Category: Fashion is Art

Viola Davis In Attorney Role

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Can’t wait to get addicted to this show, How To Get Away With Murder. Read more about how Viola felt about getting this leading role in the NPR article below. 

I was moved by what she said, so truthful “There is no way in the history of film or TV that you’ve seen a character like this played by a black woman who looks like me…Not even Kerry Washington or Halle Berry [looks like me]. I’m talking about a black woman who looks like me — a dark-skinned black woman with the nose, the age, in every way like me,” and Shonda Rhimes has brought her front and center.  I love it!  I can definitely relate to what she is saying, being a dark skin beauty myself and being told at a young age “You’re Beautiful for a Dark Skin Girl.”  Ha, even then I knew how to brush statements like that off and walk with my head even higher!

Viola Davis Gets Groundbreaking Role As ABC Bets On Diversity http://n.pr/UcsuHT

Cheers to Viola changing the complexity and the complexion of what is seen as beauty!

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Fashion Fridays: Recap of Miroslava Duma Apology for Racist Depiction

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“Miroslava Duma Apologizes for Racist Photograph, Sorta | Fashionista” http://feedly.com/k/1moZxjg

Read about this earlier this week. Argh, where shall I start? I don’t like the picture, let’s start there. If the chair were used as an art piece in an exhibition or an article entitled “DisparateTreatment of Women” with no one sitting on it and it told a story of all women being seen in that light despite their professional titles and accolades and the chair was used as a symbol showing that despite how far we have come there is still a gap in our earnings and we are literally being #!@$+, then maybe the chair would sit well with me. But, here the pic just sends all types of messages of how we are seen and how they see themselves, right or wrong? Let’s flip the script. Let’s say a black woman were seated atop a white woman clothed the same would people take offense? Hard to say, might not get as much of a rise. Perhaps in that instance the focus would be more about the depiction of the woman then the actual race issue. It is interesting how history can mold our thought process to see one scenario as more inflammatory than the next and rightfully so.

Second scenario, suppose the same woman were seated atop a white woman…would white women be up in arms, would all women be up in arms simply because of how a woman has been presented? May get a totally different reaction in the second scenario.

I don’t know what the answer is definitively in each situation, but for this instance I do agree with Fashionista that the context was all wrong. Take that same chair in this third scenario and do a spread with it where Rihanna sits atop and it might be loved by the masses. Context is everything. What’s the message you are trying to send, if the message is that white is demure and black is edgy or worse trashy, well stick with your message don’t back pedal, although I strongly disagree with the picture. I think anyone taking such a photograph would have known the message you were sending, especially since you published it on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Don’t play the innocent role. These magazines love to get a rise out of us, lightening our skin, air brushing, now sitting on top of us. Whatever, it doesn’t get a rise from me, I am actually not that surprised, come on you can come with something stronger than that. As black women, we have seen many depictions of us and been called many things, by white men and women as well as our counterparts, both negative and positive. I don’t condone the picture or being depicted in such a light but I hope you see the irony in how they make money off of our backs.

Fashion is drama, this is one of it’s truest forms! I laugh it off, you are going to have to come harder than that to make us flinch. What do you think, art or racist?

Fashionably Not Surprised,
Danalee Francesca

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Fashion Fridays The Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit

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Creative, Unique & Inspiring!  Three words describing the French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier and his fashion.  Take a look at the 140 haute couture looks spanning his career from the 1970s to the present. I captured these pictures just for your precious eyes to feast on while visiting the Brooklyn Museum. I must say I enjoyed every part of this exhibition. Every time I turned the corner I was blown away by the art of his creations. I wanted more and he gave me more at each turn, from Madonna’s iconic bustier to the Naomi Campbell jumpsuit to the interactive mannequins that surprised you when they came to life.

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Be sure to check out this exhibit. It will be around till February 23rd. Tell me what you think?
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Wangechi Mutu A Fantastic Journey at The Brooklyn Museum

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What better place to have a meeting but at the Museum, great place to cultivate new ideas, get the creative juices flowing and break away from the norm.  I have a particular love affair with this building, it’s simply beautiful inside and out. When I was younger my parents would take me to the Brooklyn Museum, the Botanic Gardens and the library all in walking distance from each other.

After getting my creativity level on high, I took in a few exhibits.  First stop, the Wangechi Mutu installation.  You must go and take it in for yourself. Words can’t describe the creativity and intricacy you see when looking at her work.  The way in which she uses fragments of pictures to create a collage of women, each expressing a different emotion, all with an inherent strength, is rather unique. She turns gross, body parts, animal yet human-like objects into several eye-catching pieces in a magnificent way.    The installation touches on our political, fashionable, racial, gender, sexual, gluttonous, sympathetic yet privileged society. This Kenyan born artist started her fantastic journey in the 1990s and continues to fascinate. My favorite pieces are the Roots of All Eves, People in Glass Towers Should Not Imagine Us, Eat Cake, The End of Eating Everything and Amazing Grace.
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You have till March to experience the exhibit first-hand. Tell me what you think?

Fashionably yours,
Danalee Francesca

New York’s Dover Street Market

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“Without creation, there can be no progress and man cannot evolve.” Rei Kawakubu via NY Times

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Comme des Garçons Rose Blazer $2700 from http://www.ssense.com/women/product/comme_des_garcons/black_and_white_glen_check_rose_blazer/83782

Rei Kawakubu’s statement gives me life. It rings true for me that if I am not creating something, anything I feel stagnant. She is the founder of Japanese label Comme des Garçons and creator of the Dover Street Market. The label was started in 1969 and is headquarted in Tokyo and Paris. The insanely popular color black dominated the 1973 line and since then a menswear line was added, along with other labels.

The Dover Street Market was first created in London, then a smaller version in Tokyo. Now Rei brings her inspiration to NY on December 21st, which marks the opening of Dover Street Market NYC in our big apple.

The multi-brand store will include of course, Comme des Garçons, LV, Saint Laurent to name a few. Andre Walker, fashion designer and artist will have an exclusive collection, that I will check out. He is a Brooklyn-based designer that has great insight into the luxurious side of the fashion industry and how it needs to change. Read this great interview with him posted on The Business of Fashion site. Emerging designers will also have a seat at this delectable fashion buffet. Paula Gerbase and Craig Green, will be among the new designers to showcase their lines.

Be sure to swing by the Rose Bakery while you are there! They will be fulfilling our hearts desires with their sweet treats, oh I can’t wait. Check it out, located at Lexington Avenue & 30th Street. Perhaps you can get in some last minute shopping *wink*!

Happy Shopping,
Danalee Francesca

Fashion Fridays: Designer Spotlight with the Domino Effect

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I happened to meet this young lady on the train this morn when a woman sitting next her started coughing uncontrollably.  Just as I have been for several days, no doubt due to allergies.

I offered the woman gum to aid her in her cough session, told her the mint flavor would soothe her throat.  The young lady and I, not the cougher, started asking one another what to do when you can’t stop coughing, put your hands over your head or something, we shared a giggle.  Anyway, I peeped her earrings and thought they were adorable, so of course I told her. I can’t help compliment people when they look good.

To my surprise she said she was a designer. Yay, love meeting aspiring designers. She told me she created these domino earrings and designs handmade jewelry. She also has an extensive vintage collection and loves finding pieces when she travels. She is branching into the vintage style area, looking to share her finds with the public. Happy that the cougher had a hand in connecting us, funny how I meet people, if you only knew my life on a daily basis.

So without further ado meet Ms. Derline Volney. I snapped a pic of her and the earrings. I am going to have to purchase a pair and get in on this domino effect!
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You can contact her at Facebook.com/Confessionsofbeauty or on Instagram/Confessions of Beauty.

Fashionably yours,
Danalee Francesca

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Fashion Law Institute Fashion Show

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The FLI Cafe show featured a select number of designers to show at the tents in celebration of their 3rd Anniversary and Fashion Law Pop-Up Clinics. The Institute and Clinics provide independent designers with legal advice specific to the fashion industry.

The show featured Blaise Kavanagh, Phyn, Cabiria, A Ray, Ex Ovo, and Sievering.

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Susan Scafidi, founder of the Fashion Law Institute, a leader in Fashion Law

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Meet Emme, a leading plus-size model

A major highlight of the show was Eden Miller’s collection Cabiria, she is the first designer to show a plus-size collection at the tents. Eden states “We fill a niche for plus-size women who want high quality modern classics and aren’t afraid to be noticed. We deserve beautiful clothes.” I agree. It is a milestone in the fashion community to have a collection of this nature shown at the MBFW tents.

 

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Meet Eden Miller designer of Cabiria

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Ms. Chearice Vaughn, just beautiful wearing Cabiria

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Meet Ms. Francis wearing Cabiria

Check out these designers and support them however you can. If you are an attorney looking to volunteer or a fashion industry professional and have a legal.question, please click here for more information about the Institute.

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Beautiful young ladies wearing Sievering Bridal and Evening Gowns

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I met a great blogger at MBFW, Yoli from yolisgreenliving.com check out her site!

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Katrin Zimmerman designer of Ex Ovo

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Wearing Ex Ovo Jewelry

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Fair Fashion NYC Event

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Fair Fashion Pop-Up Shop

You are invited to attend this Pop-up shop event on New York City’s LES, 75 E 4th St, Thursday, August 15, and Friday, August 16, 2013, from 6-9:00 PM, sponsored by the New York Fair Trade Coalition. Come and meet the designers behind these brands and find out more about Fair Trade. Natalie Frigo’s has amazing jewelry, I met her at Bhooki back in June, check out my Sustainable Fashion post. Soham Dave’s ethical apparel, DestinyFoundation/Reflection’s accessories, and BHAVA’s vegan footwear by Francisca Pineda, who I also had the pleasure of meeting and talking with.

Destiny Reflections Foundation sounds like a great organization, based in Kolkata, India, which employs victims of exploitation. They make bags, scarves, and other household goods using traditional Indian techniques. Be sure to stop by and meet Soham Dave also creator of Reborn, an eco-lifestyle brand. Every piece is hand made by women artisans in India. Jewelry designer Natalie Frigo sculpts all of the designs by hand in her lower Manhattan studio. BHAVA created by Francisca Pineda, a fashion footwear line sources quality hand-woven, organic, recycled and cruelty free components.  

The New York City Fair Trade Coalition, defines “Fair Trade” as a system of exchange that ensures livable wages to workers, safe working conditions, and environmentally sound company policies. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire is an example of a time in history where labor issues came to the forefront. I learned more about this fire and it’s impact at FIT’s exhibit last year (read here). On March 25,1911 the fire occurred in New York City and as stated in article, it led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union also grew out of that tradegy, where many young women jumped to there deaths because the owners locked doors leading to steerwells where they could safely exit. Many owners did this to ensure workers could not steal garments. The same seems to be going on today with the many occurrences, most recently the building collapse in Bangladesh where once again several young women died and were injured (Read NPR Article).

Attend this event to get more perspective. Perhaps you want to support Fair Trade fashion and help in bringing more awareness to the labor issues that still exist in the world.

Fashionably yours,
Danalee Francesca

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Ethical Fashion & Rules A Designer Can Live By

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I attended an event geared toward the aspiring fashion designer. Topics included what every designer starting out should know and the basics behind the business side of fashion. It was organized by Francisca Pineda owner of Fashion Portfolio Academyand creator of the Ethical Fashion Academy. It was hosted by Swati Argade at her store Bhoomki in Park Slope, BK. The event featured ethical fashion designers Natalie Frigo and Francisca Pineda. Swati’s store is all about ethical fashion and bringing you designs that are handmade, unique and of course eco-friendly.

Francisca was one of the panel speakers and she talked about why it was important for her to start a eco-friendly brand. She has designed accessories and apparel for 15yrs, working within successful companies. She currently has her own line and is creative director for luxury accessory brand BHAVA.
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After working for a major fashion company she decided it was not the place for her. Although she made a great salary and the perks to go along with the position, she found she was not happy. The main reason why she made a career change was because she started to see how the clothing being manufactured effected the health of the people working in the various facilities. She saw that the chemicals and dyes in the products made her sick while visiting the manufacturers and how it did the same to the individuals producing the clothing.
When developing her own line of shoes she decided to use eco-friendly materials and utilize fair trade practices. All three of these women believe in ethical fashion.

Ethical Fashion can be a personal choice and can be done in several ways either supporting organic farmers, traditional crafts like hand weaving and/or using recycled goods, or using suppliers that are committed to sustainable manufacturing.
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The three panelists gave a list of ideas designers should keep in mind when selling their brand to retailers:

-Be friendly! Pretty obvious, but perhaps can stand repeating. No one wants to deal with a brat so come correct and come friendly. You catch more with honey!

-Price point. Make sure the store you are approaching fits with the price point of your product. Only makes sense that if you are selling your goods for say $300 on average that you go to a store that sells similar products at similar price points. On that note you should also go to similar stores that carry designers that are similar to your brand.

-Line sheets, photos contact via email. You should have line sheets that include the color hues and your contact information. You can include photos like a look book to show how the clothing actually is worn.

Your Line sheet should include:
White background
Very detailed
All colors
On a model
Style #, price
Deliver date
Name
Drawing
Minimum orders

-Product Margins. Mass retailers use the Keystone Model frequently, which is a pricing method of marking merchandise for resell to an amount that is double the wholesale price. The panelists stated they sometimes multiply by three and evaluate the pricing, multiplying by two may be too low in terms of making a profit and the pricing making sense for the buyer and ultimately the customer.  But be flexible. Note, don’t put wholesale prices on lookbook, you can put it on line sheet. You don’t want your information out there for the masses you can also have the buyers for retail stores request to and give them an online password to access the wholesale pricing information.

The takeaway I received from the panelists is to stay focus, know your brand, know the business. Don’t walk into a store Monday morning with a suitcase of samples to display. First, contact the buyer, store owners via email and send the line sheet and look book and if interested they will schedule a time to meet. Be persistent and follow-up.

The panelists also gave their prospective of the fashion business and felt it was not great due to the crippling economy. But designers can still get their brands placed with retailers that are not so worried about the economy and still want to bring great goods to their customers.

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I hope these key points can assist you in your future fashion business. Here are a few designers I met that are successfully thriving in their businesses. Amy DeCew of Lily of Valley Isle, Kenya K. Smith for Planet Zero Motor Sports check them out!

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