G-Dragon Ambush 2012 “Screw It” Collection

Fashion, News

 


Koreanpop star, G-Dragon, has collaborated with Tokyo-based jewelry brand Ambush to create a special series of accessories in celebration of the artist’s birthday and approaching album entitled “One of a Kind.” The collection will include a limited number  of 88 pieces which will consist of  pins, rings, hats, belts and necklaces. According to recent reports, only eight pieces will be made for the more elaborate and decorative hexagonal neck piece — a gesture that ties in with G-Dragon’s lucky number. Releasing will be at select AMBUSH locations. Thoughts? Worthy or not?

Editor’s Note: Aaliyah’s Significance

Culture, Editorial, News, Slider

 

The singer Aaliyah

 

Being that I have been under the weather literally (Isaac) and figuritively, I have been reduced to being confined to my computer even more than usual. I was reminded yesterday that August 25th marked the anniversary of the passing one of R&B’s most influential icons from the 90s. My Facebook newsfeed was inundated with pictures of the songstress that I once and always will find hypnotically alluring and indescribably beautiful. It has been 10 years since Aaliyah passed away and fans are still posting original handsketches and paintings of the singer.

What caught me off guard was a question posted by Complex magazine, which I believe was intended to be more of a conversation piece than a profound statement or anything incendiary in nature. As an avid listener of Aaliyah, I automatically go on the defensive when anyone challenges her contribution to R&B. The question that Complex magazine posed was: “Would Aaliyah still be famous if she were still alive “(something along those lines). I couldn’t even bring myself to comment. Not that it was really that offensive of a question, but mostly because if anyone commented after me challenging my opinion, it would have been a debate- a drawn out debate.  So instead, I have decided to take to Worthy to do my part as a fan of Aaliyah.  Instead of just answering the question, I will write as a fan who is still effected by her music and inspired by the personal legacy that she left behind.

For me, I remember the singer standing out in a sea of oversexed R&B songstresses looking undeniably young and comfortable in her petite frame and humble physique. Behind an angelic voice that song lyrics that seemed to astutely describe the generation of the time, was an individual who seemed to be completely comfortable with who she was. She didn’t have the coveted wide “hips for days” and the overflowing bosom that guys always seemed to be chasing after. She rocked sweats that always seemed to swallow her. And with a humble bosom and all -wore tight fitting tops that celebrated her petite frame. She was simply Aaliyah not appearing to compete with other belting R&B singers. She knew her voice and she stuck to her style in an industry where a singer would pick up any trait to remain a factor. Aaliyah’s choice to maintain a signature sound conveyed volumes about her personality. Small in physical stature she appeared to have a firm opinion on who she was and who she wanted to be. To someone like me, who regarded the creative minds that created and/or song the songs that I loved as heavenly remnants who walked the earth, Aaliyah was as close to unique as anyone could get.

For me, she was the first public figure I looked towards to accept that my appearance could still be alluring and mysterious. I didn’t have to have the body of Tyra Banks or any other woman that I found myself wishing I could look like. I didn’t need to stock pile on make-up to be beautiful and every article of my clothing did not have to be painted on.

I look at artists today and I still see the influence that Aaliyah had on them. Ciera’s style as comfortable as she may have been in sweats when she first came on the scene- will always be compared to Aaliyah. Whenever I see Solange Knowles or Rihanna adorned in a midriff of any kind, I will always think of Aaliyah and wonder how she would’ve worn it. Good grief even Drake’s tracks feature the singer’s melodic voice.

If she were still here, I believe there would’ve been a place for her music and her presence. Even with fans being as fickle as we can be sometimes. Aaliyah was the poster child for girls of all shapes and sizes who were trying to be comfortable in their own skin. For me, Aaliyah was the first person who showed me that all women have their own unique beauty, which makes them worthy. Everything about her image in the industry was signature. She had a signature sound that stayed with you days after hearing her songs, it always seemed like she had a signature personality that was mysterious and inviting all at once and there was her signature look.

Her life, although it was too short, left its mark on the world and the people in it. Especially with someone like me. She is remembered just as much for her music as she is for her beauty. She defined a style that most women and artists still aspire to today.

Much Love,

Ju’lia Samuels

A Fly Affair Nation: Creative Expression At Its Finest

Featured, Slider

Founder of "A Fly Affair Nation" Jabian Sutherland photographed with two models

“Fly Affair Nation” is an up and coming company in Miami that is establishing it self as a one stop shop for Miami fashion and music enthusiasts. One thing that really stood out at a recent show the company put on at the Viceroy hotel in Miami is the unique take on style. The founder and CEO of the company Jabian Sutherland said in a recent interview that he would define the world of fashion as a constant and independent movement. With such an innovative outlook on the world of fashion and creativity, it is understandable why Sutherland went on to say that he is noticing that the Black community has become more open with their definition of style. Jeans no longer have to fall way below the waist line. Men are embracing a more tailored and customized look that is both refreshing and daring. 

Model photographed for featured designer Gorgeous Bridges clothing line "Illectrick" Photo Credit: Mark Masters

 

Another model photographed in "Illectrick" clothing. Photo credit: Mark Masters.

“A Fly Affair Nation” is also tackling the world of music and video production. It is believed that with time this company will blossom into a one stop shop for all creative needs. The show which took place on August 3rd was also a local platform for South Florida based designers: Michael Durham and Gorgeous Bridges to showcase their talent and love for fashion. Both lines embraced a side of style that is gradually emerging to the forefront of fashion within the Black community. Ripped tye dye jeans, spikes and pins and most importantly psychedelic make-up- were the key ingredients needed to conjure up the perfect fashion fantasy.

The general concensus over at Worthy Magazine is simple: “We would like some more, please.-” Here’s to hoping that they keep more coming.

Tell us what you think about show and make sure you stop by “A Fly Affair Nation’s” Web site.

 

BASKETBALL WIFE-Evelyn-ASSAULTED BY HUSBAND: Chad Ochocinco (Johnson)

News

Chad Ochocinco, changed his name to Chad Johnson out of love and respect for his new wife-Basketball Wife star, Evelyn Lozada. Apparently, however, he did not love her enough to be faithful to her. The two became engaged in an argument when Evelyn stumbled upon a receipt for condoms in Johnson’s car. He reportedly responded by head butting is beautiful and still blushing bride. The head butt was so severe that it left a “Pretty good sized” laceration. According to Johnson, it was an accident. He told police that he and his wife, simply knocked heads but after being treated on the scene, Evelyn was taken to the hospital.

This is not Johnson’s first domestic dispute. He was involved in an incident in college-although his record has been clean for the past 12 years.

JADA PICKETT SMITH INSPIRES TWITTER-VERSE

News

Are You Over Forty and Perhaps feeling a little pessimistic about the prospect of maintaining your beauty? Jada Pinkett Smith wants you to know that it is very possible, to be over forty and still look delicious! On Saturday, the Better Half of Black  Hollywood’s Dynamic Duo, tweeted a picture of her own body, as proof of what is possible. In the picture Pinkett is emerging from the water of a sun-soaked beach. Her tanned frame is masterfully chiseled and reminds women of the importance of physical fitness. She attached the following message to her tweet: “To my Forty and over crew! Don’t believe the hype…we DO get better with age!”

NEW FRIDAY FILM: Confirmed

News

 

The internet has been abuzz with the rumor that Ice Cube was producing a new “Friday” Movie. The Original is a cultural classic in the black community. “IT’S FRIDAY AND YOU AIN’T GOT ISH TO DO”-was the often repeated signature phrase of Chris Tucker-who moved from relative comedic obscurity to the “Kevin Hart” of his day, by playing the role of “SMOKEY”- the quintessentially lazy pothead.  The new sequel, for the classic will reunite the old cast to give fans the closure they have been clamoring for. Despite recent internet memes, this Rumor has been around since 2010, with very little tangible progress towards the promise of a new “Friday” Film. TODAY, We have actual confirmation that the film is indeed moving forward and that the film’s last holdout, Chris Tucker, has finally agreed to reprise his signature role as SMOKEY! The rest of the cast was onboard with the project in the early outset, Tucker however only recently acquiesced to Ice Cube’s overtures.

This Time The Internet Rumor’s were True!

(While This Could Have Been Reported Sooner, Our Editor’s Pesky Insistence on things like “Journalistic Standards” and “Confirmation” precluded WORTHY from reporting Rumors. YOU WILL THANK US, WHEN THE RUMOR’S ARE PROVEN FALSE IN OTHER STORIES)

Mercedes-Benz Swim Week 2013

Featured

When thinking about the finest in resort wear and swimsuits, the city of Miami almost instantly comes to mind. It seems as if Miami has become the perceived mecca for exotic bronzed-beauties and barely-there bikinis. However, the projected trend for next year’s bathing suits are taking flight with innovative ideas instead of leaving little to the imagination. This year’s peek into the future sprinkled the runway with vibrant, colorful neons and earth-toned odes to old glamor.

“I am seeing a lot of vintage one-piece cuts, high waisted cuts and halter tops and that really compliments pear-shaped women,” said model Jazzma Kendrick when discussing the upcoming swimsuit season.

The 22-year-old model made a splash at this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim — held at the Raleigh Hotel. Vibrant colors were the stars of every show. Orange, turquoise and yellow were the show-stopping colors in practically every show. Kendrick says she feels these hues compliment women of color very well. Just three months ago the model signed with a modeling agency and appeared in three of the most notable designer’s fashion shows during the week. But her favorite gig, she says, was being featured in the Mercedes Benz Presents Vitamin A Show. Very few designers are selected to be a “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer. Amahlia Stevens for Vitamin A was the chosen designer for the year, which made Kendrick’s inclusion all the more impressive to the model.

“Vitamin A was my favorite line,” Kendrick said. “I absolutely loved the tropical colors and the suit designs were amazing. And being the finale girl in Red Carter was unreal.”

The designer made it a point to include several different stories of color in her anticipated show. Tropical oranges, greens and turquoise filled the runway- all were colors that the designer said she felt complimented any complexion.

“It was very important to me that colors of the suits complimented all complexions,” Stevens said. The designer said that she drew inspiration from a lot of the places that she had visited and that it took her quite some time to develop her line. However she was more than happy to rise to the honor of being this year’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer.

“I was extremely honored when I found out,” the designer said. “But I knew I had a great story to tell.” The designer expressed her pleasure with the collection and explained how it was a labor of love. “This is my passion and I think it shows in the collection.”

Among the impressive designers was Vanessa Simmons. She designed a presentation of her new swim line Rose by Vanessa Jean. The collection offered something for women of all sizes, which was Simmons’ goal.

“I wanted to offer a variety of colors and styles,” Simmons said. “I wanted to make sure I caught all the different sizes that women come in and I am happy that people are liking it.”

 

Ju’lia Samuels

 

 

Original article by Ju’lia Samuels also available at The Miami Times 

 

ROMNEY DITCHES DOG WHISTLE: Fully Racist Attack On Obama

News

Mitt Romney is currently abroad touring the globe, in an attempt to enhance his stature as a Presidential hopeful. The trip mimics President Obama’s trip as a candidate. But when President Obama went to Europe, he conveyed our nation’s solidarity with Europe and the World. When Mitt Romney arrived in London, his team launched into a bigoted tirade against President Obama. Many have observed that in America, the right has hinted at racist themes and utilized “Dog Whistle” politics and coded language designed to convey racist themes without explicitly saying them. In Europe, Mr. Romney and his campaign have ditched the dog whistles and opted to appeal for European support, solely on the basis of his race. As soon as Team Romney touched down, they declared that “WE ARE A PART OF AN ANGLO-SAXON HERITAGE, AND HE (Romney) FEELS THAT THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP IS SPECIAL. THE WHITE HOUSE (President Obama) DOESN’T FULLY APPRECIATE THE SHARED HISTORY WE HAVE”.

The right has long suggested that President Obama doesn’t love America, as they love America. They have even said that he is foreign in his mindset and approach to governing. The “otherness” of President Obama has even been used to question his patriotism, and good will towards America. But the Right has stopped short of ever simply saying, he is not of “our” race. They have never explicitly declared, that Obama isn’t white-or that this fact precluded him from truly being American. But in his first address to Europe Romney has stated plainly that Obama isn’t an Anglo Saxon and that this fact prevents him from fully “Appreciating” the relationship America has with Europe.

It is worth noting that when asked by the “TELEGRAPH” about how policy toward Britain would change from Obama should Romney win the election, Romney’s team was unable to respond with a single significant difference. Mitt Romney has just made the entire basis of his appeal to Europe for his candidacy on the fact that he is white and President Obama is black.

Even more disturbing is the fact that Mr. Romney’s team is factually wrong. President Obama is in fact half-African American. The President’s family is in fact both English and Irish. Which makes the attack the Romney team launched both Racist and factually wrong.