Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Volunteer For Fashion!




It’s that time of year again!  Time to begin planning for this year’s Pittsburgh Fashion week!  If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, here is what you need to know.

A meeting for all persons interested in volunteering for Pittsburgh Fashion Week will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, in the gallery of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, 420 Boulevard of the Allies, downtown.
Doors will open at 6:30pm for informal socializing and refreshments.  The meeting will begin promptly at 7pm and end by 8pm.

A second meeting will be held Thursday, March 8, same time and place for those unable to attend Tuesday March 6.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP with your name and number by Sunday, March 5 via email at volunteer@pittsburghfashionweek.com. 

When you RSVP, PLEASE indicate which day you plan to attend in the subject line, with your name and number in the body of the email.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of Pittsburgh history!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Bar tending School Anyone?


2961 West Liberty Avenue #217          
Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Elite Bartending School in Pittsburgh is a fully-licensed trade school. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They offer a forty-hour course that can be covered in the daytime, evenings, or on weekends. I recently sat down with Nadine Riess, founder and instructor, to find out more about taking classes.




Thursday, January 5, 2012

Whats your NY Resolution?

95422822 e1320442170824 Music Lessons In Pittsburgh


It’s the start of a new year! Many of us are feeling inspired to try new experiences, or perhaps reclaim an idea that had been forgotten. Music can be soothing to the soul, and playing music can be a very satisfying release. Are you an aspiring musician, or do you know someone who is? If you have always wanted to learn to drum, or to DJ, or to improve your vocal range, now is a great time to learn how. Perhaps you know how to play the piano, but could use a refresher. I have compiled a list of people and places that offer a range of music instruction throughout Pittsburgh.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

FA10 Complete Rundown



By now you have read about FashionAFRICANA, you are aware of and have snagged your ticket for this legendary night.  You have learned about the twitterchat with FA10 honoree, designer Lois Samuels (if you didn’t know about the twitter chat refer to the post below).  That is only a portion of the entire storyline of FA10 celebration.  

Below is a timeline of events leading up to FA10 which is NEXT FRIDAY THE 10thbtw.  Follow the appropriate links to the pages that you need to in order to have a full scope of this astonishing celebration of LIFE, CULTURE, and CREATIVITY!

Pittsburgh is gaining ground as it relates to fashion, and in particular the fashion business.  However it is rare that this level of fashion and flare come to our door step here in the burgh.  So if you LOVE fashion, art, and creativity then THIS IS FOR YOU!

-This Wednesday the 30th from 6p-8p is the FA10 Happy Hour Mixer at Ava Lounge (come and meet models, and artists that are a part of the show!)

-This Wednesday the 30th from 8p-8:30p is the LIVE TWITTER CHAT with Lois Samuels @VESSELBYLOIS (if you are on Twitter you must join us and ask some questions of your own)

-Next Friday the 9th @8pm @The Kelly Strayhorn Theater FashionAFRICANA 10 year celebration (give yourself the gift of full fabulosity!  Don’t miss the show! )    This event is generously sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Eden Hall Foundation.

       o Musician Kadiatou opens the show which includes the showing of new works of art – commissioned by FashionAFRICANA – by Pittsburgh-based artists: Vanessa German, David Pohl, Mary Martin, Terrance Hayes, Isabelle Strollo, Karen Page and Laverne Kemp.

     o Solo dance performance by Dwana A. Smallwood; dancer, choreographer and Director of Student Affairs at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa.  Dwana is the Honorary Chair of the FA10 event.

     oJamaican-born supermodel turned designer Lois Samuels will showcase some of her creations from the Vessel by Lois collection.

Use your smarty pants phone to purchase tickets J


Advance $25 | Door $30
To purchase 10 or more tickets at a special discounted rate, please call 412.363.3000. The Kelly Strayhorn Theater is located at 5941 Penn Avenue in East Liberty.


-The following day on next  Saturday the 10th  @11am-5pm,
 the celebration continues with Kelly Strayhorn’s  Annual Holiday Bazaar, an in-door festival that is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (great time to get some holiday shopping in!). Twelve local artists and the West African Dance Ensemble will create a festive atmosphere for this annual bazaar where  one-of-a-kind treasures abound, including: jewelry; handbags made of fabric from Ethiopia; soaps; decorative items for the home, food, table linens and tickets and gift certificates to upcoming Kelly Strayhorn productions and Dance Alloy Theater classes and much more. 

          o   At 2 pm the West African Dance Ensemble will perform.



There, you are fully caught up!  Purchase your ticket now if you have not yet done so.  Join everyone tonight at AVA and also the LIVE TWITTERCHAT with Lois Samuels after!  Then lets meet  NEXT FRIDAY at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater for FashionAFRICANA 10!  Don’t forget to get your holiday shopping in the following day at the KST BAZAAR!  

I am looking forward to ALL of the happenings surrounding FA10, and I will see you there!


Join the conversation about FA10by Liking them on FB
Join the Twitter chat by following @fashionAFRICANA and @VESSELBYLOIS

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Twitterchat w/ Lois Samules



You have learned about fashionAFRICANA you have learned a bit about Lois Samuels and her beautiful designs.  Join us on Monday November 28th for a Twitterchat with Lois Samules.  Follow @fashionAFRICANA  on Twitter  for time details.  Feel free to also follow on FB for up to the minute details about all the happenings surronding fashionAFRICANA.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Wu-Tang Classic Material


"TRIUMPH-A Wu-Tang Story" Edition
W/ CM Residents Selecta + SMI

Hosted by Gene Stovall

Saturday, September 19th

Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd
East Lib

10pm-2am

Simply put. A night chock of full of tracks from RZA, GZA, Method Man,
Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and
ODB, collectively known as the Wu-Tang Clan. Remixes, Features, Side
Projects, Affiliates (Cappadona, Remedy, Killah Priest, 5th Disciple,
etc...) and the backdrops used for some of Rza's most lush
masterpieces. 

www.shadowlounge.net

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Lois Samuels @ FashionAFRICAN


 FashionAFRICANA is proud to present the first annual FashionAFRICANA award to Jamaican born fashion model turned designer Lois Samuels for broadening the standard in fashion and beauty.


LOIS SAMUELS
Lois Samuels’ introduction to fashion began as a model where she had the opportunity to work with amazing designers and publications in the fashion capitals of the world.  Signed to New York’s Q Agency, Lois’ career as a model has spanned over 16 years.  She has worked with agencies throughout Europe including Marilyn in Paris and IMG in the US. She has also worked with designers from Lacroix, Miyake and Mugler in Paris, Armani, Ralph Lauren and Rucci in New York and shot for magazines as German and Italian Vogue, Essence and Harpers Bazaar.

THE VESSEL. BY LOIS
... urban, bold, effortless, chic, sexy with a modern minimalist twist.

Lois Samuels started the Vessel. by Lois in the Spring of 2009 during New York’s Fashion Week. The collections present a clean, simple slate of tailored basics which she believes are the foundation of what fashion should represent.

Drawing inspiration from traditional tailoring as well as the utilitarian lines of the uniform she has created a blend of style with streamlined comfort and ease. Her work has been featured in Vogue Italia, The New York Times, L’Officiel, Elle and WWD. The Collection tantalizes customers with tailored suits, cocooning capes, simple and transitional dresses and overalls that flatter and enhance the women who wear them. These collections have an aesthetic that reflects the confidence and versatility of the brands global customer.

"Lois Samuels worked suiting and shirting fabrics into a serene collection with a Puritan bent, the highlights of which were beautifully tailored long dresses and coats." - Womens Wear Daily

Lois’ Collection are all made in the heart of the garment district of New York City where she resides with her son Malo.
  
View the Vessel. by lois 2010 collection below and get prepared for a great fashion show at FashionAFRICANA.






Ms. Samuels is also a published author of two books:
Jamaica through My Eyes, Mcmillan Publishers (2005)
 A Glow in the Dark, LMH Publishers (1999


In Loving Memory of 2004 FashionAFRICANA Cover model, Marquetta Grate.


 


2004 FashionAFRICANA: Tribute to Lost Boys of Sudan, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Model:  Marquetta
Credit:  Photograph © Frank Walsh