D.C. lawyer makes her trademark on fashion
Issue date: 11/1/09 Section: Cover
What Terrell would love most is to see Washington, yes Washington DC, become a fashion destination - just like New York, Parris or Miami.
That passion led her in 2006 to start an intense lobbying campaign to get the D.C. City Council to pass a law to transform the city's image of just a center of politics into a premier center of fashion as well.
That effort ended in Mayor Adrian Fenty signing D.C. Fashion Bill 17-173 into law on April 15, 2008. The law also mandated establishment of a DC Fashion Commission to showcase local fashion talents and promote various retailers in the D.C. area while generating revenue for the city.
"Fashion is a true art form that takes enormous time to perfect," she said. Terrell said there is real economic power in fashion, but decries the scarcity of African Americans in the mainstream fashion industry.
"I believe that it is very unfortunate that the majority of mainstream fashion does not include African-American models," said Terrell. "Last year when Italian Vogue created a Black issue featuring the most beautiful women of color in the fashion business, I started a campaign and sent in over 300 postcards to Anna Wintour asking her to include more African Americans in Vogue."
"I think that it is up to the consumer to change fashion to accommodate our likes and dislikes. Today, the consumer has power. We can impact change ourselves," said Terrell.
In June, Terrell hosted the 5th Annual Capital Catwalk showcasing the talents of local designers. The Catwalk benefited the High Tea Society, a program that mentors young girls. In addition to coordinating the Catwalk event, Terrell is working with the Office on Planning and Economic Development to further promote D.C. as a fashion destination and collaborating with University of District Columbia Merchandising Program Coordinator to revive the university's fashion program.
Terrell continues to make strides in ensuring that her business and love for fashion bring her even more success. "Smile darling, the view from here is fabulous" is the motto she lives by.
That passion led her in 2006 to start an intense lobbying campaign to get the D.C. City Council to pass a law to transform the city's image of just a center of politics into a premier center of fashion as well.
That effort ended in Mayor Adrian Fenty signing D.C. Fashion Bill 17-173 into law on April 15, 2008. The law also mandated establishment of a DC Fashion Commission to showcase local fashion talents and promote various retailers in the D.C. area while generating revenue for the city.
"Fashion is a true art form that takes enormous time to perfect," she said. Terrell said there is real economic power in fashion, but decries the scarcity of African Americans in the mainstream fashion industry.
"I believe that it is very unfortunate that the majority of mainstream fashion does not include African-American models," said Terrell. "Last year when Italian Vogue created a Black issue featuring the most beautiful women of color in the fashion business, I started a campaign and sent in over 300 postcards to Anna Wintour asking her to include more African Americans in Vogue."
"I think that it is up to the consumer to change fashion to accommodate our likes and dislikes. Today, the consumer has power. We can impact change ourselves," said Terrell.
In June, Terrell hosted the 5th Annual Capital Catwalk showcasing the talents of local designers. The Catwalk benefited the High Tea Society, a program that mentors young girls. In addition to coordinating the Catwalk event, Terrell is working with the Office on Planning and Economic Development to further promote D.C. as a fashion destination and collaborating with University of District Columbia Merchandising Program Coordinator to revive the university's fashion program.
Terrell continues to make strides in ensuring that her business and love for fashion bring her even more success. "Smile darling, the view from here is fabulous" is the motto she lives by.
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