How long have you been in the business?
I started my business in 2001 under the name Crocheting Tiger Hidden Dragon. I started out with making throws and pillows for people who needed comfort after 9/11. I participated in a couple of local craft fairs. At these fairs, I had soldiers coming up to me saying their parents sent them the flag afghan I was making at the time. Over the next few years, I sold out at various events with my throws and pillows. In 2003, I started making ponchos. I chose ponchos because they were fun to make and stylish with a twist! However, I get bored easily and that’s when I decided to move into all clothing items. I have designed and made bikinis, dresses, coats, skirts, pants, shorts and of course, hats, mittens and scarves.
In 2005, I surprisingly found out I was having another child and was subsequently fired from my job. I had to provide for my 11 year old son and my unborn child. From May 2005 to August 2006, I actively promoted Black Pearl Creations and received a positive reaction. I took an entrepreneur class. I then went from door to door to various boutiques in Manchester and Boston to get my collection in the door. I was able to get into a boutique on famous Newbury Street and some other boutiques in New Hampshire.
I did go back to an outside employer in August 2006. Working on my collection part time, I’ve been able to garner more attention and even receive some awards!

What do you provide to the industry?
I am not trained in fashion or design. My main course of study is economics! I did not intern in a fashion house for 10 years. I grew up overseas and was afforded the opportunity to express myself and experiment through my clothes at a younger age than most. I am not a full time fashion diva. I’ve built my line while maintaining a full time job, attending an Ivy League school and taking care of my 2 children.
I bring an unusual perspective to the fashion industry. A fresh, not of the establishment perspective. I don’t believe it is necessary to follow trends to be successful. It is necessary to have the fortitude to establish the trends for everyone else to follow.

Most embarrassing moment in the industry
My hair on the Style It up show. It looked good in person but the camera wasn’t as nice! You can see the video on my Events page on www.blackpearlstyle.com and tell me what you think!

Awards/Major Press/Story to share?
In August 2007, I was featured on Style It Up, a television show spotlighting designers in the New England area. At the end of every year, the producers and host of the show decide to pick their favorite designers for the year. I was chosen as one of the 2007 Fashion Designers of the Year. This was a great honor as the staff of Style It Up see many creations throughout the year. They bring these designers into their studio and interview them for their television show. I know some of the designers that were featured in 2007. They are very driven and creative. I am humbled to think my work stood out.

What and who inspires you?
Living in Italy , I crafted a style that could be considered neo-vintage. Living in England , I learned the fiber arts: knitting and crochet. Being a child of a member of the military, I became enamored with uniforms. The fit, what many people don’t realize is the most important part of any item or outfit. If it doesn’t fit, you shouldn’t wear it.
A lot of my inspiration comes from my parents. I was lucky enough to have parents who were trendsetters! My father, outside of uniform, was always a sharp dresser. My father loves the style of the 40s and gives it his own modern twist. My mother would be able to take unique items and make them into a glamorous outfit.

When you occasionally have a really bad day,
and you just need to take it out on someone,
don’t take it out on someone you know,
take it out on someone you don’t know,
but you know deserves it.

I was sitting at my desk when I remembered
a phone call I’d forgotten to make.

I found the number and dialed it.

A man answered, saying
‘Hello.’

I politely said,
‘This is Chris.
Could I please speak with Robyn Carter?’

Suddenly a manic voice yelled out in my ear
‘Get the right f***ing number!’
and the phone was slammed down on me.

I couldn’t believe that anyone could be so rude.

When I tracked down Robyn’s correct number to call her,
I found that I had accidentally transposed the last two digits.

After hanging up with her,
I decided to call the ‘wrong’ number again.

When the same guy answered the phone, I yelled
‘You’re an a ** hole!’
and hung up.

I wrote his number down with the word ‘a ** hole’ next to it,
and put it in my desk drawer.

Every couple of weeks,
when I was paying bills or had a really bad day,
I’d call him up and yell,
‘You’re an a ** hole!’

It always cheered me up.

When Caller ID was introduced,
I thought my therapeutic ‘a ** hole’
calling would have to stop.

So, I called his number and said,
‘Hi, this is John Smith from the telephone company.
I’m calling to see if you’re familiar with our Caller ID Program?’

He yelled
‘NO!’
and slammed down the phone.

I quickly called him back and said,
‘That’s because you’re an a ** hole!’
and hung up.

One day I was at the store,
getting ready to pull into a parking Spot.

Some guy in a black BMW
cut me off and pulled into the spot I had patiently waited for.

I hit the horn and yelled that I’d been waiting for that spot,
but the idiot ignored me.

I noticed a ‘For Sale ‘ sign in his back window,
so I wrote down his number.

A couple of days later,
right after calling the first a ** hole (I had is number on speed dial,)
I thought that I’d better call the BMW a ** hole, too.

I said,
‘Is this the man with the black BMW for sale?’

He said,
‘Yes, it is.’

I ! asked,
‘Can you tell me where I can see it?’

He said,
‘Yes, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd, in Fairfax.
It’s a yellow ranch, and the car’s parked right out in front.’

I asked,
‘What’s your name?’

He said,
‘My name is Don Hansen,’

I asked,
‘When’s a good time to catch you, Don?’

He said,
‘I’m home every evening after five.’

I said,
‘Listen, Don, can I tell you something?’

He said,
‘Yes?’

I said,
‘Don, you’re an a ** hole!’

Then I hung up,
and added his number to my speed dial, too.

Now, when I had a problem,
I had two a ** holes to call.

Then I came up with an idea.

I called a ** hole #1.

He said,
‘Hello.’

I said,
‘You’re an a ** hole!’
(But I didn’t hang up.)

He asked,
‘Are you still there?’

I said,
‘Yeah!’

He screamed,
‘Stop calling me,’

I said,
‘Make me,’

He asked,
‘Who are you?’

I said,
‘My name is Don Hansen.’

He said,
‘Yeah? Where do you live?’

I said,
‘a ** hole, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd, in Fairfax,
a yellow ranch,
I have a black Beamer parked in front.’

He said,
‘I’m coming over right now, Don.
And you had better start saying your prayers.’

I said,
‘Yeah, like I’m really scared, a ** hole,’
and hung up.

Then I called a ** hole #2.

He said,
‘Hello?’

I said,
‘Hello, a ** hole,’

He yelled,
‘If I ever find out who you are…’

I said,
‘You’ll what?’

He exclaimed,
‘I’ll kick your a ** ,’

I answered,
‘Well, a ** hole, here’s your chance.
I’m coming over right now.’

Then I hung up and immediately called the police,
saying that I lived at 34 Oaktree Blvd, in Fairfax,
and that I was on my way over there to kill my gay lover.

Then I called Channel 9 News
about the gang war going down in Oaktree Blvd in Fairfax.

I quickly got into my car and headed over to Fairfax.

I got there just in time to watch two a ** holes
beating the crap out of each other
in front of six cop cars, an overhead news helicopter
and surrounded by a news crew.

NOW I feel much better.

Anger Management really does work.