THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9406290096
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
IT TOOK SEVERAL DAYS for Cynthia Goolsby to settle down after she discovered recently that her fashions would be shown alongside the work of designers Donna Karan and Bill Blass in the nation's capital.
Goolsby, who owns Cyora's Fashion Elegantz Inc. at 1324 N. Battlefield Blvd., wasted no time when she heard about the opportunity. The winner's designs would be shown during a September fashion show at the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C.
She chose to enter four swimsuit/cover-up ensembles. The judging took place in Washington May 19. Garments by 150 designers were passed from one Congressional Black Caucus committee member to another.
``Everybody on the committee examined the whole garment, inside and out,'' said Goolsby, who opened her business two years ago. ``The criteria was quality and creativity. But quality counted most.''
For what seemed an eternity, she kept her fingers crossed and hoped. Then, just one day short of three weeks, the anticipated phone call came. Goolsby's swim wear was chosen to be shown during the caucus. That September show will include several world-famous designers.
``We have a chance to be picked up by some of the top designers if they like our fashions,'' said Goolsby, whose said her husband, John, has been very supportive. ``We are both so excited.''
One of her clients shares that excitement.
``It's a wonderful thing for her,'' said Barbara Hamm, news director for WTKR-TV. ``She's going to have incredible exposure. Her work is being put up with top designers across the country. This will put Hampton Roads on the map in terms of fashion design.''
Goolsby has designed two formal gowns for Hamm.
``I showed her some things I liked in terms of style and she just took off with it,'' Hamm said. ``I'm incredibly proud of her. I told her that when she becomes really famous, I will have two of her originals and they will be valuable.''
Goolsby, who had eight siblings, has been sewing since she was nine.
``My mom used to sit us seven girls down,'' she said. ``One would sew on buttons, one would hem, one would cut out garments. One week I'd sew on buttons. The next week I might do hems.
``My mom was a real worker and made all of our clothes.''
One of Goolsby's sisters has her own fashion design business in New Jersey.
In 1991, the company Goolsby worked for closed her department. That job loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Goolsby always regretted her limited formal training in the design field. So while she was out of work, she went back to school to expand her computer skills.
``That gave me more confidence to open my own business,'' said Goolsby, who has two children, a daughter, Gregelle, and son, Khrystopher.
Now, her designs are high-tech.
``The computer classes enabled me to be more creative with my designs because I can now do everything on the computer,'' she said.
Often the greatest hurdle for a designer is getting people to understand the difference between sewing and custom design.
``Custom design is not just taking a pattern and sewing from it,'' she said. A client may bring in a size 12 pattern but their measurements may be a size 16.
``What makes custom design different from straight sewing is that the pattern has to be altered to fit the customer's measurements,'' she said. ``We have a motto at Cyora's. We would rather explain the price than apologize for the quality. We believe in giving a custom fit to each client regardless of size.''
Sometimes clients bring her a picture or just an idea.
Until recently, Cyora's Fashion Elegantz has specialized in lounge wear, swim wear and wedding wear for men and women. This year, she has added home interiors to her specialties. Charlene Dunmann and Goolsby will make custom drapery, pillows and bedspreads.
Goolsby has won several awards on the national level. This year, Cyora's Fashion Elegantz will be inducted into the Designers Hall of Fame. In addition, the company's garments have been featured in Essence Magazine and Brides Today.
In November, Cyora's Fashion Elegantz will provide the garments for the Baybridge Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. Proceeds will be given to the chapter for scholarships. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Cynthia Goolsby, who owns Cyora's Fashion Elegantz Inc., went back
to school to expand her computer skills, which enabled her to do all
of her design work on a computer.
by CNB