Creative Entrepreneur interview with Fashion Designer Bryan K Osburn http://bryankosburncollection.com/
Our creative entrepreneur interview of the month is with Bryan K Osburn. Bryan has always been interested in fashion; as a kid he attended a Roman Catholic grammar school, where he would get in trouble with the nuns because he would draw inside of his school books of fashion ladies with long legs and high heels- needless to say, the nuns did not like this.
His parents later brought him sketch pads, and ever since then he have always carried one. He got his start in fashion... on May 25th, 1985 -The night of his very first fashion show at Ray-Vogue College of Design and the night of his first sale - a black and silver brocade jacket with a black silk satin pencil skirt, which sold for $300.00.
Bryan K Osburn is originally from Chicago. His first job in the bridal industry was with Vera Wang. Soon after, he went on to work for: Galina, Jim Hjelm, Lazaro, Paula Varsalona, and Alvina Valenta. He has a ball gown on permanent display at “The City of New York Museum” for “The History of Fashion Exhibit”.
In 1993, Bryan went on his own to design under the name “Bryan K Osburn Collection”. Designer Bryan K Osburn lingers mostly in the European tradition of couture. His passionately designed collection have clean, classic lines.
He sold bridal gowns to high-end specialty boutiques throughout New York City, made custom designs for private clientele and designed for celebrities: Miss America (1994) Kenya Moore, Natalie Cole, Phyliss Hyman, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, opera singer Kathleen Battle, actresses Sheri Headley, (Coming to America,) Valerie Pittford (Half and Half), and Erica Alexander (The Cosby Show).
The Interview
What inspired you to become a creative entrepreneur?
My mother and father inspired me to be a creative entrepreneur, my mom was always so supportive, and my dad owned his own business.
What would you say contributes to your success?
Hard work, determination and never settling all contributes to my success in business.
Share one business goal:
My one business goal, to sell a lot of dresses to my new store account in Virginia.
What is a typical working day like for you?
Typical work day: Get up around 10am. Check and respond to emails and text messages. Head to my loft space downtown, get in prepare work, I make patterns, cut and sew samples. Order fabrics if needed, and on Thurs and Friday, work with my intern. Work till about 9pm, home by 11pm, check other emails, and text. After I eat late, and catch some t.v, I then head to bed by 2:30am, to start all over gain at 10am.
What has been your biggest struggle as a professional artist?
Biggest struggle as a professional artist, keep dresses sold.
What has been your biggest accomplishment with your business?
I have been fortunate enough to have several accomplishments with my business..one of my last... my past collection being requested on the road, in several states.. I love traveling for shows.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Advice to someone who wants to do what I do...Stay focused, determined, work hard, and never letting anyone come in the way of your goals.
What resources would you recommend to help other creative people stay organized?
Resources I recommend for other creative people to stay organized. Keep a large calender to write date, appointments and events down. Get a small note book that can fit in your bag, I write everything down, I write down my thoughts, my ideas and I sketch my new designs. When you write things down that you need to remember, I find out that it helps me stay not only organized, it helps me stay in my zone.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on furnishing up orders for my new account, after this, I will start my new bridal collection The Black and White Collection..which I hope to debut in April 2012.
Bryan currently lives in Chicago doing what he loves – designing custom made bridal gowns and evening wear. Returning to Chicago has reignited his love affair with the people and places that originally inspired his dreams of becoming a designer. His current collection may be found at “Soliliquy Bridal Couture” in Herndon, VA. (www.soliloquybridal.com). His “loft” studio is located in West Town-west of Chicago, IL
"Fashions fade..Style is eternal".....Yves St. Laurent
