You've seen Zulema Griffin on Project Runway, ordering her weepy fellow contestant to "cry and cut" or ruthlessly taking someone else's model. But you probably haven't seen her like this: beaming over the successful presentation of her Spring '08 line and posing for pictures with fans — fans of Zulema Griffin, the designer, not the reality television star.
Eschewing the traditional, and often boring, runway show, Griffin presented her collection yesterday at an art gallery. Inspired by the Nigerian musician Fela and his 27 wives, Griffin used 27 black models, who walked through the crowd or lounged lazily on sofas. The clothes — African-inspired dresses, blouses, skirts and pants — will be available in a boutiques next year, if all goes as planned.
Models lounging at Griffin's show
Over the next three pages, read about Zulema's road from obscurity to television to, hopefully, a boutique near you.
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That's the weirdest gallery. Is the McDonald's drink and Snapple part of the "art" too? I don't know who this chick is, but I'm glad she's doing her thing - the only issue I have is that the models and clothes don't really stand out. Had there been no caption, I'd think this was taken in some one's living room. Well…the pasty, large, white dude with the camera gives it away but other than that…
It didn't come out as well in the pictures, but it was very obvious who the models were if you were there. The corner of the gallery was set up to look like a messy lounge/living room. You can see more (better) pictures of the collection at The Fashion Bomb.
They did a very good job with that part of the gallery.
I was wrong. The clothes are very nice. I love color and texture so the line is right up my alley. Ethnic w/o being over the top - and I got a better feel for the gallery, too! Thanks!
Good for Zulema! I always dug her on PR, and it's nice to see her living her dream.
Those clothes are fiyah…I would buy every single thing…
Wild guess, but I'm assuming that the guy in the corner of the pic is not a model?
HI! I love Zulema she is a real down to earth woman and person.I spend time with her~~first as her stylist but she grow on me. Zulema has a soulfulness about her that many people like or are a afraid of. What I'm trying to say is she has something and there's a power higher than herself thats working with her on her SHIT!! so look out she will rock you!!! And as a new friend in my world Zulema is the best thing that happen to Fashion she is a artist in her own right. You feel me! I like her as a person and as a boss!!
Mesia