Oh, how I love accessories but some people want to know what's up with this Pro-Black, New-Afrikan shyt I'm on? Whether you notice or not, when you dress you are identifying with something and sending a message. I choose to rep my lifestyle and make conscious statements as fashion. Purple Pill Babies is about to make this Pan-Afrikan thing extra funky, urban, sexy, eclectic & rock. These accessories are definitely changing the game. I mean let's start with the Angela Davis earrings. Everyone in her time wanted to have a fro like Angela's(even now), plus she was so revolutionary. To me Angela Davis screams fashion so I rock her on my ears! Or how about the Afrikan print door knockers? We wear door knockers all the time but to add a little culture to something already cool just makes it exceptionally cool. And we can not miss the Kemetic print earrings or plastic Ankhs..o.k yeah Anhks should be some kind of precious metal but what about the Afro Punk chick or the free lance artists that rep Kemet but doesn't have that much money to get heavy gold Ankhs or better yet just wants something light in her ears but fly? It's a very cool way to rep your history for less. Then we have the glasses; some inspired by gold adornments in Kemetic times, some inspired by (RBG)Red, Black & Green color combo & others inspired by our martyrs. So now that you got the low down on what it's all about let me briefly explain why I chose the magnificent people used to be the faces of PPB accessories. My theme for this shoot was "The Dope & Different Black" so I wanted to work with individuals that are not what your used to hearing about with cool hair cuts. Let's first start off with Omena El.
Omena El is a Personal Chef/Holistic Nutrionist: One who deals with health as a whole, including the mental, spiritual & physical well being. Omena can do anything from color therapy to creating a whole meal plan for you and your family. But what really makes Omena stand out as a Holistic Nutritionist is her sense of style. Omena is always FLY!! When I say she will come to your home and give you a whole health evaluation with lenseless glasses, an African print jumpsuit and that Banging ass hair cut w/ the little fro at the top...She is Holistically Fly but don't take my word, see for your self!!
The second person is Lorenza, a Baker & Black Socialite. Lorenza makes beautiful/delicious baked goods and yes she can bake gluten free & vegan. Lorenza bakes goods for very cool events such as Speak Easy's and Trendy birthday celebrations. And while we are mentioning cool events, let's not forget to mention that Lorenza finds a way to be at every event before or after she goes to her yoga classes...A true socialite!! But what makes her stand out is how regal she is, personality wise and in dress code. Lorenza can step on any scene and you have to do a double take as she has smooth dark skin, a low hair cut and poise...not to mention conversations with this Lovely Lady Libra can easily go from very whimsicle to very intellectual in a matter of minutes. Did I mention people always think we're sisters because we really do resemble each other a lot and we're Libra's.
I am really excited to write about these two brothers, Manchildblack + Monstah Black = The Blacks
Manchildblack is a singer, recording artist, designer and co-producer of one of NYC's hottest parties, Libation. Monstah Black is a singer, performance artist, designer and one of the creators behind the notorious Cabaret Cataplexy.
add to what I admire about these two young men, each of The Blacks are working on a solo albums, but this power couple as in beautiful couple is collaborating for the first time on a electro funk project, expected release early next year....talk about dope.
And Last but not least there is always an interesting twist when I do photoshoots, so here it is. I was at a Rapheal Siddiq concert and my plan was to shoot the above group of individuals but one of the people I planned on shooting was not able to attend so I told the universe that I am going to find a cool Sis w/ her head shaved on the sides to shoot and believe it or not I saw this Sister sitting w/ a blue mohawk and shaved sides...I said I have to shoot her but I needed to organize my accessories and have a brief meeting w/ my assistant and photog so I said when I'm done I'll ask her. As I was in the meeting, Q(sista w/ the mohawk) walked up to me and we started conversing and wham, I was like "my name is bla bla, I am doing a shoot bla bla....I would love to have you shoot in my accessories" and she said yes ...yaay. With no suprise to me I found out that Q is into some cool stuff. First off she was visiting from Atl where she specializes in natural hair care and styling which you can check out at houseofnappy.com, I may dye my hair Purple now lol. And music.....YALL KNO I"M A NEW MUSIC FANANTIC and she makes soulful but funky/ mind travel music...you know those sounds that you blaze too or if your like me and don't blaze but enjoy the aroma, you just sit up under someone smoking and zone out =D or just bounce, her music is that awesome.
Ohh another bonus is a photo of the first Sis that bought earrings from me, Mya. Mya simply has a beautiful energy and of course she has talent. Mya is a film maker and as you can see beautiful with a funky ass hair cut. She was not a part of the photoshoot but she is so beautiful in spirit that she sent me a photo of her wearing my earring. Yes WoW is a perfect expression 8-D
How the hell I end up in one of the shoots?? lol Let me keep it simple by saying I have a creative addiction. So what happened was after the first shoot I realized I didn't make any bags and I really wanted some for self but while buying notions, I was moved to make more earrings and needed to shoot them to put on the website so I reached out really last minute to a aweeesome photographer(Heather Perry) who lives in L.A and decided I was worth the time. Heather is very talented as the photos speak for self but her personality is cool as hell also, I was pleasantly surprised by it all!! And to touch on the photographer of the first shoot Dexter Wordsmith Jones...His style of shooting is one to just drool over. I'm a biig fan of grunge, unpolished work that is still clean & Dexter has a way of making you say "I remember you shooting it but seriously how did you get it to look like that"...phenom!
Heather Perry: Photographer
Now you all can enjoy the rest of photos. Happy watching, hope to see your order!! =D
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CARE TO TAKE A MINI JOURNEY IN THE MIND BEHIND IT ALL?!!
Nobody Believes Until I Believe Me
A Lioness Doesn't Have to Roar, HER presence and Energy Permeates Volumes
To Accept Your Weakness Is To Become Strong
Darkness Only Penetrates The Light That's Already There & We're Already There...We Just Need To Go Back
For You I Walk A Straight Line W/ Grace & Pride
Speed Is Not Power. Drive & A Clear Vision Is!
To Smile In The Face Of Adversity Is Absolute Power
Nature Is To Beauty As Natural Is To Be Beautiful
You Can Build Yourself Up By Turning Things Down
I Must Go Now, I Have A Path To Lead...Hope To See You All there
But before I go I must give thanks to the universe for allowing it to all happen as harmoniously as it did(no rain, cold, running around) and I must thank the photogs for shooting in a style that I admire and feeling I was worthy taking time out for. And last but not least "The Dope Different Black" people that took time out of all really busy schedules to grace my collection and for being an example of saying FUCK the system...We're Black but we don't fit in the box society attempts to put us in.
