Fall For Fashion Every Season

As we prepare for New York Fashion Week Spring 2015, we can't help but recall what fun we had in Fall 2014.

Fashion continues to inspire not only the viewer, the consumer with the garments, but with the wonderful people we meet.

Fashion goes beyond the garments you see, it is a piece of art that each designer creates and interprets through their own personal journey in this life:

As I recall clearly as I prepared for Brooklyn Fashion Week last season, I realize I didn't even get over the hustle and bustle of New York Fashion Week. This season's collections are pretty amazing, I have to say. The combination of art, bold colors, and rich fabric continues to excite me long after the lights have gone out and the crowds have dispersed.

The biggest treat for us this season was definitely talking to the beauty experts, including two of my favorite artists. I totally love hair expert James Pecis from our working days at Vogue Magazine and other great publications.  If you want to talk about creativity, it's all about the creatives in the business. I wasn't surprised when this innovator added texture and braiding to the look that was created for Nanette Lepore. James has always been excited about texture and body to a woman's coiffe.

This season's "It" face was created by another expert I respect in this industry, Romy Soleimani. For this artist, inspiration came from the image of a snow globe inside a terrarium. The red and pink shades on the nails represent flowers, while the makeup is frosty, reminiscent of dewdrops.  The look complimented perfectly a ballet theme with points that danced throughout a collection.

Romy was using two of my favorite beauty brands to create these looks. The first, Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics, is one of the greats of my time and Kevyn himself is also an artist that I had the honor of once working with. It's common knowledge by now that anything connected to his name has got to be fabulous.

The second product is Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. Talk about being moist and dewy... This product leaves skin so soft on a cold winter morning you'll crave the days when you start spraying.

But now that our face has been perfected by the experts who have shown us how to do it all at home, let's get dressed. What a choice of collection we had this season when it came to wardrobe. The girly looks of Lela Rose (who can get all my money) are among my top picks. Truth be told, if I wore something of her every day I would NOT be bored.

But if you want to talk about bringing on the fire, Concept Korea had me on the edge. The combination of art and texture on clothing completely captured my attention.
But for those red carpet, swanky lady-like moments, Kaufman Franco really made the ladies look very... "Sensual," as they put it.  I love the subtle show of skin that they gave us.

As so many off-site artists captured our attention, I think New York Fashion Week is beginning to open doors for the next generation of icons, as they should.

My fear has always been whether or not any given season could get boring and this season truly showed me that the artists of today are far from it. When growth stops for any industry then we should all become very afraid. Art is a continuous evolution of man's imagination, desires, fears, hopes and future. Without those ingredients we are doomed.

Falling In Love with Art

What is art?  Is it poetry, a painting, sculpting, building, music, or designing a dress.  Whatever it is that you create can be defined as art.

How does one find a balance between the art culture and the financial world.  For years people always told artists to find a "real" job.  Or considered an artist work "a hobby".
What is the thin line that often gets blurred between artists and madness.  Where can one create a harmonic rhythm between both worlds?  Is it possible to bridge the gap between art and what some define as the "real world"?

It is with great pleasure that I take this journey towards the new part of my life walking with artists, exploring their world, their challenges, their hopes, their dreams, their accomplishments and joys.

This past summer I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting some of the most amazing artists from young filmmakers, directors, writers, painters, sculptures, and international fashion designers.
A not so different change from my world of fashion, makeup and production.

The summer began with my attendance at ABFF, American Black Film Festival, where legends such as Bill Duke, Keith David, Regina King, Jamie Hector, R. Malcom Jones, and Malcom Lee to name a few.

Cadillac, surprised us with "Date Night", with legendary performance to see The Steve Miller Band and provided us with one of their vehicles that may soon become my new purchase, ATS 2014.  Now that proved to be a wonderful way for me to see Virginia, Washington and Baltimore.
This piece of sculpted machine that is truly a work of art.. appropriate to visit the Fredrick Douglas Museum in style.

The history of Fredrick Douglas amazed me.  I thought I knew history, but non-like I learned with my short visit to the museum.  The magnificent view, can't compare to the rich piece of history that I drove away from that weekend.

It got even hotter when we had the opportunity to dine by the amazing African-International star Angelique Kidjo, nothing but nothing could have prepared us for the wonderful experience of being embraced by such royalty, surrounded by the most amazing international crowd in her home.

Parties were nothing less then great with shinning stars such as Swizz Beatz and Teyana Taylor as we celebrated Brooklyn's first time at hosting the VMA's. Gifts, great view and lots of networking.
This form of art was through music, the celebration of art through rhythm.

It was capped with the private welcome with legendary pioneer to the arts, Danny Simmons.  The honor of sitting with someone of that caliber is unexplainable.   How often can you inter-change ideas, dreams with someone you admire, and can actually feel the hope of seeing your vision come to life...moments like these are priceless.

As we close our summer experiences and the wonderful opportunity to host an amazing bubbling artist from another culture, Khaled Khadour, I see Syria, the Arab Culture in a different light.  My eyes have been opened to a new world full of culture and experiment of a life time.  I have learned not to pass judgments, speak without listening, and be open to learning.

The summer is not over yet...I can't imagine how it will end.

Fragile- In Memory of Presscott

Dear Presscott,

I can't remember when I first met you or how I met you, all I know is that you were always a part of my life!

I remember you thinner then you were when you passed away.  I also remember when your hair was dreadlocked, being the fabulous Jamaican you were!!! Big up to Jamaica! As you would say!

I next remember when you told me you were getting married. I then owned my bridal salon and I was very persistent about Lisa getting all her things from me.  One, because I wanted to help, but I wanted to meet the woman who had captured your heart. The woman that you claimed to be your best friend, (of course I was jealous.  But whatever!).

I fell in love with her!  We laughed, we joked and I was trying to give her shade but she laughed it off.  And we soon became friendly then became friends.  When you couldn't pick me up from the airport she did in pajamas and all!! That's love!

I was devastated when you said you were moving to Florida!  I was selfish and showed it, expressed it by not speaking to you for a while.

Then came Brooklyn, Brook O'Neal McDonald, I could not compete, nor did I want to.  I was so happy for you!

I forgave you for leaving NY, especially since it meant whenever you came back you had to stay with me... so I thought.

Then I found out there was Wendy Hope!  I was on fire!! But I met her and it was cool, because she was a Jewish sister trapped in a cute a white girls body.  She was a dope photograph and you seemed to love her and that was good enough for me.

We remained really cool. And now she is suffering...she misses you!

Then gosh darn it, Adela Holmes!  This chic is funny as heck, personality like non-other and a dope artist! Another white chic I had to fight for your attention!

But the character of person you were was the reason why you attracted this beautiful German soul!

We loved you and we shared you!  She opened her home to me even when she was out of town!  God you attracted the most amazing women in your life!

When she moved to Germany I knew you were devastated, but I thought it would be our excuse to travel.  I was over the moon with excitement to know that we were going to visit her this summer!!

So you went ahead and ruined it!! Damn you!

OJ, Okwuchi Duri-Jones, your trusted assistant, your ride or die!  She was good for you and was damn good about keeping track of you.  I loved her commitment to you and her protective heart for you!! I can't imagine her pain now without you.

You worked with some of the most amazing people in the industry.  You were loved, you were great to be around. I went by Fast Ashley's Studios for a job some days ago, and the first thing I did was ask if they knew you, and of course they did! I was hugged when I told him who I was to you! You were one, if not the person that hired Mike.  Presscott you were the "godfather" of this industry!

Jean Longchamps Jr, what can I say he was there to keep you occupied. He helped you stay sane in this industry that can destroy us all to often if you're not grounded!  Both your kids played together so the cool daddy bond was formed!

I was glad to hear you fell a sleep in the blossoms of a beautiful woman! Your head was caressed, rubbed and you laughed and joked like you lived...surrounded by women and friends! For that I will be forever be grateful to both Abbie Cuellar and Delsa Bernardo, among many other ways they helped you.

I am so glad you married Lisa, I see why you loved her... I am so thankful Lisa allowed me to stay in your life comfortably, she opened her heart and life to me.  She let me live in the house, Brook gave me her room, her bed!  I was affectionately auntie Coconut!

Damn it Lisa did my laundry and folded my clothes... I think I love she!! (In my Jamaican slang) I know I do...

She was comfortable with me being your NY wife, only Haitian one.  I think I was number 2 by default because that damn Adela lived closer.  But Adela and I were the two wives that stayed in the house with the main one, Lisa- Queen B.

If you didn't know it, you were loved and appreciated! I saw your talent, I felt your struggle!  I know how painful it was for you to do what you loved most, your photography!  I know your internal challenges and the laughter, the jokes, sometimes were your way of dealing!

Your loyalty, commitment to people was obvious, and no one could ever say you used them.  You gave more then you took!  You shared more then you had.  You were not afraid nor ashamed of saying you loved us male or female!

You were a perfect gentlemen every-time.

Thanks for partying with me! Thanks for working on all my dreams, all my ideas! Thanks for never letting on that you knew how crazy my dreams were making me. It will be our secret!

I will miss you picking me up from the airport in the most ungodly hours for years!  Now what will I do?  I'm so selfish!

With deep love to you my big brother!

Your African name Tobi, given to you  on our first trip to Africa!  I am proud it was with you I took my first trip to Africa.

I will miss you patting my head when I was getting outrageous.  I will miss you you calling your self styling my hair, by moving one strand.

I will miss my trips together!

I will miss you talking me off the ledge when things went wrong in my life.

I know Jon will miss you saving his butt, and prevent him from being chocked, strangled or nagged for not doing what he is suppose to do.

Oh well, Chanelle better not mess up any more, because who is going to talk me out of kicking her out of the house!

I will miss you sly remarks, your idle threats of torture...

I will miss you telling you love me...

I will miss family dinners with you, Brook and Lisa...

I will miss random industry parties with you...

I will miss your hugs....

I will miss your voice...

I will miss your laughter...

I will miss our long drives to Miami and home late nights after a long day on set...

I feel like I'm going mad... This pain of not seeing you is eating me from the inside out....

I'm dying internally... I don't want to say goodbye... I dread what I know is to come... Putting you in the ground...

I know what it means and I don't want that...because that would mean its final... And we have unfinished business....

If I keep writing to you maybe you will get up and say you just wanted to see how much we all loved you...

Maybe.....so I will keep writing you everyday!

I love you!  I believe in you... Brook miss you... Lisa too.

Please come home!

Your friend and sister forever, in this life and the one to come.

Myrdith

Bloom With Carmindy

Good people do great things when necessary to better others, society, and for the next generation.
They often shy away from getting accolades that puts them on the spot. Their reward in life is the success of others.

Carmindy Bowyer, the star of What Not To Wear, author of three successful books Get Positively Beautiful, Crazy Busy Beautiful,  The 5 Minute Face and coming soon Bloom is that good person doing great things.  Changing the lives of others by helping them feel beautiful about themselves both inside and out. This happens to be my second time working on one of her book and part of her amazing life.  What an honor!  

There are many beauty how to books out there, that is usually the next smart thing for a professional to do in the beauty industry.  It's a no brainer.  But a project can only be special if the spirit behind the product has a message that captures its audience.  I also believe the motive, the force,  the spirit of the soul and the voice telling the story will inspire all those involved to make the project successful.

When things are done with a pure motive; hearts of innocence, it will be bring more joy to those on the receiving end then the giver.

Bravo Carmindy.