Chocolate City: The Best African American Blog

By: Charles S. Mombo
@burnedbrass

Image credit: Barbara Nitke

Terri Stevens has made a name

for herself. The beautiful and talented Stevens is a fashion designer and former participant of Project Runway. Stevens owns and designs for her line of clothes – Michael Joseph and funkinbeautiful. She is known across the country for her original style and funky accent. Hailing from Chicago, she has worked as an assistant designer to many designers in the United States as well as in Paris, France. This Midwestern girl has determination and love her some good polyester. She has eclectic and funky styles that compliment her own unique personality.

 

Despite Terri Stevens’ (TS) very busy schedule, she took some time to sit down for an interview with ChocolateCity.cc (CC). Following is the interview:

CC: Where did you go to school and what was your major?

TS: I attended Columbia on a dare from Art Norman of NBC5, who believed in a college education.  He thought I needed higher education and I thought I needed to do what I do, learn from the world around me and no one could teach me how to design.  I think you can learn to sew, drape, and make patterns but the ability to design something that consumers what to buy is a different. This to me meant grab my belongings, a passport and go.  But instead I took him up on the dare and went to school and studied fashion design and merchandise.  Graduated in three years and began working full-time as assistant designer for Barbara Bates.  Then I moved to Paris to cultivate my talent and began working with Xuly Bet, and other designers and boutiques.  

CC: Who or what inspired you to get into fashion design?

 

TS:  Fashion has been a part of me for as long as I could remember.  I watched my mother put some sickening pieces together every day and especially when she went out.  She knew she had style and everyone would wait around to see what she was going to wear that day.  I am always inspired by everything around me.  

CC: What major lesson did you learned from your Project Runway experience?

 

 

TS: You have to tough and resilient.  But most of all, you have to go with your instincts and intuition.  The judges and producers make the decision on the PR but in real life it’s the Terri show all day, all night.

CC: You competed against my fellow Liberian Korto Momolu. How would you characterize your friendship with her during the show?

 

TS:  We had each other’s back and wanted the two of us to be at the end.  We remain friends today.  She is hilarious.  We are serious about our designs but not too much in real life.  She is very confident and strong like most Africans I know.

CC: What skills do you need to be a fashion designer?

TS:  You have to be relevant.  You don’t really have to know how to sew but it definitely helps, I really think it’s an inner sense of style and the ability to know how jackets, pants, or what have you are supposed to fit.  If you doubt it, it is probably a hot mess and just start over.  You have to be tough because this industry is no joke and truly only the strong survive.  Make strong connections and keep them.

CC: What inspire your design?

 

 

TS: I am always inspired by Michael Jackson.  His music, movies, style and childlike innocence but shrewd business sense is always a part of me.  I have been struggling design wise to create something beautiful and special since his passing.  I usually turn on his music and start cutting.  But I can’t seem to put on his music without crying that real ugly hiccuppy, nose running and sobbing into a fetus position cry.  Anyway, moving on before I drop my punch like Florida Evans, I am also inspired by Diana Ross, Katherine Hepburn, Rock, Punk, Hip-Hop Culture, House Music, and Chicago. I guess you can stay everything.   I have to prepare for New York Fashion Week which is starts on February 11^th and haven’t started a thing. 

CC: Where do you foresee Terri Stevens clothing line in the next five years?

 

 

TS:  I am developing my on-line business now but definitely in lovely boutiques and department stores worldwide and then a stand-alone store in the CHI, then the world.  

CC: If you could do anything else, what would it be?

 

 

TS:  I would love to sing but even I can’t unleash that onto the world.  I always wanted to be a dancer.  I am an excellent self taught dance.

CC. If you had to design an outfit for a known celebrity who will that be and why?

 

 

TS:  I have to pick only one.  Can’t do it!  But I will name a few: Madonna, Janet, Halle, Demi, Angelina, Lauryn Hill, Steven Tyler, Lenny Kravitz, Diana, Lady GaGa, and many many more.

CC. Is there such a thing as Terri Stevens’ signature style?

 

 

TS:  Yeah, a thin waistline.  Kidding!  People would probably say extremely low waist bellbottoms that are

2 inches too long with a leather or denim jacket.  I would say any and everything.  I switch it up all the time.  I can go from Terri the Tomboy to Terri Turn It Out in a snap.  I live for the upstaging or one-uping.  But I love how I look in “industry” black.

 

CC: Which fashion designers have been important points of reference for you?

 

TS:  I live for Karl Lagerfeld, Gaultier, YSL, McQueen, Balenciaga, Costume Nationale, Comme Des Garcons.  Ooh, way too many to name.

CC: Can you name some boutiques and stores that carry your clothing line?

 

TS: In Chicago Bates Design, Toss and The Silver Room, in Columbus Rowe Boutique and Los Angeles GG Couture.

 CC: Ms. Stevens, we do appreciate the time and good luck in your future endeveors.

 

For more information about Terri Stevens and her clothing line, please visit her website at www.theworldofterristevens.com

 

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