Clarence T. Lee—Houston’s Rising Fashion Star

Houston is home to some of the most talented individuals I have ever met and Clarence is defiantly one of them. He is an up and coming designer whose impressive resume includes interning for Jerri Moore’s Design House. I got a chance to chat with Clarence and ask him his view on fashion.

Clarence tells me that his design esthetic is simple, soft, and functional. He wants a woman to feel effortlessly chic. “I think about my sister when I’m designing and busy women like her.”  This notion is best expressed in his Spring Collection shift dress that emphasizes how a woman can wear one outfit all day and look appropriate in all aspects of her life… From the office to drinks with friends…His color pallet consist of neutrals and powder pinks. (The striking look of black and grey with pops of pink I think are very appealing and would look good on every woman)

I asked Clarence what his inspiration was for this upcoming season and he told me that he has spent a lot of time in New York and a walk in Poets Lane became a focal point in his Spring Collection. “I took a photo of the bare branches and turned it into a print.” That type of creativity and finding beauty in simple moments is what I find most impressive about Clarence’s work.  How many of us would have walked by that same tree and never once thought of making art?  When asked his opinion on upcoming trends Clarence shared that he for sees the drop waist line in women’s apparel and reveals that he has incorporated that concept into his new collection.” I also would like to see more exotic fabrics used like ostrich or python.” (I got very excited about this bc I think exotic leathers are super sexy!)

Clarence then opened up about how he feels the need to make Houston a fashion capital and he knows that him staying in Houston is important to the movement.  “I see so many other designers and models saying that they have to leave Houston to make it and that’s so not true.” (You know how I feel about this subject so I was thrilled to hear him say this!)  He then went on to talk about how grateful he was to Jerri Moore giving him a chance to learn from her and that her challenging him as a designer has really given him inspiration. Clarence shared that he hopes to mentor young designers and he believes fresh and new perspectives is what keeps fashion an exciting industry. “Helping people is a cycle, and just how Jerri gave me a chance I plan on doing the same to someone in design school.”

I believe we will be seeing a lot from Clarence T. Lee. He has a humble and sincere spirit paired with a creative mind. He is one of the key players in showing all that Houston has to offer. His understanding of what a woman needs from her wardrobe and his fresh outlook on trends makes him a designer to watch!