Happy Monday: A Night At the Hyatt

Hey all! How was your weekend? I enjoyed mine. I was fortunate enough to spend a night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here in Trinidad. I have to say I was really impressed with not only the quality of the room but the service from the staff. But enough talk, let me show you the pictures..

The view from outside

Complimentary glass of champagne

The room

The view from the patio at breakfast

I don't have too many pics because the batteries in my camera died. (Don't you hate when that happens!) But I had a great night in the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. Thanks to Auntie Lyssie for the grad present!

Here's the Hyatt Regency Trinidad's website, if you want more information.

Makin' Style in the Caribbean!: Interview with designer Stacy Smith

These days Caribbean Fashion is becoming more and more prominent. With a number of platforms available such as Caribbean Fashion Week and fashion weeks in some of the individual islands, there are now more opportunities for the people of the region to see the work of homegrown designers. I've decided to find out a little bit more about the designers behind all this sartorial creativity. The first in the series: Stacy Smith of Stacy Smith Designs in Trinidad and Tobago.



Why did you decide to become a fashion designer?

I was always good with my hands. Great at art and sewing, so in secondary school I just decided to put them together and see how it worked out

You said that you were always artistic even at a young age. Do you come from a family of creative people?

I actually am from an artistic family. Musically and artistically inclined. My both grandmothers used to sew, one made patched quilts and the other made stuffed toys. It's in my blood.

Are you formally trained or self taught? I have been trained in the art of sewing but not fashion design.


Tell me about your most recent collection. What was the inspiration for your pieces?

The theme ´Go Green´ was partly my inspiration because it made me stop and think about eco friendly fabrics. That´s why most of my swimsuits in this line are cotton blends. The other part of my inspiration is my rebelliousness to materials. I never like to use what is normal to everyone else. I like to make gowns in cotton and that may not be very normal to some.

What drives you to use unconventional materials, for example cotton for creating gowns. Is it the challenge of creating something new and different?

I like to use cotton because I think in this country we should be using light fabric only because it's always sooooo hot. Most people have this misconception that when I say cotton they think brown cotton, so that's why I'm trying to show everybody interested that almost everything can be made with cotton and still look classy, expensive and stylish





What's next for you? Do you plan on showing your designs anywhere else in the near future?

I plan on participating in Caribbean Fashion Week next year I just have to get a sponsor. I also want to go to the UK to establish myself there as one of Trinidads talents

Do you sell your clothing online?

I am in the process of putting up a wesite where my stuff can be sold

Where can the public go if we want to find out more information about you? Website, Myspace, Facebook etc?

I am on facebook. I have a group called ´The Smith House´ which has my collections from last year and this years Trinidad Fashion Week



(Photos via The Smith House)

RIP Michael Jackson(!?!)

I didn't want to believe it but with more and more news organisations confirming that it's true, I have to come to terms with it: Michael Jackson is dead.

I think it's so hard to believe because the music he gave us is so timeless and full of life. Fifty years from now, Billie Jean will still make people wanna groove. How could you forget the inimitable "Thriller" dance. The man and his music, especially in his heyday, was just such a trailblazer. He truly was the King of pop.

I'm thinking about my favourite Micheal Jackson song. When I was younger I used to want to be in the Black or White video. I still jam to Wanna Rock With You (All Night..) when it comes on the radio. What's your favourite MJ song? Leave an answer in the comments.

(Almost) Daily Project Pic!

I've been slacking on my daily project pics! Here's a new piece for my jewelry line.

Love the jewelry? Check out the blog that comes with it here. You can even get free stuff! And who doesn't love that?

Black Love: Omar Epps and wife Keisha Spivey

I find that this couple keeps a pretty low profile so much so that I didn't even know that Epps was married. According to imdb.com they have two kids together.

I think they make a beautiful couple. What do you think?

Beauty: Nneka

"Born in Nigeria,singer Nneka relocated some 10,000 miles to Hamburg, Germany, at the age of nineteen to pursue acareer in singing along side a degree in Anthropology. Having landed in the German port, the singer hooked up with DJ and Hip-Hop beatmaker DJ Farhot and ever since, their strong musical relationship has been the backbone of Nneka’s success. Her influences reflect her younger days in Nigeria as well as her time in the Western world. The distance she has travelled shines through in her voice as does her diverse musical influences. She cites famous compatriot Fela Kuti and legend Bob Marley as well as contemporary rappers Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Mobb Deep and Lauryn Hill as key influences in her pursuit of musical recognition."



Read more here..

Trailerwatch: American Violet

Based on true events surrounding an extensive drug raid on the poor, predominantly black housing project of Arlington Springs, Texas director Tim Disney’s AMERICAN VIOLET brings stark focus on the racial profiling used by a corrupt district attorney in a rural Texas town. The raid, which occurs after a tip by a single informant targets, among others, the central character Dee, a single mother of four with no prior drug charges.

When the attorney assigned to her case attempts to pressure her into a guilty plea Dee refuses, rightly insisting that she has done no wrong. So begins an epic struggle between herself and those in her corner with the villanous D.A. Calvin Beckett (played by Michael O’Keefe)whose tough on crime tactics are simply a cover for his own racist ideas.

Necklace Giveaway!

This necklace is free from my jewelry line. For more information click here!

Happy Monday!, Singer Ayo Ogunmakin, Positive Vibes

I know I left off on Friday on a bit of a sad note. Even though most of us (including myself) want to pretend that negativity does not exist,unfortunately it does.

But I think it's important not to dwell on that negativity too much or else you get sucked into it as well. So today I am challenging myself to focus on the beauty that comes with being alive.

One of the most beautiful things on this earth is music. I recently found out about a singer named Ayo and I really love her music. Her full name is Ayo Ogunmakin and according to this article she was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and Romanian mother. Her new album, Joyful has gone double platinum in France where she's signed to a record label.


Here is the video to her song "Life is Real." It will make you dance in your seat! (I took really long to finish this post because I have the track on repeat..lol)

RIP Tecia Henry

I want to take time today to reflect on a life that was taken much too soon. Tecia Henry was a ten year old girl who was strangled to death this week here in Trinidad. I did not know her or her family but I do feel saddened by her death and the deaths of other children who have been killed both here and across the world. Who knows who they could have become if their lives had been spared.

Sorry if I have depressed you but I felt the need to write a few words about this. If you would like to express your thoughts on this senseless killing there is a Facebook group dedicated to her memory here.

Black Love: Eva Marcille and Lance Gross

She's the winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 3 and an actress on the Young and the Restless. He's an an actor on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Together they're a sexy mix of chocolate and caramel. Yum!

Beauty: Carmen Solomon

Model Carmen Solomon is so racially ambiguous. I'm sure she gets the question, "what are you?" pretty often.

Carmen is represented by BOSS Models.

Black Love: The Obamas

I'm starting a new feature called Black Love, where I'll talk about black men and women who are making,(or seem to be making) their relationships work.

Who else could I feature first but the First family of the United States. I've read a couple of articles recently about men feeling like they have to step up now because of how well Obama treats his wife, i.e. public displays of affection, date nights at broadway shows, and I dunno.. respect and admiration. To that I say, anything that makes men feel they have to step up is alright by me!

Trini Carnival Spread in Vibe Magazine!

Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival is being featured in the June/July fashion spread in Vibe Magazine. Here's a blurb about it featured on Vibe.com:

"Beats! Rhymes! Bikinis! Feathers! If Trinidad & Tobago’s carnival isn’t the world’s biggest block party, it’s definitely the hottest. VIBE returns to the scene of Jay-Z’s 2000 “Big Pimpin’ ” video (featuring UGK), where all you need is a hot soca track and a little bit of rum to move the crowd. But just remember, when you hit the road in Port of Spain, it’s not what you’ve got on, but what’s about to come off."

I'm not sure if I want to remember the fact that a song called Big Pimpin is associated with my nation's culture. Also, Carnival cannot be summed up in the words Beats, Rhymes Bikinis and Feathers or maybe these days it can. In any case, the spread features Miss Trinidad and Tobago Anya Ayoung Chee and local model Kenwyn Millington.

Check out more pics from the spread.

Thanks to Au Courant in the Caribbean for letting me know about this.

Beauty: Valerie June

I just love her locks. If you don't already know, she's a singer. Here she is performing live.

Trailerwatch: Black August

I'm watching this movie tonight so I thought I would share the trailer with you guys.

Based on a true story, Black August follows George Jackson, a revolutionary prison activist during the 1960s and 70s. Jackson was the Field Marshall General of the Black Panther Party and the founder of the infamous Black Guerilla Family. On August 21 1971, he was shot and killed by prison guards in an attempted escape from San Quentin Prison in California.

Even if you are not interested in the history and ideas presented in the movie, you can still use it to stare the fine-ness of Gary Dourdan (yep the black guy who used to be on CSI Las Vegas) one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, in my opinion.

Go ahead, stare at the "fine-ness." Amen and Hallelujah!

Beauty: Diandra Forrest

Model Diandra Forest is not a traditional beauty but that doesn't make her any less stunning. She's an albino and was discovered by photographer Sameer Khan while walking in midtown Manhattan.



Diandra is represented by Elite Model Management.

It's been a while...

... since I blogged. I was busy graduating from university, saying goodbye to Ottawa, my home for the last four years and moving back to Trinidad.



Now that I am home I have several projects that I need to complete:

1) Unpack bags that are strewn all over my room
2) Make new necklaces with turquoise beads and found objects.
3) Continue looking for employment
... The list goes on and on...

What are your plans for the day? How do you keep organised? Do you make a to do list at the beginning of the day? Leave an answer in the comments.

New Necklace: Red plus Black...

My mom asked me to make this for her..

Check out my jewelry blog here

Daily Project Pic: Yellow Dress

The dark parts of this are a deep purple but somehow they look marine blue on screen.

Anyway, leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Design Envy: Lola Faturoti

Lola Faturoti, the granddaughter of tribal chiefs in Nigeria is a fashion designer based in New York. Inspired by her personal history and her African roots, she models her clothes after individualistic icons in popular culture like Nina Simone, Betty Davis and Cate Blanchett.

"My woman doesn't have to be pretty or sexy nor is she superficial, she's a woman who loves both her faults and her strengths"

For more visit her website

Pictures from T&T Fashion Week.

Trinidad and Tobago's second annual fashion week ended on Tuesday and from all accounts the fashion sizzled on the runway. The event did not come off without a hitch as Caribbean Fashion Style Journal has said that there were traffic and overcrowding issues. Hopefully these challenges can be addressed by next year's event.

Now on to the pictures:

Brown Sugar

DLR'd

Mckey in Heather Jones

Claudia Pegus

For more pictures visit Caribbean Fashion Style Journal

Motivation Wednesdays: How do you measure success

A week from today, I'll graduate from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism. If you had asked me four years ago, I'd have said that this achievement would be a pinnacle of success.

Now, after going through the university system, I'm not so sure. I used to define my success by academics and I was always 'the smart girl.' Now that I've completed my degree I'm not sure I want to continue my academic career. At least not right away. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have a degree and I understand that you often need to have a high level of education to 'make it' in this world. But is that the only way to define success.

I decided to do a simple survey via Facebook to see how people measured success. Here are some of the answers I got.

How do you measure success?

"Where you want to be and where you are now...but don't make the mistake and measure by anyone else's standards..."

"By your level of true happiness"

"If you can get up in the morning and still feel good about what you see and have others think it's good to have you in the world, then you have done well."

No one mentioned a university degree.

How about you, how do you measure success? Can it even be measured? Leave your answer in the comments.

Daily Project Pic: Upcoming Projects!

Here's what I have in the works: two dresses and one top to hand paint and two necklaces to make for my jewelry blog. I'm also a freelance writer. Where will I find the time?

Trailerwatch: Chris Rock's Good Hair

Inspired by his daughter's disappointment about not having 'good hair,'Chris Rock explores the complex world of the African American hair industry. He even goes far as India to find that one of that country's biggest exports is the hair sacrificed during religious rituals. This hair more often than not ends up on black women's heads in the Western World.

I looked all over the Interwebs for the trailer but I couldn't find it. I did find an interview that Rock did with Sundance channel about the film.




I wish the whole good hair vs bad hair debate did not exist anymore. Unfortunately, it's still here and is as annoying as an itchy scalp. Hopefully, this movie will be able to open up honest -and even hilarious- discussion about black hair and its significance.

Daily ProjectPic: New Necklace!

This is how I spent most of my weekend: making necklaces. For this one, I loved juxtaposing the circular shapes against the more rectangular shaped beads. The contrast of the shell beads against the wooden beads is interesting too.

Thoughts?

Check out my jewelry blog http://isisjewellery.blogspot.com

Beauty: Dominique Armorer

Dominique Armorer is a Caribbean born model who's currently working on successful international campaigns. Right now, she's tearing up the runways at Trinidad and Tobago's second annual Fashion Week which ends tomorrow



Her beauty burns my eyes.

Read more about T&T's Fashion Week