BHM: Tracy Reese, Fashion Designer

 Fashion Designer Tracy Reese

 

 

     Tracy Reese ranks as one of the fashion industry's most successful African-American women whose realm is not relegated to the runway. In a business where few designer labels seem to make it past their fifth anniversary, Reese has two clothing lines, TR and Plenty, which have been sold at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and other top retailers since the mid-1990s

 

     Reese attended Parsons School of Design where she received an accelerated degree in 1984.

     In 1987 Reese launched her original namesake, and although she struggled to keep it afloat for a couple of years, all is well now.  Since relaunching her line in 1997, she expanded her company to include home decor, shoes and accessories.

     Tracy has helpd women all over the world look better.  Even big names like Beyonce' Alicia Keys, and Eve Longoria have all worn Reese's sophisticated and classy designs.

 

     

        The collection is all about: Refined feminine charm with injections of edgy quirk

   

UPCYCLE JEAN MAXI SKIRT with matching INFINITY SCARF

The famous blue jean maxi skirt has circled the fashion world again (it never really left).  Retailing from $250 to $300, I could not see myself paying that much for something that may be too big or too small next year.  So to Youtube I went to look for ideas.  While I was looking for ideas, my sewing group was busy reconstructing jeans to skirts as well.

After hours of watching YouTube and surfing Pinterest, here is my final result:  Upcycle Jean Maxi with Fabric/Jean Panels and Matching Infinity Scarf

Supplies Needed:

• 2 pairs of jean (the older the better)
• Thread
• Jean needle
• Scrapes of Fabric
• Good pair of fabric shears

CONSTRUCTION REVIEW

GOOD:  Very easy to do. 

TIMING:  From start to finish, it will take about an hour

BAD:  I cut my finger really bad when trimming the excess jean fabric

ALTERATIONS:  Instead of making the garment all jean, I added a scrape fabric panel from the left over infinity scarf I made last year.

WILL MAKE AGAIN:  YES,  I have several other designs dancing in my head

FRONT OF SKIRT WITH FABRIC PANEL

BACK OF SKIRT WITH JEAN PANEL

INFINITY SCARF

** I've attached the link to Simplicty's Infinity Scarf pattern.  (I've made both styles for myself and friends)

UNITY OF THE BANDS Grambling State University and University of Houston

This past weekend my alma mater Grambling State University played University of Houston.  Excited, I dropped what I was doing and headed to the game.  We lost big time (0 to 47), but I enjoyed seeing some of my college friends and just the over all excitment of college FOOTBALL was all I needed.

The highlight of the evening was halftime of course...hehe, but this halftime show was a little different from the ususal.  The bands combined as ONE.  With all of the racial issues we are having in the country at this time, it was such a breath of fresh air to witness this moment.  The students really had fun performing together and the fans went wild with excitment.

 The bands perfoming to "No Flex Zone"

The bands performing as ONE

Screen shot from the jumbo cam

Grambling preparing to take the field

Here is a video posted to youtube from a fan of the show.

WELCOME TO GLANCES FROM MY SOUL

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME

Below I have listed just a brief description of what you will find under each page/label.

SEWING IT UP:  After a year of sewing clothes, I've decided to be bold and show the world.

SHIMMY TIME:  Beside the love for God, Family and Friends, Belly Dancing gives me LIFE.  I will share with you all the up and downs of belly dancing

COOKBOOK:  This southern girl LOVES to cook.  From time to time I will share some of my FAVORITE kitchen creations

LIFESTYLES:  from social life to travel, to all the fun happenings.  Lets explore life together!!!