My Background

More about the designer…

My Grandparents

Being an artist is in my DNA. My grandmother taught me to sew as a little girl, before I even started school. My mother was obsessed with clothes. She tried to create the perfect outfit for every event in her life. And, I seem to have inherited that trait as well. Even more, I’m an entrepreneur. Because it’s both in my blood, as an artist, and a part of my family history. My parents were small business owners. And, as a self-starter myself, I’ve always been an artist striving to get my work “out there.” Even during my earliest days. I’m compelled to create beauty and think in creative ways. It’s just part of my life’s algorithm. How do you put a square peg in a round hole? You don’t “use a bigger hammer” as a dear friend humorously says, you find a creative solution.

As a young girl growing up in Texas, I made almost all of my own clothes. That continued through most of my adult years until I didn’t have time for it while working as an IT specialist.

Mom, c.1958

When I retired, I originally planned to get back to sewing. But, I discovered machine embroidery. That opened a whole new world for me. This innovative technique helped me invent a new process to develop imagery. I combined illusionistic embroidery, photography, graphics and digital painting to create textile designs. It’s sort of like a virtual mixed media technique that has even greater possibilities. the next thing I knew, I was designing my own textiles and working up a dozen boutique clothing and accessory lines.

The most compelling part about discovering that I could design and print my own fabrics was that I could still create art, to visually express myself. I could make purposeful and functional pieces through my own fashion line. I could also manipulate the placement, size, and scope of the designs for each garment type so that the fabric design could be used to enhance or minimize and create slimming illusions.

With my own brand, I had an opportunity to combine textile designs with classic cuts and staple wardrobe garments beyond what was found in general shopping venues. At the same time I could push the fashion envelope with cutting edge styles with design alone. I eventually caught the eye of the Oxford Fashion Studio. I receive annual invitations to participate in their Fashion Week events in major fashion centers both her and abroad. I was also invited by an exclusive private label fashion manufacturer to join their curated group of designers. They also produce many of our pieces.

7 years old with mom and little sister 

Starting my own line was something I felt so necessary. Because, here’s a secret. I’m completely indifferent to much of what I see out there, in the way of fashion. You know how there are just certain things that make you yawn? Maybe you’re a book or movie connoisseur. And you get so underwhelmed that you doze off with the same story lines being produced over and over. Well, for me, I am underwhelmed by uninspired, tired fashion. In fact, “tired” clothing designs literally make me yawn. So many of the fashions we see today have such ordinary textile patterns. They’re boring, trite, and even garish and offend the senses. They’re certainly over-used and repetitive.

Family Christmas photo at 5 yrs old on dad’s lap

And, if you’re anything like me, sure, you want to look great, but even more so, you want to dress to inspire. That’s why all of my works are ethically produced with eco-friendly processes and recycled materials, where possible.

I’m someone who loves to see beautiful, unique, classic fashion. I want it to speak to discerning tastes and appeal to eclectic minds. I know that charismatic fashions exist, because I create work that embodies these qualities—clothing and accessories with original and defined character.

I believe life is a blank canvas and you can choose to be your own masterpiece, framed in elegant, comfortable fashions that are works of art in their own right. That’s why I do what I do.

Yours truly,