GIANTLife

A Comprehensive J Dilla Round-Up for Newbies

GIANT — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:46 +0000

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of music’s greatest contributors, the late, great J Dilla. A true jack of all trades, this Detroit MC, producer and composer has greatly influenced your favorite rapper whether they admit it (or even realize it) or not. Six years ago, I myself had no idea who this hip hop great was, nevermind his widespread influence, so I’ll excuse you if you need to take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with the man and his mindblowing discography. You’ll thank me later for sure, when you don’t draw a blank look on your face when your Facebook and Twitter feed are barraged by birthday shoutouts to the late great artist. And don’t draw attention to yourself but asking anyone on your feed exactly who he is, because honestly between this blog post introducing you, Wikipedia informing you and Youtube showing you, you have no excuse doing so.

It’s been six years since James Dewitt “Dilla” Yancey passed away from the rare blood disorder TTP and lupus, but his legacy couldn’t be any stronger. Many an article has been written on the man, as well as interviews, documentaries, T-shirts you name it. To save you on some time, I’ve gathered up what I believe to be some of the most informative, quirky, and revealing internet gems on the Dilla. A nutritious selection of goodies that will have you asking who isn’t Dilla.

J Dilla Wikipedia Entry

Admittedly, the best basic background information on who Dilla was comes to you from known other than Wikipedia. Aside from covering his life works and personal background, the entry also includes his posthumous music, his legacy and notable musical tributes. Definitely get started here before you move on to the more detailed, introspective information below.

“He developed a vast musical knowledge from his parents (his mother is a former opera singer and his father was a jazz bassist). According to his mother, he could “match pitch perfect harmony” by “two-months old”, to the amazement of musician friends and relatives.“

Read it at Wikipedia

10 Facts About J Dilla You Might Not Know

Being able to drop these little “did you know?” tidbits at your next party will earn you some major points. Here’s one that might even surprise your biggest Dilla fan: He went on a date with the one and only Lil’ Kim!

“As is very briefly recalled in an excerpt from Frank-N-Dank & J. Dilla’s European Vacation DVD shot in late 2005, while Dilla was on his final tour—with Frank-N-Dank, DJ Rhettmatic, and friend Dave “New York” Tobman: The Queen Bee picked up Dilla Dawg at Q-Tip’s house in the 600. They had Chinese food.”

Read it at Complex Magazine

The Lost XXL Interview

Four years after his death, XXL unearthed a previously unpublished interview featuring Dilla’s group Slum Village. Dilla’s responses reveal the early stages of the iconic producer’s music career, including his difficult reasoning behind leaving the group and how they often butted heads creatively, professionally and personally:

“Nah, I mean I show my crew love but as far as moving on that was like the best thing I could ever have done,” said Dilla. “It was like I said, the business situation where you not clickin’ creatively and things like that…”

Read it at XXL Magazine

The Story Behind Some of J Dilla’s Greatest Productions

The folks at FADER wrangled up the anecdotes and history behind some of Dilla’s most classic productions, including work with Eykah Badu, Common and Black Star. This mother, artists collaborators and friends all recalled the makings of these landmark productions, resulting in a very intimate look behind the music.

Eykah Badu on “Didn’t Cha Know”

“I went to Detroit to work with this cat that I heard a few tracks from that drove me crazy. Common took me over there, we went down to the basement, Common left and Dilla and I sat and talked. He had records wall-to-wall like it was a public library and he goes, “OK, I want you to look for a record.” I’m leaking through these organized, tightly packed crates, and I just pulled out one record and the artist was Tarika Blue. I liked that name. I put on the first track ["Dreamflower"] and I fell in love with the song and I kept playing it over and over again and I said, “I want this.”

Read it at Stones Throw

Dilla’s Last Interview

This interview provides us with the most recent look at Dilla right before he passed. As the post mentions, the music industry’s impact on Dilla becomes apparent in his responses, as well as his thoughts on his then-present work and the ways in which his work was reviewed, sometimes negatively (although most critics wouldn’t admit that now.)

“Ya know it doesn’t bother me because what people don’t understand is like when I…me myself, when I go in the studio, I just try to give the artist what they want. Like Water for Chocolate, we were both looking toward the direction of where he started or what would have been rugged hip-hop at that time. The Electric Circus, he wanted to do something totally different. I would bring him a batch of beats, and he’d just be sitting there, then as soon as I make something crazy as hell, fast uptempo, he’d like, ‘Yeah, let’s use that one.’”

Read it at Nod Factor

J Dilla Obituary

“Dilla’s interest in music started at age 2,” his mother says. “Dilla carried 45s on his arm and turntables to the park every day, to spin records — and this was in downtown Detroit.”

Yancey got his start working in the studio for A Tribe Called Quest. When his own rap trio Slum Village found a hit with their album Fantastic, Vol. 2, Yancey quickly became one of hip-hop’s most sought-after producers.”

Read it at NPR

How Movies Spoil Our NYC Dreams

Patrice Peck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:49:25 +0000

Fiction, exaggeration and imagination. These are the things that create many an awesome movie. As we sit in our couches, at the theater, or anyplace with Wi-Fi, movies transport us to different worlds, place us in another person’s shoes, and introduces us to new experiences and destinations. But where it gets tricky is defining the fiction from the reality, where many contemporary films take place. While the storyline may take us on a magic carpet ride outside of our known perceptions, these stories are usually set in very real places. So when it comes to separating the fact from fiction, movies also have the ability to warp our perceptions of very real places, especially if we’ve never been there. In other words, with grand journeys to new places also comes grand delusions.

Take New York City for instance. Concrete jungle where dreams are made, indeed. With all of the movies about “making it” set in New York City and the thriving, infectious bustle of the grind, viewers unfamiliar with the famous city are swept up by the hype. And who can blame them? Well, I don’t. I blame Hollywood. I blame the location scouts, the directors, and whoever else put these silly delusions into our head that New York City is the lofty land for dreamers who want to make their dreams come true. According to movies, that is the case, but once the silver screen is gone, the truth is that New York City isn’t the place where dreams just come true simply because the exist (unless you come with the means to supplement your living, ie. well paying job or well paying parents.)

No, my friends, New York City is the place you come to test out your dreams to see how hell bent you are in making them come true. A dream torture chamber of sorts, each and every one will be tried and tested, usually by those who have undergone the same exact process and come through battered, irrevocably damaged, yet victorious nonetheless. Some people are made for that, and some are not. Neither dream or dreamer is better than another, per se, but if New York City is your destination of choice and your personal life goals are your dreams, then you better check yourself before you head to the big city. Do some real research and stop mapping out your future based on the highly fictionalized lives of Carrie and Charlotte, Serena and Chuck or Love & Hip Hop (yes, reality has fiction aplenty.)

Visit the city for more than a weekend, and head to the neighborhoods that you’ll actually be subject to live in. Wait for a J train at 3AM at the dirtiest subway. Walk through Times Square, Penn Station and other tourist heavy areas at rush hour during the Christmas holidays. Ask the most non-interested pedestrian on the sidewalk for directions, or just smile at them. This isn’t to say that New York City is all things dirty, mean, and irritating. But prepping yourself for the worst and projecting and aiming for the best is a much better game plan than relying on the images given to us by movies alone. So do the research and keep a very flexible mindset. If not for the sake of your future sanity, then at least for the sake of your dreams.

Anthony Hamilton “Woo” World Premiere! [MUSIC VIDEO]

Leigh Davenport, Editorial Director — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:00:57 +0000

Anthony Hamilton is back in a major way with his latest single “Woo” and here’s the exclusive world premiere of this music video! In this new clip directed by Marcus Raboy, he’s playing a sexy game of cat and mouse.

“Woo” is the first single off Hamilton’s highly anticipated fourth studio album, Back To Love. This new project drops on December 13th on RCA Records, and his 19-city “Woo Tour” launches in December.

Click here to order Anthony Hamilton’s new album.

A (Semi)Feminist Defends Rihanna’s Music

Patrice Peck — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:22:04 +0000

Here’s the thing. I only recently came out of the Rihanna-closet. In other words, I’ll openly admit that I enjoy listening to Rihanna’s studio albums (post Good Girl Gone Bad, to be specific.) But I’m still debating whether or not this is something I need to cure or permit. This paradox has actually been bothering me for the past year, ever since I realized that my incessant playing of Rated R was, in fact, directly related to the pleasure I got from listening to it. When the same thing happened with Loud, an album that I had most certainly rebuked at first listen, I knew it was time to come to terms with what was happening…

Stockhanna Syndrome: (n) a term used to describe a paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein former Rihanna critics express empathy and have positive feelings towards Rihanna’s songs, sometimes to the point of defending them.SYNONYM Braihannawashing

Continue reading the rest of this post at XHIBIT P

Radha Blank’s ‘SEED’ Takes Root in Harlem

Afiya Augustine — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:24:17 +0000

The off-Broadway production SEED explores the present day situation of children growing up abandoned and confused, while touching on class struggles. The play begs the question, how far would a person go to make sure a child is safe? Written by Radha Blank and directed by Niegel Smith, the play is one of two works the National Endowment of the Arts awarded a $90,000 grant to in November 2010.

The play centers around Anne Colleen Simpson, (played by Bridgit Antoinette Evans) a ‘burnt-out social worker’ leaving at the pinnacle of her 15-year career to write a novel of her great triumphs and knowledge of the field. Upon leaving her job, she encounters a young boy named Che-Che (played by Khadim Diop) who is more than just what meets the eye. This chance encounter turns both their lives and those of the people involved up-side down.

The stage provides the audience with sounds and sights of the Harlem neighborhood thriving projected onto a large screen. Cleverly crafted to look like real life scenes, the play adds elements of spoken-word, street vernacular, and realistic dialogue that leaves the audience filled with a comical and almost jarring taste of modern-day real life situations that for some may be close to home.

As the story progresses we learn more about Anne, who actress Evans describes as a person “who’s greatest gift is over-identifying with the children she serves. This also means she’s not able to let go when her job demands it and she’s asked to confront some those relationships.” Anne captivates the audience within the first fifteen minutes, as she delivers a seminar mixed with spoken-word and prose, detailing the accounts of children who were products of homes that couldn’t care for them. Bridgit’s portrayal of the character is endearing, as we see the wounds and failures of this woman break down her already fragile strength.

Of these failures, we encounter probably Anne’s biggest failure personified in Rashawn. An inmate for murder, Rashawn was quite possibly the biggest blemish of Anne’s career; a blemish that we learn she continually tries to redeem in multiple ways. The play takes a dark and harrowing turn when Pernell Walker (below) takes the stage as the young woman she herself describes as “left to raise herself, with no guidance, no adult and left to her own devises.” When Walker takes the stage it’s hard not to ask how she was able to play such a broken and complex character:

“I grew up with a lot of Rashawns in the South Bronx. She is the personification of what was left in the the 80′s crack epidemic, sexual abuse and drug addiction. She is an amalgam of everything that was happening and a survivor of the system, even though she’s been aged out.”

Khadim Diop plays Che-Che (whose real name is Cherokee) and is received as an intelligent 12 year-old caught between worlds within worlds. Already dealing with societal pressures of growing up in “the hood,” he constantly struggles with being what his mother wants him to be and who Anne knows him to be. There is no real compromise in the matter and this alone adds a great deal of friction in this already gripping drama.

The play is not without some comic relief to sweeten the dramatic scenes. LaTonya, Che-Che’s mother, provides a street smart sass that garnered plenty of laughs from the audience. LaTonya raises Che-Che in a Harlem project housing, all the while working the register at a Duane Reade and attending GED classes.LaTonya believes that she’s protecting Che-Che the best way she can, despite obvious instances of verbal and light physical abuse. Jocelyn Biop, the actress who plays LaTonya, describes her as “a strong-willed, opinionated, sassy and protective. But at the heart of it all, she’s hurt.”

This hurt stems from LaTonya’s former lover and Che-Che’s father Twan (as played by Jamie Lincoln Smith) who we initially think is a dead-beat dad though he’s anything but. Twan, (who is allegedly based on the playwright’s brother, takes the stage with a loving embrace of his son. The two are apparently close, though we are asked the question if this is enough to ensure that Che-Che will grow up to be the bright, well-adjusted upstanding man he can be.

“Twan is a struggling to prove that he’s not a dead beat. He’s a strong guy, and a construction worker who thinks that he’s doing the best to provide for his son…until he meets the social worker.” The audience learns of the beginnings of Twan and LaTonya’s relationship and how Twan’s late education ultimately broke them apart. Now, education has returned as the underlying issue with regards to raising their child.

For the cast, this play is truly a labor of love, with all members coming to the project in almost a predestined way. For Diop, getting the part of Che-Che came by through his mother’s connection with Blank- “Radha went to college with my mother and saw me grow up and knew that I really liked acting.” For Walker, it had been that Blank had seen some of her work, sought her out and the pair “hit it off.” Smith learned of the part through a friend who was also a playwright and friends with Blank. Bioh had seen the workshop and became enamored. She tried out for the part and got it with ease and as for Evans this play came to her literally a day after she decided to get back into acting and after only a day of preparation, she earned the part of Anne and dazzled the audience in an emotional performance.

SEED opens the audience’s attention to the little real-life situations that happen right under our noses everyday and forces us to open our eyes to the consequences of our actions on the lives of the generation after us. As Che-Che struggles to find his place in the world with his educational talents, we see the adults in his life try to do right by him at all costs, though we are left wondering if the adults in charge understand what’s right for him. With a phenomenal troupe of actors, stylized dialogue, minimalistic setting and deep rooted message, SEED thoroughly shines through the shadows of other Off-Broadway productions.

SEED ran in its last show at the National Black Theater in Harlem on October 9th.

Kim Wayans Shows Dramatic Acting Chops In “Pariah” [VIDEO]

Leigh Davenport, Editorial Director — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:20:35 +0000

The days of associating Kim Wayans with over the top sketch comedy characters are soon to be long gone. In the upcoming film “Pariah” Wayans plays the religiously devout mother of a teenage girl struggling with her sexuality. The film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival is directed Dee Rees and executive produced by Spike Lee.

“Pariah” tells the story of Alike, (played by Adepero Oduye) a 17-year-old high school student who is discovering her identity as a lesbian. As Alike becomes more comfortable with sexuality, her mother becomes increasingly distraught. The relationship is further complicated by tension in her parents marriage.

Though at times the film can be a bit heavy-handed, it feels surprisingly authentic. The world of teenage angst in the Brooklyn high-school is offset by the innocence and genuine confusion of the adolescent characters. The dialogue can be jarring, but feels as truthful as overhearing the conversation of students on the subway headed home after school. Amazing performances by the cast are complimented by beautiful cinematography from Bradford Young . “Pariah” is strong in story and addresses the often too hushed reality of homosexuality in Black families.

We spoke with Kim Wayans to find out how she hopes the movie will influence audiences to address homosexuality in the Black community.

Watch her interview below:

“Pariah” opens in select theaters on December 28th.

Thanks Steve Jobs, I’m a Mac!

Leigh Davenport, Editorial Director — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:41:56 +0000

Steve Jobs didn’t just create products, he created consumer identities. Sure, he changed the way we listen to music, chat on the web, talk on the phone and a whole hosts of other things, but what I think is so remarkable is that he changed the way we express who we are through the technology we own. Are you a Mac or a PC? Do you have an iPhone or a Blackberry? These are questions that tell us as much about one’s identity as some of the questions on the national census report.

The first time the name Mac(intosh) took on a meaning that meant more to me than “lackluster computers that geeks like” I was at a summer journalism camp at Ball State University. I decided to take a course in page design and thus had my first in-depth encounter with an Apple computer (and consequently Adobe products). It was love at first crash. Back then, Macs were different beasts. They were big and clunky machines; there were zip disks & drives, lots of crashes met with that error message with the bomb (the equivalent of today’s spinning wheel of death) and many nights spent scouring autosave vaults for files that you’d likely end up spending the next six hours recreating. But somehow, instead of swearing off Macs forever, you felt like you’d just been hazed in to Mac fraternity. Suddenly PC’s didn’t seem like better products at all. You began to enjoy the window-less operating system, you began to feel superior to your friends who’s PC’s told them what to do instead of the opposite.

As Mac products improved, I became a die-hard user. Each time a new product came out, I felt like it was made just for me, like the people at Mac had been in the lab with me that time I lost the whole front page of the paper an hour before it needed to go to print, they had heard my expletives and they had fixed it for me. That’s the magic of Steve Jobs Apple Fraternity, he kept innovation and the forefront of the company and was never afraid to pick a starting point and then continue to improve. And improve they absolutely did.

I was the proud owner of a first generation iPod. I think back on it, with those four buttons at the top and that circle-dial thingy, its Game-Boy like screen that only listed songs. In comparison to the iPod’s of today it seems laughable, but in 2002 when I pulled it out of my bag on an airplane, the grown man next to me gasped and said “can I see that?” That was (and still is) the incredible thing about Steve Job’s innovation; it compelled you to just reach out touch it. Likewise, I remember sitting in a Starbucks in 2005 and pulling out my Powerbook G4 and the gentlemen sitting across from me stuttering in to his cell-phone. He caught his breath and then apologized to whomever he was speaking and said, “Sorry, someone just took out the computer of my dreams.” That’s how I felt just last year when I first held the iPad.

Steve Job’s legacy is vast. He will be remembered as an innovator, visionary and tremendous business leader. But what I will take from Steve Jobs is a story of transparent growth. His willingness to introduce a product and then improve upon it in front of our very eyes is a tremendous testament to his strength and courage. I can only hope that I can mirror that behavior in my life. Just imagine, if we all said, “here’s my starting point, now help me grow to the next level”, and did this continuously throughout our lives. Sure the criticism would be tough, and the journey difficult, but eventually you’d grow from being a 1998 iMac into a 2011 iPad, and I think that’s pretty cool. I’m proud to say, I’m some version of a Mac, we’ll see where I end up.

Celebrities Tweet Reaction To Steve Jobs’ Death
Top 10 Inspirational Steve Jobs Quotes

Tika Sumpter, Solange, Angela Simmons all show for NY’s ‘It’ Girl Designer

Sharifa Crawford — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:53:03 +0000

Designer Samantha Black, aka Sammy B, is one of the hottest up and coming designers in New York, as was apparent by the energy of attendees who flocked to see her spring/summer 2012 fashion show. Held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, Black’s latest collection is American Apparel meets a visually expressive girl with spunk! Undoubtedly 80’s inspired, the collection was a mesh of neon, bright yellows, rich fuchsias, stripes and geometric patterns, cut-out dresses in forgiving fabrics, and plunging necklines.

The audience included downtowners, Brooklynites, and celebrities including Tika Sumpter of Gossip Girl, Fabolous, Solange, Angela Simmons, Kevin Liles, Fabulous, Run DMC, Omarion and others. Angela Simmons walked the runway in a pearl tone strapless gown with ruching, and Nik Pace of America’s Next Top Model strutted in an electric mini dress.

I loved the entire show because it was so youthful and lighthearted that it’s something that all girls in their twenties can embrace. From the black and white vertically striped mini-dress with floor-length tassels (lots of drama), to the geometric print high-waist pants paired with a mid-drift skimming yellow cotton t-shirt, leopard print jumper, and an orange mini cut-out dress, Black’s latest offering is nothing short of a commercial success in the making. You can find more on Samantha Black at Sammybdesigns.com.

For more fashion musings, check out my blog Disciples of Haute.
– Sharifa Crawford

Urban Sophisticate Meets Hollywood Glam at Laura Smalls Show

Sharifa Crawford — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:25:50 +0000

Laura Smalls, an African-American fashion designer whose dresses have been seen in Vogue, New York Magazine, and on the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, closed out NY Fashion Week in true panache. Her spring/summer 2012 presentation entitled ‘Legacy,’ captured my affection as one of my favorite shows of the week.

Set in the penthouse suite of the Centurion Residence on W. 56^th St., the emerging NY-based designer showed a beautiful collection of 26 meticulously crafted looks that were alluring, smart, even whimsical at times. There was the oriental floral print organza dress fit for an elegant night out, the form-fitting coral asymmetrical dress with a print back, and the head-turning emerald green, hip-hugging Dorothy Dandridge trumpet style gown with a rose flounced bottom. Guests of the show were the crème de la crème of the fashion and entertainment industries including Andre Leon Talley, contributing editor at Vogue, supermodel Chanel Iman, Bethann Hardison, the editor-at-large of Vogue Italia, magazine publisher Jocelyn Taylor, opera singer Kathleen Battle, philanthropist Grace Hightower De Niro, and musical icon Valerie Simpson, of Ashford & Simpson.

As the show progressed, I became more and more impressed. In addition to the more upscale evening wear options, there were sexy jersey dresses (one in a gunmetal color with shoulder cut-outs), jumpsuits, flattering summer dresses, and a show stopping peony pink shift dress with cap sleeves. Almost every look was moving and resonated with the aesthetic of a modern, sophisticated woman which Smalls executes flawlessly.

The designer also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Nick Ashford, a singer-songwriter, who was a dear friend of hers. As Smalls emerged to close out the show, her famous friends and colleagues were there to congratulate her. For more information on Laura Smalls’ collection, visit www.LauraSmalls.com.

For more fashion musings, check out my blog Disciples of Haute.
– Sharifa Crawford

Get a FREE Smartphone

oharris — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:23:32 +0000

Vivienne Tam Serves Up 70′s Chic for Spring 2012

Sharifa Crawford — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:59:25 +0000

World-renowned fashion designer Vivienne Tam presented her Spring 2012 collection, entitled ‘Zen Garden’, to much fanfare at Lincoln Center during NY Fashion Week. Celebrity attendees included Angela Simmons, Wendy Williams, celebrity stylist June Ambrose, and Beverly Johnson, the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue.

The inspiration for the latest offering from her namesake label (inspired by Chinese design, culture, and contemporary fashion) comes from Tam’s love of the spirit of the seventies and familiar strolls through Zen gardens in Asia. According to the New York-based designer, the seventies “embodied change and love of nature. These pieces carry sophistication and experimentation using geometric and organic shapes, overlapping patterns and rich unexpected hues found in nature.” Overall, this collection is not only accessible but offers a wide variety of silhouettes for the warmer months.

The runway show was dominated by fringe shirtdresses and tops in black and crème, an explosion of seemingly incongruous geometric prints in a single head-to-toe look, garden print fabric used on blazers, trousers, and clutch bags, along with flowy blouses in sheer chiffon and silk gowns in coral and turquoise.

Of the 40 distinct, beautiful, and effortless looks presented, there were a few looks that were standouts. The black organic print chiffon flutter sleeve blouse paired with black print silk wide leg trousers was striking. Other unique looks included the coral jagger blazer, chiffon blouse, and coral trousers paired with a garden print clutch (a playful, yet feminine take on the menswear look); the honeycomb print knit cardigan over a black and champagne fringe top and skirt; as well as the champagne silk placket blouse paired with purple velvet flap shorts. While the later sounds cringeworthy, it was executed superbly.

For more information on this designer, visit VivienneTam.com.

For more of my fashion musings, check out her blog Disciples of Haute.
– Sharifa Crawford

[ione-gallery id="557795" src="http://giantmag.com"]

pagemaster advertorial

Iliana Rabun-Wood, Associate Managing Editor — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:14:04 +0000

They Were Born This Way

RhaRha — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:21:26 +0000

Early this year, May 21st was deemed as Judgment Day: the day the world was supposed to end according to Yaweh. While the world was in a frenzy, a collective of creatives from all over the world joined forces in Bangkok to create ” The Last Supper”–Born this way, inspired by the one and only Lady Gaga. Creative Director Ark Saroj asked me to be a part of the last supper and to help style and direct.

The shoot brought together creatives from all over the world who resided in Bangkok. The day the world was supposed to end, we were creating our hearts out. The overriding theme of the shoot “was born this way,” given that Lady Gaga’s album had just dropped. We styled ourselves and created the head gear on the spot. Elle Magazine was there and Bangkok’s V channel documented the process. We gathered round the “The last Supper” to declare that we were born this way, a public demonstration of individualism. The people in attendance were the unexpected, the doubted and, more than often than not, the denied. Yet, we celebrated our differences that day. It was magical.

Shot by Jason Tonio Bueno-Woerner

For more on Rharha and her worldly adventures, check out The Capital of Cool

Designer KahriAnne Kerr Shows Rocker Glam

Sharifa Crawford — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:58:32 +0000

The Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr Spring 2012 fashion show was rocker chic meets downtown glam girl. As such, there was no better venue to host the fashion show and party on Friday night than celebrity hangout, 1 Oak. From seemingly frilly white sun dresses with eyelets and finished with leather bust detailing, to sheer blouses paired with metallic miniskirts, the Kahri spring offering captured every bit of the collection’s theme: Barracuda.

Inspired by the sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the 70’s rock band, Heart, Kahri offers a great mix of edgy, sharp, yet fun and wearable pieces. The color story was crisp white, beige with bursts of red, blue-green, metallic and silver. For 16 looks, there was a great deal of variety from daytime looks (a black crochet top with a plunging neckline and tassels paired with loose jean shorts), to chic early evening wear (a beige trench coat, cinched at the waist, that could double as a dress with flecks of gold yarn and dramatic Balmain-like shoulders), along with the showstopper looks which deserve an independent survey.

By far, my favorite look was the sheer taupe sweater with blue velvet capped sleeves paired with a dark metallic miniskirt that transitioned into a sheer chiffon skirt ending at mid-calf. Overall, the look screamed dramatic and stylish, youthful, but still rock inspired. A transitional sweater is perfect for spring so this was a chic take on this classic piece. I certainly look forward to seeing more from this emerging talent whose clothes have been worn by the likes of Keri Hilson, Fergie, Paris Hilton, and contestants from America’s Next Top Models. To learn more about Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr, visit Kahri.com.

For more of my fashion musings, check out www.DisciplesofHaute.tumblr.com
– Sharifa Crawford

Designer Paola Hernandez’s Rooftop Show

Sharifa Crawford — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:21:27 +0000

Crisp, clean, youthful, fresh: adjectives that describe Paola Hernandez’s Spring 2012 ready-to-wear collection. After studying fashion at Saint Martin’s in London and shoe design in Milan, NY-based designer Paola Hernandez launched her clothing label in 2006. Presented on the rooftop of Hotel Americano high above Chelsea, the presentation consisted of 12 models perched on daybeds by the pool.

Paola Hernandez stands for multi-functional options, updated classics, and separates that stand the test of time yet look chic and simple. According to the designer, “the vision for this collection comes from the search for the intersection between the physical and the spiritual. When the garments are worn, there is an organic flow from the fall of the fabric, which implies the shapeless elegance of the spiritual.” From a boxy, sheer white blouse and stretch shorts in coral, to a long tank dress in white cotton, a navy blue blazer paired with chalk blue chinos, and an airy blouse in light grey, it is clear that Hernandez’s collection is current yet boundless.

This collection delivers for the woman on the go, the woman who values a ‘no-fuss’ regimen, or those who appreciate a contemporary downtown look that is transitional while great for layering. In addition, Hernandez designs and produces her own shoe collection (including oxfords, moccasins, pumps) as well as small accessories which also accompanied the presentation on Friday. For more information and where to find her clothing, visit PaolaHernandez.com

For more of my fashion musings, check out www.DisciplesofHaute.tumblr.com

– Sharifa Crawford

Designer Mimi Plange Looks to Namibian Culture

Mazuba Kapambwe — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:49:17 +0000

Ghanaian New York based designer Mimi Plange unveiled her 2012 Spring /Summer collection, “A Flower in the Desert ” at the Asia Society last Thursday. Her crowd included Vogue Editor in Chief Andre Leon Talley, Celebrity stylist and designer Rachel Zoe, stylist Ugo Mozie, Editor in Chief of Pop Africana Oroma Elwa and more.

“Desert Flower” couldn’t be more different from her previous collection “Scarred Perfection;” the latter was inspired by the scarification rituals that some tribes in West and East African countries practice, while for “Desert Flower”, the designer looked to a different tradition. The Herrero of Namibia, who are known for their elaborate Victorian style of dressing, were the muses for this spring /summer 2012 collection. Standouts included billowing gowns in floral prints, chic pants in pinks and greens, and one beaded white gown with a plunging neckline which looked ready for a red carpet runway. That isn’t a farfetched statement to make as Mimi Plange is becoming a favorite of celebrities like Rihanna, Katerina Graham, Vanessa Hudgens, Paris Hilton and more.

In addition to clothing, Mimi has branched into footwear through a collaboration with Manolo Blahnik. Being the shoe-aholic that I am; I was excited to see the shoes up-close. They definitely did not disappoint and revealed everything a great pair of shoes should be: sophisticated, unique and aesthetic. Andre Leon Talley of Vogue has stated that Mimi is a promising designer to watch and I couldn’t agree more. When the fashion gods talk, you listen.

–WRITTEN BY MAZUBA KAPAMBWE

Sharifa’s Fashion Night Out Roundup

Sharifa Crawford — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:44:41 +0000

The 3rd Annual Fashion’s Night Out event, founded by longtime editor of American Vogue, was a big hit for casual shoppers, trend followers, ‘It’ girls, and industry insiders! The streets were packed, more so than usual, and the air was festive and anticipatory (as FNO precedes New York Fashion Week). I focused my efforts on the high-end specialty stores of 5th Ave., then finished the night in the Meatpacking District. Between stops at Saks, Moschino, Hugo Boss, AllSaints, and more, I managed to cross paths with Anna Wintour, the Moussy Models of Japan, singer Ne-Yo, the lovely spokeswomen of Maybelline Lisalla Montenegro and Erin Wasson, and an all-out dance party at the Tracy Reese store.

My first stop was Saks Fifth Avenue which had an overabundance of events to participate in from collection launches, to complimentary makeup consultations, along with celebrity meet-and-greets and interactive events on almost every floor. Scottish actress Tilda Swinton (seen in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Michael Clayton”), is the face of Pringle of Scotland’s ‘Archive Collection 1815 – 2011’ and attended the collection launch. As she was leaving, Anna Wintour arrived to greet her, prompting a frenzy (myself included in said frenzy)! The Stella McCartney boutique held a presentation for their fall 2011 collection, an assortment of evening wear and playful dresses (including a white slip dress with a tulle overlay of white polka dots and a short, black form-fitted strapless dress with a sheer floor-length black skirt decorated with black polka dots). Attendees were able to take pictures alongside the models which were converted into stickers that you could take home! Styelist.com, which teamed up with Saks to host FNO, hosted an interactive station where ladies and gents could answer 10 fashion-related questions for the chance to win a $250 shopping spree at the store. They even had a step-and-repeat and select photos were uploaded to their website!

Other notable events included free manicures at the Minx Nails bar inside the Marc by Marc Jacobs shop and the Estee Lauder-sponsored event with Tom Pecheux (creative director at the cosmetics company) where attendees could get a front-row worthy makeover selected from five looks created by Pecheux. As I was leaving, Ne-Yo had just arrived to perform as well as unveil his hat collection but I had an agenda to adhere to. Just North of Saks, the Henri Bendel store was teeming with shoppers. An upscale accessories haven known for carrying the latest jewelry, handbags, and the best in cosmetics, Henri Bendel partnered with Swarovski Elements, leaving the store’s window displays and in-store figurines completely crystallized. Attendees could choose from Swarovski crystal makeovers by Frédéric Fekkai or head to the Swarovski Elements tattoo parlor. In terms of merchandise, there was a fabulous selection of evening clutches, mini-top hats, and the accessories shop housed bangle bracelets in every color under the sun, from white chrome to hot pink, even ethnic prints and studded pieces.

The Meatpacking District was nothing short of a carnival with pop-up shops at every intersection and wraparound lines at Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, and Scoop. I managed to peruse Moschino, Hugo Boss, and the Tracy Reese boutique. Moschino did not disappoint! The shop was packed with the trendy, downtown PR and party girl set, cocktails were flowing, and the DJ was practically ready to join the party! I loved both the men’s and women’s fall offerings. For women’s outwear, I loved the fur collared, camel herringbone trench coat as well as the three-toned fur coat with interchanging black horizontal panels. The gold studded women’s leather driving gloves in cherry red were also a stand out. For the men, I loved the mix of classics (such as their long-sleeved polo shirts and wool blend blazers), as well as the navy blue knee-length wool coat with the studded lapel and cuffed wrists, which gives a classic piece an updated finish.

On my way to the Hugo Boss store, a black SUV pulled up and 11 women emerged. They were then introduced as the Moussy Models. Rock chic describes Moussy, a Japanese clothing label which I presume is headed to a retailer near you. They also handed out Moussy tote bags which will serve me well this fashion week! Inside Hugo Boss, the crowd was definitely older (men in tailored suits and fashionably dressed corporate women) but no less of a party. Again, a DJ kept the energy up as I made my way through the store. A standout piece for me was the striped, classic cut men’s suit in a wool/cashmere blend. The store also had leather motorcycle jackets in a range of colors including tan, blue, dark sea green, chocolate brown, and black.

Before arriving at the Tracey Reese boutique, I ran into Maybelline’s pop-up space in the Gansevoort Plaza. To celebrate the 40th birthday of the Great Lash Mascara, Maybelline was giving away free tubes of mascara which spokesmodels Erin Wasson and Lisalla Montenegro were autographing. For those interested, Maybelline was also offering mini-makeovers by professional makeup artists. I ended the night at the Tracy Reese store in the West Village. More dance party than anything else, DJ Tyger Lilly literally had shoppers dancing in the window displays! I was captivated by the beautiful fall separates (a grey, silk pleated knee-length skirt, shift dresses, a beautifully woven, crème cape) as well as the faux fur coats and vests. Deciding to leave on a high note, I pocketed the DJ’s FNO mixtape for Tracy Reese shoppers and called it a night.

Stay tuned for my post on shows by Vivienne Tam, Paola Hernandez, and more!
For more of my fashion musings, check out www.DisciplesofHaute.tumblr.com
–Sharifa Crawford

The F Factor: Forgiving The Famous

Kelsey Evans — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:03:53 +0000

The turnover rate of forgiveness for celebrities is a seemingly easy process according to Hollywood and pop-culture standards. If a star’s past status of extreme relevance has dwindled down to a miniscule spark of interest to the public, it seems that not much is to be feared on the celebrity’s part because there is usually a good chance that they can bounce back. Examples of this phenomenon stretch across the numerous entities that encompass pop-culture from sports, media, television, movies, music, and so forth and it all returns to the classic notion that “no publicity is bad publicity”. Remember Isaiah Washington from ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy? He’s infamously known for getting the boot from the show in 2007 after saying a few choice words to co-star Patrick Dempsey during a heated argument. Though his language and reported outburst was only directed towards Dempsey, he indirectly offended co-star T.R. Knight and the LGBT community, thus he was black-balled from the scene for quite some time. Despite that bad publicity, it was recently announced that Washington has been cast to play the role of John Allen Williams in a movie titled Blue Caprice, a film that will document the sniper incident that occurred in the Virginia and Washington D.C. area in 2002.

Another celebrity who has been receiving extremes of total support to immeasurable outrage from the public is the one and only Charlie Sheen. The Two and a Half Men star is well-known for his confusing rants and random antics. Unfortunately for Sheen, production of his popular sitcom has halted because his actions affected the integrity of the show, its network’s reputation, and offended many people in the viewing audience. Despite his actions, Sheen received a whole new audience of followers and fans who may not have even watched the show or even followed his whirlwind of a career before. Interestingly enough the show is still being syndicated on several networks and will continue to be for many years because of its popularity. Maybe his antics and classic one-liners like, “I’m not bi-polar, I’m bi-WINNING” worked for him and not against him in this case. Sheen’s next chapter of solidifying his bad-boy image will be during his “honoring” on Comedy Central’s Roast series on Monday, September 19 at 10/9c.

A final example of how Hollywood and the media tend to forgive celebrities is with the case of Grammy-award winning rapper Clifford Harris Jr., also known as Atlanta’s own T.I. In a bizarre turn of events he was re-arrested after being released from prison. Many people heard about this news, rolled their eyes, and thought to themselves what did he do this time? He was being sent to a halfway house in Atlanta to finish out his sentence for a parole violation that took place in September 2010, but officials re-arrested him because his mode of transportation was not approved. He used a large tour bus which reportedly was not allowed because of certain rules and regulations. Surprisingly the kicker to this story is not that he was re-arrested. The interesting dynamic that exists is that VH1 was actually filming T.I.’s release for a reality series that will document his return back to his life and career after his stint in prison. The first episode is slated to air on Monday, December 5, 2011. Again, here lies another example of a celebrity’s ability to profit from a loss and the forgiving nature of the media and the pop-culture audience.

–Kelsey Evans

What other examples do you know of a celebrity’s mishaps turning into large gains?

Fashion Week 2011: Mazuba’s African Fashion Night Out

Mazuba Kapambwe — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:40:51 +0000

Last Thursday night, the city that never sleeps was filled with thousands of fashion inclined people who took to the numerous stores, celebrating the third annual Fashion Night Out. Having missed the first two years of FNO, I was determined not to miss this one!

My first stop was the Dash store in Soho. Upon turning onto Spring Street, I was greeted by a crowd of shoppers desperate to catch a glimpse of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. Upon waiting for twenty minutes, we were informed that the Kardashians had already left the store. The crowd then turned their attention to Pauly D, who emerged half an hour later and was quickly rushed into a waiting vehicle, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

Next stop was the Nicole Miller event which was held in partnership with social enterprise company Indego Africa. Miller debuted her new collection with the brand which was a collection of bold Ankara (African Print) bags. Meeka Claxton of Basketball Wives fame was spotted checking out the totes. Other Indego Africa goodies on sale included my personal favorite Nicole Miller Textile and woven bracelets and which are bold, colorful and perfect for fall. The best thing about the accessories as well as all of Indego Africa products is that they are hand-made by women in Rwanda and each product features the name of the woman who made it for a personal touch. The $65 print shorts and skirts caught my eye and shopping assistants were on hand to convince me to purchase a pair.

Fashion Night Out is not complete without food and drinks, and plenty of stores provided the latter such as Molton Brown, who had a photographer on hand to create fun window photo shoots. In need of a full meal, I headed to Ethiopian –American celebrity chef Marcus Samuelson’s Street Food Pop up store at Lincoln Center where I feasted on one of my favorite meals Dorowot (chicken stew). Food met fashion with a meet and greet featuring Haitian designer Praaje Jean Baptiste who showed his Praaje 1983 Spring 2012 collection at Lincoln Center and will show at Boston Fashion Week. I also spied Tasha Smith of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I get Married” films in attendance. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fashion Week adventures!!

–Mazuba Kapambwe

GIANT and XHIBIT P Team Up for Fashion Week

GIANT — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:19:31 +0000

This Fashion Week, GIANT and partner XHIBIT P have teamed up to provide our readers with an exclusive look at several shows and events. We’ll be focusing on designers of color, collections inspired from social issues, and eco-friendly and sustainable lines and designers. We love fashion at GIANT and XHIBIT P, but also hope to learn something while partaking in this glamourous week of creativity unbound. So join us on this whirlwind of color, beauty, and life!

Our two Fashion Week correspondents come from totally different walks of life, but one commonality they share completely is their passion for everything fashion.

THE NEWBIE: Sharifa Crawford,a Detroit transplant living in New York City, will be sharing her first press experience during Fashion Week as she tweets and blogs the in’s and out’s of the runway shows, the collections, the beautiful and not so beautiful moments, and everything in between. Those of you who haven’t been able to attend Fashion week before will be able to relate to Sharifa’s first time flurries.

Sharifa Crawford is a self-proclaimed clotheshorse, a former stylist for Club Monaco, and an avid follower of fashion shows, trends, and the industry. She has worked for Sachin+Babi, an emerging NY designer specializing in sequin and embroidery work for designers like Oscar de La Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Manolo Blahnik.

Sharifa writes about the latest fashion happenings and trappings, the industry’s impact on pop culture, business news, and the legal implications posed to designers creating in an ever global marketplace. When she’s not covering shows and events, Sharifa enjoys exploring the many restaurants the city has to offer. Follow her on Disciples of Haute.

THE VETERAN: Mazuba Kapambwe needs almost no introduction, particularly in the African fashion circle. Whether blogging, interning, assisting, or modeling, his young woman has taken the industry by storm at such a young age and with the maturity and sense to boot. She’s definitely a veteran of New York Fashion Week, so she has access to behind-the-scene information that others would undoubtedly do deadly things to have. This Zamibian fashion lover will give you a unique perspective on an event that’s been covered in a pretty white-washed way–until now.

At 22 years old, Zambian and self described “Afropolitan” Mazuba Kapambwe is steadily making a name for herself in the African entertainment world as a blogger, writer , and “afrosocialite.” She has conducted interviews with african celebs such as TV presenter Nonhle Thema, actor Van Vicker, Project Runway designer Korto Momolu, Producer of AFWNY Adiat Disu, model David Nso, singer Wax and many more. She attends and covers various African and related events in NYC including AFWNY, Face List Awards, African Economic Forum and more.

Written work includes articles for a variety of african publications and websites including Africa Style Daily where she currently writes, as well as Face2Face Africa. Other sites she has written for include African Vibes magazine, Jamati.com, Afripop Mag, Mimi Magazine and blog, Orijin Magazine, Style House Files and APZINE.com. She has interned for Pop Africana magazine, Mimi Plange who showed at New York Fashion week in September 2010 and February 2011, as well as Africa Fashion United Agency (AFUA).

Currently pursuing a bachelors in Communications and Rhetoric and a minor in Business Administration, she plans to enter the Fashion Public Relations field and continue freelancing for high quality African media publications.

Stay updated as we post new reviews to the blog and tweet live at the shows and events from @XHIBITP. If you’ve got questions, let us know and we’ll do our best to curb your style cravings.

“Just A Band” But So Much More

Patrice Peck — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:09:12 +0000

Coming to America can be pretty damn daunting, especially if your final destination is New York City.

Yet, it’s been tested time and time again that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. For that reason alone, thousands of artists flock to the metropolitan mecca in order to show and prove. Just A Band, the modestly monikered Kenyan trio, have journeyed from their hometown to Manhattan for the first time to do just that. Blinky, Dan and Jim may be new to the city, but the city has been introduced to them months ago thanks to the viral sensation that is Makmende, an old-school Kenyan superhero that the band revived in their brilliantly funny music video for “Ha He.”

To define Just A Band would be pointless, being that they shapeshift across jazz, electronica, jazz soul and hip hop. And forget about coming up with a title; these men do it all: music, art, production, social media, animation, and the list goes on. Their art exhibition KUDISHNYAO!, which was showing at Rush Arts Galleries from August 18th to September 3rd featured interactive, multimedia that demonstrates the limitlessness to this bands talents. As they impressed the art crowd in Chelsea, on August 25th they proved their music prowess, during an intimate UD debut performance at DROM in the East Village. Gaining new followers while making their die-hard fans proud, Just A Band staked their claim to this concrete jungle with a stellar performance (complete with a very, very lengthy intermission dance party.) Being that Just A Band not only cultivates giant dreams, but achieves them too, so we checked in with them to find out how they manage to juggle all that talent between the three of them.

GIANT: How do you feel about debuting in the US for the first time? Both as musical artists and visual artists? Have you found that you’re received differently by the respective industries?

JUST A BAND: The reception has been really good! We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the turnouts at the gigs and the gallery. People are definitely looking at things differently here, because our work has a lot of references to things in Kenyan culture, but they still relate to the more universal themes. Which goes for the music as well.

GIANT: Just a Band fluctuates between multiple genres. Does that ever become difficult both as musical artists and branding wise?

JUST A BAND: Musically, we find it easier to have a looser approach to genre; it’s a way to keep things fresh and exciting. We come at songwriting from the point of view of creating a certain mood or vibe, and making things exciting for us in the studio so that hopefully that translates to the audience, and genre-hopping makes all that very easy.

As for branding, we don’t really think about that. I guess we assume that since it’s the same group of people making the music, it’ll all hold together in some way, and then the audience can call it what they want to, if they really want to label it. We suspect that it would only be difficult from the point of view of the industry, not the listeners – we find it cool that different people have wildly different favorites on the album.

GIANT: Going off of that question, you all not only create your own music (which is an impressive feat given today’s music standards) but you also create everything else! How do you manage wearing all of those hats?

JUST A BAND: Each of us is interested in many things and we decided – when we formed the band – to bring all our varied interests into the mix. We hoped it would make for a more interesting project overall. (Also: Total Control, Bwahaha!) We knew it would be a heavy workload, but we’re all in agreement that we really enjoy what we do, so the time commitment isn’t painful. Or, at least, not as painful as it could be… And with the Internet, we can just go online and learn a lot of stuff that would have been almost impossible to learn otherwise (the Internet is a huge part of the reason this band still exists).

GIANT: How would you define and describe your listeners?

JUST A BAND: From our point of view, our audience is varied in age and race and location. We’d hope to make stuff that doesn’t really have a limitation on who’s going to get into it. They’re cool peoples, though: there’s always really good vibes at the shows, and we’re very grateful for all their support.

GIANT: How have you all evolved as a group from your first album The Light Fantastic EP to now?

JUST A BAND: We’ve had a lot more experience seeing how people interact with the music. Our DJ sessions especially had a big role to play in shaping the sound of the last album, where we got maybe a little clubbier than the first album and the EP. We’re less afraid that we’re going to screw everything up these days.

GIANT: Did you predict Makmende becoming a viral sensation? What was the idea behind resurrecting that Kenyan pop icon?

We didn’t predict the level that Makmende would reach, we just made something we thought would be popular locally, and then all that happened. Some have proposed that there was a massive demand for a Kenyan hero that could really capture the country’s imagination. Being that the character is kind of built on an archetype that’s familiar to most pop culture fans on the planet, it probably made it easy for a lot more people to get into.

“Resurrecting a Kenyan pop icon” wasn’t something we thought we were doing at the time. We just wanted to make a funny video, since we’d been making slightly more serious fare with Usinibore.

GIANT: Tell us the origins of your BLNRB project.

JUST A BAND: Andi from the Teichmann Brothers – who are a Berlin-based techno duo – had been talking to Johannes Hossfeld, the director of Nairobi’s Goethe Institut, about doing some kind of international musical collaboration project, and we’d been developing a nice relationship with Goethe, who’ve helped us put together some really cool shows and our video art exhibitions, so they approached us about working on the album.

It features the Teichmanns, Modeselektor and Jahcoozi from Germany jamming with us, Ukoo Flani, Nazizi, Michel Ongaro and a whole bunch of other artists from Kenya. Everyone’s vibe is really different so the album is quite a trip.

GIANT: In your video for “Hey!” you used puppetry. How do you feel about The XYZ Show which uses satire and puppets to speak about corruption in Kenya?

JUST A BAND: XYZ has come under attack for some of the comments that they’ve made, they’re partly responsible for opening up the airwaves to political satire on Kenyan TV. It’s making it easier for people to talk about certain things that would go unquestioned in prior eras, and hopefully that’s a seed for something interesting to happen in Kenyan culture later on. The fact that it’s put together by a crew of skilled animators and artists and sculptors, and is also expanding those fields in the country… Well, we could do with a couple more such shows.

GIANT: What are some music videos that you all admire? Which musical and visual artists?

JUST A BAND: We all check out very different stuff .The visuals range from trippy anime such as Koji Morimoto’s work to film and music video people like Michel Gondry. Musically, we like funky and/or electronic acts like Daft Punk, Jamiroquai, Sly and the Family Stone, Madlib, Dilla, Flying Lotus, Bjork, Radiohead, NERD and a whole lot more stuff…

GIANT: What’s next for Just A Band?

JUST A BAND: Pretty much everyone’s agreed on the fact that we’re going home to bury ourselves in the studio and take things to another level. We can’t really make any announcements yet but we’ve also been working on new music and are planning new videos so there’ll be some fresh goodness coming out soon.

RhaRha Interviews Gold Coast Trading

RhaRha — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:14:56 +0000

Gold Coast Trading has always been a source of inspiration for me. Known for fusing traditional african prints with clean western lines, this fresh brand preserves our African culture in an innovative and ever dope style. Gold Coast has been featured in Vogue and countless other influential magazines worldwide, yet the impact the line makes hits closer to home. South Africa to be exact. Specific cultural references to Soweto youth and the burgeoning hipster scene throughout the country can be seen throughout the look book as well as in the designs. I was lucky enough to sit down with Nigerian born Emeka Alams of Gold Coast Trading to speak about his new collection entitled ” The Very Best: Julia A/11,” which features his muse, the lovely Cassie Gibson. The collection consists of a “mzuzu” traditional print organic cardigan and a prima cotten tee. Read on to find out more about this dynamic designer and his collection…

Rharha: Your latest collection seems to be focused on Malawi, what about the country inspires you? Is there a personal persuasion to the country that attracts you?

Emeka: Malawi is beautiful with a kind heart! But the focus of this collection was the group, The Very Best whose Lead singer Esau hails from Malawi. So it’s more of an ode to them and the diverse combination of things that make up the personality of their sound.

R: What is the concept behing the “tropical system” collaboration collection?

E: I was trying to take that genre and break it down to see how it could look as a super organized visual. I was trying to combine layers of sounds, layers of influence and history that could all come back to tell a story. There’s a lot of vibration and sunken bass that moves and kind of bounces around the room, but at the same time remains still by some of the traditional framework on with its origins were built.

R: Is there an interesting story behind naming your latest collection, “Julia?”

E: It was taken from a song by The Very Best called “Julia”, Cassi fits her role well. So I guess you have to learn Chichewa and then to listen to the lryics of “Juila” and you’ll get the reference.

R: Tell us about more about your muse, Mozambican born Cassie Gibson?

E: Cassi is a source of inspiration; she’s been here from day one and every day since. She’s lovely! Her art, travel and stories have always moved me in my design and the overall emotion of Gold Coast. She pushes me to never settle and challenges me to go a bit deeper and to strive for the best. While Cassi’s roots stem from Moz, she has lived throughout Africa and the world, so I get to combine her experiences with mine, expanding my collective knowledge of the continent and the beyond.

R: As a designer, which other designers do you draw your inspiration from?

E: Cassi put me on to Henrik Vibskov, his work is out of this world and that aesthetic is so well done. I’m striving for that kind overall presence.

R: What type of people do you target to wear Goldcoast?

E: Anyone who is a fan of travel, good clothes, cultural trade, music and the reality of Africa today.

R: You seem to be an enigma we do not know much about you. Who is the man behind Gold Coast Trading?

E: How can I answer that so it doesn’t sounds like a personal ad? Hmmm well I just turned 28 the other day so im feeling kind of old! I love to to cook! If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now I’d be stalking Cormac Mahoney in his kitchen for sure! There is nothing like cooking for others and having them enjoy what you made. It’s so simple yet necessary and another great form of art, I love it. Sad fact: my best friend is my blackberry… Honestly though I look at Gold coast trading as a platform to trade stories and experiences through various mediums of art and in that whole equation I obviously have a large role to play, but on the flip side I shouldn’t be the focus. To me a good story is one in which the storytellers themselves are not the focal point but the story. They bow to the story and just kind of let it live and that’s how I approach Gold Coast and its story.

To check out more of the Gold Coast collections head over to Gold Coast Trading
For more on Rharha and her worldly adventures, check out The Capital of Cool

The Dream’s Back. He’s Also Angry?

Ugi Ugwuomo — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:56:14 +0000

Terius is back. As a primer to what may prove to be a very eventful winter in R&B, Terius “The-Dream” Nash has graced us with a free offering to get us through the coooling months ahead, 1977. At 1:00 AM no less. How Sexy.

1977, which I am just assuming might be his birth year, given the pretty overused trend of artists naming projects after their birth years, serves as a both a reminder and statement of purpose. The reminder: Terius Nash makes hits like loud babies make uncomfortable transatlantic flights. The statement of purpose: recognizing he may no longer be the hardest dealer on the block, with media darlings Frank Ocean and The Weeknd gaining momentum at breakneck speeds, The Dream stands to make clear that if he can’t control the lane he re-imagined almost five years ago, he can at least make sure everyone knows he has the biggest car.

DOWNLOAD: Terius Nash - 1977 LP

Top 5 Black VMA Moments

Patrice Peck — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:46:58 +0000

Between all of the censoring of words and major celebrity shocks, looking back on the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards may be more difficult than imagined. Here at GIANT, we’ve brought you the top five black moments that occurred at the awards show this year. Each monumental moment will surely affect hip hop in major ways. Tyler went from an underground, indie darling to an international name. Beyonce went from Queen Bey to Mama Bey. Nicki Minaj crushed all the male nominees–including her “boss” Lil’ Wayne–by winning Best Hip Hop video. Chris Brown won back the hearts of many viewers in what some are calling his best performance to date. Lil Wayne, who ended the show, opened his act with an autotuned “How to Love” which quickly escalated into an all out headbanger version of “John.” Check out these photos and create your own caption!

1. Tyler the Creator Wins The Best New Artist Award

2. Beyonce Reveals Her Baby Bump

3. Nicki Minaj Beats out Major Male Artists for Best Hip-Hop Video

4. Chris Brown’s Performance Defies Gravity

5. Lil Wayne Rocks the F*ck Out

Beyonce, Babies & the Supermom

GIANT — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:50:17 +0000

Written by Afiya Augustine

Everyone knows that the VMAs red carpet is the place to make a splash. Sunday night, however, the fabulously talented Beyonce Knowles did not only make a splash, she made a tidal wave. Known for being very “hush-hush” about her personal life with hubby entertainment mogul (and rapper) Jay-Z, Beyonce did one of the most unexpected things- she revealed a baby bump to the entire viewing word. That’s right; ladies and gentlemen- Beyonce and Jay-Z are expecting their first child.

Many watched on in amazement (myself included) as the songstress not only belted her tune “Love On Top” during her VMA performance, but proudly opened her sequined jacket to reveal yet again a raised bump that she caressed gleaming. Watch the video below in case you missed it.

Countless rumors have encapsulated the couple getting pregnant since their secretive nuptials, but with no confirmation, people continued to wonder with each passing month and tour date when Queen Bey (as she’s affectionately known the world over) would finally put a bun in that oven, especially with her husband knocking on 42 at the end of this year!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Beyoncé

Finally, when Beyonce decided to take a nine-month break from touring and recording music, everyone felt that the couple was taking this time to work on making baby Carters. Beyonce has hinted quite often that she would love to have children, which at the ages of 27-28 is pretty young according to Hollywood standards. When your name, your youth and your fame is what keeps you relevant in the entertainment industry, it becomes this unspoken law that career must come first. The fault in that, however, is that so many female celebs rely on keeping their careers in tact that they forget we, as women, have a biological clock ticking for a reason: to know when are bodies are ready and willing to have children. Many wait until after they hit their mid-thirties to start talking about a first child, and by then the possibility of miscarriage grows higher and infertility becomes a lingering factor. At 29, Beyonce may have just made the “cut off,” by having a child while she is still rather ‘youthful,’ while at the same time, her career is still at its best.

Regardless of whether or not she’s too young, or too old, one thing is for sure: with her media attention and multi-million dollar empire, many women will look up to Beyonce to see how she does it all- the singing, the dancing, the burping and breast feeding. As a working performer and wife, Beyonce will now carry the title of ‘mother’ and all that comes with it- the responsibility of tending to her child’s ever-growing needs, to provide a safe environment for it’s growth and upbringing, with providing that child with a steady and stable lifestyle with two very important and high-powered parents. There is no doubt that Mr. Carter (who beamed during his wife’s belly bump unveiling) will be involved in their child’s life, but the pressure will be on Bey to lose the belly weight to get back on the road making hits and shine as bright as she ever has. This is definitely a new task for Beyonce; to not only be a role model for young girls and budding women, but to professional mothers everywhere.

What Do The Rock The Bells Festival and Irene Have in Common? They Both Control the Weekend!

Ugi Ugwuomo — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:23 +0000

Rock The Bells, the yearly mega-nostalgia fest for Hip-Hop purists nationwide, returns to New York City this weekend (September 3rd) to captivate the hearts and test the stamina of the old-heads in and around the Tri-State that make the ferry trip to Shutter Governor’s Island.

Last week’s Afro-Punk Fest (along with the other 90 outdoor music events scheduled) last weekend was unfortunately cancelled due to the critically under-rated Irene, so RTB, should prove to be a well deserved consolation. The West Coast leg of the festival has gotten rave reviews, so you can be assured that the NY iteration sshould be 90x better. How do I know? I don’t, but this is New York City, so we can make claims like that!

Tickets are still available via the Rock The Bells website and the tentative set list is below. Now understand, THIS IS HIP-HOP, so times, acts, maybe even venue are subject to change. I mean, Lauryn Hill is involved! (I keed, I keed)

We will be giving the live info via the GIANT Twittah, so be sure to follow. And synchronize your Hublot watches (both of them if you are built like that) because there’s gonna be alot of scramblin around when you got Nas vs. Raekwon and Ghostface vs. Erykah on the menu.

ROCK THE BELLS NYC 9/3/11
ROCK THE BELLS STAGE
9:55 – 11:25 Ms Lauryn Hill
7:55 – 9:25 Nas
6:10 – 7:25 Erykah Badu
4:25 – 5:40 Cypress Hill
2:50 – 4:05 Black Star
2:00 – 2:30 Random Axe

PAID DUES STAGE
10:00 – 11:00 Immortal Technique
8:40 – 9:40 Doom
7:40 – 8:25 Slaughterhouse
6:45 – 7:25 Big K.R.I.T.
5:30 – 6:30 Souls of Mischief
4:15 – 5:15 Fashawn, Blu & Exile
3:30 – 4:00 Freddie Gibbs
2:45 – 3:15 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
2:00 – 2:30 Evidence

36 CHAMBERS STAGE
9:35 – 10:50 Raekwon & Ghostface
8:00 – 9:15 Mobb Deep
6:25 – 7:40 GZA
4:50 – 6:05 Black Moon
3:55 – 4:35 Childish Gambino
2:50 – 3:40 Masta Killa
1:45 – 2:35 Killah Priest
1:00 – 1:30 Roc Marciano

GRINDTIME STAGE
6:30 – 7:00 FINALS
4:30 – 6:00 DJ’s
4:00 – 4:30 Round 2 Battles
3:30 – 3:30 DJ’s
1:30 – 2:00 Round 1 Battles

Welcome to RhaRha’s World

RhaRha — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:22:23 +0000

Bred in South Africa, British-born eclectic stylist and designer RhaRha has set on n mission to run the world. Now residing in Bangkok, she has had a taste of Africa, Asia and Europe. This style mixologist blends her influences, pours a few glasses and serves the refreshment in her amazing work.” Take a sip and indulge in all things RhaRha!

Originally posted at RhaRha’s blog THE CAPITAL OF COOL

The Facehunter, Yvan Rodic was in was in Bangkok for a day stop over before heading to London. I was brave enough to hunt him down to collaborate on a visual diary with myself and friends, and he was gracious enough to accept. I have always admired his work, so it was great when we took to the streets of Bangkok the next day and I was able to witness him in action! View Yvans official Bangkok Visual Diary H E R E and be sure to keep up to date with Thee FaceHunter H E R E.

Images by Chiacha Lin.

For more photos from the shoot, head to THE CAPITAL OF COOL

Natural Beauties in NYT Style Magazine

Patrice Peck — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:33:34 +0000

Five natural beauties feature in the new New York Times Style Magazine feature entitled “Nightie Aphrodites.” You can almost hear all the Team Natural members out there rejoicing. The shoot includes the eclectic Solange Knowles, Brit beauty Corinne Bailey Rae, indie darling Juno Temple, Afro-soul sensation Les Nubians. Get your couture, fashion fix with the delightfully delicate yet powerful designs of Giambattista Valli, Rochas, Donna Karran New York, and Bottega Veneta. However, the divine hair stylings and arresting models are certainly giving the clothing a run for their money.

See the rest of the aphrodites below:

We Care 4 U: The Best Aaliyah Moments Online

GIANT — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:39:27 +0000

While the general public never personally knew her, the talented star Aaliyah made a lasting impression on those who ever heard her songs, watched her films, or experienced her phenomenal dancing.

Ten years ago, the world lost one of the industry’s best quadruple threats–Aaliyah Dana Haughton was inarguably one in a million. Aaliyah definitely dedicated her life to successfully entertaining the masses with her numerous talents, her warm, friendly demeanor, and her stunning beauty both inside and out. Therefore, today, a huge number of blogs and websites have chosen to pay tribute and their respects to the artist by featuring her unique, highly popular music videos and other accounts of those who knew and loved her first-handedly. Let’s take some time to honor that relentless dedication by watching her brightest and best moments caught on film. To save you the time of going on a wild Google chase, we’ve compiled the best of all the online Aaliyah memorial and tributes out there.

10 Essential Aaliyah Songs
Choosing an ultimate favorite song from such a prolific artist has proven to be a difficult task, time and time again. Well, thanks to The Rap-Up online, they’ve skipped the stress and decided to go with the top ten most essential Aaliyah songs, including the videos. Relive the fun times of trying to get down her complex choreography in your brother’s bandana. Reminisce on the class, beauty and chill manner that this young woman never failed to exude in her performances. The Rap-Up has got you covered from 1994′s “At Your Best” (please stay away from the glass!) to 2001′s “Rock the Boat,” the video that had every woman (and man!) making a mad dash to the stores to cop their all-whites.

Aaliyah’s Top 5 Trendsetting Looks
Don’t front ladies. You know you tested out at least one of Aaliyah’s style staples. Whether you rocked the side-sweep bangs or the peek-a-boo Tommy Hilfiger boxers under low slung, baggy pants, Aaliyah knew how to balance the tom-boy and the sexy like no other. Danielle Cheesman of Hello Beautiful lists the star’s most memorable style trademarks in this great photo gallery.

Celebs pay tribute to Aaliyah
Cash & Caviar features Youtuber LewwSpally87′s compilation video, in which all the major R&B and Hip Hop artists share their thoughts on Aailyah and her music. Be forewarned, this video will get you pretty emotional, if only because of the intimate clips of the songstress and the touching things everyone had to say. From Drake to Destiny’s Child and everyone in between, the legends and the newcomers, you’ll definitely want to know who had the biggest crush on her, who was heavily influenced by her melodies, who would often just goof around with her in the studio and more.

Best Oscar Musical Moments: Aaliyah
Aaliyah made many musical strides with her music and videos, but she also made Oscar and music history. At the 1998 Academy Awards Show, the star, then only 19 years-old, became the youngest artist to perform at the prestigious ceremony (and continues to hold the title.) While Titanic beat out Anastasia in the award category, Aaliyah certainly stole the show, displaying her wide vocal range and her wise-beyond-her-years demeanor.

The Globalization of Style

Patrice Peck — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:36:12 +0000

What’s worse? A fanny pack or that H&M winter coat that you and about 1000 shoppers just purchased in the same day? True fashion “don’ts” don’t threaten to burn through our corneas, causing us to die from humiliation. They threaten to wreak havoc on the most beautiful element of fashion: no, not the runway shows, models or designer swag–the individuality of it all. In its most recent addition to Room for Debate, The New York Times tapped five fashion pundits to sound off on whether or not globalization has ruined street style.

Globalization refers to transnational circulation of ideas, or in this case, style. Internet and social media have broken the once restricting barriers of culture, societies and regional economies and providing instant access to communication between the most foreign of foreigners. This translates to a fluid, influential relationship between regional and international ideas, which once only operated in a once way direction. Street style even has one up on other digital forms because of the heavy reliance on photos, a universal language. There are many scholars, experts, critics, and yes, consumers who herald the spreading of cultural diversity and lightening speed of news that comes with globalization; others fear that globalization will ultimately result in an ubiquitous cultural assimilation that supplants local cultures, or even worse, the obliteration of culture as a whole.

We’ve taken verbal snap shots of the five pundits’ responses to the question at hand, but please make sure to head HERE to read each of their responses in their entirety.

Kim Hastreiter, co-publisher and editor of PAPER Magazine, believes that street style defies globalization and comes from within the individual, no matter what “street” or neighborhood they’ve come from: “The most innovative street style tends to be created in the absence of wealth, rarely from wearing fashion labels bought off racks. When money is not available, resourcefulness and creativity are required, often resulting in the greatest imagination and originality. Brilliant ideas don’t cost a cent.”

Will Welch, senior editor at GQ, begs to differ, insisting that fashion trends were born from globalization, although he cringes at the effect that globalization has had on street style in particular: “Street style has become so popular that “real people” are now dressing for the cameras, vying to get photographed [...] The streets are now less “Who, me?” and more “Look at me!” and, as I see it, the fickle fashion world has already moved on in search of the next big thing.”

Tommy Ton, street fashion photographer, explained the symbiotic–albeit progressive–relationship shared between street style and globalization: “globalization is the reason street style is as prominent and relevant as it is today.”

Adriano Sack, a publisher at I Like My Style Quarterly, addressed the question through a lens of privilege and relativity: “The idea that globalization might hurt street style is the fear of a saturated elite [...] yes, globalization has had an equalizing effect on street style. But that effect looks dramatically different depending on the street.”

Valerie Steele, director and chief curator at the Museum of FIT, broke her argument down by specific cities, praising cities such as Tokyo and Berlin, that have managed to maintain a unique sense of individuality–and avoid the homogenization brought on by international “fast fashion emporia,” such as Forever 21: “Despite the homogenization created by fast fashion, young people around the world remain concerned with individual self-expression. ”

So, is it finally time for the Sartorialist to put away his roaming cam for the sake of fashion or has the globalization of street style–like leg warmers and velour suits–simply contributed to the natural order and transformation of fashion?