Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Williams.
Priscilla, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I cannot mention my journey into the fashion industry unless I mention my time in the restaurant industry. These two paths coexisted for quite some time. It was a constant struggle to balance work, school, and fashion. As a server, I was able to pay for college, have a roof over my head, and fund my creative addiction to sewing, however, working long, late hours, going to class juiced up on green tea, and studying in whatever crack of time I could, left the tiniest window of opportunity to sew.
Alas, it was still an opportunity so I started small. I did alterations for family and friends, consigned pieces for boutiques, taught a few sewing classes, and slowly but surely the projects started getting bigger. That’s when it was time to make it official and launch my brand, Eleven is Prime. That is when I really focused on sharpening my sewing skills. Good thing I did because soon after a dear friend of mine asked me a question, “Will you make my wedding dress?”I was honored and horrified at the same time. Even though I had dedicated time to hone in on my craft my confidence in designing was miles away from proficient.
Delicate fabrics were not my forte at that moment, and the majority of bridal includes the most delicate of materials, silk chiffon. My friend’s dream gown, of course, required layers upon layers of silk chiffon. Silk chiffon is the queen of delicate fabrics, Mariah high maintenance dahling! Well, my friend convinced me my skills were worthy, and I accepted. That day changed my whole designing career. Since then, I have designed four wedding dresses, became a milliner, and now conquering my fear of selling my designs online.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I don’t consider myself an artist. I barely consider myself a fashion designer. It wasn’t until attending Southern Poly for my Apparel and Textiles degree I found another passion of mine, precision. I found utter satisfaction in calculating measurements from a human body, translating them into a pattern, and ultimately creating a garment. Being a self-taught designer, I was loosely copying patterns of previously manufactured clothing and modifying the style according to my body. Once I realized there was a method of designing an extra custom fitted dress, I was hooked.
Since that discovery, I approached fashion in a more technical way. It was as if I could finally see the code. I’m always dissecting clothing. From runners on the streets, new people I meet, my bestie’s new swimsuit, it is a constant need of mine. These passions of designing I hold dear to my heart, but I fear I may have fallen a bit short as a garment engineer.
Throughout my sewing career, I have accumulated fabrics galore, created numerous garments which haven’t seen the light of day in 10+ years, and purchased countless thrift clothing swearing I would reconstruct the silhouette. I consider myself a conscious consumer today but in the past was not as knowledgeable about sustainability as I am now.
The fashion industry is not synonymous with conservation, and it should be. It prides itself on the influence of luxury and opulence. It also bears the title of the second most polluting industry next to oil. Given the ongoing failing condition of our beloved fashion industry, I have taken an oath:
It is my mission when designing new fashions or reconstructing pre-owned fashions to solely produce products within my current stock of supplies until I have depleted all necessary resources to where I can no longer create a proper garment.
This does not mean I cannot purchase new supplies. I will still need zippers, buttons, and notions of the like, but it does mean I will drastically reduce my waste and consumption. This mission has stimulated my design process. I recently turned sleeves from a bolero into pockets for a pair of culottes. I’m enjoying the challenge so far although, it is a constant work in progress. It is what makes this journey of designing so much more meaningful.
I’m not trying to revolutionize clothing, I’m just trying to inspire others in how they purchase clothing. Quality over quantity.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Like I said before, I do not consider myself an artist, but as a designer, I see success as the willingness to change. To understand other viewpoints before jumping into judgment and avoiding the phrase, “We’ve always done it that way.” Not sure who said it first but it’s important to look at all avenues of excelling especially if it means creating your own.
I’ve done business the same way for quite some time now and it’s definitely time to change it up. It’s scary but I’m ready for it.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My family and friends made several attempts to convince me to sell my clothing online throughout the years. I would be overwhelmed with fear at the very mention of the topic. In all honesty, it was my own insecurity of not being a good enough designer. What if someone buys my dress and they see an imperfect hem or the second buttonhole is distanced three centimeters lower than the third buttonhole? I finally reached a point where I realized it’s the imperfections of craftsmanship that create the quality and beauty of a product. Each garment I design is unique. No two are the same.
Most of my work is custom but can be seen on my Instagram or my website. I do not currently sell my clothing in a shop or online yet, as that will soon change. I’ve been committed to my oath and only producing garments with my stockpile of fabric, thrift clothing, and scraps.
I’m so excited to launch my collection of re-constructed garments. I’m trying to accommodate certain body types that are missed all over the clothing scale. Some pieces I’ve designed fit a women’s size 6 to a size 10 by adjusting the waistband. Other pieces I’ve designed for someone 5’9 but can easily fit someone who is 6’1 by adjusting the shoulder straps. I want people to feel confident in my clothes. Not self-conscious. There are plenty of bodycon dresses out there doing enough of that, honey.
Please make sure to follow my Instagram to follow updates when I launch my online shop and maybe send me a couple of black hearts and lighting bolt emojis for support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elevenisprime.com
- Email: elevenisprime@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e1evenispr1me/
Image Credit:
ryanpurcell.com
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