Rising Stars: Meet Pamela Lucas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Lucas.

Hi Pamela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hi! I’m Pamela Lucas, Owner, Fashion Designer and Educator of the House Of Pamela Renee’. I specialize in custom special occasion wear for men and women. I am a retired secondary and post-secondary instructor in the Apparel and Textile arena. I first learned how to sew in the KCMO school district, where I later retired after earning my Bachelor’s Degree at the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Presently, I am a full-time fashion designer/entrepreneur. In addition to custom designs, participating in Kansas City Fashion Week, I have started my online Academy of Patternmaking and Draping.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some may think I should be further along than I am based on my talent and skills. What is success? I am 61 years old, look and feel much younger. I have always wanted to have my own fashion design business. I couldn’t do it in my younger years. No Money. I couldn’t afford to be a full-time businesswoman. I had to work, pay bills, and build my fashion business on the side. It wasn’t until May of 2020 when I received my first pension check from the school district, that I became a legal business that I can devote my full attention. My former years, struggling, now my latter years, game on!!!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to custom designs, participating in Kansas City Fashion Week, I have started my online Academy of Patternmaking and Draping. I am proud to be a teacher. I must admit, at first I did not want to be a high school teacher. But, since it was for Fashion Design, I accepted.

Now, I combine my fashion design experience with my teaching experience, which sets me apart from most fashion designers and most teachers. So, when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the world, I turned to teach online and created my academy. Here is a link bit.ly/academyofpatternmaking.

My slogan is, “HOUSE OF PAMELA RENEE’, where fashion meets education”.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is human relationships. When I taught at the college level, no problem, teach your craft. Then, when I taught at the high school level, not only did I have to teach my craft, but teach the young students about life. My goodness, I never knew, teenagers went through so much. According to the reflection papers, I had my students write at the end of each semester, I did pretty good relating to them. As a matter of fact, I have a couple of students interning with me now, to learn more about sewing, designing, pattern making, and draping. I always say, “We all are lifetime learners.”

Pricing:

• Pattern making subscription is $37 monthly
• Custom Designs are negotiable

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.houseofpamelarenee.com
• Instagram: houseof_pamelarenee
• Facebook: Pamela Lucas (Personal page.), House of Pamela Renee (Business page.)

Image Credits
Monique White, Anthony White, Alyssa, Brandon, Brittany English, Pamela Newton, Saloni, Phil Mangala, Stephen Green, Samuel, Manuela, Rashad, Max McDonald, Autumn Tribett, Precious Smith, and Eli Stack, Pamela Lucas.