Fashion designer Skylier Blanchard has dreamt of running her own fashion production company ever since she worked for San Francisco based fashion house Lilli Ann in the early 90s. Multi-talented and perseverant, Skylier has spent the last twenty years inching toward her goal and now she’s done it. In June 2011 she opened Skylier Wear design studio in West Oakland.
When Skylier worked for Lilli Ann, clothing production was done in-house. Today the designs might start here, but everything from creating the patterns to sizing to actual construction is done offshore. With Skylier Wear, production stays home. “It is very important for me to maintain production here in Oakland because of the economy,” says Skylier, who spent twelve years working with the City of Oakland trying to secure a loan. “We need to continue to keep jobs and skills developing in our community.”
Skylier is familiar with just about every aspect of the fashion industry having been a model, fashion show producer, merchandiser and designer. Unlike many modern designers, she knows how to sew and create patterns. With a talent for business and an ability to see both the big picture and the details, Skylier is a fashion production dynamo.
Skylier Wear studio is where the fashions are designed, protyped and tested and where buyers can see the latest collections. Skylier says she’s targeting warm climates such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the southern states. She has created her basic silhouettes but color and fabric and perhaps some slight design elements will change from season to season.
Currently Skylier Wear has three lines – career, active wear, and couture. Skyler designs and oversees her team who create the patterns among many other tasks. Grading (or sizing) is done locally and manufacturing is done in East Oakland, Virginia, and India. Skylier is excited to attend her first apparel show in Dallas this September.
To give back to the community, Skylier teaches what she knows to local teens interested in the fashion industry. “Anyone can design, but can you sell? Can you market?” says Skylier, who looks smart sporting a jumper from her own line accessorized with an animal print scarf. By giving young people the opportunity to work in her studio and get hands on experience, Skylier is investing in the future.
Speaking of the future, Skylier's long term plans incude Skylier Wear retail shops.
Way to go, Skylier!
Visit Skylier Wear online: http://www.skylierwear.com/
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