Being Naimah Fuller

When it comes to job titles and descriptions, how does this one sound to you: New Media Artist, Entrepreneur, Social Media Consultant, Filmmaker, Producer/ Director/ Writer/ Videographer? Sound exciting? When it comes to giving birth to new ideas and engaging the world through cinema and visual arts, you need look no further than my recent guest, Naimah Fuller.


Please make sure you visit this website and check out her latest venture.  https://sites.google.com/site/infohomethedocumentary/ 


In this documentary, with contributions from Maya Angleou, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, President Barack Obama,  Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Fatima Weathers, Dr. Howard Dodson, Rev. CT Vivian, Judge D'Army Bailey, and Elaine Brown and Jazz giant Terence Blanchard. Fuller looks at how the new south is attracting a whole new generation of young African Americans who are the descendants of parents and grandparents who fled the terror of the Jim Crow south during The Great Migration in the 20th century, the largest internal migration of any ethnic group in the history of this nation, when nearly nine million black folks migrated to the northeast, the mid-west, and to the west coast of the United States. 

Please also visit the site http://home-thedocumentarymovie.blogspot.com/ so you can read more about this exciting film.

Underwear didn't even get invented until the 1800s. Though it's known by names like "skivvies" now, the first pairs of underwear were nicknamed "unmentionables" and even "unwhisperables." That's right, you couldn't even whisper about your underwear! But today we see them on the racks at stores, packaged together in plastic in the super-stores, on billboard ads with HOT models, and riding high above the top of the pants on teenagers (we'll get in to the whole sagger fashion some other day - just can not go there right now).

Do you remember when a young Brooke Shields said that nothing comes between her and her Calvins? Well here's hoping that at least a hot pair of underwear did!

Underwear does provide support, chafing protection, and perspiration absorption, and helps keep outerwear free of smells and stains from...well...strays. According to Elaine Benson and John Esten's book, Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear, undies — especially for women — were developed, in part, as a Victorian attempt to control and hide genitalia and physique. All the baby talk nicknames that are still substituted for underwear — scanties, snuggles, skivvies, and undies, to name a few more — are another indication of our ongoing discomfort with the contents of our underclothes.

So whether you are comfortable talking about it or it gives you the shivers to bring it up in public - besides the occasional "commando styling" (great for specific times but let's face it, sometimes you just need a little more support than gravity is going to provide!).

So first the age-old question:  boxers or briefs?  A study in the October 1998 Journal of Urology, for example, concluded that underwear type is unlikely to have a significant effect on male fertility.  So if you are a die-hard briefs guy - put them on with confidence!  

When was the last time you tried a new brand?  Men are likely to hang on to the same pair (usually for years and until they literally fall off) and women tend to be more open to trying new ones in pursuit of comfort but let's face it - a great pair of underwear can make you FEEL really good and pretty sexy at the same time.  As our bodies change through the years sometimes its ok to admit to yourself that you need some extra support.  And a little support down under can go a LONG way in helping your other wardrobe fit nicer and for fabrics to flow easier.

Cameron Diaz rocked it in her Spiderman undies in Charlie's Angels.  Heidi Klum in her Risky Business rendition for Guitar Hero is PRICELESS.  Of course, a young Tom Cruise sliding across the floor was many a teenagers sweaty dream...and let's give it up for Madonna who is the high priestess of rockin it on stage in all sorts of intimate wear.  It's because dancing in your underwear is the best feeling in the world.  You can't hide behind anything.  It's you and the music.  You don't hold back.   No one sees you (make sure the blinds are closed all the way!).  You FEEL sexy, you FEEL fit and let's face it - ignorance CAN be bliss!

Underwear is art.  It should express passion while enhancing your awareness of composition.  And it should always exercise good taste. 

New Year - New You - New Style

What did you SEE this New Year's Eve?  We saw some glitter and shiny stuff out there at the parties and on the streets celebrating.  And we saw a LOT of warm coats and sweaters.  But let's talk IMMEDIATE trends for 2011 because you want to walk out the door TOMORROW looking great and fashionable but not broke!

I was looking at the collections before New Year's Eve and one dynamic designer really stood out to me:  Yotom Soloman  His website can be found at http://www.yotamsolomon.com
Chic and traditional with a twist of futuristic, young Israeli-born designer Yotam Solomon has a knack for creating very modern, sexy, feminine silhouettes. 


It is so fun to watch this designer’s diverse assortment of add-ons to his garments. For instance, the gray short sleeveless dress with front pockets, high-waisted shorts with front zippers, strapless cocktail dress filled with stone cut-outs, and mini dress with overlay panels.

British Vogue says Yotam Solomon's collection "reminds audiences that showmanship and high-fashion are in fact still intact in California."  Yotam's Spring Summer 2011 collection was inspired by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. "I design around subjects that are important to me so it was natural to design around the Oil Spill. These days it's difficult to bring people a meaningful message without either scaring them or losing their interest..."  One of his goals is to demonstrate that by teaming together we can save wild life and maintain an evergreen planet  while creating beauty during hard times.

Inspired by Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

The New Year is a new beginning and it is an opportunity for us to renew our outlook and our look.  Take a deep breath and make a splash in fashion.  Think big hair, great make-up, accenting your assets and hiding your flaws (come on, we ALL have flaws its just that some of us are better at hiding them then others!).  

December 29, 2010

This weeks' radio broadcast was so pleased to welcome Clay Johnson, a rising star in the fashion industry from Atlanta.  Clay Johnson of the Sea Ray Investment Group Inc Our Brands: Text Nation Inc, The Tuesday Group LLC, Don't Text and Drive Inc joined us on phone from Atlanta for a lively discussion of fashion, trends, spending and his latest innovation, uTouch Gloves®

 

 

uTouch Gloves® is a groundbreaking development in the world of wireless accessories. While uTouch Gloves® is not the first glove of it’s kind, the product has taken the current designs and concept to a fashionable user friendly model. Consumers have traditionally found a hard time with the technology. Most makers of this type of glove haven’t gone the lengths of uTouch Glove designer Clay Johnson (a renowned designer and developer for several brands). His spirited touch and signature design “the fingertip” makes this glove the standout product for touch technology. The unique woven design is a first. As this market grows, the need for this type of product will also grow. uTouch will combine best in business technology and practices to drive the market with an attractive price point for consumers (about 15.00-20.00 per pair) and solid craftsmanship that focuses on quality. 

Clay can be found lately in speaking engagements that focus on the Don't Text and Drive campaign.  This campaign urges people to stop this very dangerous habit and he speaks to audiences of all ages about this.  You can visit the website http://www.stadnow.org and take the pledge to stop texting and driving.

Clay is an inspiring man to speak with and I hope you check out the radio show.  He has a unique outlook on the industry and believes that fashion should not always equal a startling price tag.

December 24, 2010

Happy Holidays everyone.  I hope that everyone is surrounded by people who love them and that you take this opportunity to take lots of photos and make wonderful memories!

Our radio show got started a little slow as we waited for the connection with Pamela Sneed.  Unfortunately this does occur occasionally with technology.  By the way, visit www.pamelasneed.blogspot.com in your spare time.  What a thrill to finally connect with her after a few moments!

Pamela spoke about how the drive to write and create began in her childhood and how the writings and the story of Harriet Tubman inspired her.  Like many artists the affairs of love, both negative and positive, lit the spark for the passionate writing that she does even today.

Pamela has found an incredible outlet to not only continually process her passions, but to help people find their words to express, encourage, lead, and heal themselves.  Traveling to Africa is one of the most powerful ways to open the doors of realization for the soul.  Her adventure to Africa spoke so much to her that at the time it almost felt emotionally numbing but be assured that the spirit of the place was speaking to her and would come out in her work and to the world step by step over the years.  Pamela continues her exploration of the truth and to share the stories of truth with her listeners and readers.

You need to check out some of her YouTube videos.  They are empowering and inspiring as well as challenging.  

You never know the people and experiences you are going to meet and encounter the next day.  We all hold within us the amazing power to affect another human life - the question is will you use the power and if so, how will you affect the life of someone else?  We can tear them down or build them up but either way we help one another transform in to the person we are today.  

You need to listen to the show.  She has an incredible follow-up story to the popular YouTube video of hers entitled, "I Saw Stone Melt".  It is humbly moving.  Hearing and reading the stories of our lives are important but to witness the CONTINUATION of a life-story is a moving and inspiring experience.

Jackie Waller, Co-Host reminds us that we are all on this journey together and that we need to continually break down the barriers between us including race, ethnicity, religion, and sexuality.  

It was a thrill to speak with her on the phone and we hope you will have the opportunity to learn more about the passion that is Pamela Sneed.

December 22, 2010

I am so very thrilled about my next radio guest.  We will post the interview when it is completed but you can save this link for future reference as well.  Interview With Pamela Sneed  

The brilliant Pamela Sneed.  A Boston-born, New York-based poet, actress, activist, teacher and performance artist; she has a smile that is absolutely brilliant and her authenticity will come shining through on the interview.

She has authored two collective works of poetry, Imagine Being More Afraid of Freedom Than Slavery (Henry Holt, 1998) and KONG And Other Works (Vintage Entity Press, 2009).

She has performed at great venues around the world such as:
Center Stage at The Studio Museum
Creative Time at The Brooklyn Anchorage
Exit Art
Lincoln Center Ex-Teresa in Mexico City
The ICA London
The CCA Glasgow
The Green Room in Manchester England
Literatur Werkstat in Berlinn

She is listed as one of the most influential African American poets of the 21st century alongside great like James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni and more.

December 21, 2010

What a joy it is to be back online with you!  Thank you for your patience this year.  We have put together some great ideas for you and we are ready to hit the ground running.  

On this site we will feature wonderful news from the world of fashion both locally and around the world.  We will be updating the site at least weekly and as always, we would LOVE to hear from you!

Now of course you knew that we just weren't going to put up a disclaimer article and leave it at that.  We have to comment on SOMEthing and I do believe it will be in regards to this fine piece of fashion which came to us from Milan.  

This, ladies and gentleman, is a SNOOD.  Feel free to let out a slight giggle at the name because most people do but we are here to tell you that this is the ideal piece of clothing for any man.  It is a scarf and hood in one, hence the unique name, SNOOD. A snood actually has been around for many generations and is historically a piece of European female headwear.  Or in this case, a tubular neck scarf.  It is very popular with skiers or motorcyclists and can be worn around the neck or also pulled up over the hair and lower face like a hood.   

The initial problem we see here is that most men are not going to walk in to a store and ask a clerk to see the latest snoods available.  Most likely they are going to wonder aimlessly hoping to run in to them by mistake.  But people are starting to notice that it is a lot more comfortable than a scarf.  You don't have to worry about little dangling parts or constantly re-wrapping it or getting it stuck in a zipper of your jacket.  And the overall response is:  it is actually very warm and useful.  In fact, I am sure that in most places in Europe today, as the snow and the winds and the ice have even shut down major airports for days - the snood is a welcome friend.