Meet Shoe Designer Natischa Harvey Natischa Harvey has been designing shoes since the 10th grade. Wanting her to pursue a more safe and reliable career option, her mother would try and persuade her from such risky pursuits. It got to the point where Natischa could no longer suppress her love of high-fashion, she knew she would have to get her mother’s blessing first. Her mother always knew that she loved fashion and designing shoes, but she felt it wasn't a secure field. In school she stud[...]
Meet Designer Byron Lars Byron Lars started designing under his own label in 1991 with a small collection of sportswear focusing on what he refers to as "twisted American classics." His inspiration came from such an unlikely source, his grandfather's hunting jacket. Byron put his spin on it with a "Dior New Look" proportion to create a Duchess of Windsor meets Field and Stream hybrid. After his second season in the business, Women's Wear Daily hailed him as "Rookie of the Year." His line was[...]
Meet Designer B. Michael B. Michael’s inspiration came from his mother, her creativity and sense of style were passed on to him. While pursuing a career in fashion, he designed hats under Oscar de la Renta, Louis Feraud among others. His big break came when he was given the opportunity to do the millinery work for the 1980s hit television drama Dynasty. With his success on the show, he went on and launched his own millinery line in 1989. Years later, B launched his first couture collection[...]
Meet Designers Darlene and Lizzy Okpo “I definitely am a big Black History buff. When you observe the women of our history, their style was amazing.” ~Darlene Sisters Darlene and Lizzy Okpo were born in the Bronx, NY, to Nigerian immigrant parents. Their inspiration comes from their parent's personal style with American culture. With both Darlene and Lizzy's love of fashion, they created a women’s wear collection named after their father, William Okpo. Their brand represents the “imm[...]
Meet Designer Mimi Plange Mimi Plange was born in Accra, Ghana, and grew up in Southern California. She's been attracted to art at a very young age, its creation, its many faces, and its meanings. The art led her to a passion for clothes. She was hooked on the incredible fantasy that one could actually design beautiful clothing for a living and that was exactly what she wanted to do. Plange stayed focused on that idea, and as a child, she knew that it was what she was going to do, “I just[...]
Meet Twin Designers Dexter and Byron Peart Dexter and Byron were both born and raised in Ottawa, Canada. Working in Sales and Marketing for the Canadian Magazine Ocean Drive had exposed Dexter to the industry, while brother Byron studied economics in college. Right out of school he was appointed Diesel's marketing director. The WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie brand was founded five years ago by twin brothers Dexter and Byron Peart. WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie is a line of men's accessories, cr[...]
Meet Designer Duro Olowu Duro Olowu was born in Lagos Nigeria, to a Nigerian father and a Jamaican mother, he was raised between both Nigeria and England. Olowu developed a love for fashion, he became inspired by the women around him, from the clothing they wore, which were a mixture of colors and textures. He gave up the chance to become a lawyer like his father and instead decided to pursue a career in fashion. Living in London provided him the opportunity to embrace the culture, art,[...]
Meet Designer Ozwald Boateng Ozwald Boateng was born in 1968 in London, England to Ghanaian immigrant parents. Back in Ghana his mother had worked in the fabric business and took in custom work as a seamstress in England. At the age of 5, Boateng's mother made him a purple mohair suit that quickly became his favorite outfit. At 16, Boateng began dating a girl he met at a London technical college, she showed him how to sew and make clothes. Soon after Boateng had switched his major from comput[...]
Meet Twin Designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim were born in Alabama but raised in Somalia. At a young age, they returned to the U.S. due to a civil war erupting back home. They moved right outside Washington, D.C., in Northern Virginia. As a way to understand their new surroundings, the twins turned to fashion. They didn't speak any English, so their mother would buy them fashion magazines. They couldn't read the language in the magazines, but they understood the photos, "f[...]
Kanye West Thinks Kim Kardashian Should Be On The Cover Of Vogue! So apparently Kanye West thinks Kim Kardashian should cover Fashion Magazine Vogue. Kayne is upset because the folks over at Vogue put the "Girls" star, Lena Dunham, on the magazine's February cover. He feels as if Kimmy continues to be overlooked. Rumor has it that Kanye confronted the magazine's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour while at lunch at the Beverly Hills Polo Lounge. Given the rapper's past history with expressing hims[...]