Gucci Museo

Now Italy has another attraction for lovers of fashion.


Palazzo della Mercanzia is an ancient and historical building located in Florence, the city where in 1921, Guccio Gucci opened a leather goods company.  90 years later, this building is now the home of Gucci Museo.  From the private basement that holds the Gucci archives, to the third floor, everything that is, was and will be Gucci is here to be seen.  Covering over 18,460 square feet, the story of The House of Gucci, from 1921-Present day is on full display.

The Gucci museum will be a fascination for many, especially historical buffs.  Displaying 90 years worth of handbags, shoes, dresses, luggage, custom made items and even interior car upholstery, this is one fashion museum that will be a must see when visiting the beautiful Italian city of  Florence.

For more information about this historic event, please click here or visit http://www.gucci.com

 

Published in: on September 29, 2011 at 12:59 pm  Leave a Comment  

Sparkle: The Movie

I think this is summing up to be the hit movie some fans have been waiting for.

The movie remake for the 1976 film Sparkle, has a talented cast consisting of Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Derek Luke, Mike Epps and newly added cast member, Cee-Lo Green.  Husband and wife team Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil are the director and script writer for the movie.   As for the soundtrack, original music will be written by none other than the King of R&B, R. Kelly.  After the great work he did on the Life soundtrack, this will surely be a chart topper.  What are your thoughts?

The release date for the movie is 2012.  For more information, click here.

 

Published in: on September 28, 2011 at 11:14 am  Comments (2)  

The Original Black Bunny

Jennifer Jackson was ahead of her time and didn’t even know it-nor was she proud of it.   In 1965, amidst the civil rights movement, Ms. Jackson became the first African-American playmate for Playboy Magazine.  However, it was not something she was proud of.  Due to the new TV series, The Playboy Club, Ms. Jackson’s previous centerfold career has become the center of attention once again and she did an exclusive interview with The  Huffington Post.   Jennifer Jackson explains how she was ashamed after posing nude,  her pursuit of higher education and how she didn’t feel like a pioneer at all.  To read her amazing story, click here.

Published in: on September 27, 2011 at 11:07 am  Comments (1)  

More Than Meets the Eye

Many may know her as the Fiance of future Hall-of-Famer boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather, but Shantel Jackson (aka Miss Jackson) is much more than a pretty face who stands by her man.

A seemingly down to earth woman who is clearly focused on her future, Miss Jackson is a model, fashion designer and business woman who plans to take the world by storm.  She recently took time out of her busy schedule to sit down and answer questions pertaining to everything from business to beauty.

Getting started in print work as a model when she was about sixteen, Ms. Jackson states, “Modeling and acting are things I always wanted to do.”  And even though her success as a model is evident, she humbly states “…I truly have a long ways to go before I feel I have reached my ultimate goals…some of my future goals are to complete the samples for my clothing line, and to have a lead role in a great movie.”  And to keep herself busy between modeling and finishing her clothing line, she makes it a point to stay involved with every detail pertaining to her business ventures.

Constantly being in the lime-light, she must keep her skin looking radiant.  To do that, Miss Jackson uses Aveeno face and body products, ‘their whole line is so amazing!’ and during a night out on the town, there are two must-haves in her purse: My press powder because I have oily skin, and Mac Lipgloss called Underage.  When asked about beauty advice, there are four beauty tips she gives to women: 1) Always moisturize… it can really make a difference with your skin,  2) …dry hair shampoo is something that I live by because it gives you those extra few days u might need,  3) Deep condition your hair at least once a week  and 4) Use Botin’s Skin, hair and nail pills.  Being a model means that staying in shape is a must, and even though she states that she’s not really a fan of working out, she tries to workout at least 3 days a week.  However, she is also not one to restrict herself from eating some of her favorite foods: I honestly eat what I want but I never over indulge. Some of my food vices are french fries which are my favorite, fried chicken, and banana pudding.

Like all women, Miss Jackson has both good and bad days.  When having bad day, she uses comedy as source to uplift her spirits: I try to watch comedy, because laughter always makes me feel good when I’m feeling down.  And what does she do to relax? I love to shop, shopping helps me relax and helps me with stress… nothing takes away stress like a great pair of shoes… and to unwind, I like to sit back and listen to old R&B music.

This Miami native has come a long way in a short period of time and with all of her accomplishments, she has great sound advice for other women wanting to take a similar career path…follow through with your dreams, but always have a great backup plan.  What a smart lady!

**Miss Jackson is a Florida native who divides her time between Miami and Las Vegas.  For more information on Miss Jackson, click here.

Published in: on September 23, 2011 at 2:21 pm  Comments (14)  

Singer Vesta Williams Found Dead

It’s being reported that singer/songwriter Vesta Williams was found dead in a hotel room in Los Angeles, CA.  Details are currently sketchy, but many fans as well as friends, have expressed their sadness due to her untimely passing.  May she Rest In Peace.


For more biographical information on this R&B legend click here.

Published in: on September 23, 2011 at 10:54 am  Leave a Comment  

A Beautiful Adventurous Journey

On the journey of life, things never go as planned.  But after every adventure, new visions, ideas and challenges have a way of changing us for the better.  After returning from and reflecting upon my recent vacation, I can truly say that this journey was comparatively and ultimately, life changing.

I took a lovely and adventurous vacation to Italy with over 70+ other women. During this vacation, my body–both physically and spiritually, was pushed to limits I never expected.  I laughed until my head hurt, ate until my stomach hurt, observed and heard things that made me emotionally hurt and walked until my feet hurt!  However through all of that hurt, I’ve never felt so much joy!  Joy to be surrounded by and learn from other beautiful, strong and positive women.  Joy to be able to lay my eyes upon monuments and sites which I once only read about.   Joy in knowing that blessings comes in many forms, as well as in abundance! The lessons I learned was more than any book, classroom or television program could have taught me.  I learned about life.  The art of living, trusting, giving, learning, experiencing and seeing the true essence of others, as well as myself.  Gaining self-confidence, awareness and learning how to navigate the journey of life through the eyes of others, is an unforgettable lesson. Forming new friendships based upon one’s inner and not outer self and letting down your guard with strangers while teaching and learning about life, is a beautiful thing.

So this journey, as well as the beautiful souls I met along the way, gave me memories that will last a lifetime.  Along with everything I’ve learned from them, I can only hope that they were able to learn something from me as well.

 

Published in: on September 21, 2011 at 12:59 pm  Comments (5)  

Get Ready To Be Transformed

Tom Ford will introduce his first full range beauty collection for Fall 2011.   Londoners and New Yorkers will have the first chance to indulge in Mr. Ford’s beauty line in September, everyone else must wait until October.  The wait will be so worth it, but thank God I live in New York!

Being involved with every stage of the production process, Mr. Ford used one word to describe this collection: “Sensuous for me is one of the most important words I would use to describe my cosmetics collection.  Beauty that is sensuous, is touchable and powerful. Every [fashion] collection that I have designed, makeup and hair were one of the first things I thought about.”

Mr. Ford believes that his new beauty collection can be used as ‘powerful tools of transformation’.  He states that “…they have the potential to enable a real woman to become as glamorous and as inspirational as she can possibly be. The ultimate goal of these products is to enable any woman, no matter her age or features, to create a complete look in which her individual beauty is amplified and she appears to radiate from within.”

And with his background in architecture, Mr. Ford knows a thing or two about transformation.  His architectural background played a key factor when it came down to understanding how make-up should appear once it’s properly applied.  He understood that by using the right make-up and the proper beauty tools, the transformation can both be and appear effortless.  Tom Ford Beauty President, Caroline Geerlings, explained how his architectural knowledge was used by Mr. Ford to create the Tom Ford Cheek Colors, the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, the Illuminating Highlight Pen, the Illuminating Powder and the Translucent Finishing Powder:  “…. the whole idea of shadows and light is something he really is very comfortable with and he can actually create cheek bones which appear to be exactly the same even though they are totally crooked, just by using shadow and light.”

Mr. Ford has a philosophy concerning the application of make-up: “In order to achieve beauty I think first of all you need to understand your face. Symmetry in our culture is the thing we respond to as human beings. That is our beauty standard, a symmetrical face.”  One of the most important factors for Ford and his team is application.  He stresses that the make-up ritual should include the proper brush application: “Our brushes are absolutely the best brushes you could buy, and I think all makeup should be applied with a brush. With your fingers, you can’t get a flawless surface.”  Therefore, twelve makeup brushes for the face, eyes, cheeks and lips are an essential component of the collection.  To Mr. Ford’s specifications these exquisite tools are said to be combined with white horse hair, super goat hair and synthetic fibers according to the specific needs of each product.

And no beauty line would be complete without skin care treatments.  Mr. Ford emphasizes that a beautiful face begins with skin that ‘appears energized, clear and radiant.’  The skin care treatment collection will include the following:
The Tom Ford Purifying Complex, which  ‘frees skin of dulling and damaging toxins by combining a European plant extract with Chinese herbs to promote purification and reduce irritating environmental pollutants’.

The Tom Ford Infusing Complex, which will ‘infuse the skin with a potent combination of specially selected nutrients that help skin stimulate its natural repair mechanisms’.

The Tom Ford Purifying Gelée Cleanser and the Tom Ford Purifying Crème Cleanser, which will naturally clean and detoxify skin of dulling and damaging impurities. The result is a ‘luminous face that is noticeably soft and energized’.

The Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Daily Moisturizer, a ‘lightweight, exquisitely textured lotion that actively infuses cells to rejuvenate skin’s vitality and resilience’. Hydrating agents and nutrients ‘drench the skin with moisture and help achieve a younger, brighter appearance’.

The Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Ultra Rich Moisturizer, a richer moisturizer than the Infusion Daily. The ultra rich cream with a ‘supple, whipped formula helps skin stimulate its natural repair mechanisms, by prompting cells to replenish themselves’.

Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Concentrate Extreme, a ‘luxurious and deeply penetrating oil-based serum that contains the most precious and concentrated form of the Tom Ford Infusing Complex. This product, Mr. Ford says will be an ‘integral component to create the perfect canvas for flawless skin.’

Other skin care treatments in the collection will include Tom Ford Makeup Remover, Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Eye Treatment, and Tom Ford Illuminating Protective Primer SPF 12.

If this line is everything I think it will be, my skin regimen and make-up bag will definitely become a transformation to be envied. Thank you Mr. Ford for always giving me life!!!

Published in: on September 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm  Comments (2)