Fashion Brief: Butch Diva

Fashion Brief — Introducing you to new and emerging talent and shops in fashion and accessories.

Name: Tiffany LaStar Rhodes
Website: www.butchdiva.blogspot.com

Stylistic: For those who are not familiar with the “Butch Diva” brand, please give us a little background about where the idea came from and what exactly a “Butch Diva” represents?
Tiffany: Well, fashion has definitely been my career of choice; I attended The High School of Fashion Industries (following in my mother’s footsteps) and went on to study at FIT, obtaining degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Management. When I decided to start my own label about six years ago, I had a clear image of the type of woman I was targeting. I wanted a bold brand name that portrayed this woman just as clearly to the public. Stirring controversy was the least of my worries, as it’s been proven that controversy sells.

When people hear “BUTCH DIVA”, they automatically wanna know what’s that all about? I get all types of questions like ‘is that a brand for lesbians?’ ‘Is that your alter ego?’ Ha! — and then I go on to explain the logic and then it becomes “ahhhh I see!”. So - it’s like a win win situation as far as exposure. I was confident in what “Butch Diva” stood for, and believed in time, if not right off the bat, it would make perfect sense to the rest of my peers and customers. “Butch Diva” is the term I came up with to describe an attitude, and the way in which women handle their business. It’s the woman doing everything men are doing - but doing it bigger and better, running their own businesses, wearing the skirt and the pants in the relationship, managing their lifestyles in confidence, in touch with the femininity and sexuality, and not allowing anyone that isn’t capable of bringing them up - bring them down!

The collection is currently only available via custom orders, however I have several sample sales planned before the holiday. “Butch Diva” can be found in several boutiques in Manhattan come 2009, in addition to the lounge boutique which is also expected to open for business early next year. Please stay tuned for details!

Stylistic: Why do you think it’s so important for women to have a “take control attitude” – especially when it comes to their wardrobe?
Tiffany: I think there use to be a time when it was a lot easier to belittle women and make them feel as if they weren’t capable enough or educated enough to make their dreams a reality… Society’s first impression of women is that they have to work extra hard to prove themselves and to be taken seriously. With a first impression comes the initial aesthetic of how someone carries them self, in this sense- it’s their wardrobe. I always felt everyone could look reasonably presentable if style was just given a little effort. I know personally that when you know you look good, you act accordingly! When a woman is confident in what she’s wearing, she will potentially take control and conquer within that day. “Butch Diva” offers a collection full of confidence, in which the clothes are vibrant in color - with personal touches in detail, sexy “bad ass” style, that allows a woman to walk out the house knowing without a doubt that she’s looking good!

Stylistic: What are a few misconceptions that you noticed about the [fashion] industry from both a stylist and designer perspective?
Tiffany: It’s funny you ask that! I find the biggest misconception when it comes to fashion and styling is that the more brand names you’re wearing, the more stylish you are! Label whores totally skeeve me out. It probably mainly comes from the fact that I’ve worked in Production for several years, from Designer level to Corporate. I’ve managed production and development domestically and overseas for design houses and brands such as TSE, Catherine Malanadrino, Alice and Olivia, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle Outfitters, and at one point was a Visual Merchandiser for Sean John Kids. With all this experience, I saw first hand what goes into developing a collection and seeing it through to mass manufacturing. Without getting into too many fashion politics about what it cost to have clothes made vs. the final price tag in the stores — I will conclude that “style” isn’t about the brand name; it’s about how you put a look together and what makes you individual from everyone else wearing it! Granted, there are certain people that aren’t very secure in their style, so shopping pricey labels is like a no-brainer to being stylish. But I’m noticing these days the biggest trends aren’t the designer labels, it’s about how individual and different your personal style appears to be.

Stylistic: The Butch Diva philosophy is based on ” the intentions of the aggressive androgynous females to succeed at what some only consider masculine roles, and yet still keeping in touch with their passions, sexuality, femininity.” How does the brand provide that balance between androgyny and femininity?
Tiffany: Well androgyny is the mixing of masculine and feminine characteristics, whether it be in making a fashion statement, or the psychological way in which someone expresses themselves. “Butch Diva” provides a very feminine wardrobe, yet the type of woman wearing it is bold, fearless, and pondering all the ways in which she will take over the world - which isn’t just a man’s agenda in today’s society - woman are conquering from all angles of the game!

Stylistic: You were born and raised in Brooklyn, which is known as a deeply cultured and stylish place. How much of an influence has growing up in Brooklyn and New York as a whole played in the designs for your collection?
Tiffany: Growing up in NY has played a huge role in inspiration and style influences! I grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn in the 80’s when bamboo earrings (at least 2 pair), tight clothes, leggings, layers, and major attitude were all in full effect. Women were hustling for their money while raising babies alone. Men were still given better and more opportunities while women were struggling to keep their head above water. I was the only child at that time and one day came across my mother’s portfolio from her time spent at The High School of Fashion Industries… I feel like it was instant that I knew I wanted to be able to draw like that, and be a part of the glamour. My mom used to host lingerie parties at the apartment — not quite the traditional Tupperware Party! Her and her friends would model the lingerie and then take orders for the garments at the end. I also took a lot of inspiration from the movies I grew up on — Sparkle, Harlem Nights, School Daze — ahhh those black and silver dresses! Even when scouting locations for photo shoots, I tend to be drawn to neighborhood backdrops… the brick walls, the graffiti, the “big city” in the background.

It may be cliché in trying to identify with a certain market but it just makes sense for me to keep the visuals close to home. I also have no interest in using the typical tall and skinny girls in my ads, I like a girl with curves, ha - even a “shawty” — I want women to be able look at my ads and easily identify with the image.

Stylistic: We see you have a lingerie line called “Panties Optional” in production. Are there any other new projects that you have in store for “Butch Diva” as well? What can we expect to see in 2009?
Tiffany: Ahhhh yes - “Panties Optional”! What a treat sharing that is going to be. It’s lingerie inspired loungewear brand I’m developing and hoping to officially launch by next fall. I’m currently working on a “Butch Diva” comic book series, and I’m soooooooooo excited about this project because of how far I can go with imagination. I’m starting out by just introducing a few characters and then the stories will build around them. There are all types of other goodies in store for “Butch Diva” in 2009…showroom space, the launch of the lounge boutique, collaborations and showcases, more features to inspire on the blog, an expanding team, and much much more! I’m very excited and grateful for just being able to do what I love, which is being creative, being inspired, and sharing!