CRAIG O WILLIAMS

Fashion Designer for Cardicci Couture

- Get the scoop on fashion, Get the scoop on fashion, see what’s in & what’s not. see what’ s in & what’s not. Are you in? Are you in?

F F A A S S H H I I O O N N C C O O R R N N E E R R S EE WH AT’S IN nternational Fashion Designer/ Businessman Craig O “Cardicci” Williams was Born in 1965 in the sunny tropical Caribbean country of Kingston, Jamaica as the first child of Cuban and Sicilian parents. Craig was exposed to sewing machines and other equipment at an early age. His Grandmother Drucella from Costa Rico, ran a sewing factory in Havana, Cuba. During the early 1950s and 60s, it was known as a family business that constructed and made uniforms for the arm-forces and schools on the island.

In the late 60s, the family got separated by political revolution frictions on the island of Cuba, which resulted in a portion of the family losing their lives and some moving to Miami, Jamaica, and other neighboring Caribbean Islands. His mother, Ulahlee, who is currently still a dressmaker, made sure that he paid attention, helped to hem dresses and shirt tails, sewed buttons, and inspected finished garments.

Throughout growing up on the island, he became more and more interested. He gained a passion for directing family and friends on how to dress and what colors they should wear. He would work as an apprentice with anyone that allowed him to do so. He would start by cleaning the shop every evening after school. Today, Craig works closely with thousands of clients in New England and worldwide in Interior Decorating, Fashion Designing, Television & Stage production, Weddings, and making red carpet gowns and elaborate suits. Craig continues to use the old-school design approach, but adding a modern touch has become his passion. He strives to continue creating his signature silhouettes with the most grace and elegance. His work ethic allows him to seek to execute this every time he designs and manages a project or production. Craig’s passion for fashion and his blend of mixing the old with the new resulted in the creation of his dream Cardicci Couture in 1996 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Continues...on page 20

Continued...from page 22

RED INK Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Craig “Cardicci.” This is what he told us.

REDINK: Who or what influenced you to become a designer and when did it all happen?

CC: Seeing my mother Ulahlee Gordon making school uniform and sewing various types of clothing for folks in and around the neighborhood, I was greatly influenced by her and my Grandma Drucella Butter as sewing was their family bread and butter, I believed it was about age 7 or 8 that I began to take interest in first encounter in sewing my first shit by hand.

REDINK:Do you have a favorite collection or show you’re most proud of?

CC: My 2022/2023 YOFW Yonkers fashion week men's/women's winter/ spring collection was my first big Major arena to introduce my brand Cardicci Couture to the World it was well in attendance by dozens of social media influencers, Photographers, merchandiser /buyers from Major department stores, boutique's owners and hundreds of supporters from all walks of life thanks to all the CEO'S and Directors of the YOFW committee and the Entourage on talented super model included Mr Sergio Delavicci Actor/Super Model who had grace the runways in what I would called a Cardicci masterpiece, collections from these major showings have landed my designs to grace the covers of major magazines ,newspapers, tons of other publications including podcast and television show interviews which have created an humbling awareness now my phone cannot stop ringing God be the glory.

REDINK: Tell us some pros and cons you have encountered in the industry

CC:For me fashion has always been a positive influence. I had served in quite a few different professional and I’ve always gone back to fashion it's basically the only thing that kept me going However I believe that there's not enough door's or opportunity opening for minority designer's like my self,so if you don't have the full support of sponsors/ banker's then I think it's going to takes a much longer time for one to succeed in reaching there intentional goals and aspirational goals.

REDINK: What advice would you give to a young designer starting up in today's market?

CC: Based on my personal experiences my number one advice for any up-coming designer's is not to give up very hard in the fashion industry but don't give up believe me if I made it to becoming one of the world best top Fashion designer you can too no one has the tell me God almighty the greatest king of men which am his servant who is ordered to do great things shall be a great designer, take all the opportunities to display, showcase and attend every possible runways shows you can in other words -you just don't know when someone might be looking at your Life's work.

REDINK: If you could design something for a celebrity that you haven’t worked with before, who would it be and why?

CC: I would love opportunity to contribute to Mrs Beyoncé Giselle Knowles wardrobe to enhance her outfits with a touch of my inspiration creations from luxurious, beaded embroidery fabrics and extraordinary antiques applique lace's imported from Italian mill house,Istanbul ,Morocco and other Exotic countries in the mother land, These couture extravaganza distinctive's hand crafted infinite stylings variations involving hundreds of different techniques & crafts that have handed down to the Haute Cardicci couture throughout the centuries which exemplifies the couture look,this is a truly remarkable chemistry of top class craftsmanship almost like nothing anyone have ever seen, although I have thousands of clients all over the world last but not least would be Mr Tyler Perry and Mr Shaquille O'Neal just to name a few is would be an challenge honor after all these people are some of my most inspirational inspired.

REDINK: What are you working on now?

CC: Presently am working on my 2023/2024 men's/ women's Fall/Winter collection it's called simply (polo white) will be on 04/6/ 2023 in the west Indian Social Society Banquet Hall Ballroom in Hartford

Connecticut also the Urban League of Springfield

Massachusetts will be hosting the Couture Brand for a showing at their annual gala to be followed by a Connecticut Breast cancer foundation conference awareness/Fashion Show in addition to what been said I am working on seeing more linen materials clothing on the runways so am going all out reintroduce this idea for fall colorful and versatile.

REDINK: What can we expect from you next?

CC: I have created hundreds if not thousands of beautiful wedding gowns and tuxedo throughout my over 4 decades being a fashion designer I am embarking on the idea to start designing an affordable high end bridal collection and would love to bring all my past work want I want to called Cardicci bridal world & show museum, however my brain is always on the run looking for new ideas and inspiration's in my surroundings am in the phase of getting the Cardicci Couture Brand into Major department stores and my dream end goal is to Cardicci Flagship store in every major city, state and every country on planet earth starting in my hometowns Springfield Massachusetts & Hartford Connecticut . This concludes our interview with Craig “Cardicci”. Support this talanted & exceptional Designer. Check out his social media websites.

IG @cardicci.couture https://www.facebook.com/craigo.cardicci

Photos provided by Photographer Wayne Winston

IG: @FacesOfBeautyModelTeam

Lamesha @naturally.mesha, Alexandra Lakewood @alex_fer33, Clarissa Benitez @lovinmoalways, Yanira Bowens @arinay_d82, Georgie @_.georgiee, Chastity Aniece @chasityaniece, Prisca @Priscaaaaaa, Veronica Wilson @vveronicawilson, @vibrantsouls, , Emmy Lugo @emmylugo_ , Mark Adams @madams2887 , Rashana Miller @rmillertime