Blacktree TV Fashion Show

Last Thursday, a few members of the TN Crew stepped out to the Blacktree TV Fashion Show at Seven Forty to support one of our own, Ms. Khloe Rose, who was showing her swimwear collection Candy Coated.

For the sake of being a tasteful gentleman and journalist, I'll refrain from saying how I really felt about the show. I will however say that their were a few promising emerging brands that showed, as well as a couple of talented amateur models. It's great to see any Black business thriving and that's precisely what Blacktree TV is doing - being the 23rd most viewed channel on YouTube.

I would be remiss if I didn't put this out there. Blacktree, we are available next time you guys put together a fashion show. You guys take care of the media, we'll handle the fashion. Holla at us!

Check Out :: Fiero "Olde Ivory" Mixtape

While sifting through mountains of e-mails this morning I stumbled across my always anticipated How Bomb Newsletter from Res Infinitus. The "Music Monday" Issue No. 60 had all the ingredients to satisfied any music lover's iPod appetite. Among Travis Barker's cover of "Forever" and Kanye's newest song "I'm So Appalled" was DJ supergroup Fiero's newest mixtape "Olde Ivory." I've been listening to it non-stop, all day! This is truly one of the best collection of mashups I've heard in years! Nicky Savage and crew really dug deep for this one. An hour long ride of blissful listening.

Click here and listen for yourself! I've been trying to find the actual mixtape to download all morning. If I stubble across it, trust I'll post it for you guys!

True Style is Timeless

Believe it or not, the picture above was not taken in 1890s like the Photoshopped imaging is trying to trick you into thinking. This is a recent photo for the The New York Times' Style section featuring the latest pieces from Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen and other brilliant designers. The article was really interesting. It draws the the comparison between the fashions of today and centuries past, reinforcing that true style is timeless.

Click here to read the full article.

Photos I forgot to post...

A couple of weeks ago, I met actress Wendy Raquel Robinson of The Game. She was the guest host at the annual Monster Royal Contest at B & R's Old Fashioned Burger. B & R is one of LA's premiere burger joints, family owned and operated for over 15 years by my close friend Brian's family, The Hoods. Hailed dozens of newspapers, magazines and television show's, including Food Network's Alton Brown, the restaurant offers a sumptuous breakfast menu, mouth -watering burgers, home-style fries, tacos, chicken dinners and fresh baked pies. Do your taste buds a favor and check them out!

So...I wasn't really in the Halloween spirit last week. I mean, I was definitely looking forward to all the partying and girls dressed like their "favorite characters (sluts)", but I wasn't looking forward to dressing up myself. At the last minute, my friends convinced me to participate and my little brother provided me with a great suggestion, "Why don't you just go as Kanye at the VMAs?" Eureka! But seeing as it was the 11th hour and I didn't have a white girl to be my Amber Rose or Taylor Swift, nor did I have a ginormous bottle Hennessey - I ran to the mall to grab some shutter shades and opted for Kanye in the "Stronger" music video. Haha! Thoughts?

A lot of my friends say I took the easy route because I apparently look like Kanye, but hey, at least I did something...

This Week In Style

My vote for the gentlemen who epitomize style in the GQ: This Week In Style go to:

First and foremost, I have to give it up to my Morehouse brother Fonzworth Bentley. This mixture of colors, patterns, and textures are oh-so-sick! But as a man of The House, I wouldn't expect anything less.

Although he looks like he's been in the oven an hour too long, Valentino is killing this look with the scarf, handkerchief and tie. Very polished and clean.

Although the editors at GQ would strongly disagree with me, I really dig Sir Ian McKellen's look at the NYC screening of the upcoming film Prisoner. The blue-on-blue scarf-and-shirt combination and the two-shades-of-brown jacket and hat may normally be faux pas, but in this case it really works for the British gent.

Tom Ford F/W09

Japanese men’s magazine SENSE has an editorial showcasing the F/W09 pieces of one of my favorite menswear designers, Tom Ford, suits and outerwear. The editorial features Ford's tuxedos, as well as colorful combinations of trousers, blazers, ties, and scarves. Looking more closely at these pieces I'm surprised that no other editorial has pointed how Ford takes so many cues from the bold patterns and textures reminiscent of the 70s. Very subtle and brilliant.

LA Fashion Week :: Project ETHOS

Another great weekend for fashion! Friend and designer Jenny P, once again hooked me up for Project ETHOS at the House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood , this past Saturday, October 24th. Project ETHOS, known as the “incubator for emerging artists in fashion, music and art,” is a quarterly, red carpet event in Los Angeles that showcases all emerging Millennial Generation forms of creativity in one house, on one night. By merging fashion, music and art into one giant display of genius, Project ETHOS creates an innovative form of exposure for artists, a new scouting location for talent representatives, and a fresh outing for event goers. Project ETHOS is on a mission to bridge the gap between the Indie and Mainstream worlds and provide opportunity for previously unrecognized talent. With a potent ear to the street, the ETHOS team seeks out extraordinarily talented fresh faces, creating a link to decision makers and industry professionals. Project ETHOS is the next generation of exposing all artistry to the media, public and industry.

I had an all access press pass which afforded me the opportunity to interview designers, artists, musicians and models. I even had a front row seat for the fashion show, which were exclusively reserved for buyers, not press. Lucky me!

And the best part? Naked models backstage! Yay! Haha!

Me with new artist Liz Paige. Her music is really hot! Click here and check her out!

I also got a chance to chat with Brooke Staricha (of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 6). Turns out that the statuesque model is just as smart as she is beautiful. After her run on ANTM she returned to school and graduated. She's since relocated to Los Angeles to see where her career takes her.

She modeled that night for up and coming designer Goci.

In an industry like fashion where creativity is color-blind, I try my very best not to be bias. If you’re talented, you’re talented. But I love to support Black designers because we are so underrepresented. So imagine my delight when my favorite collection of the 7 designers showing Saturday night ended up being Black designer Houstina Summers (pictured above) of Cowgirl Heaven.

After seeing the previous models pound the runway showing off the designers’ creations in an elegant, but typical fashion, the CGH models stole the show and everyone’s attention. The all Black ensemble marched up and down to Jamie Foxx’s “Digital Girl”; on beat and with an extra ounce of sass the other models couldn’t match. I’m so mad I didn’t get it on video, but in all fairness to me, I was not expecting it. Haha! Excellent presentation coupled with an unrivaled execution!

I had an opportunity to interview Houstina after the show; who is the sweetest and most humble designer. We spoke briefly about Cowgirl Heaven and her inspiration. I honestly struggled through the interview, feeling like a school boy because Houstina is gorgeous!

Ladies, you complain about me not covering any women’s fashion. Well, here is my gift to you. Click here and check out Summers’ one of a kind pieces. They’re so very unique, vibrant, fun and above all, inexpensive. Get one now before she blows up!