Dapper Dan and the case of Gucci should teach us all about truly documenting cultural talent in the mainstream channels we have access to on the internet and beyond. We shouldn't wait for the masses or the boardroom executives to give the green light. We should give praises when it is due and create the hype when issa a vibe.
Photo Credit: Fashion GPS/ Sneakerfreaker.com
The former CEO of Chanel, Maureen Chiquet, is creative, playful and witty and she also doesn’t give out advice so don’t ask. But she will sell you on her new book “Beyond the Label” which is about her time and journey leading up to the greatest role in any fashionista’s dream: being the boss of Chanel.
Read the full article on here.
On a cloudy very Parisian morning, I visited the Bourdelle Museum in Paris, France to see the newly opened exhibit, Balenciaga L’ Oeuvre au Noir. As I walked into the small naturally lit museum filled with all of Antoine Bourdelle’s sculptures, I wondered what type of dresses I would see after becoming interested in the Balenciaga’s overall vision during the appointment of New York designer Alexander Wang as Creative Director. I needed to pinch myself when I arrived. I was in Paris, I was going to be served fashion on a silver platter. The exhibit was established and sponsored by Palais Galliera, the official fashion museum and historic center.
To read the full interview click here.
Like Harlem, I found the memorial in front of Louvre intriguing yet sad at the same time. A place that is supposed to be beautiful, wrought with despair. But everything that’s beautiful is not always good for you. From Harlem to Paris, is a series of articles written about my first time in Paris and my experiences and awakenings thereafter.
Read the entire Series on Huffington Post, here.
In Letters, to Women Like Me, author Mirtha Michelle Castro Mármol, paints her love life out of a series of poems and short essays about love and self-reflection.
Read my full interview on the Huffington Post here.
When your crush starts to text you back, you’ll realize what you are texting is probably just your own fantasy regardless of whatever else may ensue afterwards.
Read When Your Crush Starts To Text You Back on Mel Writes Huffington Post column.
Wakeup beautifully with the accessory of the moment.
Small talk has gone political and there needs to be some type of political correctness guidance. What's yours?
Unbound, a high-end sex accessories shop and monthly subscription box based in New York City, is disrupting and breaking the stigma with buying sex and self-love toys online and in style.
The high quality battery-powered brush works with a variety of hair types and the simple act of brushing begins the data collection process.
Zuri Marley hosted her family's launch party of Marley Natural, a high-end line of smoking accessories. Dozens of smoking enthusiasts gathered at The Standard Highline's gift shop to celebrate and test the launch of Marley Natural. Guests were treated to rolling tobacco demos by Marley Natural reps, as Zuri and her crew entertained the small crowd with smiles. But of course, It's not a party until someone blazes against the host's will, and how can you not given the fancy tools?! Check out some photos of the event with a cameo from Issue 2 of Violet Summer Zine...
Photos by MARIAMA RAFETNA // MADI DANGEROUSLY
JORD watches are made from all natural wood that features quartz and automatic movements for men's, women's, and unisex styles. Mel Writes about why her watch is so unique.
In this special Behind-the-Scenes moment, the Violet Summer Zine collaborators sent Kish a 35MM disposable camera from Duane Reade in hopes of creating something a little exciting when it comes to snail mail, diy, and photographer. Nicole suggested this art direction since our photo shoot budget was like none existent (ask Devin), a tight printing deadline and Kish was touring Russia, which is where my zine she gave me was all about! This feature will definitely be returning in Issue 3 of the zine, wonder who we'll send a 35MM disposable camera to next! Not to mention, it took me forever to develop the film (again, Ask Devin) and come to find out there's a Walgreens that develops film in one hour right in Times Square!
35MM's later....
(c) 2016 Violet Summer Zine
Designs by Human decorated a New York City apartment full of books and beauty products into a chic holiday escape.
For 5 DIY Holiday Decorating tips, read my Huffington Post blog here.
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From the romantic countryside of Italy to the gritty streets of New York City, Valeria in the City reminds Mel Writes why New York is so magical.
Photo Credit: Instagram
367 days away from You!!!!!
My “mind” journey to NYC starts every time I come back home, ‘cause I keep on being there!
Do you wanna feel like a real new yorker? Follows my tips on the city and remember that NYC is not only the Empire State Building, the charging bull at Wall street or the Times Square lights. So take the subway, feel the city, walk as if you were in a terrible hurry.
This past September was my 13th visit and I still never get used to it.
“How is it possible?” people ask me. And I respond, "It's because NYC is not just a city, it’s a variety of cities in one; it depends on the neighborhood you are in, that has its own soul."
Nobody could, for example, compare SoHo to UES, or LES to Chelsea. Completely different!!
And talking about Brooklyn, aren’t Dumbo and Williamsburg different from Carrols Garden or Red Hook?
Have you ever been to Red Hook? Oh, I think you should. No subway to get there. Just take the water taxi at Pier 11 at South Street Seaport.
As soon as you approach IKEA, you feel you’re in another world (where is Manhattan?!), back to 50’s! No traffic no crowd but one of the best seafood you can eat enjoying a stunning sunset: the sun is just in front of you and so is Lady Liberty.
Keep this in mind: every place you go, it recalls you that you are in NYC ‘cause you can see the skyline or the Empire or the freedom tower from many points in the city.
If you want to admire the Manhattan skyline just go to Roosevelt Island by tramway; (it seems you can touch by hand the Queensboro bridge) or go to Williamsburg.
I went there on a Saturday morning and I was so lucky to be there during the Smorgasburg, a flea food market.
Grab something to eat and look at the East river park just in front of you in its glory beauty. The east river seems to be there as to divide 2 worlds. You are there and I’m here!
And what about a walk at Mott street, going from Nolita to Chinatown. Everything is slower down here.
Take your time making shopping among the little vintage shops and sipping a coffee and tasting a cupcake at Little cupcakes, a bakery not famous among tourists and trust me it makes everything much better…
“How do you feel when you stay in the city?” difficult question to answer … I feel one and nobody, I feel like everyone else, I can act as a posh lady who lives in a beautiful penthouse in Park Ave., who goes to Bergdorf for shopping or to Sant Ambroeus for a brunch with her friends talkin’ about the next charity event; I could feel like a model who walks in SoHo in her biker shoes or a business woman who is having a cocktail after work, before taking her subway train to come back home…
NYC is this and much more and you know what???? The most important thing to me is that I feel I’M ONE OF THEM!!!!
xoxo
Valeria in the City
For more Valeria, visit Vale & The City on Facebook.
Photo: Getty
Mercedes-Benz presents Istanbul Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2017. Media recap and photos courtesy of Image.net.
Ashley Smith is the November face of Playboy Magazine and is bringing a whole new vibe to the iconic highly suggestive movement.
