Hey Guys!
So this past weekend, while in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) with some friends, I passed by a photo shoot in progress.
Ever curious, of course I had to ask what was going on!
The photographer introduced himself as Ray Brown, and said that he was also the designer for Ray Vincente Fashion Studio.
Brown has been a designer for the Ray Vincente line since 1983, and creates eclectic creations for both men and women.
Intrigued? See more at www.rayvincentefashion.com.
Also, just for fun, a few more snapshots from my day in Dumbo: I love New York!
So since I’ve been in Europe, I’ve been scouring the streets for the best in urban fashion.
While in London, I met up with DJ Josh Madden, who put me on to French jewelry brand Nous Sommes (www.noussommes.fr):
Inspired by hip-hop’s Jesus Pieces, the line of pendants depicts stars in the worlds of music, movies, and fashion including Michael Jackson, Karl Lagerfeld, Rick Ross, Lady Gaga, Grace Jones, Spike Lee, and more. Fun and funky, they’ve been spied on Teyana Taylor, Rick Ross, Amber Rose, and Karl Lagerfeld himself.
Nous Sommes (French for “We Are“) necklaces allow you to rock and represent the faces of those you admire or aspire to be. Cool concept, non?
Coming soon: pendants featuring Jimi Hendrix and Marilyn Monroe.
The Designers of Nous Sommes with Terry Richardson
The pieces are 170 Euros ($230) each. A splurge, yes, but can you put a price on cool?
One of my super stylish Bay Area buddies recently re-introduced me to Headbanger Accessories (turns out I wrote about them briefly in 2009):
Launched in Spring 2008 by Oakland, California natives Shayla Jamerson, Tiffany Stapleton, and Tasha Dial (pictured below), the line comprises eye catching earrings and bracelets tricked out with beads, shells, ribbons, feathers, and metal. If you’re looking to add a bit of flair to your wardrobe without spending a ton of money, check them out at www.headbangeraccessories.bigcartel.com. Earrings average in price from $30-$75; bracelets will cost you at most $35.
Hey Guys!
I recently stumbled upon LA based brand NineteenTwentyNine (www.nineteentwentynine.com), and instantly fell in love:
Created by Alma M. and Jasmine J., the line features club dresses, cropped tops, funky jackets, and chunky accessories, perfect for the girl about town.
Regarding the name NineteenTwentyNine, they say, “At night, we were sneaking our cars into parking lots, to hang out downtown, and during the day, we were paying to park in the lots and walking the streets carrying pounds of fabric on our shoulders. We started to notice that many of the lots downtown had been around since 1929 and that played an important role in our early struggle: the numerical name represented longevity and wrapped itself around us.”
Hey Guys!
My friend recently tipped me off to a cool Nigerian-American line called Busayo, which means “brings joy” in Yoruba.
The brand’s vibrant Spring collection features career ready shifts and day dresses fashioned in traditional African fabric. The mostly cotton separates would be perfect for the 9-5′er looking to add a bit of color and pizazz to their everyday wardrobe. I can see wearing the A-line skirts or shifts with a blazer or cardigan and pumps.
Prices are pretty affordable, with most pieces averaging $130.
We have a cool new jewelry designer in town, and her name is Tasha West.
Born Lorraine Natasha West, this FIT graduate and New York native has fashioned cuffs and various custom pieces for artists like Eryakah Badu, Raven Symoné, Common, and Andre 3000:
Tasha’s two year old jewelry line is now carried in Anthropologie stores and at Tasha’s online store, www.tashawest.com:
Her pieces are inventive and eye catching, taking inspiration from cartoon characters and mythical creatures. Her stage ready numbers feature wings, stars, and sharp edges in gold, brass, bronze and copper. Prices vary from $240-$300, depending on the metal and design.
Vuitton here with a treat for all of you who love emerging designers as the rest of us. Here’s Fanta Kamara, a Liberian designer/model based in New York.
Her line is called Marazetti, whose target customer is, “of great intelligence, elegance, and flirty; a tomboy who never loses her femininity.“
Most of the pieces showcase her West-African culture and influences by way of bold prints and vibrant colors. From fun asymmetrical dresses to structured jackets and floor grazing gowns, there’s something for just about everyone in her collection.
Kamarah revealed to us that she’s in talks with a huge luxury retailer to sell her collection to the masses. Hint? It begins with the letter “B”.
Fingers crossed it all goes well, because we definitely can’t wait to see the Solanges and Shingai Shoniwas of the world wearing Marazetti. And don’t we just adore her for modeling her own collection?
Harlem’s Fashion Row was established to shine a spotlight on talented yet oft overlooked minority talent. For its third annual event, the Row showcased four emerging designers of color. Take a look at the ones to watch!
Viscera NY
Regal chocolate queens sat on pedestals surrounded by palm fronds, posing in short and floor skimming frocks in citron, burnt orange, fuchsia, and bronze.
The line called Viscera NY was imagined by South Carolina native Sherita Jennings, a graduate of Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art and Design. Jennings apprenticed with Cynthia Rowley and Douglas Hanant before launching the line. See more Viscera designs at www.viscerany.com.
Sammy B While most exhibits allowed visitors to view models as still works of art, Sammy B’s presentation featured models who moved, stomping the runway in Christian Louboutin heels, switching into various diva like poses, and even rotating on a spinning platform. Sammy B was all about avant garde, from the models’ high ponytails and fierce makeup to their thigh and stomach revealing pieces made out of sheer black, beige, and white fabrics. Samantha Black, the designer of Sammy B, is a graduate of Pratt Institute, and has worked for Alexander McQueen, Jill Stuart, and Michael Kors. With the tag, “cool womenswear with a street cred edge,” Sammy B designs are available at www.sammybdesigns.com or at specialty boutiques nationwide.
Niiamar
Simple and breathtaking evening gowns in different hues of brown were the rule for Niiamar’s presentation. The designer of the eponymous line is a graduate of Florida A&M University, and worked with celebrated African-American designer Kevan Hall (read our profile of Kevan Hall here.) Niiamar served as lead costume designer for Off Broadway productions, “Kiss me Kate” and “The Doll Confessions.” Read more about Niiamar and his line at www.niiamar.com.
Telfar A 2006 winner of the Gen Art Fresh Faces of Fashion Award, Telfar is best known for his versatile, multi-function pieces. His Spring/Summer 2011 men’s collection includes summer basics with a tough twist, and fun pieces like pants that can be converted to shorts and cut out tanks. Focusing on reds, yellow, blues, and whites, Telfar also takes the typical khaki short a step further by adding large pockets to hold Iphones and Ipods. Telfar says, “My goal is to make clothes for every man and for every age. My clothes transcend age and gender.” See more at www.telfar.net.
What do you think of Harlem’s Fashion Row designers?
Check out this video for more information on the annual event:
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I love New York!
