The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sheree Whitfield
“I Feel Vindicated!”
By Isoul H. Harris
After suffering an embarrassing setback last year with her fashion line, She by Sheree, The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Sheree Whitfield, finally debuted her long-awaited designs Tuesday night in Atlanta. Set in the southern capital’s swanky W Perimeter, Whitfield showcased her women’s ready-to-wear line—described as “fifties glamour meets twenty-first century sophistication”—to a standing room only audience full of celebrities, music industry moguls, fashionistas and, of course, her co-stars: NeNe Leakes, Kim Zolchiak, Lisa Wu-Hartwell and newbie housewife Kandi Burruss.
We caught up with the burgeoning designer backstage after the show, where she dished about her line, her beefs and teaching the other housewives a thing or two.
How did it feel to finally get your clothes on the runway, after last year’s disastrous line debut, with no clothes?
It felt so good. When you finally see a finished product its amazing! It was crazy putting it together, but this time around I had an excellent team who knew what they were doing. No one person can design an entire line by themselves.
Did you feel vindicated?
Yes, I feel vindicated! If the clothes were not right this time around, I would not have shown them again. I would just have had another fabulous party. I am all about fashion. But they were great and I felt confident about putting them on the runway.
What did you learn from your first failed attempt?
I don’t regret anything. If I did not have those setbacks and falls, I would not be where I am right now.
Dwight Eubanks—“The Honorary Sixth Housewife”—made a snarky remark in conversation with Nene about how “dreadful” it was for you to have no clothes at your first debut last year. However, he is credited as being your “Guardian Angel” in the production booklet for She by Sheree this year.
It says he is my guardian angel? Shut up. I haven’t even seen that! I swear to God. The first season, I did not know Dwight. I had met him once in passing, so it threw me off when I saw him on the show making those comments. He was not even invited to the party last year, so any comments he made were strictly based on hearsay.
What brought about the change in your relationship with him?
Someone sat us both down and we started talking and I realized that he has a lot of knowledge about fashion. I had a team from New York and Dwight volunteered to help as well. I took a chance, and I am always down for giving people chances, which is probably one of the reasons for my downfalls. But, he really impressed me.
Your co-star, Lisa Wu Hartwell, debuted her own clothing line, “Closet Freak”, a few weeks ago in Atlanta. Do you feel any competition with her?
Absolutely not! And I am sure those that went to [her] show did not see any competition either.
Another housewife, NeNe Leakes, announced that she is working on a line of handbags and accessories. Do you feel as if you influenced them to dive into fashion?
I am just really happy that I can influence and inspire others to delve into fashion. Lisa is not known for fashion. Since [the show] she has stepped her game up, hired a stylist and improved. People think it’s easy to just start a line. It’s not. But, I am glad that I can inspire people to become fashion conscious. It’s lovely.
What did you think of NeNe winning a Bravo A-List Award for “Reality’s Guiltiest Pleasure”?
Nene is hilarious. You cannot take that away from her.
Have you two repaired your friendship at all?
I cannot talk about that! You will have to watch the next season and see.
What do you think of the newest housewife, singer/songwriter Kandi Buress?
I have been introduced to her before, but as far as saying what I think she will bring to the show, I have no idea. She seems like a very genuine person. I don’t know what she has going on in her life.
Besides the fashion line, what else can we expect from Sheree?
Well, along with working to get my fashion line in boutiques and federated department stores, I am also working on a workout DVD because I am addicted to working out. I workout 5 days a week. I am also writing my memoirs, which will be out soon.
You were cast as the bitch in season one. What will we see in the second season?
I truly hope they show the other sides of me. We all have that in us, but there are many other facets to my personality. That’s not me… well, not entirely!
