Helen Lucille Simmons-Collen

~Married to Phil~

Birthname: Helen Lucille Simmons

Birthdate: December 26, 1967

Children: Stepchildren, Rory, Samantha and Savannah

Marital Status: Married Phil Collen (Everything about the wedding here)

Currently Resides: Laguna Hills, CA

Career: In the entertainment business:
-Theatrical Costume Designer
-Talent /Event Coordinator
-Production (Wardrobe)
-Visual Artist
-Producer
-Writer

How She Met Phil:

According to Helen, "I started as the official ILAA tour rep for the Sparkle Lounge tour which started its US leg in Camden, NJ on June 23rd, '09. During our first day on the job, Phil walked into the production office and appeared really happy to see me. I was surprised he even remembered me from our brief encounter the year before on the road.

The next day on the 24th in Cleveland, OH, the crew and band had the day off so we all went bowling & to the movies. Phil met me and some other crew members, including his son Rory who was on the lighting crew, at the bowling alley. We all walked to the movies in a mall connected to the hotel. It was there that we instantly connected.

June 25th, Phil approached me and asked if he could have '7 minutes' of my time. We walked back to his tour bus where he proceeded to tell me every aspect of his current and former life including all instances involving his wives, children, girlfriends, former and current, everything. He left no stone unturned. After all was said and done he asked if I was offended by anything he had just told me. I looked him straight in the eyes and said no. In fact I told him his story was a small one compared to the many I had known through my own experiences with friends and family. That level of honesty between us set the tide for what was to become the most precious and rarest form of human appreciation two people could possibly muster for each other. Friendship quickly turned to fondness. Fondness to love.

On August 12th, my grandmother's birthday (unbeknownst to him), a month and a half from the day of that fateful conversation, Phil proposed and I accepted. We call our union '7 Minutes'. Together with his writing partner CJ Vanston and Chesney Hawks, Phil has written a beautiful song for me about the moment he decided to 'come clean' with it all. It's called '7 Minutes'. The song says it all...."

Brief History:

Helen is from Brooklyn, NY. She was raised by her single grandmother. She is a college graduate (Costume Design major/Costume Construction minor), and has been in costume design/wardrobe for over 15 years; her designs have surfaced in well over one hundred theatrical/film/commercial performances.

Quite the artist, Helen draws, paints, crochets and plays bass. Helen is also a writer; she has written everything from poetry to science fiction novellas! According to Helen, she has been writing professionally for twenty years including magazine articles, artist bios, and press releases (including Man Raze).

On August 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm over a candle-lit dinner in West Palm Beach, Florida Phil proposed to Helen. On July 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm, the two were married on the Florida beach in front of family and friends.

Helen's Resume:

College:

Hampton University - Hampton, VA		Mass Media		1988-1990
Borough of Manhattan Community College - New York, NY		Visual Arts		1990-1992
Purchase College at S.U.N.Y - Purchase, NY		Costume Design-Bachelor of Fine Arts		1993-1996

Professional Aspects:

Costume Designer/Wardrobe Supervisor/Key Dresser/Tailor

4 time nominee and 1 win - NYC Audelco Award for Best Costume Design

Member I.A.T.S.E Local 487-Wardrobe (Baltimore, MD)

Member United Scenic Artists 829 NYC - Costume Design (NYC)

Resident Costume Designer 1997 til present - Billie Holiday Theatre (NY)

Filmography

Costume and Wardrobe Department:

1. Hit and Run (2009) (V) (costume supervisor)
2. Body of Lies (2008) (costumer) (uncredited)
3. Burn After Reading (2008) (costumer)
... aka Burn After Reading (France)
4. "The Wire"
- -30- (2008) TV episode (costumer)
- Took (2008) TV episode (key costumer)
5. Kite (2002) (costume supervisor)
6. "Third Watch"
- Young Men and Fire... (2000) TV episode (key extras dresser)
7. Remembering Sex (1998) (TV) (wardrobe supervisor)
... aka Getting Off (Canada: English title)
8. The Reunion (1998) (wardrobe supervisor)
9. Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five (1998) (wardrobe supervisor)
10. Tar (1997) (wardrobe supervisor)
11. A Woman Like That (1997) (wardrobe supervisor)

Make-Up Department:

1. Kite (2002) (key makeup artist)

Costume Designer:

1. Kite (2002)

Tours

The Eagles '10- ILAA Tour Rep

Def Leppard '09 - ILAA Tour Rep

Jennifer Hudson/Robin Thicke '09 - ILAA Tour Rep

Dancing With The Stars '08-'09 Tour - Wardrobe Supervisor

Earth Wind & Fire '08 - ILAA Tour Rep

The Eagles '08 - ILAA Tour Rep

Kanye West - Glow In the Dark Tour '08 - ILAA Tour Rep

John Mellencamp '02-'03 - Wardrobe Supervisor/Key Artist & Band Den Mother/Artist Handler

Music To My Ears - Oct '02

Official Links:

Black Girls Rock!, Inc.

Official Twitter

Official Facebook