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Tiara Crawford debuts her latest designs for women this month for her label, Selah Couture, in a preview runway show benefiting breast cancer research.
From left, Selah models Sarah Baker, designer Tiara Crawford, Melissa Battle, Alfreda Mitchell and Analicia Harrison, all wearing Selah Couture.
Tiara Crawford is more than just a local fashion designer: She’s a creator. As a 27-year-old couturier, entrepreneur and mentor to aspiring young designers, she’s the face and hands behind the design label Selah Couture, a handmade clothing line for women.
What makes her line unique is that it also incorporates the two other parts of Crawford’s triune, Selah Companies. Selah Companies houses Selah Productions Inc., a production company that generates “fashion plays,” a combination of fashion, dance and theater that builds awareness about social and health issues through entertainment, and Selah Model and Company LLC, a model and talent booking agency.
At 1:30 p.m. on June 26, Selah Productions Inc. presents a runway show, sponsored by Deb Shops, previewing Crawford’s couture line. The line will also be seen in the sixth annual fashion play, "The Strut Against Breast Cancer, in August, which will involve students from Central High School’s Fine and Performing Arts Magnet program. But before Crawford takes her clothes to the stage, she gave TulsaPeople a glimpse behind her latest looks.
When did you start designing your own clothes? I actually began sewing before I ever knew about designing. My grandmother Mammie B. Crawford encouraged me as a young child to help her sew her patches of fabrics together to create her quilts. She later advanced me to stitching beautiful, colorful floral designs for your doilies and pillowcases. My grandmother was very patient and loving towards me and always told me I would be great at something. I’m sure she’s just as surprised as she is proud that I took up a craft that she gave me through love.
Who are your favorite designers and labels? My favorites … are Alexander McQueen, Comme de Garcon, Yohji Yamamoto, Halston, Prada, Armani and Ralph Lauren.
Who do you design for? Although I admit the future does hold a good-looking spot for children and men’s apparel in Selah Couture, my specialty is women’s clothing. There is just something so elegant and artistic about the grooves and build of a woman that keeps my creativity unraveling.
How do you choose locations for your fashion shows? Scenery and ambience is the way I choose the locations for shows. I have a powerful team working beside me on every project. Alicia Stephens, Neisha Barclow, Curron Eckwood, Marissa Joy, Sheahaden Jeffers and Brianna Fields are all triple threats with their own crafts and companies, and together we rotate on each others’ company projects like the spinning wheels inside a clock. What can the audience expect to see in your latest collection? The 2010 collection is going to be fabulous. Close your eyes and imagine exotic flowers, American pride and the gentle breeze of wind in your hair.
What makes your clothes and shows different from those of other local designers? The key that makes my clothing much different from local designers is that they are handmade. I truly practice the art of couture, so you will never have a duplicate of your one-of-a-kind Selah Couture garment. My clothing is also used for, given to, as well as sponsor of, a cause. Ten percent of every garment sold goes towards a different cause every year.
What are a few of the nonprofits you’ve donated to and where are you donating this month’s proceeds? My apparel company would like to donate 10 percent of every garment sold during every Selah Production and website purchase during 2010 to the Gateway Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Where and when is your June show? How much are tickets? My next showing is a preview runway show on June 26 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Deb Shop at the Promenade Mall. … Tickets are free and we will be accepting donations at the door.
The show I’m designing for is my production company’s STRUT 2010 summer training camp internship program set for Aug. 22 at Central High School at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door. STRUT 2010 fashion play is spreading awareness against breast cancer and will preview amazing couture designs by Selah Couture. Every garment sold from Selah Couture previewed during STRUT 2010 fashion play will donate 10 percent of its proceeds towards breast cancer research.
Why is it important for you to get young people involved in your shows? In June of 2010 my production company will actually be running one of its most popular productions, STRUT, as an internship program for Tulsa Public School students. With this internship program, students will have an opportunity to not only participate in the production but also work hands-on with the creation of it. This means they will receive one-on-one, classroom-style training from professional, industry-quality teachers.
More excitingly for me, students interested in the fashion design and marketing of the program will be able to work side-by-side with me and other expert handmade designers and learn how to also hand-make their very own garments that will be showcased in a very special scene during the STRUT 2010 production on Aug. 22 at Central High School at 6 p.m.
Where can people buy your clothes? My clothing can be purchased at any Selah Production Inc. show. The most popular, STRUT, attracts lots of fashion lovers who enjoy shopping for a cause.
