Belinda McGuire-Davis prepares the Next Generation
Fashion Designer, founder, CEO & Program Director of LenGuire Institute of Fashions, Inc.’s Belinda McGuire-Davis has a passion for educating fashion students, not only in the art of fashion, but also in the business of fashion. ROUTES spoke with Mrs. Davis, and she explained how she was inspired by her mother to become a fashion designer. “As a small child, I saw my mother create a pattern out of newspaper, lay the pattern onto beautiful red velvet cloth, cut out the fabric pattern, and sew together an amazing evening gown.”
Today, Mrs. Davis is an Award Winning evening and bridal wear couture designer. Her clients are looking for special details, exclusive fabrics, and the special Belinda McGuire-Davis creative genius that she adds to every design. One of her garments, which was featured in Lois Alexander’s Black Fashion Museum is on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Mrs Davis is also the Eastern Region Vice President of the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers. (Photographs Courtesy of Belinda McGuire-Davis Collection)
Motivated by her grandmother to become an entrepreneur, Mrs. Davis said, “Mama Annie was a businesswoman who owned several businesses and was well respected. I admired that and I always wanted to have my own business.” Mrs. Davis studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and sharpened her business skills. She continued as an educational professional teaching Kindergarten thru twelfth grades, in the New Jersey public schools. In 1995 she founded the LenGuire Institute of Fashions, Inc., a 501c3 organization. As founder, CEO & Program Director, Belinda McGuire Davis and her staff are committed to teaching young talented students the skills that prepare them for careers in fashion design and in the many other fashion related careers.
Courtney Kimble Alumni of LenGuire Institute of Fashions and Board Member states, “My experience studying at the LIF helped me to decide which career path in fashion I should take. Because of my LIF internships, I saw that there were many fashion careers out there that were other than fashion designing.” With the guidance of Mrs. Davis and her staff, Courtney Kimble’s internships varied from social media, marketing, trend reporting, and fashion merchandising. After leaving LIF, she held many fashion related jobs while continuing to pursue other job interest. Today Courtney Kimble is the Assistant Website Merchandiser for Macy’s Corporate Division in New York. Courtney Kimble says, “It’s never too late to become who you want to be.” (Courtney Kimble Photographer Credit: Ted Hargrove)
Rosena Nelson, another LIF Alumni, who is a Board Member at LeGuire Institute of Fashions. After attending Nyack College, Rosena Nelson realized that she had a love for fashion design. While attending LenGuire Institute of Fashions, she developed her design skills and experienced working for luxury brands like Ralph Lauren. She also worked as a freelance fashion stylist and hair stylist. She is currently preparing to launch her “Simply Ro” lingerie collection. Rosena believes, “You can find beauty everywhere and in everything. Beauty is whatever you want it to be.” (Photograph Courtesy of Rosena Nelson Collection)
Visit the website to find out more about the LenGuire Institute of Fashions (LIF) https:// www.lenguireinstituteoffashions.org/founder-and-ceo-bio.html
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