It’s not often that a cover girl gets to wear the clothes she’s made in a photo shoot. It almost never happens. But on a brisk, cool Saturday morning at Potter’s Cay Dock 24-year-old Phylicia Ellis became designer and model. The latter, proving to be a bit of a challenge as the shy, down to earth sewing champ says she’s used to being behind the camera calling the shots and telling other people how to make her clothes look good. “It’s good and scary at the same time because I’m so used to being on the other end and this is new for me.” Phylicia is now on to her second look, jumping into a tan, orange and brown asymmetrical halter with a matching mini skirt underneath.
Just minutes earlier she rocked and posed the life out of another colorful piece; a knee-length, fitted dress with bold graphic patterns and eye popping details, both outfits, of course, designed and made by her.
The life and color in her pieces had stolen the spotlight from the dock’s longtime residents; the sparkling blue water, the blush and rose pink conch shells and the punchy hues of the fruits that watched enviously in their stalls. Nature’s beauty had met its match.
[quote] “I was told you have to wear everything that you make, I love this one,”[/quote] she beams about the two piece get up. “I think this one of my favorite because it’s such a nice print, its colorful but it still has a lot of black. Fabric is my inspiration.”Black and white– a color combination Phylicia says was all she wore for a long period because she was afraid to play with color and she was just trying to play it safe.
But a new year ushered in new challenges, new opportunities and new things to try for the fashion designer and the color wheel was on her agenda.
“I am new to the color thing,” she adds. “It’s taken me a while to get into this and I think color is one of my biggest inspirations.”
The fashion designer is a 2010 graduate of Albright College in Pennsylvania who says immediately after donning her cap and gown, she immersed herself in her budding career and birthed Phylicia Ellis – the brand.
For the past seven years, she’s been designing and creating women’s ready-to-wear, special events and bridal pieces that are affordable, accessible and for the everyday woman.
Drawing inspiration from famed designers like Vera Wang, Phylicia says while she respects the hustle of other local fashion designers, it’s not really her style to compare and contrast.
“I don’t like to compare,” she says shyly but oh, so confidently. “However, I do like the work of Theodore Elyett. It’s out there and different and I really like it.”
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And Phylicia knows good clothing. Aside from making them herself, she’s worked with the who’s who in the fashion capital of the world after scoring the internship of a lifetime.
“After the three years in college I moved to New York for year and a half which was like the best experience of my life,” she beams. “I worked with a few designers like Victor de Souza and Mandy Coon. I did an internship with them, preparing them for New York Fashion Week and other fashion weeks they may have had.
[quote]“I think that was a really good experience because, it’s true that you could learn anything in school and you could read all the books you want but until you get the hands on experience with someone already in your industry and in that field it’s the best thing ever. I learned a whole lot from them and I build a lot of confidence in my design work from working with them.” [/quote]So much confidence, that Phylicia doesn’t just have one clothing line on the market, but two.
“The children’s line is all about bold, vibrant colors. It’s something easy, something fresh. It’s almost effortless for children where you could dress it up or dress it down and still have that relaxed look.”
In addition to the Phylicia Ellis brand there’s Piper and Evali (both clothing lines bear her initials) that was created in 2012, because this designer believes that kids should be making fashion statements as well.
“I always look at children’s clothes in Nassau and I always see that they have on stockings. Everything is so frilly and big and fluffy. I wanted something simple, detailed, bold bright, like children! And this line definitely depicts that.”
But as with every local fashion designer who has at least one line on the market there are challenges, and juggling two simultaneously is proving to be no easy task for the ambitious artist.
It’s been said time and time again that the entertainment and fashion markets in The Bahamas are lacking and quite frankly not being supported by their own countrymen. But Phylicia says, as the old saying goes, where there’s a will, a way isn’t too far behind.
[quote]“I think if you have your heart and mind set to make money, you will,”[/quote] Phylicia adds.“The thing is, women will always buy clothing so if you keep that thought it definitely could go far. It’s about finding the right market at the right price. It’s a thriving industry that could definitely work here.”
She adds that despite the many challenges, she’s one to always dabble in a lot of things and open doors for herself.
“Right now I am just going to focus on my children’s line that I think can do well locally and internationally,” she continues. “I plan to put my time and effort into getting off the ground.
“For the Phylicia Ellis brand I see it going far because we don’t have a lot of designers that specialize in bridal and ready-to-wear clothing that’s affordable and accessible.”
When it’s not sketching, fabric shopping, cutting and sewing, Phylicia says she partakes in the simple things in life to rest, relax and rejuvenate.
“I’m very carefree, I don’t let much stress me out,” she says smiling. “I enjoy relaxing days with friends and family, just the simple stuff.
Even if I just walk on the beach that’s an exciting day for me. One of my fears though, was (what I did today). I do not like taking pictures or the spotlight being on me. It frightens me. But it was good.”
And she’s right, the shoot went well and there are pictures to prove it.
In the end, becoming a fashion designer was pretty much in the stars for this young Bahamian who is certainly one to watch.
To get your hands on her pieces Phylicia has pages set up on Facebook. “Phylicia Ellis” for the adult line and “Piper & Evali” for the kids’ line.
She’s hoping to soon set up a website where orders can be shipped and delivered to her customers.
Hers is a real story of planning your course, charting that course and actually making it work for you.
“I always told myself that I would do something I would love,” Phylicia adds. “In the eleventh grade I decided that fashion was something that I really wanted to do and it is something that makes me happy and I love it!”
The next time you get ready dress to the nines or doll up your little ones, check the tags and make sure the initials are nothing but P.E. – Phylicia Ellis or Piper and Evali, of course!