It’s been a long time coming, but I’m back and better than ever! I’ve taken a necessary hiatus from this blog, but due to the current social climate I’ve decided to relaunch this blog. Starting in October, I will go back to writing articles based on that Third Eye Point of View. I have so much to say and so much to share. So stay tuned and go tell your friends about it because things around here are about to go galactic!
Simply Beautiful
The lovely Ms. Lupita Nyong’o is the face of Vogue’s July 2014 Cover issue. Her skin looks absolutely luminous and her smile is beyond radiant. For more pictures and excerpts from the feature article, please click here.
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
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.
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!!!
Celebrating Elizabeth
For all of us who loved the immaculate jewels of Elizabeth Taylor, we finally have the chance to see them up-close and personal. Beginning September 5th, Christie’s will launch The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor Exhibition Tour. This will be a worldwide event which will start in Moscow and end in New York.
For those who would like to bid on some of her valuable jewelry, an auction will be held at Christie’s of New York during December 13th-15th. Fine and Decorative Art & Film Memorabilia, including costumes will be auctioned as well.
For more information, please visit http://www.christies.com
A New Look for Fall
As the fall season begins to slowly approach, I am realizing that it’s time to slowly regenerate myself as well.
For anyone, who along with myself, is looking to revamp their image this fall, you must use Vogue’s September issue as your guide. Everything is covered for all who’s ready to become new again. From the pictorial of Kate Moss’ wedding to the article about Tom Ford’s Ten Beauty Commandments, there is something that everyone wanting revitalization can relate to.
And for the true fashionistas out there, let’s not forget that this fall, Dontella Versace and H&M will collaborate to give the budget conscious, an affordable yet dazzling, fashion line. Another fall collaboration to get ready for consists of Missoni and Target. The Missoni for Target fashion and home decor line will be in Target stores from September 13th – October 22nd.
Whoever thought Fall could be so fabulous?!
The Beautiful Tom Ford
Tom Ford will finally be launching a full color cosmetic collection for women. I have been waiting for this moment ever since I purchased his ‘ultra-creamy’ lipstick from his Private Blend Lip Color Collection a year ago. To say that Tom Ford has a keen understanding of women’s fashion is an understatement–he has a keen understanding of women period! Oh, how I love this man!
It was he who brought sexy, sultry and allure to the confidant woman without making us look like street-walkers in the process. Bold and beautiful is his trademark and with his beauty line he understands that simplicity is more. “…there are a lot of products out there you don’t even need.” Mr. Ford recently told WWD, adding that he’s been obsessed with beauty since he was a child. “When I was 14, I had to be taken to the emergency room because the cucumber slices I had put on my eyes – to camouflage the bags – had made them swell shut. I could eat cucumbers, but my eyes were clearly allergic to them,” he said. His obsession has been a blessing for the modern-day woman. As a designer, movie director and a gentleman, he has shown us what it is to be glamorous, desired and admired by all who loves beauty. Above all he has taught women, that beauty is perfection– a perfection that comes in all forms. I personally think this is something that a lot of people don’t get when looking at Tom Ford ad campaigns, but being an avid follower and an admirer of his work, I’ve gotten that message from the very beginning. His work is a combination of contrast and beauty. What else should we expect from a Texas native exuding European sophistication?
On June 24th the show ‘Visionaries: Tom Ford‘ airing on the OWN network, will take us on a Tom Ford journey unlike any other. Learning more about the man behind the work of the modern-day woman.
Please visit tomford.com for more information on where to purchase his beauty products.
The House Balmain Is Building
The Fashion House of Balmain has recently announced the appointment of Olivier Rousteing as its new designer. Balmain’s website states: Mr. Rousteing will supervise the design and development of the brand’s men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. For those of you who don’t realize what a historic mark this is, let me just say that some color has been added to this fashion house.
Olivier Rousteing
Olivier Rousteing is of a biracial background. He was born in France, placed in an orphanage and later adopted by a family that raised him in the Bordeaux region of France. And even though he doesn’t know the exact origins of his birth parents, he identifies himself as a person of a mixed race, having a black and white racial background. This is significant in a country where the growth of racial diversity has caused anxiety over the ever-changing definition of French identity. Much of this anxiety has caused violent protests over the past few years. This is why Rousteing’s appointment is significant, it shows that progress is in the making. He himself is an example of the generational changes taking place in French society.
Many people of color are accomplished members of the French ateliers and produce skilled handiwork that is the hallmark of couture. But having a young biracial man of color being appointed as the caretaker of an historic French brand that was established by Pierre Balmain in 1945, is not only a rarity, but a pivotal moment in fashion history and French history. As they say, ‘history repeats itself’, and it seems as if we may be re-embarking on an era of when people of color such as Alexandre Dumas with his literary genius, the Creoles of color and African-Americans during the 19th and 20th century who brought both skilled artisan work, literary contributions and musical staples to a country that prides itself on being the most refined and romantic place of all, will again be openly accepted and grandly appreciated.
Whether or not the Balmain fashion house will thrive under the direction of Rousteing is yet to be seen (I faithfully believe that it will), it has already thrived in future history books of fashion once again.
Black Beauty
Vogue Italia sure knows how to celebrate Black History month!
Once again, the magazine has captured the essence and beauty of black women with the February issue spread named ‘Black Allure’ featuring only women of color. Under the direction of both Franca Sozzani and former model Bethann Hardison, who is currently the Editor-at-Large of Vogue Italia, is proving that the selling power that women of color can generate for high fashion magazines should not be overlooked. Here are some photos from Vogue Italia’s “Black Allure” spread:
So when will other high fashion magazines follow? Only time will tell, but with the money being generated from the sales of Vogue Italia, it will be sooner than later. The legendary ‘Black Issue’ was only a prequel to what women of color have to offer to the fashion industry. I only hope that the fashion world is paying attention.
Creative, Inspiring, Beautiful Third Eye Viewer. Observing issues and topics from the perspective of what is NOT being spoken or written. A typical Right-Brain thinker and a 4th wall thespian. Act One...
Third Eye Views 
