The 907 Strut

From straight to curvy, classic to club wear, Leontine Abdullah can create it all! A few weeks ago I got the pleasure of chatting with the celebrity designer about the past, present and future of Leontine’s empire and she shared some tips for budding entrepreneurs!

 

 I first met Leontine through Alaska FashionWeek’s CEO, Dominick Liriano. She and Dominick hosted Anchorage’s modeling workshop where she taught aspiring models (like I) how to STRUT down the catwalk. There, she granted me the opportunity of walking for her in Alaska Fashion Week, which will be my first official modeling job! For someone to be so successful, she remains humble and true to her passion and just being in her presence inspires me to move forward! Although she taught me the ins and outs of walking down a catwalk, I was still eager to learn how she created her empire. So her last visit to Anchorage, we took some time to catch up and discuss Leontine's Empire.

It all began when Leontine’s mother, a seamstress, would work on her craft through the night. Leontine would go to sleep to the sound of a sewing machine with thoughts of one day doing something similar. She knew that she wanted to be in the fashion industry, but not as a seamstress. She knew she was going to be a designer. Her mother taught her the basics of sewing; pattern making, adding elastic to a skirt or creating tutus for herself and her friends. And from there, Leontine grew into her own.

Though she did not become a designer immediately, she remained in the industry. From modeling for Vogue Modeling Agency to acting in McDonald's or 7-UP commercials, young Leontine was taking steps to become the celebrity designer she is today!

Q: As a woman with multiple degrees, do you find it necessary to go to school for fashion design/marketing to be successful in this industry?

A: No, but it depends on what you're seeking. I went to school after beginning my career in fashion design. Most of what I know was self taught, but I was eager to know the technical terms of what I was doing. There are homeless people that are now the Tyler Perry's and Oprah Winfrey's. If you already know what you're doing, you don't need a piece of paper to validate that.

For people that don't know how to sew and need to learn technique, go to fashion school. They do teach you the basics and build off of that. But if you are seeking one on one learning, find a mentor in addition to fashion school. I did learn a lot from my mentors; Pricilla Ratcliff who is also a celebrity designer and Debra Francis,VP of NAACP Altadena Branch. 

If you are already in the industry and it's your career, going to school will be for self validation. I do plan on going back and hopefully getting my master's degree. Not at the moment but in the future.There is always room to grow and so much you can learn, you have to be willing to evolve with the industry. 

Q: How did you meet your mentors?

Pricilla Ratcliff was my professor in one of my college courses back in 2005. She took a liking to me, she liked my drive and I'd listen and study what she was teaching. She took me to events, we went out of town, travelled to Paris. She taught me how to be a designer and the importance of networking.

Debra Francis and I met at an event and we have grown since then. She believes in me and my vision that she is investing in me! She is going to be a producer on my upcoming REALITY TV SHOW that will begin shooting this summer!

                                                                                          Debra Francis, Leontine Abdullah and myself at Leontine's fashion show in March at Rooftop 3100 in     Los Angeles, CA!

She just finished Facet Fashion Week in L.A and now she is preparing for Alaska Fashion Week here in Anchorage! This summer she begins shooting for her Reality TV Show and laying the foundation for her modeling agency! 

She also keeps herself busy and gives back by teaching individuals how to sew and create patterns at Mood Fabrics in L.A, modeling workshops from Paris to Anchorage and constantly working on her brand. This fall she will return to Paris and debut Leon By Leontine Abdullah, her men's line inspired by her father.  And in October, her collection will be in Style Fashion Week, which is L.A's largest fashion week!

To add to her monumental to-do list, she is the costume designer for actor Soloman Frazier in his upcoming film, Unspeakable Indiscretions, directed and produced by Eric B Ramsey. She will also be featured in the film walking down the red carpet and giving an interview! Unspeakable Indiscretions will premier later this year at the Arclight Theaters in Hollywood! 

 Actor, Amin Joseph from the Expendables, in Leon By Leontine Abdullah!

I am so honored that I have had the opportunity to get to know Leontine Abdullah in such a way! Starting with the Modeling Workshop months ago, who would have know I would be able to learn from her in so many ways. I was able to attend her fashion show in L.A, meet her mentor Debra Francis and be introduced to her fiance the owner of Backstage Access Magazine, her AMAZING assistant William and many of her other colleagues in the industry! She is a self made Mogul with so many accomplishments under her belt and she's just getting started! I cannot wait to see what the future holds the Empire of Leontine Abdullah.