By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Gospel diva CeCe Winans is getting into the fashion business.
The multiple Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winner has recently teamed up with noted Hollywood fashion stylist Roni Burks and the New York based firm Dream Design to launch a new clothing line, entitled Ashley Rose.
Winans told The BV Newswire that her 20-year-old daughter was the inspiration for the line. "I decided to do this line with my daughter, Ashley [Love], because she has a great eye for fashion and she's a born leader," she revealed. "I believe there are a lot of young women who wants to be stylish without being so revealing. This line is for them."
Family business have always worked well for Winans (legally known as Priscilla Winans-Love), who is a part of gospel music royalty -- one of the many stars to come out of Detroit's Winans dynasty. The 42-year old songstress enjoyed mainstream success when her and brother, BeBe Winans, formed the duo BeBe & CeCe and released their critically acclaimed, chart-topping 1988 album, 'Heaven.'
Since then, she has become a bona fide superstar in her own right; teaming with her galpal Whitney Houston on the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack; penning the inspirational memoir 'On A Positive Note' in 2000; and even endorsing Crest toothpaste products.
The seven-time Grammy Award winner also helms her own record company, Wellspring Gospel, and hosts an annual women's conference in her hometown of Nashville every summer.
"I'm doing a clothing line to fulfill a need that would allow women, young and more mature, to be stylish and breathe at the same time," she quipped about the forthcoming active wear line. "I don't feel clothes have to be tight to be fashionable."
The line will cater to women aged 20-45. Distribution details for Ashley Rose are being solidified at press time.
"I love the creative part of pulling a line together, but it's a very time consuming endeavor," she added. "I've been working on it for several years, now. It's hard work, but very rewarding."
With her fashion forward plans underway, Winans is currently on tour -- some overseas dates with gospel music sensation Donnie McClurkin -- promoting her latest release 'Purified,' which netted two Grammy Awards last month. In between her dates, she's recording a new album that should be in stores this fall, and has designs on rekindling the musical magic with her brother for a new BeBe & CeCe album to be released thereafter.
Always a media darling, Winans will be featured on ABC's hit series 'Extreme Home Makeover' on April 8, her publicist confirmed.
1. cece has always been one of the most classiest and consistent women to grace the gospel music business. you never hear anything crazy about her and she embodies what blessings truly are. continued to success to her and her family. cant wait to see what kind of fashions she will be unveiling. and im so glad her and her brother are getting back together. thats some great news.
linda charles-murphy at 11:10PM on Mar 23rd 2007