MODEL CALL!! ImaniLia Fashions is looking for the NEW Face of the brand!!

ImaniLia Fashions (www.ImaniLia.com) is looking for a model to be the Face and Main Model for the brand for the next 12 months! This is an opportunity for YOU to be the personality of the brand, brand ambassador, and the face everyone sees when they are looking at the brand for the next 12 months. 

If you are chosen to be the face of this brand you will be in promo videos for the brand, at minimum 2 photo shoots for the brand, ImaniLia runway shows, featured on all our social media and our ads. If you are selected you will be required to sign a contract as an independent contractor working with ImaniLia Fashions. A signing bonus plus monetary payments per shoot and event is included in the contract along with other perks like the gifting of brand clothing, promotional product and more. 

THE CASTING PROCESS: Apply via the terms below . You must be a female model age 18- 28 living in the Tri State Area, sample size 2-4, and at LEAST 5'9 WITHOUT HEELS!! ALL ETHNICITIES ARE APPLICABLE!! Some tattoos and piercings are acceptable but ImaniLia Fashions reserves the right to use our own discretion in the casting process. Four to Five young ladies will be selected as Finalist, If you are selected as a finalist you will be contacted and asked to come in and meet with the ImaniLia Fashions team Hair and Make Up ready so that we can do a QUICK test shoot with you, see your wonderful personality, as well as how you fit in the clothes. At the casting you will be given a copy of the contract for your review and in 48-72 hours the selected young lady will be contacted and asked to sign and work with ImaniLia Fashions!! Send your info into our casting and check our website (www.ImaniLia.com ) to find out more info on the brand , the designer, and if this brand is the perfect fit for you!! 

HOW TO APPLY: 
SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO IMANILIA@IMANILIA.COM BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,2014 3:00PM EST!!!
2-4 photos of yourself including AT LEAST ONE Headshot/ Beauty shot AND ONE full length body shot (seeing previous fashion work wold be preferable but NOT required). 
Full Name 
Age
Measurements
Dress Size 
Height

Thank You for taking the time to read this casting and hopefully send the the information so we can have the opportunity to work with you! We appreciate your time and professionalism. 

Fashionably Yours, 
The Team at ImaniLia Fashions

Stylist Spotlight- Couture Provocateur

Couture Provocateur is a styling house run by the fabulous designer and stylist Xaymara Rodriguez!! I have known this wonderful woman for some years now and I'm happy to see her branch out and get more into styling because every designer doesn't have that gift!! She has worked with television stars, up and comers in the music industry, and MTV Tres!! Xaymara's time is totally now!! Her website is coming soon but check out her work on Instagram @couture_provocateur or email her at info@coutureprovocateur.com 

Why Can't we Help One Another.....

Hi Fashion Lovers, 

So often people come to me telling me that they are looking for ways to start their own company or asking for advice on how to expand their brand or whatever creative business they have. IF I can help I always do or I give solid advice on WHO actually can help them!! Why do I do that you ask.. I do it because why not.. I needed help, I STILL need help from people and helping someone else won't hurt my come up. To me their is room for EVERYONE!! 

Ironically overall in my entire 16 year career I haven't gotten the most help from my own people. I always get the best advice from other people in the industry. Even if its quick advice its sound advice. I haven't yet found my business mentor but just from my track record alone I don't think it will be a person of color. I do believe that you have to help yourself before anyone else can but too many african american business people seem to think as soon as you can no longer further their moment they can't help you with yours (at least in my experience). 

I strive to give the best of myself and my company in all that I represent when it comes to my brand but mistakes are made; This is how you learn & grow so why can't we do it together? 

Speak on it Fashion Lovers... Am I the only one to experience this? 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia 

Thank You!!

As you know know no business can survive with out it clients and investors!! With this great fundraiser I am doing I want to thank each and every donor exclusively so my 1st Thank You goes out to Matthew Meachem for his generous donation! 

Yourself and your donation are much appreciated!! Thank You so much for believing in myself and my dreams!! 

Many Thanks from ImaniLia Fashions!!!

If you would like a feature on my blog and to help produce the next great collection donate here. 

The Perks!!!

As you all know my fundraiser is 24hrs old and going strong I just want to keep getting the word out as well as I want you all to benefit from helping me!! SOOOO with that being said I have added some perks for your generous donations to my brand growth and production. Check out what I'm giving you for helping me!! 

PERKS:

 Everyone: Personal Feature and Public Thank You on my blog

$300-$400: Behind the scenes access at official photo shoot (2/9/14) Or Front Row seats at Sept. show

$250: 5hr Personal Styling Session w/ ME! Re- Vamp that wardrobe!! 

$200: ImaniLia "Signature Tee" (please include your sizing info)
*It is not guaranteed that you will get the version pictured.

ImaniLia Signature Tee Front Photo Credit Nay Marie Photography

ImaniLia Signature Tee Back Photo Credit Nay Marie Photography

   

$75-$100 : 40% off any purchase on the online store

I appreciate all of the well wishes and continued support for my success!! Lets make classy fashion happen!! 

Donate to the ImaniLia Fashions Fundraiser here!!! 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia 

Time to Raise Funds

Putting my Pride aside I took the time out to start a public fundraiser to help aid in factory production of my next line due in February. Some close friends and family have helped me privately over the last few months and I truly appreciate it but I can't do it alone!! So to all of you that wanted to & can help please do!! I appreciate it 200%. Heres the link and spread the word. 

Check the tab titled "ImaniLia Fundraiser" on the home page for more details as well we all need each other and every little bit counts so thank you so so much!!  

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Dominika F.

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Robin Sienne

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Dominika F.

The direct link is : http://www.razoo.com/br/causes/Building-Andamp-Branding-Imanilia-Fashions

Thank You in Advance!!

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Did You Know!!???

Did you know!!!???...... I am basically a one woman show. I design and sketch everything myself, I make all my own patterns, I sew almost all my samples myself, I pay for my own line to be produced. 

At times I do get help from some friends, family and independent supporters monetarily  at times. Also I have a part time seamstress that works with me on a piece by piece basis. She only worked with me on about 5- 6 pieces in the 2012 collection. All other pieces were sewn by myself. This year I plan on partnering with a factory for production after the initial samples are done for the line. I enjoy sewing the 1st samples myself !! :D 

For the past few months I have doing all my own media and PR (which is why it can be scarce at times; LOL). I love my line and what I do. I do it all for you and I want to give you and show you the best from ImaniLia!!  PLEASE STAY TUNED!!! 

I'd like to Thank my brother who's basically the President of my company Reynior Lewis and my Sister who keeps my business finances in check as well as the slew of media professionals I know that give me daily advice on things concerning growing a brand and a business!! 

ImaniLia website home page

www.ImaniLia.com

The Price of Fashion

Hi Happy New Year!! It's my 1st post of the New Year and I'm excited.. I'm REALLY trying to get into this blogging thing for you all.. SO todays post is about the cost of custom pieces and how much $$ time it takes to make a piece. So many people come to me wanting a piece but they don't want to pay the right price for it. It gets on my nerves because of the following: 

 #1. I was some big name designer you'd pay no problem.

#2. So many designers lower their rates for a sale that people don't understand its true value; and lastly but not least. 

#3. Garments and product that is massed produced will 99.999999% of the time be less expensive because you are paying a bulk rate by the quantity that was ordered using fabric and what not that has been already paid for and put aside for this purpose etc. etc. 

For New Years Eve I made this fab sequin skirt and I want to share with you how much I would probably charge if I sold it to private clients outside of a collection price. Take note at the Price of Fashion....

This maxi skirt was inspired by a tutorial put up by Mimi G (www.MimiGStyle.com) So I started by making the pattern which after taking a few easy measurements took me about 20 mins to make. For pattern making I charge $30.00 p/hr (If less than a hour is used you are billed for one whole hour). 

Next I had to buy the fabric; The heavy sequin is $25 per yard. The skirt was lined and the lining fabric was $4 per yard. To find the amount of yardage needed I had to do the following math: length of the skirt in inches x 2 (front & back) / by the height of the roll of fabric (36'') = I came up with 3 yards of fabric needed. In total I spent $87.00 on fabric. I paid $1.00 for a yard of elastic. The total on fabric and supplies is $88.00 

I spent about 3.5 hours cutting fabric and sewing. I charge $20 an hour for cutting and sewing. That totals $70.00

So with no inflation this maxi sequin skirt would cost $188.00 if requested by a private client. Sequin is no easy fabric to work with nor is  it inexpensive so this is why for a custom sequin skirt it would be almost $200.00 

A lot of people might not say it's worth it but why is it not? It's custom made for you, made by a skilled hand with sourced fabric by your request. If my name was Galliano people wouldn't blink at spending $200.00 on a full length sequin skirt. I don't understand why so many people wont do the same for small business' and emerging fashion houses... 

What say you Fashion Lovers?

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia 

Stylist Spotlight.......

Today's Stylist Spotlight is L'Wren Scott! 

Photo Credit: NYMag

This beauty is the beautiful girlfriend of Rockstar Mick Jagger but is very much a stable woman on her own. She was 1st a model and now is is a great celebrity stylist. She doesn't let much get out about herself especially who she styles but I found out that she's great friends and has styled both Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. 

L'Wren Scott has been a highly influential celebrity stylist since 2009, she contributed designs for Madonna to wear in her photo shoot with model Jesus Luz for W Magazine and in 2011, Scott styled actress Julia Roberts for a W Magazine shoot, alongside Tom Hanks.

She has also designed costumes for such films as Diabolique (1996 remake), Ocean's Thirteen, Eyes Wide Shut, as well as Shine a Light, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger, with whom she has been romantically linked since 2001.

L'Wren Scott is also a designer and her first collection was Little Black Dress, launched in 2006. The collection presented an array of black dresses, including her now famous Headmistress dress worn by Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz and Amy Adams have all worn Scott's dress.

L'Wren in her famous Headmistress dress

In 2010, Scott collaborated with Lancôme to design a capsule collection for the 2010 holiday season featuring a lipstick in Scott's signature bordeaux color. The campaign was shot by photographer Mario Testino and featured model Daria Werbowy wearing an outfit designed by Scott. May 2011 saw the launch of Scott's first collection of handbags, named "Lula" after her mother. The line was launched at Barneys New York, with a personal appearance by Scott.

I love her because her style is tailored and sophisticated. She keeps it low key in her work and her personal life which I LOVE and aspire to be like!! I loathe that people want to damn near know your social security number before the know if they want to buy your clothes. ANNOYING!! 

Her latest work is with the store Bannana Republic & it's on sale NOW!! Check out some looks below... (Photos Curtosy of Bananna Republic) 

Check out BanannaRepublic.com for      shopping!!  

Look for her credits when you can find them.. He he.. 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

UPDATES!!!

Hey Fashion Lovers!! New updates to the website Check out the new images in the gallery of the 2012/2013 Collection and the new Homepage Image. Click the pic to view the updated site!!

Love You All!!

Fashionably Yours,
ImaniLia