Getting To Know Detroit Designer, Charketa Glover

By Raquel Parks
@MetroDivaPages

From designing in Detroit to presenting on the runway of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), season 13 Project Runway Contestant, Charketa Glover has proven no goal is too ambitious to achieve. Glover brought her Detroit pride, unique style, and determination to compete against 18 other designers on Project Runway; she ultimately made it as a top 4 finalist to showcase her Spring/Summer 2014 collection in NYFW.

However, there is much more to come from this rising Detroit designer for 2015 and beyond. In an exclusive interview for CBS Detroit, Glover shares her life as a designer, her experience on Project Runway, and what's next for her.

On a quiet Saturday afternoon in her studio, Glover sits at her sewing table with confidence and ease in an aqua blue long, sleek dress. Her small waistline is accented with a thin gold belt and her hair is styled in a cropped, chic short do.

Her Style

She is accessorized with different strands of casual, gold, an elaborate gold ring that stretches slightly over her knuckle and a tall gold bangle bracelet. Glover describes her style as a mixture.

"I'm totally vintage…I love mixing high-end and low-end items [together]. You can never tell with me. I literally dress how I'm feeling," she said.

The reflection of her style is mirrored in her designing space. The backdrop of the intimate sewing area is a wall covered with images of fashion looks from various magazines, a calendar and her weekly agenda.

Across the studio room is her sewing supplies, sorted on shelves and drawers.

Next to her sewing space, is a shelf that displays a few of her fashion awards she has received, including a medallion from the Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan and a framed nomination from Fashion Group International of Detroit.

Who She Designs For

Charketa Glover (nicknamed Char by loved ones) is known to the world as a designer but her journey of fashion design did not begin until her mid to late 20's.

"I was a licensed cosmetologist. That's what I did first. I was doing hair since I was 14. I got my license, right after high school. That's what I was doing full-time… [but] fashion just kind of pushed that right out of the way," she said.

As a designer, Glover has a clear concept of who she designs for and what she wants her designs to say.

"I think I have this girl in my head … like this fly girl. She's the one you see [and ask] 'Where did you get that from?' It's something about her in a room full of people that makes her stand out. I design for her," she said.

"I want my customer to be the one that wears stuff that starts a conversation. [I like] giving people something they've never seen before. I like the fact I can create something that nobody will see … That feeling alone is rewarding."

Glover states that the clothing she designs is "outside of the box". Yet she expresses how she has seen change in her clothing as she has grown up and experienced Project Runway.

Beyond Reality TV

"Since the show I think my clothing is a little bit cleaner, now. I'm going in a different direction…I think my line is reflecting where I am now … just a clean, sleek and confident stage. But it's still sassy. It's a medley of things," said Glover.

"In my new collection I just completed, you can literally see the transition. That's one of the perks of being a designer; you evolve and your collection can be a reflection of that."

She has also had the opportunity to use her one-of-a kind style to design not only for Detroit fashionistas but also create unique pieces for celebrities.

"I've always been ambitious…I connected with a lot of stylists who had celebrity clients and we built relationships. I would send out pieces. A lot of the celebrities that got pieces from me were custom," she said.

Dawn Richard, Lalah Hathaway, and Keyshia Cole are among some of the celebrities Glover has worked with. She shares how making the right connection lead to her creating a custom dress for singer, Lalah Hathaway for a concert at Chene Park.

"It happened at the perfect time. I pitched the idea of a flowy dress to her stylist. She loved it. She came to my studio. She was so down to earth. I've been fortunate," Glover shared with a smile.

Glover took her talent a step further as she ventured to Project Runway. Project Runway has led to success for many upcoming designers but it is also a long road to a hopeful, finish-line to NYFW.

Glover survived an untimely elimination in the competition yet she was able to return to go further to the finals, due to the save by designer's mentor, Tim Gunn. Despite the hardship and what competitors had to say about her, Glover describes how she stayed positive.

"My experience on Project Runway was such a roller coaster. It was a mental thing more than anything. It taught me so much about myself … I had a responsibility. I didn't want to represent Detroit like that [in a negative way]. I didn't want to represent myself like that. Everybody has had challenges…but it's how you handle it that makes the difference," she said.

Glover also recalls Gunn's encouraging words of advice before creating her collection for NYFW: "I saw something in you. I felt like your voice had not been heard . You need to trust yourself. Trust your inner voice," she remembers him saying.

"When someone sees something in you that you don't see in yourself, it's apart of you…I think it was respect and just a genuine admiration on my part…Those are words that still echo today. That's what I learned...to believe in myself more. I'm confident on my own but sometimes people can tap into stuff that was dormant. For him to see that in me is a jewel I will always carry with me."

Aside from NYFW, Glover said her life changed in other ways from the Project Runway experience.

"Coming from Detroit, one of the things I had the luxury of doing was being exposed to more people… [but]I've never been on a platform this large. It's nothing like being on national TV. I'm a little bit more popular. That definitely has changed," she stated with a big laugh.

In addition to an expanding fan base, Glover mentioned the effect of meeting new people from around the world. "You're exposed to a vast variety of styles and different ways of designing. You can't walk away and not learn something from that."

With Project Runway behind her, Glover is also finding more success and recognition as a designer. She was awarded a medallion from the Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan on December 6, 2014.

Bringing It Home

"Me being a true Detroiter, born and raised, I've heard of the Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan. They've been around for so many years. When someone from the Urban League reached out to me … I jumped at the opportunity. It was an opportunity to give back and an opportunity to plug into things going on in Detroit."

During her attendance at their event for kids that have done outstanding work, Glover was surprised by being awarded the medallion by the organization. "I was honored. It was so unexpected. That was the icing on the cake. Just the smile from the kids and taking pictures [with them] was award enough."

As her success and recognition continues as a designer, Glover has even more projects in store for this year.

"I just did some sequin pants for Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child. It will be in a magazine and I [also] got to do an interview with the magazine. I have a lot of things coming up for 2015 … Right now, I'm really active with my website, chargrels.com. If anyone wants to keep up with me, I keep my website updated. I also have a new collection coming out."

As Glover sets her sights on her next ventures as a designer, she shows no signs of stopping. After reflecting on her thoughts intently for a few moments, she sums up her ambition in one statement. "I want to live. I want to shake some things up. I'm just a girl that's going for it."

Raquel is a Michigan native with a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Michigan. She loves fashion and writing about life's everyday stories. She has written for various local publications that include Dearborn Press & Guide and Detroit Fashion Pages. Raquel also writes for her own local events blog, Metro Diva Pages. You can visit Raquel's blog at metrodivapages-rdp.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @MetroDivaPages.