Chicago Fashion Designer Stevie Edwards Channels Local Actress LisaRaye McCoy As His Latest Muse In Harper’s Bazaar.
Stevie Edwards is a South Side native and fashion designer to countless celebrities, and his latest project channels haute couture in a knockout two-page high-fashion advertisement, debuting in the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
Edwards has had his fashion designs and collections grace the pages of Vogue and Ebony magazines, the bodies of Hollywood’s elite, the catwalks of major fashion shows and, most recently, will be teaming up with McCoy, who has called Edwards a friend for the past 30 years.
Edwards and McCoy’s friendship is the ideal pairing to showcase the designer’s creations.
Edward explains, “I knew LisaRaye would bring the heat, because believe it or not she used to model for me back in the day. She’s beautiful and was honored to do it.”
Edwards is also debuting his Logo Collection, which goes on sale March 11 at midnight. This new collection features sexy dresses, catsuits and skirts, in addition to a limited selection of dinnerware and pillows with the same logo print.
“This collection means so much to me,” Edwards says. “My name will be printed on the fabric. I own the trademark to my fabric, my logo and my name. I decided, as a Black designer, to make a logo print design, because there are other brands such as Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vuitton who are well known for their logo prints — but they are not Blackowned.”
As a small business owner and entrepreneur successfully bringing Chicago style coast-to-coast. Edwards’ latest venture presents even more opportunities for Black-owned businesses.
With more than 30 years in the fashion industry, the designer has no plans of slowing down or leaving Chicago, although he is considering opening a store in Atlanta.
Edwards says, “Atlanta is the new Black Hollywood, and that’s my targeted market.”
After being featured in Vogue, GQ and now Harper’s Bazaar as a Black designer with full-page fashion ads, Edwards wants to continue creating. He is excited for the next season of his career that has been on the rise since dressing celebrities such as Diana Ross, Jody Watley and Tiffany Haddish.
“I’m just trying to make a great impact in the fashion world,” Edwards explains. “I stand on the shoulders of my idols — Black designers like Patrick Kelly, Willi Smith and Stephen Burrows. I plan to continue the legacy that they left.”
For updates about Edwards’ work and to purchase the Logo collection when it drops at midnight on March 11, visit stevieedwards.com or connect with Stevie on Facebook, Instagram at @steviethedesigner or Twitter at @stevieedwards.