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.

Darin McFadden, T-shirt designer, graphic designer, and painter is forever a little girl. Born in Washington D.C. and bred in Annapolis, MD, this modern artistnista combines her love for childhood nostalgia with her enthusiasm for everything bright and fun to wear. Armed with a paintbrush and a canvas, think of Little as a movement to encourage people to find their inner child. Check out our interview with the Little creator.

Urbane Perspective Magazine: Can you explain to the Urbane Perspective Readers what Little is and what it consist of?
Darin McFadden: Little is an online clothing playground which consist of clothing (and soon to be accessories, bags, and shoes) that are meant to be nostalgic of your childhood in some way, whether it be through ways of a saying, an icon, or a pattern.

UPM: How did you get started in the fashion industry?
DM: I kind of stumbled across it. My initial intentions where to create an accessory line; bags, shoes, hair pieces, etc. That idea quickly turned into t-shirts, hoodies, soon to be jackets and pants. I started thinking about the people I looked up to in fashion and what I would see them wear. Most of these people are people who are in and out of my everyday life like friends, family, acquaintances.

UPM: Tell us about your Fall/Winter Collection including price points.
DM: The Little Fall 09 collection is titled “Game Series”. It’s t-shirts and bags that all have a game theme; board games, card games, puzzles, etc. with pulp culture phrases embedded in each design. The Little Winter 09 collection is being created around the central theme of home; home is where the heart is, home sweet home. We sometimes spend so much time trying to get away from home that we can loose grasp of what makes us really love home. Home isn’t just the house you grew up in but your surroundings. The Winter collection will be tres, tres comfy…make you want to snuggle up

UPM:Where do you draw your inspiration from?
DM: Anything in front of my face at the time. As a person working in the creative realm it’s important to be aware of your surroundings so that you are able to pick up all traces of inspiration. I draw a lot of inspiration from people and their personal style and personalities. I also pull a lot of inspiration from tattooers. They have a work ethic that is unlike none other in the art community and I respect that. I also draw inspiration from my childhood; it’s one of the key things that keeps my mind churning. I think of the colors, the clothing, the culture of the 80′s and 90′s and am instantly inspired.

UPM: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a Little T-shirt or Design.
DM: Hmmm…it usually starts with a “light bulb”, a sudden idea, or a phrase. I typically start by jotting down what that “light bulb” was and sketching from there. Sketching has become increasingly important to me since Little start; it helps me filter my ideas. I try to think of people or personalities that my clothing will fit–imagine how someone would wear it and then create the spacing, color, typography and general layout based on that.

UPM: What are ways you plan on expanding the Little brand?
DM: So glad you asked I am currently working on shoes for the Spring 10 line and developing a ‘home’ line that will consist of art, bookshelves, coffee tables, chairs, etc. A very large dream of mine is to start a non-profit sector of Little that will give back to education in America and across the globe. There seem to be issues in education that are overlooked that can be changed if we would collectively put an effort towards them. I would like to not create awareness, but be have Little be as involved in strengthening education. I am also interested in doing pop-up shops across the country within the next couple years; starting on the east coast and moving my way over the the west. Watch out for me…I’ll be in your state in no time at.

UPM: Who are some of your favorite designers?
DM: OOH LA LA!!! I love this questions Designers and those in the t-shirt culture: The Hundreds, Johnny Cupcakes, MadeMe Clothing, DimePiece Clothing. Other favs are John Galliano, Betsey Johnson, Zac Posen, BCBG, Christian Siriano. There are many more, but those are the main peeps.

UPM: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
DM: Integrity and good ol’ fun. I never want to take myself or company too seriously because it was created to be fun and portray fun. Being a Christian and business owner, integrity has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s important for me as a design to create classic and fun pieces that have a clean message. Exclusiveness is also important to me. I do small runs of everything and will probably only reprint a couple shirts that I have created so far. I plan on keeping it that way; it will make the piece a little more special.

UPM: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
DM: JUMP ON THE INTERWEB…check out Little: www.littleshopclothing.com and www.twitter.com/littlesshop
Twitter follows my everyday like with Little. Any updates will be there and on the blog at littleshopclothing.com.