The DREAM

Influenced by the vibrant women of his Harlem community, Jacob Lawrence captured the essence of urban life in his iconic Dream series. In this particular painting, a young woman reclines in front of expansive windows, transforming them into portals for her dreams and aspirations.

Reflecting the spirit of Lawrence’s portrayal, the coat is crafted from luxurious faux green suede with a wool hem and intricate wool felt appliques. Its ¾ length sleeves and “pouff” hip design add a touch of contemporary flair, mirroring the dynamism and creativity of the urban landscape.

All Fashion-Art coats are bespoke, custom made for each client. Delivery lead-time is 60 to 90 days.

Yes, I’d like more information on how to order this coat.

 

The CARD GAME

In Palmer Hayden’s “Card Game,” we are transported to a vibrant moment of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance, where four men are deeply engrossed in a tense game of poker, while two others engage in a lively match of pool in the background.

Crafted from luxurious gold wool herringbone fabric, the two-piece coat exudes elegance and sophistication. It features a detachable capelet that adds a touch of drama, while the tailored undercoat boasts a Nehru collar and a cinched waist with a belt. Throughout the coat, scattered pool balls and playing cards whimsically echo the playful nature of the artwork, infusing it with dynamic energy and charm.

All Fashion-Art coats are bespoke, custom made for each client. Delivery lead-time is 60 to 90 days.

Yes, I’d like more information on how to order this coat.

 

Harlem Renaissance Reverie

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Renowned fashion designer Therez Fleetwood has unveiled an extraordinary museum-inspired fashion-art collection, bearing the awe-inspiring title, ‘Harlem Renaissance Reverie: A Couture Canvas of Artistic Homage and Cultural Celebration.’ This groundbreaking collection pays tribute to the influential artists of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of immense cultural and artistic flourishing in African American history.

The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity

The collection stands testimony to the harmonious blend of traditional folk art craftsmanship and contemporary design. Each garment is transformed into a storytelling canvas that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and artistic brilliance of the Harlem Renaissance era. The collection features coats inspired by eight luminaries from the Renaissance period, each piece a testament to the artistic ingenuity of a notable figure from that epoch.

Fleetwood’s Touch: Melding Creativity, Culture, and Respect

Therez Fleetwood’s commitment to honoring African American culture and history shines through in every meticulous stitch and weave of this collection. She skillfully merges creativity with a deep respect for African American culture, breathing life into the visionaries’ artwork through a fresh aesthetic. The collection narrates compelling stories, bringing to light the struggles, achievements, and indomitable spirit of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance.

Challenging Industry Norms and Redefining Standards

Through this collection, Fleetwood seeks not just to honor the past, but also to shape the future. She is redefining the boundaries of conventional fashion, making a powerful statement that champions African American life and challenges industry norms. Her work is not just about creating clothes, but about telling rich stories through meticulously crafted pieces. In doing so, she is redefining the fashion industry’s standards, illustrating her dedication to merging creativity with cultural respect.

Know Thyself Global Lessons Exhibition

The Know Thyself Global Lessons Exhibition proudly presents Therez Fleetwood’s stunning fabric art detailed designs, showcased alongside historically significant artifacts from the Great Migration, Detroit Black Bottom, and Nation of Islam.

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RSVP - Harlem Renaissance Reverie

FASHION DESIGNER THEREZ FLEETWOOD PRESENTS “HARLEM RENAISSANCE REVERIE:  A COUTURE CANVAS OF ARTISTIC HOMAGE AND CULTURAL CELEBRATION”

(Atlanta, GA) Fashion phenomenon Therez Fleetwood who gained great notoriety with her world couture bridal and ready-to-wear collections, designing custom fashions for celebrities such as: Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett Yolanda Adams, En Vogue, is poised to unveil her extraordinary museum-inspired fashion-art collection, a tribute to the impactful artists of the Harlem Renaissance. This global fashion event is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2024 via an online fashion presentation.

With her new fashion-art collection, “Harlem Renaissance Reverie: A Couture Canvas of Artistic Homage and Cultural Celebration”, Therez Fleetwood has pushed the limits of fashion; skillfully merging creativity with her deep respect for African American culture. Making a triumphant comeback after a ten-year hiatus, she has been inspired by the vibrant tapestry of the Harlem Renaissance, an era that celebrated African American life through diverse artistic expressions. This spectacular collection of coats pays homage to the cultural vibrancy and artistic ingenuity of eight luminaries from the Renaissance period: William H. Johnson, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Lois Mailou Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, Aaron Douglas, Archibald Motley, and Palmer Hayden

In “Harlem Renaissance Reverie”, Therez elevates the artistry of these visionaries to unprecedented heights, turning fashion into a canvas for visual storytelling. She weaves together traditional folk art craftsmanship with contemporary flair, narrating compelling stories through each meticulously crafted garment. Silk, wool, cotton, and jute serve as her canvases, with traditional paint replaced by meticulously crafted felt fabric appliques, patchwork, and quilting techniques, transforming each garment into a storytelling masterpiece. It’s a celebration of African American life, and a bold statement that challenges the norms of the fashion industry.

According to Therez, “The Harlem Renaissance was a pivotal period in American history that witnessed the rise of extraordinary artists delving deep into themes of Black life, identity, and the pursuit of freedom of expression. These influential artists addressed pressing political, historical, cultural, and social issues that continue to resonate in our society today. Therez’ goal in presenting her new outerwear collection, Harlem Renaissance Reverie: A Couture Canvas of Artistic Homage and Cultural Celebration is to redefine the boundaries of fashion, by referencing the visionaries’ artwork in a fresh aesthetic; and displaying traditional craftsmanship through contemporary fashion while narrating compelling stories throughout each garment.

RSVP for the February 24, 2024 online global fashion event.

Special Projects

FashionArt

Fashion Designer, Therez Fleetwood and Visual Artist Kottavei are creating FashionArt with a purpose.

 

The Veil of Womanhood. FashionArt collaboration with fashion designer,Therez Fleetwood. Visual Artist V. Kottavei.

 

 

Novelist Nnedi Okorafor made her red carpet debut at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, ((top center, top right) where she promoted her upcoming HBO series, Who Fears Death, based on her award-winning book. Hand-painted by visual artist V. Kottevai on silk gown made by Therez Fleetwood.

 

 

Fashion Art Fusion
Art Meso Exhibit 2018 – “Truly in bloom, inspired by saturated color and personal growth. Women oftentimes gather in clusters reaching towards the nourishing sun much like sunflowers. The women themselves are the seeds planted that grow with proper tending.”

 

 

All That Jazz! Celebrating The Fabric Of Our Culture

 

August Wilson Center for African American Culture hosted the Multicultural Arts Initiative’s third annual celebration of diversity in the arts with “Legacy: Celebrating the Fabric of Our Culture,” a program celebrating diversity and richness of the arts and fashion.

The evening culminated in a fashion show with the models of the Utopia Modeling Agency in a program titled, “FashionAfricana.” But this wasn’t your typical fashion show with models strutting fancy duds on a runway. The fun and creative styles were showcased as part of a skit, produced by Mark Southers of Pittsburgh Playrights Theatre Company, set in a 1940’s night club. The models of the Utopia Modeling agency acted as patrons to the club as the skit unfolded to the music of the PJO.

 

 

Creating this dress was an extremely long process.  I used double-ply silk satin fabric, 1/8″ gold metallic cording, bugle beads, and seed beads.  There is also a built-in corset and crinoline underneath. Here is the design and construction process below;

 

THE DESIGN PROCESS:

jazz laying out sketches
SKETCHING – I sketched all the Jazz band musicians. Including singer, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, bass, piano, drums, and guitar.
jazz tracing onto fabric
LAYOUT & TRACING: I placed the sketches along the bottom of the dress and then traced the images on the fabric to create the lines for stitching.

jazz fabric and trims
MATERIALS: I used double silk satin fabric and 1/8″ metallic gold cording. Also included hand-sewn beads.
jazz sewing
SEWING: I machine stitched the 1/8″ trim (inch-by-inch) along the chalk lines and hand hand-sewn the beaded trims to create the artwork on the dress.

FINISHING TOUCHES: I hand-sewed bugle beads and small round gold beads to create a design and texture on their clothing.
ABOUT THE DETAILS: A piano key pattern was created along the hemline with the 1/8″ gold cord.

 

FashionAfricana™

Inspired by the Lost Boys of Sudan and their extraordinary journey from Africa to America, the following fashion and jewelry designers created African-inspired custom designs reflecting each region of the Lost Boys’ journey from Sudan to Ethiopia, Kenya to America.

WIKIPEDIA – The Lost Boys of Sudan was the name given to a group of over 20,000 boys of the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups. These boys were displaced o orphaned during the 2nd Sudanese Civil War in which about 2 million were killed and others were severely affected. The boys embarked on treacherous journeys to refugee camps where they were sheltered for a few years. Soon, official resettlement programs began throughout the US. The Lost Boys were offered new lives in major US cities.

Gown inspired by the colors of the authentic wedding dress worn by women of Sudan. Red and mustard matte satin with 1/8″ metallic gold trim.
Original sketch used to create the final dress with patchwork pattern and Coptic cross on the back train.

 

Therez Fleetwood and Walt Disney® World

Did you know it was Therez Fleetwood who designed the kente cloth costumes for Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Disney® World Florida? These designs were created exclusively for the Miss Black Collegiate Pageant back in 1998. Her designs are now a part of Mickey and Minnie’s 150 Special Occasion outfits. It is the only time the Disney corporation allowed an outside designer to design for their icons.  Way to go, Ms. Fleetwood! #MakingHistory

 

mickey and minnie therez fleetwood 1
FINISHING TOUCHES – New York Designer Therez Fleetwood, of the Phe-Zula Collection, puts finishing touches on new costumes for Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  Fleetwood worked with Walt Disney World’s creative costuming department on the costumes for the couple’s appearance on the nationally televised Miss Collegiate African American Pageant, taped at Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. The colorful kente costumes will be added to their wardrobe of more than 150 special occasion outfits.

 

CUTTER/FITTER/TAILOR

CLOTHING GENRES: Modern, 1800’s, Medieval, 1940’s, Sci-fi, Avant-Garde, Women’s Suits, Wedding Dresses

 

Left to Right: Blue Organza dress; White Vintage Lab Coat; Crepe, Silk and Organza Jumpsuit; Wool Vintage Skirt; Yellow Linen Jumpsuit; Wool Cloak with Hood (actor was 7′ tall)
Left to Right: Gauze Dress with Under Slip; Velvet Mod Pants Suit; Vintage Silk Charmeuse Robe and Slip Dress; Embroidered Organza Coat
Left to Right: Red Wool Crepe Vest with 2-Toned leggings; Blue Cotton Jumpsuit and Jacket.
Neoprene Dress with Hand-Rolled Piping Accent.
Vintage 1800’s Au Pair Suit in Silk Dupioni and Faille Fabrics.
Sequins Coat with Feather Shoulder Attachment.
Purple stretch silk charmeuse and teal silk crepe, accented with rhinestone applique.
Miscellaneous Tops and Blouses.
Miscellaneous: Skirt, Sweater and Dresses
MISC: Wool Silk Suit, Knit Capri Pants, Doll: Miniature Military Suit

 

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WORK 

Left to Right: Top Hat with 1000’s of hand-applied Swarovski Crystals, Top Hat with Red Lace and Flowers, Pill Box hat with Hand-applied Peacock Shui Feathers, Top Hat with Hand-applied Royal Goose feathers.

Book – Black Men and intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora

 

Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora
Romance Concierge, Therez Fleetwood, chronicles the intimate lives of Black men in the 21st century

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –  INTERNATIONAL: Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora explores the complexities of relationships through the minds of Black men in the 21st century.  Author Therez Fleetwood spent hundreds of hours having one-on-one conversations with 50+ Black men from ages 20 to 70, who gave no holds barred answers to intimate questions that are seldom discussed in relationships. 

“One of the toughest things about being a Black male is that it’s rare to find people who understand us. Black men, young and old, have been characterized by society’s interpretation of who we are. This book debunks those stereotypes”. – ISAIAH, age 35 

Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora  captures the vivid personalities and poignant personal stories of five generations of Black men from all walks of life and various occupations.  It is an impactful, emotional, uplifting and inspiring compilation of personal interviews that provide insight into Black men’s thoughts about love, relationships, communication, sex, intimacy, and much more. Black men have passionate triggers to love just as much as women do and they express their love in ways that are unique to them. 

 

In Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across The Diaspora, Fleetwood interviewed men on everything from: What is intimacy to (Black) men? How do (Black) men feel about marriage?  What are (Black) men afraid of in relationships? And, Do (Black) men want feedback in the bedroom? Black men also share their thought about sex and sexual pleasure and the types of women they find attractive.

Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora is not a theoretical analysis of Black men overall, nor is it written to stereotype or categorize them in any way. Instead, it provides a porthole for Black men to express themselves freely as they discuss issues that are real and prevalent in their lives and their relationships.

According to Therez Fleetwood, “I wanted to archive and preserve the intimate lives of Black men for future generations. It’s important for Black women to hear their stories when it comes to understanding the intimate and emotional lives of Black men. I think this is where our healing as a community begins, by having conversations that allow us to cultivate more emotional, intellectual and physical intimacy.”

Black Men and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora is purposefully written so Black women and men can take another step towards understanding each other and cultivating more intimacy within their personal relationship and within the Black community. The questions asked in this book are probing and the answers are direct. Whether you are married or single, female or male, this book will open up a pathway to conversation and exploration.

 

 

 

 

Therez Fleetwood is the CEO of Luxury Romance Concierge. She has been working with couples for over 20 years as a wedding coordinator, adult toy educator, life coach and romance concierge. Her work provides couples with various ways to enhance the romance, intimacy and bliss in their relationships. Therez is also the author of  Men and Intimacy. Real Talk. Real Answers and  Black Women and Intimacy – Voices From Across the Diaspora (Spring 2022)

 

 

 

 

RETAIL CUSTOMERS: ORDER ON-LINE OR WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD

BLACK MEN AND INTIMACY Paperback (Amazon) / BLACK MEN AND INTIMACY Ebook (Amazon)

Bookstores – Libraries – Universities email your purchase orders to: Ingram Book Company

For interviews, bookings or further information,

Email: info@therezfleetwood.com