Have tall women dreaming of stylish gear instead been trapped in a never-ending nightmare of boxy tops, high-water pants and unintentially short sleeves? Designer Anita Watkins answers with a resounding, “Yes!�
Tired of clothing that just didn’t fit her six-foot frame, she launched her own line: SIXXfOOTA.
The high-end label consists of fabulous furs—chinchilla, rabbit, fox and raccoon—sumptuous suede, luxurious leathers and perfect-fit denim (Spring 2007) with a 36-plus inch inseam, for men and women 5 feet 9 and taller. These styles will now be available at her Madison Avenue showroom, having launched with a grand opening reception and spring sale on Saturday, April 29.
“Yearning for fashion-forward styles, I began designing originals and recreating store-bought pieces to fit my classic, but sexy style and sixxfoota frame,� Watkins says. “After receiving compliment after compliment from women similar in stature wanting to know where I got my wardrobe, an idea was born. Petite and plus-size women and even Big & Tall men had their needs addressed, but there was nothing fit and fashionable for taller women. Right then I knew I’d found my niche!�
In no time SIXXfOOTA was a reality. The line launched in Fall 2005 with a broad range of spring styles, including transitional lightweight leathers in softer shades, multi-season suede pants, flirty A-line skirts and fitted jackets. Fall 2006 has brought floor length reversible shearlings, sheared rabbit and leather bombers, Hollywood glam white or black fox fur jackets, maxi-length coats, classic trousers, ostrich-printed leather blazers, hand painted and beaded jackets and classic, form-fitting leather pants. The entire line is constructed with only top of the line Italian and Argentine skins and fabrics. Prices range from $400 to $4000. Custom orders are available in straight and petite sizes.
The showroom’s grand opening reception will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 304. A percentage of the proceeds for the evening will go to Free Arts NYC, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the healing powers of the arts into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families.
The Brooklyn-born and raised designer will be featured in the first-ever Brooklyn Fashion Weekend, being held May 5-7 at the Tobacco Warehouse in DUMBO. SIXXfOOTA’s show will feature Chad Coleman, star of the HBO drama The Wire, on Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. Watkins, who works closely with celebrity stylist Spry of Milado Inc., will also be a featured designer in the auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation at Brooklyn Fashion Weekend’s gala launch on Friday, May 5, where she has donated a specially-designed piece.
To RSVP for the showroom grand opening and spring sale write to info@sixxfoota.com by midnight Thursday, April 27. For more information on SIXXfOOTA, visit www.sixxfoota.com.
Speaking Truth To Empower.� To contact The Black Star News write editor@blackstarnews.com or call (212) 481-7745. Subscribe to this newspaper and advertise to build power.
