Philadelphia native has designs
in 45th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair
By Staff
FASHION DESIGNER Fashion designer Beulah Cooley wears one of her favorite creations. A native of Philadelphia, Miss., Cooley's designs will be featured in the 45th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair "Simply Spectacular" 2002-2003 on Friday in Jackson.
By Penny Randall / staff writer
Feb. 26, 2003
As a child, Beulah Cooley began designing clothes using her dolls as models.
She also nurtured her creative abilities in an eighth-grade sewing class and soon knew she wanted to become a fashion designer.
That drive and desire paid off. Cooley, a native of Philadelphia, Miss., will be one of the featured designers in this season's Ebony Fashion Fair "Simply Spectacular" set for Friday in Jackson.
Another one of Cooley's dreams is to have her designs bought by major department stores. She is in the process of preparing samples of her burlap line for Neiman Marcus.
Cooley, whose designs are already in boutiques and shops in Detroit and Chicago, said she designs for teen-agers to women in their 70s.
Cooley entered her first talent show while a student at George Washington Carver High School in Philadelphia. She received an associate's degree in designing arts from Harris College in Meridian.
In the early 1970s, Cooley began her fashion career as an employee at Bobbie Brooks Designs in New York City. She moved to Detroit in 1977 and established her own business in 1978.
During that year, her first designed garment was shown. This design remained in popular demand for several years; she made others while catering to select clientele.
In 1983, she established Beulah Cooley Design Fashions. Her designs were featured in the Michigan Designers Fashions Show, sponsored by a local television station.
Out of 20 participating designers, the Beulah Cooley Fashions were among the top five.
She was selected as one of the top 10 designers nationwide in the International Design competition sponsored by Canadian Mist "Designers of the Future." Her design was declared a winner in 1992 and was on display in the Black Art Museum in New York City.
Cooley specializes in bridal and formal gowns, as well as one-of-a-kind fashionable suits, coats and dresses. She uses fabrics, silk, velvets, wool gabardines, linen and leathers to create her fashions.
A recent collection included fashions designed from natural burlap and denim.
Cooley said she successfully has balanced her career with her home life. She is the wife of Curtis Cooley Jr. and the mother of three sons.
Cooley's future plans include expanding and manufacturing her own line of clothing. She said by doing so, she will reach goals she set years ago in a schoolhouse in Mississippi.
Cooley is the daughter of the late John and Gustavia Roberts of Philadelphia.
