black women in fashion

Monday, September 6, 2010

Calling ALL Emerging/Independent Designers

Are you an emerging/independent designer and/or model looking for exposure?!? Email BWIF your contact information to schedule an interview and bio on your work and future ventures. Look out later this week for our great interview with Donna Newman, owner/operator of www.flyjane.net! Donna perfectly defines how passion leads to success. Stay tuned! BWIF: Bringing you Fashion in Color.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Mary J. Blige Sets HSN Record With My Life Fragrance

Mary J. Blige and Cathie Northagen of HSN sat in an absolutely beautiful and posh setting to launch Mary's My Life fragrance on HSN. Mary's first foray into fragrance with a partnership with Carol's Daughter was a proven success! According to Women's Wear Daily HSN sold $3 million dollars worth of My Life. With more than 72,000 units within a 24-hour period, My Life set a HSN record! I expect to see more fragrances from Mary J. Blige and Carol's Daughter in the future...

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Halle Berry Covers Vogue September Issue

Halle Berry covers Vogue's September issue - and if you know any thing about fashion - you know the September issue is THE issue! I enjoyed reading the snippets from Halle's interview, though I must say that the fact that Halle is the first black women since 1989 to cover Vogue September issue is highly disappointing...

On her first interview in three years:

Halle Berry: "I was burned-out with having other people tell the story about me that they wanted to tell. I told my publicist, 'I'm not going to talk anymore. I'm just going to live my life and be who I am.'"

On being asked to be on the cover of the September issue of Vogue:

Halle Berry: "What that means for a woman of color and what that means in the fashion world, what that means to pop culture, there was no way I could say, 'No I'm not going to be on the biggest issue of the year.'"

Suzette Opara: 828 Collection At Fashion On The Hudson!

BWIF had a chance to witness the New York City premiere of 828 Collection in Riverbank State Park at Fashion on the Hudson. And what a beautiful collection it was!!

Suzette Opara (left)

Suzette Opara, it's Lead Designer is a self taught designer based out in Chicago with family lineage from West Africa, Nigeria. After an inability to get work with a degree in Marketing, Suzette decided to purchase a sewing machine, play with fabrics and taught her self to sew! Enjoy our brief sit down with Suzette Opara and the images from 828 Collection.

BWIF: Tell us about 828 Collection
Suzette: The name 828 began as my birthday August 28th, however after researching I found deeper meaning to the name. It's when Dr. King gave his "I had a Dream" speech, it was the day Emmett Till was murdered and the bible verse, Roman 8:28.

BWIF: Describe the 828 customer
Suzette: She's the woman that likes to go out often, enjoys life, stand out amongst the crowd and doesn't want to see her twin. She knows her body and want works for her.

BWIF: Where do you pull inspiration
Suzette: Most of my inspiration comes from music. When I see the videos I think of what the girls should be wearing in them.

BWIF: What advice can you share with other designers who lack the traditional schooling background?
Suzette: Love what you do! Keep God first, because it will get frustrating. Know your craft! Study everything fashion, surround yourself with people in the field who can help you and you can bounce ideas off of...

Add Suzette to your Facebook friends - search Suzette Opara. www.828collection.com will launch in two weeks!

There were soo many images from this show I had to create a slide show to capture it, see it after the jump - enjoy!

Diana is the chief designer for Brazilian Bezel swim wear since it's inception in May 2008. Since this time Diana was featured in many shows including opening Fashion on the Hudson at Riverbank State Park in Harlem, New York.

I was personally very impressed by Brazilian Bezel, the swim suit silhouettes were sexy, flattering and full of color! Diana's inspiration for the collection she calls Fusion was the Caribbean seas; a fusion of vibrant colors and style. And she did not disappoint.

Check out Brazilian Bezel @ http://www.bbswimwear.com/ to make your statement on your next Caribbean vacation!

See video pictures and video footage from Fashion on the Hudson after the click.

Michelle Walden of Michi was one of the many featured designers at Fashion On The Hudson this past weekend. Her beautiful one of a kind knit wear was full of robust colors, adorned with cowrie shells and a silhouettes to fit every woman's body.

When asked about her customer and inspiration for her collection Michelle has this to say,

BWIF: Who is the Michi customer?
Michelle: A woman with confidence, enjoys being sensual yet sophisticated and feminine.

BWIF: What was your inspiration for this collection"
Michelle: Colors! I love seeing women shine and stand out

Read on for more on Michi and her advice for emerging designers!