Harper's BAZAAR Style Ambassador

Hello All,

I am an avid reader of Harper's Bazaar.  I love everything about this magazine, from the style tips and new fashion trends to the 24 hour day of fashion designers, stylists, etc.  With this being said, I am happy to announce that I have just been selected as a Harper's BAZAAR Style Ambassador!!

What is a Harper's BAZAAR Style Ambassador:

• a chic BAZAAR reader hand-selected to represent America's first fashion magazine

What does it mean to be a Harper's BAZAAR Style Ambassador:

• testing new beauty products
• attend VIP events
• share breaking fashion and beauty offers with friends and followers
• win fabulous prizes

I am so happy about this because not only do I love Harper's Bazaar, but I am representing this prestigious magazine in the name of fashion! From my small town in Mississippi, I am representing  the Harper's Bazaar brand! I am so excited!!! So stay tuned everyone because I will be keeping you informed!

Until Next Time!

Zelda Wynn Valdes

Hello All,

Although February is known for Valentine’s Day, my favorite part is celebrating Black history.  This month, I am highlighting the successes of people of color in the fashion industry, whether it is fashion designers, models, stylists, etc.  Today’s feature topic will be Zelda Wynn Valdes.

 

Very few people know of Zelda Wynn Valdes.  I found out about her in an issue of Ebony magazine about 13 years ago.  She was born in 1905 with a natural talent for sewing and creating garments that highlighted the female body. 

 

During the 1940s and 50s, her designs were worn and loved by Hollywood’s biggest starlets.

Dorothy Dandridge

 

Joyce Bryant

Ella Fitzgerald

Josephine Baker

Mae West

 

What many people do not know is that Valdes designed the original Playboy Bunny outfit.  Hugh Hefner was so impressed with her ability to glamorize Hollywood’s elite that he commissioned her to design the iconic costume.

Models wearing the original Playboy Bunny outfit, designed by Valdes. Pictured with singer, Jackie Wilson

 

 In 1948, Valdes opened her own boutique called “Chez Zelda” on Broadway in New York City.  She was the first African American to own a store on that street.  She was also the New York chapter president of the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designer (NAFAD), a coalition of black designers that was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune.

In 1970, she was approached by the Dance Theater of Harlem to be the head costume designer.  She spent 18 years with the dance company before retiring in 1988 at the age of 83. 

Dancers from the Dance Theater  Harlem wearing Valdes's designs

Valdes with dancers from Dance Theater of Harlem

When asked about her many accomplishments in the fashion industry during a 1994 interview with the New York Times, Valdes simply stated, “I just had a God-given talent for making people beautiful.”  Valdes died at the age of 96 in 2001.  Zelda Wynn Valdes, a true innovator of fashion.

Until Next Time!

More Black Models in Fashion

Hello All,

I love fashion, I love the to design clothing for women, and I love the runway, but what I really love is seeing black models on the runway! When I was a young girl, I couldn't wait to get the latest issue of Ebony Magazine to see what black models were on the runway.  During the 80s and 90s, these black models ruled the runway, and they were always on the runway at the same time in every fashion show.

Iman

 

Naomi Campbell

 

Veronica Webb

 

Louise Vyent

 

By the early 2000s, it seemed like the majority of black models were fading from the runway, and you saw more models of European descent. If there was a black model on the runway, it was only one per fashion show.  We saw new black faces during this time, and of course, all black women were happy about that.  During this time frame, these models were ruling the runway.

 

 

Selita Ebanks

Sessilee Lopez

Jaunel McKenzie

Noemie Lenoir

Yasmin Warsane

Liya Kebede

Alek Wek

 

Jourdan Dunn

 

As of now, models Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn,  Alek Wek, Liya Kebede, Yasmine Warsane, and Sessilee Lopez are still working the runway and in fashion magazines. Iman is an entrepreneur and founder of Iman Cosmetics.  Veronica Webb, also an actress, is retired and married with two daughters, but sometimes she makes appearances in magazines.  After taking a long hiatus, Louise Vyent has started modeling again.  Selita Ebanks has made many television appearances, including BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood.  I have not seen Noeme Lenoir on the runway and in fashion magazines, but Jaunel McKenzie is one of the models for New York Fashion Week.

 

Even though very few of the veterans are still in the modeling industry, more newcomers are featured on the runway, and in some fashion magazines.

 

Jessica White

Jessica White is a model for CoverGirl.  She was also featured in Vogue, Gap, Chloe, and Jean Paul Gautier.  She has walked the runway for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Arlenis Sosa

 

Arlenis Sosa is known as the face of Lancôme.  She has been featured in Vogue and Vogue Italia.  She has walked the runway for Banana Republic, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, and many others.

Chanel Iman

 

Chanel Iman is best known as a model for Victoria's Secret.  She has also been featured in Elle, Italian Vanity Fair, and several international issues of Vogue.  Besides Victoria's Secret, she has also walked the runway for Balenciaga, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and many others.



Fatima Siad

Fatima Siad is best known as a contestant on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10.  She is also the face of Fashion Fair Cosmetics.  She has been featured in Essence, Ebony, Women's Wear Daily, and Elle.  She has walked the runway for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Betsey Johnson, Dries Van Noten, Hermes, and many others.

Joan Smalls

 

Joan Smalls is ranked as the #1 fashion model in the world, according to Models.com, since 2012.  She is also ranked #8 in Forbes: The World's Highest Paid Models, 2013. She has been featured in every magazine, including Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Elle, and many other magazines.  She has walked the runway for Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, and many others.  She has appeared in several ad campaigns for many fashion houses.

Maria Borges

 

Maria Borges is fairly new in the modeling industry.  She is a featured model for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  She is also featured in ad campaigns for Givenchy, Dior, and CR Fashion Book.  She was found by Ricardo Tisci.  She walked the runway for Givenchy, Dior Haute Couture, and Marc Jacobs.

 

There are many black faces in the modeling industry, but why aren't we seeing more on the runway?  Well, according to interviews by some models of color, they are told by fashion designers to "go home because they already have a black girl!" I feel this is very discriminatory!  I don't know about anyone else, but I would like to see more faces of color on the runway, and at the same time!  Because this is Black History Month, I feel very passionate about writing this article.  I would rather see more black models on the runway instead of seeing them grouped together as video vixens in a rapper's video.

 

Until Next Time!





Plus Size Collection

Hello All,

I know I have taken another short hiatus.  I had to regroup to look for more fashion illustration and work on my own projects.  Since moving back to Mississippi, I had to create a collection that caters to the target market in my area.  More people are starting to design plus-size, but some areas within the plus-size market is not being tapped into.  Because of this, I wanted to create a line that I feel plus-size women would gravitate towards, especially during the summer months.

I am working on a plus-size swimwear line.  This market is very scarce because many fashionable plus-size women go to the beach, swim, etc., and they cannot find swimsuits that flatter their figure.  This swimwear collection was inspired by African prints and patterns.  So, with that being said, here is a preview of my plus-size swimwear collection.

 

What do you think?

 

Until Next Time!

New Fashion Illustrations

Hello All,

I hope your holidays were great.  My holiday was excellent.  As always, I have been keeping busy with freelance work, my fashion column, Fashion Corner, with my local newspaper, and as always, talking to you all.  I have created new fashion illustrations for you all to view.

The first fashion illustration is of singer, R&B and soul musician, and composer, Janelle Monae.

 

I really didn't have to do that much work with her face.  She is a natural beauty.

 

The second fashion illustration is of supermodel and entrepreneur, Iman.

 

 

Iman is also a natural beauty.  The only thing I had to do was add more detail in her eyes.  Hey eyelids are so gorgeous. What do you think?

 

Until Next Time!





Fashion Trends We Do NOT Want To See In 2014

Hello All,

We are one day away from New Year's Day.  We have seen many new fashion trends, as well as old trends resurface (for example, the 90s crop top).  Although we are excited to see different types of fashion trends, old and new, there are some we don't want to see in the new year.

Sagging Pants

I was in the 4th or 5th grade when this trend emerged, and I am so sick and tired of seeing it!  This trend was popular in prisons, and to be honest, that is where is needs to stay.  Men, it is not attractive to walk around with your pants hanging this low! We do not want to see your underwear, so please put on a belt.

Cut-Out Dresses

Yes, the cut out bodycon dress is cute, but not everyone should have it on.  When I was growing up, there was a thing called "leaving room for the imagination," and in this dress, you will not have to do that because it is designed for everything to be on display! While the silhouette is cute, the design should be more tasteful.

Men's Skinny Jeans

There are men's tailored trousers, and then there are men's skinny jeans.  We want more trouser and less skinny. I have never been a fan of men's skinny jeans, and I feel these pants should be banned from every men's clothing store.  It is not sexy for a man to wear the same pair of skinny jeans as a woman!

Cut-Out Leggings

These are the worst pair of leggings I have ever seen! What makes it worse is that I have seen women, young and old, wearing them.  I went into a clothing store, and these leggings were on a mannequin for a fashion display! Please do everyone a favor and leave these leggings in 2013, and for everyone who owns a pair, burn them!

Substituting Leggings as Pants

Ladies, we all love our leggings.  It smooths everything, and they are comfortable for running errands, but it is not good when everyone can see your business through them (yes, I am guilty of this myself).  Leggings are not pants!  They are supposed to be worn under long shirts, dresses, or sweaters.  Please do not bring this trend into 2014!

Chevron Print Gauchos

These are the most unflattering pants ever!  When these pants first emerged on the fashion scene, the idea was to wear them with a cute blouse.  Instead, people wore them with garments such as old t-shirts and tennis shoes.  Ladies, if you own a pair of these pants, BURN THEM!! Don't you dare bring these hideous pants into 2014!

Varsity Jackets

When I was in high school, the only way you were able to have a varsity jacket is to earn it by participating in some type of sport.  Because this fashion trend has emerged, everyone can get a varsity jacket without having to physically work for it, which is not right. A varsity jacket is not a fashion trend, so please leave it in 2013.

Wretched Jewelry

               

Jewelry is supposed to be expressive, but classy.  With that being said, the wretched jewelry needs to go.  I am not for wearing expressive jewelry such as "Trust No Bitch" or "Bling, Bling," so please find some tasteful jewelry and leave this mess in 2013.

Lace Front Wigs

Wigs have been around for many centuries, and lace front wigs are one of the most popular wigs of choice. The purpose of a lace front wig is to look NATURAL, but people wear them to the point where it just looks awful.  I used to love seeing people wear lace front wigs, but they have been worn so horribly that I cannot stand to look at them.  Please do not bring lace front wigs into 2014!

Kim Kardashian Inspiration

I'm sorry, but I have to release this.  People, for the love of God, please stop trending this woman or looking at her for style inspiration! Kim Kardashian is not a celebrity, nor a fashion stylist. Her clothes are not that flattering, and she creates every moment to show off her body parts that should be covered up! If you want style inspiration, look at Elizabeth Taylor, Iman, or the Duchess of Cambridge, but please keep Kim Kardashian and her outfits in 2013!

If I can think of another fashion trend, or person, that should be left in 2013, I will be sure to share it.  Thank you and have a wonderful New Year!

Until Next Time!

Merry Christmas!!

Hello All,

It is Christmas!!! Yes, I am still up, watching TV and talking to you.  I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!  May your holiday be filled with great joy!

Thank you weheartit.com and Inslee Haynes for this awesome fashion illustration.

Until Next Time!