During #BlackHistory Month | #NYFW | #SMWNY - Black Dress 2012 looked at Kaj Designs

Image- screen shot of website from  Fashion Designers/ and Label, Kaj Designs  

Raison D’Etre

Black  History Month, New York Fashion Week , Valentine’s day  and Social Media Week New York  - all collided the week  of  February 12-17^th 2012 , so for Black Dress 2012 - I chose to look at Black  Fashion Designers and their web presence, rather that  read the post mortem on the “lack’ of  a Black presence… they usually  simply count models anyway. somewhere alomg the line  i decided to share some of it ... 

 

Designers can click to This  LINK to submit or enter info ...

If You want to follw Black Dress and get info and links register andd login at www.Bkfff.com!

I am creating a list of designers under various key  maketing Labels... Black dress looks at Designers of African heritage as well as those wth an "African" Aesthetic and even  those who do "Black Dress" as in Formal Wear

 

Please check BD2012.BKFFF.COM  for dedicated pages, as it 

 

 

 

During #BlackHistory Month | #NYFW | #SMWNY - Black Dress 2012 looked at Big Girls United

Image- screen shot of website from  Fashion Designers and Label,   Big Girls United a label that seeks to “unite all women of different ethnic backgrounds who embrace their curves and are full of self confidence by being secure with their bodies” .

Raison D’Etre

Black  History Month, New York Fashion Week , Valentine’s day  and Social Media Week New York  - all collided the week  of  February 12-17^th 2012 , so for Black Dress 2012 - I chose to look at Black  Fashion Designers and their web presence, rather that  read the post mortem on the “lack’ of  a Black presence… they usually  simply count models anyway. somewhere alomg the line  i decided to share some of it ... 

Designers can click to This  LINK to submit or enter info ...

If You want to follw Black Dress and get info and links register andd login at www.Bkfff.com!

I am creating a list of designers under various key  maketing Labels... Black dress looks at Designers of African heritage as well as those wth an "African" Aesthetic and even  those who do "Black Dress" as in Formal Wear

Please check BD2012.BKFFF.COM  for dedicated pages, as it relates to  Black Dress 2012 research and  for links to web sites! I'll Be adding others as the night/month goes on!

 

During #BlackHistory Month | #NYFW | #SMWNY - Black Dress 2012 looked at Ashaka Givens

Image- screen shot of website from  Fashion Designers and Label,  Ashaka Givens... Please check BD2012.BKFFF.COM  for dedicated pages, as it relates to  Black Dress 2012 research and  for links to web sites! I'll Be adding others as the night month goes on!

 

This is a Lot of work but  by the end I hope to have a comprehensive list of deigners and to  be better acquainted with  what makes them  unique! 

Designers Click to This  LINK to submit or enter info  

If You want to follw Black dress and get info and links register nad login at www.Bkfff.com!

I am creating a list of designers under various key  maketin Labels... Black dress looks at Designers of Afican heritage as well as those wth an "African" Aesthetic and Evn  those who do "Black Dress as in Formal Wear

Raison D’Etre

Black  History Month, New York Fashion Week , Valentine’s day  and Social Media Week New York  - all collided the week  of  February 12-17^th 20012 , so for Black Dress 2012 I chose to look at Black  Fashion Designers and their web presence, rather that  read the post mortem on the “lack’ of  a Black presence… they usually  simply count models anyway.  I started with a Google search but had to augment with my social network, since most designers could not be “found”, connecting to and rediscovering my design colleagues.  I took a screen shot of each site  checked their social media presence. Not easy since  there is not a valid list per say that simply points to these designers.

 

Designers also  do not link to or connect to each other. Many had only  flash websites, not accessible by  mobile. It was a lot of work .

As for individual e-commerce capabilities… check each website. or select however I like  boutique shopping in a cluster one location with access to  all my faves. Add you name to  this VIP list

Next week I will post the galleries  from those whose images I have from my collection on  www.brooklynFashionGallery.com    over the  next few months will be augmented with a review of the designer's and label the deadline April May 2012… designers submit your info here…

 

WHY… as a design student I searched the shelves of FIT, library and spent a LOT of time in the costume lab… hoping to  find black designers. I am stopped all the time by peoplewho recognize me in Brooklyn and asked for specific colleagues.  My emails same thing. BEFORE They SHOP you they need to FIND you.

 

Black Dress 2012 is looking at-  the present state of Black Fashion! During February to commemorate Black history Month, NYFW and Social Media Week  New York Y  I  Take to the web  to find Black  fashion and designers…  Deciding how to proceed was difficult I opted to see them as today’s consumers would by “googling” them and visiting their web  presence… if one existed… A screen shot is presented with links to their site…  Over the course of the year I hope  to interview as many as these designers as possible..  Please feel free to contact me and recommend or suggest  at http://www.bkfff.com/bd2012/  

 

Video curation when ready will be hosted here 

Articles on Black  dress at  Http://bd2012.bkfff.com

Join our mailing Fashioning technology, for tips and discussions on  how technology can  help your business!

Quirky- Teh Site for Inventors Quaterly Town Meeting meeting is live at 8pm - This is how Open is Done

via ustream.tv

It's time designers get up to date with some of the new design startups! I love to "attend" these meetings! They are Inspirational! If You have not yet met Quirky tune in! this is a site for those who love to invent solutions

WILLIAMSBURG FASHION WEEKEND S/S 2012-Friday, February 17th and Saturday, February 18th

Melissa Lockwood's Iqtest  NYC

The tenth season of Williamsburg Fashion Weekend is here, and we are continuing our commitment to giving a platform to designers who push the envelope with their designs, as well as their business practices. Following reviews in many online and print media including The Huffington Post, Refinery29, Village Voice and Time Out New York, past designers have gone on to develop world class companies in fashion, entertainment and production.

 

The designers, who come from all over the world, uncorrupted by corporate agendas, are creating clothes inspired by their own inner vision and passion, which makes their clothes, works of art. However, the clothes and the shows are extremely different from each other, since the designers' approaches to fashion differ. Art and fashion intermingle to create unexpected outcomes, from ready-to-wear to pure conceptual art pieces. Designers who show their collections at Williamsburg Fashion Weekend are encouraged to use their artistic visions and veer away from the classic runway format. Various artistic mediums are used to punctuate the viewer's experience. Responsible business practices are as important to Williamsburg Fashion Weekend's designers as the design itself. Past participants have used recycling, upcycling, sustainable and fair trade fabrics as well as local manufacturing to ensure that their clothes and businesses contribute to the well-being of global and local communities.

 

PRESS: From 7:30pm to 9pm February 17th and 18th, members of the press are invited to the venue to meet the designers and preview their collections. 

 

What: Williamsburg Fashion Weekend (10^th season)

 

When: Friday, February 17^th and Saturday, February 18^th

Doors open at 8:00 pm, First Show 9:00pm (sharp)

 

Where: Glasslands Gallery 289 Kent Ave. Williamsburg, Brooklyn

 

Who:

Friday February 17th:
Minnae Chae http://minnaechae.com/
Derrick Hinds http://www.facebook.com/people/Derrick-Hinds/1541513742
Melissa Lockwood (IQTEST) http://iqtest-nyc.com/
Andrea Diodati http://www.electriclovelight.com/
Mark Tauriello http://www.marktauriello.com/

DJ: Justice Marchi

 

Saturday February 18th:
Marco Santaniello http://www.marcosantaniello.com/  accessories by Evol Heist
Uta Brauser & Kaliptus  EVOLVE WEAR
Nathalie Kraynina http://www.nathaliekraynina.com/
Laura Brook Texter "YesterDayNight" BY: Laura-Brook Texter  Cornelius Loy who is a Thermin player
Stephanie Hinson

DJ: Justice Marchi

 

 

How: Glasslands Gallery

Brooklyn, NY

(718) 599-1450

289 Kent Ave (between South 1st and South 2nd Sts) Williamsburg, Brooklyn

$10 admission each night

glasslands.blogspot.com

Subway: L to Bedford Ave.

 

Arthur Arbit ( Founder )

Alicia Osborne ( Production )

Sarah Ruplin ( Public Relations )

Ingrid deGranier ( Public Relations )

 

WILLIAMSBURG FASHION WEEKEND SAMPLE SALE

 

When: Sunday, February 19, 2012

 

Where: Secret Project Robot
389 Melrose Street

Brooklyn (Bushwick), NY

1:00pm-7:00pm

 

How: L train to Jefferson Street

Open to the public, free entry

BROOKLYN FASHION WEEK - A Brooklyn based & Virtual Show and Trade program, helping Independent Designers and in Fashion & Home, connect to Buyers, Boutiques, Shoppers, Bloggers & Press and Fans!

via brooklynfashionweek.com

Even In Fashion Tech It's about providing Wardrobe Acqusition Services!

It's Black History Month and #NYFW will start soon, if you're a Black Designer please add sign up  to  be listed in Black Dress 2012 ... it's an intensive look at Global Black  fashion!

The fact is I seriously believe the  Fashion Sector needs a dose of reality! What happened to well made clothing women can actually buy and add to their wardrobe! Why all the Gimmicks in images! 

We're preparing for a busy month and I'm currently working on Black dress 2012 which ask teh question- How do you define Black Dress? Black Dress | Dress Black - What imagery does either phrase conjure up! Black Dress 2012 is a study  In association with Journalist Fabian Burrell

There are the subtle nuances that states, you “dress Black,” or are they the nuances in imagery that “prevents” inclusion and often have magazines looking like a “copy”! Then again there is  formal wear or is it the ethnicity of the designer!...Bonnie Sandy

We're opening up the  dialogue on Black Dress as well as the opportunity to  submit  for listing  listing on   2012 !

Register or  Login ( use this form)  to see the First Outline or to  participate or follow!

for me Black dress meant Formal Attire... My  aetehic is "Caribbean'  my  fit  is "easy' and my preference is teh real Body... My  customers run teh gamut and body shape more than "ethnicity" drives my design!

It took me a while to claim my Croquis! 

Even though I knew that  they were more representative
Those are my croquis, The figures i sket on, colored to celebrate Black History Month! I hve them unclothed in my  FB  timeline But  decided  to  simply "put some clothes on them"  for "decency sake" LOL

but that Knawing feeng that something was not rignt has been  at teh back of my mind! I am a designer my role is NOT selling "image" but rather facilitating Wardrobe Acquisition! I Specialize in dressing and fitting women with real Bodies! I know Very few women who are ten heads tall and a size 4! Contrary to popular belief 12" heals (ok that's an exaggeration) but heels elevate you off the ground... you 're still a size 12, 5'6' women just a Size 12, 5" 6" women perched 12 imches
off the ground!

In Design School

I "Ignored" Illustration classes I hated them!

I could not identify with the Fashion fantasy Model! Contrary to what many believe it's not easier to design for a ten head figure! We were trained to perceive that figure as "correct" and desirable then sent to dress "real" Women!

I ended a seven year project in December and I  am making a massive transition as I prepare for the next phase, I will be revamping all past sites and profiles... reconnecting and cleaning my mailing list and social networks! I am also centering Those projects around  core values; authentic creative voice! A huge challenge in a society that requires silence! We're too cute and sophisticated to be honest... with ourselves or with others!

So I start a new phase paying Homage to women and their truth like it or leave it! I Love my curves even yes even ones I draw and dress!

interested in Croquis then check  www.282ac.com/mycanvazz