Humble Vanity

This article was written by Minh N.

With the rise of independent designers in the fashion industry, Latasha “Miss Cleva” Anderson differentiates herself by using bold colors, quality fabric, and multi-cultural models, when designing and showcasing her clothing collection, C.L.E.V.A.  With her acronym meaning Classy Lady Endear Visible Attraction, this New York City self-taught clothing designer plans on using the law of attraction to entice a fashionista to sashay the streets wearing one her designs. Enchanted by her vibrant personality, Urbane Perspective Media + Lifestyle had a chance to sit down with Miss Cleva to discuss her road to stardom, the lack of women of color models used, and fashion tips for the summer.

Fashion is a creative way to express your style and the type of person you are. So if I see some one that likes bright colors I would say that he or she is active and likes to have lots of fun. – Miss Cleva

Urbane Perspective Media + Lifestyle: How does your definition relate to

Miss Cleva: My definition of fashion relates to C.L.E.V.A because my style and design are creative and when I make a line I think about different personalities. The personality I think of the most is classy. I also like to make bold looks, meaning I like to make risky clothing.

UPM: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?

Miss Cleva: What matters to me most as a fashion designer is being different and always trying to keep fashionistas interested in C.L.E.V.A. I totally believe that one day you can be in and the next day you can be out. (Like what Heidi Klum said on Project Runway). I just would like to stay in.

UPM: Tell Urbane Perspective Readers about the beginnings of C.L.E.V.A and what the acronym means?

Miss Cleva: It was kind of hard for me to come up with a name for my designs. I came up with plenty of names, such as McClenze, Lolly, LaLa and Afro Stitch, but none of the names gave me that excitement. I decided to listen to Erica Badu and her song “Cleva” comes on. I decided that could be a great name for my designs, but I wanted the word to have meaning; A meaning that would give Cleva a catch to it. Therefore, I gave Cleva an acronym meaning Classy Ladies Endear Visible Attraction.

UPM: Why would C.L.E.V.A appeal to the Urbane Perspective Reader?

Miss Cleva: C.L.E.V.A would appeal to Urbane Perspective readers because as I would say I’m a hard grinder meaning I have a high perseverance.

UPM: How do you select the material you use to design an original C.L.E.V.A garment?

Miss Cleva: The way I select the material I use is by seeing the color and feeling the texture of the fabric. It depends on what I’m designing and how it would compliment a body’s figure. So if I’m making a gown I would use a light weight fabric. It would give a nice flow and won’t be heavy on the body.

UPM: So, what do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?

Miss Cleva: I believe it all depends on the quality of the fabric and how well you sew. I use a lot of silks. The silks I use can be kind of expensive; sometimes the quality of a piece will show how much the fabric is a yard. Due to the fact that I like to buy good quality fabric, I would recommend that women who wear C.L.E.V.A should bring it to the cleaners. I sew well, but I would like my designs to be treated nicely.

UPM: Describe the C.L.E.V.A designing process.

Miss Cleva: My designing process starts with getting inspiration from nature and mixing it with fairy tales. I love animal and flower prints in materials such as feathers, beads, lace and strings, “these are a few of my favorite things.” When I look for inspiration I sketch, but sometimes don’t look for an inspiration at all. I just create a design with my own imagination. When I do that, I usually happen to come up with a very creative and unique design. In my C.L.E.V.A collection I like to use detail and structure. When I create a look it reminds me of architecture.

UPM: Explain the concept of C.L.E.V.A’s Summer Collection?

Miss Cleva: My summer look is going to have lots of shorts, mini skirts, leggings, vest and dresses. It will also have lots of animal prints and also lace mixed with matalic colors.

UPM: What direction are you planning to take C.L.E.V.A?

Miss Cleva: I’m planning to take C.L.E.V.A in to boutiques first and then run my own online boutique. I want C.L.E.V.A to be sold everywhere possible and I would like to travel and be able to have my designs in shows all over the world.

UPM: How do you feel about the lack of woman of color model in the Fashion Industry

Miss Cleva: I think agencies and other designers find it hard to use women of color in the fashion industry. Most woman of color usually have more shape then Caucasian women, but there are still women of color that have “the look.” I think those models are passed over. Its hard for them to be noticed and if you are a women of color you will be automatically called an “urban model,” and that’s all. No ford model title for you.

UPM: How will you rectify that issue and how do you go about selecting models that will present C.L.E.V.A in the best light?

Miss Cleva: I would rectify that issue by trying my best to find all type of models, no matter what race they are. If they have the look I’m going for then they can model C.L.E.V.A. When I search for a model for C.L.E.V.A  I want a unique, slim and tall model. My sample pieces are a size 0-8. I’m always asked “Miss Cleva why do you make your designs so small.” It not that I make my designs small, it’s that I make my SAMPLES small. I like my models to be slim and tall because it shows off my designs better. To be a model you have to have the requirements of being a model. It’s a job. Not everyone can be a model, just as everyone can’t be a singer.

UPM: Who are some of your favorite local models to work with?

Miss Cleva: I have two local models that I like to work with, Mickey Myvett and Alana Norwood. Mickey can work the camera well. Shes really natural when it comes to posing. When there is a photo shoot with Mickey I have no need to direct her with any poses. Alana is also a good fashion model. I spotted her walking on the long island ferry boat. I had to stop her and give her my business card. Later Alana had her first shoot with me and she is also very natural with her poses. I found out that day that she never modeled before and that it was her first photo shoot ever.

UPM: As a designer, who are some of your favorite designers?

Miss Cleva: My Favorite designer is Diane Von Furstenberg. I love her designs and like me, she also gets her inspiration from nature. Christian Siriano from Project Runway is my second favorite. He is a very unique and talented when it comes to his designs and he has a great personality in his interviews.

UPM: What 5 summer style tips do you suggest for our audience?

Miss Cleva:

The C.L.E.V.A Fashion Tips:

1. No UGGS

2. No more “booty” shorts

3. No more Chinese shoes from the hair store.

4. Manicure toes with sandals.

5. Strapless bra with spaghetti strap tops.

Check out C.L.E.V.A at her official website, twitter, and on Facebook.