Production Value

Serving others has proved to me the most valuable venture I have the pleasure of adding to my resume.

For 2012, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the industries most talented, brilliant, charismatic people life has brought to my door.

For some being a "servant" is not considered a glamours role.  While for me it is one of the most fascinating roles I can claim.  The reason being, I consider it an honor for me to be entrusted, some what with the life, image, and business of the individual.  My decisions, qualifications, standards, values, and expertise can make or break the life, career of those I hold dear.  That is major to me.

So when one comes to me and inquires about using my services, I see it as the highest form of compliment one can get in my field.  Referrals are the greatest form of references of your skills.  

It is with all those in mind that I feel the greatest sense of responsibility and the greatest pressure to please those in my care. And with deepest sadness when I fall short of their expectation.

2012 proved to me amazing as it was our first year, and for the first year we were able to gain the trust and service some of my heros, legends and talents Justiin Davis, Isaiah Washington, Mikki Taylor, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Movado, Matthew Curtis, Kithe Brewster, Tracey Moore, New York Fashion Week, Vera Wang, Diva Foundation, Chef Rodney LoveJones, Taking Tea Instyle- Sharon Levy, Kevin Sharpley, Victor Amos, Brian Hawkins, Michelle Swiney and Modalistas to name a few.

I celebrated my first year anniversary writing for the Huffington Post, contributing  to Amour Creole, Side View Magazine and Scratch Magazine.  All honoring me with a platform for my voice to be heard and to make a contribution in my industry.

My journeys to Miami, London, Paris, and Ireland to increase my visibility and build my network.

I am humbled by life and the promise of 2013.  Bravo.

Face Forward

Creating a brand starts with getting to the heart of the subject.  It ends with the face that is presented to the public.

Estee Lauder, Revlon, Dior, YSL, Canon, Noami Campbell, Essence, Vogue, Goya,  Epic Records, Virgin Atlantic, Harley Davidson, you name it once you say the name it is quickly identified by the audience.

These are the things that must be clear to anyone who is considering putting out a product, or becoming a public figure.  The moment you decide that you want to take your product, career to another level, the real work begins, creating an image and the hardest part is maintaining that image.

The deeper I enter into the depths of this branding business, the process of creating or recreating certain things becomes more and more challenging.
The challenges do not always lie in the vision of the product I am creating but convincing the subject the you are creating that you are clear in what it is that you see even when they don't see it themselves.

The biggest challenge is being clear with your own vision and not lowering your standard and compromising your own values, not taking things personal  and keeping your own door of growth open to the experiences of those greater then you.  Welcoming wonderful new talent, with youthful vision, brilliantly inspired by life, their surrounding and the inspirational places the world has to offer.

I am grateful for the very power to explore this life and the wonders it holds for everyone of us.

Keeping a positive face forward in the heart of all these challenges can be often times distracting but knowing when to switch gear keeps things bright.

The Evolution Of A Man- Isaiah Washington

West Side! Yeah Yeah!!

Yes. I am poppin' my collar, strutting like I was Naomi Campbell on the catwalk, givin' you face like Iman, throwin' money like Diddy....

I just interviewed the one and only legendary Isaiah Washington!!!!! Can you dig it?!! This MAN is BAD A@$# and DOPE!!! He has swagger like WHAT!!! HE may be the original pimp DADDY with a swagger like THAT. He is BRILLIANT, he may be able to re-write the Encyclopedia! He is funny like Bill Cosby and Martin combined. His style is like Tupac meets Tom Ford.  Can you envision that??? Can you imagine if Tupac was styled by Tom Ford????? That is Isaiah Washington naturally. 

Washington's ability to move in front of the camera is so , tick tock, on point we rolled out close to twenty different shots with him.  And was able to conduct a 30 minute interview in less then 8 hours.
He was easy to work with, complained NONE.  Washington was gracious and charming.  The shot's are MONEY MAKING SHOTS!

The interview was definitely African, African-American History 301 Senior, European History 201, Parenting 101, and Life 101.  He speaks with a passion, delivers his message brilliantly and gets the audience thinking.  He recites historical events like they happened yesterday, and I felt like I should have read them in yesterdays New York Times, or saw it on 60 minutes.  The crew stopped all they were doing to gather around to listen to him speak and learn.  Once completed the conversation kept on and if we didn't have to exit the location, La Descarga, which we were granted access to by Mark Houston, one of the two brothers who owned the space, we would have been in the way of opening the celebrated bar.

My crew and I had such a great time with Washington I can't express it to you in English alone.  I may have to pull words from 7 other languages, do some research on 4 because I only know 3 three. He makes you want to sing like Jill Scott!! Her whole first album! This MAN IS EVERYTHING!!! A MAN FROM ANOTHER LAND! HIPP, HIPP, HIPP!! HURRAY!

My team of GREAT MINDS, Frank Ishman, the baddest mother f#$@% photographer on the WEST COAST! Francesca Beniquez kept the face/hair on point. Tiffany Nesson pulled some HAUTE A#@ clothes and Maisie Dunbar brought us gifts to groom him courtesy of BluffaJo and Shea Radiance. 

Thank you GOD! I may not have somethings but I sure have EVERYTHING I EVER EVER WANTED in this life and you still blessing with more. I will take it humbly. Please forgive me for bragging this time. I just couldn't help myself.

A Star Is Born- Troi Zee

Parenting by itself is challenging.  Parenting in NY is a killer, now add some more challenging elements to it and you may be considered crazy.  I remember the days when kids wanted to be firemen, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and maybe a lawyer (that is if you were the right kind of lawyer).

Today kids have so many choices that without proper parental guidance you may be in for the ride of your life.  Not all careers are responsible, respectable or desirable.  So when you ask your kid what they want to be or do when they grow up,  that may be a loaded question.  You may have to get a grip, hold your breath, say a prayer, and breathe.....slowly.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting one young lady, Troi Zee, her mom, and attorney.  Yes I said attorney.  At the tender age of 10, this young person is a 4 plus, translation, an A plus student, an actress already standing with big players such as Ruby Dee, Hill Harper, Quinton Aaron, Bokeem Woodbine, Wayne Brady, Sharon Leal, Elise Neal, Lala Anthony, to name a few people you may recognize, what is to be her first film by Director Tommy Oliver, 1982.  She is also a musician, pianist, singer, and an athlete (soccer player) and a very articulate, well mannered beauty.  The manners  I can definitely say are that of a child reared by both her parents, Chinese father and African American mother.  Not to say that single parents don't do a phenomenal job, because I am one, but their outlook on life seems to be different.  It made me proud to be sitting in this office overlooking the Hudson, this lovely family, discussing her future, her dreams, her hopes.  To see the confidence of her mother allowing her daughter to speak freely and know that her daughter can hold her own.

I especially loved that her attorney was present and reviewed what I had to present, and asked the questions that would protect not only his business, but the integrity of his clients.  Bravo.

We talked about her love of math, science, acting, music, the arts, and her favorite heroes Audra McDonald, Martin Luther King, and President Obama.
I had to photograph her because she is a girl after my own heart.  Skirt and sneakers and nails done. LOVE IT!!! Chef Rodney LoveJones once again you are RIGHT!  She is fabulous and so is that mother of hers.  Divine.

So please allow me to introduce you briefly to Troi Zee..... I guarantee you this is just a teaser.

Summer Madness- Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013

Once a year Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim takes over Miami.  Some of the most acclaimed designers around the world travel  to from Australia, Costa Rica Spain, Brazil, New York, and other parts to show you their best swim bodies.

This is m2m damorejon and our teams fourth year sponsoring the nail team and our second year producing the hair, makeup and nail team.   This year we gathered some of the industries brightest artist to execute the most amazing looks that hit the beach.

Matthew Curtis, Harry, Anthony, Stephanie traveled across the waters to lead some of the industries premier designers, Lisa Blue opened this seasons shows with a bang.  Having some 40 plus models definitely tested the skills of all involved.  Sponsored by TRESemme UK, Curtis team of European and American based artists definitely opened the doors to what was to come.  Dolores Cortes and White Sands definitely held their own grounds with the most outstanding looks in hair.

Makeup this season was lead by three of our brightest  Kristen Lober, Victor Amos,  and Michelle Cameau. Lisa Blue, Kooey, Agua Bendita, White Sands, and Rana Rojo were the featured designers this team of great artists put on their best faces.

Nails m2m damorejon partnered off with Incoco designs to create some wonderful designs, Orly provided us with the best treatments and tools that included buffers, files, and treatments.  Famous Names provided oils and base coat, top coat that kept the toes nice and clean for the wonderful look on the runway.  This season proved to be quite busy for us  with shows Lisa Blue, Dolores Cortes, White Sands, Kooey, Agua Bendita, Rana Rojo, Cia Maritima, L Space By Monica Wise, Wildfox, and Rose Jean by Vanessa Simmons.

One great season for all involved.