Fly

Favorite Photo in Rio: Isabel and I

Isabel and I walking on Copacabana beach

As my trip comes to a close I've been editing tons of photos and reflecting on the days I've spent in this wonderful country, and keep coming back to the photo shown above. I've seen and done so much, way more than my previous visits — but what I've enjoyed most is spending time with my little cousin Isabel.

Isabel is the sweetest, most generous, happiest, smartest, silliest, most confident, wisest, cutest, and stylish little ten year-old girl I know. I love her to death! She was only two when I saw her last, and I fell in love with her then because all she did was smile. Now as she is beginning her early prepubescent years I can see her curiosity growing, and her identity blossoming. She is like any other young girl anywhere in the world — questioning her beauty, showing interest in boys, loving to dance in the living room, experimenting with make-up and hanging out with her girlfriends. Despite her amazing sense of confidence (you know how girls exude confidence at this age) she's a little shy when put on the spot, but she's in that pocket of space where she knows what she wants and who she wants to be. Being here to see that in her means so much to me.

I want her to hold on to that. I wish all little girls could. It's hard though, because the pressures of being a teenager comes and something changes. My wish for her, and all the little ladies out there, is to hold on to that beautiful sense of power, and that glorious sparkle that makes her shine. All I can do is tell her I love her and remind her that she is amazing, and know that she'll continue to light up the world like so many of us do.

Tie-Dye by Shabd Simon-Alexander

right photo by Caitlin Mociun

Textile and surface designer Shabd Simon-Alexander has just released a new book, Tie-Dye: Dye It, Wear It, Share It, which shares tips and tricks for creating your own wearable tie-dyed creations. She spoke with Fly about her inspirations, shares a peek in her studio and some advice about creating a brand.

Tell us about the book, how did it come to be?
When I started playing around with tie-dye, I couldn't find any books so I created one that people could use for inspiration and reference.

Favorite project in the book?
How can you choose a favorite?! I loved being able to take the time to do really beautiful but time-consuming pieces that I wouldn't be able to do in a large scale for production, like the polka dot dress, the shibori napkins, or the ombre gown. I also love that some of the simplest pieces to make produce the most stunning results, like the watercolor dress and the crystalline scarf.

Your earlier work was inspired by nebulas and galaxies, what is currently inspiring your work?
My summer collection is all sunshine yellow, sky blue clouds, kaleidoscopic rainbows, and the stark contrast of black & white.

Can you share some advice for artists and textiles designers looking to create their own textile/surface design brand?
Find your own niche, look out there and see what's missing, not what's popular. And don't start a business based on what you like to look at or wear, start it based on what you enjoy doing, because you'll be doing it every day. Honestly, I didn't own any tie-dye or even like it that much before I started doing it, but I had so much fun working on creating designs.

Oh Dear Megan

Chic jewelry and lookbook from Oh Dear Megan.

Earrings from Elizabeth Cole

Loving these citrus-y clustered earrings from Elizabeth Cole Jewelry, they're gorgeous!

Eye on: Jay Kay New York

I've fallen hard for the Fall 2013 collection from Jay Kay New York. I love that the colors and prints challenge what we typically expect to see during the cooler months of the year.

With Jay Kay New York, founders Jeannine Holmes and Kristen Davis, wanted to create a brand that combines fun prints, unique palettes, and materials that would speak to the woman who wants to make a statement. I'm totally seeing that with the fly red cape and the big magenta-based floral print.

I can't wait to see more from Jay Kay.

Do you have your eye on a new brand? Do share!

Lianne La Havas on The Outnet + Music Films

I'm a huge fan of Lianne La Havas so I love seeing her getting featured for her talents and style. Like in this video for The Outnet where she shares a little about her wardrobe and what she wears for her performances.

(Also, check out this information for her concert at the Baltimore Soundstage this month.)

And take a look at this two part film for two of her singles, "Elusive" and "Gone." They're really beautiful.

 

BlackStar Film Festival

Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the BlackStar Film Festival to create a few promotional materials for the event. It was so great because I love their organization and was thrilled with the visual direction they were looking to pursue. When I was given the challenge to explore Afrofuturism and taking a look at Masai or Ndebele women as muses for the assignment I knew this project was definitely for me. Those two elements have been huge influences in my work already, so I immediately started looking for fresh imagery and began the sketching process. (If you follow Fly on Instagram then you've seen a few of the images I have used for reference.) It was such an amazing project and I feel so fortunate for the opportunity.

If you're in the Philly area I hope you'll check out the festival, it's going to be great!

BlackStar Film Festival
August 1-4, 2013
Philadelphia, PA

Fly in Brazil

By the time this post goes up I will be landing in Brazil and heading to my uncle's house in Rio. It's been eight years since I've been to Rio de Janeiro and I am overflowing with excitement and a little tiny toy-teaspoon of anxiety.

I have no idea what to expect during this trip. Eight years is a very long time to not see aunties, uncles, dozens of cousins and family friends. So much has changed. All of my cousins who are my age are now married with kids; my grandfather has passed away since our last visit, so this will be my first time going and not seeing him (my heart hurts thinking about that); and my grandmother has Alzheimer's, and although she asks for me I'm not sure if she'll recognize me. In addition, let's not talk about the protests, the Pope visiting, and World Youth Day all happening while we're there.

But again that's just my teaspoon of anxiety. I'm way more excited about seeing my family, and being smothered in kisses and stuffed with food. For the last two months my mouth has been watering thinking about the dishes I've been putting in my special requests for like bife acebolado (beef smothered in onions), pastel de carne (a fried pastry filled with beef), and my aunt's version of feijoada (black bean stew).

I love market shopping so I'm looking forward to my mother taking me to the markets she loved going to as a young woman. Spending time with her is the thing I am most thrilled about. This will be the first visit since I was four where just the two of us are traveling together. Being with her, in her element, without the interruption of work and other responsibilities will be wonderful.

While I'm there I will also be attending a Brazilian bloggers meet-up where I'll be having a brief discussion about natural hair in the US (eek!!). Then later, we'll be visiting a part of Brazil I have never been to, Recife, which is a city on the beach (like our Miami) in the north of the country.

I really hope I will be able to share my journey with you. I'm not sure what my Internet connection will be like but will try to post here at least once a week from Brazil, and share pics on Instagram for sure.

Please continue to visit Fly, as I have regular posts scheduled.

Are you from another country or have family in another country and haven't been or seen them in a while? When are you going back? How do you stay in touch? What do you miss most?

Luri & Wilma Magazine

Luri & Wilma Magazine celebrates a fashionable DIY and sustainable lifestyle with pretty photography and dope content. The online publication is ready to take the digital mag to print with a Kickstarter campaign to support their brand expansion. Check out what they're trying to do, support (only two days left to donate to their campaign) or visit them online.

Aretha Inspired Color

I saw this vintage photo of Aretha Franklin on Pinterest and later saw a recent photo that seemed to be paying homage to the former. I love both versions! And the color palette used in the two is delicious.

Sad Girls Zine

Sad Girls is a new zine featuring the work of female illustrators, writers, artists, and the like. The list of contributors includes some of my favorite artists like Leah Goren and Karolin Schnoor.