Different by Design......Ode to the Icon

Diana Ross and Oprah Winfrey! Need I say more? Two of the most influential women in history, together. Wow. I was literally glued to the screen as Oprah interviewed the groundbreaking icon. I shook my head vigorously in agreement with Oprah as she explained what it meant to her seeing Diana Ross on television for the first time.

Immediately, I was taken back to my childhood where I too experienced my own life changing moment because of the sultry songstress. Like many, I can remember dancing around and singing along with Diana Ross as her sweet yet powerful voice transformed once hopeless listeners into dreamers. But the moment I'll never forget was turning on the television and sitting down to the movie Mahogany. I was maybe 10 years old when I saw it the first time, but chills ran up and down my spine.

I'll try not to spoil the movie for anyone that hasn't seen it, but shame on you if you hadn't. Tracy, Diana Ross' character rises from a talented, yet over looked secretary to a super model and eventually a world renowned fashion designer. Trust me when I say, no one could have pried my little eyes from the tube. I've often said, it was then that I realized that the passion I had for creating clothing was actually a career. Ms. Ross not only put a title on my passion but the leading lady inspired me a million times more. My mom had said it a million times; that if I believed in what God could do through me, then all dreams were possible.

Though it was just a movie, that day, Diana Ross was living breathing proof for me that I could dream beyond who I was. I could dream beyond my circumstances and reach my destiny. She was more than a singer. She was a black leading actress, well ahead of her time. There are very people that possess the gift or ability to change the world. Thank you Ms. Ross for sharing your gift.

In the beginning, I brought ideas to life with fabric scraps and a simple sewing needle and thread. I've always known that the odds were against me. Although I rarely think about my outer appearance, honestly forgetting sometimes, the world seems to never lose sight of the differences. As the reviews surface and my story broadens, that fact becomes clear. The world sees the little girl that was burned at 2, lost a sister, yet survived to defy the adversities. Don't get me wrong, I greatly appreciate that people admire me and see something in little old me but it amazes me to hear people refer to me as inspirational. I'm speechless but grateful for the journey that God has given me. Indeed, one November day years ago, I received severe burns to only my face and hands, losing all the fingers on the one hand some damage to the other. The fire would alter my appearance to othes greatly, but I see me differently.

I am the little girl that was taught that faith trumps "can't" any day, to see through the outer, to not see black and white, disabilities or impossibilities. I am the little girl with a burning passion that was fueled by a tiny red sewing machine, given to me by my mother. I am the little girl that had a passion to create the things that flowed so brilliantly through my mind. I am that little girl who was given hope that my dreams were not just dreams. That little girl in me keeps me humble, keeps me determined, keeps me looking past my physical differences, and keeps me dreaming beyond my circumstances.

Hopefully one day my tenacity will be the inspiration that drives a hopeless individual to dream beyond their circumstances.

This blog is my ode to the irreplaceble icons in my life...the woman who instilled, my mother, Mrs. Vera Rowe; the woman that inspired, Ms. Diana Ross.


Fashionably yours,

Linda

Scenes from Mahogany (Google images)

Me and my mom

Different by Design.....Fashion Week in Review Part II

Mercedes Benz Fashion Fall 2011

I know, I know, I left you hanging for nearly a week. But before I can pick up where I left off at fashion week, please allow me to elaborate on some of the amazing things that took place in order to make the Romás Fall 2011 Presentation possible.

I believe it to be divine destiny that Godiva signed on as a sponsor for my show. I am their biggest fan! I was honored beyond belief that one of the world’s most renowned chocolatiers was willing to participate in my vision. I learned a long time ago that God does nothing small in my life. Needless to say, I’d be pleasantly surprised to discover that there were additional delights in store.

As I was frantically working to bring together the collection worthy of being inspired by Godiva, God was busy completing a design of his own. Without question, I believe in myself beyond measures. Therefore I never hesitate to put in my own blood, sweat, tears and finances to bring forth the dream to reality. It’s a stressful and almost impossible thing for any new designer to do alone. Good thing I wasn’t alone....
What I didn’t know was that on my behalf someone had chosen to tell my story within the industry.

At the end of day, established models, hair and makeup artist, coordinators, interns, assistants and so many others had come from all over New York. To my surprise, most came volunteering their time and services after they’d heard my story. They walked, hopped on the subway, whatever needed to just to be there for me. Wow! Really? My words can't express the gratitude that I felt, discovering what perfect strangers had decided to do for “me”. It is an action that I'll never forget, but pray that I’m blessed to pay forward.

Ok, so finally the doors open and as I said before, already the press is swarming. I was swiftly whisked away so that my grand appearance was timed just right. The music starts and the girls are poised and beautiful after being transformed at the hands of celebrity makeup artist William Marshall and others. (Honestly, I wish I had all the names.)

As I took my place in the finale walk, I was truly at peace. This is what I was born to do. To my surprise, there was a full house! The cameras began flickering like lightning flashes from all over the room. Getty Images was front and center. It was so Hollywood and all for little Linda from Douglassville, Texas. My meet and greet would reveal that the crowd consisted of representatives from Ebony, Essence, Seventeen, Elle, and Allure magazine, just to name a few. Seriously, I’d dreamt of the moment, even practiced it when I was younger, but seeing it unfold before my eyes was absolutely priceless. The sophomore collection definitely brought in some new faces. There were well known Industry bloggers, the Fashion List, Daily Front Row, Samantha from the Agency model management, the Examiner, and many, many more. Again, I wish I could name them all.

One of the highlights of my evening was being honored with the opportunity to meet with and be interviewed by Harriette Cole, whom we all know from Ebony magazine. (Pinching myself still) A hug from Anthony, producer of the Wendy Williams show was soon followed by a hug from Patrick, producer from Oprah. Yes, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat that these men, this crowd took the time to attend “my” event. Patrick was one of many familiar faces there to support me again. The lovely Kathy Sharpton arrived with her daughters and sister. Celebrity stylist Steven Styles, Mykel, Lisan of the Fabulous Report, Cognac, and Carla Hazel were back to let me know that I had their support.

When the applause died, the lights went dim and the room was quiet, I took the elevator to my suite and………. I did the happy dance all over that room. Without a doubt, ALL things are possible. And there is my week in review and what an awesome experience it turned out to be.
THANK YOU!!! From the bottom of my heart to everyone that put their hands into helping me make the Romás Fall/Winter 2011 Presentation a success. THANK YOU, to all the people that continue to support me from near and far.

What’s next? Hmmmm, Oprah? Ellen? Wendy? I’m ready for my close up………We’ll see, but someone should let Ellen know that I too went to high school in Atlanta, TX. I mean, hey, I’m dying to see if she recalls and can do the famous Atlanta High bunny hop. Yeaaaa, we were the Rabbits. LOL Until next time!

Fashionably yours,

Linda

Images by Shawn Punch & Devon Aderly

Diffrent by Design.....Fashion Week in Review Part I

Fashion week in review......

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011

My week began with the expected chaos plus some surprises. Who would have thought that the night before I was to catch my flight to New York that a snow storm would hit Little Rock, Arkansas of all places! By Wednesday God had majestically sprinkled the city with 6-7 inches of beautiful white snow. The kids loved it because as usual they were not aware of the disaster that could be accumulating outside for mommy. Though I should have, I didn't panic.

Between you and me, I was 4 days away from debuting my fall 2011 collection and two of the strongest pieces lacked the details that made me say, "Ahhhh, it is done." The Fall/Winter 2011 collection is inspired by by my love for Godiva chocolates. Therefore this one had to be perfect! I absolutely love Godiva chocolates! I even carry a Godiva card in my purse. Lol. Imagine the utter elation that I experienced when Godiva signed on as an official sponsor for the Romás Fall 2011 Presentation.

One of the down sides to being a designer in Little Rock is the lack of resources. No where no how was I going to find a Godiva gold invisible zipper in Little Rock! I used the extra time that God saw fit to allow me to not sleep for nearly 2 days and perfect the last minute details. Friday morning I boarded the flight to New York, zipper less finale dress and all. No worries....I told myself that whatever was meant to be on that runway would be there.

Honestly, there are still times that I will almost doubt myself. Seriously, I am sewing these garments with my very own hands, not shipping them off to be carefully constructed by a manufacturer. Which leads me to wonder if I can really stack up to major conglomerates in the industry. Welllll....we shall soon find out because I'll never give up on this gift that God instilled in me.

New York.....I hit the ground running. Literally dropped my bags in the room and went to approve the space and began my fittings. (still running on 2hours of sleep in 2days) When Mood fabrics opened on Saturday, I was waiting. Yay! I got my Godiva gold invisible zipper and some extras. Zipper in hand I rushed off to rent a machine to sew it in. No such luck! :(But God had this moment covered the first time that I showed in New York. The hours are ticking and I decided to stay up that night and hand stitch the zipper in. I finished at 4am but wasn't close to being satisfied with sending the finale dress out with the possibilities of a mishap on the runway.

February 13, 2011 11:00am.......The show was starting in 6 hours and Oh yeah, the dress is without the zipper again because I'd ripped it out. I had to get that finale dress on the runway. "What am I gonna do Lord," i asked. And then it hit me, I'd met Marcy, broadway actress/singer last season and became a great friends. She'd shared her love for sewing as a hobby. Sooo a quick call to Marcy and her husband drops off a machine at the hotel. But by now I have 2 hours to put in an invisible zipper perfectly and then prepare myself! This was a reality series unfolding before my eyes. Was the dress gonna make it? Would I actually be on time for one of the biggest nights of my life?

In an instance, I felt my mother's faith rise up in me. I felt my brother, my sisters, my children, believing that I could do everything that God had destined for me and I started sewing on Marcy's beautiful vintage machine.
Ok, it's 4:00pm quicker than I could blink, the phone was ringing like crazy. The press had started showing up already and the show wasn't set to start until five. I snapped on a beautiful necklace that I'd been given for my birthday. It bears the birthstones of my parents and makes me feel as though they are sharing that moment with me. I inhale a deep breathe. "I'm ready." The elevator door closes and I know that once that door opens it all would come to a long awaited climax.
I'd soon find out if the months of sewing, the sleepless nights, the stressing, and praying was going to work in my favor.

I always knew that when I stepped into this world I’d have to be able to deal with criticism as well as praise. I knew I was opening myself up to be rejected or accepted beyond my belief. My life, who I am has prepared me for this moment since I was 2 years. I smiled as Karen, my right hand for the night, assured me that I was all good and the doors opened to much more than I'd expected....

TO BE CONTINUED

Fashionably yours,
Linda

Different by Design....The Eleventh Hour Part II

I am on such a natural high as I type this blog. The past couple of weeks have literally snowballed into a whirlwind of wonderful chaos. Allow me to set the scene....
I was in the studio, head down, cutting fabric like a mad woman. There are piles of beautiful fabric stacked from one end of the cutting room to the next. Each pile of organized chaos will soon be carried into the sewing room to become my next vision. Things were really frantic because I'd pushed pause a few days earlier to shoot my Fall 2011 Pre-Fall campaign with Furonda Brasfield of ANTM. (Who by the way is a modeling beast in front of the camera.) And then BOOM I lose 3 additional days of work due to the snow.
Anyway, I get a call that my sock are about to be knocked my socks off. I was not disappointed!!!! Apparently, we'd been contacted by the publicist for WNBA star Candice Wiggins. Candice wanted to wear Romás to a Golden Globe charity event that she would be attending. Needless to say I screamed and thanked God for the mere favor of possibilities that he that he continues to bestow upon me. A day of hoping would go by before I got the green light to ship three dresses of interest to LA. Pause button, again to!!! I halted all productions and personally made sure that the dresses went out overnight. That was Friday and the Golden Globes wouldn't happen until Sunday.
For an entire weekend, I tried not to get to hopeful and I focused on getting the next line out. No, it wasn't easy but I stayed on course. By Sunday evening I was burnt out and simply crashed on the couch. Around 8:00 pm I did finally rouse from the nap that turned out to be a sleep deprived coma. I had 12 missed calls. Seriously, I want to say that half were from Monica, but who's counting. I quickly returned her call and her first words were, "Did you check your text?"
And there it was. As plain as day.....A picture of WNBA star Candice Wiggins wearing my dress!
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" I don't have to tell you how much screaming and jumping around there was in my house that night. Awesome huh? But....here's what really got me;
Candice and I have never met. She'd only read my bio and saw pictures of my work but when asked about the dress that she was wearing, she replied "Linda Rowe Thomas is creator of the line, and she’s an inspiration to me. At a very young age, she was seriously burned in a house fire and it left her physically marred for life, but she didn’t let her injuries hold her back from achieving her dreams. I greatly admire her for that, and I feel so fortunate to be able to wear a dress that was created by such an amazing person!"
I will always adore Candice; be her biggest fan, but not because of her mad skills on the court, but because of the simple fact that someone of status could have easily chose Armani for her red carpet look, yet she chose ME.


I'm so grateful for God's favor and for the willing people that allow themselves to be vessels of blessings in my life. So, until next time, keep dreaming, keep hoping and never lose faith. When it’s time, God always steps in.

Fashionably yours,
Linda

Diffrent by Design....Eleventh Hour

Happy New Year! There are new anticipations, new deadlines, and new goals to achieve.

What's the deal with the "eleventh Hour", you ask. Well...the eleventh hour means the latest possible time. I happen to be knee deep in fashion's eleventh hour. LOL. During the holidays I did the unthinkable....Yes! I shut down the studio and packed the kids into the SUV (gifts and all) and drove home to Texas for a week with the family. I didn't want to think about a sewing machine. Ok, so I did break to work one day. I wound up droving 2 hours to Dallas to do some fabric shopping. The drive got me to thinking about the beginning, when I first stepped out on faith and produced my very first fashion show, 10 years ago.

Wow, humble beginnings and devoted family will forever keep me grounded. With 4 grand, which I borrowed from mommy,I bought fabrics, hired seamstresses and rented a ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas, Texas. I'll never forget how nervous I was. I practically hyperventilated as I peeked through the curtains to get a glimpse of the guest. There weren't a lot of people there besides friends and family, but at the end of the night, I was prouder than a first time mom.

From there I did shows at reunions, churches, schools, or where ever I could. I was thirsty for the industry and on a mission to make it. My how I've transitioned from mom and pop to shows to celebrities, from small town fashion galas to New York Fashion Week; I've come a very long way. Thankfully, God put some great people in my path that believed in me and He paved my path with blessings.

The holidays gave me a quick and much needed break but "OH" the chaos that was awaiting when I returned. The studio was filled with swatches to order and finalize, fabrics to cut, patterns to make, pieces to sew and that doesn't even include all the business decision that I have to stamp with my approval. NOTE TO SELF: Get Interns!!!!

So here I am, Jan 4th and I'm due in New York in less than five weeks. The eleleventh hour indeed. As my week continues to fill up with photo shoots, sewing, and scheduling; the Fall 2011 collection continues to come together. Crunch time seems to be my best time but I was destined to dwell in the impossible. Until next time....

Fashionably Yours,

Linda

Different by Design....getting to fashion week

The clock is ticking, literally. I totally could use about two more hours to add to my day. Between, mommy, designer and mogul-in-the-making, I’m stretched extremely thin.
The countdown to February 13, 2011 has long begun. Currently I'm knee deep in the middle of preparations for my sophomore debut at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.

The prep time between the September season and the February season is so short. Therefore designers either have to be prepared ahead of time or quickly jump back into workroom and get busy sewing again. (I’m doing the latter of the two, just in case you're wondering)
Before I could even get on the plane for home in September, I was already booking the next show, next appearance, and so on. After months of strictly working nights, weekends, and even 18 hour days, fashion was the last thing on my mind. I needed a vacation. I should have known that wasn’t gonna happen. I was sitting on the plane and a call comes through with a special invite. Another trip? All I had time to do was get the kids home and hop on the plan again to Atlanta, Ga. Ok, I must admit it was quite fun to suddenly jet set off to Atlanta with a VIP invitation to attend a party hosted by Idris Elba himself.
Hoping another turn around flight- back home to Little Rock where there was show after show, waiting for me. I do love it! The adrenalin rush of fashion shows keep me on a natural high, but before I knew it, here I am with less than 2 months away from the next big show. Can you say crunch time? Fabric still needs to be cut, sewn…. Wait who am I fooling? I still need to order some things. Oh it's on now!
What most people don't realize is that there's so much more to the gift that God gave me. I alone sketch, make the patterns, and then sew every single garment that hits my runway from Arkansas to New York. Not bad for the little girl that no one ever thought would make it.
A few days ago, there I was, in the studio sewing like a mad woman, when an email pops up on my phone. It was a celebrity stylist, requesting my purple gown for the red carpet movie premiere of "How Do You Know" with Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Jack Nicholson. "Overnight! By 8:00am" she says. Of course I made a mad dash home and then off to Fedex.
Unfortunately, the dress didn't make it there before her flight to LA. BUT, I'm on her list of Go-To designers for red carpet looks!!!! If not this time, next time. So keep an eye out for Romás on the red carpet soon.
Now, although I love writing too, I've got to get back to the sewing machine. Happy Holidays!

Fashionably Yours,

Linda

Different by Design......Dare to Dream.......

I'm dedicating this blog to my daughter, my nieces, and all the young girls out there that are certain to run into "Can't". I'm hoping that no matter what obstacles they face; no matter how hard the journey to their destiny becomes, that they'll never succumb to the dreaded "Can't". I hope that when the snickers, negative remarks, rejections and failures face them, that they'll reach deep down inside and remember the joy that they received from the hope of endless possibilities and then dare to DREAM. Dream without ceasing until it becomes reality. One of the best assurances of that is to always surround yourself with positive people with positive intentions.

Almost 11 years ago now, a very dear friend and I would sit in the very structured confines of corporate America's ho-hum cafeteria. Over a lunch of her yogurt, fruit, and sometimes pretzels and my occasional salad, we would divulge our fondest dreams. Madison, a former dancer, dreamed of one day being in fitness competitions and eventually become a celebrity fitness trainer. Of course I don't have to tell you that I wanted nothing more than to be a designer.

A few years would pass before Madison actually moved to LA to pursue her dream and eventually career moves would force me to move towards my own passions. Over the years we would remain in touch, continuing to lift each other up and to celebrate the small things that would inevitably lead to bigger moments. I'd like to say that both roads were extremely easy and that we quickly made it to the pinnacle of our careers but that would be a "story" indeed.

With any dream there will come rejections. There will be times when it seems as though your hard work is in vain. Giving up will tempt you at every corner. At times it will seem so hopeless, especially when the ones we deem as less deserving or getting ahead by any means necessary. (If I had a nickel for every time that I witnessed that one.) Ahh but anything worth having is worth working hard for.

In spite of the nay-sayers that would constantly say, “You can’t because___________” . I always moved forward. "Can" was fused into my brain from the moment I can remember. I can only assume it because my mother knew how much I'd hear the word "Can't" being tossed in my direction. Trust me….There is such joy when your dedication begins to pay off.

Ok, so a few years ago, I did Designer's Choice and things suddenly turned around. I was invited to showcase my collection on the LA fashion circuit. Wow! Was I happy!! Meanwhile, my friend Madison has become a very well-known celebrity fitness trainer. I’d been seeing her face on TV and magazines. In the course of my trip she takes me to a star studded play that just happens to co-star a young lady that she has whipped into sickening shape. There we are; front row, VIP, the works. The curtain goes down and the next thing I know we're standing in room with Vivica Fox, Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole, Richard Roundtree, Nicole Murphy, Jennifer Lewis, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Kim Whitley and the list just went on.

I was elated that night. But not because I was star struck. (Confession- meeting Tyrese could have changed that...just saying as I bat my lashes innocently) Honestly, I was so proud to see that Madison and I had fought through all the disappointments, setbacks, and downfalls. We had each planted a seed, stepped out on faith and we were,” we are”, walking in our dream. I'm so grateful to have positive friends in my life that continue to encourage me and lift me up. Just this year, my dream manifested further as I launched at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.
So now comes the fun part. In the weeks to come, follow me as I prepare for my sophomore debut at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for the Fall 2011 premiere. You’ve got to hear my story about putting everything on pause to send one of my dresses to be a possible red carpet possibility. I’ll let you know next week!!!

Fashionably Yours,

Linda

P.S You can also log onto the website each week to view pictures that accompany each blog. (www.romasdesigns.com)