Fashion designer, Shelia Gray creates brilliant visual harmony as she weaves the glamour of the 30s and 40s into her designs with a contemporary improvised twist.
Gray graduated magma cum laude from Fashion Institute Technology and then went on to work with fashion icon Tracey Reese. Gray currently works with Fashion Designer Byron Lars.
Shelia Gray says that her creations incorporate the theme of “eclectic romance.” She translates this to mean “when a lady was a lady.” Gray’s designs are classic, yet independent enough to accessorize in a variety of ways. They contain drapes, pleats and unique cuts which allow individual creativity to enhance the designs and create a myriad of mobility within the framework.
Fashion Designer Shelia Gray discusses the concepts behind her 2010 - 2011 collection.
JASSed: Who are your favorite designers?
Gray: There are so many to name just a few Valentino, Byron Lars, Carolina Herrera, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furstenberg, and so many more
JASSed: What inspired your 2010/2011 collection?
Gray: The inspiration for my 2010/11 collection is all about the textural beauty of a woman. It is inspired by architecture and the beauty of patterns and shapes and the twist and turns of structures. This transcends into the art of a woman each beautiful with our own shapes, structures and styles.
JASSed: What did you learn working with Tracey Reese that you incorporated into your work?
Gray: Working with Tracey taught me the great art of beautiful ease and flowing garments, which are her signature she is a great designer.
JASSed: What did you learn working with Byron Lars that you have incorporated into your work?
Gray: Working with Byron I have learned so much he to me is a true designer. The way he caters and flatters the woman's body, he has a way of making a woman look better in his clothing and he is just a genius. I have learned the art of design from Byron, the importance of structure, fit, details and so much more. He is truly a creative genius and a great person. I have been blessed to learn from him and everyday continue to do so.
JASSed: What staples should every woman have in her wardrobe?
GRAY: I believe the staples every woman should have, becomes based upon the unique personality of that woman. Just like the name of my company Shades of Gray which represents every woman in every mood hence: Shades of Gray. I believe to some the staple may be a great little black dress, to others a great black suit so to me I believe the staple to woman's wardrobe is the ability to have pieces that flatter you, that are uniquely you.
“The BEAUTY MARK woman always makes an entrance in what I call ‘twisted classicism,” says Lars. “There is an unexpected and subdued wildness that infiltrated the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. This line offers an unplanned primal sensibility with tribal elements in a relaxed formality.”
BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK
Five years after graduating from New York's Institue of Technology, Byron Lars successfully launched a collection of women's sportwear under his own label, a collection that was picked up by Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel with distribution that included the U.S., United Kingdom and France.That was in 1991. That same year Byron Lars was named Rookie of the Year by Women's Wear Daily. His signature awe-inspiring look was inspired by his grandfather's hunting jackets which was a mix of masculine and feminine that Lars called "twisted American classics."
Lars has a natural signature cut that gives him an edge over his competition. His collectors appreciate this in his designer women's fashions. There are others who are attracted to this same edge displayed in the collectible Barbie dolls he began creating for Mattel fifteen years ago. These were some of the first dolls that accurately reflected the Essence of African American women.
The San Francisco native had very humble beginnings and Lars truly reflects an indivdual who pursued the American dream.
Byron Lars began sewing in high school. Twenty years later, he is creating designs for the First Lady.
We catch up with Byron Lars shortly after 2010/2011 Fashion Week. While offering fashion tips, he shares with us some insight on the highlights of his career.
JASSed: How was Fashion Week for you this year?
Byron Lars: Fashion week went great for the spring '11 collection being the first time in about 15 years that I have participated. Opting for a presentation format rather than a runway show made it all feel a lot more cozy and approachable.
JASSed: What is your current collection about and what was the influence behind it?
Byron Lars: The spring '11 collection is about "refined tribalism". It is chocked full of the classic American sportswear elements that I love so much. This collection really gets its charm from the juxtaposition of primitive artisan references pampered throughout.
JASSed: Who is your favorite designer and why?
Byron Lars: I don't have an over all favorite designer, but I admire many different ones for different reasons. For example, I admire Tracey Reese for her inexhaustible wit in color manipulation. I admire Patrick Robison for his ability to translate irresistible fashion for the masses and OF COURSE (posthumously) I admire Alexander Mc Queen for his sense of theatre.
JASSed: What wardrobe staples should every woman should have?
Byron Lars: Every woman needs as many crisp white shirts as she can get her hands on because of their ability to be dressed up or down on a dime.
JASSed: What wardrobe staples should every guy have?
Byron Lars: Every guy needs a GOOD blazer...you know, the kind with enough structure to really make you looked pulled together. Unfortunately too few guys appreciate the importance of this "must have" item in their closets settling for any old blazer.
