Ann Lowe The First African American Fashion Designer 1898-1981

     Ann Lowe was a born in Clayton, Alabama, She's the great granddaughter of plantation owner and a salve women. Ann interest in fashion came from her mother and late grandmother both whom were seamstresses. At the age of 16 years old lowe lost her mother. In 1912, she married Lee Cohen with whom she had a son with.. In 1917 Ann move to New York City to pursue a career in fashion. She attend  a segregated school. S.T Taylor Design School, were she attend classes alone. Lowe and her son moved to Tampa, Florida after she graduated in 1919. the next year, she opened her first dress salon. The salon  Annie Cohen catered to high society member and her salon became a success quickly. Lowe returned to New York and work commission at store like, Henri Bendel, Chez Sonia, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ann Lowe Created Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress and grown worn by actress Olivia de Havilland wore when she accepted the Oscar of best actress. Anne Cole Lowe opened Anne Lowe originals inside the Saks Fifth Ave department store on Madison Ave in New York. Her amazing work still lives on in the permanent archives at the black fashion Museum and the Smothsonian.    

                                       

I Found Some Goodies Ladies!!!

Today I visited famous brands in Bushwick, Brooklyn and Naomi Fashion in Crown Heights. I found some nice items at both locations. At Famous Brands I purchased a cool spring jacket that
I know you most of you guys are going to love, white carpi's with sequins along the side, an I.N.C
sweater that has rhinestone at the collar, it can be worn in the spring and winter. Two belts and a pair
of suede kitten heel shoes. When I got to Naomi Fashion I came across a nice bathing suit and white
Calvin Klein pants. I simply love shopping at both locations, I always find niece pieces that's name brand and non-name brand. I hope you enjoy the items I selected today.     

                          Pants:Harmony & Havoc
                          Price:$10.00

                                     Calvin Klein
                                      Price:$15

                                   Swimsuit
                                     Price:$10

                                   Jacket:$14.99

Belts:Lane Bryant 

Price:$2.99

Each

Sexy Plum in the Snow

So I finally got the chance to wear some of the pieces I've brought from Name Brand @1/2 price. The top I've had for about two years. yes, I know right.. two years to long. lol, I'm not sure about you ladies out there but I often buy clothes and don't wear them right away. The sweater jacket I got from

 the Bronx location, it was only $10 bucks and my top was $7. My pants was about $10 as well.

Most people has stories about they outfits, I don't .

I come up with ideas and concepts by looking at a earring, chain, shoe, top, or bottom. I don't need a whole outfit in front on me to put looks together, I visualize the look in my head. Then i'll excuse the look the way I visualized it in my head. I've always been this way, it just that easy for me. I love my different and unique style... I'm not pretty face that can model, I can give you style that can change your life for ever....

SWEATER JACKET: 

SWEATER: Elle

Pants: Danice 

Bag: Alexander Wang

Boots: Uggs

Frames: Burberry 

Jewelry: Chains ALDO & H&M

Rings: ALDO Bracelet: Target

Watch: Besty Johnson

                            

Confidence I Wear It...

Photographer:Q Vision

Killer Heels: The Art of the High-heeled Shoe

Killer Heels Exhibit 

Last week while I was at the library, printing paper work for a new job. I came across a Brooklyn Museum flyer, Killer Heels: The Art of the High -Heels Shoe Exhibit. I was excited, I've attended exhibit at the museum before, but never the Killer Heels Exhibit. So, over the weekend I went and checked the exhibit out. I've always wonder how shoes where actually made. Before attending this exhibit, I had found out the European man wore shoe back in the late 1600's for height , then later women began to wear high heels shoes. very interesting.

This was the most beautiful shoe exhibit I've ever been to, not like I've been to others. This exhibit was so packed with people from all over. The design and designers showcased in Killer Heels include Prada, Vivienne WestWood,  X United Nude, CHANEL, Salvatore Ferragamo, Elsa, Manolo Blahnik, and much more. The exhibit also features six short films inspired by high heels by Zach Gold, Steven Klein, Nick Knight, Ghana American, Reza Farkhondeh, Marilyn Minter, and Rashad Newsome. 

I love shoes, even though I don't wear them often. due to me having wide, flat feet, and plus most shoes today the instep are very high. So I don't wear heels over 3 inches, the art and structure of shoes are amazing. My mother always wore all different styles of shoes when I was growing up, I use to always wish my feet was as small as her' s so I could wear all her shoes. She tried to keep me in shoes but it didn't work. So if you live in the Brooklyn area or in the five boroughs go see Killer Heels Exhibit before February 15, 2015. Enjoy!!

  

Light Bulb Heels 2008 Paris London

Meters D'Art Collection

Leather, Plastic, Metal

COURTESY OF CHANEL

Giuseppe Zanotti (Italian) S/S 2013

Gladiator Boot

Countesy of Giuseppe Zanotti

Three As four

Gabriel As four (Lebanese), Adi Gil

(Israeli), Angela Don hauser  

(Tajikstani)

Mirror Wedge 2013

Countesy of Three Asfour

Halston a 70's New York Fashion Designer.... Icon

Over the last couple of days I've been doing research on fashion designers, magazines, and people that made a difference in the fashion industry, old and new. While on Netflix, I came across some fashion documentaries. their was one that really cough my eye. UltraSuede The search Of Halston.  Halston was born in Des Moines Iowa, he was always into altering and making clothes for his mother and sister. He,  Studied at Indiana University and  then at Art Institue of Chicago. While attending night courses at the art Institue, he worked as a fashion merchandiser at a upscale chain department store Carson Pirie Scott. He came to New York City to pursue a fashion career, that he did. Halston became the first New York Fashion Designer of the 70's to bring American fashion international to china. He was more than just a designer, he was art. Halston even had  his own models that he traveled with daily, he even made garments for them for special events. Halston changed the fashion industry in the 70's. he design for just about every celebrity back then. In 1961 Jacqueline Kennedy made his work famous. He was a long time and central figure to the nightlife scene of New York Studio 54 disco. Halston's started out design hats, then a years later  he was hired at Bergdorf Goodman. He also opened up Halston Limited in Manhattan Ny. He was also the first fashion designer to merge with mass chain retailer Jc penny's, This merge didn't work for Halston. His line was then drop from Bergdorf Goodman due to merging with a mass chain retailer. He then sold his company to revlon and the company keep being sold. In his time he created beautiful garments that made women feel and look fabulous..
                                     

                                Halston Dress

Before watching this documentaries I've have never heard of Halston, This man was a great talented to the fashion industry. Halston opened doors for many designer we see today, like Ralph Rucci, Naeem Khan and other talented designers today. The talent Halston has introduced to nyc has been phenomenal.  why isn't his brand as big as other designer today? Is it really because of merge with Jc penny's or the life style people said he lived. Either Way Halston was one of a kind, the fashion industry has yet to meet a another Halston.
                                         

                           Halston Models 1970s

Glamour 

                     American Fashion God Father

My Shopping Day In The Bronx....

Today I decided to take a trip to the Bronx to see what thrift store I can find, I took the 4 train to East Burnside Ave. As soon as i got off the train I came across other Name Brand @ 1/2 price store.  I was super excited, I've been shopping at the Brooklyn location for about 5 years now. I really love this store, a lot of my outfit for my photo shoot comes from Name Brand @1/2 price. Today I spotted some beautiful dresses, from Jessica Simpson, Ellen Tracy, Calvin Klein, Avenue, and much more.                                                                    
                                         

                                                                  East Burnside Av
                           
I took photos of some of these beautiful spring and summer dresses. A lot of their dresses are last season and the season before last, but I still suggest you ladies go out and grab them up. They raley have duplicate, so if you see a garment you like, get it. cause the next you go back it will be gone.

                                                 
                                                                 Calvin Klein Top 3×
                                                                    Retail $79.00
                                                                   You Pay $25.00
                                         

Avenue 18/20

Retail $69.00

You pay $15.00

Jessica Simpson 18/20

Retail $128.00

You Pay $30

Vince Catmuto

Pink Dress Size 10 

R. $128.00 You Pay $15

Purple Dress Size 12

R.$128.00You Pay $30

Muilcolor Size 12

 R.$128.00 You pay $30

Ellen Tracy Size 14

R. $118.00 You Pay $40.00

I went shopping at one of my favorite thrift store today....

I renamed my blog cause the plus size section is always in the corner section in the back of  n stories. How many of you have realize that? Unless your shopping in a plus size store. Hello retailer!!!! Lol...  But no seriously, retailer take us out the corner.  A lot  of people I've known over the years and strangers I meet in public are always asking me where I shop, and always given me complements. So I said to myself,  why don't you start video taping or take photos of items you buy and /or see in different size to post them on your blog. .  So, today before I went to work I stop by one of my favorite Thrift Shop in Flatbush Brooklyn, 1/2 Price Outlet. They carry dresses from Jessica Simpson, Calvin Klein, DKNY and other brands. The price mark start from 2.99 and up, They also carry all size.  Some locations has a dressing room, most don't.  You'll  diffidently enjoy a great shopping experience. 

          

                                                             Don't underestimate
                                                             where to buy clothes
                                                             It's not about the price
                                                             it's how you put it
                                                             together.

Right Now Name Brands For Less 

 Have Colorful  Skinny Jean From 

1. $5-$10 all sizes.. ladies go rack up!!!