 |  |
“I always knew I wanted to live in a big city. It seemed like a far-fetched idea to move to New York City to become a fashion designer. I just didn’t know how to make it happen! Then I got a job working at Maison Weiss. Mr. Weiss took me under his wing, told me I was talented and said, ‘you should be doing something really special.’”
Hilton Hollis grew up on a farm in Carthage, Mississippi. Creative, warm and gregarious, Hilton adored his hometown but yearned for something more. As a child, he confided in a small group of people and told them his big city dreams. He says, “I had a few people laugh at me and say, ‘Hilton, you can’t do that!’”
After a brief stint at a college in Rhode Island, Hilton returned to Mississippi and flexed his talent and creativity by designing the windows of the lovely, upscale Maison Weiss boutique in Jackson. He not only caught the eyes of shoppers, but also of the store’s owner, Mr. Bernard Weiss.
With a glowing letter of recommendation from Mr. Weiss, Hilton was soon enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. His designs grabbed the attention of others in the industry, and he soon began working at Calvin Klein. With Tim Gardner as his mentor, he gained expertise in garment design and construction.
THIS Thursday and Friday, February 5-6, you have the opportunity to meet Hilton and shop his stunning Spring Collection at Maison Weiss. Hilton says, “I have come full circle with my beginnings. Working at Maison Weiss, coming to school with Mr. Weiss’s blessings and working in the fashion industry. Being able to be back in the store and sell my line is incredible; I have made the full round!”
Today, Hilton’s collection is filled with gorgeous clothes for every occasion. Made with Italian fabrics, each garment is spectacular in person. “It truly is a total lifestyle collection,” said Hilton. “We have everything from weekend wear to gorgeous cocktail and evening gowns. We dress many mothers of the bride, and we have perfect pieces for the bride herself: from the engagement party to the reception.”
Refreshingly, Hilton’s muse for his line is a real woman, and he fits sizes 0 through 16. “I use a lot of my clients as inspiration; I am thinking about them as I design. I think it is important to remind yourself of what real women are wearing – not models. I dress everyone from the sophisticated 30-year-old to the 90-year-old. I have had situations where a mother, a daughter and a grandmother will all come in and buy something from the collection!”
Inspired by a recent getaway to the picturesque beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Hilton Hollis’s Spring 2015 Collection features beautifully relaxed silhouettes. With longer skirts, flowing tops, and just the right amount of structure complementing the waist, each piece is a wearable work of art. Our favorite pieces include a lovely lace jacket (Hilton’s vision of the “new cardigan”), a crisp, long white skirt belted with a colorful scarf, and of course, his infamous basic pant. Hilton laughs, “they are like Spanx for your entire leg!”
Even with his great success, Hilton remains humble and grateful for his Mississippi roots. He reflects, “Now that I am away from Mississippi, I love it even more.”
We hope you will all welcome Hilton home and view his lovely pieces at Maison Weiss this Thursday and Friday!
For more information, please visit the Hilton Hollis website here, or the Maison Weiss website here.
Mark your calendars! On Friday, June 20, Hilton will host his annual fashion show fundraiser, supporting the elementary school in his hometown. For more information on this incredible New York-style runway show, please visit the Local Fashion Advantage Facebook page here. More details to follow on Inspiration Mississippi over the upcoming months!
Hilton Hollis grew up on a farm in Carthage, Mississippi. Creative, warm and gregarious, Hilton adored his hometown but yearned for something more. As a child, he confided in a small group of people and told them his big city dreams. He says, “I had a few people laugh at me and say, ‘Hilton, you can’t do that!’”
After a brief stint at a college in Rhode Island, Hilton returned to Mississippi and flexed his talent and creativity by designing the windows of the lovely, upscale Maison Weiss boutique in Jackson. He not only caught the eyes of shoppers, but also of the store’s owner, Mr. Bernard Weiss.
With a glowing letter of recommendation from Mr. Weiss, Hilton was soon enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. His designs grabbed the attention of others in the industry, and he soon began working at Calvin Klein. With Tim Gardner as his mentor, he gained expertise in garment design and construction.
THIS Thursday and Friday, February 5-6, you have the opportunity to meet Hilton and shop his stunning Spring Collection at Maison Weiss. Hilton says, “I have come full circle with my beginnings. Working at Maison Weiss, coming to school with Mr. Weiss’s blessings and working in the fashion industry. Being able to be back in the store and sell my line is incredible; I have made the full round!”
Today, Hilton’s collection is filled with gorgeous clothes for every occasion. Made with Italian fabrics, each garment is spectacular in person. “It truly is a total lifestyle collection,” said Hilton. “We have everything from weekend wear to gorgeous cocktail and evening gowns. We dress many mothers of the bride, and we have perfect pieces for the bride herself: from the engagement party to the reception.”
Refreshingly, Hilton’s muse for his line is a real woman, and he fits sizes 0 through 16. “I use a lot of my clients as inspiration; I am thinking about them as I design. I think it is important to remind yourself of what real women are wearing – not models. I dress everyone from the sophisticated 30-year-old to the 90-year-old. I have had situations where a mother, a daughter and a grandmother will all come in and buy something from the collection!”
Inspired by a recent getaway to the picturesque beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Hilton Hollis’s Spring 2015 Collection features beautifully relaxed silhouettes. With longer skirts, flowing tops, and just the right amount of structure complementing the waist, each piece is a wearable work of art. Our favorite pieces include a lovely lace jacket (Hilton’s vision of the “new cardigan”), a crisp, long white skirt belted with a colorful scarf, and of course, his infamous basic pant. Hilton laughs, “they are like Spanx for your entire leg!”
Even with his great success, Hilton remains humble and grateful for his Mississippi roots. He reflects, “Now that I am away from Mississippi, I love it even more.”
We hope you will all welcome Hilton home and view his lovely pieces at Maison Weiss this Thursday and Friday!
For more information, please visit the Hilton Hollis website here, or the Maison Weiss website here.
Mark your calendars! On Friday, June 20, Hilton will host his annual fashion show fundraiser, supporting the elementary school in his hometown. For more information on this incredible New York-style runway show, please visit the Local Fashion Advantage Facebook page here. More details to follow on Inspiration Mississippi over the upcoming months!
     |      |
{Photos courtesy of Cheol H Park}
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}
RSS Feed