LA Fashion Week :: Project ETHOS

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!

Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping

This past Sunday, the TN crew (Kianna and Keisa) and I went to Bardot for an event called Eavesdrop sponsored by Lovemade and The Black Eyes Peas. Lovemade is an events company and creative collective who supports other female professionals. They work on a variety of projects ranging from fashion styling, consulting, events, graphic/apparel design, and music. Their team consists of designers, make-up artists, hair stylists, marketing/event coordinators, djs, photographers, and fashion consultants.It was a cool event. We had to show our faces. Just some of the first of many TN appearances to come. Stay tuned...

Ill Narrative :: Big Boi

Ill Narrative :: Big Boi

"SpottieOttieDopalicious" Outkast feat. Patrick Brown

When I first met my SpottieOttieDopalicious angel
I can remember that damn thang like yesterday
The way she moved reminded me of a brown stallion horse with skates on
Smooth like a hot comb, ol' nappy ass hair
I walked up on her and was almost paralyzed
Her neck was smelling sweeter than a plate of yams with extra syrup
Eyes beaming like four carats apiece just blinding a nigga
Felt like I chiefed a whole "O" of that presidential
My heart was beating so damn fast
Never knowing this moment would bring another life into this world
Funny how shit come together sometimes (ya dig)
One moment you frequent the booty clubs and the next four years
You and somebody's daughter rising y'all own young'n
Now that's a beautiful thang, that's if you're on top of your game
And man enough to handle real life situations (that is)
Can't gamble feeding baby on that dope money
Might not always be sufficient, but the United Parcel Service
And the people at the post office, didn't call you back because you got
Cloudy piss, so now you back in the trap just that, trapped
Go and marinate on that for a minute

Patrick Robinson :: 10 Rules of Men's Style

Patrick Robinson :: 10 Rules of Men's Style

It's been a little minute since I posted one of Details magazine's "10 Rules of Style" features. Here, Black designer and GAP's newest Creative Director, gives you a lesson on how to develop your personal style from the ground up. As always, take notes!

1. The coolest guy out there is the one who knows what's going on and has all the information on fashion but then picks the one thing that works for him. That's all you need—and a brain in your head.

2. The five things every man should have in his wardrobe are a great pair of jeans, the right-fitting pair of khakis, a bunch of T-shirts, a brilliant watch, and a pair of camping boots.

3. This may sound sort of silly to most men, but a way to develop personal style is to admire someone you think looks cool who you kind of resemble. No one is going to look like Johnny Depp, so don't go there. But if you need some help, pick someone you dig and watch the way he dresses.

4. Everyone wants to be comfortable. They want jeans where the waist isn't tight and the legs are loose, but that ideal gets carried too far. I'm not a guy who thinks everybody should wear everything slim, but don't make your clothes so damn comfortable that you're not attractive to people.

5. When it comes to denim, find jeans that speak to who you are and then throw in a twist. If you're a Wall Street banker, wear low-rise in a classic dark rinse, which will look good with a blazer. If you're a hip-hop guy, wear deconstructed jeans so you don't look like everyone else.

6. You can take a measured risk in fashion with color. Not crazy color, but you can wear overdyed jeans in khaki or gray and no one is going to look at you sideways. Wearing something other than blue will add character and make you look younger.

7. There's nothing wrong with getting a manicure and pedicure before you show up at the beach. There's nothing wrong with getting your hair cut even if you want to look like you don't cut your hair. There's no shame in taking care of yourself.

8. Pursue a passion that takes you past the edge. Mine is ocean race sailing.

9. There's nothing cooler than American classics, like khakis, T-shirts, oxford shirts, and jean jackets. However, when casual becomes too predictable, it can get schlumpy. When you wear the khakis with the tucked-in pink button-down and the brown belt, you're not saying anything to anyone.

10. So many men blow it with outerwear. A guy can have his outfit completely together and then he puts on the dumbest coat. It's like women who wear white tennis shoes to work. The jacket is either too old and shabby or it has no character. You only need one great coat.

Black Father

Black Father

I stumbled across this photo on Twitter that a friend posted. I was so touched that I had to post it here. This photo is worth far more than a thousand words. It's priceless. I'd love to see it on billboards in Black neighborhoods across the country reinforcing the impact a Black father has in the life of his children (or the effects of the lack thereof).

I can speak from first hand experience the importance of having a father in my life. My Dad was and still is a phenomenal father and figure in my life. He was always there. I mean, always! There to teach and guide me. Give me advice. Discipline me when I needed it. And above all, he loves me unconditionally and has no issues with showing it.

Powerful, powerful image. Please share it...

Raf Simons Bomber Jacket

Raf Simons Bomber Jacket

This is an excellent piece by Raf Simons! The bomber jacket has been produced in Italy and features a premium black wool body with metallic silver sleeves. This is a prime is example of what I'm talking about when I say that I love new spins on American classics. Very subtule, but significant enough to make heads turn and people talk. This is just one of the pieces from the new Raf by Raf Simons Fall/Winter 2009 collection to debut soon. I'm definitely excited to see what he has in the works.

LA Fashion Week :: Jerell Scott & Korto Momolu

LA Fashion Week :: Jerell Scott & Korto Momolu

Thanks to my friend and designer Jenny P, I had the pleasure of attending an LA Fashion Week event showcasing Project Runway alums and Black designers, Jerell Scott and Korto Momolu. All I can say is, “Wow!” I had such a great time! It was such a breath of fresh air being surrounded by so many creative individuals. Besides the show itself, it’s worth attending for the people watching alone. I got to meet so many interesting people whose style I greatly admired and others whose outfits gave me a case of inappropriate church giggles. To make for an even better night the event was sponsored by REAL Organic Tequila. Can you say, “OPEN BAR!” I was definitely drunk off my ass! Haha!

The show started with Korto Momolu’s collections. What I loved most was the runway itself. Naturally, I think everyone assumed the models would walk the stage where the musicians had previously performed. We were all wrong. The ladies hit the floor on the sidelines in VIP. After walking from one end to the other, they stepped on top of a table to put the designs on display. So cool. Korto’s collection was full of vibrant patterns that were reflective of her African heritage with a modernized twist. Jerell’s designs incorporated a lot of gold, blacks and metallics. Very chic and edgy. Both designers are brilliant!

Jen and I both had an opportunity to speak with Jerell after the show and I have to say that he a really sweet (pause) and humble guy. When artists have an attitude like that it makes you want to support them even more.

Other highlights of the night were also hanging my TN crew – Kianna, D & Keisa (TN will be explained at a later time), the Latoya Jackson look-a-like, Jen cussing out some chick from The Hills’ personal assistant in the elevator, and finally…we were able to catch one of the Kogi BBQ trucks off 2nd and Main at the end of the night.

One word: Perfection.