Thursday, February 27, 2014

Some Celebrities Do Care

I just went to Eras Of Black Style last night.  I loved it.  I met Beverly Johnson, Constance White and Tereneh Mosley.  I also got to see Demeatria Boccella and her partner Darnell McLaurin from Fashion Africana. I've been to their Pittsburgh fashion shows.  He had on the most fabulous silver shoes I've ever seen.  I would know because I've been wearing silver shoes since I was two.

Windafire, Christina Springer,
& Beverly Johnson
The reason why I am so excited about this is because Beverly Johnson is the first Black woman to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine.  That's a big deal because if she had given up her dream to be a model, people wouldn't think Black people could be beautiful.  She wanted to keep making money, because she knew that she wouldn't stay pretty for very long.  But, she was wrong.  She's still gorgeous! She picked a great fashion business.  And what is it you say?  Wigs!  If your hair doesn't match your outfit, or the color is all wrong, you don't have to dye your hair.  You can just put on one of her wigs.

Constance White & Windafire
in my original ensemble.
Constance White was the editor of Essence Magazine, style editor for The New York Times and Elle. She made sure the the word spread that Black people have always looked awesome. Look at your Vogue today! It has lots of Black people in it. Not Really! Just checking that you're still reading.

I learned a lot from her talking. Really,  from everyone talking.  But, she inspired me the most because she helped me look deeper at designers I should know about.  Stephen Burrows is one.  He was copied by European designers.  But, people like Constance remember and tell the story.  I also got her awesome book, "The Kings & Queens Of Style."  I also learned that my styles reflect my heritage because in lots of Black design there has always been shiny, sparkly, color, patterns, fringe and fur.  (I couldn't find a website for the book.)

And then, in the audience, sitting behind me was Tereneh Mosley! She is working in Africa with Massai women on a fashion line. They want clean water, food on a daily basis and electricity.  All of things we have everyday. This fashion line is going to help get them get this.  It's new for African-Americans to work equally with Africans to share profits.  Usually, like the diamonds that you are wearing today, are from some European who held a gun to an African's head and said, "Go work in the mine. Give me the diamonds. And we're not going to pay you that much." But, not Tereneh, she's sharing. 

All of them we so warm and nice to me.  They asked me about myself.  They shared information with me.  They cared.

Lesson Learned: We are Sharing People.

Let me know what you think in the comments. 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tim Gunn Stinks

In October of 2013, I wrote a letter to Tim Gunn of Project Runway.  It is now 2014, on the 25th day of February.  He still hasn't written me back.  So, I'm going to share it with you.

Lesson Learned: Don't write letters to celebrities.  They just don't care.

This is the letter I wrote. What do you think?

October 15, 2013
Tim Gunn,
Project Runway Mentor
Lifetime Network
235 45th Street
New York, New York 10017

Dear Mr. Gunn,

I am ten years old.  I am home educated.  I am a young fashion designer. This year I hope to develop and market my own fashion line.  I am starting with up-cycled mini skirts and accessories.  These will be the seed money for my Spring Couture debut.  I learned a lot from Project Runway. Like the importance of pinning, not to only hand sew stuff, and never send a model down a runway looking like a zebra wearing a Cone Of Shame.

Here’s my problem. The new season has too much cussing and inappropriate behavior.  I know you beep most things out, but, words like the b-word and the a-word make me so uncomfortable that I can’t watch.  I have a hard time learning anything over the swearing and beeping. 

I was wondering if you could change your screening policy from choosing people who aren’t really appropriate to good designers who also interesting people.  I mean, if you want drama, just start a new show, “Project Runway: Dark Divas of Design.”  I won’t watch that one.

Sincerely,

Windafire