Once again this year the folks at NYC*LIVE!@Fashion Week put on a smashing show at The Mezzanine downtown. The chic venue was filled to capacity with creative designers from around the World, really attractive models, talented stylists and plain old lovers of the latest looks. Dr. Bob Lee from WBLS radio was onhand to MC Wednesday night’s show. The hard-working gentleman who pulls it all together, Wm. Michael Reid took a well deserved bow after the runway cooled down and accepted a gorgeous, hand painted leather jacket for his birthday. The Gazette thanks Will and the rest of the NYC*LIVE!@Fashion Week team for inviting us to Season 14 of this fabulous event!
On Friday, July 1, fashionistas, friends, family and members of the Hyde Closet and District Fray Magazine communities gathered for an intimate, invitation-only event. The inaugural annual Hyde Closet Designer Pitch, emceed by actress, teacher, designer and former Disney Princess Tess Ferell, showcased the creations of emerging designers Yasmeen Baig, Malcolm Staples, Desmond Handon, John Cecil-Milton Waller and Doncel Brown.
Guests enjoyed wine, champagne and spectacular views of the Capitol from the Penthouse location, as judges Karen Videtic, Anchyi Wei and Robert Kinsler weighed in on the different looks and crowned their favorites. Photos by Andrew J. Williams III.
We had the privilege of speaking to John and Irie Waller, the designers behind The Debonaire Club. John Waller is the main designer for the menswear collection that we saw on Friday. John brings in color and individuality to each piece. The goal of his suits is to have personality while still being structured and classic so that “when you walk into the room, you think ‘impeccable.’” Models carry colorful and decorative umbrellas and canes that bring out the suits’ complex fabrics. Every piece is very detail-oriented: from the buttons to the stitching, each suit has unique features that people usually don’t notice. With his custom pieces, John likes to tell his customers about the little details that they can change to further personalize the suit and tailor it to their preferences.
Today we’d like to introduce you to John Waller.
Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Chattanooga, TN but I met my now wife in the Army. I decided to move to Baltimore to be with her, but didn’t have a job in the area. While I was looking for a job and being a stay at home dad, my wife said “why don’t you sell custom suits”? I had always worn suits as my primary garments, and I have more suits and dress clothes than casual clothes. I don’t even own a pair of jeans. So ever since then, I began building my business of supplying people with custom suits.