Scott H. Kaplan Art Gallery

Posted on April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 by webmaster

The Shoulders We Stand Upon

See the work of the artists who have blazed a trail and set the standards, along with the work of artists who are raising the bar and keeping flames alive.

Harlem Renaissance Reverie – A Tribute to William H. Johnson. Burlap Fabric and wool felt appliques.

FashionArt

Posted on October 21, 2018 by webmaster

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.

Afrocentic Fashions – PheZula Collection

Posted on October 10, 2021October 10, 2021 by webmaster

Gemstone Wedding Dresses

Posted on July 26, 2020August 19, 2020 by webmaster

Therez Fleetwood designs wedding gowns that incorporate natural gemstones to heighten your spiritual energy on your wedding day.

For centuries, people have believed that certain natural gemstones have the power to generate good energy and luck. Gemstones not only look good but wearing them also gives the bride tranquility, harmony, and balance on her wedding day. What better way to incorporate this powerful natural energy into your ceremony than to have them hand-sewn onto your gown. Not only will these gemstones enhance your natural aura, but the faint clicking of the stones hanging below her waist when she walks down the aisle creates a sensual sound for both the bride and groom.

Gemstones are perfect for calming the nerves and heightening the senses. They provide spiritual protection. purification. stability and strength. The bride can choose stones for wedded bliss, love, luck, inner security, and unconditional love. All gowns are custom made to order. Prices available upon request.

**CLEAR QUARTZ** is known as the stone of power and amplifies any energy or intention. It enhances and strengthens the aura as it protects against negativity and attunes to your higher self. **JADE,** the stone of purity or purification. It is a stone that protects and supports loving heart energy. It also symbolizes gentleness and nourishment, harmony, and balance. **CARNELIAN** restores vitality and motivation. It gives courage and motivates for success. It helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions.

**KYANITE** aligns all chakras. It provides a balance of yin-yang energy and dispels blockages, as it moves energy gently through the physical body.It has a calming effect on the whole being, bringing tranquility. **CITRINE** is a premier stone of manifestation, imagination, and personal will. Carrying the power of the sun, it is warm and comforting, energizing, and life-giving. It stimulates the chakras clearing the mind and stirring the soul to action. **AMETHYST** is a stone of spiritual protection and purification; cleansing one’s energy field of negative influences and attachments. It creates a resonant shield of spiritual Light around the body.

Moorish Wedding Kaftans & Kimonos

Posted on July 26, 2020July 26, 2020 by webmaster

Many brides today are choosing wedding attire that reflects their heritage. Therez Fleetwood’s kaftans are inspired by the cultural influences of Moorish women. Brides who want to dress conservatively and culturally, and choose not to wear a veil, an inspired kaftan or kimono is a perfect fit. Brides can choose to complete their look with a bespoke forehead band or turban inspired headpiece. Prices available upon request.

**AMAT** (left) ivory georgette with gold embroidery; **YAMINA** (center) mint chiffon with bold, colorful embroidery; **ASIA** (right) ivory georgette with antique gold embroidery. All belts are detachable. Headpiece sold separately.

Cowrie shells, seed beads, and trinkets adorn these beautiful accessories by Ayida Honor.

Cowrie Shell Wedding Dresses

Posted on July 24, 2020July 28, 2020 by webmaster

**Cowrie shells** are known as the most successful and the best form of currency in the various regions of the world. According to the African legends, the cowrie shells are representing the goddess protection which is highly powerful and is connected with the strength and power of the Ocean. Therez Fleetwood’s made-to-order gowns feature a variety of silhouettes with both natural and hand-painted cowrie shell adornments. Prices available upon request.

**ZAHARA** (left) – double silk satin with hand-painted pearlized cowrie shells; **NANDI** (center) – silk shantung with natural cowrie shells; **ASHA** (right) – silk brocade with natural cowrie shells. Veils and headpiece sold separately.

**AMALIA** (left) – silk shantung ball gown with hand-painted cowrie shells; **ZARI** (center) powder blue double silk satin with natural cowrie shells; **MELODY** (right) – silk shantung with natural cowrie shells. Veils sold separately.

**TERESA** (left) – double silk satin with natural cowrie shells; **NEEMA** (center) – silk charmeuse and chiffon with natural cowrie shells; **CAMILLE** (right) silk satin with natural cowrie shells.

Museum Exhibits

Posted on April 6, 2019October 20, 2024 by webmaster

It’s was dynamic, bold, and colorful! It’s street style, and it’s high fashion. – New York Times

An exploration of how black style has evolved in New York City and how hip-hop has turned fashion on its head. Hip hop has made black style big business, showcasing black designers and claiming a global market of consumers eager to buy the latest in Black Style Now. The exhibition features garments by pioneering as well as contemporary black designers and outfits worn by style-setters such as Beyoncé, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and LL Cool J. Jewelry, accessories, footwear, and clothing by major hip-hop mega-brands are also on view, as are photographs of fashion icons past and present.

Therez Fleetwood’s BABWE dress on display. Baby blue, gold, chocolate, and ivory silk dupioni with cowrie shells embellishments.

FashionArt

Posted on October 21, 2018July 28, 2020 by webmaster

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

Heirloom Bridal Dolls by Therez Fleetwood

Posted on August 5, 2016July 1, 2025 by webmaster

Custom Couture Keepsakes for the Modern Bride

A Legacy of Love Preserved in Miniature

Throughout history, dolls have represented more than toys—they have symbolized identity, love, and legacy. The earliest known dolls, dating back to 2000 BC, were discovered in the tombs of Egyptian aristocracy. Fashioned from wood and adorned with clay beads, these miniature figures were cherished heirlooms—guardians of memory and spirit.

Today, that sacred tradition continues through the artistry of Therez Fleetwood, a renowned couture designer creating custom bridal dolls that capture the essence of a wedding day. These keepsakes are not only personalized mementos but true heirloom art collectibles to be treasured for generations.

Each Therez Fleetwood bridal doll is a bespoke creation—designed from a photograph and made to reflect the bride’s skin tone, hairstyle, and wedding gown with exceptional detail.

These couture dolls are dressed in handcrafted mini replicas made from natural fibers like silk, cotton, and wool. Every gown is fully lined and adorned with delicate beading, trims, and authentic Swarovski crystals—mirroring the artistry of the original dress.

Why Choose a Therez Fleetwood Bridal Doll?
1. One-of-a-kind and made entirely by hand

2. Crafted from natural, luxurious fabrics

3. Styled to match bride’s skin tone and hair texture

4. Ideal for gifting, displaying, or preserving your wedding dress in miniature

5. A timeless keepsake to be passed down through generations

Commissioning Your One-of-a-Kind Bridal Doll

Submit a Photograph

Send us a clear image of the bride in her wedding gown. If this is a surprise gift, include a photo of the bride, her gown, and any key styling details (e.g., hairstyle, jewelry, bouquet).
Doll Selection

We hand-select a doll that best matches the bride’s skin tone and hair texture.
Material Sourcing

We carefully source fabrics, trims, and embellishments that closely resemble the original gown and accessories.
Handcrafted Creation

A custom pattern is drafted and the miniature ensemble is tailored with couture precision. The doll’s hair is styled, and finishing touches like jewelry and florals are added.
Completion & Delivery

Your heirloom doll is photographed for your records and beautifully packaged for delivery.

Investment:

Custom Bridal Dolls begin at $600 USD (additional cost add based on the complexity of the design, ie. hand-sewn beads and lace, hand-painted details or intricate construction of the dress.)

Lead Time: 3–4 weeks from order confirmation

Each Therez Fleetwood bridal doll is not only a miniature representation of a moment in time—but a timeless legacy of love, craftsmanship, and celebration.

Let your story live on…

A GIFT TO THE BRIDE FROM HER HUSBAND FOR THEIR 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM THE BRIDE’S HUSBAND FOR THEIR 3RD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM THE BRIDE’S HUSBAND FOR THEIR 5TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT FROM A WEDDING GUEST PRESENTED TO THE BRIDE ON HER WEDDING DAY.

A GIFT FROM BRIDE’S MOTHER FOR HER FIRST YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

A GIFT TO THE BRIDE FROM HER MOTHER ON HER 1ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

ORDERED BY THE BRIDE TO BE ON DISPLAY AT HER WEDDING.

Books: SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME

Posted on July 13, 2016July 25, 2020 by webmaster

Therez Fleetwood has made history again! Her kente print, shawl-collared swing dresses are featured in the fashion industry textbook used by college students today! – The SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME, A History of Western Dress (Editions 1 thru 5).