I dedicate this song to the (current) love of my life

Baby, come to me, let me put my arms around you
This was meant to be
I'm oh so glad I found you
Need you ev'ry day gotta have your love around me
Baby, always stay 'cause I can't go back to livin' without you

Alexander Wang Hanne Zip Boot

Fish is My Favorite Dish

Cocolah.com DISH OF THE DAY:

Sizzlin' Dante Wrap (one of a kind dope-ass apron)

Create a marinade of 21mc and their dope ass imagery on a custom made apron
Sprinkle some s'aint yacque mix:
1 Buffalo tooth and 4 Coyote teeth, gold & black chain

Mash it up and pour it on Dante of Dante's Fried Chicken

Serve while hot.

Photos by King Texas.

EAT IT & SAY AHHH!

It's BAAAACK! Cocolah.com Fashion Challenge!

Now's your chance to own the very sexy s'aint yacque stripped and bound leather necklace. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind. $95 value.

Alls you gotta do is:

1. Check out the image
2. Get inspired
3. Create an outfit
4. Take a picture
5. Submit to win@cocolah.com
6. Tell a friend and see who's betta

WIN THIS!!

As an added bonus you get to choose your colorway
of pieces available!

It Gotta Be Sweet Like Morning Dew

As Seen on Polyvore

This Polyvore hits the mark. They used the Bleached Wood earrings well. Makes me wanna take a stroll on a beach somewhere.....sigh.


Only a few Designs by Alicia P remaining. GET EM!! THEY'RE HOT!!

by i'llbeyourjoanie

AfroPunk Block Party
TOMORROW!
Sunday, July 12th!
From 12pm - 8pm
Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Willoughby

The economy got you down?
Lost your job?
Rent late?
Your girl/guy actin' up, talkin' smack?
Face in a constant grimace cus things just ain't right!?!?

WELL!!!!! Stop whinin' and FIX YOUR FACE!!!!

We can't help you with your problems but we can make you look damn good while you handle your handle!

Pick out your Afro and Don't be a Punk!

Help Us. Help you! FIX YOUR FACE!

YakBlak Vintage Sunnies
FIX YOUR FACE!

TIME FOR SOME YAK-CION!

by Izetta Henderson

I did this interview back in June 2008, and not many people got a formal introduction to this dynamic duo. You've seen them around town, they might have even told you to fix your face....

Soooo without further ado, I re-introduce to you YakBlak.

Look out for my follow up interview with this team, see what they have been up to, what they have done and where they are going...

Is it the Yak or Blak that brings so much flavor to YakBlak Sunnies? or is that one can't exist without the other?

Which ever it is, YakBlak Sunnies bring you dynamic vintage shades that will have you trickin on Flatbush Ave just to get a pair.

Even though I know this pair very well, I couldn't help but get an interview to find out how they really hooked up.

In your own words describe the entities that are yak and blak?

YAK is the Ebb of the Ebb & Flow that is YakBlak. nuff said.

BLAK aka the blak in yakblak is the son of beautiful Lebanese Jamaican woman and African American man. the masculine principle of the duo, designer, husband, blak, AfricINamerica, lover, hater, activist, Sagittarius, mental mogul, GET IT DONER, 29 years young, developer, architect, visionary, lazy, motivated, uninspired, inspired, new found texter, stir crazy, but most of all in love with life and its creation.

YAK: Together we make up a team of two mental moguls who are in a steady pursuit for new ideas and projects, to Yak and Blak everything is possible with focus, dedication and action. ACTION IS MAGIC.

I am the one that says ok...what do we need to do first lets put a timeline together….I like to plan the plan.

Sometimes it feels like we share one brain when it comes to business and design….we both fully understand our brand, business and how we want to proceed in the future.

Blak is the talker...I'm the texter if you will. Don't talk about it. Be about it.

BLAK: I must agree, I am definitely a talker, it’s an intimacy thing, I like to hear people’s voices, read their reactions. My mind is always working it doesn’t rest. I am always absorbing and searching, inquiring. I went to school for architecture, where the answers to design problems could not be found in a book, so I had to keep myself open at all times. Never knowing when or where the next solution would come from. Truthfully I love talking about things I luv. It is also how I sharpen my ideas.

But yah, you got to give it to me, since I got my new toy (the crackberry) I have become quite the texter. Don’t front sun. I would also say that I am a very hard worker, we both are. I think that’s one of the key things that make yakblak work.

Don’t let yah fool u, she is no mime. She has quite the mouth on her as well, she like to front like she is all cool and mysterious, but she’s a blabbering cornball like the rest of us. And she almost has me beat when it comes to talking shit.

YAK: like I said…he’s the talker.

Where did you guys come up with the idea to come together and bring good lookn vintage pieces?

We met each other at a party a few years ago; I am not going to get into that controversial story, but anyway. I think we were immediately attracted to each other, not in a sexual way or anything like that, [YAK: eewww! you wish!!] but we just admired each other. We continued to bump into each other and each time we would both have on a pair of dope sunnies. I would buy mine from this Cuban dude uptown who had a huge collection and I don’t know where yah would get hers.

YAK: I still won’t tell.

BLAK: She asked me a few times where I got mine but I wouldn’t tell her. I didn’t want my secret to get out. So one day I went to my top secret location to pick up some shades and asked the owner how many pairs he had? He replied “about ten thousand”, so I asked him how much would he sell them to me for and he told me to come back with some real money and we’ll talk.

Money wasn’t really the issue, but I knew I would need a partner to make this endeavor work and the only person I could think about was Yah. I asked her, she said yes and we bought out the Cuban dude’s supply. Yet we didn’t stop there, the same day we decided to join forces we also decided that YakBlak would be an accessories company that would start with dead stock sunnies and build from there and the rest is YakBlak.

What's the difference between shade and sunnies?

A sunnie is just a term we use for our shit, yah dig. It’s all about branding, we knew we had to come up with a way to separate our selves from every one else, so we started calling our joints sunnies.

It really came out in one of our many shit talking sessions and it stuck. Prada, Louis, Chloe, and all those other designer sell sunglasses and shades BUT YakBlak sells sunnies.

YAKBLAK = SUNNIES. PERIOD…………. AND DON’T FORGET IT

Do you consider sunnies to be categorized as accessories?

Not only do we consider sunnies an accessory, we consider them a NECESSARY ACCESSORY. Don’t bite that either cus THATZ OUR, HATERS AND BITERS GET YOUR OWN….

We see it like this.. You can look like a bum from the neck down, but as long as u have on a pair of sunnies (YakBlaks of course). You ready to party.

It’s a serious expression of style. All fashion icons and fashionistas have worn and understood the power of some beautiful pair of sunnies. And YakBlak is all about continuing that legacy.

What makes a good sunnies? YAKBLAKs

Can you give our readers some advice on how to pick their perfect pair of sunnies?

Blak: THE OBVIOUS ANSWER IS MAKE SURE THEY’RE YAKBLAKs. Na but really a good pair of sunnies should make you feel hot and sexy. They transform u, they challenge you, they should help you become the super star you always envisioned yourself to be.

Yak: This street talk right here: weight, style, design, uniqueness, the rest is on you to flip...OH!

What tips can you give on the maintenance of their sunnies?

Do not throw them in the bottom of your big bag...I mean come on! Clean them regularly. Don’t lend them to your friends or trust any one else with their well being.

Buy a repair kit and tighten regularly,. Check them periodically to ensure that the essential screws are tight and most importantly, GIVE THEM A KISS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED AT NIGHT. MWAH!

What can we expect from YakBlak in the near future?

You might wanna sit down for this: when YakBlak was originally conceived we envisioned it as an accessories company, which would specialize in the "necessary accessories"; sunnies, belts, bags, shoes.

We will continue to offer a collection of deadstock sunnies and in the near future we plan on manufacturing a full line of vintage inspired frames, wood and leather unisex handbags, unisex shoes, belts, and anything else we are inspired to make.

TRY. To Look Like You Didn't.

A Little Inspiration Goes a Long Way!

Submitted by Raygon (the OverAchiever)

Here's a little inspiration board submitted by Miss Raygon, hailing out of Houston, Texas!
I have an inspiration board right at eye level of my sewing machine and jewelry station as well as one lining the inside of my closet. There I times where I am stumped on what to wear and I see a picture of an ocean, blue skies or the new Gucci campaign and I get inspired to create, create, create (outfits). FASHION IS AN ART FORM.






We hope to have this as a regular feature Ms. R! Let's keep them coming!

ATTENTION!!!

Wear your clothes. Don't let your clothes wear you.

When you walk with an air of confidence a dirty pair of jeans and tank top look couture.
Strut or Stay Home.

A Look Back on Michael Jackson Inspired Style

Remember the time

by

Izetta Henderson

Michael Joseph Jackson blew this world wide open with his musical ingenious and impeccable style.

As a child growing up in Brooklyn, NY during the 80s, my brother and I rocked Micheal Jackson inspired jackets.

Zippers adorned the pockets and almost every other open space, the shoulders were garnished with studs and glittery patches. EXTRA. EXTRA.

When I really wanted to give it to them, I removed the sleeves and rocked my jacket as a vest with high water Lees and Nike sneaks and a ponytail to the side. Michael made us feel alive.


DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH!

We can't forget the signature style of the Jackson 5.

A time where Afro's were tough and bells rocked all night long. Polyester never looked so good. The style of the 60s is alive and well today, hell right here in BK.

Plaid pants incorporated with tight fitting button downs and men shoes, coupled with locks, tapered fro and hot shades (preferably from YAK BAK - fix you face son).

In 1979, Micheal Jackson released Off the Wall and graced his album with his well mannered Fro, Black suit, white shirt, black tie. His smile lept off the cover and you just knew, his pants were high, white socks a gleaming and loafers were rockin.

Only he could make a tux look so hip.

How many of you pushed up the sleeves of your suit and tux jackets, flipped your collar to show your cool....He was definitely a smooth operator.

In the 80s, Michael reunited with his family and blessed us with Can You Feel it....damn that song made me feel like I was 10ft tall!

The Jackson 5 refined their style and took straight to outer space. Fros were updated and the curl was added, with tight jeans and rockin tees and tops.

Don't forget moon dust sprinkled across to give those tops a certain kind of 80s flair.

Though the decades, Michael brought us many variations of his personality. Whether it was bedazzled gear reminiscent of a military general, or garments that made the Jetsons look like a bunch of lames. Michael Jackson did up his way. He made me look forward to a time when cars will fly and holograms will be the next hottest thing.

Even now, I have seen his style grace the stages of Madonna, Usher, Justin Timberlake, even the Dream is MJ style and fitted denim, yet baggy denim, a phenomenon i still don't understand...hahaha

I can go on forever about MJs out of this world style. But i just wanted to jog the memory and remember the times....take some time, look up his style resume, reminisce over glittery gloves and buckles.

Love it or hate, MJ contributed so much to our lives....I am deeply sadden that I will not see this powerhouse grace us with his upcoming tour that was in the making. But I will never forget how fly I felt, standing on Fulton street mall, standing in front of Fayva, rocking my red Michael Jackson vest and white sweatshirt with a sliver glove...thank you sooo much Michael Jackson for visiting our realm, you were simply to big to be contained on this tiny planet....

Over and Out!

I.H.


Yah's 2 cents:

First off, I never had said jacket...sigh. My family was just off the boat and we couldn't afford it...but in high school I had a Bedazzler and EVERYTHING. I MEAN EVERYTHING was studded. Hat, jacket, shirt pockets, jean pockets (not comfy to sit on but mad cute). So I think I'm almost over the trauma.

Just recently the fashion world was thrown for a loop when Mike (as I affectionately called him) was spotted in pieces straight off the runways of Balmian and Givenchy.

Womenswear, no less but who has shown us the dopeness of androgyny in fashion better than Mike. No one.

Givenchy

BTW if anyone wants to buy me the whole Givenchy's Fall 2008 Collection please email me for sizes. Thanks. Straight fire!

Balmain

Also, feel free to pick up the military/Michael Jackson inspired Demim Balmain spotted on Rihanna...totally MJ and TOTALLY me.me.me.me.me. sigh.

OK...I'm done.

Thanks ZETTA!!! Let's keep the articles coming!!

RIP MJ

Take It In.

The Fitter. The Better.

Cocolah says.....

Boom chaka laka BOOM! with BoomThreads

You have fashion designers, you have film makers, you have entertainers then you have artists. Artists who live to create. Create to live. To the artist, hustle comes secondary. They create because it's the way they communicate with the world.

Cocolah.com is thrilled to introduce BOOM.THREADS. Brought to you by the mystic Ogechi.

Self described as:

My work channels the mystique of Black skin, charged with the feminine sexual power, to examine sexual roles and urges. Sexuality is the key to the continuum of life, as we know it. My video work draws on the representational authority of the photographic image as a means of engaging the viewer in my alternate reality to comment on the biological past, present and future of the darker-skinned children of Africa on planet Earth.

Deepness.


1. Tell me a little a...Multi-media artist from the time I was a small child. I am inspired by all art forms. I experiment a lot and it usually works out. But when
it I don't love it, I just try again.

I just have one of those spirits that won't give up on my ideas.

I got into filmmaking as an umbrella to record all of my ideas and creations. But umm... I'm really hands on with what goes on before my lens...

And I'm a healer.

> 2. Your tshirts seem to tell a story, can you tell me a bit about each.

I let each shirt inspire me with a different mood. I don't plan them in advance. Sometimes I get a vision. I just paint.

Painting relaxes me. I go with the spirit.

"Sun Rays on a Cloudy Head" happened very organically. I was trying to communicate a feeling and the elements just came together. A lot of men respond to that design.

The ideal boom.threads wearer will let each shirt inspire them and be open to the experience of inspiring other folks by wearing something out of the ordinary. These T-shirts are conversation pieces.

Trust, they are empowering to the wearer. I did a focus group and the results were unanimous. Consider yourself warned. ;)

> 3. What is your personal style?

Eye on Africa. Futuristic. Cultural. Expressive. Soul searching. Trend-setting.

In my experience, I've noticed that my personal style is about 3-4 years ahead of the fashion industry.

That's usually how long I look "unusual" before people start copying. But I never let that get to me because I'm always adding to and refining my style.

It's always changing and growing and that's how I stay unique.

> 4. How would you define underground fashion?

Underground fashion is what the fearless trend-setters wear. The going shelf life is about 3 years before underground fashion is xeroxed into the fashion industry machine, but that time is decreasing in the information age. I think that we are going to see a rise in individual
style.

> 5. Ok....predict the fashion future...what do you see for fall?

Emphasis on personal style and identity. Things could definitely get tribal. Look out for Boomthreads Fall 09 Collection.

> 6. How would you describe your local LA based fashion?

I'm an east coast transplant. On the east coast the temp is always changing so we do layers. And more tailored items.

West Coast style is about comfort and not trying too hard, being able to blend into different activities, day & night. There is more of an emphasis on personality.

Going too hard on with random trendy style without a well developed persona comes off fake.

Imitation won't take ya far in this environment. At least, that's my opinion.

When the style and persona work in conjunction, that's when you're living it in color.

> 7. What do you see in your fashion future as a designer and fashionista?

I've got my sights on fabric design. Show costumes. Sculpture.

> 8. What is your fashion pet peeve?

Ed hardy. Just kidding. No really.

When people wear symbols and insignia of a culture they know nothing about. Negative & limiting statements on T-shirts. Words & images have power. They carry energy.

I've very selective about the energy factor of symbols and statements with which I choose to adorn myself.

Christian Audigier is a great business man, however... ;)

> 9. What other projects do you have on the burner?

A DVD of my video art is upcoming on Epistrophik Peach Sound label. I'm participating in a really exciting art show called M3: MC's Mic and Metaphors in July in collaboration with Declaime. It will be occur in conjunction with DC's Hip Hop Theatre festival.

> 10. What's the one MUST HAVE product on Cocolah.com?

The "So Boom" Logo Tee. It's Unisex and so versatile. You're gonna love running your hands all over it. It has a lot of... texture.

Here's a little moving picture treat from the Ogechi....just genius.

BOOMTHREADS "SO BOOM" LOGO TEE PROMO from ogechi on Vimeo.

Get Your Eyes Right

Cover your right eye with your right hand.

Read the first line, pause and repeat until you reach line 10.

Switch hands and cover your left eye with your left hand.

Read through line 10.

Now...go to the mirror and if you don't have YakBlaks on....

FIX YOUR FACE!!!!

YakBlak as SEEN on Cocolah.com!!


Now go Fix Your Face and Say Ahhh!

Subscribe to the Cocolah Newsletter.

If you wanna be my gLover you gotta get with my friend. Miss Numa!

I LOVE MY JOB!!!

COCOLAH.com brings much joy to my life...that is...when I'm not pulling all nighters photographing, retouching, blogging, web designing, marketing and researching. Sigh.

On the rare occasion where I can sit back and enjoy being able to bring you dynamic and unique items from all around the world is when I can really sit back and say ahhh!

This is one of those occasions; COCOLAH.com is super excited to introduce Miss Numa the Glover!

Gloves are oh so sexy.....and they're an accessory that really sets you apart because although they've been around since the beginnings of fashion...they're a rare treat.

Takes a special kinda girl to have to fashion sense to pull these on.


1. Gloves....aah gloves. Gloves seem to be the forgotten accessory which were once a staple of fashion. Where did they go I wonder...

What inspired you to create the Miss Numa Glover line?

It is my love for gloves that inspired the line. the way they feel when i wear them, and the way people respond to seeing them. i wanted to share this with women and men alike.

2. Tell me a little bit of your design process.

my designs often start with a color combination i see or a fabric that i love touching. i ask myself how can i make that into a glove? will the fabric behave properly? if not what fabrics can i combine to get that pattern on my hand? i wrap things around my wrist and imagine.

3. You're also a photographer, how does photography influence your sense of fashion.

my work as a photographer is a high influence on my choices in fashion. clothing that photograph well are generally bold yet fluid. allowing the person wearing them the flexibility for expression yet completely standing on their own. when a photograph is black and white yet the clothing still stands out with beauty and sensuality then you have really created something special.

Take a peek at Miss Numa's Photography on Lah Galleria.

4. What other projects are you involved in?

i am also a filmmaker, actress, and exhibiting visual artist. i am directing my first feature film titled la petite mort which deals with women, love, life, and death. all told in an experimental/non linear fashion. pun intended :)

some of the women will wear gloves in the film of course :)

6. What is your fashion pet peeve?

although i wore my first pair in three years just about a week ago -(thanks to a friend who gave me a crazy fun thrift store pair from the early 80's) i have to say my fashion pet peeve are jeans.

jeans are so very boring. and the status symbol some designers make of them is annoying me! i also think louis vuitton bags are ugly. not that they aren't constructed well, but people make themselves walking advertisements with that LV all over the place. and a lot of times it boils down to look at me and how much i paid for this.

7. What can we expect from the Miss Numa line in the future?

That's my favorite questions as it gets my imagination churning...You will definitely see more dynamic gloves with unexpected color cut and fabric combos. You will also see very soon one of a kind limited edition jackets and gowns which i am very excited to introduce soon.

8. How would you define your personal style?

this question is hard to answer. i am drawn to wearing lace and soft fabrics. i love flowing dresses. and when i am running around the garment districts of la and ny or just doing regular errands you can catch me in a simple cotton jumpsuit from american apparel.

i wear heels at night and flat boots or sandals in the daytime. and i of course love pantyhose and gloves and wear them frequently as well.

9. If you could choose between unlimited shoes and a personal tailor what would it be?

the tailor.

10. What is the MUST HAVE item on Cocolah.com?

miss numa's tuxedo gloves of course :)


Thanks Miss Numa!


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The Newness

Cocolah.com
New Designer Alert!

Boomthreads hailing out of LA!

Miss Numa the Jetsetter!

Zachary Pryor is the Maine Man.

Studio Karma comes to you from Turkey

Overachievers deep in the heart of Texas

Shop Cocolah.com and Say Ahhh!