Urban Thought Collective

Dear Lovelies,

I just opened and watched my very own copy of “Sex and The City” the movie. I’m “all dressed up in love”, all over again with the four main characters, the fifth silent character (the city), and wardrobe, the sixth character.

I am absolutely positively in love… with fashion!

My love affair with fashion began with a few colored pencils. It was over my very first sketch, a lime green thigh high side split skirt with a white French cuff blouse tied at the waist. Yuck! It was 1994 and I was fourteen. The moment I finished and looked at the sketch I knew I would be a designer.

Fast forward fourteen years and here I am a custom clothing designer, a stylist, and now a fashion writer by way of three states (California, DC, and New York), two schools (Howard and FIT), some boys (that’s another blog), and many many clothes.

Like the movie, my life has had many transitions and full circle moments that involve “those boys” good friends, and some memorable wardrobe moments. That’s what I think I identify most with “SATC.” It’s real life happening while looking fabulous.

So that’s what we’ll do. We’ll talk a little life and a lot of fashion. Agreed!

This week I went “Behind the Seams” with Anna Baldwin, and it’s been ages since we’ve last talked. The Swedish born, H&M royalty has settled in Los Angeles by way of New York. The 5’10 beauty has been with the company since forever it seems, and she’s now moved up the creative ranks to Visual Merchandise Manager for all of Southern California. She’s big on glamour and exuding personal style that resembles her roots in Sweden, her east coast influences, and her LA free spirit.

How has it been adjusting to LA life?
I feel like I am on vacation, because of the weather. It hasn’t sunk in yet. But I’ve had a good experience so far. I am definitely happy because I finally found a hair dresser.

Favorite things about LA?
The weather, its peaceful (less sirens), the atmosphere (trees, open sky, nature) good restaurants (Coy, Katana)

Favorite place to shop in LA?
Coley and Coley. They have cute accessories. I like the way the designer and vintage dresses fit my shape.

Favorite Shape?
Hour glass

Favorite Flower?
Sunflower

If you had to wear one item, everyday for the rest of your life what would it be…?
A Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent handbag.

Your personal style icon?
Chanel.

What would you wear to your last dinner?
It would have to be a fabulous gown, and over the top. Like how I am! Fabulous Daw-ling!

What would you serve?
A combination of southern food and my mom’s Swedish food.

Worst style memory?
When the seventies trend of over-sized tops with the big lapels and buttons came around, I went through my grandmothers closet, gathered every color she had, and I did my hair like Farrah Fawcett. I had worn one everyday, by the end of the week when she saw me she said, “You know that’s a pajama top!”

Most memorable childhood outfit?
In Sweden, mid summer was a tradition where you’d sleep with flowers underneath your pillows. We’d wear these folk dresses with floral prints and heavy embroidery and these little hats that matched with shawls.

In high school my style…
I was athletic so I wore a lot of sporty looks infused with my best impersonation of a B-girl. Mind you my dad was the only Black person in town, I didn’t have many resources.

How old were you when you got your first pair of designer shoes?
Gucci at 17.

“Bright idea” gone wrong?
When I returned to Sweden from going to school in up state New York, I was enrolled in this prestigious school with my Lady of Rage afro Puffs. Where I’m from they listen to rock, and here I come the “around the way girl with” my Adidas sweat suits. It was quite an experience trying to interpret rap beef, Kool Moe Dee, and LL Cool J to my third grade class.

Dresses or Jeans?
Dresses in LA and jeans in NY

Boots or Heels?
Boots

Wedge or Sling back?
Wedge, I don’t like sling backs.

Dine in or eat out?
I love to cook, although I don’t mind someone taking me out to eat.

Snow or Beach?
Snow for Christmas so I can wear my boots and my furs.

How would you describe your work style?
A Pair of Jeans, Lanvin ballet flats because I am constantly moving, a blazer, and either my Gucci tote, or my black patent leather Mui Mui bag, with my favorite Roger Vivier sunglasses. I have them in four colors. I love them.

Favorite Place to style watch?
My church in New York, Abyssinian. It’s where I met A.L.T.

What’s your day to day like?
Busy. I sip skim lattes from Primo, while visiting stores to make sure they are up to standards. I squeeze in lunch between emails and phone calls; black berry has been a life saver because I don’t have to stay by my desk. I finish around 7pm on a good day. During crunch time it can be as late as 10pm.

Until next time lovelies,

Totally Obsessed,
xoxo Love

Love Collins is a custom clothing designer and stylist who studied fashion design at Howard University and FIT. Her thoughts and interviews from the fashion world are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. For more information, visit www.ilovecollins.com.