Stylish Mane

Being A Student @ AiCH

2008-09-18T05:14:00.000-07:00

Being a student at the Art Institute of Charlotte has opened my eyes to all the opportunities that are out there. I am currently pursuing a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management. At first I didn't know what I wanted to do in life when I was in high school. I have been exposed to different things since I have been here. I still do not know what direction I want to go in but, I do know that I would like to either do, Fashion styling, Visual Merchandising, Fashion Journalism, or work at someone's Magazine company. Although I hated taking Fashion Sketching I love it now because I am good at sketching. Although when I was in high school I wanted to design clothing for women with a big bust. Women with big bust can't wear everything, and I wanted to make clothing that are cute and fun, but also fit in the bust area. I may still pursue this dream because I am passionate about it... who knows maybe you'll see my clothing on your wife, sister, or mom one day.

Vote or Die!!

2008-09-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Rap star P Diddy has adopted a hard-hitting campaign slogan as he attempts to convince young people to vote in the coming November's Presidential election in America.
Diddy's 'Citizen Change' campaign will use the slogan 'Vote or Die!' for its publicity on T-shirts, reports RateTheMosic.com.
The hip-hop star hopes that his unusual and stern slogan will help young people realise the value of voting in elections.
"It has been a national revolution for me. I was disenfranchised, like everybody else. I felt like the voting process it didn't matter, it didn't work. Politicians don't speak my language".
"But I got educated on how the game works. I knew I had to utilise my power and my vote to make them stand up and recognise me. This is one of the most important elections of all time.
We control who is going to be the next president of the United States.This is a matter of life or death. This election is life or death, which is why Citizen Change has come up with our campaign slogan 'Vote Or Die'," added Diddy.
Diddy recently finished a stint as an actor on broadway and believes that it was the hardest job he had ever done and that he is still an aspiring actor who had to go a long way. "In the beginning, I was kind of stiff. I was in a new environment, and I was so focused on delivering the lines, I wasn't living the real life.
Celebrities everywhere are wearing these "Vote or Die" T-shirt. Fifty Cent and Paris

Kimmora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty

2008-08-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

Full name Kitty White is the best known of many simply drawn fictional characters produced by the Japanese company Sanrio. Hello Kitty can be described as a friendly white kitty with the head larger than her body, small button eyes and nose, but having no mouth. In 1974, Sanrio Co Ltd. Of Tokyo introduced a Hello Kitty franchise. The first Hello Kitty item was a vinyl coin purse sold in Tokyo, according to Sanrio Inc’s U.S. marketing director Bill Hensley. In 1976, the franchise was introduced into the Us. Since its beginnings, the Hello Kitty line has developed under licensing arrangements worth more than $1billion a year in sales. Examples of products depicting the character include dolls, stickers and greeting cards to clothes, accessories, school supplies, dishes and home appliances.

American designer Kimora Lee Simmons has turned her love of fine jewelry and life-long affection for Hello Kitty into this unique luxury brand which has women worldwide falling in love with Hello Kitty all over again. The talented designer is credited with inspiring a new generation of consumers with her glamorous, sexy, over the top style that has catapulted her white-hot clothing label Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons into an enormous success. Kimora’s influence in the world of fashion is undeniable while her savvy as a businesswoman has made this former runway model a worldwide brand phenomenon. With an unrivaled universal appeal, Kimora is the only multiethnic woman to have a successful fashion empire along with her own signature diamond encrusted cell phone, jewelry collection, cosmetics and fragrance- quintessentially, she is the new establishment

Kissable Couture

2008-08-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

Dress your lips in the everything posh First Kiss Collection. Take a front row seat to feel the easy glide smooth application that invokes a sense of bliss and comfort. The kind of comfort felt after the close of your first kiss. Each experience with the first kiss offers the ultimate high gloss factor that is stand alone satisfying. Eternally beneficial from start to finish, it seemingly just never comes to an end. Its infectious ability to keep you coming back for a single sheer application or double coat of sexy sheen and divine fluidity, provides the ultimate look of effortless chic. As lightweight as the flutter felt in your heart, the first kiss won't weigh down your lips, rather provide an endearing feeling of everlasting love. The velveteen wand applicator glides on a sensual passionate feeling of luxurious beauty at its best. The First Kiss, an ultimate timeless experience never to be forgotten

Keisha Nash Whitaker’s Makeup Inspiration
MAKEUP ROUTINE “My makeup routine is down to 15 minutes because I do the same makeup every day,” she says. This becomes even simpler on the weekend, when she opts simply for moisturizer, SPF, a light coating of mascara and big sunglasses. When it comes to beauty, Nash Whitaker says, “Less is more.” But if she has a big event, she amps up her look with faux lashes and brown shimmer eyeliner from M.A.C.
MAKEUP INSPIRATION She loves Kerry Washington’s makeup: “It’s always very pretty and she experiments with color.” While Nash Whitaker admits to sticking to a neutral palette, she did wear purple eyeshadow to last year’s Oscars.

Take a peak at these celebrities wearing Kissable Couture by Keisha Nash Whitaker. Not only does Forest (Keisha's husband) find it irresistible, but this lip gloss is also a must have for these celebrities

2008-08-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

skinny jeans, ruffled top, and accessories can be worn dressy or casual, whatever floats your boat. Skinny jeans are a must for going out on the town or catching a movie.

a sleek black dress is essential to complete any occasion. This dress is the right choice for a nice drink at a bar, resturant, or going partying with your girls.

This black blazer and gray skirt goes well when you want to look fashionable, yet professional. The black blazer gives you the option to wear with pants, dress, or skirt. The gray skirt is also interchangable because you can wear different color tops if you don't want to put on an blazer. Ask your self if gray the new black.

Color Trends

2008-08-14T07:43:00.001-07:00

Fall fashion colors
Black-Eternally chic, forever classic, black takes center stage this fall in many designer collections, and there will be no lack of choices in black garments for fall and winter. Here are some ways to wear black for fall:
1. head-to-toe black - an easy way for petites to look taller
2. black and white - new ways to wear black and white with a creamy, rather than bright white
3. black with another popular color of the season - try wearing black with blue, green, purple, red, or yellow
4. little black dress - wear it to work with a jacket or sweater; dress it up for evening
To wear black well, you must look good in black. If black doesn't flatter you, don't wear it against your face.

Purple- Purple, once reserved for royalty, takes center stage for fall dressing. It's a rich, strong hue that will look good accessorized with black, green, or yellow. You'll also find purple in dark floral prints this fall.
If a purple dress is too much purple for you, try a purple blouse paired with a black skirt or pants. If that's still too much, you can add a touch of purple to your fall wardrobe with a purple purse.
Blue- The seasons blue colors come in bright blue, clear blue, turquoise blue, and dark blue, so take your pick. Blue is a color all women can wear successfully. Look for the hue that suits your coloring best for a knockout look.
You'll also find blue in cool floral prints for fall and ombre looks in garments and handbags.
Green- Think jewel tone emerald in solids or floral prints this fall. Other options: tone it down with a softer tint of green or blue it with a shade of teal. Find green in checks and plaids, florals, and ombres this season.
Red- If you favor warm tones, look for tomato red this fall. Strong warm colors of orange and yellow will also be available.
A few designers combine red with a black and creamy white combination for fall. Ralph Lauren showed a coat with a black/white/red color combination in a Native American inspired design, and Betsey Johnson designed a dress with a cream background, black stripe, and red print motif on its skirt.
The hue of red you select is key. If you look best in cool colors, try one of the pink reds or a purple red, instead of an orangey red.
If you bought a yellow top for spring, you can also wear it this fall

2008-08-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

Saggin Stereotypes.

The Confederate Flag, racism. Middle-Eastern man with a turban, terrorist. These are all sterotypes that have shaped our nation into thinking negatively towards other ethnicities that have made the U.S. such a unigue country.

Just recently another formed image or opinion has been made about “sagging pants.”

Sagging pants as we know was popularized in the early 1990’s, which can be attributed to the hip hop culture and its artist. This saggin style is worn by blacks as well as a few white males. Ever since then the African Amercian man has been plagued by this stereotype. Thug, criminal, convict, and ignorant are just a few words that are associated with the stereostype of saggin pants.

“I was at work and someone that I work with came up to me and tried to act as if I was ignorant and had no college education because my gym shorts were saggin,” stated Renondo Wilson, a student at The Art Institute of Charlotte. Since it is mostly African American males that choose to wear saggin pants, some feel that it is racial profiling when some cities put a ban on saggin pants. Some councilmen and other government authority (mostly oldheads) feel that it is offensive to see young men saggin. Because this is primarliy worn by black males some feel like it is targeting black males as if “we” (black people) are not targeted enough. Of course we all know the orgin of saggin pants started in the jail system when they would take the immates belts away so they would hang themselves. It has since then carried over into the hip hop culture. Many rappers we see also sag, but is it really indescent exposure if you can not see the buttocks or the underwear? Is it really necessary to associate jail time and a fine with saggin pants? Studies show that when some of these same African American men go to college there is a lack of saggin, because these men mature and realize that they wanted to be apart of the fad. In essence sagging pants are just a fad same as bell bottoms and hot pants. In the words of King David “This too shall pass.”

Articles related to sagging pants: History, Designers, and Law

Carmen Webber

2008-08-14T04:27:00.000-07:00

AGE: 37
HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC
EDUCATION: Architecture at Savannah College of Art & Design
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Tracy Reece, Epperson and Byron Lars
FASHION MUST: A fantastic shawl or scarf that can be worn in many different ways

A North Carolina native, Carmen has had a love for fashion since a young age. She was modeling in trunk shows for Alexander Julian, DKNY and Anne Klein at 16. In high school, she began taking fashion merchandising courses through the DECCA Club and competed in a regional contest for fashion marketing and branding. In 1989 she began studying architecture at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), but later went on to double major in fashion design and illustration. Completing a four-year program at SCAD, she graduated cum laude and was named as top fashion designer of her class.
After graduation, Carmen moved to Paris where she interned for Christope LeMaire, who studied under Christian LaCroix and is now the head designer for Lacoste. She also worked as a sales associate at one of Paco Rabanne's first ready-to-wear boutiques in Paris. Carmen showcased her first ready-to-wear collection at La Couple Jazz Club in Paris in 1996. After four years in Paris, Carmen moved to the "big apple" to launch her Harlem-based clothing line in the fashion capital.
In the summer of 2001, Carmen launched the "Sistahs of Harlem" clothing line with partner Carmia Marshall, a wardrobe stylist in the film and television industry. The clothing line started in humble street fairs where she sold handbags and deconstructed T-shirts. Marshall and Carmen also co-wrote "T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations For Fabulous Fashion," a do-it-yourself book.

Trend Setter

2008-07-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Erica Pace is a hairstylist currently employed at Smartstyle. She is from Kinston, Jamaica. Erica’s sense of fashion is not like the ordinary person. She has a passion for fashion. Erica likes to shop at many different places. She states that "nothing has to match, as it looks good together." She has a fetish for shoes. Her favorite shoe store is Off Broadway. Some of her favorite stores she likes to shop at is Express, T.J. Maxx, Charlotte Russe, GAP, BeBe, Payless, 579, Goodwill, Nine West, Off Broadway, and, Forever 21. She said she will practically shop anywhere. Her favorite types of shoes are pumps or flats. She has a seperate closet just for her shoes. Now doesn't that remind you of Mariah Carey with her lingerie closet. Although Erica is in her late 30’s doesn't want to dress like she is in her late 30's, so she keeps up with the latest styles. She refers to fashion magazines to keep her current with what's hot and what's not.The two items above are some items you could catch Erica wearing.

The Royal Court: Graphics in Fashion

2008-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

In the world of fashion, 2008 was truly the year where designers based their collections around graphics and geometric shapes for the spring and fall seasons. These graphics and geometric shapes bring about a new look in any collection. On the high end level of haute couture designers such as Emillio Pucci, Anna Sui, and Balenciaga stepped out the box and took creativity and color to another level. They are the royal court of who’s who is graphics in fashion.

The Prince of Prints

The “prince of prints”. Fur, ice and crystals. Couture designer Emilio Pucci best describes graphics in fashion. His inspiration came from the natural landscapes of the Mediterranean and the exotic culture. He created an external logo with his signature graphics, abstracts and kaleidoscope of color prints.

Each and every one of Pucci’s collections, dating all the way back to the 1950s featured his signature geometric and abstract prints, so his Fall 2008 Collection was no different. The inspiration was drawn from the mountain and the cold. The prints have a recurring mountain theme and the accessories capture what the snowy season is all about. Featured in this wintery wonderland collection were icicle necklaces, silvery sequins, crystal beading and bags that mimicked shards of ice. They collection began with dresses, leggings, and winter coats that ranged from dark grey and yellow to white and black. The collection ended with icy sapphires, corals, various shades of emerald and aqua blues, even Jamaican water would envy. Pucci definitely didn’t let his fans down with this collection.

The Queen of Eccentric

Just from looking at Ms. Sui’s Fall 2008 Collection it is safe to say that she is a multi-cultural and talented person. Born in America, Anna Sui has always had an eye out for fashion. At a young age she began making her own clothes. “I was completely obsessed. I don’t know how my parents put up with me,” Sui stated. Since then she has evolved into one of America’s top designers with her eccentric style and bold colorful patterns. The Fall 2008 Collection is the most colorful of them all. Every tunic, pants, and shirt has some style of a geometric pattern, almost tribal-like. The aesthetic movement, Tiffany vases, fortuny pleats, Gustav Klimt, and American Indians are the inspiration for this season. It is evident that Anna Sui has many inspirations (the prince of prints, Emilio Pucci being one of them), and she makes good use of her surroundings.

The King of Pansies

This year Balenciaga has outdone himself by using some astonishing graphics in his Spring 2008 Collection. The color scheme consists of a plethora of vibrant colors, such as snorkel blues, tangerine oranges, kelp greens, soft pinks, and bumble-bee yellow—just to name a few.
Nicolas Ghesquiere, the head designer for Balenciaga says he was exploring new territory because he had done prints before, but never thought of using flowers to enhance the collection. Bringing nature to the runway, Balenciaga is in full bloom this spring using pansies, peonies, daffodils, and hyper- gorgeous hydrangeas to his advantage, with this revolutionary technique.
Balenciaga wanted to create ensembles on the catwalk with standout shoulder lines, wide-bell shaped hips, and knee-high, woven, leather gladiator boots. Nicolas Ghesquiere has an eye for architect design and he is a sculptor of shape, with innovative graphics he is promised longevity in fashion industry.

This is only the beginning for graphics in fashion.

Trend Setters

2008-07-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Stylists can be known as cosmetologist, hair stylist, beautician, but we are also known as trend setters. Your hairstyle completes your look after you've put your clothes, make-up, and jewelry on. As a stylist you have to keep up with the latest trends. Styles come and they go, and as a stylist you need to stay on top of current trends. Some of the current trends for women of all ethnicities is the classic bob. Everyone is wearing this, whether it's stacked, classic, assymetrical, or choppy everyone wants a bob. Another trend is hair is bangs, whether it's a swoop bang, side bang, or chinese bangs (blunt bangs right across the forehead). The trend for short cuts are assymetrical and spiky. It's easy to style and low maintenance. I enjoy what I do, I have been styling hair professionally for 2 years. I started out at a young age with my doll babies, and eventually started doing family and friends hair. In high school I had the opportunity to go to beauty school. So I took advantage of that opportunity and graduated from high school with my diploma and cosmetologist license. I began working at the age of 18, I have gained many skills and I would like to become a fashion stylist or platform artist in the near future.

Welcome

2008-07-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone. I am a very creative person when it comes to styling hair. I have been blessed with talented hands. I currently work at a hair salon, but I am working my way to owning my own salon and spa in the near future. My main focus is styling hair, but I would love to have, massage,waxing, manicure, and pedicure services.