A fashion line with a strong, sexy and unique take on custom modern fashion for the everyday trendsetter to amplify their life.
Stephanie Raymond
Founder/Producer, Seamz2BStreetz
www.Facebook.com/Seamz2BStreetz
6 - WHAT PROMPTED YOUR CAREER IN FASHION DESIGN?
What prompted my career as a Designer is my first love... Art! Art has gotten me through so much in my life. It granted me the power to deal with the strict upbringing that I was subjected to as a child. It granted me the power of freedom while being restricted in reality. Which is how life still is now but instead the world is my restricted reality. Growing up, I excelled in fine arts. I was part of art shows at my high school, at UMass Boston and City Hall, I had pieces hanging up at the State House and is an Art All-State Worcester Alumni. I loved art! Art was my escape to a world that I hated. When I would be bored at home I would just make lists of how I would want my future to be, how I could help people I could, goals I want to accomplish before I die and sketch clothes that I wish I could have or wear. I would stare at those sketches and just say to myself "I wish" and just sketch some more. Being Haitian and having proud Haitian parents, I would sketch designs with Haiti in mind; Haiti is always in mind. All the hardship and crazy things that my country has sustained and still dealing with fueled me and still fuels me. All my sketches at that time had the palmette incorporated in them. I wished that if I had a clothing line I would call it Ayiti-Cherie (Haitian- Creole for Haiti, my sweetheart). But life happened. My parents wanted doctors and lawyers and not artists so I went to school for Biology. But art kept calling me. I felt lost and bottled up. I left my parents house with my sketch books and the dream of going to school and learning how to turn my sketches into real life. Years pass and years pass and I could never seem to save up enough to go to school and learn what I wanted. Life kept throwing me curve balls and I had no support system, no ups just downs. Then the earthquake in Haiti happened and my family was deeply effected and I just couldn't take it anymore. I felt like these things happen but i'm powerless being broke and offering nothing to the world. God linked me with a lady name Diane around that time and I met with her and told her my story and she prayed with me and taught me to sew. And I became who I am today. Yes I am still struggling with things but I feel better knowing that I am contributing to making the world a better place and not just sitting around wishing. My goal is to just do what I love, help others who need it when I can, and make some money so I can share it. I know so many people who can truly use it. I always say; if I make it, we all make it and that is truly the reason why I wake up everyday and do my best. Because failing means, letting a lot of people down and they truly need the help, not need me, but the help. So yes, art promoted my career in this field. Without it, I would be stuck somewhere within myself struggling with myself. I love that it makes my look on life so colorful!
5 - WHICH DESIGNER WOULD YOU LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH?
Being a fashion designer, I feel like every designer has their own aesthetic. I would never want to come in between a designer and her/his style. But I would love to collaborate with some other types of designers; like jewelry designer KadoKele, or a shoe designer or handbag designer. I would also love to collaborate with a painter to put on an extremely different show.
4 - WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST IN FASHION?
The local artists, such as designers, hair and makeup artists and models, that I come across in this industry inspires me the most, which is why I started my company Seamz2BStreetz. Every time I do a show and I see the passion and fire in every artists I work with just pushes me to continue to do my best.
3 - HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATIVITY WITH COMMERCE?
My creativity is my commerce. Being able to make someones fashion dreams come to life is what LezBReaL Fashionz is all about. Even though a customer will come to me with his/her idea and what he/she wants, as the designer it is my job to add those creative touches that will make that piece just that much more special.
2 - WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU BEEN RECEIVING ON YOUR LATEST COLLECTION? HOW HAS THE 2015/2016 SEASON BEEN FOR YOU SO FAR?
The feedback that I get is that I should make clothes available to fit multiple sizes, I should make more than one outfit so that it can be available for instant purchase and that I should also specialize in men's clothing(which I am still working on perfecting). I have also been told that my collection is sexy, modern and fresh.
1 - WHERE DO YOU SEE THE LEZBREAL FASHIONZ BRAND IN 5 YEARS TIME?
Success don't come easily. But in 5 years, for LezBReaL Fashionz I would love to be making custom pieces for top notch celebrities like Rihanna, maybe even the first lady :). I would love to be producing a Seamz2BStreetz Flash show in another state. I hope I am still sane in 5 years lol.
