MEET OUR DESIGNER, LESLIE LEWIS

I came to designing clothing ten years ago because I had grown tired of wearing what I considered boring clothes. It all started many years ago when I began searching for what I called a ‘party jacket’, a sport coat that was shiny, colorful, fun yet elegant. The picture in my mind was reminiscent of the jackets early rock’n rollers wore on stage.

For me these suits and jackets made a statement that life was about to change and freedom of expression was the change agent. After an extensive search I couldn’t find what I wanted. I was not only disappointed but very perplexed that the vast world of fashion didn’t seem to reflect my sentiments. I decided to buy fabric that caught my eye and seek out a custom tailor to make what I envisioned. That was easier said than done but after many inquiries I finally found myself in the New York showroom of Nino Corvato describing to him what I wanted.

He explained to me that I was trying to marry two very different types of fabric, ie, using traditionally woman’s fabric to make a men’s tailored jacket. This was a technical challenge that he agreed to take on. The result was exactly what I had imagined, a lilac satin silk party coat. Nino was both surprised and proud with the fresh beauty his hands had created. That was the beginning of many more jackets, suits, vests and trousers that Nino made for me. Each piece seemed more magnificent than the last.

As I wore these clothes out on the town many men and women approached me asking where I got them. After several years of inquiries and positive feedback I realized that there was a market gap comprised of people like myself that had an appetite for more exciting clothes. I decided to test my supposition, start a business and let the rock’n roll begin.

The name Stailista says it all. It is an Italian word that describes a man or woman who is creatively or uniquely dressed, having a sense of style that turns heads. As counter intuitive as it may sound, I discovered that I could dress like a woman and feel like ‘the man’. When women compliment my attire, there is conversation and desire to touch the fabric, what could go wrong?.

When men stop me on the street and say, “Hey man that’s cool, where did you get it?” I say Stailista, ‘It’s a game changer. Check it out!’ By design, I pay homage to the spirit of rock’n roll, a new way of looking at your self, feeling good and opening doors in a crowded world!