Can I tell you, I am SO HAPPY to be back by a computer. This past week has been super busy, full of travel, interviews, cocktails, and conversations, but I haven’t been able to update the site with the blow-by-blow because of a blown laptop (read the report at the end).*
At any rate, after completing my hosting/speaking duties for Sheen Magazine for their Legendary Weekend, I decided to make the most of my time in the A, and sat down for an interview with reality starlet, fashionista, and Pressed Atlanta owner, Rasheeda Frost.
We sipped on a ‘Southern Peach’ cocktail aka Ciroc Peach and tonic, and talked about her style, entrepreneurship, and the nitty gritty about how she started and maintained a super popular store in the most luxurious mall in Georgia (video coming soon to Fashion Bomb TV).
For the day, I repurposed a 5001 Flavors short suit, adding DSquared2 Strappy sandals and a Gucci Head Scarf.
Later on that day, Rasheeda and I hosted part 2 with Conversations with Claire and a book signing at Pressed.
Lots of fly Bombers and Bombshells came out to support, including ParisChea, Reco Chapple, Funky Dineva, and more! It was a good time!
Thank you to everyone who came out with great energy, great questions, and blessings upon blessings.
It was fabulous! I didn’t have much time to relish in the good Georgia vibes, as I boarded a plane the next day for the West Coat. Kevin Hart and his stylist Ashley North (@AshleyNorthStyle) have collaborated on a fashion film that simultaneously showcases Ashley’s artistic prowess and Kevin Hart’s multifaceted talent.
Though one should expect this to be another comedy, it in fact shows Kevin in a more dramatic light, and uncovers some of the pain behind his playful jokes. The FBD crew had the ultimate opportunity to hang out backstage, capture some Behind the Scenes footage, and also interview Ashley about how she broke into celebrity styling (she started off interning for Tameka Foster and helped style Usher and Justin Bieber before working with Kevin. She has been Kevin’s stylist for over 10 years).
I also got a chance to ask Kevin a few questions about his fashion sense and keys to success (he is killing it right now, isn’t he?).
Amazing, right? But again, I didn’t have much time to let the moment marinate, as I was booked to give a guest lecture on marketing and branding in Boston at MIT’s Sloan Business School.
Yes! One of my graduate student tutor’s I met while an undergrad at Harvard invited me to lecture to two of her classes about how I started Fashion Bomb Daily, and any key marketing and branding lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years.
Each class was 80 minutes long, so I was certainly anxious, BUT the students were so eager and had such great questions that the time flew right on by. Call me (Guest) Professor Sulmers.
That night, I decided to do Convos with Claire Boston, so hightailed it to Hyde Park to Josefa de Silva’s atelier for a fun convo, moderated by FBD’s very own Cassandre LaTortue.
I rocked a dress from Boston’s Shop William Edward, while Cassandre stunned in a Ty Hunter x 360 style multicolored dress. We grabbed a pic with Josefa da Silva and model Akou Diop.
After we chatted, we sipped wine, ate hors d’oevres from Zaz Restaurant (1238 River St, Hyde Park, MA 02136. You MUST stop by if you’re ever in Boston), and I signed lots of books. I started my travels with a bag full of books, and left with just a handful. You guys are amazing!!! Thank you so much for supporting me!!
Then it was back to NYC to shoot my very first cover shoot with Woe Magazine, then to participate on a Diversity panel at this cool conference called Create & Cultivate. My co-panelists Katie Sturino of The 12ish Style, Deddeh Howard of Secret of DD, Emily Sears, Maiah Ocando, & Nicolette Mason were bomb. More of these conversations need to happen!
But none of this was recorded as it happened because my laptop was ruined at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. And though I was told over a week ago that someone would contact me about fixing it, I haven’t heard a peep. Which is why I can never stay at a Marriott hotel again. Read more in the addendum, but until then, what do you think?
Smootches!
*Images: Robin Lori (Atlanta), Elton Anderson (LA), Joanna Petit-Frere and D.Irvin (Boston).
**Thank you to Conversations with Claire volunteers Kenyetta, Darion, and Charbra!
*Long story short, I attended Sheen Magazine’s Legendary Weekend, and was graciously accommodated at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
I updated Fashion Bomb Daily and The Bomb Life on Saturday morning from my hotel room, and energetically documented it all via Snapchat. I left my room to grab brunch and visit family, and came back to a laptop covered in liquid. Though it could turn on, the keys were rendering symbols, and my laptop was basically dead. Phone calls to Troy Gonsalves, Debra Carson, Roc Mutawassim, and an elusive man named ‘Elan‘ at Marriott corporate only resulted in a claim number (577913) but no retribution. Not even a sorry. I will live to write another day, but it’s quite disappointing that a hotel would allow such poor customer service. I was lucky (?) enough to stay at the Marriott in Cambridge, and attempted to prepare my MIT presentation down in the computer lab; the computers froze and shut down every time I tried to add images to my powerpoint presentation. I don’t normally complain, so you know this is bad. I’ll keep you updated as to if I ever hear back. It shouldn’t take a public roasting, however, to get a response.
