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 10^thbtw.  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 30^th 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 30^th 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 9^th @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

Or, go to Kelly Strayhorn online

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 10^th  @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

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.

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

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

Tickets

"Like" FashionAFRICANA on Facebook for up to the minute information

FashionAFRICANA @ Kelly Strayhorn Theater

FashionAFRICANA and The Kelly Strayhorn Theater will present FashionAFRICANA’s 10^thAnniversary event on December 9, 2011.

Established in 2001, FashionAFRICANA celebrates the beauty and diversity of the African Diaspora through Design, Dance, Music and curated exhibitions.  FashionAFRICANA is one of the leading African-inspired Fashion and Art events in Pittsburgh. The intent of FashionAFRICANA is to share the breadth and richness of African textures, ethos and history through the language of fashion.

This year FashionAFRICANA will commemorate its 10th anniversary celebrating Women of the Diaspora with a multi-media presentation of African-inspired design, dance and music. The event will highlight a Fashion Presentation by Jamaican-born fashion supermodel turned designer Lois Samuels; live entertainment; and new work – commissioned by FashionAFRICANA – by Pittsburgh-based artists including: Vanessa German, David Pohl, Mary Martin, Terrance Hayes, Isabelle Strollo, Karen Page and LaVerne Kemp.

Dwana A. Smallwood, dancer, choreographer and Director of Student Affairs at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa will be the Honorary Chair of FashionAFRICANA’s 10^thAnniversary event on December 9, 2011 at Pittsburgh’s Kelly Strayhorn Theater. 

Tickets are available online in advance for only $25. To purchase tickets visit: www.kelly-strayhorn.org. On Saturday, December 10^th, the celebration will continue with an in-door festival opened to the public as part of Kelly’s Strayhorn’s Holiday Bazaar. 

The Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a unique and vibrant community performance arts center located in the heart of East Liberty, one of Pittsburgh’s most historic neighborhoods. Drawing audiences from throughout the city, the theater offers original and eclectic programming year-round.

Kelly Strayhorn

Event Details

Concerts Coming Soon to the City

Pittsburgh has many venues to hear great music, see your favorite band perform live, and also enjoy a night of theater within the cultural district and beyond. It may be cold outside but don’t let that keep you inside and miss out on these great concert events in Pittsburgh. Here is a list of events that are as varied as the venues. I’m sure that you will find something that will motivate you! 

read more...