YakBlak Sunnies & Specs

Is your Face ready for the fall?

Join us this Sunday at Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn for your chance to get your Fall Sunnies.

ASK ME!

I'm not a diamond ring kinda girl so I was beyond excited this morning to stumble upon this art piece. I have finally found my very perfectly imperfect engagement ring.

I do be do be do.

Indigenous. Tribal. Art. Fashion.

I could design three collections inspired by this video alone.

Sigh.

Neutrally Dark

Welcome to the dark side.

I've never been drawn to bright colors and being a Latina woman I've always had to justify my dark side. In my culture, a lack of brights is associated with everything from depression to attracting negative spirits and energy.

Trust me, I fully understand the effects of color on mood, how it enhances your skin tones and gives off subconscious messages about your personality. I get it. Red means power. I get it.

Nevertheless I find comfort in neutrals; chocolate brown, gray, camel and of course black on black. Not only do they speak to my introverted nature, I find these colors chic, rich, sophisticated and versatile.

Neutrals allow me to add a piece to my wardrobe without having to buy a whole outfit. Everything goes with the flow and follow me to the dark side.  There is nothing to be afraid of. Nothing makes me more excited than a monochromatic charcoal gray palette and when adventurous with a dash of burgundy.

Some colors are just too bright for my taste, the few times I wear a bright top I gotta keep my shades on. So what do you do when things seem too loud for your taste? You mute it.

Thankfully this fall muted brights are here to combat all the negative spirits!

Nowadays I find myself adding a dash of color with accessories, jewelry, a bright nail polish here or an off beat broach there. All black outfit with a Guatemalan purse made of woven fabrics in every color known to man.

Adding an unexpected pop of color to an other wise neutral color palette when done well gives a flair of sophistication and place for the eye to rest and of course...combat negative spirits.

She's Not a Square

Last week we welcomed TALONALIA  to the Cocolah family and here ladies and gents is the mastermind behind the scenes working her claws to the bone to bring you these tasty treats*.

You might remember Alicia from my previous hate rant complaining on how she owns the Acne Shoes of my dreams. I've since forgiven her...obviously.

Check her out over at INNY VINNY where she's a blogging fool...I mean you could enter her um contest to win a super dope necklace from her other collection DRKGMTRY. But um...don't bother cus I've already decided I'm the winner. YUP! YAY ME!

Miss Thing Alicia Nassardeen

# What is the first thing you think about before getting dressed? 

"I hope I can find a pair of jeans I didn't wear yesterday"

# What's your hustle? 

 

Aside from my 9 to 5, I slang brass bird claws and other assorted things.  Sometimes it's jewelry, sometimes it's clothing, sometimes it's vintage.   

# What is your design process?   

Most of the time, I'll think of something, quick sketch it to make sure it's technically possible for me to execute, and then try to knock it out.  If I can't get it the way I want it, I put it on pause and move on to the next idea.   I have steno pads and post-its everywhere to keep track.  That system isn't working too well. 

# What is your fashion pet peeve? 

Socks with sandals.  I've never understood it and never will. 

 

# Share one of your fashion secrets?  

Black skinny jeans make you 3 inches taller even if you don't have on heels.  Don't tell anyone. 

# Name a recent fashion inspiration. 

Viktor and Rolf's F/W 10 show.  I'm all over convertible clothing. 

# What trend do you see in the future for underground fashion? 

Pocket squares.  I've never seen it before, and I really want to start seeing it.  Really. 

# What trend do you wish would just die, die, die? 

The aforementioned socks with sandals.  Spring is coming and I'm going to be assaulted with them, I just know it. 

# Who is your fashion muse? 

Zoe Kravitz because she wears whatever the hell she wants and always looks completely comfortable and unforced.  Lady Fag because she is incredibly ballsy.  She'll wear a shower curtain over a bathing suit with Margiela boots and would probably sock you if you said something about it.    

# What would you choose: a personal tailor or unlimited shoes?  

Unlimited shoes, no question.  I have no use for a tailor as someone who wears oversized shirts, belts over boxy dresses and jeans. 




*No animals were harmed in the making of this product.

Death by Fashion

Um, hello do you see what is being done here with leather. Ooof! Pieces like this is what drives me to work 14 hour days. What keeps me tossing and turning at night trying to figure out how to take my brand to the next level. Trying to figure out how to get, keep, manifest your attention to fashion greatness.

What does a girl like me have to do to get a closet full of couture pieces like these!?!? Tell me!!!!

These pieces are commanding and structured yet supple like yours truly. hee hee.

I'm sorry but I'd have to accessories these outfit with a chauffeured Bentley that's just the bottom line.

Hermes Winter 2010/11 Women's Collection

That shoulder piece is to die for. If I faint do not resuscitate. This is how I wanna go. Death by Fashion.

No Time To Sit

Vintage Calvin Klein Ad

STYLE

Dusted this off from the "still need this in my life please" files.

Jeremy Scott

First I was afraid / I was petrified

UGO in TEN

 
Introducing the man behind the indie brand Aston Mozie; Mr. Ugo Mozie. Keep your eyes peeled for this fella.  He's got "it" I mean just look at his riding boots...nuff said.

 Designer & Image Consultant Ugo Mazie

UGO in TEN

 

# What is your fashion pet peeve?
- My fashion Pet Peeve is people who are not true to themselves when dressed up. when i see people trying too hard and not respecting there inner selves. I can easily spot a fashion fake a mile away.

# Share one of your fashion secrets?
- umm... I used to add Shoulder pads to Tee Shirts.

# Name a recent fashion inspiration.- My Most recent Fashion inspiration was This African guy i saw in Harlem. He wore a full out Mustard Yellow African ensemble with a huge extravagant chain and a cap. I think it may have inspired my summer look. :)

# What trend do you see in the future for underground fashion?
- Men in skirts. Straight guys wearing Kilts and sneakers.

# What trend do you wish would just die, die, die?
- Girls in skinny jeans and sneakers. Im all for girls in heels, even flats but no Js please.

# Who is your fashion muse?
- Kelis

# What would you choose: a personal tailor or unlimited shoes?
- Unlimited shoesss. Ill tailor my own stuff. lol. 

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE FASHION CHALLENGE!

WIN THIS!!!

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

We play games. Jamaal and I.

I say strong shoulders, neutral, monochromatic, strong and he gives me this. If everything in my life could be this simple!

I would rock this cape till death do us part. Now if I could find someone to give this sketch to so they can make this for me I'd be set. Well...throw in a shoe maker and milliner and then I'd be set.

Oh wait...a chef and a maid...masseuse and a chauffeur...um....a duplex loft in Tribeca where I can use the top level as a walk in closet and studio. With a rooftop olympic size pool and hot tub... I mean hey if you gonna fantasies go big.

Shrug. Don't hate on my dreams.

Jamaal Hooker fashion designer, artist, stylist, visual designer, etc. etc.

FIX YOUR FACE

At arms length

 

 

Dexter R. Jones of SirReal Photography is a photographer, artist, poet and actor.
Expect to see more goodies by this talented artist on Cocolah!

Thank you Mr. Dexter for the featured image now on Cocolah.com.

Fluid