"I can look at an apple and see the new color of my collection, when someone else may just see a regular apple." - Vanne McMillan, Vanne CLothing Co.
I got the chance to catch up to Kansas City fashion designer, Vanne McMillan, the mastermind behind Vanne CLothing Co. as she prepares for a very hectic, fashionable Spring. Currently, Vanne CLothing Co. is set for four, count 'em four, fashion shows all within a span of about a month.
March 19th her designs will appear at GraFashion at the Art Tech downtown. Followed by Founder Fundraiser at Voodoo Lounge on April 8th. Two days later, she will be in Columbia, Missouri showcasing at the Vision 2nd Annual Fashion Extravaganza and then back to KC for Alpha Phi Alpha's 3rd Annual Pharoah's Phasion Extravaganza at UMKC April 17th.
You get all that?
And to think it all started back in '04, as a debutante searching for a talent for her talent show. Who knew that this God-given talent of hers would turn into the business it is today? Back in 2004 she and friend, Sasha Flynn (who attended Parson School of Design) came up with her MiLKshaKE line: Making Men's I's (eyes) Look at you krazy and wonder does she keep herself so fresh and why is she so konceited everyday. Verbally, you can begin to understand what you can expect visually from Vanne CLothing Co.
Vanne says her inspiration to start her own company came from both her parents: her father who always preached about entrepreneurship plus the fashion gene from her mother. Mix in her design inspiration, which just like most artists comes from her mood, emotions and what's going on in everyday life and you have the birth of Vanne CLothing Co.
Vanne says, "However I'm feeling is what comes out on the paper. If I'm in a really good mood, most of drawings will have bright, vibrant colors and good flowing fabrics. If I'm upset, I wll design dark and heavy dresses or make t-shirts that have a quote of how I'm feeling on there."
So once the dust settles after April, Vanne CLothing Co. will keep it moving to make the jump to main stream fashion, a department store line, perhaps? Whatever the future has in store for her fashion ambition, expect the unexpected to come from Ms. McMillan.
In the meantime, check out Vanne McMillan's upcoming fashion shows and visit the 3rd floor of RAGZ Designhouse in Crown Center where her t-shirts and dresses are now on sale.
View her Facebook and MySpace for more designs and event information. Contact her by email for styling, fashion shows and orders at: vanne.mcmillan4vanneclothing@yahoo.com.
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