Malcolm Harris is a New York based fashion designer, creative activist, humanitarian and Huffington Post Blogger.
Though he thrives on being a jack-of-all-trades, Malcolm's primary purpose is to live his life as a vehicle for social change. Malcolm's creative passions for fashion, art, music, along with the extensive and diverse global social network he has spent years building and cultivating are all means to support one simple aspiration -- to make the world a better and more beautiful place. Keeping these priorities balanced is an every day struggle, creating ongoing conflict and drama in Malcolm's life.
As I am slimming down preparing myself for production of my new film CockTales I am feeling more fashion inspired.With that said I stumbled across a very talented hair stylist who has the male version of Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection and he has several signature pieces within his wardrobe that help his fashion stand out.I really think that you could learn a thing or two from him and I know where I want to get my next pair of pumps…JAPAN!Meet Anto Lloyd King Cheetah.
For many writers, 41-year-oldEssenceis a dream publication. Long legacy of compelling features, excellent pay rate, prestige — but how the heck do you actually break in?
“The first thing you think about is what are Black women thinking about. What’s important to Black women? And that is really the crux of what we do atEssence, and therefore if you’re pitching us, that’s what you should be focused on too as a writer,” says editor-in-chiefConstance C.R. White.
And, although it isn’t easy to nail the mag’s voice, it is possible for newbies to score with the right pitch.
“Maya Angelou,Terry McMillan,Alice Walker, a lot of them got their start, had their early careers inEssenceand are now writers that we turn to,” says White. “At the same time, we want the new Alice Walker. Who is the new Maya Angelou? They are in the pages of the magazine as well, and we’re looking for them.”
It might have been more interesting to see the singer clad in fashions created by contemporary African fashion designers, rather than to see her wearing fabricated, mock-tribal wear. Do you think the spread and the use of blackface is offensive?
On the evening of Friday, February 11, 2011 Byron Lars Beauty Mark once again reinvent the perception of classic Americana by presenting the fall 2011 fashion collection in a luxe Stanley H. Kaplan penthouse turned lush forest overlooking Lincoln Center. The celebration of “Native Americana”, set in a surreal recreation of the great outdoors (indoors) as featured in a collection's photo-essay. A slide show projection of these images was prominently featured on one wall of the space. One image captured the wilds of the 120th floor of an office building where Buffalo run free on its' expansive square footage against a backdrop of big sky framed in pane glass.
Guests were transported to a forest in the sky brimming with trees and all manner of greenery. While standing on brown leaves, 20 models showcased feminine and chic outerwear like silver glazed cocoon coats, tweed jackets and even belted trenches.
Refined and feminine, the daytime separates ranged from peplum sheaths to mock turtlenecks and brocade mix panel skirts. Lace was used creatively as a print livening up the front of flared dresses and trench coats the entire collection was graceful presented all at once. Dramatic makeup and accessories juxtaposed the wearable ready-to-wear pieces. Headpieces with brightly hued feathers and elaborate beaded necklaces added personality to each look.
The makeup look, created by L’Oreal, resembled traditional tribal paint with a white line across the face and colorful lips. Hair by Mizani USA was soft in loose undos and braided ponytails.
At the southern end of this wood land oasis facing a wall of glass was a flood of natural light, offering sanctuary from the darkness of the tents below as well as a beautiful setting for (show weary) guests to have a relaxed and interactive experience with the clothes and each other while milling about and viewing it at there own pace. Photo: Anika Noni Rose & Byron Lars
The event took place over a span of three hours, so guests could come and go as they please within that window of time and enjoyed the bar that served mineral water and featured Moet & Chandon Champagne. The event was produced by MEGA Management Inc.
Inspired musical hybrids of native ceremonial chants and electronica rhythms charged the room with melodic verve, only to be heightened by the primal beats of a live Native Drummer. To review the entire fall 2011 collection got to www.ByronLarsBeautyMark.com and follow us on Facebook at Byron Lars Beauty Mark.
Angela Burt-Murray is out as editor-in-chief of Essence, the Time Inc.-owned fashion magazine for African American women, after five years at the helm.
She told staffers at a 4:30 p.m. meeting today that she is relocating to Atlanta with her family.
According to sources, the company quietly began preparing for the move a few weeks ago but wanted to proceed delicately to avoid re-igniting a controversy that flared this summer when Burt-Murray appointed a white woman to the key position of fashion director.
Sheryl Tucker, who took a buyout as an editor-at-large at Time Inc. in 2008, is being brought back to run the magazine on an interim basis.
Burt-Murray's decision to appoint a white woman, Ellianna Placas, to the fashion post incensed some readers, who argued it was difficult for people of color to make major inroads in mainstream fashion magazines and that Essence should be their domain exclusively.
Placas, who had previously worked at O, the Oprah Magazine, had been freelancing in the job for several months without incident before Burt-Murray appointed her as the permanent fashion director in late July.
But reaction was heated and immediate, even if it did attract a fair share of supporters.
"It's with a heavy heart that I learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director," Michaela Angela Davis, a former Essence fashion director and one-time editor in chief of Honey, wrote on her Facebook page, sparking a lively debate on the topic.
No mention was made of it in the official memo from Time Inc. Editor-in-Chief John Huey, in which he heaped praise on Burt-Murray for her contributions to the magazine, including the Essence Book Club and Essence Music Festival Seminar Series.
Huey said the company was "beginning our search for a new editor."
Byron Lars does it again. A true original, his design sense always combines fashion and culture. And his latest creation, Charmaine King™ Barbie® Doll, is no exception. This glamour girl takes inspiration from the Steampunk genre, a stylish blend of futuristic fashion and culture with architecture and art, as envisioned through a Victorian lens. And talk about futuristic fashion! From the fitted and fabulous strapless mermaid hem gown to the exceptional accents including matching lace scarf, chain belt, silvery wrench, fingerless gloves, and racing goggles, Charmaine King™ Barbie® Doll is not only turning heads with her fashion sense. She's revving up the glam quotient AND making hearts race!
LaQuan Smith has designed custom fashions for artists including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Aubrey O’day, Amerie and more. Smith’s New York Fashion Week debut was held on February 15, 2010 and he has been featured in many media outlets including The New York Times, New York Daily News and Studio Magazine.
Both shared a wonderful view on fashion. Mr. Talley told the standing room only audience, “Fashion is HARD WORK, hard core work;” he continued to say, “true fashion insiders must do their homework, be patient, learn the business and live your dream.”
LaQuan’s 2nd fashion collection frenetic energy filled the Gramercy Room of the Peninsula Hotel as editors and buyers waited for wunderkind LaQuan Smith’s Spring/Summer 2011 show, entitled “A Storybook Path,” to begin.While a crush of photographers circled around rapper Common to get a shot, a gaggle of reporters rushed before Vogue’sAndre Leon Talley and designer and CFDA President Diane Von Furstenberg for a soundbite. The excitement generated so much heat, attendees fanned themselves with hot pink paper fans provided on the tables. As classical music began to play, a young lady wearing a blush pink corseted brocade jacket and matching frilly skirt came out, pursing gold lacquered lips and tottering atop Walter Steiger stilettos. The show had begun, and the air erupted with shouts of enthusiasm over the clothes–and the models themselves:
Exclamations of “Honey better work!” and “Ok!” could be heard as models sauntered out in a series of bust and thigh accentuating pieces seemingly inspired by the famously coquettish and fashion loving late 18th century Marie Antoinette. Brocade fabrics in champagne pink, deep burgundy, white, black, and electric blue were fashioned into cropped frilled tops and bodice dresses, perfectly fit for modern day princesses. Though dreamlike, as if cut from a storybook, the clothes were designed to titillate. To wit, an almost bare bottomed Jaslene Gonzalez elicited whoops of “Yes, girl,” as she worked a sheer mint green flapper dress with green plumes of feathers peeking out the bottom.
The shouts reached an almost fevered pitch as even more celebrity models emerged. Singer Cassie in a corseted gold and burgundy bubble hem dress; Deborah Cox in a Tiffany blue gilded number with an asymmetric train; Serena Williams, who closed the show, in a Bourdeaux red regal gown with exaggerated hips.
This year, Fashion Night Out, celebrated its 2nd Annual fashion extravaganza. The star studded evening was one of the most highly anticipated of the evening. Not only could you see fashions come to life in plain view but were you ready for 3D? Byron Lars Beauty Mark in 3D presented by Sony was a fresh innovative step into a new direction for the fashion world.On September 10th 2010, the streets of New York City along Madison Avenue between 55th and 56th Street were filled with heart stopping stilettos and over thousands of fashionista’s from all around the world.
Fashion authorities like: Style Director, Constance White; Fashion Editor, Michaela Angela Davis; Lifestyle Writer, Harriette Cole with special invited guest; Nicole Murphy, Stacie J., Jacque Reid and Milky Jean.
Life like dolls dawned breathtaking must have looks from the creative designers Spring /Summer 2011 collection, “Refined Tribalism”.
Diva’s and Divo’s were welcomed to the Sony Style Store experience by the style team sporting their flashy and fashionable new XE camera’.The night mood was set with a smooth delectable classy taste mixed with a very fashionable treat brought to you by the Xante’ and Ty*Ku liquor brand team.
A bright focal point of the evening shouted aloud as the new Byron Lars BLEaCH collection made its debut. The BLEaCH collection, a new Ready To Wear journey, contains intricate constructed lines with detailed hidden surprises given a new transformation to the classic white button down.
Celebrities and Fashion Icons of all times alike transcended in fashion heaven as the 3D experience instantly came to life before their very eyes. “Refined Tribalism” erupted with leopard lace prints, embossed cashmere textures and signature looks, accessorized with classic pearls and Avant Garde’ timeless head dresses.
Producer | 5D Shooter | Editor - David M Garcia (davidmgarcia.com) - for Iman Cosmetics (imancosmetics.com)
The crowd was pleased as Lars himself thanked everyone for making the night truly a favorite that will forever be cherished. Special thanks to: Sheila Gray, Sony, An’jels Salon, Iman Cosmetics, Tai Chunn & MVC Productions, Nikki Walker PR team, all 15 fashion volunteers and of course event producer Richard E. Pelzer II and MEGA Management Inc for the best fashion experience of the season. If you missed the event, don’t freight because you can explore the collection in a department store near you as the Byron Lars collection debuts in Lord & Taylor department stores across the globe in October 2010.
