Macy’s Celebrates Black Style For Black History Month

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, News

IMG_4850The crowd that occupied the center of Macy’s Shopping Store in Aventura consisted of women and a few men of all ages. The DJ for the day alternated between sultry classics like Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit and John Legend. Lite bites, which were provided by Chef Irie, were passed around as guests lined up for a glass of white wine from Esterlina Vineyards (one of the few black-owned wineries in Northern California.) It was clear that the guests were at Macy’s for a unique celebration. The Senior Vice President of Diversity Strategies, Bill Hawthorne, explained that every year Macy’s makes an effort to uniquely celebrate Black History Month. This year, the department store decided to honor the  history of Black style and its present-day influence in the fashion world.

As everyone was seated,Local 10 News anchor Neki Mohan  introduced CEO of Ankra Miami Evelyn Onyejuruwa, singer and actress Demetria McKinney  and style expert Constance White to the audience. The collection of women discussed what Black style meant to them.

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“It’s freedom,” Constance White said. “Freedom to accept yourself for who you are.”

The group of women discussed how the use of vibrant colors, intricate patterns and textures have been dominating the fashion industry for the past year and how the trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

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“African prints are a big trend,” Onyejuruwa said.

The panel of women applauded Macy’s department store for being one of the few stores that carries Black designers and emphasized the importance of exposure and awareness of Black Desginers.

“We need to celebrate our contributions to the fashion world,” Mckinney said. “But  a lot of the time we don’t always hear about them. A lot of people don’t know that a Black woman designed Jackie O’s wedding dress. Her name was Ann Lowe. Those are things that we need to know.”

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By the conclusion of the event, which also included a fashion presentation in addition to a musical performance by McKinney, audience members walked away with a preview copy of Constance White’s new book, Constance White presents the Queens & Kings of Style, and McKinney’s new single Work With Me with a purchase of $50 or more.

Hawthorne shared his feelings about the event’s success with Worthy Magazine.

“I was very pleased with the turnout,” Hawthorne said. “It was our goal to discuss culture and to teach the audience something that they didn’t know already.”

 

Lil Duval Talks Comedy and MTV 2

Culture, Editorial, Featured, News

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Lil Duval, who is currently on his second season of his MTV 2 series, Ain’t That America, which dishes on the staples of American life by sharing viral videos accompanied by hilariously blunt and candid analysis by a celebrity panel, says that he is very grateful for the show’s success.

“It felt good to hear that the show was coming back for a second season,” the comedian told Worthy Magazine. “I enjoy hosting the show.”

For the witty and versatile comedian, the journey to success has always been a linear road paved with support from family members and inspiration.

“It’s always been a steady progression leading up to my success,” Duval said. “Since my first day on the stage, my family has always known that this (comedy) is what I should be doing and they have been very supportive.”

When discussing inspiration 

The best material, according to Duval, comes from real life.

“I get my inspiration from life in general.” Duval said. “I am an observer.”

The comedian also said that he is looking forward to continuing to make appearances on fellow MTV 2 shows, Guy Code and Guy Court.

New episodes of Ain’t That America air at 11 p.m. on Wednesday on MTV 2.

Lil Duval

 

Worthy Women Issue

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

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The new issue of Worthy Magazine is posted and on our bookshelf. Readers will be able to order print copies at the end of the week. In the meantime, Happy Reading.

Feature Interviews- Beth Sobol, Alessandra Gold, Constance Jones, Lydia McLaughlin, Michelle DiMarco, Angela Simmons, Andre Soriano, Faith Marret and Lea Black.

 

 

 

Mama Joyce Sets The Record Straight About Alleged Master Plan

Culture, Editorial, Featured, News

 

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This past Sunday on the The Real Housewives of Atlanta, fans watched on as Mama Joyce fell from grace. An intricate plot twist made it appear as though there were no lines that Mama Joyce wouldn’t cross to keep her daughter, Kandi Burruss away from her fiancé, Todd Tucker.

Carmen, Kandi’s best friend and employee, informed Kandi that her mother was looking for help to set her fiancé up and was willing to pay for any photographic evidence of Todd’s alleged infidelity that followed the setup.

However, the accusations of a master plan to set Todd up are completely false, Mama Joyce tells Worthy Magazine. She also informed us that Kandi knew about her willingness to pay for pictures of Todd being unfaithful, despite her daughter’s tearful remarks on Sunday’s episode insisting that she never thought her mother would ‘do something like that.’

“I told Kandi that I would pay for pictures,” Mama Joyce said. “Kandi is the kind of person that if she doesn’t see pictures, she doesn’t believe it.”

Despite admitting that she was willing to pay for pictures, Mama Joyce insists that she was not orchestrating a setup followed by an incriminating photo op.

“I would never try to do something to hurt my daughter, I care about her and I want nothing but the best for her. That is all I have ever wanted.”

According to Mama Joyce, a mutual acquaintance, at the time, alleged that they had a consistent partying rapport with Todd and confirmed the ongoing rumors that Todd is intimate with other women.

“I told him that if he could get a picture of it while they were out, I would pay for that. But I am not trying to make Todd look bad. He does that on his own.”

There is one thing that Mama Joyce was adamant about being clear on.

“I don’t lie and I have never lied.”

While everything is still being played out for viewers, Mama Joyce informed us that she is on speaking terms with Kandi.

“She called me after the episode aired,” referring to this past Sunday.

 

Du Jour Magazine Art Basel Party

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

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DuJour Magazine’s Art Basel Miami kick-off party was an exclusive affair, held at the Delano in South Beach, for those lucky enough to make the invite-only list. The remarkable night of style and sophistication was hosted by DuJour Magazine’s Haley and Jason Binn, and co-hosted by Dee and Tommy Hilfiger and Tony Shafrazi. The friends hosted a special celebration at the Delano Beach Club to honor Marc Quinn, one of the leading artists of his generation. Quinn is known for his sculptures, paintings, and drawings that explore the relationship between art and science, the human body, and the perception of beauty.

MIAMI BEACH, FL - DECEMBER 04:  (L-R) Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Jason Binn attend DuJour Magazine's event to honor artist Marc Quinn at Delano Beach Club on December 4, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 04: (L-R) Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Jason Binn attend DuJour Magazine’s event to honor artist Marc Quinn at Delano Beach Club on December 4, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

After walking through the elegant Delano lobby, guests were greeted by live art performers with avatar-like makeup and colorful costumes with wings. Guests mingled around the infinity pool, which was lined with private cabanas. In true South Florida fashion, some of the invited even dipped their toes in the water as they watched an exotic fire-dancer perform, giving the illusion of walking on water.


Stoli Vodka provided cocktails for the night and tastemakers had the option of grapefruit or lemonade infused beverages. Miami’s most gorgeous servers passed around mouthwatering bites, which included caprice kebabs, chicken pate on toasted baguette, and cheesy puff pastries (Yum!). As the night progressed Hollywood’s hottest started pouring including power-couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Entourage’s Adrien Grenier and supermodel Cindy Crawford.

DuJour Magazine threw an elegant yet laid back bash, which is the perfect mesh of what guests have come to expect of Art Basel.

Wanna Be A Star? There’s An App For That

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

Wanna Be A Star? There’s An App For That — @lisapirro315

First there was Tiffany singing in the Malls, then there was Justin Bieber on YouTube.
Now the next big thing is waiting to be discovered through an app on your phone.

The ShowMobile app features the HitStreak channel where you can follow four south Florida teenagers, Noah, Crystal, Mariangeli, & Brian as they attempt to burst onto the music scene!

What better way to meet the rising stars of HitStreak then by embracing the technology and doing a Skype interview with all four of them at the same time.

I caught up with the young performers while in the middle of shooting their first music video together. When asked how that was going, Mariangeli answered, “It’s awesome being with all your friends doing something you love.”

Even though they are all from Miami, had performed before, and go to they same school, surprisingly they had never worked together. Each auditioned separately for a roll on HitStreak, having to dazzle the producers with their ability to sing as well as act. Once grouped, they’ve performed at several schools, but Macy’s at the Falls Mall Holiday Season opening celebration was their first major public appearance. “We work so great together. It’s so amazing. We love each other. We have so much chemistry.” Crystal says.

This original appisode is about four friends that meet up together to save a fledgling recording studio called HitStreak whose owner, Ray, is getting ready to shut down. “And it’s up to us to save it” chimes Crystal. She adds “we’re friends, but also like family.” Noah explains that Brian is the “genius of the group” because he’s the one who made the app, performs himself and records all their songs. Clearly they all like each other well enough to sing each others praises and finish each others sentences.

On HitStreak, they all use their real names even though the show itself is not about them. Crystal explains it’s “scripted based on reality.” Noah clarifies “They script the characters to who we are. They really personalize the characters depending on where we want to go in our music career and what route we want to take” For instance, right now they are performing cover tunes, but during season two they will be singing some originals. Noah went to Nashville to work with some people on songwriting. “I’m excited, you’re going to like the songs we came up with”

They plan on touring the state of Florida and hopefully beyond. Crystal makes it known that “We want to tour the world” Being on an app downloaded on phones all over the globe they can do just that without ever leaving Miami.

Be sure to download the showmobile app, watch HitStreak and watch these kinds on their quest for stardom.
http://www.showmobile.com/

#hitstreakfan

@Noah_HSS @Crystal_HSS @Brian_HSS @Miariangeli_HSS @HitStreakStudiohit1

 

About Lisa:

Lisa Pirro has been entertaining since the age of six. With that many years in the business, she has just about done it all. While singing telegrams really sharpened her improvisational skills, it was through being the mistress of ceremonies for many different kinds of events, that she learned to become quick witted and spontaneous. This gave her the edge she needed to land the host position for several TV shows. All of her roving reports are unscripted and off the cuff which showcase her ability to interview anyone and handle any situation.

You many have seen her at numerous interactive dinner theater shows all around Florida, or perhaps in Las Vegas as a principal singer in the stage production “Deuces Wild.” In Nashville, Lisa produced, wrote and recorded a country CD of her own original work entitled “Simply Me” She has also been a columnist for several websites.

Lisa is an active member of Hands On Broward and spends several hours a month volunteering. She has used her voice as a reader for “Insight for the blind” (audio books and periodicals) She delivered Meals on Wheels to home-bound seniors for over five years and continues to do so every Thanksgiving. Lisa has also participated in the Neighbors for Neighbors Adopt-A-Family program during the holiday season as well as participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization.

Inside this small package of dynamite explodes an enormous voice full of power, wit and attitude.† Weighing in at 85 lbs and standing only 5 feet tall, she is sure to be remembered as the “little girl with the big voice”

Red Art Basel Dining

Culture, Editorial, Featured

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For the last two days of Art Basel if you are looking for a few Worthy Approved place to check out, this is our list. It may be short but that is because we are so confident in our choice. We selected the place that kept with artistic expression worthy  of Art Basel, which as you know, converts all of Miami into a living, breathing canvas.

 

Chef Peter Vauthy of RED Steakhouse

Red, the Steakhouse is introducing a “Red Basel” menu masterpieced by Chef Peter Vauthy on the basis that cooking, the Red way, is art.

The family-style tasting menu features five carefully selected courses that represent Red’s award-winning concept, including fresh stone crabs popular to South Florida this time of year. As an added perk, Red is offering “Red Basel” diners special pricing on Red’s 2007 “Diamond Mountain Vineyard” Napa Valley blend for $150 a bottle. The “Red Basel” menu will be available just prior to and during Art Basel, Dec. 4-8/

 

“Red Basel” Menu at Red, the Steakhouse
$99 per person (min. 4 people)

First Course
Fresh Seasonal Stone Crabs

Second Course
Brad’s Stuffed Hot Peppers
Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Third Course
Burrata
RED “House” Salad

Fourth Course
Bone-in Filet
Choice of Wild Salmon du Jour or Tuna “Filet Mignon”
Sides Sampler: Creamed Corn, Green Beans with Pancetta,
Seared Mushrooms, Truffled Mac and Cheese

Fifth Course
Assorted Dessert Platter

Make sure you check it out.

Global Spin Awards

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured
Shawn Prez, Kendrick Lamar

GSA’s Founder, Shawn Prez and Kendrick Lamar

The second annual Global Spin Awards honored music’s elite DJs, promoters and industry executives, at the New York Times Center in midtown Manhattan and was hosted by MYV’s own Sway Calloway.

Sway and Mack Wilds

Sway and Mack Wilds

Kendrick Lamar, DMC, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Swizz Beatz, Marley Marl, and Kid Capri  came out to support the award show, the only DJ-focused event in the music industry.

Tahiry Elle Varner

Tahiry and Elle Varner

Other attendees included: Big Daddy Kane, DJ Premier, Elle Varner, Mack Wilds, DJ Prostyle, Maino, Tahiry, etc.

Photo credit:

Jamel Martin and VDot Photography