Designer Renee Hill-Christie screams urban fashion. Her sense of style can be described as culturally grounding interwoven with the daring flair that epitomizes great Haute Couture designers. Although featured in many industry showcases over the past decade, her line, Rene France Designs, is boldly innovating and challenges industry status quos.
Hailing from the ethnic melting pot that is Brooklyn, New York, Renee Hill-Christie’s urban fashion swagger is apparent in her various designs. Example: Feel the island warmth in her colorful crocheted swimsuit creations. Now residing in the diverse DC metro area, this urban backdrop is a perfect canvas on which Renee can further brushstroke her urban fashion extravaganza.
Renee’s vision is to see RFD grow and provide many opportunities and blessings for others-not just her close circle of family and friends.
Ms. Hill Christie says, “The DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area is so raw to the fashion industry. I would love to see a building that houses the production on many levels of Renee France Designs, from woven garments to crocheted and knit designs being created under my supervision or simply making great garments for the family and friends. These options are so limited here and yet there are workers here from so many countries who have done this kind of work and were great in their respective fields in their own countries. And naturally, I’d love to have a showroom area to sell. That is the ultimate goal to move the designs and see them worn all over the world!”
Most recently Renee France Designs was a featured designer in the MACViVAGlam fashion show fundraiser, which helped highlight and support a wonderful model (a particpant in the 13th Cycle of the Next Top Model at the EFN Lounge on 9th St in DC) out of the DMV via South Carolina. It was also a fundraiser for Breast Cancer and AIDS.
Urban World Fashion: How would you describe Renee France Designs?
Renee Hill-Christie: We like to dress the inner you on the outside, because it is very becoming! That describes Renee France Designs ethics of working from the core to create the perfect design because a woman's realness, her lifestyle and even skin tone is considered in the selection for a client. Be it a ready made or custom design no one is ever allowed to purchase an outfit that will not bring out the best of each client’s most treasured assets. Renee France Designs is for women who like to express themselves through their clothing without being shy to use colors, textures, and sometimes very untraditional cuts.
UWF: Where does your creative inspiration for your designs come from?
RHC: I would honestly have to say from the spirit within; it all starts there. How can one explain the visions in my dreams that would wake me like an urgency to get up and create? I can look at a new line of shoes in the store for the coming season and be inspired by the many designs. Like, “I can wear this with that”...ideas just flow. One of my grandmother's ultra fem nightgowns that had been passed on to me created a new beginning- my designing gowns out of gauze. Oh, and I love to look at bridal magazines to get ideas to turn into workable dresses. Even just sitting at the beach and feeling at peace allows my mind to flow with creativity.
UWF: How do you add to or challenge urban fashion?
RHC: By adding color or texture to the market of what ever city I may currently live in. It seems people will love my designs but then wonder how to wear them, how to put them together. I had to learn to teach people how to layer something that seems too explicit or what color tights to wear to make the outfit really pop without seeming outrageous... It seems people want different, they love different but only a select group will wear the very new and unknown to the mass ahead of the game. I find that my designs were always ahead of the game by 4-5 yrs. And then I would see the color usage in stores like Benetton or The Gap in later seasons. It is our society on a whole; unless it is mass produced, the masses won't wear it. But they love to look at it.
UWF: Who are your favorite designers?
RHC: Christian LaCroix, Joseph Font tights!!! Jean Paul Gaultier, Old School Fendi Furs inspired me to start making coats. My very first designer piece was put on layaway at Kings Plaza Mall in Brooklyn on my way to Riis Beach. It was a white strapeless knit jumpsuit that I wore to death till I had to tie dye it. Oh, and I really like Tracey Reese's line and Paco Rabonne's metal dresses! UWF: Do your lines fit curvy, real women?
RHC: Yes. I have had clients who were 300 lbs- tall and short. Curvy women come in all shapes and sizes and what most they like about my designs are the cut and how beautiful they feel in my designs. I like to dart in sometimes unconventional areas to make an unforgiving fabric more wearable. Growing up most of my friends were from many different parts of the world and were honored for their curves. It is only now that I have had an issue when doing certain industry- type shows that I have had to work on a smaller scale. I would say my average customer ranges from 6-14, but I honestly design for all shapes and sizes. I was in a showroom in DC and they literally pulled one or two of my pieces because I had put in a size 16/18 dress-saying that my line was not Plus Sized, so these pieces were not suitable to show.
I had a customer come in to that showroom who was an 18 and another who was a 22 and they both walked out because nothing was shown for their sizes.
UWF: What are your price points?
RHC: My designs generally range from $45-$600 depending on which store the items are shown in-they can be up to $1000. I am modest but sometimes others will say I need to increase my price points. It's all still kind of new in some aspects.
RHC: Oh would have to say for this past year the gold metallic crocheted monokini; this Harlequin Faux Fur Coat with matching Tame that I let someone beg me for a month to buy off of me- that was my personal favorite. Oh, my Tiger quilted Asian-inspired coat with orange lining-it had over sized cuffs and a matching shortie-short mini; and a reversible quilted snowsuit for babes that opened up to a changing blanket. Oh, and the very first coat I made out of this really nice Boucle Wool. I made it when I first became pregnant and continued till my grandmother wanted me to throw it away cause the wool was no longer curly. I just couldn't throw it out and my Nana literally gave me money to get a new one! Oh let's not forget the Green gauze lily gown with pearls that my son helped me to create the wonderful back on...Dag, and the purple Elizabethan Cropped Spider back sweater!
UWF: Which part(s) of your process get your juices flowing?
RHC: I would say the first step that gets it all going is the excitement in finding a beautiful piece of fabric. Then, when the design really starts taking shape and looks like what I have envisioned. But the ultimate for me honestly still is to see the finish piece from the many great photographers I have been fortunate to work with. This allows me to see what others have seen when looking at my designs. Kind of like a rebirth to my eyes so to speak.
UWF: What are some of your upcoming projects and events?
RHC: On the 18th of October I will be featured in Hope for Fashion which is a fashion show fundraiser to help bring awareness and light to the issues of domestic violence against women survivors of war in foreign countries in conjunction with Inner Expressions. The event will take place at the Grand Westin in DC.
UWF: Having fun?
RHC: Yes, networking can be fun...people are very entertaining in the industry and sometimes work is so much fun. Don't get me wrong it is work beyond the imagination. But working with so much color and textures and all the various personalities of the photographers, models, MUA's and hairstylist can be heady. So much creativity in a room can be outrageous!
But just being alone is a blast because I am in my own element with some really great music playing. There is no one over my shoulder and I can just be free to do as I please when creating a new design of my own liking.
I never really liked dolls but why is it I now have 5 mannequins in my living room whom I play dress up with all the time? Oh, and I make a major mess when preparing for a show- it can be just crazy around here. Then I hit the show or shoot...clean up, and what? back at it all over again. Fun, yes or just plain ole crazy you decide. But I bring smiles to my client's faces and they get smiles and nods of approval whenever they step out in one of my designs. And for me that is the sweetest deal of them all.
UWF: Nuff said!
You can find Renee France Designs at:
Kiny Bis Boutique
3222 m Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
202-298-6125
modelmayhem #746580
For special orders contact the designer herself @ 571-251-7413
Please visit her website
