What I've Learned...

I've learned that the best thing in the world is to have friends who really know you and who really love you. And most importantly, to have friends you can cry with.

I'm not talking about the laughing so hard til you cry cry. I'm talking about the ugly cry. The snot in your nose, body shaking cry. The kind where you get caught up in to the point where you loose your breath cry.

I personally think crying can be very cleansing. After a good cry I always feel lighter and a bit relieved. I think crying is one of the more intimate experiences two people can share. To allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of someone, to trust them with your emotions in such a way is an indication of deep trust.

I also believe this kind of crying is partnered with an opportunity to learn and sometimes to resolve. After all. Crying is just another way to let go.

I'm blessed to have more than one person in my life I can share this type of emotion with. And I'm honored to know I have friends who can lean there heads on my shoulder and be sure I'm a safe place to release their emotion.

Sincerly, Angela...

I've decided to do what I do best and go with what I know.

One of the reasons I never continued to build my blog is because I got some not-so-supportive feedback. Mainly, I was told my posts were way too long. "This is the internet. Nobody wants to read that much!", were the sentiments of the feedback I received. I'm in a new place and I've realized I just gotta do me and hope people will fall in line. This blog is an extension of me. It's very representative of how I think and expresses what I like.

My earlier writing experiences were for newspapers and the articles I penned had to fill space. And, ofcourse, I got paid by the inch. So the longer the story, the bigger my paycheck.

Anyway. I hope you enjoy what I have to offer. Over time I hope my blog will develop and grow into something pretty col. But most importantly, I hope you take this journey with me!!

Sincerely, Angela

Music I'm Loving Right Now...

Okay. So I'm a huge Kelly Rowland fan. I was highly anticipating her album release. I hate to say it but I'm a little underwhelmed. I don't know what it is about Kelly, but she strikes me as the kind of artist who' is looking to impress instead being true to who she is. I don't know. I could be wrong.

Despite the lackluster album, there are a few songs I'm really feeling. Check out:

"Keep It Between Us" (By far my favorite)
"Lay It On Me"
"All Of The Night"





One of the things I love about my job, besides doing makeup, is the music. It's ridiculous. In the course of one day I'll hear everything from meringue to hip hop to R&B to Deep House to Dance Hall to... well, you get the point. So, my newest infatuation is Fenech-Soler. I don't know how long they've been around but I just picked up the EP Demons. It's pretty stellar. It's kinda electronica kinda alternative. Their music has a good beat and good lyrics. I'm also feeling "Stop and Stare" from Kitsune Maison Compilation 9.

I also purchased this week, "Flowers" and "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight". Two oldies but goodies from Amos Lee.

Models On Top... Chanel Iman

Wow! Simply stunning. Chanel Iman was spotted hanging out at Coachella. I'm totally feeling her sheer tone look. It's very modern and sexy. I love that she lightened her hair as well.

Mmm...Love

Blog Alert!!!

The Beauty Brains

thebeautybrains.com

Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means.

For the cosmetic enthusiast, this blog is a must-view! With reviews on everything from cleansing conditioners to the real deal behind organic products. The Beauty Brains have you covered.

Beautiful Lady

I just came across this still of Jennifer Lopez on the set of her new video. I have to say...simply beautiful. I'm so inspired by the thick lashes, liner and clean skin. Someone will be getting this look this week!

A New Start at Halston

I tagged along with agent extraordinaire Teqn to see his model, and my former protege, Megan McNierney, model in Halston's Fall 2010 Presentation. It was fun to witness the fashion fury firsthand after being absent from the shows for such a long time. The last show I walked was more than a few years ago. Yikes!

I never understand why designers choose to do presentations as opposed to fashion shows. They just don't pack the same punch. Mario Scwab's collection probably benefited from the presentation because it was so small.

This show represented what I liked best and what I liked least about the industry. There's an inherent excitement backstage at a show. And the bigger the label, the more intense and extravagant it will be. A highlight was witnessing "Carrie Bradshaw" herself, Sarah Jessica Parker, being escorted through the masses of onlookers there to witness the re-birth of Halston. The downside to all this hype is the rudeness and the extreme pretentiousness. I was shoved and push so much I felt like I was at a sporting event.

Overall it was good experience. ad a pretty decent exhibition. Would have loved to see a mean runway show, though!

Vogue Get's In: Diversity Is Afoot!

First I want to say I procrastinate like nobody's business. I wanted to write about this issue when first I saw it, but didn't. Oh well. I'm working on it.

Liya Kebede on the cover. Wow. Vogue is making unprecedented history and I love it! Even without a brown face on the cover this would have been a pretty amazing issue.

I must admit I was bummed Chanel Iman wasn't on the cover as she's my favorite. But I guess Liya is Anna's favorite and I can't hate. But if we're talking about models of the moment than surely Chanel has a greater presence in the current fashion scene. Aside from Liya's Estee Lauder campaign, which is no doubt a huge accomplishment, I've not seen much of her since 2008. Chanel on the other hand is all over the place. Most recently I caught her on the cover of Lula's May issue and on ID's May cover. She's also been featured in five other editorials since the start of the year along with campaigns and working the shows. Chanel is also co-hosting the revised House of Style with Bar Rafaeli.

And talking about diversification. This issue has a sprinkling of some of my most favorite models. Linda, Naomi, Christy and Iman. Three or four pages in and Elle McPherson is featured in a new Revlon ad for a new Age Defying foundation whose design is very reminiscent of YSL's Perfect Touch launched in 2006. I must admit it's one of my favorite foundations. Inspired by the lines highly popular Touche Eclat, Perfect Touch brightens and leaves the skin feeling light, soft and illuminated. I'll have to check out Revlon's version to see how it compares. Depending on where you purchase your Vogue you may or may not have this ad. But, anyway, I digress.

Naomi takes us on an exhibition through her New York apartment turned closet as she "cleans the cobwebs". Some pieces are donated to museums, some are gifted to fashion schools and some are held for auction. She even keeps some pieces as inspiration for her clothing line, 284, launched in Brazil.

Naomi also shares her opinion at a roundtable luncheon with iconic models Lauren Hutton, Iman and Paulina Porizkova; fashion fixtures Hillary Rhoda and Caroline Trentini and newcomer Karlie Kloss. Lauren schools on the business of modeling in the 70's, Iman celebrates the current monster walkers Sesilee Lopez and Raquel Zimmerman and Karlie espouses on the demands of the business on today's top model.

And then there's Daria. Truth be told, I didn't much care for Daria Werbowy upon her arrival in the late 90's. She was part of a trend of girls I deemed unfantastic, personality-free, deer-in-headlights imposters. Harsh I know. My assessment was more about the decline of the true supermodel era than the debasement of the undeniable beauty this new crop of models possessed. In a beautiful spread, shot by David Simms, Daria's' true talent is captured as a compelling fashion chameleon. What I like most about the spread is it's mix of studio and location shots. A little less typical.

Natalia Vodianova appears on the three-page pullout cover and in an editorial depicting legendary models of yore.

Model Lakshmi Menon is cast in a stunningly colorful and romantic spread set in her hometown of Goa. What I like most about her inclusion is she's not mainstreams' idea of an Indian woman. Her deep bronzed skin is a truer reflection of the diverse hues inherit in Indian society. Lakshmi appears on the cover of Vogue India's May edition.

Also in this issue:

* A cute little flash of Kanye West and his affection for the color red.

* A charming editorial of models with their better halves. Check out Greg Andrews, Doutzen Kroes adorably handsome dj boyfriend.

* Features and snapshots of Karen Elson, "model as muse" Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, cover model Jourdan Dunn, 90's glamazon Kristen McMenamy, Amber Valletta , Carolyn Murphy and Gisele B.

I always love the group covers. Some of my favorites.

Models On Top

Since the now landmark, all black issue of Italian Vogue, the prominence of Black models can be seen all over the place. Three models stand above the fray.

Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn and Sessilee Lopez are three young ladies not old enough to buy liquor (at least not here in the states) but are commanding alot of attention in a very adult business.

In the 70's & 80's black models were all over the runways. Yves Saint Laurent was known for his preference of using Black models in his shows. It was a trend popular among other European and American designers. At the time Calvin Klein, Donna Karan & Anna Sui all showed their collections with a multi-cultural mix of models often including asians and latinas.

In the 90's the supermodel was born. Out of this original group only one was black and that was Naomi Campbell. I believe this is when we started to see fewer Blacks on the runways. As the worlds attention focused on a small group of priviledged pretty faces, most of those being white, advertisers tastes began to reflect thoses of the masses. It soon came to pass the only Black faces being seen belonged to Campbell, Tyra Banks, Beverly Peele & Kiara Kabukuru.

Chanel Iman is probably the highest paid of this new guard of Black models. At least according to models.com . Ms Iman is building herself an impressive career. She's a favorite at Dior and Chanel runway and is an editorial darling. She can also be seen in ads for Gap, Lord & Taylor and Beneton.

Sessilee has become a recent favorite of mine. Maybe because we share the same chocolatey brown complexion! Something else I love about her is the spunky attitude she possesses. And when she's on the runway she has this quiet confidence that adds a sense of grace and opulence to anything she's wearing. Ms. Lopez can currently be seen in Barney's, Calvin Klein and Gap ads.

Jourdan Dunn is a separate beast altogether. Born in London, this brit exudes intelligence, confidence and elegance. I truly believe in the next few years Jourdan Dunn will become a worldwide household name. Jourdan was the first Black model to walk Prada in 10 years since Naomi Campbell. That is no small feat! Jourdan is all over the place. She can be seen in ads for Top Shop, Beneton & Gap.

American Vogue: Once You Go Black...

I was stunned, to say the least, when I saw Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue's March cover. It made sense in a way considering how many covers our first family has graced. I figured Anna Wintour is jumping on the bandwagon in an attempt to quiet the magazines long standing criticism on its failure to represent Black women.

So imagine my surprise upon seeing April's cover featuring Beyonce. Wow! I didn't know what to think. I wondered: is this a sign of what's to come? Has American Vogue turned over a new leaf? Well, probably not.

Although the appearance of Black faces on two consecutive covers is unprecedented, I don't believe this marks a turning point for the magazine. Once inside, the old story continues - all the features and editorials are dominated almost entirely by white women. Truth be told, I do believe a conscious effort has been made to include more women of color. Unfortunately all other ethnicity's have been excluded. I can't recall one Asian or Latin model in either of the recent two issues. So much for progress.

I have a feeling this new interest in diversification is the aftermath of Italian Vogue's All Black Issue.

Fashion insiders are all too familiar with the eurocentric dominance and inherit racism within the industry. As a young model I remember being struck with the reality that black models simply don't get as much work as their white counterparts. There are of course exceptions but they are few and far between.

Dolce & Gabbana - Put On A New Face

As if Dolce & Gabanna didn't already have a full artillery for the uber-chic sex siren with tiny waisted, high hemmed fashion and seductive fragrances, they've decided to give her a face to match.

Super-makeup artist, Pat McGrath, was enlisted to create the new line of lipsticks and powders. Prices start around $29 for nail varnish and cap at $60 for foundation. If McGrath is able to weave the same magic into this line as she did for Armani, then Dolce & Gabanna will have a winner. The Armani collection is known for its sumptuous textures and rich hues and consists of a very edited selection of skincare, color and brushes. The Dolce & Gabanna lipsticks have names like "Devil" and "Drama" with eyeshadows christened "Guilty" and "Elegance".

Scarlett Johansson was chosen as the official spokesmodel and made appearences with the dynamic duo during fashion week in Milan for the launch. In this ad Scarlett wears a signature Dolce face, sans red lip. The smoldering, dark-rimmed eye, light apricot cheek and almost nude tangerine lip mark a clean start. Although some ads do show Johansson in the signature brick red lip we've come to expect.

The new line will be sold at La Rinascente in Milan, Selfridges in London and Saks Fifth Avenue here in the US.