Wednesday 29 April 2009

The Spirit: People of Colour -Keeping it real at all times....


Words cannot explain the thoughts and feelings -evoked by this incredible photograph. I feel so blessed that through this photograph -I am privy to this most sacred and private moment. And the enormity of what was (and is still) ahead of, 'our' President elect -Barack Obama is clearly echoed by the 'collective coming together of the Spirit' (of an indomitable people -who can't help but to keep it real -at all times). I have always believed, that if you have -a drop of black blood -you simply cannot do this journey (life) without a God, -Be it, 'God in Heaven' or a 'flower God' -or 'whatever' -just don't do -this side of the realm without 'a higher' help. And with that knowledge, -I would like to put these words into the air -for President Barack Obama, his wife, this children, family, friends and, all people of colour and people, -without (because we all know, -words are Spirit, -and they can Bless or curse):

The Lord Bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord Make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24

P.s Today is our President Elect, Barack Obama's 100th day in office -fabulous.....xx

Tuesday 28 April 2009

My Obsession: Roses at Wild at Heart




Uber florist, Nikki Tibble and her trusted staff at, Wild at Heart -know all about roses. Established in 1993; Wild at Heart, is the Bergdorf Goodman -of florists and can be found at, Liberty Department Store (Regent Street, London), Turquoise Island (Westbourne Grove, London) and Wild at Heart Interiors Shop ( Pimlico Road, near Sloane Square, London). From beautiful bouquets to intimate dinner parties, -Wild at Heart, offers a fresh and inspirational approach to flowers. The above arrangements by, 'Team Wild at Heart' -are just gorgeous. www.wildatheart.com

Fashion Goes Nude (S/S 2009)

Stella McCartney


Calvin Klein


Derek Lam


Lanvin


Armani Prive


Alexander McQueen


Balenciaga


Alexander McQueen


Christian Lacroix -Couture


Yves Saint Laurent


Hermes


Derek Lam


Elie Saab


Valentino -couture


Marni


Bottega Veneta


Derek Lam


Christopher Kane

Fashion et al Hearts Thelma Golden









I love Thelma Golden. There is nothing -'too try hard' or 'desperate' about Thelma's style. Pressing, relaxing or frying hair -are a no no in Thelma's world -and her make-up is kept -minimal. This art curator (Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem) is responsible for my favourite phrase, “Post Black,” -a term she coined to describe work by black artists -who create art that transcends -race (or whatever mainstream except of them). Petite (only 4'11ft) and fashion savvy (she is married to Nigerian designer, Duro Olowu) -Thelma knows what suits her -and what wows......fabulous.

Monday 27 April 2009

Hair & Beauty: Power Hair

Picture this, 'our first lady' -Michelle Obama walking down the promenade towards the White house, hand in hand with our newly inaugural-ed, -President Barack Obama. Picture also, millions of women of colour around the world, tentatively watching and praying for Michelle's crowning glory to -'behave'. And it did. The relief -as our first lady's beautifully, relaxed, shoulder length hair (Neat? Check. Soft? Check. Shiny? Check) -moved slightly and gently bounced back into its rightful place (on that windy and momentous day) -must be applauded. Because, we all know, -there are certain occasions (or days) -that demands, -nothing less than [head to toe] perfection -and bad diva hair, -just won't do. Such days are called -Power days. And they require, -'Power Dressing' and 'Power Hair'.

Of course, -some sisters have been rocking 'Power Hair' for years -and guess what? They are all 'Power Players'. Our 'first lady'- Michelle Obama, Valerie Jarrett (Senior Adviser), Desiree Rogers (White House Social Secretary), the former Secretary of State -Condoleezza Rice, Baroness Amos, Attorney General -the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC, -news presenters; Zeinab Badawi (UK), Christine Kelly (France), Katarina Sandstorm (Sweden), Vivian Brown (USA), Isha Sesay (CNN), Rachel Roy (designer and socialite) -Thandie Newton (actress), -George Pau Langeuin (member of the National Assembly of France), Rula Jebreal (Italian news reader and journalist) -Thelma Golden (art curator), and many more, -all have power hair.

Black or dark brown; -healthy and natural, -beautifully relaxed, or a subtle weave-on (a small amount of top quality weave -hidden underneath lush, healthy, shiny and well relaxed hair) or, -keeping it, -as close to what God gave you, -as possible -[a la Thelma Golden and Baroness Amos]. Power Hair does not shout or detract attention -away from the matter at hand. A beauty editor once said, 'Condoleezza Rice's hair was helmet like and didn't move'. And I partly agree -but, I had to point out -the obvious, -mainly, -even though, Power Hair is healthy and soft and moves -it also knows its place -and the more successful its owner, -the more 'Elnett' it demands.

Power hair speaks -volumes. Having Power hair, -means success, power, and living, 'La Dolce Vita', -because; unlike badly bleached, 'piled-on-top-of-your-head-like-a- pineapple -blonde hair or a full head of, 'in-your-face-weave', -it does not intimidate, alienate, segregate, eliminate, jar or, -block out the light of the person seated next to, -or in front of you.

The loud, brash, errm -avant-garde, glued down, over processed, brushed up, nutrient lacking 'street gal do' [-so prevalent on the streets of London], -is the antithesis of -neat and perfectly coiffured, -Power Hair . Wrong (maybe) or just blatant prejudice, -but the, 'part-up-part-down-over-the-top-jagger-jagger' hair, -funky plaits (yes they can be lovely), bleached blonde hair (I have done it, bought the t-shirt and moved on), Ghetto Red, Ghetto Blue or Ghetto Pink or 'whatever' hair, -will never read the news, be a broadcaster, marry a millionaire or turn on the Christmas lights (Oxford street -folks). Also, the aforementioned errm styleees -just doesn't work in the real world of business, or the upper echelons of politics and academia (professions we now excel in) -and taking a gamble, will keep you [firmly locked] outside. So remember, if you have an interview next week -keep it neat, healthy, shiny,soft and -firmly in place.
Power Hair:First lady, Michelle Obama


Power Hair:Valerie Jarrett (Senior Adviser)


Power Hair:Desiree Rogers (White House Social Secretary)
Power Hair:The former Secretary of State -Condoleezza Rice


Power Hair:Baroness Amos


Power Hair:Attorney General, the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC,


Power Hair:Zeinab Badawi


Power Hair:Christine Kelly


Power Hair:Katarina Sandstorm
Power Hair:Vivian Brown


Power Hair: Isha Sesay


Power Hair: Rachel Roy


Power Hair: Thandie Newton


Power Hair: George Pau Langeuin


Power Hair: Rula Jebreal



Power Hair: Thelma Golden

Sunday 26 April 2009

Credit Crunch? Suck on my F-A-S-H-I-O-N!!!!!

It makes me laugh when I hear folk complaining about 'La Crunch' -because, for some of 'us' (I am sure you agree) -it is nothing new, We have been in 'it' -forever. For cre-a-tive types like you and me; -the path we have taken (is juicy creative, stimulating, fulfilling) -but doesn't always pay or isn't consistent (freelancing hell -is more like it). But I wouldn't swap my cre-a-tive life for an ordinary 9-2-5 (not for all the tea in China). So, what do you do when the credit, start crunching? Start playing. It's fun, costs nada -and will keep you off the streets (he he he). The photographs below, -are the results of my gorgeous 4 year old son and me -playing. Oh, how we played, and played, and laughed and laughed (he is now inspired -and is sorting out his toys -Praise the Lord).

Our play was also an opportunity for me to touch, revisit and re-love some of the 'STUFF' I packed away (I have a small flat with very little storage). And guess what? I am going to start using/wearing/loving some of my 'STUFF' -again (so this is a win, win, win solution - you get to have fun, without spending any dosh -fabulous). This play also allowed me to get to grips with my make-up and other beauty products -and throw out the, 'out-of-daters'.

But on a much deeper level, -it has also brought home -some home truths, -that I am overweight (I cannot get into my, Missoni jumper, my Gianfranco Ferre -butter soft leather jacket, a much loved Liza Bruce kaftan -that I wore to my very first , 'Elle Style Awards' (a very special night with lovely friends, - and a catch up with a fellow 'Ghanaian Princess', June Sarpong -I love that sister) and last but not least, my bat-winged Ghost top (I am now taking stock and looking for a sponsor to pay for my 'Lapband' operation -just like Lilly Allen -hehehe). I found some fabulous stuff, -and my eclectic taste and years of styling and collecting means, -I have a mish mash of yummy pieces. I have had to edit my choice of photographs -too many to put up, -plus, these are my favourites. I will let the photographs do the talking...........Enjoy playing, folks

Credit Crunch? Suck on my F-A-S-H-I-O-N!!!!!



Credit Crunch? Suck on my F-A-S-H-I-O-N!!!!!