fashion and flix

commentary...

2010-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Naomi Campbell has lost her mind again. This is getting out of hand. Why is it that she thinks that she can "Debo" everyone around her and there should be no consequence? I have a ton of friends that model, not small time, but seriously model. I was in the industry for sometime and some of my closest friends are "supermodels". They never beat anybody up. They are co-existing peacefully with their employers, employees, family, friends and even the people that they don't like.

My question is, Why doesn't someone slap the shit out of her? Seriously, like, I would have to beat her ass. I hope these guys are just looking for a payday. SMH.

Showtime.

2010-02-18T09:57:00.001-08:00

Recently did a shoot with @showtufli (twitter shout, follow this dude). it went great and this dude is definitely serious. I barely listen to rap but his songs were CRAZY. His story is even more dope
Excerpt from his blog, Showtufli.blogpot.com

It's amazing what a "stroke" can do to a person. I realized I wasn't living life how I was supposed to. I was playing the game wrong. An appreciation for life and everything in it grew on me. I realized ..its true.. I could really die tomorrow. Prior to this "stroke", I was at a point in my life where I had doubts in god. A lot changed in my life so fast and it wasn't easy to get used to. My "stroke" (which was really my encounter with god and understanding of life) made me believe. Believe that there's more...more than what you think it is. I fought death and I was given another chance for a reason. Music? We'll see. Whatever I want I must go get it. That's what I will do.
-
Show Tufli

Often, we can't see the grand scheme of things. Ironically enough, overcoming paralysis may very well be metaphoric for what Show has in store for the rap world. The stagnant state of rap needs a push.
Although immensely talented, Show is an extremely humble dude. He takes his music seriously and is far from your average rapper. This coupled with quality music is a formula for success. Keep your eyes and ears open

TNB inc. aesthetic team shot him on Monday (crazy shout to my ace @CarpeDieMia stylist extraordinaire), and I gotta say it was "good times".

Looking forward to the next shoot.

Vivre Libre!!!

...flix

Quick blog jack from my homie M.E.

2010-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

...first let me preface

this by saying I'm by no means a blogger and i don't expect anyone to care about what i've written but i just felt the urge to say this:

I woke up this morning and the Mcqeen suicide was still lingering in my head. This tends to happen to me when ever I hear about celebrity death, more specifically - an accomplished celebrity's death. Now, I'm not sure why this is, being that I've had a significant number of my own friends fall victim to an unexpected death and all I seem to feel at their passing is numbness ..almost as if it were expected. Maybe it was to be expected for them ..for me. And maybe that's why when i hear about people, famously accomplished people, who seem to be living the fulfilled life ..the beautiful life, it is always so shocking to me ...so UNexpected. If i were to self analyze, I guess deep down what I'm really experiencing when i hear about these celebrity deaths is actually fear. To be confronted with the notion that even once you've "made it" you're still not immune from soul-crushing sadness, is crushing in of itself. I've spent my life with a pool of suicidal sadness at my feet and to think that no matter how beautiful life might get, it will always be there ...close by ...and ready to be sunken into ...maybe never to emerge, is frightening. RIP to all those who fell in.

RIP McQueen.

- M.E.

My tribute to Andy Warhol.

2010-02-11T21:47:00.001-08:00

I think people have lost respect for one another. It is a crying shame. Smdh!!!

Respect is The New Black.

Oh shoot!

2010-02-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

My latest shoot was with the absolutely fab Ebony J. I don't know if I can say "fab" completely confident that I am still sounding masculine but F#$k it. Anyway Eb is always fly and I can only imagine that she is gonna be plastered across mag covers sometime soon. Very photogenic which made my job soo easy.

looks like a street style sartorialist shot.

All in all it was a great shoot and I am thinking that Eb is only minutes away from being on news stands.

...flix

TNB Inc. shooter.

Taking a break from work to tell you...

2010-01-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

This is way too funny. I know that everyone has spoofed this to death but, damn this is funny.

It's been a long time...

2010-01-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

I have just incorporated my second business. I have to wait for all of my paperwork to come back and then I will be going crazy. I can't wait til you see it.

flix.

New Direction

2009-12-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am moving toward the fashion industry more and more rapidly. Eventually doing both fashion and commercial photography but with great focus and a huge vision. I love the fashion industry and the designers in it. What I don't love is the lack of influence from the hetero male. I am a shop-a-holic and I have many choices of poison but as I look at the high end marketing, advertising and design I see that there is a lack hetero men behind the scenes. I am now (amongst other things) working towards helping establishing that influence. It is a new direction. It is not that I don't appreciate the gay man's contribution certainly I have single-handedly kept a lot of them in business, I just see the void and feel it needs to be filled. This is my new direction. Hope it works out.

CLARITY

2009-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

So, for the record, the jacket I was referring to in my previous post was conceptually the jacket I wanted. Some of my friends have told me that they hate the jacket and they do not know what is wrong with me. Well... when have any of you known me to have a lapse in fashion judgement.... SMH anyway, these are two of the jackets that I was refering to from Dolce & Gabbana.

The one that I really want wasn't made. I am on the fence about which one I am going to get.

Out and about...

2009-10-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

So while at the Fela premier I saw recording artist K'naan. He was there amongst a ton of other people that I don't know but recognized. As I was sitting in my seat I saw him entering and I thought that is a dope coat he has on. After the show I was talking to him and I thought of a similar coat that I am waiting for from Dolce. Then I thought, Holy shit... regular people don't wear clothes like this, this dude is a frikkin celebrity this may not work for me. I realized that when I wake up in the morning I am usually dressing like I am going somewhere special, and I'm really not. Anyway the jacket I want is a bit less flashy but the same concept. So I came to the conclusion that I am a celeb in my mind. Man I'm delusional.

Tell me what you think of the coat.

Rockin Fela

2009-10-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

So last night was the first of the premiers of FELA, the Broadway show. It was impressive to say the least. I don't think that there is a show on Broadway with as much energy. Without giving anything away, the show is about the life and passion of Fela Kuti and as you watch it you start to feel like, Shit, maybe I need to do something... about something. It was well cast and the production was great. I was especially impressed with the ability of the cast to sing while enthusiastically dancing all over the theatre. You should definitely treat yourself. The first show is November 23 2009 and as you can see from the pic that I snuck in during the show...

it is like a big party.

It is gonna be big.

Oh and Vinnie Chase was there he said that he liked it. He is extremely cool BTW. I spoke to him for a little while and he is really chill.

Go check it out.

...flix

Just so you know.

2009-10-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

I was fly even back then. People didnt understand my fresh then and they don't understand me now. I dont know why people keep testing me like I haven't been deep in the fashion game from waaaaaaay back. SMH.

Sorry but I had to talk about it again.

2009-10-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

So I heard from a friend (rosiebspeaks.blogspot.com) that Penelope Cruz is going to be in the new SATC movie.

HER!!!

I don't know what her role will be in the movie but I do know that the writers over at SATC are full of shit. It is speculated that she will be working with Big. SMH. Why would they pick one of the sexiest women in the world to tempt Big? Why not average sexy? This had better be good. Again SATC writers and costume designers, I do not believe you.

Please ladies, do not believe for a moment that if you met Penelope Cruz at your hubby's office Christmas party and they work together, that you shouldn't bust his ass and then beat hers. I don't care if she is not his type,or she is just cool or just a friend, she should get the shit beat out of her for having a "regular people" job with her overly sexy ass. Go be rich for being sexy. Your hubby should have frikkin quit as soon as he saw her. Too damn sexy for them to be in the same building everyday. Kick his lying ass teeth in!

I really hope they make it believable. I'm definitely going to watch the movie now, then again I have watched Penelope's spanish movies. No subtitles. No SAP.

Are we there yet?

2009-10-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

Who is more oppressed in this country... blacks or women? Elle (http://www.lmortlock.blogspot.com/) of She is... asked this morning. I began to recall the discrimination and mistreatment that both groups have suffered. I really don't think that there can be a definitive answer to a question like this. The reason being, we cannot judge someone else's pain. Certainly if there are drastic differences in circumstances, we may deem one worse than another, but the afore mentioned situations are too similar.

Black people have dealt with arguably the worst treatment in the history of the world. Almost 400 years of slavery in America, discrimination that is still being exercised today and social programing that has pitted blacks against one another in their own neighborhoods. There is no way to compete with that. The mental conditioning that is deeply ingrained in blacks is strong enough to last for the next couple Milena. It has bred an insecurity and uncertainty that is almost uncontrollable. Despite the historic mistreatment, and against overwhelming odds, black people have been able to excel in most any situation. Quite commendable, and if I may say so, it is the most amazing comeback story ever.

That being said...

Somewhere in people's (men's) minds throughout the world, women are objects. I do not place the sole responsibility on men because there are not only women who agree to be objectified but perpetuate the belief. But make no mistakes about it, men have made it this way. I'm not trying to man bash or Tyler Perry/Steve Harvey my gender but it is the truth. Women have been viewed as the property of men historically. Being sold, traded or bartered into marriage for money, alliance or whatever reason. Programmed to sell their bodies as sex objects (on whatever level). Conditioned to be fully subservient and dependant on men despite the lack of proper care and respect in return. All of that without being offered the same rights, legally, socially or morally. Despite all that, women have been able to overcome their tribulations to become be soooooo powerful throughout the world.

So the answer to the question is....

I don't know who is oppressed more but I do know that....

I am not strong enough to be a black woman.

I tip my hat to strong black women.

And since I am a fashion whore, here are two of my favorite black women of the moment.

and

I shot them at Diane Von Furstenberg's show. A pleasant surprise.

As I was shooting fashion week I was keeping my eyes open for black models. I saw a few here and there but definitely not a large amount. There is solice in the fact that Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa Jourdan Dunn, Sessilee Lopez are tearing the fashion world apart. Beautiful women of color at the forefront of an industry that has allegedly been racist in the past. Hats off to Beverly Johnson, Iman, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks for kicking the door down.

This new breed of black supermodel is trampelling the competition. It seems that once people of color get a hold of something, they find a way to master it. It is a new day and blacks and women are in positions that were previously unimaginable. Keep pushing.

Own it!!!

2009-10-04T12:03:00.001-07:00

The resurgence of eighties style has inspired a new wave of individuality and flare in the streets of New York. Unfortunately it has also left some people looking like jack asses. There are many ways to stylishly express yourself but the keys to it are Comfort and Confidence. Understanding that, makes for a strong stylish foundation. What's happening with today's "fashionistas" is that they are falling into the trend trap. Although it seems as though people are expressing themselves freely I see both a lack of comfort and confidence in these dudes. And how could you be comfortable in skinny jeans hanging off of your ass... well they are too tight to hang, they are actually strategically placed below the ass cheek, at the crease. That is fucking disgusting! That cannot be comfortable nor can you be confident as a man if you are forced (by your tight ass skinny jeans) to stand like Betty Boop.

So WTF just happened? I'll tell you.

Kanye!

Well it's not all his fault but I credit him for popularizing the hoodlum geek chic movement. His whole crew of self proclaimed fresh boys have been heading up a movement (only because they are in the limelight) that is giving people the impetus to explore their deepest darkest tastes in fashion. They are making it okay for people to be a little to the left.

I recently shot a Haitian Hip Hop artist from Harlem named Spark Flame. It is immediately evident that this dude has his own style and is very comfortable in his own skin.

There is simultaneously confidence, comfort and humility in SF (as his fans call him). It is rather refreshing to see someone in the industry truly going his own way. SF has done shows for Hot 97 and with some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and is just pretty chill and level headed. After a few outfit changes I was able to see that it was not about what was hot in the streets, it was about what was hot to him. I am the same exact way.
Do you and own it.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that being influenced is a bad thing, I am saying being brainwashed is. Develop your own Fresh. Don't walk around looking like somebody else (on purpose) that is just plain wack.

So what did we learn?

If your jeans are so tight that they cut off circulation to your legs, when you have them on at the crease between your ass and leg, You are an ASSHOLE. Stop standing like Betty Boop!

You make your clothes stylish not the other way around.

Success does not mean that you have to be obnoxious.

Stop dressing like a douchebag because you saw it on T.V.

Be comfortable in your skin and whatever you do is stylish (well almost). You will be able to pull off anything.

later.

This is Bullshit!

2009-09-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to figure out how in hell this fantasy thing works. I dig that the fab four (SATC girls) are like the bar for high fashion and dope style. I often agree with their choices in clothing and accessories... That being said, what the hell is going on with the SATC men? I am not saying that the girls are the most gorgeous people on the planet and that is certainly realistic but what the hell? There is no way that these are realistic couples. These dudes don't have ANY STYLE AT ALL. I don't believe for a minute that the most fashionable women in the world chose these dudes.

C'mon I'm not fooled. With fashion fetishes like these women have, these dudes will never do. I've seen the episodes and all that the women have gone through to be in their respective relationships but seriously it looks like these guys are poster boys for the Salvation Army. It is really disappointing.

Complete the fantasy! Get some dudes that are either good looking or well built or dress well or have backbone or a good sense of humor or a nice smile or nice personality.

At least Big is rich but that confuses me a little too.

Why can't this dude afford some FRESH!?

Why is Carrie fresh to death in Christian X2 (Dior and Loubs)

and big is in some baggy Dockers an ashy polo and complete with all the symptoms of early pregnancy? I don't even know where they sell those shoes he has on. And...And... AAAAnnd if they do let him get a little fly...

Really???

He is rich, just tip the bellhop. This is absurdity. That is tens of thousands of dollars of luggage that he is carrying, and HE is carrying it. Not even a luggage cart. SMFH!

I don't know what the hell they are trying to pull here but I don't buy it.

Furthermore, the one good looking in shape stylish young guy got the boot in the last movie. What is the message that they are sending???

Is this serious? Am I supposed to believe this shit? Because I don't.

There has to be a new standard for the BS that they are putting out there.

Stay tuned. I am working on it.

I appreciate independent women and I think that it is the sexiest thing in the world,

but stop it.

more flix

2009-09-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Katy Perry and Giuseppe Zanotti

Giuseppe drawing an original design on Eb's shirt after our convo.

Dolce & Gabbana and Giuseppe Zanotti!!!! HOLY SH......

2009-09-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Okay so my Dolce addiction brought me to the event in store on Madison and it was definitely an amazing look. The new collection is dope and I think that they are on top this season, hands down. The event was cool and the feel was great. Models in store, walking and such and it was such a good vibe. Not to be outdone, one block over Giuseppe Zanotti the shoe King from San Mauro Pascoli had a massive event brewing.

(some shoes I shot in the store at Zanotti this past summer, the lighting was soo dope)

It was a madhouse outside and I spoke to Giuseppe. He told me how excited he was about it. (really cool dude)

There was a little red carpet and some pretty strict velvet rope guardians. Talk about exclusive. I met Elle (blog and shoe goddess) and Eb one of the sickest fashionistas in NY (her shoe game is sooo serious) and we chilled and mingled for a bit.

Then Katy Perry walked in and created a bit of a stir.

Then as the remix to the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" was blaring from all angles, Rihanna walked in and HOLY HELL!!! It was mayhem.

Rihanna was really cool and waaay more stunning in person than she is in pictures.

I must also say that Rihanna has the dopest fashion sense. I was thoroughly impressed. After that, the mood was insane and within ten minutes it was literally a full on party. Giuseppe at the DJ table with some headphones on bopping up and down and the crowd full-on dancing in the store.

There was no better way to celebrate fashion's Night Out.

Stay tuned fashion week is just begining!

Fashion's Night Out

2009-09-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

So today kicks off fashion week and I must say that I have been ready for these shows. I am actually ready for tonite which is Fashion's Night Out. I first heard about it when I was in India and I thought it was something exclusive to there, but apparently everyone across the world is doing it. I got a personal email from my friend at Dolce & Gabbana he told me that they are doing free giveaways and drinks all nite until 11. I thought I was special because it was the same type of email I get for personal events and then I saw the emails from a ton of other designers and stores that I rarely shop at. Everyone is invited to a ton of stores and boutiques all around the city. A ton of giveaways. Designers will be doing in store appearances (Zanotti and Donna Karan will be at Saks) and there are a ton of discounts, from what I hear. Check out fashionsnightout.com for more details. I will be all over tonite and probably do a ton of shows too. good luck

LOVE KIDS!!!!!

2009-09-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

So I have been doing a ton of travelling and I've been on about three different continents in the last month. That is another blog that is coming. Anyways, in all the travelling I am seeing a tremendous amount of people with children. Really beautiful children. Not that all I saw before were ugly kids because I would never say that (I don't have any kids yet), but the children that I am seeing recently are exceptionally cute. It has inspired me to begin shooting a collection of children from all around the world from different cultures, races, lifestyles and religous backgrounds. I will keep you posted.

p.s. these are just kids that are in my life that I shot for one reason or another and I thought that you should see how beautiful they are.

First of all, LUCA B. is the f*ckn man!!!!

2009-08-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

Me, my cuz Manny and Luca Brazzi (the lil man) chilled for the day all over New York City. I realized that no matter what the hell is going on, Luca stops the show. I couldn't shop, they damn near shut Gucci down to talk to him. We barely made it passed the first floor in Saks and we never got a chance to eat at all. After a while I began to expect that Luca was using us for the ride to get to the City and then get his mack on and just as I suspected Luca decided that he was gonna take the wheel.

I must admit, I was never a real dog lover until I met lil Luca. We chilled a bit more and Luca passed out from his big day.

It was really too bad because we met this lil angel in SoHo. I bet Luca would have had a field day with her.

Then she started dancing on fire hydrant posts. It was special.

There is truly no place like NYC.

dope people dope flix

2009-08-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

Chyna Layne, young actress from N.Y., moved to L.A. and doing pretty damned well over there. I mentioned her in a previous entry. She just finished a movie called Precious (based on the novel Push) that was met with critical acclaim at the Sundance film festival. Her rap sheet is growing and growing and I predict that she will be A-listing soon. I've known her for YEARS!!!!, hadn't seen her in a while and the shoot gave us a chance to catch up (insanely fun too). For someone so young Ms. Layne has been through quite a bit. It is amazing to see her and how she deals with the Hollywood BS and the pressure of a job that demands so much of her. I did my bid in the industry and I commend anyone that can beome successful in it. Check for this chica, I expect her to be big. Check her out @ chynalayne.com

dope people in NYC...

2009-08-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

New York city nightlife is pretty much the creme de la creme of the world. I've literally travelled all over the world and I have seen some nice shit, but NYC is like none other. The night life in New York is always buzzing. Showcase entertainment is murdering the streets and their parties don't get dull. Vegas (international) is a co-founder of Showcase entertainment and president of VI degrees of separation inc. where he is an event coordinator and lifestyle concierge (yeah lifestyle concierge). If you have never been to a Showcase event, do yourself a favor and get to one. showcasenyc.com. You can also check out vegasinternational.blogspot.com for what's on his mind.

Boredom brings me back to my roots...

2009-08-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

I am currently not able to work on the photos from my most recent shoot so I find myself sketching and picturing silhouettes. Back in Art & Design and the short stint in F.I.T., this was an everyday thing. After that I lost interest in my art. Since then I haven't consistently put a pen to paper for any kind of artwork in years so I'm always surprised at what comes out. This time it was a pic of a little black dress I saw a picture of. I think I am going back into it. Got a couple of ideas for incorporating my art into my photography. Photography is so much more me than I ever imagined. I couldn't be a fashion designer and express myself fully. Plus, there are like no straight men on that side.

Traces of my past?

2009-08-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

Just thinking back on when I was first developing my shoe game. I don't knock anyone's hustle but you will rarely see me rocking monogram stuff. If so it will be really low key. That being said I recently broke out my GG loafers that remind me of my momz luggage. They're over ten years old but I still break them out for the people who don't realize that I have a dope shoe game.

Sexy and in D&G

2009-08-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

Got a Dolce and Gabbanna addiction problem and Emmanuelle Chriqui is beautiful. Man this is a great picture.

...SEXUAL

2009-08-02T20:15:00.001-07:00

Metrosexual? What the hell is that. The term does not really make sense first of all. Homo and hetero are both prefixes that have a valid and specific purpose in relation to and in conjunction with the word sexual, but metro?
Does that mean I like to pleasure trains? Do I prefer conductors? What the fuck does that mean?

Okay, okay, so the word pretty much means that you are heterosexual dude who is heavily concerned with your appearance. I dig it. I understand that the term is to imply that one is overly concerned with their (his) appearance but for the love of god, aren't you supposed to be concerned? I was recently called a "metrosexual" because I love to dress like I have a sense of pride... and yes I am a bit of a shopaholic. Well where is the middle ground. I don't want to look like a homeless dude. Is that what a real man looks like? A real heterosexual man? I am completely heterosexual and have never had a homosexual thought (although I have watched Sex and the city and I do speak Prada) but I dress however the hell I want to dress. I don't have a problem wearing jeans that fit, not skinny jeans and not off my ass. Jeans that fit, On my ass. I like them and I don't think that I should wear my jeans any differently to prove my "manhood". As a matter of fact, short lesson;

"Dressing up" does not mean that you buy an XXL white button up, (your dress shirts should not have letters for measurement in the first place) some over sized khakis and your Prada sneakers.

Tucking your over sized shirt into your over sized khakis, that are hung low off your ass is not cool.

Because you paid $320 plus tax for your prada sneakers does not qualify them as your "dress up shoes" Prada actually has a whole department of shoes and it is usually right next to those very same sneakers.

fix your hair.

and for Christ's sake talk like you have some sense. Enunciate.

I am not speaking to one specific race either, this is across the board ignorance that I am addressing.

The simple fact is that well dressed is well dressed. There was a time that you couldn't go anywhere half-assing. Hollywood was always dressed to the nines and the hood was always fly as hell. The gangsters were in suits. Getting caught out there looking sloppy was an indication that you weren't doing too well.

Metrosexual my ass! I am all for expressing myself however the hell I want. I shave in the morning and I brush my teeth. I like to shower and I like to wear deodorant. I like to wear the shit that I like, and I like for it to fit on me. Just my personal preferences. It has nothing to do with sexuality. For the record there are a ton of gay men that don't give a damn about their appearances, and there are just as many that have the same stupid ass fashion sense or lack there of as the hetero slobs. Maybe a term should be coined for people who dress like shit and don't give a damn about their personal appearance. That would actually be way more appropriate than labelling the people who do what they are supposed to do.

What is natural?

2009-07-28T10:01:00.001-07:00

Recently I did a shoot with a long time friend of mine. She is out in L.A. acting and modeling. Not the BS acting and modelling, officially doing it. She recently finished a movie called Precious based on the novel Push. The movie is starring Mo'nique amongst others and did amazingly at Sundance.
Anyway I was commenting on her natural beauty to a friend who in turn told me that that is the only way he sees a woman as beautiful...
I can say that this is the stupidest comment I have ever heard. Of course there is something to be said for natural unaltered beauty but seriously come on.
That conversation lead to another conversation where another of my friends told me that Beyonce was an everyday average looking chick, without her makeup of course. He then proceeded to tell me that without makeup she is completely wack to which I replied "you smoke a potent strain of crack!"

Look the fact is there are different tastes for different people. I am not particularly an advocate for makeup and weaves and whatever else, but if that is what makes someone happy, then more power to them. Further, if it enhances their beauty then that's even better. I've seen many women with and without makeup and I have seen first hand how it can enhance beauty, but my boy is acting like it is false advertising. Is cutting your hair and shaving the same thing. If we expect the all natural thing then why not wake up and go where you're going as is. Why get braces? Why trim your nose or ear hair. These things are considered hygiene but let's be honest, it is all about appearances and looking and feeling the best you can. I'm not talking about not bathing or brushing your teeth, I'm talking about keeping you shit tight. If that means a little makeup and a tight weave then cool.

On the flip side you don't want to go out looking like a burn victim or a clown with all the excessive makeup and wigs. There has to be a balance to everything. I can't understand why people can't appreciate beauty for what it is.

And here we go.

2009-07-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

This is it. For my friends, you all know that I was supposed to have this blog up a minute ago. It is finally here. Stay tuned.