EVELYN LAMBERT AT HARLEM'S FASHION ROW

It's been forever.  In my world it's a good thing because it means I have a plate full.  2013 is here and I pledge to do better in keeping everyone abreast of where I am.  The last few weeks have been amazing!!!!  In the middle of finishing up my Spring 2013 I got an opportunity to be a part of an amazing show for NYFW with Harlem's Fashion Row.  The journey was very past paced and I enjoyed every moment of it.  

Click the link below for a peek at the audition process:

Designer Audition feature on Huffington Post

The search was over! Harlem's Fashion Row selected the designers for its Fall 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week.

After receiving 75 to 100 designer applicants, Brandice Henderson, HFR's founder and CEO, narrowed the field down to seven lucky individuals:

• Kimberly Goldson
• Deidre Jefferies, ESPION
• Chantell Walters
• Evelyn Lambert
• Kahindo Mateene, Modahnik
• Sandro Romans
• Shauntele

Click the link below to watch the video of the designers that made the cut.
HFR Designers Announced


The AOL cameras were around to record my journey to New York Fashion Week.  You will see my humble beginnings in the footage below: 
The creative process my humble beginnings


My move to New York was to come here and fit right in but to tell you the truth I didn't expect to be sitting at the fabulous chic restaurant "The Modern" in front of NY's top fashion editors & bloggers of color at a luncheon presenting a look from my ELFall2013. I was very overwhelmed but tried hard to Keep Calm.   The following Tuesday was followed by all designers doing an interview with Essence Magazine at their offices.  I'm overly elated to be featured in the upcoming article on the designers who made the cut with Harlem's Fashion Row on essence.com.

Fast forward to the show 02.07.13 at the historic Apollo Theatre.  The day started off all wrong, with me stuck in Brooklyn for over 4 hours.  When I finally made it to the Apollo Theater, I missed the press meet and greet because I was still getting my models ready because I was the only designer without a team due to no shows.  I am happy God was in the middle of it all, because once the show started it ran smoothly and the audience cheered on the collection with a resounding reaction.  It's always a great feeling when the audience reacts with a cheer in addition to the applauses.  I stood in there socking up the moment, looking around and realizing I was standing in the Apollo theater and that my first time in the theater was me walking on the stage holding hands with my finale models.  All praises to God for he is faithful.  I am content because I know it's his will being done and not mine.  All designers were amazing especially Kimberly Goldson.  I fell in love with her pieces and wanted each and every one of them when I first set eyes on her line at the editors' luncheon and Essence press interview.  She has inspired me to bring my game on and have a team in place, main reason why I moved to NY.  


Below is a look from the collection.

A look from my ELFall2013 "Olivia Pope"Collection

Stay Positive and let God make your plans, for he knows your tomorrow.  Love until you can't love anymore.

THROWBACK THURSDAY WITH A TOAST TO MY AUTUMN 2009 AS I PREPARE FOR FALL '13 IN 3 CITIES

Sometimes we want things when we want them BUT only GOD knows the timing.  Only he has made it possible for me to be able to present my Fall 2013 at 3 ground breaking  shows in the top of the year.  Faith without works is dead right.  

As I am preparing for the shows I couldn't help looking back where it all started with my autumn 2009 line.  Here is a toast to my first collection.  I strive to design classic pieces that can be worn for many more moons to come without ever going out of style.  I am looking at this and remembering sewing and being so scared.  I also remember flying to New York for the first time to buy my fabric.  The trip resulted in the Brocade dress with the plunging neckline being used in an America's Next Top Model editorial shoot.

THROWBACK THURSDAYS - AUTUMN 2009 MY FIRST COLLECTION 

I am very excited about the new autumn 2013 I'm starting to work on.  This is going to be the first time that I am outsourcing some of my samples.  

Peace, love and happiness!!!!!!

- Evelyn

xoxoxo  

LEARNED TODAY THAT LOVE ALWAYS ENDS IN A TRAGEDY

Yesterday I didn't get to check off anything off my To-Do-List, now I am playing catch up.    I have never been that girl that plans ahead of time when it comes to my wardrobe.  Maybe I should start, but I think I am not at the liberty of my right side of my brain.  I am so for the moment that it sometimes scares me.  

The Unpologetic listening party was the reason behind me not being able to check off my to-do-list.   I couldn't take any pictures because everyone had to check in all electronic devices before entering the 40/40 club. Every time someone; celebrity or not compliments my creative ideas I feel such a sense of accomplishment because like I have said before... All I can do is suggest and hope that people like what I am suggesting.  When Rihanna stopped to compliment the duds it was very humbling.  On my way to 40/40 I had on a different EL coat and this white girl ran to sit next to me on the train and she kept screaming how hot I looked.  I really think I am ready now to put my work out there in the different stores.  I really think it is time for a fashion PR team.  I have been called Miss Fashionista on the New York streets more than I can count and this reassures me  that people actually do want what I'm suggesting.  I am humbled and grateful for the gift that the LORD blessed me with.  I am striving to use my gift to glorify his name, because it is HE who blesses my path.

Below is a look from my collection that would be perfect for this season.  As those invitations are coming through and you are not sure what to wear and all you know is you want to look different from everyone else..... EL is the place for you.   Email or call me with all your holiday wardrobe needs.  I will be more than happy to suggest...

Below is my Spring short skirt with a matching cape.  I have paired it up with my favorite accessories ranging from Marc Jacobs to Asos.

  

  


Love you guys much and again thanks for stopping by...   Until next time lets all love while we can and be afraid to show love.

xoxoxo
- Evelyn (pronounced Eve - lyn)

WHY NOT VOTE IN STYLE...EL's TOP PICKS OF THE DAY...

Happy Voting Day!!!! Let your voice be heard no matter whom you are voting for.  Stand for what you believe in.  Remember to vote in style.  I have decided to share my top picks and share on the blog.  Hope you all enjoy!! 

All I can do.... is suggest and HOPE people will like what I suggest....This is my sentiment exactly when I am designing.  I had fun making this skirt about 2 months ago.  I'm really in love with it.  This number can be worn so many different ways and the plus is you can rock it all year around.  (Borrowed from my "NO CLIMATE COLLECTION").  Today's picks or rather accessories and beauty products range from Asos shoes (OMG!!! I so heart anything Asos) to Dior beauty Products.  They are all nothing shy of being divine.  I personally am rocking a steal version of that Dior nail color. The gorg. men's watch i-sss to die for (not literally..so please don't try it at home)  Tomorrow I will have different pairings for the same EL African Print floor length banded hem skirt.  I love both shoes so had to post both.  This is when more is more, and great of course!!

Let me know what top you would adorn this EL African Print floor Length skirt with?  The skirt is currently on tour, and I patiently wait to see what top she decided to adorn.  Below I had to show you all a zoomed in pic of the watch so you would all see why I am crazy about it.  Very innovative I would say.. 

Love you guys...and enjoy your Tuesday.  I would wear this look to the voting polls.  Yessss why not vote in style??  Remember stay sweet, love until you can't love anymore.  What do you want to be remembered for after it's ll said and done with??? Love I Hope!!!

-Evelyn

I WANT SOME ICE-CREAM!!! I WANT SOME ICE-CREAM!!!

I know it's been a month since I wrote anything.  Life has been full itself.  I look up....  & my favourite season is here....Autumn for some and Fall for others.  I love the fact that I can layer up & keep warm.  One thing I know is I can't run around naked when I am hot, thanks to Adam & Eve. As most know already...we are going to have a VERY long winter.  So make sure you are rocking your EL Outerwear to stay warm.  I rocked one today.....

EL Tulip 100% Wool Coat

Here in New York the attitude is somber post Hurricane Sandy.  My heart goes out to all those affected.  My daughter and I were blessed to only suffer wind effects and not the flooding or power lose.  I will never forget that feeling when windows shook, and trees whistled all night. There are still thousands without power a week after the storm. There are a lot of people in need of clothes, comforters etc as we are faced with freezing temperatures, and as we are also facing yet another storm in a the days to come. My heart aches, and bleeds as I hear and see stories of people that have lost their children and loved ones.  I just pray that everyone finds peace and comfort through it all.

TREES UPROOTED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD

MY DAUGHTER & I WALKED OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND THAT'S MANHATTAN WITH NO LIGHTS.  PEOPLE WALKED OVER TO BROOKLYN GET FOOD

Leading up to the hurricane my week was full of sleepless nights as I frequented the Garment District, found my new favourite fabric store, making pieces for a client going on tour to making a hot dress for the Awards in LA.  Whoever thought me giving out my business card to a lady in an ice-cream  shop will land me a gig with an 8 times Grammy Award winning client.  It just goes to show how GOD places us perfectly in the right situations.  I wanted to get Coldstone Creamery Ice-cream for my daughter that day but a friend insisted we go to a local ice-cream shop.  I gave my card to a lady that was in the shop and that evening I got a vey humbling email and a couple of weeks later I was getting a call from my client's stylists.

......Never wait for someone to ask for your business card, sell yourself!!!!!!! is my new motto. You are your own brand.  You can never have enough clients.  It is no secret what GOD can do.  What He's done for me, He'll do for you also.

Remember... We are Christ's "letter of recommendation" to all who read our lives. Stay loving, forgive, live, and love more.

- Evelyn 

Behind The Scene Interview

I got a chance to shoot some footage as I was working the other day.  Carlos took this footage to test out my camera while D was working on the actual footage for my new website coming soon.   Thanks to both Carlos & D. D is such a team player..got off work and instead of going all the way out to Staten Island he came straight from Manhattan to Brooklyn without getting any sleep and thanks to Carlos for coming out to help.  Carlos is one dude that is forever positive, just like Ryan only with Ryan we have connected on a spiritual level.  You have to love that.  I promise you all...having positive people around you is such a great feeling.  Once you go positive you never go negative..that peace of mind is free seize it.  I have learnt that only hurt people hurt others.  When you are in a good place only positive thoughts take over.

Today I got to run to Downtown Brooklyn to the library with my baby for a quick sec.  One thing I just love about taking the subway instead of driving is the ability to just read.  There is nothing like just feeding your brain.  Now about the artwork that's in front of the library.... just a....mazing.  I couldn't resist taking pictures to share with you all.  I also took pics of the Barclay Center after the grand opening concert.  I took pics when I first moved here when they were still working on the stadium and now seeing people actually in lines going in...I can't even start to imagine how Jay Z is feeling.  Seeing where he grew up and where he is now is only confirmation that if you want something you have to go and get it.  They say...if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere.

On our way from the Brooklyn Library we stopped at a local ice-cream place that makes their own ice cream. As we were leaving I decided to give a lady my business card but when I checked in my bag I realized that I had left them on my bed.  I remembered seeing one in my friend's car so I ran back out and her reaction when she looked at the picture on my card is what I live for.  It turned out she went to school for fashion but is in marketing now.  By the time I got home I had a very touching encouraging email from her with a lot of leads.  I continue being placed in the right places at the right time.  My friend had promised my daughter some ice-cream so I suggested Cold Stone ice-cream but my friend wanted to go and support their friend's ice-cream place that just recently opened. If not I would have missed out on the great leads.  God is amazing and I will continue to praise him.

Tatyanna in front of the beautiful artwork at the Brooklyn Library

Jay Z's stadium 

As always..... Talk to you guys next time.  Now you have seen my work space, next I will show you guys how I actually sew.

Love you all and again stayed positive and blessed.

One love!!!!

xoxoxo
- Evelyn....

EL Spring 2013 and the baby blues take over....

I have been missing for a little over a week.  No blogging equates to a loud roaring sound of this invention called a sewing machine.  Yessss!! I have been glued to my sewing machine except for bathroom, and shower breaks.  So, last night September 28 was the first show at the Midtown Loft & Terrace on Fifth Avenue in Midtown.  I collaborated with a celebrity hairstylist Kiam.  The show started off rocky and I was getting the models to get out of my clothes as I attempted to walk off because it was just so much confusion and I just couldn't take it.  I was a big sport and stayed.  I was glad I did because none of the guests knew how chaotic it was in the back.  Shows are always chaotic, reminded me of my very first showcase in October 2008.  It was a great turn with some Viacom execs, Vibe Mag and many others in attendance.  Coco and Breezy came through to support.  THere was an amazing performer who opened the show.  He closed with a Miguel cover...of course I was a little biased because I love me some Miguel and besides I am eagerly waiting to see Miguel performing in concert.  Show did start late, so I didn't make my other show.  I attempted to have 2 shows in the same night.  "Don't try this at home" EL disclaimer...  On the other hand I am looking forward to my Hello NY show as I formally introduce myself to NY.  This is going to be an EPIC event as I showcase not just my SS '13 looks but also all my strong pieces from my previous collections.  The next couple of weeks are going to be hectic as I cast models, fit models, pick a glam squad and secure a venue.

I missed my daughter's first dance performance.  Craziest thing is I dreamt getting ready, making it an' all and as we were heading home.. I wake up from the dream. kinda like the pee dreams when you were a kid.  I immediately call my daughter and she tells me she's performed already :-(((.  I failed as a mother today.  I was so tired from not sleeping in a week that I even fell asleep with a handful of jelly beans which I woke all stuck on shoulder.  I really thought the world was under attack when I felt something on me.

Some of the looks from my Spring 2013 during a fitting

Rewind a week and a half back...  I got a nice visit from the A.   I am still hoping I don't wake up from this if it was a dream.  He pushed me to move to NY and so it was only right for him to be the first visitor from the A.  The week ended with my daughter and I taking the weekend to go and surprise my girl Greater in MA.  We have been friends since the 4th grade.  As we drove into Dorchester in Boston I immediately got the urge to watch Mystic River again.  I got to meet her hubby for the first.  I swear my girls have the best hubbies ever.  My 1st annual hubby of the year awards go to Greater, Esi, Ayanna and Tasha's hubbies.  My hubby will be on the 2nd annual award...wink wink..

Well below are my baby shower excursion pics from the time we got there to taking pics admiring the 24 acres of land my girl's house sits on.  The view is to die for.  I could just sit in the kitchen window or back porch and sketch for days at a time.  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The positive energy can be felt through the pics.  The trip was way too short.  Everybody was nice especially her mother-in-law below in the peach. I have never in my life met a person that had such a pleasant spirit.  I fell in love with her.

Arriving at the Baby Shower and Pic with Greater's mother-in-law and her niece

I had to kiss Lucy in the oven during her final baking stage, Greater's aunts , Step mother-in-law, friends, and  the funniest ex-mother-in-law ever.  She kept me laughing

Once again, thank you for your visit.  

Love you all so dearly and please surround yourself with positive people and let others see the Christ in each and everyone of you.  Spread love and make the world a better place and remember to glorify who gave each and everyone of us our talents.

xoxoxo

- Evelyn Lambert