Sergio's recent post on Blair Underwood's new line of suits inspired this latest tidbit of info on actress Michael Michele, who's best known for appearing in the hit films Ali and New Jack City as well as popular tv shows ER, Homicide and New York Undercover.  It's been awhile since she's been on the big or small screen but there's a good reason for that.  Aside from raising her six year old son as a single mom, she's been busy forging her new role as…a fashion designer.

In a recent interview, she explained that fashion design was always her first love.  "Before I ever left Indiana I took design classes at the University and I didn't have the gift to draw and I thought 'Oh if I'm not a good illustrator how can I draw the dress?' And you know I was discouraged by a few people and like so many people you know sometimes when you're very young and impressionable if someone says 'you don't have the goods to do it' you kind of give up the dream," she said.

So when did she decide to pursue her dream?  Back in 2007 stating…"I started doing it during the writer's strike. I said, 'you know this is a time for me. I've got some time. Production is down. And I can actually go and pursue what I really wanted to do in the beginning. It was never acting, it was always fashion."

Her new line, M.Michele Designs, recently debuted at Midwest Fashion Week in Indianapolis over the summer.  The collection includes a wide range of sizes because her goal is to design for women of all shapes and sizes. 

"Originally when I started it was kind of up to a 16 and I designed something really beautiful for my mom who is a 16 and people really gravitated to that, so I'm going to do it from you know from 2's, 4's, all the way up to 3x and the challenge has been, how can I really create something beautiful for all women? That's really what really inspires me. I mean there's not a lot to do if you're just trying to dress people like myself there's really no challenge in that. Do you know what I'm saying? I don't mean that in an ostentatious way, but creatively for me to be able to speak to all women is what really inspires me, so I'm very excited about that now," she said.

That self-imposed hiatus recently ended because now she's playing a movie producer on Gossip Girl.

You can check out the new line HERE.  Below are pictures from the fashion show including a backstage pic with her family (Parents, sister and son).  In the clip, she explains to Gayle King the reason for her departure from television.