Taide Argelia
Panamanian born, Taide Argelia Broadbelt developed her sense of style at an early age. Her mother always made sure she had a custom-made dress for church. The excitement and anticipation of getting to wear a beautiful dress, made just for her, was all the motivation needed to get her through a list of chores in exchange for the privilege of being mommy’s muse. She began to understand that quality clothing can transform and transcend your physical and mental state of being.
Professional Tailor
After Bauder college, Taide worked in Production for Anna Sui Inc. She visited factories, selected fabric and trims, and took part in meetings for sample garment fittings. This is where her first thoughts of creating her own clothing brand took root. Taide continued to refine her craft while working for Aundrey Smaltz’ The Ground Crew, providing professional tailoring services to top design houses such as Ferragamo, Hache, NAHM, Jenny Packham, and Donna Karen. She has also worked for the New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week as a professional backstage dresser for Jason Wu, L’Wren Scott, Donna Karan, LACOSTE, Academy of Art University, Tom Ford, B. Michael America, and Vera Wang, among others.
Taide’s Reflection on Fear and Anxiety
Every day I wake up with some fear and anxiety that sometimes keeps me from moving forward. But, when that happens I remember a phrase my mom use to say all the time: "Do something before something do you." As an immigrant from Panama via Jamaica, my mom brought her 13 children to the United States with the sole purpose of prospering...making a better life for us. Her talent was sewing and embroidering. As the youngest of 13, I was the one that took on fashion designing and construction head on like her.
My goal is to have my own successful clothing line that makes money, unlike my mother that spent a lot of time on beautiful garments but barely got paid a third of what these garments were worth. Still, my mother taught me the value of quality clothes and that what you wear can transform and transcend your physical and mental state of mind. So, I'm very grateful for that lesson.
Taide’s Reflection on Marching to Her Own Drumbeat
I’m determined to show up as the best version of myself because most of the time I feel underrepresented in society. In this world of unrealistic self-images and expectations of beauty, I find that just being myself is enough for me. Although social media’s influence is all around, I choose to always sift through the superficial and focus on what is real. If my individuality of thoughts, actions, and/or beliefs can encourage even one person to march to their own drum, then I am happy to stand out in the crowd.
I am sure that my 90s experience of being one of several minority scholarship students of color in a predominantly white town must have also helped to solidify this inner strength I wear as a shield each day. The daily reminders of my supposed inferiority via the whispers, stares, and the absence of even my name (as I was often called “the ABC girl) motivated me to want to be known for the beautiful, intelligent, talented, and individual person I am and have always been. This is my drumbeat. This is also the drumbeat of my 90s Andover A Better Chance Program housemates: Tawana, Eurekera, Michelle, Shontay, Lakisha, Alison, India, Ayanna, Christina, Karyna, Renee, Natasha, Rolanda, Keisha, Janice, Karen, Caridad, Cirila, and Nolia. Women I proudly call my sisters and who I call on for support, encouragement, and love. We marched then and we march on today to our own drumbeat with our heads held high.
Taide’s Reflection on WHY the JUNE Dress is Special to Her
I’ve been downsizing my closet for the past two years. I found that I owned lots of layers I wore under my clothes to keep warm in the winter. I also had a few dresses and several sweaters and jeans that did not necessarily compliment me. I felt that I did not have a “look” that made me feel confident and stylish. I found myself with a closet full of clothing but nothing to wear. I’m sure some of you can relate.
On the other hand, my husband has a limited amount of clothing that is organized, fashionable, and classic at the same time. He ALWAYS looks good in the clothes he wears and ALWAYS gets tons of compliments from both men and women. He never takes more than 30 minutes to get dressed. Even on days that he goes back and forth about what to wear he’s STILL dressed long before me. Hmm? Is it because his loving wife picks out most of his clothing and also tailors it to perfection?
After much introspection I decided to mainly wear clothing I made because I know exactly what I want to look like. I like looking sophisticated and sexy, sometimes fun and flirty, while always feeling confident and chic. Every garment I design is deeply rooted in this ambition. The JUNE dress fits these requirements but goes a few steps further by having sentimental meaning as well.
JUNE is special to me because it’s made from several pairs of my husband and my old jeans. It also has pieces of an old handmade Panamanian Mola textile my mom gave me several years before she passed in 2010. I decided to piece together the different jean and Mola in patchwork form. I chose a Dior reminiscent cinched waist silhouette and full skirt that is shortened for a fun and flirtatious twist. I named this dress JUNE because that is my mom’s birth month as well as my wedding anniversary. In fact, I got married exactly on my mom’s birthday, June 1st, so she would always be part of our wedding day. And what a special day it was! There to share in my happiness were my extended parents, Nancy Kendrick and Peter Beatty, who have always been present for so many milestones in my life. Also standing strong that Friday afternoon in June were my 90s sisters from 134 Main Street.
And that is why I love the JUNE dress. Do you have any item of clothing you find very special?
