Posts Tagged ‘art’
My little sister made the cover of O.N.E. Mile’s first zine!
April 11, 2015
The Garage
O.N.E. Mile Project
7615 Oakland Avenue
Detroit, MI
Me, Jean-Louis (Artist and Editor), and Jannah at the launch party.
Don’t you just love Tyson’s smile?
I made my mom pose. lol.
Some fashionable partygoers.
Halima and I. We’ll be working together soon.
My new best friends, Matthew and Allen. We make a style trio.
Outfit Breakdown:
Turban: Forever 21
Necklace: Deb’s
Undershirt: Regeneration
Shawl jacket: Burlington Coat Factory
Dress: Wal-Mart
Purse and Sandals: JustFab.com
Interview: Deirdra MacIntyre Cowen
Posted on: March 14, 2015
(Photos: Brian Menz Photography)
LV: What was style for you growing up?
DM: I was a tomboy. I built things and worked on houses with my dad and lived on a farm. I was very athletic; I loved natured and went hiking. So there was no need for fashion. I kind of stumbled into myself and fashion when I turned 18. LV: How’d you end up modeling? DM: When I was 18, a co-worker of mine encouraged me to model. That’s when I really started getting into fashion. It was a hobby at first. Then I went to Australia and got hurt rescuing someone who was drowning. So I came back to Michigan and went full force and it became my career.
(Photo: JRosa Photography)
LV: What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced in the industry? How did you overcome them?
DM: I have a body that is sexy, but I love working on high fashion, edgy projects. People always wanted me to do lingerie when I wanted to do editorial. It was hard to break out of that and to get people to see me in another way. The other obstacle I faced was that they considered me plus-size even when I was a size 6. I really got picked on; photographers would say they wouldn’t work with me because I was plus-size or too fat. I’ve worked with hundreds of photographers and a lot of them were rude. I lost 50 pounds just to try and fit the mold. I got down to 90 pounds. I was disgustingly skinny. I got to a point where I was like “this is me, I like to eat, and I’m not going through this just so someone can accept me”.
(Photo: Summerfrost Photography)
LV: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
DM: If I was to do it again, I wouldn’t change anything. I wouldn’t let people get to me, but it’s a learning experience. I have a strong backbone now. You have to be able to face rejection and keep your head up. I have body confidence that I didn’t have before because of modeling. I’ve grown and met different people throughout my career. I realized that there is only one me and that I should enjoy myself.
LV: Advice for aspiring models.
DM: I always tell people to really think hard before you do it. Not to be harsh, but take a look at yourself and ask yourself if you can really model. Just having a pretty face isn’t enough. You need to be mentally strong, have confidence, and work your butt off. It’s not just a pretty picture on Facebook. You have to be direct. You’re just a glorified clothes hanger, so if you’re willing to sacrifice then make it happen, and follow through. 
(Photo: Leza Foto)
LV: Describe your fashion as of now…
DM: Leather jackets and boots, rocker chic. Black leggings and a white t-shirt. I wear minimal makeup when I’m not working.
LV: What if you had unlimited money, what would your dream outfit look like?
DM: A fitted dress, lace with see through panels, neon yellow or green, and some sparkly heels. I love rhinestones. Give me some bling. 
(Photo: JRosa Photography)
LV: How do you feel about body image in the media?
DM: The girl in the magazine doesn’t even look like the girl in the magazine. When you look at them, know that no one looks like that. Don’t take it seriously. Models are photoshopped. Embrace what you have and work it. Everyone else is already taken, work with what you’ve got.
LV: Leave us with a quote…
DM: “Stop looking at girls on social media and thinking that their lives are perfect. We all struggle, we all cry, and we all use filters.
(One of the samurai inspired looks in the show.)
March 17, 2014
Samurai: Beyond the Armor Finale Fashion Show
Detroit Institute of Art
Downtown Detroit
Ten local designers from the Metro Detroit Area were chosen to create their own individual samurai inspired looks. Weeks before the show, thousands of people voted for their favorite ensemble. And the winner was announced at the end of the show by The Detroit Garment Guild!
Before I reveal the winner here are a few of my favorite looks in the show. I loved this reptile looking blazer with the pumpkin colored trousers.
This dainty ballerina tip-toed down the runway with this feminine gown.
Nope! This one didn’t win but this gown is definitely winning in my book.
And the winner is… Janna Coumoundouros’s gown. She is a local jewelry maker and photographer, Lilacpop. I’ve seen her around butnever knew she was a designer too! By the way the crown gasped I knew that he dress was the winner.
A model and the designer. So much work was involved in these pieces.
The winner! Congrats Janna! (Opps. This link is broken. Click the pic to view.)
Last but not least, my Outfit Of The Day!
My blazer was from Torrid. The Shirt from Burlington Coat Factory. The pants from Wal-Mart. The shades and scarf are from Forever 21.
(My mom is in the middle, and my big sis, Tonisha, is on the end)
I have worked with Leslie Ann Pilling before last year on a fashion show, and I just love what she is doing in Detroit, meshing local fashion, art, and music. She invited us to The ‘Reveal’ Beauty and Trend Showcase at the Fillmore in Downtown Detroit. We had a blast watching the ballet dancers, listening to the opera singers, and the electro-funk pop band play.
I got to wear my new Forever 21 Plus dress and shades.
One of the models getting her wild hair done. The theme reminded me of urban forest fairies.
Negash designs was in the building.
Where art and fashion collide.
This hair model has been practicing pointe/ballet for over thirteen years. She was an exceptionally graceful dancer.
First, let me take a selfie!
My big sis came out. We had a blast.
You know I had to take photos after the show.
(Photo Courtesy: Barakah Photography MUA: Madinah M.)
Madinah planned on doing one last photo shoot for 2013. We both have learned so much about the fashion, photography, and makeup industry. So here are some photos that I styled.
I wanted to go for an edgy glamorous look that mixed prints and utilized pearls. The shades are from Forever 21 and the pearl necklace I purchased from VictoriousMe Online Boutique.
I want to give a huge shout out to Brianna of Barakah Photography who is a beast at editing!
Twirl. Twirl. Twirl.
You guys know that I am goofy!
Outfit details:
Boots: Dot’s Fashion
Red pants: Rainbow Fashion
Dress Shirt: Wal-Mart
Blazer: Torrid
Gloves: JC Penney
Pearls: VictoriousMe
Scarf: Thrift Store
This will be the first and last time you see my face naked like this!
My friend, Madinah, the MUA wanted to practice her skills. So, I played the mannequin. She starts out by shaping, contouring, and shading the eyebrows.
She blends the colors on my eye lids, then adds some false lashes for glamour and drama.
The concealer and foundation process begin. I look like Simba from the Lion King 🙂
The finished process. She finished the look with an ombre lip. A queen in the making.
Model Behavior. I love makeup.
I am wearing a dress I got from Dot’s a few years ago, and the blazer is from Torrid. The makeup was done and turban wrapped by Madinah.
Detroit Design Festival
Eastern Market
Detroit, MI
“Fashion After Dark”
We had a great time at the “Fashion After Dark” fashion show.
All the models after the show.
(Left) Kat, the model and Madinah MUA.
(Right) Lilapop, the photographer, in her Kroger bag dress and .
It was a hair-raising experience.
(Left) It was a full house.
(Right) Our looks for the evening.
Some of the fashions from local designers.
The audience got to see sleek and wild styles!
Hair raising afros, leather, and chains.
An entire dress made out of bubble wrap. I love it.
Noir Leather has some awesome pieces.
The College For Creative Studies, Downtown Detroit
September 17, 2013
(Right) One of the featured dress designs from local designers.
(Left) A designer from Paris and his work. He said my style inspired him 🙂
It was a full crowd at the DDF Kickoff Party.
I was G’ed up for the evening. Rockstar lifestyle all the way.
My blazer is from Torrid and pants from Rainbow Clothing. My earrings are handmade.
My dates for the evening.
I found some fashionistas and fashion-misters in the audience.
I love to see rock star glam. Lined stockings and a bad ass mohawk.
Striped and plaid. And all black everything with an awesome top hat.
Best dressed gentlemen of the evening. He even designed his own wooden bow-tie. Straight awesomeness.
The World of Velvet d’ Amour
Posted on: May 24, 2013
- In: Home
- 2 Comments
“The World of Velvet d’ Amour” By Leah Vernon
I was looking up different plus-size fashion models and stumbled upon this crazy B! I looked up some pictures of her. I saw some amazing stuff that I’d never seen before. I kept gasping and saying to myself, “Oh, no, she didn’t!” Let me tell you. This chick is bad! And it’s not even a “plus-size” or a “skinny” model thing, it’s a healthy and confident thing. Not only does she take amazing shots, but they are artistic and fierce.
Velvet d’ Amour is from New York and first came on the scene in 2006 making a grand catwalk entrance in John Galliano’s “Everybody is Beautiful” show. She was 5’8 and 300 pounds.
D’Amour is a fashion photographer (Velvetography.com) and has started her own magazine ( Vol-Up-2) showcasing lots of plus-size models and photographers.
She has big hair, even bigger boobs, and a huge fan base. Take a look at some of my favorite shots below:
I love this!!! Look at the facial expression. She has that ‘idgaf’ face!
Big hair+big thighs+a bustier=Success
Gosh. Speechless. Beautiful.
Beauty and the Muse 