WS Chronicle

“UP CLOSE,” with 2019 Winston Salem Fashion Week designer Swynette Stone and models, was a memorable experience for several reasons.  

The children’s tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” was the story behind Stone’s designs and proved to be inspirational and motivational for guests of all ages. Stone has opened her life story of experiencing rejection to positively influence others through fashion.  

As the children’s story goes, the ugly duckling was not aware of being a beautiful swan and was rejected by his family and friends. In the showcase, the guests viewed a variety of fashions from casual, chic, formal, and semi-formal, with one attribution: they were all equal in class, elegance, tastefulness, softness, sincerity, and gracefulness.  

During the Up Close event, Stone narrated nine designs crafted during a recovery from a major injury and surgery that required her to move into her parent’s home and work on her designs while in a wheelchair. 

Stone persevered through her traumatic injury to reach her purpose and to make a difference using her God-given talents to connect with silent, hidden hurts. As she spoke softly, with sincerity and gracefully about her life story, she captured the full attention of the audience, connecting emotionally with many and causing a chain reaction of emotions. 

“Up Close” was a success as Stone was compassionate and pleased with the verbal feedback from the guests. One guest stood out among the others, a seven-year-old little girl, A’Lani, whose mother is Tomisha Gaither. Gaither shared that it all started with A’Lani receiving a flier from Ebony Baker, a model for Swan Te’ Designs, during the Winston Salem Homecoming Parade. A’Lani was taken with the E’nor Chapeau, “the large 30-inch hat,” she saw from a distance in the parade. A’Lani asked to take a picture with the designer. “Of course, I had to make it happen“ Stone said. “I had the driver of the Rolls Royce to stop. I swiftly took a quick selfie … little did I know the impact was made for a lifetime.” Her mother also shared that A’lani slept with the flier under her pillow and was eager to attend the “Up Close” event the next day. She asked for a junior “E’Nor Chapeau” to be made for her and she was ready to rock the runway.   

We are all unique in some form. Our individuality defines us as a person. We have no control over our makeup, but we do have authority over how we treat each other and ourselves.  Know who you are and always remember the “SWAN” that is inside of you.