Designs of a Decade fashion showcase

Tanise Francis, co-founder & designer of Fabric Twinz

Skin, cut-out patterns, lace, slits and sheer oh my! Last night was the Fabric Twinz premiere of their spring/summer line Designs of a Decade as well as designer, Tanise Francis, 27th birthday celebration! It was an all-white extravaganza and the new items from the line definitely did not disappoint! It actually embraces and embodies the edgy, risque, chic woman of NYC. Although there was no fluorescence or glow-in-the-dark as she previously mentioned from our last meet the basic ready-to-wear style and provocation of the line allowed me to simply say "Who cares!? I want it!" 

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The Best Dressed at the CFDA Awards 2014

Last night the fashion crowd assembles for the 2014 Council of Fashion Designer of America (CFDA) Awards, one of the biggest fashion events of the year. Consider it a follow-up to the Met Gala which in this case, it was desperately needed to make up for the lackluster fashion display at the Met. The CFDA Awards celebrate the best and the brightest of the industry this year. Of course I had to critique and compile my list of the best dressed; however, I had a LOT to choose from! I think a lot of celebrities brought their A-game this year!

First up is supermodel Iman wearing a color-block dress by Juan Carlos Obando. I am not a big fan of the way this fits on her or the loose material. Kind of makes her look like she's unraveling. But the colors are no doubt gorgeous on her & she looks magnificent at her age!

Next is Queen of the Runway & mentor on the show "The Face", supermodel Naomi Campbell stuns in this metallic embellished gun-metal gown!

Model Coco Rocha stunned with this black-white number designed by Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano. I've been following Siriano's work & I am glad he's getting the recognition he deserves. His designs are very detailed, ethereal & unique. 

It seems like all the models were killing it at the CFDA. Chanel Iman looked nothing less than gorgeous in a black beaded Monique Lhuillier dress.

Joan Smalls did not disappoint & strutted her flawlessness all over the red carpet in this sultry Prabal Gurung gown with a thigh high slit. Werk!

Liya Kebede, model & founder of  the Ethiopian clothing line LemLem, kept it chic & simple in a white blouse with an embellished white pencil skirt designed by Wes Gordon. 

Actress Olivia Wilde stayed on trend in this black fringe dress by Decades. The funny thing is I have been steering clear of anything fringe so far because I have a serious disdain for it. But this look is not bad at all & made me see the light...just a bit.

Grammy Award winning actress Lupita Nyong'o looked amazing in this colorful striped crop top & matching culottes designed by Suno. This definitely played to her playful nature & changed the tone of the evening since majority of the attendees opted for floor-sweeping gowns or dresses. 

I love Emmy Rossum's style and this J. Mendel dress did not disappoint! The color isn't the best but she pulls it off anyway & I just love the lace inset on her chest! 

SOLANGE!!! I felt after the media lashing she has been receiving from the elevator showdown at the Met Gala, this event & this outfit was so needed to bounce her back into our good graces. She is serving some Diana Ross/Donna Summers realness in this Calvin Klein shimmering gold dress! Yasss girl!

Coming in at #2 is recipient of the well deserved Style Icon of the Year award, Rihanna! Wearing a crystal-embellished sheer gown with matching gloves, hat & a soft pink fur stole to cover her lady bits this outfit, designed by Adam Selman, leaves very little to the imagination. Surprised she's not my #1 pick? Well, simply I want to see Rihanna do a little bit more than show us her sexy naked body. When I saw this it made me go "Wow! Typical Ri-ri.." instead of "Wow! She blew our little fashion mind...again!"

And coming in at #1 is legendary supermodel & casting director Bethann Hardison, recipient of the Founders Award for her fight for diversity within fashion! Wearing a heather grey Prabal Gurung dress, Hardison greatest accessory is her passion for fashion & equalizing the playing field for models & designers of color. 

Do you agree or disagree with the order of 'Best Dressed'? Who were your favorites?

On the Horizon - Fabric Twinz

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your weekends and Easter were grand! I had the pleasure on Thursday before Good Friday interviewing a very humble young woman with a fashion line thats puts the word GLAM in glamorous! I was quite surprise we were able to meet so quickly seeming as I contacted her so late the previous evening. But she responded A.S.A.P and from the emails plus text messages I could tell this was going to be a very pleasant experience. We met up at her showroom located near 27th street off of 5th Ave and suddenly I became self conscience. I wasn't dressed to kill matter fact I think I looked a bit geeky. I really didn't think too much into my outfit, which is bad because first impressions are key! But I think I got lost in the excitement that this was going to be my first interview I just didn't want to sound like an idiot. Well, I didn't sound like an idiot but I may have accomplished looking like one, good job!
After being swiped in and checking myself over in every reflection I laid my eyes on, I met with Tanise Francis, co-founder of Fabric Twinz.

New York City based designer, Tanise “Fabric Twinz” Francis is creating quite the buzz among the stars. Known as one half of the “The Fabric Twinz” duo by the industry’s elite, Tanise has been able to maintain the popularity and integrity of the Fabric Twinz brand since her partner’s departure in 2011. Since then, she has dressed and styled hip hop icons such as Lil Kim, R&B sensation K.Michelle, actress Elise Neal, Terri Vaughn, tv host Rocsi Diaz. Reality TV stars from VH1′s Love & Hip Hop and Basketball Wives such as Thairy Jose, Shaunie O Neal, Jennifer Williams just to name a few. Even many of NYC’s most popular socialites.

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Blak Friday! Blogger of the Week

As a new comer to this competitive, versatile, vast "new world" we know as blogging, one can easily be intimidated. Kind of like being the new kid in high school in which all eyes are on you because you're an alien in their town but they can really careless if you come or go.  I have come to appreciate all the bloggers before me because this is not easy (I swear I lay awake at night just thinking about my next post. Nerd much?)! Starting off my Blak Friday: Blogger of the Week is Monica Awe-Etuk also known as Awed by Monica!

Monica wearing Ladyee Boutique skirt
w/ ReneeQ.  Intuma Belt

This outfit is what made me fall in love and click the follow button on Instagram! Its simple, chic, clean, lean and different all wrapped up in a fashionable ensemble. What's also make this outfit stand out for me is the fact that the belt and skirt are products of Black owned boutiques! A two for one, sweet! The belt is by Renee Q. Boateng and the skirt (yes, its a skirt not a long black dress. Love the illusion!) is by Ladyee Boutique. Her style is always classy and modern while adding an individual flare all her own. Plus she's the mother of two! I heard too many times where moms tend to lose focus on how they look because they're caught up on taking care of the family. So I definitely commend her for being on top of her game. I reached out and asked four quick questions to get a peek into the creative mind:

             

BL: What era of fashion do you relate to the most?

I would say for right now, definitely the 50s, I am obsessed with the midi, lady-like, meets modern trend.

BL: Which celebrity's closet do you covet?

 It's a tied between Solange ‎Knowles and Kim Kardashinas, they both get everything sent to them so why not lol!

BL: What is the one basic item every woman should have in her closet?

 LBD, the black dress is still the most important item to have, it always works

BL: What do you love most about blogging?

Expressing my personal style and style inspiring my followers.

Make sure to follow @awedbymoni, @reneeqgh and @ladyeeboutique on Instagram and give two snaps to Ms. Monica Awe-Etuk, blogger of the week!

1 skirt + 4 looks = Sofistafunk!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend especially since the weather was finally acknowledging that it's Spring! We needed sun & 50 degree weather in NY because we all know this time of the year = legs! I get to rock shorts and skirts without feeling like I sentenced myself to death by hypothermia.

My 'Hot Find' for today is a skirt with flair & funk! This skirt, known as "Two Face", was created by Sofistafunk. The label, established 1999 led by designer Arlinda McIntosh, incorporates bold, feminine and ultra versatile designs that explore the alliances between the Elizabethan era through the Victorian period creating a contemporary yet couture aesthetic.

Arlinda McIntosh (left) in her own Sofistafunk design

Best known for their uninhibited and ultra girly approach to skirt making, the label has become a favorite amongst clients for their timeless, grand and picturesque creations.

 "Our skirts are designed to make a lady feel as if she's about to attend the ball, but meant to be worn everyday on the streets of her casually elegant life." -Arlinda M. 

I had so much fun styling this because the possibilities were almost endless! But for the sake of the post I created four looks that were based on the idea of transitioning from day to night.

 Item of focus: Sofistafunk "Two Faced" skirt

Can be found on sofistafunk.com. Follow them @sofistafunk 

Top left: For a night on the town, you can dress up the skirt with a pair of pumps & keep it polished with a light, white button-up
Top right: Keep it flirty by pairing the skirt with a crop top. Add wedges with a pop of color for a bit of fun
Bottom left: Chic & trendy is the game when pairing the skirt with a checkered red/black button up with a white tank underneath to break the pattern contrast. Stay comfy by adding cute black flats
Bottom right: Keep it casual & light with a basic graphic tee & tennis shoes. Cute but laid back is always in style.

Have a Spring Skirt look? Post it with the hashtags #KissSpring #BlakLabels and let's see what you got!

Men in suits! Ooohh ohhh!

First off can I say how gorgeous the weather is right now!? I mean, it's still a little nippy but the sun is shining oh so beautifully! Actually makes me a little bit more excited to hit the gym (just a little, lol)!

Moving on, how many of you enjoy a man in a good suit? I know I do! Especially when its tailored for the gawds! Yess! Halleloo! I came across this picture on Instagram:

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

And instantly I was in love! From the red and white polka dot socks to the matching tie and the contrast of the deep olive green vest and pants. Attention to details is everything and this designer made sure of that in his collection! So of course I had to find out who is the designer! This is Rodney Emeka, the mastermind behind the menswear McMeka:

Rodney Emeka

The Nigerian designer was acknowledged last year as the winner of the MTN Young Designer of the Year award at the 2013 Lagos Fashion & Design Week. But would you believe that he started off with a background in Accounting!? Some people believe that once you start off in one degree or career there is no changing that. An irrevocable (my word of the day!) decree one must follow until the end of days! On the other hand, we have people like Mr. Emeka who breaks out of that mold and shows the world one can do, create or build anything if they set their mind to it! I borrowed (teehee) a few of his pictures from IG to share with you guys! But you can find more of his work on his Tumblr page and Instagram! If you wish to learn more about Rodney Emeka check out the interview by Bella Naija on their webpage. I wonder if he could create a woman's suit? Hhhmm.....

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

Spring/Summer 2014 "Man About Town" Collection

                                    

Black Dresses Exhibition

What’s funny about me writing this post is how nervous I am! As mouthy and opinionated as I can be I’m actually feeling…shy? Lol! But the same rule that I apply to my everyday life I shall apply it here! And you, my fabulous readers and fellow bloggers, shall be receiving the best of me!

With that being said,

  WELCOME TO BLAK LABELS!!  

The fashion/style blog focused on designers and entrepreneurs of color within the fashion and beauty industry!  How did I come up with this concept? Actually the origin of this blog correlates with my first post!

My cousin and good friend, Shantavia Loh, sent me a text about celebrity designer, LaQuan Smith, and a few other designers, coming together to debut their collection at Pratt Institute in honor of Black History Month. I work alongside Shantavia as her assistant for her PR firm, Panache PR &Marketing, and post daily gossip & news on their Facebook page. The name of the fashion exhibition is Black Dress: Ten Contemporary Fashion Designers and it featured designs by LaQuan Smith, Tracy Reese, ByronLars, Epperson, Samantha Black, Omar Salam, Michael Jerome Francis, Donna Dove, Stephen Burrows and Jeffery Banks. I researched the information further, landing on the Pratt Institute webpage and immediately became enthralled (FYI: I love SAT words! I even have the Dictionary as an app on my phone. SO if there’s any way I can throw in my word of the day or a SAT word I will =-D )! I noticed they had a panel discussion scheduled one night and I made sure to clear my schedule so I can attend.

When I got there the room was packed but I noticed the majority of the attendants were of an older generation. There were a few in my age group, a few students, one of the designers and the other was a part of the panel. But, overall, my 20s group was scarce.  On the panel were the curators of the exhibition, a fashion consultant, a fashion blogger and editors from Teen Vogue, The Huffington Post, and Ebony. After a round of introductions the discussion began and it was very informative.

The overall theme of the discussion was the lack of recognition and progress black designers have made in the fashion industry. One of the panelists even challenged the audience if they can name several black designers other than Tracy Reese and LaQuan Smith. Honestly, I couldn't really think of any other designers. Either I’m not as fashionably adept as I thought I was or my fashion pool is very shallow. But our silence proved the point. Referencing back to the attendants being of an older generation, whom by the way, were able to answer the question of naming more than 2 black designers, most of them were from the fashion days when supermodel Iman reigned supreme and Naomi Campbell’s name barely left anyone’s lips without an inquisitive “who?” followed afterwards.  They echoed the same sentiments that this is a battle that has been waging on for generations! One even stated that she expected 7^th avenue (Fashion Avenue) to have at least 1 or 2 black-owned clothing stores open by now but she is still currently waiting to hear the news.  This led me to ask the profound question of the night (I’m not exaggerating. I literally heard “ooohhhh….good one!” all over the room lol): “Why aren't black designers, or designers of color in general, not highly recognized as their counterparts? Is it because of the lack of coverage from the media, the lack of support from their communities or the lack of passion & commitment from the designers themselves?”

This question not only stirred a whole new discussion but it also sparked an idea in me! Especially when one of the panelists, fashion Blogger Joy Adaeze, responded that most of her clothes she post are from black designers, more specifically, African designers. I thought “Why don’t I start a blog focused on black designers and creating that publicity they need!?” We can’t deny that social media is becoming our main way of communicating with one another and creating exposure for brands, ideas, services and products. So why not take advantage? At first I was hesitant because it felt like just another fashion blog in the mix of all the other fashion blogs out there. I didn't want to get lost in the sauce! But I realize that there are so many duplicates out in the world, for example the concept of burger and fries, that I figured there is room for one more blog! Besides, I aim and will strive to make mine stand out from the rest especially since I am shining a light on a particular niche that needs to be exposed. Thus, Blak Labels is born!

Donna Dove's collection

After the discussion they opened the exhibit to the audience for about 30 minutes and I took several pictures. My favorites were Byron Lars, Donna Dove (her designs were made out of shirts!), LaQuan Smith (Duh!), Tracey Reese (another duh!) and Samantha Black. I posted a few of the pictures for your viewing pleasure! The exhibition, which is free by the way, is available for viewing until April 26^th so make sure to stop by Pratt Manhattan Gallery (144 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10011) before it’s over! 

Donna Dove's collection

Byron Lars' collection

Byron Lars' collection

Tracy Reese's collection

Omar Salam collection

Jeffery Banks' collection

Stephen Burrows' collection

Michael Jerome Francis' collection

Samantha Black's collection

Epperson's collection