Carmen Webber's New Book, Denim Mania: 25 Stylish Ways to Transform Your Jeans
Hi all,
I'm off for a few days of vacation but, lucky me, our fab men's editor, Kirk Shannon-Butts, is holding down the fort today. He interviewed Carmen Webber, a contestant on Season 4 of Project Runway and co-creator of Sistahs of Harlem about her new book, "Denim Mania: 25 Stylish Ways to Transform Your Jeans." Enjoy!
What's Denim Mania all about?
The book is about how to reconstruct your denim - a modern guide to transforming your denim into a new dress, a great top or an obie belt.
How did Sistahs of Harlem come to be?
Sistahs of Harlem is Carmia Marshall [co-author of the book] and me. We started seven years ago doing cute quirky denim hand-bags that had recycled elements to them. Then came the t-shirts and the next thing we knew, we were featured in Jane magazine and on television. Sistahs of Harlem has evolved into a full line.
What is your background?
I studied at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and majored in Architecture. After I graduated I went off to Europe and worked with young designers in Paris.
Tell me some of your style icons.
Poet, author and quasi-activist, Zora Neal Hurston. Musicians like Billie Holiday with the flower in her hair and modern people like Gwen Stefani.
Give me your five best denim tricks.
1. Learn to love fabric glue.
2. Understanding how to use a seam ripper
3. Use denim as appliques
4. Mix your denim with knits and other fabrics
5. And of course embellish your denim with paillettes and beads
So Carmen, you were on Project Runway - what has that experience done for you?
It has been a brilliant experience as it has introduced more of the world to me as a designer. In turn, I am able to introduce the world to Sistahs of Harlem. It's been a great platform.
Final words. . . .
Always stay true to your vision and understand your body type. Learn what silhouettes and shapes look great on you and stick to those. You are always in style when you look appropriate.
For more information and upcoming book signings, visit www.sistahsofharlem.com
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