Anne Cole Lowe

Image Source Page: http://www.la2day.com/fashion/the_history_of_black_fashion

Ann Cole Lowe was the earliest African American designer in 1950 to be part of the New York fashion establishment.  Married in 1912 at age 14, she would later have a few of her own couture salons in Tampa, Florida and New York.  Much like myself, she was the daughter and granddaughter of designer (me=seamstresses) ball gown makers, and grew up amongst quality fabrics and highly skilled workmanship. 

She worked for big named stores and salons such at Chez Sonia, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Madeleine Couture.  In 1946 she designed the dress Olivia de Havilland wore to accept the Academy Award for Best Actress for To Each His Own, but the name on the dress was Sonia Rosenberg.  This event was one moment that drove her entrepreneurial spirit.

   

Image Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/the_costume_institute/wedding_dress_anne_lowe//objectview.aspx?OID=80005316&collID=8&dd1=8

Five of her gowns are now in the permanent collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York.  Others can be found in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, and the Black Fashion Museum in Harlem (now closed).

She is most notably known for the wedding dress she designed for Jacqueline Bouvier who married J.F.K.  She also had clients from families such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Du Pont, and Roosevelt.

Image Source Page: http://orangemercury.blogspot.com/2009/09/african-american-history-jackies.html

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Sources:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Lowe
2. http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0300093314&id=0nxzw0wdIREC&pg=RA4-PA128&lpg=RA4-PA128&ots=uzTEFgRoNA&dq=Ann+Lowe&sig=aXLj2XnfxfPF-CtgIGfIaf_MCVI#v=onepage&q=Ann%20Lowe&f=false
3. http://www.indelibles.com/anne-cole.htm

 

Elizabeth Heckley

This was a newly found legacy for me.  I had never heard the story of Elizabeth Keckley before last week, and after further research am very thankful that learning of ones past can be so fulfilling and energizes my own life’s goals (if you focus on the good). 

Image Source Page: http://kissingkitty.com/kissingkitty/MORE.html

Elizabeth Keckley was born a slave, and began work as a nursemaid at age 5. Was put on loan to family members of the master, upon which she was raped and beaten repeatedly.  My favorite part of her life is her being beat by two different men, in an attempt to break her pride, until they were exhausted. Eventually both men gave up, and one even cried and asked for forgiveness.  LOL, I can only think of the remake with Madea as the lead.  This is a story we’ve been told over and over again with many different faces and names.  However, the most inspiring stories from slavery are the ones where, no matter what, success was destined.

Keckley, with apparent superb design and seamstress skills, at the age of 34 was able to buy her and her son’s freedom for $1,200.00 in 1855 (2 years of getting the master to agree and set a price; 3 years of gathering the funds).  After she paid back the patrons who gave her money for her freedom, she later would go on to meet and interview with the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s wife, and become her modiste and confidant. During her White House years, she made the inaugural dress and many others Mary Lincoln was photographed in.  The cherry on top is Elizabeth Keckley would also found an organization to support freed slaves.  It just doesn’t get better than that! 

Image Source Page:

 http://www.wornthrough.com/2009/03/25/national-museum-of-american-historyabe-lincoln/

I am very inspired in my life to achieve each and every dream I have.  If she could reach the optimum level of effectiveness, efficiency, and success in fashion during the most evil of times in American History with all the vile episodes that her childhood and young adult life could stand, so can I, so can you too!



???’s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

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Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Keckly

Patrick Kelly

Patrick Kelly was a Paris-based women’s wear designer and founder of fashion house Patrick Kelly Paris.  Kelly was highly successful in the U.S. during the 1980’s and I remember my Grandmother, a master seamstress, simply in awe of his work every time she saw it. 

Image Source Page: http://beautyandthestreet.blogspot.com/2010/02/black-history-spotlight-patrick-kelly.html

Kelly was the first American & the first African American to be admitted as a member of the Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode (French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear of Couturiers and Fashion Designers)            

           

Image Source Page: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f116/1954-1990-patrick-kelly-61044.html

Image Source Page: http://www.debbiedecoudreaux.com/images/Debbie%20de%20Coudreaux%20Web%20Gallery/pages/Patrick% 20Kelly%20Flaminco%20dress2.htm

Image Source Page: http://fashion.blogdig.net/archives/articles/August2007/21/Harlem_Renaissance_Fashion_Show.html



Kelly's designs were sold in upscale retailers including Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s.  I don't see or hear of any African American designers bringing forth this optimum level of creativity and shear brilliance these days.  It seems as if most are doing what is expected, and not taking chances.  I'll keep researching till I find them though.

 Image Source Page: http://african-americanfashion.blogspot.com/

Resource:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kelly_(fashion_designer)

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http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/exhibitions/626/Patrick_Kelly%3A_A_Retrospective/image/354/Patrick_Kelly%3A_A_Retrospective._%7C04172004_-_09052004%7C._Installation_view.

African American Designer Willi Smith

Image Source Page: http://cgi.ebay.com/WILLI-SMITH-MOHAIR-LLAMA-WOOL-MANS-GRAY-COAT-JACKET-L-/250583789438?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear

I remember in the 80’s when Willi Wear had a section in every Rich’s and Macy’s department store right along with the likes of Ralph Lauren and other notable labels.  He had the hottest men’s fashions around, and any guy who wanted to look cool had clothes made by Willi Smith. 

Image Source Page: http://fashionrevolutionaires.onsugar.com/Black-Beauty-Style-History-Fashion-Willi-Smith-7258597

I don’t hear anyone mentioning Willi Smith these days, but I firmly believe it was he that truly set off the African American clothing design labels that you see today.  He was the first to make it a plausible thought that we could design, create, and distribute clothing to the masses with excellence.

Image Source Page: http://www.bigbendcares.org/vaq/pages/smithw.shtml

Willi Wear was launched in 1976, when Carl Williams and Daymond G. John, founders of Karl Kani and FUBU, were only 8 and 9 years old respectively.  This was an enormous feat at that time, and just happens to be the same year Black History Month was first celebrated.  RIP Willi Smith 1948-1987.  I wonder what he would have to say about African American labels available today?

???'s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L

Sources & Images:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willi_Smith

http://www.bigbendcares.org/vaq/pages/smithw.shtml

http://fashionrevolutionaires.onsugar.com/Black-Beauty-Style-History-Fashion-Willi-Smith-7258597

If you don’t know who Andrè Leon Talley is, then you don’t know fashion, and you definitely don’t know Black fashion.  As former editor-at-large for American Vogue he has been a leader in fashion for decades and influences what you and I wear whether you know the name or not. 

 

Image Source Page: http://clutchmagonline.com/fashion/the-man-the-myth-the-legend-andre-leon-talley/

Talley was recently a judge on America’s Next Top Model, and was very out spoken as always.  We hate it when he’s right, and we love it when he’s right(o_o)! 

Image Source Page: http://www.passport2fabulous.com/2010/09/new-americas-next-top-model-september-2010/

Talley is also a great supporter of Ebony Fashion Fair, high lighted in last weeks blogs.  Here he is photographed with Woopi and Linda Johnson-Rice, daughter of Eunice Johnson, at a tribute to Eunice W. Johnson the founder of Ebony Fashion Fair.

  

Image Source Page: http://www.metmuseum.org/about/audience_development/photos/72157623249211306

 

If you’re a tween looking to learn fashion, get to know him.

 Image Source Page: http://www.stylecaster.com/news/7961/derek-blasberg-pens-style-book-and-6-more-stylish-men-we-rely-on



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"The Godfather of Urban Fashion" Karl Kani

Karl Kani AKA “The Originator” AKA “The King of Black” launched his brand in 1989.  My back story here is that in 1993 at a junior college biology class;o}, I first noticed my now husband dressed head to toe in Karl Kani, LOL.  Who new?  Well 18 years, a marriage, and 3 babies later, I’m buying my son Karl Kani sneakers, and fussing at him for not tying the laces. 

http://karlkani.com/

Image Source Page: http://highbridnation.com/2008/03/18/karl-kani-to-drop-2-new-fashion-lines/



Karl Kani is responsible for uniting hip-hop and fashion and moving it into the viable multi-billion dollar retail apparel segment that it is today.  If you hate sagg’n jeans, then blame him, since it was Karl who took the Brooklyn trend and put it on runways 1^st.  Not exactly sure if he knew it would lead to the pants on the ground frenzy though(o_o) 

Image Source Page: http://www.topstreetwear.com/system/search/product.asp?id=13293



“The God Father of Urban Fashion” definitely deserves his place on the Black History in Fashion list!

Image Source Page: http://helzyxo.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-love-with-karl-kani.html

???'s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist



L

African American Stylist Mario Wilson's Portfolio Reloaded

ü      Out this stylist’s portfolio http://www.kenbarboza.com/stylists/mario_wilson/mario_wilson_frame.html

I wanna b like him when I grow up! 

    

Keep in mind the photos in his portfolio are targeted to adults, but this gives you a nice look at what stylist's can do as a career option.

Image Source Page: http://www.kenbarboza.com/stylists/mario_wilson/bio.html

This was posted a couple of months ago, but worth reposting during Black History month due to his prolific styling qualities.  Tweens if you’re looking to be a stylist, this is what it’s all about.  You may want to volunteer, help out, get a part-time job at a store and work as much as possible on displays to gain experience.

???'s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L



Ebony Fashion Fair

Ebony Fashion Fair has been around ever since I can remember, and I’ve always wanted to see a show live.  Well this year will be my year to view one of the best in fashion, and if you know nothing about the biggest traveling fashion show in the world, then check it out here.

Image Source Page: http://www.globalfashionreport.com/a23022-fashion-flair

Image Source Page: http://havengirls.com/2010/01/05/eunice-johnson/

This is Eunice W. Johnson the founder of Ebony Fashion Fair whom started this scintillating historical show as a fund-raiser in New Orleans during 1956.

February = Black History in Fashion... Past & Present

This February I’ll be publishing as many posts as I can of African American contributors to fashion in honor of Black History Month.  Feel free to post comments, and let me know if there is any one in particular you’d like to see featured.  Warning: some of these people, I’m just getting to know myself.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=shun+melson&view=detail&id=AD7A0EF0AE468E444EE6A976303E3C3B1772705F&first=1&FORM=IDFRIR

Today I’m featuring stylist Shun Melson, fashion stylist to many celebrities.  I absolutely love the styling’s she’s done with Jennifer Hudson, Monica, and Kandi!  Check her out at http://creativesolutionzllc.com/.

Oldest Trick in The Book

                                             

Wad’up tweens?  Hope life has greeted you today with love and happiness!  If it didn’t, you probably didn’t expect it to.  I just want to get something off my chest today.  Young ladies, it is not necessary to dress provocatively to get what you want out of life.  It is always so disappointing to watch a new talented singer arise and fall prey to what society, the media, their managers or record companies, and sometimes their parents are telling them they have to do.  Am I the only person that remembers L’Boogie, AKA Lauren Hill?

Girls you have to remember that many of the singers you hear today aren’t all that talented.  But they get in front of you for the six months to a year that their career lasts, and parade around nearly nude, getting you to believe this is how you should dress too, if you want to be successful.  If you don’t know who Lauren Hill is the google her for further data.  Let me just say this… when true talent, gratitude, and love surrounds everything you do, the 5 or 6 Grammy’s, an Oscar, a Toney, or an Emmy will come.  Follow your souls and life will give you what you intend.

Don’t become victims of tasteless fashion, and don’t use the excuse that it’s okay as long as you’re making the decisions to dress that way yourself.  It is NOT!  That’s the oldest trick in the book.  I fell out of love with Madonna when she made the statement, “As long as I do it to myself, it’s okay.”  She was responding to a reporter who was questioning her motives of dressing so provocatively, being chained, and bare most of the time.  Slavery, or more specifically William Lynch, has taught us that the easiest way to get people to do what ever it is you want is to have them do it to themselves.  His infamous speech ends… “My plan is guaranteed, and the good thing about this plan is that if used intensely for one year, the slaves themselves will remain perpetually distrustful.”  

We only need change the words to women themselves will remain perpetually distasteful and dress the way lustful men would have them.  What do you think?

???'s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L

P.S.

Check the white cotton shirt and cropped jacket, items on my Top 10 Tween Must Haves (homage to Tim Gunn) list, in the pics above;-)



Retail Talk!

     

When you are out shopping, especially those of you who are allowed to shop for yourselves be aware of the tricks retailers like to play, and they do it all the time, since it usually works.  If you walk into a store and everyone that works there says that every single thing you try on or even look at looks good on you, know that they are lying and just trying to get a sale to boost their numbers.  The most beautiful women in the world know they don’t look good in everything… no one does.  Yes, even if they are not on commission, every time they ring a sale it goes under their employee number, and the manager keeps up with who’s selling or not. 

 

If the salesperson or persons helping you keep try’n to push certain items in your hands or dressing room, know the company is probably having a contest and the highest seller of that item/s will be rewarded.  Just a couple of tips on how the system/industry works, and how to keep all that crap you really didn’t want in the first place from building up in your closet.  These tips will help you buy things that are right for YOU, and not waste money on things you got tricked into buying.  There is nothing worse than having a closet full of clothes and literally have nothing to wear.  Don’t feel bad if this has happened to you.  Grown women fall for these tricks everyday.  Take it as a lessoned learned, keep it move’n, donate the clothes to charity, make some money on Ebay, or sell them at your local consignment shop.

Rules 2 Follow:

1. You can try on any and everything, hey it’s fun!  So go ahead, and have a blast!
2. Ask yourself these questions before you Just Throw It In The Bag;~)
1. Do I really need this?
2. Is this okay for my age?
3. Does this look great on ME?
4. Is this in my budget?
5. If I don’t get this I’ll be unhapppy?

                                                               i.      If you answered YES to all of the above, then you’ve       probably made a good choice, and should go ahead and buy it. 

1.      If you don’t answer yes for at least 4 of the 5 = leave it!!

                                                             ii.      If you answer yes to all of these questions all of the time for everything you touch or look at, SEEK HELP!  You are a shopaholic, and clothes won’t fix the love that you’re missing!

???'s = tweenstylist@live.com or http://twitter.com/tweenstylist
L

Body Shapes?

OMG!  LOL!  I’m already cracking myself up just thinking about my body.  I think God must have had uncontrollable hiccups when he put me together.  I have short legs, which in and of its self is perfectly fine, but add in the waist length of a super model and it’s just darn right funny.  You know how on the Ugly Betty show when they keep switching different eyes, noses, and mouths.  Well that’s what it looks like happened to my body, but somebody forgot to put the pieces back together.  On top of that stir in the weight I’ve put on in the last 10 years and it’s just hilarious.  Trust me girls eat healthy and exercise everyday, cuz whatever you think you don’t like about yourself is only exaggerated about 100% with each and every extra pound you gain.  The weight makes me look like a weeble wobble toy person (tell’n my age).  My legs have all but disappeared. 

  

Anyway, if I can put together clothes and look just as good as anyone there is, then you can too.  Even when I had only 3% body fat my body was just weird… beautiful but weird.  When I was in middle school my chest was flat as all get out; I had wide hips, muscular, thick legs, and big feet.  Let Clinton and Stacy try to solve that dilemma.  See the pics in my photo album.  And while I made many bad fashion choices, I usually could choose things that kind of balanced my body out a little bit more.  I eventually learned the monochromatic outfits, long-waisted pants and skirts, and (back in the 80’s) shoulder pads would make me look and feel great. 



So, the moral of this story is, as bad as you may feel now about certain parts of your body, you’ll be wishing you had it all back if you don’t take care of yourselves now and forever.  I just didn’t want anyone to think some outta work fashion model was writing this blog.  I’m just a regular person who happens to know a whole lot about fashion and styling a body to make it look its best.  I also think I do a great job dressing my daughter, and can give great advice on dressing growing/developing tweens.  Most of the tips I give have been around long before me (mom’s 70’s fahion/beauty books), so it’s just a matter of pulling together what’s right for you.  Trust me. I’ve had a lot of work at it.  So, if you have any questions, feel free to grab your mom or dad and ask or email me, and I’m sure we can figure it all out together. 

???’s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L



Swagger Tight or Fright?

     

So, the fall/winter trends have been out for a while now, and everyone has gone B2S with their new digs on.  I’m interested in hearing what 2010 trends made tweens go BOOM… BOOM… POW! 


Which ones are so popular that you’ve already began to hit the DELETE button because you’re tire of seeing them?   Besides that, are there any outlandish trends you feel are just unrealistic or unwearable?  And what’s still in your closet cuz you either don’t like it or haven’t figured out just how to wear it yet, but maybe all your friends want to borrow it?

     

???’s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L

Top 10 Tween Must Haves: #10 Dress

I was a huge tomboy growing up, and while I loved being fashionable at a very early age, I couldn’t fully appreciate dresses until adulthood.  However, I did think they were very pretty, and as long as I had a pretty one to wear, I never fought when I was told I had to wear them.  My rule of thumb is, if you have to wear anything you might as well look good wearing it.  Now, I adore dresses and can’t imagine my life without them, especially since we’re passed the slips and stockings era (so uncomfortable).  Fashion 09’ brought back lengthy, ground scraping dresses and they are my absolute favorite, and I’ve been gliding around in them since the early nineties… makes me feel like a queen. 

 

So, look out 2011’, girlz rule and boys drule:-p  This winter try rock’n last summer’s sack dress, shift dress, trapeze dress, or a sundress under your cardigan, cropped jacket, or blazer from the Top 10 Tween Must Haves list.  For all you budget busters who have spent all your money, marry thick sweater tights, knee high boots, and the black turtleneck under or over the dresses to stretch your favorite summer looks further into winter.  For those of you who are looking to spend Christmas money, try finding a long-sleeved shirt, denim, or velvet dress to kick off 2011 right.  Sweater dresses are probably the coziest during winter, and have been in stores more and more over the last 2 or 3 years.  If you don’t like wearing dresses, but that’s the only thing you and you parents are at odds over, do yourself a favor and just wear one every now and then to make them happy.  Pick and choose your battles gilrz!



Tip:

1.      If you’re built like Beyonce or Angelina Jolie… don’t look like a call girl; put too short or mini dresses over jeans.  My daughter always has and still gets rave reviews everywhere she sports this look.



2.      Don’t know how to iron very well, try getting an inexpensive travel steamer.  Helps a lot with all those poet and ruched sleeved shirts too.

???’s or feedback = tweenstylist@live.com or

                              twitter.com/tweenstylist

       

                   L