USTYLE Magazine recently had a chance to have a sit down with fashion columnist, Givonshy Smith and get her input on the state of the fashion and beauty in the Washington,D.C. area.
Now have a sit down and chime in on our chit chat.
USTYLE: What does fashion mean to you?
GIVONSHY: Fashion means different, unique and funky.
USTYLE: Do you feel fashion is a good way to allow people to express their individuality or does it force people to conform?
GIVONSHY: Both everyone isn’t a follower and most people feel they are a rebel and want to be known for being outside of the box.
USTYLE: Do you think the media or fashion industry plays a role in creating stereotypes?
GIVONSHY: Media allows us to see what they call or think what we should wear,act like or think.
Fashion follows seasons but now it doesn’t matter what the season is you wear what & how you feel.
USTYLE: You have an undenying love for fashion. Who or what do you owe this to?
GIVONSHY: My mom always would take her checks and buy me what she called Designer Clothes. Being in Baltimore, we dressed different. I also liked to make alterations to my clothes.
USTYLE: You have a determination to make sure the DMV area contributes some validity to providing quality fashion shows within the industry. Why is this?
GIVONSHY: The DMV is a political city but we create so many trends and fashion statements that others take back to their cities and rock like it’s their own. Example: New Balances
USTYLE: What do you feel is missing when there are fashion shows held here, if any?
GIVONSHY:Originality,Structure,Unity,Standards. Anybody can give a Fashion Show but where is the validation from the Fashion higher Ups, that honestly make those decisions on if your show or city has fashion worthiness. Ex: If there are 25 fashion shows for the year in DMV maybe (2) out of the 25 shows make it onto the fashion calendar for everyone that needs to see the potential of your show to decide if it’s a great show.
USTYLE: What would you like to see more of?
GIVONSHY: Unity, a Fashion symposium,better building seminars for everyone in our area to attend.
USTYLE: You have been involved in the production side as well as the participation side. Which role do you enjoy the most and why?
GIVONSHY: Production that’s where I have most of the fun at,but don’t get me wrong I am overly excited by participation side just for my creativity.
USTYLE: Give me three factors that would constitute a good fashion show.
GIVONSHY: Structure,Money,Fun
USTYLE: Avante Garde’ vs. Couture. Is there a difference?
GIVONSHY: Avant-garde: New and unusual or experimental ideas (so me) fashion forward with black and white structures
Couture: design & manufacture of Fashionable clothes to a clients measurements.
USTYLE: Where does your creativity derive from when you are in the participation role of a fashion show?
GIVONSHY: A lot comes from my clients that hire me or put me on their boards for shows. Then I go home and argue with my daughter Givanni . Well not argue just throw my ideas to her and we debate like hell because she knows me best. One time in Atl I slept in a chair and every time a new idea popped in my head I woke up the entire team and was like let’s get . I am the Diddy of Shows Team No Sleep.. I also get inspired by Old school designers and Fashion Icons.
USTYLE: Are you finding that there are more inexperienced individuals in the industry in the DMV, if so how can that be changed?
GIVONSHY: Yes, it is everyone says they are a designer,model or has a model agency etc. But how did you come that way? Where is your portfolio? Who did you study under? It’s simple every year we need to be educated by people that have been very successful in this field.
USTYLE: Why do you think that the mainstream fashion industry does not take the DC fashion scene serious?
GIVONSHY: From what i have been told we are a city that doesn’t follow what is protocol. We invent our own standards.
USTYLE: I know you do alot of continuous educating for yourself in both hair and fashion. Why is this so important to you?
GIVONSHY: Because knowledge is Power it gives me the inspiration of doing things and if i am going to repeat history i need to know my history.
USTYLE: What is the most memorable time you have had on this journey to fashion?
GIVONSHY: Failure. When people count me out or say look she couldn’t do this or that and they assume I failed. I in my mind I am about to Blow their fucking minds. Ex: Journey to Fashion, it was Postponed and I now have my own show “Power of Fashion “ September 2019… Wait for details..
USTYLE: What would be the ultimate show for you?
GIVONSHY: Milan and Tokyo
USTYLE: It appears the hair industry in this area has “died” down compared to years ago. Is there any truth to this and why do you think this is the case?
GIVONSHY: There are no real stylist. They have no substance, no foundation and they want validation.
USTYLE: Where do you see the fashion and beauty industry within the next three years in this area?
GIVONSHY: Going down or the same bullshit unless change comes within the next couple of months.
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