Posted by Meredith Spears on March 15, 2010 11:42 a.m.
There are a select few people in this world whose destinies and life paths are set before them at a very early age. They are imbued and blessed with a talent that defines what they will and/or should be doing with the rest of their lives. These people are a lucky few, and sometimes make those of us who are a tad bit more advanced in our age, but less so with our career paths, feel a tad bit inadequate.
Tatiana Mclane is one such person. At just 17, she has been in the fashion industry since the age of 9, when she started her label, Queenie4Ever, with her mother Venice. But she is no stranger to the fashion and entertainment industry – a child model, she has walked the runway for some high end fashion and jewelry brands, and appeared in print ads for companies like American Apparel. She also is the child of two entertainment lawyers, and her mother moonlights as a stylist to the stars.
When asked from where her inspiration comes, she replied that she is inspired largely by vintage styles, notably the fashions of the Victorian era and of the starlets of the 1940s and 1950s. She is also inspired by her love of Japanese culture and style, specifically naming Harajuku Streetwear.
“I love being creative as well,” Tatiana says, “such as mixing elements of a ballet costume with a vintage prom dress.”
Tatiana strives to encourage and inspire young girls and teens to be ladylike and dress age-appropriately, while at the same time feel pretty, fashionable, and youthful.
“My designs are sweet, yet elegant and sophisticated,” says Tatiana, “very much like my style icon Audrey Hepburn.”
“I think it’s fun to experiment with fashion and come up with your own style within your budget without having to feel that you have to follow every trend that the media tries to push on consumers,” Tatiana continues, revealing an old soul and a maturity level far beyond her years. “You should dress to accentuate your style and personality to make you feel good about yourself.”
Tatiana’s successes at such a young age are certainly inspiring, especially to young girls who want to follow in her footsteps. It is this knowledge that makes Tatiana rise to the occasion of being a positive role model, and an inspiration to them to follow their dreams. She wishes to spread the word globally that women are born with the ability to be powerful and beautiful and should help one another, especially younger girls.
Certainly one of Tatiana’s most notable successes was gaining enough recognition and esteem in her community and among her fashion peers to be invited to L.A.’s Fashion Week, making her the youngest designer to show a collection at L.A.’s Fashion Week. Her collection is composed of everything from adorable graphic print T-shirts, tote bags, baby clothing, men’s tees, to high fashion dresses. Her Spring 2010 collection, “Once Upon A Time,” debuted during Fashion Week, featuring pretty, feminine, and often-whimsical designs that speak to the “Princess” in all of us!
When asked about her future goals, Tatiana surprises once again. While most teens speak of fame and fortune, her main goal is to become a world traveler and well-educated scholar, who has just been accepted into Stanford University’s Summer College program. She plans to continue her studies in Japanese culture and language, and eventually study abroad there.
But have no fear – Tatiana has big plans for Queenie4Ever. In addition to continuing her designing, she also plans to open up boutiques, write a book series, turn her blog, Queenie4Ever.blogspot.com into a lifestyle magazine, and produce films under her production company Queenie4Ever Film Productions. Needless to say, ambition is certainly not something that Tatiana is short on! But more importantly, Tatiana is focused on remaining a positive role model for young women, and is devoted to strengthening good relations between the U.S. and other countries.
No matter what your age or where you are in your walk of life, we can all take a lesson from this truly sensational teenage talent.