YES, it sure is!

This Saturday, the interns celebrated with the boss at her “Models, Bottles, and BBq” celebrating the Black issue of Vogue Italia. Take a looksy. Pics from the actual issue will be up here soon…

Lauren hard at work on the labels for the events….lol

Checking in guest, and press.  say Lauren cheese.

MY slideshow!…took me forever, scanning 142 models!

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So as I type I’m watching an awesome old documentary on Isaac Mizrahi’s, one of the most successful designers in high fashion,….and right now he’s having an uncontrollable misfit becuase Jean Paul Gaultier showcased the same design idea he was getting ready to show later that week in a fashion show.

His VP: “how can two desIgners have the same idea, the same season”

Him:  ”Don’t show me that, why would you show me that, WTF,” later, “I feel very horrible, I feel very set up…I feel out of control”

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This is definitely an beautiful inside view of the sweat, blood, and sometimes, tears, that goes into giving the world a grand 20 minutes of your hand’s work. The process of organizing Mizrahi’s Fall 1994 fashion show was documented and released in 1995; What a document it was as it was classic but still very raw. I must say that the most beautiful cinematic element was the fact that the documentary was Black & White for half of the film only revealing color at it’s own will. Done strategically or random, I don’t know. But I do know that it was inspiring to watch the raw humanity and humbleness of Mizrahi as he overcame the things we don’t see often see simply as viewers of a masterpiece.   

After the show, Mizrahi takes a sole stroll to the to the corner store to personally read the reviews and says…”They gave it to me..I feel like Marlow Thomas or something”

And when asked if it was worth it:

“Yeah it’s worth it…even when it sucks, it’s worth it. 

First reaction:

OMG !

Second reaction:

WTF!*

So the New York Times reported that, Vogue Italia will release an all Black model issue, entitled “The Black Issue” this July. And for sure, I will get my hands on a copy. But you must indulge me for a second, is this one big step for brown-skinned mankind? I’m not sure.

One could argue that Black models have finally gotten the recognition they deserve and that the days of discrimination for the darker skinned model has come to an end; yet we all know better. Im not exactly sure that gathering every living black model that has graced a runway (newbie Chanel Iman) into one 160 page, no, maybe 200 page, magazine will help the cause, nor solve the lack of diversity. …But it may put a translucent black power fist in the air.

Don’t get me wrong, the the usual Supermodel powers will be featured  (you guessed it, the beautiful Naomi, Tyra, Ajuma and Liya, to name a few) of whom’s name and image most every savvy young black woman has admired in their life time, but I’m skeptical of the change this issue will bring for the fashion face of Black woman.(We all know that racism lingers in tooooo many areas where the light don’t shine, and fashion has been lightless for some centuries when it comes to diversity of the model). Punk design pioneer, Vivenne Westwood says that, “you can blame the racist fashion editor’s for the lack of black models in their magazine”, and likewise, if the editor’s of these magazines (the people who deliver fashion to the average man) don’t want to feature chocolate models on their cover, your damn skippy you won’t see on your local newsstand. Blower!

Nonetheless, Italy will go down in history for this one-of-a-kind first for Black models/women in fashion and I’m elated to be alive and breathing for the event! I will buy at least 3 copies: One for reading, comments on ad campaigns, and highlighting, One for you guys to view, and the last for my collection of the “untouchable” firsts (meaning it will def stay in the wrappe!r).

Gotta love Mr.Sozanni for this one! I appreciate the thought…young black fashion hopefuls are grateful today.

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This afternoon I had my own, seriously deep revelation. 

I tend to pretend that I only listen to hip hop but after playing Flyleaf’s “All Around Me” 37 times today (says the ipod), an outer body experience told me that I was lying.

Nonetheless, this is what I’ve been listening to. They’re even some throw backs in the mix that your parents my have had you to!

“…Tryna hold back this feeling for sooooo long | But if you feel, like I feel baby| Come on, OH, Come on…”

you can finish the rest I’m sure!  

some more Marvin Gaye? Here you go.

And back to the 21st century for some Pop? NLT, “She said, I said”. They are the little Justin Timberlake’s!

India Arie and my fav brother from Senegal, tell em.

An alternative rock favorite right now, Flyleaf with their amazing vocalist. Warning: Don’t be scared by the red PAINT, they just start with red, but they’re other colors in the video. hehe

nothing like Kirk Franklin…Can you imagine me?

Hanson’s come back song for me. After “Mmmbop”, they were erased from my book. But this is philosophy is a verse. Very nice!

UK songtress Estelle and Kanye. Boyyyy!

Bon nuit,

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Whoa to this Lucy Lu trench by Mackage, talk about military inspired…

Just wanted to let somebody know at 2:01 in the am that It’s the perfect time to drop some money for fall/winter apparel. Mackage will be my first stop…

Goodnight all,

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HELLO!

So I’ve kinda been MIA… summer school at HU just started 2 weeks ago and the math department was attempting to whoop my ass with functions and parabolas.

Now that I’ve gotten that under control, I have returned to mon blog royale here on wordpress.

Cool/great/awesome news, I got the coolest internship for the summer and it may involve you or the lovely artistic friends you have. As of 5/29/08 I officially intern with Simone\’s Butterfly Inc. , a fashion brand managing company that caters strictly to Fashion clients. So all emerging designers, fashion retailers, furniture designers, and independent entrepreneurs who have developed their own fashion product (i.e. cosmetic, hair care, accessory, apparel, whatev) this summer I’m looking for YOU.

Many designers get confused by the act of getting copywritten and trademarked. If your website is SOLELY copywritten some asswipe can still cop your brand line and that would be a sad shame for you…wouldn’t it :[(

To avoid the sobs, educate yourself about the difference or better yet get your brand name and symbol trademarked! VISIT the website or shoot me an email for more info nbestman@gmail.com.

Im SOOOO on it this summer and i've been googling you guys for weeks now!..If you don't find me I'll find you.

ESPECIALLY if your in the DMV.

Speaking about my beloved DMV, the fashion scene is on the move here. If your a fellow lover please keep your eyes and ears open as a Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, and Harry Thomas Jr. have introduced a bill in the name of fashion to create a commission on fashion and special events in DC. As a result the Nation's Capital will also be marketed as a fashion hot spot (not like Paris, Milan, and Tokyo, but on the same track). This definitely is a vivid illustration of how being who you are creatively can influence your environment. Alot of people in the metropolitan area just happen to be drinking the water of aesthetics in all different flavors and throwing it up in Art, Music, and Fashion. And SO beautifully, and relentlessly they are, as this bill has proven that fashion can be a force. It's true; Fashion speaks. 

The government has no choice but to recognize and concede.

Not to mention, the owner of Simone's Buttefly Inc,. Mariessa Terrell White, has also been apart of this as it was she who brought the proposal to the right people. Someone pleasssse thank her? Finally someone put a stiletto in the Capitol!

"Stiletto pumps in the club White House. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah | Who'd ever thought that fashion would get crunk!!"

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OK, so I had to post this.

Yesterday was my 2 year-old brother’s christening & birthday party and he had a ball. HOWEVER, as expected, the day did not end without him performing his daily hmmm of some Beethoven piece. Maybe you know it:

“da da da da daaaaaa| doot, doot, doot doot| da, da, da, da, daaaa| doot, doot doot, doot”

aka “Blue Danube” by Strauss…

 Something like that… . You may ask how my a 2 year has memorized this song, nonetheless, a composition like Beethoven’s or Strauss. I really don’t know. But it’s the coolest thing. Maybe little Will will become a pianist and mastermind composer like beethoven himself….hmm another artist in the making.

Speeking of masterminds. Children really are smart little people! Especially the little girl who said she was going to kick some intruder’s “ask”. Enjoy.

even funnier…

“elegant, demure, beautiful, refined, alluring, and mysterious”

All adjectives used to descibe the collection of fairly new American designer Rachel Roy.

3 years into the industry, Rachel Roy with self entitled line, The Rachel Roy Collection, has been making stunning impressions as a woman and innovator of design. She seems to have the hand of a Diane Von Fustenberg or Alberta Ferretti as her esthetic is beautifully beyond her years. What’s also interesting is that Roy attended Columbia Union College right here in Takoma Park, Maryland and graduated with a degree in communications… goes to show that design school isn’t a necessity as long as you have the talent (or maybe I’m just bitter b/c I didn’t go, lol . Even still as one of my favorite designers, I admire her tenacity, work ethic, and bomb ass clothes!

In Newsweek’s “Women and Power” issue last year she was one of the women featured as upcoming U.S leaders (hmmm, a Hilary?) and justly so as has already begun to make he mark in a very competive industry of talented designers. The unique-ness and distinctive look and appeal of her work stands on its own and is one to be recognized. This fall’s collection is unbelieveably inspired as you see that the color palette is that of Native American and Colonial style…Take a look…not to mention, how many newbie designer’s collections get a spot every season on style.com?

NOTE: uh those shoes….look better from the side don’t they. hehe

From the Designer herself:

When I was a child we went school shopping once a year, and got to spend $200 for an entire wardrobe at Mervyns. Fed up and fueled by the lack of interesting clothing options in the store, I was convinced that if given the opportunity, I could put better styles, silhouettes and fabrics into the stores…”

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While conducting my normal random google searches I found one of the most shocking photos of our dear “fashion”. Recently Tom Ford, accredited for bringing not sexy, but S-E-X back to Gucci, approved some very very scandalous and sexually explicit material for his perfum add and his Spring/Summer 2008 collections…

We’ve seen boobs before, that’s not an issue; however, I’m sure by now you’ve realized that sitting so snuggly between a presumably nice pair of legs is Mr. Ford’s perfum…it’s just scandalous. . The photographer, Terry, is also responsible for covers like Justin Timberlake’s recent album…:-) 

…whenever there is nudity in fashion or in art it’s called “artistic”. So you make the call, is Ford’s campaign ad artistic or gross?

Funny stuff, huh?

Check out the rest of his campaign here, Tom Ford Perfume Ad Campaign, that has, by the way, been banned in Italy. So much for artistic nudity…

 I love J Timberland though, and his album is AMAZING!

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So I’ve come to the conclusion that the coolest people I’ve met in my life have been fashion and art (same thing) people.

I don’t write love notes…they’re ew..hehe…but consider this my love note to you guys.

Life would never had been the same if I hadn’t discover them in my kinder years. To see the world through such eyes is a blessing and a heavenly gift in its own right. You guys helped me make sense of my seeminlgy abnormal aesthetic and made me believe in the sacrity of a vision unlike many others. You guys can recall the same feelings of staring at blank walls yet invisioning a flashing array colors, themes, shape, form, and drape. Who else knows I’m not kidding when I say I reinterpret what I see every morning. I, me and you, we, wake up and feel inspired all over again in the same place we lay our heads at night…365 times in one fucking year! Drawing an elaborate cocktail dress on a napkin and throwing it into you purse is no joke when you can recall what you ate, who you were with, and which guy you were feelin when you drew it…only two years later. For us, this abl-ness has the ability to landmark our lives. When I didn’t know how to acurately express what I saw in my head my fustration messed up every relationship I had. I couldn’t share love or like…or lust *sigh* *smile* *chuckle*. How could I bring emotion out of my own body to another when I couldn’t bring out or control the flow of the feelings imprisoned by my own hands; they prevented me from being able to illustrate what I saw.

When I the people I knew had a fake sense of the art, you didn’t. And that kept and keeps me breathing! Still, people don’t know that when I’m tired of school you and I retire to the safety of the detail in Galliano’s red  dress and the comfort of a museum.

AND sometimes it really is fucking senseless…really. Cuz who cares if you know the names of all the international models…if so-and-so has high cheek bones…if some male model has a beautifully chiseled jaw…or if another artist is not being allowed to express what he loves becuase of socioeconomic conditions. 

Yet I love how we celebrate when another one of us has released our gift to the world…through music, dance, a verse, a lyric, a fashion label, an exhibit, a photograph. The public just awes…and justly so as we all know that this world would be so black and white without it’s most colorful.  

It’s so funny how I’m serious though  

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