Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Cece Peniston 'finally' finds fashion
by Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times
2015-06-24

This article shared 6997 times since Wed Jun 24, 2015
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


CeCe Peniston scored five number one Billboard dance hits within three years. Her signature song "Finally" has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. ( She wrote the massive hit song when she was only 21. ) Now, at 45, she enters a new chapter in her life with a fashion line. Windy City met Peniston at her hotel room to discuss her new projects.

Windy City Times: So you are originally from Ohio?

CeCe Peniston: I was born in Dayton, Ohio, and [was] a military brat. My dad was a master sergeant in the Air Force. We moved to Arizona when I was about 9; I have been there ever since. I lived in L.A. and New York for a year, but came back to Arizona. I figure I can hop on a plane and go wherever I need to.

WCT: I love that taco stand outside of Charlie's, the gay bar in Phoenix.

CP: It is the best!

WCT: How did the new Sew Unique Swimwear line get started?

CP: I went on a cruise and my friend had brought some bathing suits with her. I liked one with rhinestones and was showing it to my friends. They suggested I do a line. I had some friends join me. It evolved naturally. It didn't feel like a job. I enjoyed it.

WCT: Did you sew growing up?

CP: No. I have to do some sewing now. There are times I like things shorter or they are too long. There has been some trial and error.

WCT: It must be a learning process.

CP: It is. My different slant to the line is I take what people will throw away and use it as a treasure. It could be a necklace but I put it on a bathing suit. The mink suit that we have was actually my grandmother's mink coat. I kept trying to give it away because it wouldn't fit me. We just tore it and made it into a bathing suit.

WCT: So someone could bring you an item and it could be custom-made into swimwear?

CP: Yes, absolutely. Sometimes people just don't want to get rid of an item or it is stained in one area. We can use all of that.

This right here [pointing to one of her items] was made out of pieces of leather and can be used as a cover-up. You can use it over jeans or a bathing suit. It is not about getting in the pool but looking good standing there!

WCT: What size range?

CP: Some are size eight, some are size zero. I had a friend that wanted something custom-made and her boobs are triple-Gs. We put rhinestones on it and hooked her up. These are just samples for the fashion shows to get the interest up. If someone wants something special then we can go from there.

WCT: What about clothing for men?

CP: I would like to. We just talked about that because I had an Adam and Eve thing with leaves. I wanted to write on the leaf "coming soon!" I know there is a big market for that. I figured with me having such a big gay following that it is a great idea.

WCT: Maybe work with Andrew Christian.

CP: Yes; me and Andrew could come together. I want to make something different.

WCT: Do you have a separate website than the CeCe Peniston one just for fashion?

CP: I haven't finished a separate website yet. I want to get the visuals and pictures done. People will be able to see the fashion shows and runway stuff. Then they will know I am serious. They don't want to hear about it. They want to see it. This Chicago fashion show is the first one.

WCT: So you will be traveling around with more fashion shows?

CP: I would like to. These are the only two I have booked so far. I am the face of an energy and beer drink called SHE, so I would like to incorporate that. I would like to do a "Sex and the City" thing where the girls lay down and have rhinestones on them, along with food. There would be my swimwear and SHE. It depends on who is doing what.

On July 10, we are doing the CityWalk at Universal Studios, where I will be doing another fashion show there.

WCT: Let's talk about music.

CP: I have a brand-new single with Frankie Knuckles. It is called "Love Don't Take Over."

WCT: When did you work with Frankie before he passed away?

CP: My friend had sent him this track. Since I had never had a song remixed like this except for what Eric Kupper did with David Morales for "Finally." When they had this one they put the director's cut on it. He loved it so the song came out of that.

I just performed at House of Blues last week with house music artists. A lot of people think EDM is still here, but house is coming back.

WCT: What else are you working on?

CP: I am doing a fitness competition in November and will be making a workout video. I wanted to not only get healthy but reinvent myself. Next year is the 25th anniversary of "Finally," so I am going to make a new video with my little pants. I still have them in my closet.

I just did a movie also, called Where Is Good? It is a play off words with Good instead of God. The plot involves date-rape drugs. It is an independent film. We just did a red carpet for it. The previews have been really great for it.

WCT: Are you still performing at gay street festivals?

CP: Yes, absolutely. I have a show I getting ready to do at the Queens Festival. I will definitely do more festivals and gay Prides. Call me—you know I love performing!

WCT: How was it seeing your song in the movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert?

CP: I felt like it gave new life to my song at that point. The mix was like seven minutes long and I didn't know the skit with the guy would be like that. I felt like it gave it a new push.

In fact, I was in London with my mom one time and they were doing Priscilla, Queen of the Desert from Broadway. I kept thinking I am the little girl at 13 years old with a dream and a poem, and here it is onstage. That gave me chills.

WCT: It has been great hearing about your projects.

CP: I don't want to stop. I can lay down when I'm in my coffin!

Visit www.cecepeniston.moonfruit.com for more of Peniston's projects .


This article shared 6997 times since Wed Jun 24, 2015
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

STRUT marks World AIDS Day with 14th Annual Fashion Show 2023-12-05
- On Dec. 3, John Fleming and Madman Productions presented the 14th annual STRUT fashion show at Joe's on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St. As in previous years, the standing room only show was a fundraiser, ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars down Houston 3-0 2023-08-06
- In local pro women's soccer action, the Chicago Red Stars closed the UKG Challenge Cup play in historic fashion with three goals all assisted by defender Casey Krueger, blanking the Houston Dash 3-0 on Aug. 5 ...


Gay News

Stefanie Clark reflects on life as a both a fashion model and senior advocate 2023-06-15
- An oft-repeated quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald—usually taken out-of-context—suggests that "there are no second acts in American lives." Local activist—and, as of lately, model— Stefanie Clark has been putting a ...


Gay News

Viktor Luna moonlights once again on Project Runway 2023-06-14
- Out and proud fashion designer Viktor Luna returns for more challenges in the upcoming season 20 of Project Runway. The Emmy Award-winning competition series has assembled 14 designers from its past, with Christian Siriano serving as ...


Gay News

Chicago House welcomes spring with 'Secret Garden' event 2023-05-12
- On May 7, Chicago House presented its annual spring fashion brunch, this year titled The Secret Garden, in the Winter Green Ballroom of the Harold Washington Library. The annual event, which some now regard as the ...


Gay News

Billy Porter discusses his fashion choices, personal ambitions 2023-01-30
- Billy Porter—the Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner—needs no introduction—especially to the many fans of his character Pray Tell on Ryan Murphy's hit TV series Pose. Coming up exclusively in theaters Feb. 3, Porter will star as ...


Gay News

WORLD Murder suspect arrested, Israeli official, conversion therapy, couple's win 2023-01-08
- Kenyan authorities arrested a suspect in the death of fashion designer/LGBTQ+-rights activist Edwin Chiloba after his body was found dumped in a metal box by the roadside near the town of Eldoret, according to CNN. Last ...


Gay News

Annual STRUT event shines spotlight on World AIDS Day 2022-12-07
- On the evening of Nov. 4, the annual STRUT fashion show celebrated its 13th edition at Joe's on Weed St. As in the past, STRUT shined its spotlight on up-and-coming young fashion designers while raising funds for ...


Gay News

Chicago History Museum holds special screening, panel discussion 2022-11-07
- The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum presented a special screening of the Youtube Originals series Supreme Models: The Documentary and a panel with an array of A-list fashion industry panelists. Among the participants were ...


Gay News

Chicago History Museum to host 'Supreme Models' screening Nov. 4 2022-10-19
- The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will host the official Midwest screening of Supreme Models and an exclusive in-person celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark ...


Gay News

FashionBar hosting Chicago Fashion Week, PFLAG conference 2022-10-01
- Fashion Bar announced that it's hosting Chicago Fashion Week. The shows will take place Oct. 16-23 at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. Additionally, FashionBar will host the. PFLAG Northern Illinois conference at Water Tower ...


Gay News

Chicago Fashion Week taking place April 24-May 1 2022-04-19
- FashionBar, LLC announced Chicago Fashion Week will take place April 24-May 1 on the third floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. Some of the shows will include "Emerging Students" (April 26), "Trans, Media ...


Gay News

Designs for Dignity gala on May 19 2022-04-19
- Designs for Dignity's annual fundraising gala, "Spirit of Design," will take place Thursday, May 19, 6-10 p.m., and will celebrate more than 20 years of impact on Chicago's nonprofit community. The event will take place at ...


Gay News

Chicago Fashion Week April 24 to May 1 2022-04-05
-- From a press release - CHICAGO — FashionBar, LLC is pleased to announce Chicago Fashion Week powered by FashionBar LLC, scheduled from April 24th to May 1st at Water Tower Place on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. FashionBar is proud to celebrate this ...


Gay News

LGBTQIA+-focused talent group launches in Orlando, Chicago and Miami 2022-03-31
- Orlando-based experiential marketing company, 82 South, Inc., has launched MODE (Made on Diversity and Equality) Talent Group this month to promote LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented talent for bookings in fashion ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.