College Living Magazine

So, what are you going to do after you graduate? Each year, this dreaded question plagues college seniors nationwide. Thankfully, the worrying didn’t get to Wasidah Clark, a 25-year-old fashion design major at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Clark, who graduated this past March, has already started stitching a career together: she’s currently busy developing Suzy Cue, her own original fashion line.

For Clark, the idea of starting her own line emerged at the beginning of the last school year. She credits instructors with encouraging her to take her thoughts and transfer them to tangible designs on paper. “One day during Christmas break, I was talking to my teachers, asking them advice on [starting the line],” she says. “I received really positive feedback.” Clark, who has taken marketing classes to expand her knowledge of the fashion industry's business aspects, is already networking with local stores to get her products some recognition.

Clark’s most recent accomplishments can be found at Center City’s Matthew Izzo Boutique. Here, her work hangs alongside pieces from successful Philadelphia designers. “[Izzo] is great about taking new artists,” she says. “My shirts are pretty wild, so I didn’t want just any old place to carry them.” Clark instantly received positive feedback from the managers, and her designs are selling for about $40 apiece. She prefers Suzy Cue to be carried in boutiques rather than having to sell on her own; this way, she can concentrate exclusively on design.

Currently, the line consists of T-shirts and tank tops, but Clark is enthusiastic about introducing additional elements to the line. She hopes to add beaded jewelry and other accessories to Suzy Cue this fall. “We'll just see how this goes,” she says. “It's a trial and error process, finding out what you like and what you don't.”

While the tie-dye fad popular during the 1970s may no longer be chic (for good reason), Clark's impeccably crafted pieces reintroduce the style with a fresh personal touch. Since she relies mostly on a pastel palette, Suzy Cue designs can liven up even the earthiest autumn outfit. “I love bright colors, so these shirts are more sexy and fun,” says Clark.

The designer controls every last aspect of Suzy Cue’s creative process. In addition to monitoring the actual cut and shape of the shirts, she hand-paints them as well. To create her tank tops, Clark starts with an ordinary cotton shirt. She dyes it to give it a color base, then paints simple designs once it dries. Sparkly flowers are surrounded by gems with the phrase “so in love” written in cursive underneath. “I really wanted to do something different,” says Clark of her unique approach. “I feel like I have something to offer.” The end result? Flirty, feminine pieces that exude a childlike quality.

While Clark's influences and tastes are open-ended, there are a few current trends that don't sit well with her keen fashion student eye. In fact, one need only check the pages of mainstream fashion magazines to get an idea of her least favorite things. “I don't like the shorts that come above your knees,” she says. “[And] some short-shorts are cute, but most are just too short. Unless you're 5'11” and weigh 100 pounds, they just aren't flattering.” 

The true sense of accomplishment has not yet set in for Clark; she would rather expand her line than become comfortable with its current status. “I’m just eager to do more,” she says. “You can learn about the business in school, but there’s nothing like doing it on your own. This is only the beginning.” Clark's approach is simple, really—not too little, yet not too much. If her current opinions are any indication, her future is going to fit just right. 

Check out Wasidah’s clothes at:
Matthew Izzo Boutique
117 S. 13th St.
215.629.1240