Stella Bonds Cries Out 911!

Today I received the most recent collection of Stella Bonds, which was presented at the DC Fashion Week.

I immediately wrote to Stella, inquiring about the inspiration. Here is what she says:

“My inspiration was a clean look using simple details in jackets and wool pants, so they can be worn anytime without the feeling of going to work.”

“Men look incredibly sexy in suits,” continues Stella, “but they always complain about being too stiff, so adding fun details gives a sense of being casual.”

Well, I love the crime scene tape! Since I know the model, all I can say is “911.”

See more of Stella Bonds’ scene here.

Photos Copyright Stella Bonds.

Stella Bonds Knows Male Lines & Male Curves!

The first designer I met before the Menswear Collection Show at DC Fashion Week was Stella of Stella Bonds.

Now a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of Washington DC, Stella hails from Bogotà, Columbia.

Her 2010 spring/summer collection kicked off the evening, igniting the runway with a line of brightly colored swimwear, beach pants, and very funky vests.

When I questioned Stella about the focus of her collection, she responded that she was laying special emphasis on the “legs” of a male physique and, in turn, “slacks.”

For an exclusive interview with Stella Bonds, please read Stella Bonds at DC Fashion Week .

Photo Copyright Men's Fashion by Francesco.

Slideshow Copyright DC Fashion Week.

The Menswear Collection Show at DC Fashion Week

I arrived to Washington DC last Saturday very eager to attend the Menswear Collection Show of DC Fashion Week, which is organized by Ean Williams, creative director of Corjor International.

Having already interviewed several designers, I was extremely excited to meet them individually and view their runway collections later that evening.

After an exotic lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant in Adams Morgan—spicing it up a bit—I ventured back to the Doubletree Hotel and “hung around” the show area to greet the designers as they straggled in.

I first met the host, Ean Williams—an energetic, kind, lively young man, who is deeply committed to the promotion of aspiring designers.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Ean had turned in a career with the Air Force, NASA, and Verizon for a life as a couturier in his nation’s capital.

In addition to designing for his own label, Ean is an advisory board member for the Black Designers Association, Inc.

After meeting Ean, I continue to “hang out” backstage, meeting most of the designers Andrew Nowell, Emore'J Couture, Ray Vincente, and Stella Bonds. Each fitted their models as they prepared for the big event.

The pre-show atmosphere was so relaxed, so laid back: all the designers greeted me with a big hug and a huge smile! I truly felt at home; so I want to extend a supersized “thank you” back to all of them!

Please join with me over the next few articles to meet the designers!

In the meanwhile, I invite you to a preview of the show, courtesy of Style Spot.

DC Fashion Week - Highlights: Men from DC StyleSpot on Vimeo.

Photo top left Ean Williams & Francesco, Copyright Shy Magazine.
Photo middle right, Emore'J Couture & Francesco, Copyright Shy Magazine.

Stella Bonds at DC Fashion Week

Tomorrow is the big day for menswear at the DC Fashion Week in Washington DC. I am eager to meet Stella Bonds, who will be showing at the Menswear Collection Show in the evening.

Prior to the event, I was able to interview Stella, who skillfully unifies old world craftsmanship and elegance with new world style and sensibilities:

Where are you from originally?
I was born in Bogotà, Colombia, and when I was 6 months old my mother died; so I was raised by my grandmother and my aunts. Actually, the first aunt, “Tia Sofia,” who took care of me as a baby just passed away last week. A very sad moment for me…very sad.

Where are you currently residing?
I live in Alexandria, Virginia. I am a city person, but I like a little of quietness; so Alexandria offers that—plus, it is very close to DC.

Tell me something about your background…
My background is in graphic design and, since I was little, I was the kid doing the drawings for the sisters at my school—I studied with nuns…

How did you go from drawing to graphic designs?
I always liked to draw, but I never thought I would be making clothes until a stranger—now a good friend—approached me and asked me if I wanted to represent his Italian shoes men’s line, because he liked the way I dressed… I told him I did not know anything about shoes but I would try.

And where did that lead?
So I did, and I went to Las Vegas. While I was there I met the designer Ron Segal—shoe designer for many players in the NBA. He liked my look, as well, and he asked me if I would like to learn shoe designing and I said “yes.” He sponsored me to go to Spain and while I was there, I fell in love with the men’s shirts, so I learned about the basics of cutting a shirt. I came back to USA; I started to sew shirts; and one thing followed the other. I did finish my training as a shoe designer, as well.

What is your objective in designing for men in the US?
I think men in USA are too shy to show their bodies, so I want to make clothes that emphasis their bodies. We all talk about curves and we think immediately of women…well, let’s talk about lines and curves and that would be the men’s body, which is completely beautiful.

How do you achieve this specifically?
I also think that men need to be a little more aware of what they wear, so I offer simple but well-sewn pieces with details that make them look casual and sexy but not tacky. I do not like big t-shirts or shirts cut straight. It is a terrible look because it blocks any shape and, if the man is a little heavy, it looks even heavier.

What would you consider your main inspiration?
A men’s body is what inspires me. I think if a piece is very well put together, he can wear roses and look good. I like all the extremes.

Do you adhere to a particular approach?
Yes. I do make clothes that can be very simple as it is in this collection but with something edgy. I like color in men, so most of my pieces will have color. I love different prints.

Sum up for me the Stella Bond look.
Wearable couture.

How does the fashion scene strike you in DC?
Very quiet. A little boring for me; that is the reason why I will like to change that image, but I go slowly so people don’t get afraid.

For example?
By putting more color and by being persistent in designs that can be simple but having some adventure when you were it.

How do you compare DC to Spain?
My personal experience is that, in DC, it seems like we forgot clothes are a way to express and that fashion could be the reflection of you as a persona. Many of the men I relate with here would never go for a beauty treatment, for example, and then shopping for new thigh pants. In Barcelona, men are aware of themselves. They have manicures and pedicures, and they do not mind mentioning it. They want to wear the latest pants and are not afraid to change styles.

How long have you been showing at the DC Fashion Week?
Three times.

What has your experience been here?
This is by far the only event in DC that is well organized and it gives the opportunity to designers to show their collections. I wish it will be individual shows for each designer but that is a long shot.

Have a look at Stella’s runway collection: Stella Bonds Knows Male Lines & Male Curves!



Photos & slideshow Copyright Stella Bonds.