Meet Borris Powell | FAshion Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Borris Powell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Borris, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was raised in the North part of Alabama. I grew up in The Projects and Subsidized Housing, raised by a single mom. I feel as if I have been fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. What that has done for me is taught me to have thick skin, while giving me a life time of endurance and fight to push on.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started out as a one of a kind Dress Maker. I didn’t want anyone to refer to me as a Designer because I was only making women’s dresses. Didn’t have the desire to make anything else. As the years grew, so did my passion for the FAshion Industry. I started making Women’s coats next. But I would only make them with a non-separating zipper. My idea was, I still wanted it to look like a dress. Over time, I gave in and started making actual coats. Then I started with Men’s Wear, Handbags, and Ready To Wear. 2 years ago, I took my love for music and the stage and created a whole new FAshion Experience. I now front man my shows. As my new Collection is presented on the runway, I’m on stage entertaining with a full band with back vocals. Yes I know. It’s unheard of a Designer that Sings during their show. But I’ve never been the sort of Artist that follows the direction of others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, as I live to work. This one might be the toughest for me. The only time that I’m good at entertaining, is on the stage. LOL I would simply take them to my favorite spots.

If they arrived on a Sunday, or stayed over until a Sunday. We’d visit Bobby Loves. It’s an old dive bar on the Northside of Chicago for Karaoke.

We would definitely be taking the Architectural Boat tour. This is a river tour that takes you around the Downtown River stretch of the city as it gives you the most amazing history of the Beautiful Chicago.

Dinner at some of the best restaurants. My favorite. Mart Anthony’s. An Italian restaurant in the WestLoop. Family owned.

We have to dine at Girl and the Goat in the Westloop as well.

There will be a Spa day at The Langham Chicago. We would stay and have lunch and drinks after our Spa services.

There has to be a way to fit in a Drag Brunch at some point.

As I can’t stay away from my business entirely, my friend would have to run some work errands with me, or stay in and rest.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would 100% have to give thanks to the wonderful lady who single-handedly raised me. My Mom. She was my inspiration when it came to seeing how I wanted to dress women. I would watch her as a child as she would get ready for a night out, or for church. Then there’s my father. Even though he didn’t raise me. He had such wonderful style. And still does today.

Website: www.borrispowell.com

Instagram: BorrisPowellDesigns

Facebook: Borris Bjp Powell

Image Credits
photo credit – Alex Vallejo photo credit – escalantefoto