ELEVATION: F/W 2011 (capsule collection) on the Behance Network

See the full collection at
ELEVATION: F/W 2011 (capsule collection) on the Behance Network

PNK Elephant by Kajifa Fink

Check out this wonderful Philly.com article about Kajifa Fink, a Philly native, Hampton University grad & fiance of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick. In the article, Kajifa expresses her passion for fashion, entrepreneurship, community|youth outreach & family.

She also discusses her costume jewelry line PNK Elephant which is super-duper cute & incredibly affordable - I want everything in the collection - especially the 4-finger & cage rings!!

MECANIC - Private Trunk Show

This past Sunday, Meca & I hosted a private trunk show for clients in the Philadelphia South Jersey area. Featured designers were NIC*FISH, Jypsea, B.Love & Stay by Stacey Angela.

The event was a huge success! The attending ladies had an amazing time mingling, and shopping the collections while enjoying tapas & signature cocktails.They also particpated in a fashion show where they all dressed up in pieces from each of our collections and walked the runway. It was lots of fun!

Check out the pics!

For those who missed this event, be sure to check us out at the following locations:

Philadelphia - MECANIC at Boutique 77, a pop-up boutique - Opening in October.
Harlem - Harlem Pop - This weekend!!

Introducing "Mythical Mayhem"-Spring 2011 Collection from PLUTOCRACY

Shown last week during NYFW, PLUTOCRACY is an American-born fashion label that exudes luxury, not in price-point but in attitude, attention to detail, and craftmanship.

The Mystically Mayhem Collection features bold, whimsical, and colorful separates, dresses and slacks. Designer Anitra Michelle was inspired by the Buddhist Goddess Tara, the Mother of Liberation. She strives for excellence in all aspects in her life just like the Plutocracy woman.

The Fashion Institute of Technology alum earned her stripes in the fashion industry working for Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfield, and Lavin. Heavy weights!

Personally, it's the immaculate tailoring combined with the color and funk that appeals to me.

I'm sure you'll find your own reasons why a few of these pieces must find a home in your closet.

Contact
Website:
http://beplutocracy.com/
Email: Press@bePlutocracy.com
Phone: (646) 318-0780

"I see the world as a PLAYGROUND" - Julius Wright aka Lyrical God

I love this short film about the art of Philly-bred lyricist|beatmaker Julius Wright aka Lyrical God.



Wow, wasn't that sooooooooooo awesome!? You cannot get anymore authentic or creative than that! I don't know about you but I'm totally inspired.

Check out this Q&A with Lyrical God on his musical mission||here||.

Anika: The ALTERNATIVE

I've realized that in my life, I am SURROUNDED by amazing entrepreneurial women who provide so much inspiration to me and my endeavors. My good friend Anika Lee Thompson-Staples is one of those inspirations.

Anika is the definition of entrepreneurial success. Since we became friends in our early twenties, I've witnessed her professional ascension, first hand. Throughout the years, her commitment to her profession has been constant, and unwavering - As is her dedication to her family, as a wife & mother. She balances it all seamlessly. Meet Anika....

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
My name is Anika Lee Thompson-Staples and I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I am 35 years old and have been a stylist for 17 years. I have never worked in another field other than the beauty business. I have also been a salon owner (Ryan Foster Inc.) for 6 years. I am a mother and a wife before I am anything. I love everything about my life.

WHAT DO YOU CREATE?
I make natural hair products that give women effortless transitions with their hair textures without causing permanency or damage. My product line is called ALTERNATIVE™.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED ON YOUR CREATIVE PATH?
I have always done hair. I do not know anything other then hair, it is my life. I grew up in a hair salon from the time I was in 1st grade and fell in love with the whole salon environment. When I was young, I obsessed over my mothers make-up and hair products, and by 10 I started cutting away at my hair. I knew very early on who I was and where I was going.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE?
I see so many people who have been affected in such a negative way by this industry, as a result of multi-billion dollar marketing. I felt it was my duty to create a new definition of affordable, natural, healthy beauty. The façade in which the industry provides, has jaded our communities and allowed our women to expose themselves to an overload of toxic chemicals, fake hair, and deceitful advertisement, that allows them to feel inadequate to achieve the images they desire on their own. My goal is to redefine beauty.

HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING BEING YOUR AUTHENTIC, CREATIVE SELF?
Absolutely, and a lucrative one as well. Now that I am creating products, financing is always challenging, but we make it work.

WHAT NEW PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON?
I am currently relocating the salon and also expanding our line - Attempting to make it available for retail by 2011.

HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND & SUPPORT YOUR WORK?
They check out our website at www.althaircare.com and can email me at althaircareinfo@aol.com for more information. They can also learn more about ALTERNATIVE™ on Youtube & Facebook. Customers interested in ALTERNATIVE™ can make purchases via PayPal, or over the phone by calling the salon at 215-843-0116.

ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING CREATIVES?
Never stop. One set back is an opportunity for something better to come your way. You only fail when you do not try.

Calypso - A Trinidadian Delight

I must confess. I am a total international foodie!!! I love Thai, Malaysian, Indian, African, Spanish and ALL things Caribbean - So, I was in complete heaven when I discovered Calypso - Trinidadian Cuisine!

My eyes were bigger than my tummy upon my visit to Calypso, so it took me two whole days to eat all that I purchased, but every dish was sooooooooo yummy! I ordered saltfish & bake, chicken roti, rice & peas, mixed veggies and tropical mango tea. I wanted to try the doubles but they were all sold out - next time they are mine! :)

If you are in Chestnut Hill - Philly, make sure you check out Calypso. Its delish!!

Calypso - Trinidadian Cuisine
Chestnut Hill Farmers Market (Thursday, Friday & Saturday Only)
215-247-1156

Saltfish & Fry Bake


Chicken Roti

Calypso Owner

Farmers Market Exterior

I Heart Nollywood!!

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The Nigerian film industry -pka- Nollywood, is the second largest global film industry, after Indian Bollywood, and the continent of Africa's largest.

Nollywood grosses roughly 500 million dollars annually, and has MASTERED the art of inexpensive filmmaking. Most films cost less than $15,000 to produce, and go straight to DVD - total eliminating the great cost associated with theater releases. There is such a high demand for these films upon DVD release, that up to 200,000 units are sold in one day - at the very inexpensive price of $2.00 per video. GENIUS marketing!!

I am totally addicted to these films, and their simple, yet engaging story lines! Just like Spanish novellas, Nollywood films are 100% pure DRAMA, lol! Check out this one - Beyonce & Rihanna - Hilaaaaaarious!! Although I'm certain that these films are not intended to be comedic, the high level of drama makes them hella funny!

Dream Broker Inc.

Since childhood, my good friend, Brian Jones, has been an intellectually creative genius! He & I attended elementary school & high school together in Philadelphia. Since we were children, I've admired Brian's jovial & unassuming spirit, coupled with his "take no prisoners" approach to personal & professional ascension. He is a force.

Today, his company, Dream Broker Inc. serves leaders who are expanding their creative capacities and cultivating enterprises that are aligned with their vision.

Dream Broker meets the needs of their creative clientele in a three tiered approach:

1. Edify Lives

* We value the unique character, competencies, capabilities, callings, and contributions of all individuals

* We believe each person has something of value to offer to family, friends, and fellow citizens of the world

* We commit to helping individuals discover and share their giftedness

2. Encourage Enterprise

* We value the ideas of individuals seeking to profit their families, future generations, and fellow-citizens of the world

* We believe that properly established, sustainable enterprises are key to advancing the greater good of our society

* We commit to helping individuals translate ideas into concrete plans and assisting with enterprise development

3. Empower Communities

* We value interdependence and reciprocity as expressed through local, regional, national, and global community

* We believe that communities thrive best when afforded equitable access to profitable resources

* We commit to helping individuals/enterprises to make their resources more accessible to communities-in-need


I am sooooooo thrilled about Dream Broker's mission!! This company truly inspires me.

||Learn More About Dream Broker Here||

A Conversation with Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter

Check out this Q&A with Carol's Daughter founder, Lisa Price. She's such an amazing entrepreneurial inspiration with a wealth of successful business advice!

||Article Link||

Hook and I

I want every single one of these fabulous jewelry hang-ups by Hook & I!!

Contact the artist on facebook to get yours!

Jahzara's Dashiki Dress

Check out this super dope dress (that will soon be all mine - bhawhawhaw!) - Made by an incredibly skilled designer, and really sweet & cool sista, Jahzara.

I first met Jahzara at Jolo's Kitchen (A delish vegetarian restaurant in New Rochelle) over a year ago, and since then we've stayed in touch sharing thoughts and ideas as indie designers.

You likey "MY" dress? Ok, I'm willing to share :) Get yours here. Or catch Jahzara vending at pop-up boutiques in/around NYC.

The Organic-Edgy-Boundary Pushing Wearable Art of Dominic Jones Jewellery

All images
c/o NotCot.com

This what I want to carry and strap to my arms this fall. It may not go over very well at the PTA meetings in my suburb 'hood, but it'll quickly get the point across to everyone that I'm the COOL MOM!. ;)
Learn more about Dominic Jones Jewellery here: http://www.dominicjonesjewellery.com/

Les Amis de Beauford Delaney

The amazing Monique Wells, a Black-American expatriate living in Paris, (who also happens to be college friends with my mother) relocated to France in the 1990's. She co-owns Discover Paris! - a service which offers personalized tours & itineraries for independent travelers of Paris. Monique has also written "Food for the Soul" - an American soul food cook book, complete with locations in Paris for finding authentic ingredients for the book's recipes.

Monique's latest creative venture "Les Amis de Beauford Delaney" is dedicated to extremely talented, yet troubled Black-American artist, Beauford Delaney, who relocated to Paris in the 1950's. Upon his death he had no money, and until August 2010, his gravesite in Paris was left unmarked for more than 30 years. Les Amis was able to purchase a tombstone for Delaney from international financial donations from family, friends & artistic admirers.

Some of Delaney's Work

Taller Portobelo Norte

Taller Portobelo Norte, is a US arts collective founded in 2001, descending from Taller Portobelo in Panama. Taller Portobelo is the brainchild of Panamanian artist, Sandra Eleta, who began opening her home to artists to create & fellowship in the 1970's.

The mission of Taller Portobelo Norte is to (from their website):

• encourage critical dialogues around the art and culture(s) of the African Diaspora, especially as they are manifested in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• create an exchange of ideas amongst artists across cultural, generational and disciplinary lines.

• create a supportive space for experimental and non-traditional artists, writers, and scholars to experience communal intellectual stimulation as well as quiet contemplation.

• assist Taller Portobelo in documenting and preserving the culture and traditions of the Congos of Panama.

From October 16th to October 23rd, Taller Portobelo Norte will travel to the Festival Del Narenzo (Black Christ Festival) in Portobelo, Panama. The retreat is open to artists of all creative genres. If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, check out the Taller Portobelo Norte website here.

IMPORTANT: The registration deadline is September 18, 2010.

Here's a video of a 2008 attendee discussing her awesome experience. (The end of this video is hilarious! hehehe!)

Yummy Spoonfuls

Yummy Spoonfuls is an Atlanta based 100% organic baby food company developed by native Cameroonian, Agatha Achindu. After the birth of her son, Agatha vowed that her baby boy would only eat healthy, nutritious whole foods. She began preparing 100% organic meals for him, that became very popular among the parents in her social & professional circles. Agatha quickly realized that there was a viable market for freshly prepared 100% certified organic baby foods, without hormones, pesticides, additives, fillers, sugars, salt, dairy, or gluten. At that point in 2006, Agatha quit her six-figure job, cashed out her 401K & personal savings, and began Yummy Spoonfuls with her husband, Georges. Her hard work, and amazing foresight paid off when noted parenting magazine, Cookie, rated Yummy Spoonfuls as their #1 pick for organic baby food.



Yummy Spoonfuls offers three stages of freshly prepared meals: Creamy Yummy (6-9 months), Mushy Yummy (9-12 months) & Chunky Yummy (12months+). Some of their delectable meal combination include pureed organic butternut squash; mashed organic papaya, quinoa & banana; and organic adzuki beans & sweet potato porridge.

Yummy Spoonfuls ships nationally at Yummy Spoonfuls, and Amazon. The brand is also available at select national specialty stores including Whole Foods.

Keep up with the exciting developments of Yummy Spoonfuls on their website, facebook, and youtube.

Lastly, I must say that divine intervention connected me with Agatha at the very beginning of my pregnancy. At that time, I was in deeeeeeep thought about how I would create a healthy lifestyle for my son, upon his birth. Agatha & Yummy Spoonfuls has been an incredible resource of knowledge on infant nutrition, and a wonderful source of phenomenal mommy-preneurial inspiration.

Q & A with Gizem Bacaz, Artist/Interior Designer/Jewelry Designer/Art Gallery Owner

Photograph by Dawan Wryet Alford, RegalMonarch.com

I was introduced to Gizem within the last 2 yrs. I've since been fascinated by her wealth of experiences and her gentle, helpful spirit. I had the pleasure and honor of working with her as she provided the face painting for the Grand Opening of my design studio. She did an amazing job! Now, you meet her:

Q: Please introduce yourself. What do you create?

A: Hello my name is Gizem Bacaz. I create from my imagination and delve into psychedelic water's with my tools and from that comes a multidimensional work of art.

Q:How did you get started on your creative path?

A: I got started on my creative path when I was 3- my mother would leave me with my grandfather and I watched him paint Swans. It inspired me later on around 7 to paint portraits of people I met, and people I never met.

Q: How have you been able to make a living being your authentic & creative self?

A: Making a living has been kinda like how a diamond grows- in the ruff and built from pressure.

Q: How can people find and support your work?

A: I am working on reopening Seed Gallery, Spring/2011 and in the process of presenting a new edition of prints Fall/2010. Interested individuals can connect to my network and check in by visiting newarkseed.com or email seedgallery@mac.com.

Q: What is your advice for aspiring gallery owners?

A: My path was not specifically envisioned to have become the owner of an art gallery. I am an inventive multidimensional artist. Opportunities knock on your door when you work hard and progress through diligent focus and devotion. That is how I accomplish goals. A vision does not come with a training manual. In order to unlock your full potential you must first realize that the potential is and has always been there.

My vision is to bring forth an innovative and fresh approach to creating an environment that is more than an art gallery. Seed is a movement and a vehicle to enhance, create and evolve a community.

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Gizem Bacaz has worked with award winning Alex Grey, Kyu Nam Han. Designed album covers for various signed artists. Performed at festivals around the country. She has exhibited at MicroCoSM Gallery, Rogue, Fusion and is planning a solo show series starting in Soho and potentially traveling to Europe Winter/2012.

Gizem and Erykah Badu

NIC*FISH - "7 Ways, 7 Days"

Check out this awesome little booklet, which details seven super stylish ways to wear the NIC*FISH Original Convertible Jumpsuit.

Check out the full convertible jumpsuit look book here.

Fleathers by Linda Smyth

As you know may from my previous posts, I am completely obsessed with really unique & stylish accessories. Even with the most basic, staple driven wardrobe, accessories are the simplest & quickest way to individualize your look & share your personality & taste with the world.

Philly based Jeweler, Fleathers by Linda Smyth has mastered the craft of exceptionally designed feather & leather earrings (which I adoooooore). She also designs these animal rings (in photos) that I literally cannot wait to get my hands on!! Love. Them.

Check out more of Lynda's funky designs here.