LADI CHIC: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

BET 'Rip The Runway' 2011

On Saturday, February 26th, I worked at the Taping of BET's 'Rip The Runway'.

This year's 'Rip The Runway' will be hosted by Selita Ebanks and Mehcad Brooks

Designers include Rachel Roy, Tennille White, Laquan Smith, Lila Nikole and more!

Performances by Keri Hilson, Melanie Fiona, Lloyd, Miguel, New Boyz, Wiz Khalifa and Fabulous.

I had the pleasure of working with the lovely designer Tennille White based out of Chicago.

Tennille represents the plus-size ladies, and designs luxury apparel for women sizes 8-28.

The garments were fabulous and those models worked the Runway honey!

Accompanied by the smooth tunes of Lloyd, this set Rocked!

Checkout a few snapshots from behind the scenes

'Rip the Runway' will air March 21st at 10pm

Friday, February 25, 2011

If you're into Fashion then you know, you can't mention notable "Blacks in Fashion" without mentioning Andre Leon Talley! Former Editor-at-Large for Vogue, now Contributing Editor, Andre Leon Talley was a front row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan for almost 3 decades. Andre worked his way through the fashion world, eventually coming to the attention of Vogue Editor-In-Chief Diana Vreeland, who became his mentor.

Noted for taking a number of designers under his wing including Tracy Reese and Rachel Roy; Talley has also been a cheerleader and style mentor for Venus and Serena Williams, Jennifer Hudson and Michelle Obama.

In 2007, Andre Leon Talley, was ranked 45th in Out Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America".

Now a judge on America's Next Top Model, we get further insight, industry knowledge and advice from Talley's expertise!

To learn more about Andre Leon Talley you can read his autobiography, A.L.T.: A Memoir

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Dorothea Towles Church

Continuing the Black History Month theme for Blacks in Fashion, Dorothea Towles Church, was the 1st successful black model in Paris. Dorothea strutted for Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Pierre Balmain; she broke down some of the racial barriers in the fashion industry, and was revered in France during the 5 years she modeled there!

"If you're beautiful, they don't care what color you are", she said of the French describing her days in the couture salons and nights in Postwar Paris.

During her stay in Paris, Dorothea used her model's discount to buy samples from designers and began designing her own couture line. In 1954 when Dorothea returned to the United States, she began a tour of Black Colleges, showcasing her couture line. Her Fashion Shows served as a fund-raisers for more than 200 branches of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a well-known sorority for black women. In Barbara Summers 1998 Black and Beautiful: How Women of Color Changed the Fashion Industry, Towles said "I feel that I'm going all over America with my shows and had a great influence on American Black Women dressing differently and feeling good about themselves....I saw them dressing more creatively, more internationally. They could say: If she can do it, I can do it too!"

Dorothea later signed with Grace Del Marco Agency in New York City owned by former mixed model Ophelia Devore. Dorothea's groundbreaking contributions definitely paved the way for models thereafter.

Sadly on July 7, 2006 Dorothea Towles Church died in New York City she was 83 years old.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Stephen Burrows NYFW Fall 2011

Yesterday was one of the most empowering days for me! It's Black History Month and I got to work for one of the top names in Black Fashion, Designer Stephen Burrows! Among the attendees were Bethann Hardison and June Ambrose, 2 more prominent names in Black Fashion!

The clothing was definitely a classic, but retro spin on sportwear. Lot's of Jersey Knits, with Red and Blue hues in solids and contrasting stripes, then a jolt of neutrals. Pairing the garment with Christian Louboutins made everything evenmore glamorous and alluring!

I was happy to have been a part of such and amazingly fabulous show!

Checkout some shots from the Runway Below

SEXY M.F. KEO Debut at NYFW

Oh you Sexy Hunh? Well then you need to checkout KEO!

Stylist turned Designer, Keo definitely made a statement at her first NYFW show! Held at Pearl Studios February 16, 2011, I was among the attendees waiting to see this provocative line. Drawing Inspiration from one of her favorite musical talents, Prince; Keo decided to name the collection after the artist's hit single 'Sexy MF'. The collection was definitely Innovative,Sexy and Seductive! 'Sexy MF' is for the confident woman looking to create her own excitement!

When I first heard of Keo, I was Uber Excited to checkout her collection! After hearing of her triumphant story of dealing with 2 critical health issues, I knew this event was going to be groundbreaking in so many ways! I definitely look forward to seeing KEO's collection ranking next to some the top names in the industry in the years to come!

So if your ready to Up the Ante on your 'Sexy' then checkout KEO's 'Sexy MF'

EMERGE! Fashion Show NYFW 2011

Tuesday February15, 2011 I attended EMERGE! Fashion Runway Show at Sun West Studios as a part of NYFW. The night was absolutely Fab and Definitely LADI CHIC approved! D.Williams Public Relations and Beautiful Planning and Marketing PR teamed up for a Fashionably Flawless Event!
The Event was to highlight some of the fashion industry Top Emerging Talent, the list of designers included:

Dominique Auxilly a NYC Designer who has dressed the likes of Nicki Minaj and Miss Universe Caressa Cameron.

Shelia Rashid Chicago Designer who took it upon herself to learn everything about the business on her own.

Dawn Joi Chicago Designer, creator and designer of Joi Tees, an eco friendly collection.

Terri Stevens Chicago Native who was featured on Season 5 of Project Ruway; also owns and designs for Michael Joseph and Funkinbeautiful Designs.

The Event was styled by LIVE FASHION owner Rowshana Jackson

Fashion Powerhouse Audrey Smaltz owner of The Ground Crew who I happened to intern with 8 years ago and currently freelance, was honored with the 2011 Fashion Innovator Award.

For More Information on Emerge! Checkout www.emergefashionnyc.com

All photos taken by Keith Claytor for Time Frozen www.timefrozen.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/timefrozen

Twitter @TimeFrozen

Monday, February 14, 2011

Donna Karan Fall 2011 - 'Pearls of Wisdom'

First off Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I worked Donna Karan and what better way than to celebrate LOVE by doing what you LOVE to do most...FASHION!

Donna Karan is one of the most sophisticated labels for women and definitely one of my fav...very classic, with a modern feel!
The Fall 2011 Donna Karan Collection carries over from last season's neutral palette with grey and beige hues. The looks were very intricate and detailed from the folds and draping, right down to the accessories! Only 7 models had second looks changing into beautifully flowing evening gowns!

Lots of Fur, Chiffon, and Tweed filled this collection. Looks were accessorized with white, gray and pink pearl necklaces and earrings, long gloves with deep dramatic fur cuffs,fur stoles and chiffon headwraps! Very Breakfast at Tiffany's in my book!

If you know Donna Karan personally then you know she's very meticulous and detailed and loves to create perfection at every show and this was definitely flawless in every aspect!

Checkout some pics from the Runway below

European Model Sara Blomqvist

Puerto Rican Beauty Joan Smalls

Chinese Model Liu Wen

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

LOVE YOU 1st!

"Love is an irresistable desire to be irresistibly desired." -Robert Frost

Saturday, February 12, 2011

NYFW-Honor Fall 2011 Collection

Yesterday I worked the HONOR Fall 2011 Fashion Show. If you haven't heard of HONOR before, that's ok, the label is about a year old, and this is the 2nd Fashion Week that designer Giovanna Randall, debuted in. Let's just say she's definitely making her mark in the industry and one to watch in the upcoming seasons.

The Fall 2011 Fashion Show was held at the Highline Ballroom located in Chelsea. A very feminine collection with glamorous detailing such as sequin encrusted jackets, and elegantly chic separates. Lot's of flowing silk and funky retro prints filled the Fall 2011 collection. NARS provided the make-up for the show and gave the models a very bold and punk chic look ( soft, yet edgy)! All in all the show was a complete success.

In such a short time the label is skyrocketing in the industry,the turnout for the show was massive and the brand will be opening it's first store this fall in the meatpacking district. For now though, checkout HONOR online at http://www.honornyc.com/

See a couple of snaps from behind the scenes below!

Model gets makeup done by NARS lead makeup artist James Boehmer

Quick Snapshot of Models before they hit the Runway

Friday, February 11, 2011

Bethann Hardison

Bethann Hardison former fitting model and partner with Designer Willi Smith, also worked as a runway and print model for other designers during the 1970s. In 1984 she founded Bethann Management which handled most of the black models in fashion, as well as her son Kadeem Hardison. Model Tyson Beckford was one of her biggest clients, signing a lucrative contract with Ralph Lauren under her guidance.

Holding many titles in this fickle industry, Bethann is most known for her activist role in trying to increase African American visibility in the fashion world and the consistent onset of media images the industry generates annually. In 1988, Bethann formed Black Girls Coalition with Iman and others and to this day they continue to fight for more opportunities for people of color, behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

"I'd like to think I'm here to make a difference"- Bethann Hardison Vibe Magazine 1995

We should be empowered by Bethann's efforts and continue to work as hard as her and others, to continue to leave out mark in this industry!