Draya Michele has made a name for herself on the VH1 reality show "Basketball Wives LA" and she's taking full advantage of her stardom to promote her real passion of fashion design.
The reality star will present her Mint Swim collection for the first time at LA Swim Week on Thursday. The exclusive fashion event held at The London Hotel in West Hollywood features new swimwear and beach wear collections from iconic, luxury and emerging brands.
Michele gave HNGN a preview of what she expects from her debut at LASW and revealed what certain celebrity she wants to work with.
Were you chosen to participate in LA Swim Week?
I was just doing my research online and found out about it. I contacted them and once I was in, I knew this was going to be really fun. I'm so excited to be a part of the event!
What does participating in such an exclusive event mean to you?
It's means a lot. I haven't showcased Mint Swim on the runway yet, and I'm excited for it to be showcased at such a great event.
Will you be showing off any new designs at the event?
I have several new designs. It was so hard to not show them to anyone before the show. I'm really excited to see the reaction I get from people. I worked really hard on this collection. There are really unique designs for both the bikinis and one-piece suits.
Will you be showcasing your new men's swimsuits?
Not quite yet. When I'm ready to launch the men's collection, it's going to need its own show.
Do you feel participating in these types of events, away from the drama of "Basketball Wives LA," makes your business more legitimate?
This is definitely a positive distraction from the drama. I'm doing what I love and getting the best feedback from it all. I couldn't be happier!
Are there other designers you hope to meet during LA Swim Week? And will you be on the lookout for celebrities that would be interested in wearing your suits?
I'm a big fan of Frankie's Bikinis. So I'm hoping to meet the designers and congratulate them on an amazing line. I've invited Selena Gomez to the show and I'm hoping she's in town and is able to make it [Note: Gomez posted an Instagram photo of her stretched out in one of Michele's designs a few months ago.]
