Fly

Link of the Day

i shared a bit of my opinion on this topic yesterday. what do you think?

Cartonlandia

                                copyright 2008 © ana serrano

A city-on-a-hill dimensional collage from Ana Serrano. See more of her work here. Link via FFFFound.

Coy

One of my favorite things about Fly is discovering and posting talented ladies creating fun pieces. Take for example Janice Coy who designs these cute scarves for her collection simply called Coy.

Vogue Black

Super exciting news to share, I am a contributor to Vogue Italia's, Vogue Black.

It all started when I received an email from the oh-so coveted magazine last December asking if I was interested in contributing to this new site focusing on black beauty and fashion. I eagerly accepted and immediately got busy working on this amazing opportunity. And then finally the site when live!

My first post went up on Wednesday, and despite the fact that the photos nor the links were chosen by me I was purely excited to see my piece on a Vogue site. Of course this is new for all involved so there are a few minor things that need to be worked out like my bio page and a more obvious link to Fly. Aside from those small details I feel truly honored to have this opportunity to showcase talents and beauty so often overlooked by the fashion industry. Also what a great way for some bloggers of color to get some shine, we too experience struggles with being ignored and undervalued. I think it's great that Vogue Italia has taken a step towards featuring fabulous women of color in fashion as well as the curvy fashionistas. Yes indeed, they also have a new section called Vogue Curvy by Gabi of Young, Fat and Fabulous.

Patrice of AfroBella is also a contributor, and she shares the same excitement — but sadly some are not so excited. With positive news also comes negative opinions. All morning before we announced our involvement with the site we read comments, tweets, and posts asking why there's even a need for a separate section for black and curvy fashion and why is Vogue being so divisive. The reality is that there is a huge need for these sections. Without this form of recognition there wouldn't be any at all. We hope that our presence, our posts and our opinions will resonate enough to inspire much needed changes in fashion.

But enough about the negative. It's a time to celebrate this exciting news. I want to take this time to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all the wonderful words of support, the positive energy and love being sent my way. I am truly grateful for your time and comments and feel so blessed to have these opportunities.

So definitely check out the site. Comment, tweet, spread the word any way you can. The only way to keep the site alive and successful is to support it — always. If you love it, say it, even if you don't like what you see, express it. That's the only way for us to know what you think (same goes for Fly). So thank you so much, I hope you enjoy the new Vogue Black!

See my first post here.

Link of the Day

loving...

Fly Designer: Gail Anderson

Gail Anderson, graphic designer, teacher and writer is definitely a fly woman to know. Her contributions to design are priceless, inspiring and everlasting. She studied graphic design at the School of Visual Arts and later designed spreads for Rolling Stone. In 2004 Gail left the magazine for a creative director position at SpotCo, where she now designs theater posters and other print material for major Broadway shows. Gail also teaches graphic design at SVA.

I had the lovely opportunity to meet her during a graduate design workshop when I was in grad school. It was such a pleasure having access to that wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm about design. To learn more read this article about her career on the AIGA website.

Spandex + Chaos

Sassy custom-made designs from Butch Diva. Check back next week for Butch Diva creator's Fly Girl of the Week feature.

Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World

An interesting print by Matthew Palladino. A statement on gang wars? What do you think about it?

Link of the Day

an article about the female presence at this year's Whitney Biennial

Hammocks & High Tea 2010

Fantastic prints in beautiful bright colors from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection of Hammocks & High Tea. Karen is super talented, I'm always excited to see what she creates. See more of this eco-friendly and culturally inspired collection of sachets, tea towels, and drawer liners here or here.

The Inspired Life

Through text, image and video, Cole Haan has a cool series which features an interesting mix of people and their inspirations. See The Inspired Life here.

Link of the Day

another cool interview to check out. and don't forget yesterday's link of the day. fly ladies doing funky fly things.

FGOTW

Who? Jasmeet Kahlon, 24

Where? I just moved to the bay area, CA from New York in search of work but may move back.  I am from Punjab, India and moved to US for my masters in architecture.

What do you do? A designer at heart, architect by profession.  Admire beauty, art and creativity. Photography became a passion as it helps to encapsulate moments and capture life. Memories are important to me  so I like scrapbooking as it helps me relive past. Last year has been the beginning of great things like blogging which I totally love now. I recently made some ventures in fashion design, every episode of project runaway inspired me so I started designing my own pieces of neck wares;  showcased twice in the uniform project.  But above all these, architecture is my biggest passion. I love to feel, experience spaces and I am waiting for the day when I have a project complete and make a contribution to someone’s life, give them a space they’ll love and enjoy. I want to contribute to the environment in every possible way. Being an architect I could directly help in the cause but I feel the awareness amongst everyone is needed.

What inspires you? Everything around me inspires me be it people, trees, flowers, buildings. I think there is a beauty in everything and each one of us; it’s the uniqueness that’s inspiring. Nature is definitely the biggest source of inspiration. Traveling also helps me in my creative pursuit.
 
Why are you fly? I am fly because I believe I can make a difference in the world and in someone’s life;  each one of us can. You could be the change. Friends, family are my life and I appreciate the people in my life. Everyone matters to me.

Advice: Remember you are the best so nothing is impossible.

Studying Black and White

A collection of black and white patterns from my clippings pile.

Link of the Day

interview with Vashtie Kola