Take a second and closely look at your thumb. There is not another one like it on the planet. We are all different and we all have different tastes. The life of a first lady is not easy, you try to raise two kids in a fish bowl, dress impeccably, support your husband's message, and satisfy every armchair critic.

The first lady is quickly building a reputation for spotlighting the work of young, up-and-coming designers with her outfit choices. Her choice of a Jason Wu inauguration ball gown thrust the 26-year-old designer into the spotlight, designer Isabel Toledo also garnered attention because of the ensemble Michelle Obama chose to wear to her husband’s swearing-in, and J. Crew has benefited from the first lady’s attraction for the company’s clothing.

Michelle is a one woman stimulus package! Do you realize how many women are going to the J. Crew stores for Michelle-look-a-like outfits? It’s good for the economy.
Of course she's not going to wear J.C Penney when meeting with dignitaries, but First Lady Obama doesn't insult the American public by wearing ridiculously expensive clothes and jewelry in this economy.

For all of you complaining that she is buying dresses while the economy is tanking: That is one reason why the economy is tanking! We need to be more responsible, of course, but the people hanging on to every penny need to get it circulated. It's a vicious circle! We need to keep the money moving. If we buy a dress, the salesclerk get paid, the store owner gets paid, the factory worker gets paid, and on down the line. First Lady Laura Bush was in Vogue also. But, we did not hear some of the hateful comments then. Oh, I forgot, we have to treat Mrs. Obama differently because she doesn’t bake cookies and has a darker skin pigment.

This is a good distraction for us. Griping and moaning about the economy every minute of everyday is not going to help. Yeah there are more important things but hey even God rested on the seventh day. Maybe we should have told the former first family to not purchase their new 3 million dollar home in Dallas; better yet, tell Rush to give up his new multi-million dollar radio contract. The current president and first family should not stop living because of the economy. They had money before they became the first family.

Years ago, it was very common for a woman to go out of her way every Sunday to put on her best, gloves and hat and men in suit and tie. It didn't matter how poor you were, the purpose was to look good at least for one day. And yes, it was also to look ones best in the Presence of the Lord. To this day I love wearing a long-sleeved heavy starch white shirt and tie...gives me a special feeling.

Michelle Obama is a very attractive woman. Beautiful eyes, fabulous bone structure, with gorgeous skin! She is a woman, who is comfortable with herself. She is definitely not a lolli-pop girl (stick for a body). There is nothing slim about the first lady. She has hips like most women her age. That is why women can relate more to her. They look at her and think I can do me.

One hater said that she’s no Jackie Kennedy. No, she's no Jackie Kennedy; she's Michelle Obama! She is brilliant, beautiful, elegant, classy, intelligent and articulate. First Lady Michelle Obama is such a beautiful person inside and out. She seems to be a great mom and a wonderful wife. I can't wait to see her in Vogue. Vogue is banking on selling a lot of copies of that issue. Hey, I may buy an issue myself (for my wife of course).

Vogue Italia Goes Black

It’s been a while since we’ve seen an ebony sista modeling on the cover of a fashion magazine. However, Italia Vogue is looking to change that - their July issue featured only Black models with in-demand (in England) 17 year old model Jourdann Dunn as the covergirl.

Vogue Italia magazine knows Black is not beautiful but profitable. The July issue of the magazine was its first ever “Black” issue featuring only Black models and articles pertaining to Black-related subjects. The original run sold out in the United States and England in less than 72 hours. It reprinted 30,000 copies for U.S., 20,000 for Italy and 10,000 for Britain.

Editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani said she was inspired by the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama and the untapped potential of Black models. She said that nobody is using Black models and that there are so many beautiful Black models. She also said that all of the other Vogues will be incorporating not only Black models, but other under represented minority groups in their magazines much more than usual over the next few months.

We'll reserve our applause until we start seeing some of this "diversity" in on the magazine stands, but it's nice to know people are finally starting to open their eyes.

It is well documented that there is a clear lack of diversity in the fashion industry. All of the runways, editorials, advertisements, and fashion covers have been completely White-washed in the past. Former model agency owner Bethann Hardison, who use to represent supermodels Tyson Beckford and Naomi Campbell, had to convene two summits to discuss the refusal of some of fashion's most powerful to embrace Black beauty. A letter was sent out prior to fashion week urging designers to incorporate models of all ethnicities onto their catwalks. However, after the fall '08 fashion season concluded, the runways were as bland as ever.

The leading British photographer Nick Knight says: "The fashion industry and the advertising industry are steeped in racism. You just have to look around at the number of Black [models] you see in ads – virtually nil. Among the main fashion brands, they are completely under-represented. It's shocking and atrocious."

Mr. Knight blames business people at the top of the industry. A common attitude among them, he says, is that Black models are "not inspirational" or "don't sell in Asia".

The lack of diversity in the fashion industry has been a point of contention for decades, and recently there’s been lots of talk on the issue. After the Spring 08 shows in NYC, for instance, America’s Next Top Model’s Nigel Barker took note of the sameness on the runway, saying, “Everyone is always talking about the weight issue, I think they should be talking about race.”

Naomi Campbell has always been outspoken about racism in fashion and newcomer Jourdann Dunn, who is famously seen in London advertisements, recently added her voice to the debate.

“London’s not a White city so why should all our castings be White? I go to castings and see several Black and Asian girls, then I get to the show and look around and there’s just me and maybe one other colored face.”