BiriBelle on CBS

On September 7th BiriBelle was featured on Channel 9 News Now in conjunction with a benefit fashion show for Metro Teen Aids. Here are some stills from the feature:


Big thank you to Jobair Productions!

Black President's Day

If you are in DC this weekend, you HAVE to check out Lil Soso's annual Fela Kuti tribute party, "Black Presidents Day". Besides from featuring a sweet double entendre and amazing artists (from the DJ talent, to the live music, to live art), I'm particularly excited by the focus on the role of the first ladies and the "afrobeat aesthetic " this year. The celebration actually began with a workshop last week on "Aesthetics and Adornments" that explored African beauty and the aesthetic 'pop'ularized by Fela's wives. Look out for an interesting photo display at the party. The theme: 70's Lagos. I had the pleasure of participating in the photshoot (which involved Heineken, jelloff rice, and plantain yumm), getting my makeup done by Claudine, and being photographed by T'Sehai and Rebecca Bailey. Here's a sneak peak and more info about the party.

Bianca's a BiriBelle!

Bianca in BiriBelle

Those who know me know that I don't have a television. But I couldn't have been more happy to discover that Ms. Bianca Richardson is still doing her thing on Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model. Bianca has modeled BiriBelle through the DEKKA boutique. Good Luck Bianca and check her out on the show Wednesdays at 8!

London Eye

My APT summer grant allowed me to take a fabric print design course at Central St. Martin College of Art and Design, which is a part of the University of the Arts in London. The course also served as an introduction to the Adobe Creative Suite, focusing on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software. The course was pretty intense, involving five eight hour days learning and designing behind a computer. However, the time flew quickly bye as I (finally ) got the hang of using the software so that I could focus on designing my prints. Luckily my class was small (and quite international): we five representing the United States, Holland, Brazil, Tokyo, and Sweden got much personal instruction from our Scottish teacher. I continue to be amazed by how some prints are made. By creating, copying, reflecting, rotating, manipulating, tracing, and repeating both common and uncommon images from nature, the web, and imagination, the most amazing prints can be made and sold commercially. Adobe Illustrator allows one to manipulate these prints and place them on whatever item is desired, in this case, apparel (also nicely created in Illustrator). My new print design, Photoshop, and Illustrator skills add a whole new dimension to my clothing design and will also enable me to aid in the design of new marketing materials. I am so grateful for this wonderful experience! These are a few of the prints I designed in London.

Stylin'

BiriBelle has had the opportunity to style two soulful BiriBelles for their recent performances. Ms. Jennifer Johns wore BiriBelle to perform for the NFL Hall of Fame in Ohio last week.

If you haven't heard this songbird from Oakland, check her out. She has performed with the likes of The Roots, Mos Def, and Les Nubians. And Yahzara aka Ms. Purple St. James brought the house down in a fittingly purple, green, and black afroinfinity dress at the Be YOU Soul Overdose event, sponsored by Lil Soso and Smirnoff, in DC. Talk about a petite powerhouse!

Upcoming events:

So you may have seen commercials on the CW for the Street Glam Fashion Expo and Show that is taking place THIS SATURDAY in Downtown Silver Spring. It is going to be AMAZING. Great sponsors, (including the CW, GWFCC, and ElJay Deshield), great designers (I'm not biased) and local retailers, sexy models, talented makeup and hair stylists, this will be an event to remember. Get more details here.

Goddesses

It's been a while since I've written but much has been going on:

1. I just got back from chaperoning a fashion camp trip to the Mary McFadden exhibit "Goddesses" at the National Museum for Women in the Arts. Mary McFadden is often called a "Design Archeologist" as all of her haute couture garments are inspired by ancient cultures. It was amazing to see her completely unique garments that clearly paid homage to Greece, Africa, France, China, India and more. It was also cool to see her patented Marii fabric (patented because it takes 6 steps and several continents to create), intricate beading, hand painting, and choice of colors/fabrics. Well worth the $10, and kiddies are free.

2. BiriBelle clothing will be featured during the first "Be YOU" music event presented by Lilsoso and Smirnoff. Tonight's event is entitled "Soul Overdose" feat. N'digo Rose and DJ Jahsonic (you might know him from Marvin mondays) w/special guest Yahzarah. Starts at 8pm at
TABAQ , 1336 U Street, $10/$8 w/Be YOU jump drive http://besojul.eventbrite.com

3. Upcoming Events: I'll be participating in the Street Glam Outdoor Fashion Expo and Show on August 15th in Downtown Silver Spring. I'll also be participating in a fashion show benefiting metro teen aids that has lined up some pretty big DC designers and boutiques on September 26th. More on that to come...

4. Follow Up: I ended up having a meeting with the production manager of Singa, Inc, which I mentioned in a previous post. While they are not a fashion incubator, Singa has indeed opened a small garment production facility in NE with very low minimums and affordable pricing. This is strictly a cut & sew operation, but they do have the ability to do some pattern grading. They can sew from samples or your own pattern. This is a well needed addition in DC, and their market is independent designers (like me!) Singa will also offer entrepreneurship and sewing classes for adults in the fall.

5. I participated in a photo shoot with DC photographer Patrick Ryan on Saturday to capture my fall line. I'm excited to see all the pics but here's a sneak peak:








Goddesses indeed!

New Photos

I've finally gotten photos back from a warehouse shoot I did with photographer Chris Carr. I did the styling and makeup and provided a few Biribelle pieces. Collaborations are a great way to build my portfolio for design school. What do you think?