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Latest Headlines
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March 9: Korto Momolu for being a Triple threat – fashion, jewelry and bags
Posted on March 6, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Korto Momolu for being a Triple threat – fashion, jewelry and bags.
Korto Momolu (pronounced Cut • Toe – Mo • Mo • Lu) is a popular fashion designer and stylist. Born in Liberia, West Africa, Korto left the country in 1990 due to a civil war, and settled in Canada where she pursued her passion, and studied fashion design at the L’Academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario. After graduation, she moved to Arkansas with her husband to live and raise their daughter. Influenced by her African roots and inspired by rich fabrics, Korto began producing chic womenÕs wear and accessories.In 2010, Korto Momolu formed a partnership with Dillard’s Incorporated to design an eye-catching collection of handbags and jewelry that is currently in more than 70 stores nationwide. Additionally, she teamed up with Madera Exotic Woods to design “The Saba Collection”, an exclusive line of fashionable eco-friendly wood jewelry and handbags, and “Korto Momolu for SanLori”, which is a new line of stationery and gift products with Korto’s personal imprint of nature inspired colors and themes. Coming soon is “Korto Momolu for JHS”, which is a collection of fine jewelry to accent everyday wear. Highlighted as the “fashion designer to watch” by New York magazine, Korto has been featured by major international and national media outlets, including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, People Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, Women’s Wear Daily, Sprit magazine, TV Guide, The Mo’Nique Show, African Premiere Television, The Wendy Williams Show, Essence, and many more.
Website:
Web Trails:
http://www.chocolatecity.cc/2011/02/18/korto-momolu-brings-ny-fashion-week-collection-to-columbus/
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March 8: Amanda George for creating the innovative blog, The Audacity of Color
Posted on March 6, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Amanda George for creating the innovative blog, The Audacity of Color – a simple BIG Idea: Color
Amanda George has a love of all things colorful. This love of color paired with a passion for design, fashion, art and nature inspired her to create this blog as a visual catalog of this beauty. Amanda works in the field of advertising and studies Communication Design at FIT. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Website:
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March 7: Candra Palmer of Artyce Footwear, Shoe Designer for custom, special occasion footwear
Posted on March 6, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Candra Palmer of Artyce Footwear as a Shoe Designer for custom, special occasion footwear.
Candra Palmer was just a child when she started helping her mother, a seamstress, sew dresses and shop for fabrics. Many years later, in 2004 Palmer began using some of the sewing skills she learned from her mom, in the business she founded called Artyce Custom Footwear. Artyce is a shoe company that mainly focuses on custom bridal footwear.
The Chicago native never planned on entering the world of fashion. Instead she attended Xavier University in New Orleans majoring in computer information systems with a minor in business. (Source: http://www.ourweekly.com/los-angeles/artyce-custom-footwear).
After graduation, Palmer ended up on the West Coast and landed a well-paid job as a marketing manager at chipmaker Intel in Oregon. However, life once again took a twist in Palmer’s future when her job flew her 900 miles down to Los Angeles, Calif. to work at home.
Website:
Web Trails:
http://www.blackenterprise.com/2009/10/01/step-it-up/
http://www.ebonyglam.com/index.php/people/designer/candra-palmer-artyce/
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March 6: Doreen Mashika for Unique Fair Trade Clutches
Posted on March 4, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Doreen Mashika for Unique Fair Trade Clutches
Born in Tanzania, educated in Italy and England, Doreen Mashika spent the first part of her career in luxury goods fund management in Switzerland but says, “My heart has always been here in Tanzania and I knew I would return.” When she did, she decided to combine her European-honed fashion sense and business skills with her passion for African vintage jewelry (which she describes as “mystical, intricate, and yet functional”) to start a business that would give back to her community as well. “Jewelry and handbags are such effortless ways to communicate your individual style, as well as your own views and ideas,” Doreen says. “The Southern Hemisphere is home to a vast and impressive array of unique gemstones and environmentally friendly materials so I knew I wanted to use those materials to reinvent these classic, much-loved accessories.” (Source http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/fairtrade-fashionaccessories-doreen-mashika.html)
Website:
http://www.doreenmashika.com/jadis/jadis.html
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March 5: Camisha Jackson of Luna Versoul for Unusual and Creative Jewelry
Posted on March 4, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
Camisha Jackson (CJ) is a designer and owner of Lunaversoul jewelry and a graphic artist from Seattle,Washington. As an artist she pulls inspiration from any and everything whether it’s art, music, fashion design, other cultures or just the natural beauty of the world and her main source of creativity and positive energy is generated from her awe-inspiring 12 year old son. According to her, “It was kind of a coincidence on how I came to make jewelry, I could never find pieces that would compliment my style and give my originality the radiance I wanted to express. So on a whim I purchased a variety of beads I was not sure on what I was going to do being that I have never made jewelry before,but in a matter hours Viola! I made my very first bracelet.”
Website:
Web Trails:
http://www.brownbutterbeauty.com/2009/08/beauty-of-week-meet-camisha-jackson.html
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March 4: Natasha Morgan for Over-the-top-Design in Glasses and Eyewear
Posted on March 2, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Natasha Morgan for Over-the-top-Design in Glasses and Eyewear
NYC born fashion and accessories designer, Natasha Motgan studied at FIT. Luxury and statement making handmade eyewear and cellphone cases.
Website:
http://www.natashamorgannyc.com
Web Trails:
http://guestofaguest.com/galleries/2011/2/vs-magazine-curious-cocktails/428946/
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March 3: Michi, Knit Wear Fashion Design – unique style.
Posted on March 2, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Michi, Knit Wear Fashion Design – unique style.
Michele M. Walden brings chic to the term “knitwear.” Through her Michi knitwear designs, Walden creates sophisticated knits that are also easy to wear and easy to wash. With off-the-shoulder designs and hip-hugging evening attire, or loose and breezy, summer afternoon wear, Michi knitwear makes a unique statement for all women – tall, short, large, small and in between. Walden custom designs and fits the piece for her client, and does not call the outfit complete until the customer is satisfied. A Queens, NY native, Walden has been knitting about 30 years. Initially hand knitting all her designs, Walden’s fashion statements have included jumpsuits, bathing suits, dresses, suits, two-piece outfits, sweaters and scarves. Since completing courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Walden currently utilizes the knitting machine to create feminine and sensual wearable art pieces.
Michele Walden, MICHI, in the middle
Website:
http://www.michiknitwear.com/index.html
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March 2, 2011: Patti Carpenter, Fashion and Product Designer, bring the best of global design to the American market
Posted on March 1, 2011 | No Commentsby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN selects Patti Carpenter, Fashion and Product Designer, bringing the best of global design to the American market with an eye for color and trends.
Fashion and housewares designer Patti Yvonne Carpenter was born on May 2, 1955 in Washington, D.C. to Vivian and Horace Carpenter. She graduated with honors from McKinley Technical Senior High School in 1973. She then continued her education at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, receiving two associate degrees in applied science in 1975 and 1976.
In the fashion industry, Carpenter worked with Scott Barrie, Bill Blass, Oscar De La Renta, Gloria Vanderbilt, Adrienne Vittadini, Cynthia Rowley, Peter Max, The Limited Corporation, Timberland, and Ralph Lauren.
Carpenter became disillusioned with the garment industry after twenty-five years, and turned her interests to home décor, personal accessories and gifts markets. She is a principal and creative director of Continuum Home, Inc. and Carpenter + Company, a high end line of home decor, personal accessories and gifts that sells to stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Donna Karan, ABC Carpet and Home and the VIVA TERRA catalogue. It is all hand made with artisans and master craftspeople in Guatemala, Bolivia, and South Africa. As a design, color and trend consultant and merchandiser, Carpenter works with clients such as Donna Karan, Viva Terra Catalogue, Crate & Barrel, Bloomingdale’s, the Exploris Museum, and Agexport of the Guatemala Trade Office. Carpenter also works with the Department of Trade for the Government of South Africa and Kenya.
Carpenter also has a licensed collection of ceramics and lacquer that she designed for the Phillips Collection; it is called “Patti Carpenter for the Phillips Collection”. It is made with artisans in Nicaragua, Vietnam and Thailand. The collection can be found in numerous retailers including Donna Karen, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and J.C. Penney.Through her extensive work with Aid to Artisans, she has worked with the International Executive Service Corps and was awarded the Presidents Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush in 2005. Carpenter is co-chair of the executive board of the High School of Fashion Industries and is a guest lecturer for the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Parson School of Design and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Carpenter currently lives in New York City. (Source: http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=1516&category=Stylemakers&occupation=Fashion%20%26%20Home%20Decor%20Designer&name=Patti%20Carpenter)
Website:
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March 1, 2011: Lulu Kitololo, Graphic Designer using Africa and provocative images
Posted on March 1, 2011 | No CommentsBy Atim Annette Oton
BDNN loves Lulu Kitololo, Graphic Designer using Africa and provocative images
Lulu Kitololo is a storyteller and ideamonger, using any medium necessary. That usually involves design and art direction but also illustration, writing, facilitating workshops, giving talks, and taking full advantage of that beautiful playground called the internet, any chance she gets! Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Lulu studied Communications Design in New York and worked as an advertising art director before moving to the UK to pursue an African Studies degree. She now lives in Manchester and collaborates with clients around the world, promoting positive social and/or environmental change. (Source: http://www.africandigitalart.com/?p=5043)
Her sites:
http://www.weareasilia.com/team/lulu-kitololo
Visit her work at http://www.africandigitalart.com/?p=5043)
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Design Objects by Black Women Designers Across the Diaspora
Posted on February 28, 2011 | 1 Commentby Atim Annette Oton
BDNN’s Design Objects by Women Designers Across the Diaspora celebrates individual design objects, projects and styles of black women designers across the world. March is women’s month and across the month women are celebrated, but imagine a month long celebration of black women. Priceless, only Black Design News Network celebrates 31 days like this in 2011. Designers selected reshape the notion of design in the black diaspora. They are established, in mid-career and emerging. Each has a distinctive voice and style. This is the time to cross boundaries and establish a cultural database of unique design voices.
This month, we feature:
- March 1, 2011: Lulu Kitololo, Graphic Designer using Africa and provocative images
- March 2, 2011: Patti Carpenter, Fashion and Product Designer, bring the best of global design to the American market
- March 3: Michi, Knit Wear Fashion Design – unique style.
- March 4: Natasha Morgan for Over-the-top-Design in Glasses and Eyewear
- March 5: Camisha Jackson of Luna Versoul for Unusual and Creative Jewelry
- March 6: Doreen Mashika for Unique Fair Trade Clutches
- March 7: Candra Palmer of Artyce Footwear, Shoe Designer for custom, special occasion footwear
- March 8: Amanda George for creating the innovative blog, The Audacity of Color
- March 9: Korto Momolu for being a Triple threat – fashion, jewelry and bags
- March 10: Tennille McMillan of Nakimuli, for Funky Fashion Dresses
- March 11: Towana Phillip, designer of To’Sha Knits as Emerging Handbag designer
