Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Age: 27
Profession: Fashion designer, celebrity stylist, owner of Sheiki Jeans
Profile: Knowing full well that real women have curves, Marie has built a successful business around her ability to design jeans that are in sync with a woman’s natural shape. And where better to display that talent than on the heavenly bodies of Vegas’ own Pussycat Dolls? Decked out in Sheiki Jeans, the Dolls performed during Vegas Fashion Week, with lead singer Monique later wearing hers out to the clubs. Available in sizes 0 to 13, Sheiki Jeans can be found at Vasari in Boca Park, Mosaic Salons and soon at the Palms Place boutique.
Why I do what I do: “I really want to show that we can make any woman’s body sexy, and whatever type of body you have I want to make it look its sexiest through the cut of your jeans. I feel that I’ve hit a niche by designing for the sexier, more curvaceous girls.”
Personal tidbit: Though she splits time between LA and Vegas, Marie travels regularly to Hong Kong, London, Paris, Japan and Switzerland to see what’s going on in the hottest fashion cities and what can be taken home to Sheiki. Her DesignByKids.org contest is also on its way, reaching out to inner-city schoolchildren worldwide with 20 percent of profits going to purchase art materials for schools.
What I’m listening to: Her own business partner, events coordinator/producer John Lewis’ collaborations with Tommy Lee and Papa Roach; Lewis is currently recording an album at Marie’s Lucid Recording Studios.
Latest accomplishment: Adult film star Jenna Jameson has signed on to be the face of Sheiki’s nationwide ad campaign. Partner John Lewis’ own edgy, UFC/rock-inspired men’s line of Sheiki denim, Kings Reign, will launch in August at Project.
Quote: “Live fast, die pretty.”
Photography by Iris Dumuk