Model Pioneer....Naomi Sims

Ever since I can remember being in elementary, and middle school, black History month has been a very BIG DEAL. Although I attend an HBCU, it doesn't feel the same with the enthusiasm, and knowledge that I received in grade school. Their isn't even any information on black pioneers to inspire us on our history. I know about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. But is their any pioneers that came from fashion?? Well LADIES AND GENTS, I'm writing to inform you of someone that is (capital)F-I-E-R-C-E! I think of her as an FASHIONISTA.
Naomi Sims, born March 30, 1948 the first black model on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in Nov. 1968, during the black is beautiful movement. She moved on to designing collections of wigs and cosmetics called The Naomi Sims Collections for black women. She is the author of five books on health, beauty, and success. Born in Oxford, Mississippi and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa, she attended The Fashion Institute of Technology and New York University, Sims became one of the first successful black model while still in her teens, and achieved worldwide recognition from the late 1960's into the early 70's.

DID YOU KNOW? Hollywood took an interest in Sims in 1972 and offered her the title role Cleopatra Jones, but when she read the script, she was applaud by the racist portrayal of blacks in the movie, and turned it down.

Naomi Sims died of breast cancer on August 1, 2009, age 61, in Newark, New Jersey. She is survived by her son Bob Findlay, and granddaughter, and her sister Betty Sims.
Although she passed, her spirit lives on with the faces of Tyra,Naomi, and Iman
her fierce walk, unforgettable face, and loving smile, Sims has blessed the world(CLASSIC MODELS) with her presence......
That's all i have today, but if you have any questions feel free to email me @ Christinjhnsn@yahoo.com THANKS :)

Green.... The New Color of Recycling, and Fashion?

Retail Stores are in rare form Ladies, and Gents!!! Winter clothes are getting sold at low prices, and shipments of Spring clothes are coming in slowly but surely. And while looking through windows of H&m, Macy's, and looking at the accessory themes at New York & Co., and Forever 21. All that I see is.... Green. I know you think Green and think "Gross Oscar the Grouch"?? But this green is nowhere near MEAN. The shade of green I think will be in full effect this summer is (drum roll): Kelly Green. A marvelous color that has definitely been in and out of the fashion spotlight for years, but this time around I think this color will do wonders for all-in-one short jumpsuits, summer dresses, linen pants, summer sandals, classic, and EDGY heels and also evening wear such as cocktail dresses. Designers are also using all shades of vibrant greens for attention of the audience and their crazed fans of their clothing. Does this movement of green have anything to do with "Going Green"?? If so I'm totally psyched about fashion, and the environment going hand-in-hand agreeing that we NEED a better, cleaner WORLD. Yes, their is some organizations such as GreenFashion, but WE NEED MORE!!! Fashion magazines,runaway shows, and more designer's recycling items to make clothes, or fancy pocketbooks, or wallets!
We also need to enforce that WE do have ecological problems on our planet, and it's up to us to conserve our natural resources.I remember reading Al Gore's quote in 2007 stating "The planet is in distress and all of the attention is on Paris Hilton." Be that as it may, Gore is totally right. But that's what appeals to us as a younger generation. So if we can "mesh" these 2 ideas together FASHION & PROJECT GREEN. We might have something that will reach millions!!
Maybe it's a way we can enforce what Global Warming is doing to our environment, as well as be Fashion Forward?? Mm mm.... interesting thought I must say.
Comments on this subject are definitely A MUST. let me know how you feel about this concern, and what you think we can do to combining the 2 factors. Until then PEACE

The fashion world looses a icon..... too soon

Feburary 11. 2010 Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen(40) was found hanged at his home in the Hyde Way Park section of London Thursday morning. What was a shock to the public, was also shocking and devasting to his family and friends. Burying his mother (Joyce McQueen) 10 days prior to his suicide. On his twitter account the previous week of his death, McQueen said he had an "awful" week. It saddens me to see that I will never get the chance to interview him, or talk to him about the great and outrageous clothes, or his exuberant fashion shows that I always read about. But this blog entry is not to morn the lost of Alexandar McQueen, it's written to celebrate him! In a short time McQueen has became one of my favorite designers, I love how he takes risks and leaves the crowd at his fashion shows daring to be different, out of the box, FIRECE. I didn't notice his work (Sad to say) until I was watching a old re-run of one of my favorite Sex and the City episodes. While dreaming, and drooling over Carrie's outfit, I NEEDED to know who was dressing these "come-to-life" New York barbie's.... And whoever it was, i was definitly becoming a fan. To my surprise it was Alexandar McQueen!
I've heard a lot about him but never really cared to do any research. But after that day, I was dead set to follow his career.... His lastest fashion show was for Paris fashion week Spring/Summer 2010, where his theme was League Under the Sea. Where there were vibrant, forest inspired colors which I totally LOVED! It reminded me of the shocking outfit Jennifer Lopez wore at the grammy's in 2000. Talk about a risk (lol)Nevertheless Alexandar McQueen was a great man of fashion following his work for this last decade has been both insightful and eleganctly spontaneous..... To Mr. McQueen a great man of fashion Rest in Peace