BlackStyleFile

Jeffrey Wright, Mos Def and others celebrate peace and show pride in Sierra Leone

 

If you hear the name of the West African country of Sierra Leone and instantly think of Kanye's lyrics from 'Diamonds' , you are not alone. Images of child soldiers and the war torn country have been depicted in not only songs but in movies like Leonardo DiCaprio's "Blood Diamond" and books like A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. The struggles that they have had over the years are the only associations many in the international community have with the nation. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and ambassadors of the country are aware of this and they are on a mission to change this perception.

BSF was honored to be in attendance at the 50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone event held November 21st, 2010 at an exclusive reception at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York City. Famed Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning Actor Jeffrey Wright was introduced as the Sierra Leone "Peace by Piece" Ambassador and the premiere of the compelling documentary Sierra Leone: Road to Change, produced by M3 Films was screened at the theatre as well.

The intimate event, hosted by award-winning journalist and political commentator, Jeff Johnson, was sponsored by VeeV and included more than 100 international key influencers, such as Ambassadors to Sierra Leone and the UN, Mos Def, and Best-Selling AuthorIshmael Beah (A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier). There were also performances by Sierra Leone's most prolific Hip Hop group Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and by R&B singer/songwriter Carolyn Malachi.

The highlight was hearing Wright recount stories and memories of his 14+ trips to the country. In a melodic love letter to the country he talked about about the food, the people, and the countryside and the reasons he keeps going back. It was his affinity and dedication to the country that led him to the Peace by Peace campaign.

Those in attendance and others have pledged to join Jeffrey Wright, to serve as host committee members on behalf of the "Peace by Piece" campaign and to spread Sierra Leone's good news to at least 50 people in honor of their "50 for 50" campaign and to help attract long-term investors and sponsorship for the momentous occasion. The theme of the celebration is "50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone." April 27, 2011, will mark fifty years of independence from British rule.

For more information about Sierra Leone and its 50th anniversary celebrations, visit www.sierraleoneat50.gov.sl

 

Naomi's star studded show

Naomi Campbell Fashion For Relief runway show kicked off last night at the tents. Everyone from Chris Brown to Kelly Osborne strutted their stuff for charity. Here is a video of the show and a few pics from the  the front row to backstage. Hopefully Haiti feels the love!

 

Naomi Campbell plans fashion show for Haiti relief

Naomi Campbell called on the fashion world to do its part for the Haiti relief effort -- and the fashion world answered: There will be a charity catwalk show pairing top models and designers at New York Fashion Week.

Campbell organized the first Fashion for Relief event at the Bryant Park tents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and has since taken it to Tanzania and Mumbai, India. The return to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Feb. 12 comes at the right time, Campbell said.

"Everyone else is trying to help Haiti, and we wanted to do our part on the fashion side of things," Campbell said in a telephone interview from Paris. "The response has been overwhelming. No one has said `no' -- which means a lot because it's such a busy time with designers preparing their fall collections."

The event is still coming together, but Campbell said she had called upon her friends, including Christy Turlington and the Duchess of York, asking them to participate. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is putting together the looks, and designer Marc Jacobs has already created a special Louis Vuitton handbag, one of many items that will go on sale on the Net-a-Porter Web site March 15, with proceeds going to the organization CARE.

Tickets will go on sale to American Express cardmembers Friday through Ticketmaster.

via www.businessweek.com

Fashion for Haiti | Council of Fashion Designers of America

In response to the devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti, the fashion industry has pulled together to organize a nation-wide effort to raise monies for the victims of the natural disaster. A $25 “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt will go on sale February 12 at retailers across the country with proceeds benefitting the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is raising funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those who are most in need of assistance.

“The tragedy in Haiti has affected everyone and most of us individually have given money for relief,” said Diane von Furstenberg, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “However, I think it is now important to send a message and create a channel for funding from fashion as an industry.”

“The total devastation of Haiti is unimaginable. I am always amazed by the strength, talent and compassion of our industry and now more than ever it is essential we come together and help make a difference,” said Ralph Lauren.

The “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt logo was designed by Peter Arnell, who in 2001 created the now iconic mended heart logo for the “Fashion for America” fundraiser, organized by the CFDA and Vogue magazine, which raised $2 million after 9/11 for the Twin Towers Fund.

Coordinated by the CFDA, the short sleeve T-shirt will be manufactured by Theory under the “Fashion for Haiti” label. It will be available in women’s and men’s styles at retailers nationwide as well as online at www.cfda.com.

Information on how to order T-shirts can be placed by contacting fashionforhaiti@cfda.com.

 

A Path to Peace

In 1994, Rwanda was torn apart by a brutal and swift genocide—in roughly 100 days, close to one million Rwandan citizens were murdered. In the aftermath, the population of this small African nation was nearly 70% women. Faced with an uncertain future, these women turned to their past and reclaimed their unique heritage of weaving. Drawing strength from this common history and ancient art form, brave women from both sides of the conflict organized groups of weavers, in an effort to rebuild their communities and their lives…together.       

A collection of exquisite, one-of-a-kind works of art hand-woven by the women of Rwanda. The sale of these baskets puts real, sustainable income into the hands of the weavers, changing their lives in remarkable ways.
>> View Baskets

ALT Approves of Obama's Style

Michelle Obama's style has been on the radar of many in the industry, however so have the rumors and speculation regarding who may be dressing her and influencing her wardrobe choices. Many assumed Andre Leon Talley was the culprit responsible for putting the fashion bug in her ear if not the mastermind behind her sense of style. However, while he has hosted a fundraiser which raised $1 million for the Obama for America organization, ALT told Style.com the rumors of his involvement in her wardrobe couldn't be farther from the truth saying -

"...let me go on record saying that I have never, ever given her any advice on what to wear...To put the record straight, I think that Michelle Obama does not need advice."

He added that he's most impressed with the Chicago resident's chic sophistication, à la Jackie O.

"But it's not about Jackie Kennedy being a woman of privilege. She has, in many ways, taken some of Jackie's elements of simplicity, elegant restraint, three strands of bubble-gum pearls, the flip of hair, solid colors, simple lines, and clothes—and it's working for her. I think she's incredible."

Tyra Takes the White House

Tyra Banks is not only gracing the cover of the Harper's Bazaar September Fall Fashion issue, but she is taking up residence in the White House as a Michelle Obama look-a-like. 

Banks, posed with model Roman- her Barack counterpart - in a photo layout portraying the life of the First (Black) Family. 

When asked about the symbolism of the first black president of the United States, Banks pauses for a second and starts to tear up. "When Barack won the nomination, I just started bawling. I started calling all these people, and everybody was talking to me like I was crazy. They're like, 'Well, he hasn't won yet,' but I'm like, 'Yes, he has, because he's gotten this far.' I think he gives everybody so much hope."

She grabs a tissue. "I did a talk show, and we were testing racism with little kids. We showed them a picture of a black man in a suit and a picture of a white man in a suit. And we asked, 'Which one can be president?' These kids were all of different races — black, white, everything — and not one of them said that the black man could be president. Not one. So what gives me tears is if Barack Obama wins, kids are going to say that a black man can be president, too."

For Banks, for whom self-esteem is a not just a passion but a cause, it's bigger than simply that. "I think it will give so many people — black, Latin, Asian, even white people that feel forgotten--it gives them hope. I did not think I would see it in my lifetime, and I'm only 34."

For more visit Harper's Bazaar.

Barack - The Muse for Versace?

                                                                                                                                                

Photo: imaxtree

A writer from the Associated Press reported that Donatella Versace had "dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection to Obama".

Word quickly spread that the Democratic presidential candidate had served as the designer's latest muse. This morning, on the Today show, Matt Lauer even went so far as to broadcast on national television that Versace had sought inspiration for her latest collection from Obama.

However, a Versace spokesperson denied the claims saying:

"It was the type of man Barack Obama represents that inspired the men's Spring 2009 collection. A modern man with a laid back relaxed look and attitude. Not Obama himself."

Sounds like an admission to us. First Michelle and "the dress" on The View , and now Barack on the runways of Milan. That's just the type of change we need.