Art & Coolin' with EMLE

This time last night I was super excited to be attending a very dope artistic event at the Untitled Bottega in Downtown Detroit … The EMLE xHibition was a nice mix of cool people mingling, enjoying unique art, comedy and sounds by a live dj. Artist, Emery Jones aka John xDope, is a Detroit artist who has an amazing rang of talents which include fashion, music, painting and acting. With his homeboy Myke Wright, who is a comedian and funny as hell, they create a very dynamic duo.

I am sad to say that I had to leave earlier than expected so I missed the raffle for custom EMLE products, and  live improve skit with the EMLE Crew. Yes, I cried a little inside, but I did get a chance get in a session of Live Questions with EMLE! (Which I will post eventually) That made my night!  It was a simple 3 question interview but the questions make you give an on spot witty answer… you gotta see it!

The xHibition was free admission and free drinks! That’s what I’m talking about. They showed their supporters madd love; and for that, their supporters will always stay down. That’s fact. I left with a free DVD that was super funny yo! A unique EMLE sticky, and a really nice overall experience. You could really feel the love in the atmosphere as well as a sense of accomplishment. It was truly well deserved.  I managed to snap a few pics, but clearly, I am not a photographer- but yeah you will get it…

Hit up these links~Go check them out & follow on twitter. Now! J

• www.iamemle.com
• https://twitter.com/#!/JOHNxDOPE
• http://iamemle.tumblr.com/

Custom EMLE Crew Necks (A few of my favorites!)

These paintings are so bomb! They remind me of an updated version of velvet paintings of black women in the 70's!!  In the words of Andre Leon Talley This is something I would hang in my Salon! 

 The ominous clouds and the sensuality of the woman kinda play against each other. I love this one.

 Ok. I was like yo are those street signs in the background?! That's fresh! The effect of the reflectors in the background is really creative!

  I decided to give my old lappy lappy a makeover... Pow! Check out the handmade EMLE Sticky... yes that is a Postal address label!! That dope ideas was probably stemmed from budgeting lol it works for me!

So let me what you think!

Going Forward...

Today is December 30, 2011. As we prepare to say get the fuck on to 2011...because from what I see most people had a wack year... I am thinking of a 10 Step Master Plan.

I do not make New Year's Resolutions and all that jive... but I have decided that I need a fresh start.
So here are the main goals to put my Master Plan to work.

1. Be more consistent with my blog. This is my baby and I need to nurture it.
2. Create a legit portfolio.
3. Use time wisely. Pick up a paint brush every time I am "bored". Constantly create.
4. Start using my talent to make some of that mo-nay! Jewelry, pottery, shoe design... I'm trying to do it all!
5. Learn, grow, network and expand my mind.
6. Become more spiritual and healthy.
7. Save money in Every way possible. (who doesn't have that on their list...)
8. Maintain at least a 3.8 GPA
9. Become more organized so I can maintain the Master Plan.
10. Always keep my goal ahead of me. Make correct choices, and set realistic expectations.

So everyone, I want you to have a beautiful New Year Celebration! I hope you party hard and look good doin' it baby!!

Fashion on the Field: 10 of the Best & Worst College Football Uniforms

My love of fashion and all things dope is very extensive. From head bands to red bottoms I can probably name it all… but what you all didn’t know is I am a huge football fan! So this is the point where fashion meets football.

I was challenged by a friend to write my views on the looks of football jerseys. He wrote one as well Go check it out! This was exciting because since my home team the Detroit Lions don’t usually make the playoffs , I root for the team with the most coordinated color scheme.  After reading my dear friends blog I realized he meant College football … womp womp… lol there are a million of those.  Anyway…

There is some irony to my “research”. I read Forbes lists of most valuable teams, and who had the best endorsements. Those were the teams with the bomb jerseys! That's not fair… All the other schools had the most tired looking ashy basic, peewee football, looking junk. Then on the other hand schools spend all this money making them look good just to go out and get torn up and dirty. They don't even know weather there team's skill is really worth the investment. At least when I spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes I'm sure my style will be a success.

Honestlly, most schools rely on their sports teams’ success to bring in new student recruits, an active campus involvement and most importantly revenue. Now who wants to see a team in those tired looking jerseys?? I mean really, when you look good you perform better... 

If it were up to me one team would be black one team would be white, and the cleats would be the focal point! Anyway...  

Here are The Touchdowns and the Fouls… Who made it to the In Zone and who continues to Warm the Bench??

IN ZONE:

1. Florida Gators:  Love this because the colors are bright and the style reminds me of a LaCosta polo tee.  You can NEVER go wrong with a polo, like ever.


2. Michigan State: Should have been 1^st because I am a Michigander, but fashion is not always forgiving. How could I resist Spartans?  Spartans are strong , confident, and sexy  warriors! Plus the jersey is the color of money; need I say more…





 

 

3. Oregon: I love black and Neon colors together. It makes them look like they are glowing. This is my favorite so far!

4. Arkansas State: My 1^st thought was what the hell is that pig thing, but that’s a beautiful shade of red against the black uniform. It’s like cranberry sauce, which reminds me of dressing. I love dressing.  So I’m giving thanks to Arkansas for a nice looking uniform. Now I’m hungry…

5. Notre Dame: I don’t know what it is about this uniform. It just works. 

6.Oregon: i loved them so much had to post the "white done right" uniform. 

7. Maryland: I don’t expect men to always get patterns right, especially mixing them; but, for some strange reason I really like the new uniform. It is so different and it gives the players a flare that a lot of teams lack big time.

8. U of M: This is what I have grown up looking at The Blue and The Gold! It is classic and bold. Although it has been duplicated no one can wear it like a Wolverine.

  

9. Texas Christian: As far as I am concerned, purple and black look good under any circumstance. Purple is the color of royalty, so why not?

10. Grambling State: I saved the best for last! They look like Pittsburgh Steelers.  Un huh you know what it is…Black and yellow. I chose this school because the spirit of this school is so hype. Believe the hype baby. They would still make my list if they played in pink panther suits!

 

BENCH WARMERS

1. Wyoming: Brown and yellow is a nasty color scheme. That’s just ugly… Next!

2. Cincinnati Bear Cats: This is an example of complicating something so simple.  Firstly what the hell is a Bear Cat?? Lol, Secondly, why the big scratch on the pants?  Men don’t scratch.  Black and white would have been sufficient without the scratches.

3. Clemson Tigers: They look like Circus Tigers, Whoa Maybe they use their uniforms to blind their opponent.

4. Florida A&M: Lord have mercy lol

5. Louisiana Tech:  It’s nice to be patriotic and everything, but I expected red white and blue form a Military school. Plus it’s ugly.

6. Southern Mississippi: That yellow has to go! I can’t take a bunch of men in yellow serious when  they come out looking like Tweety Bird.  So… Yeah I said it… Tweety Bird.

 7. Iowa State: All I have to say is Ketchup and Mustard. Flag! No condiments on the field, Please!

8.Tennessee: Whoa there... that's just hideous total dreckitude!! Looking at this make me want to have fashtrum! (that's a fashion tantrum, for when there is nothing that can make it better)

 

9. Delaware: Looks like the Dollar Store version of U of M uniforms.

10. Syracuse: That is the worst color combo! I know that NY is one of the fashion capitals where not matching is supposed to work. But this scheme is simply incomplete.



Giorgio Armani Fall 2011 collection for men. Guys step your look up. He looks nice. ;) Woo #steez!

It is so nice to see black people in the fashion industry... we are few and far in between. I want to change that!

What to Wear??

My favorite part of this collage is the pants. Why? Because they are the color most hidden in the shirt and the pants bring it out. Thats matching without being obvious ;)

...O_o Let Me Get This Straight...

Moulin Rouge Boot by DSquared2 Fall 2011…

…Ook. So the style & shape is dope, that’s why I like fashion… duh… but let me get this straight (pause and confused look) is this a big ass SOCK in a CLEAR BOOT?? Honestly, I can say that’s dope because its never been done before, and the style is the bomb.
The idea is just a little “dear hunterish” to me that’s all I’m saying. They are like high heel rain boots with built in long ass socks!! Are the socks even warm?? How can you pull the sock down when it’s too tight on your toes? Then again high fashion is not practical… Would I wear them?? #HellYeah #ShutTheFrontDoor, I mean, that sock just through me way off… lol

Nicki Minaj has been wearing the hell out of Versace lately! You Go Girl! The all white ones are the Leather and Rope heels, that she wore to the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. I like them! They look much better on and they come in some cute colors.

Now the color block heels below are a different story. Its something about these shoes that I don't like... I know they are fly... but  the top and bottom of the shoe just don't seem to match. Maybe that's it. (sn: if Versace gave me a pair to test out I'd wear the everywhere, from the grocery store to church. Don't Play!)

Get Nailed -N- Get Hooked... Up, that is!

Let me be the first to say that I have worn some really saucy nails that died from a nail art overdose. I mean really, I have had airbrush, 3D acrylic, rhinestones a crazy color game and the length to match. In which my current nail artist calls "Ghetto Shenene Nails" lol...Now that I'm more mature, I prefer crazy solid color polishes with a natural length. To me that's a nice classy way of keeping it funky!

         

Although, I have switched my style up, I have been taken aback by the perfection of the nail designs done by Shauwn Diva. Every finished product is clean, neat, and has a very distinctive look. I have yet to become a client of hers, but I will. No doubt. I stumbled across her profile on facebook through a hair stylist in Detroit. Since then, I have become addicted to her facebook albums lol... (rrrreeeeen RrreeeEEEN RrrrEEEEEN that's my stalker music lol it's just a lil jokey joke people)...

One day I was in The Red Dot Boutique (aka Target) and I stopped the cashier from working because I had to see her nails. As soon as I saw them, I recognized the work! I asked her if Shauwn did her nails, and she proudly answered yes! --True story!!

Detroit has been heir to the hair throne and crowned the capital for many years; but with The Diva, the nail game is ours too. Here are a few of my favorite designs. Surely, there will be more to come... Follow the link for more info... https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=517027736

  

Untitled Beauty

As u may or may not know, I keep my head in the clouds. Literally and metaphorically speaking. I love pictures of clouds and nature just as much as I love shoes and shopping. So what better combination is better to capture than clouds over a shopping center?? #Epic Scenery! These clouds remind me of some sort of ancient ruins... Ah-mazing

Hold up... wait a minute!!! These are some of the coldest ankle boots I have seen since the trend started... You can always count on Versace to stay a step ahead of the game #swag. I can see me in these with a pair of cut- offs and a lil vintage graphic tee and a fedora. Maaan, forget the clothes, let the boots do the talking #loud!!
(I swear I get too excited about shoes... smh)

Fun -N- Foxy!!!

Spring 2011 Collection by Charlotte Olympia Ooh La La! 

SN: These remind me of Huggy Bear… Jive Turkey 1970’s flow... lol

I must admit tho, I would rock the hell out of these. Wide leg jeans, a blazer, tee and head wrap 

(since they remind me of the Chiquita Banana lady lol)... I'd keep it kinda boho super chic. With a whole lotta bracelets, you can't forget the bracelets. Oh and huge sunglasses!!**

Okay, I'm done... Have a Lo_Ok See and carry on Luvs!

It is best to learn all aspects of whatever craft you choose to attempt becoming great in. This is a prime example... peep how these design relate... Dopeness at its best!! 

When I saw these bad boyz by Alejandro Ingelmo, I instantly thought of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. I love the structure associated with this shoe design… U go boy!!!

Giovanna Battaglia in a very sexy vintage gown by Stephen Sprouse. Oh how I wish... lol


My compliments to http://2bitchezdeep.tumblr.com/

Mary J. Blige & Michael Kors Knows How to Partaay!

Mary J. Blige has always been fly! She has only become more gorgeous with age. Her moves haven't slowed down from back in  the day. I love Mary because she is the most classy homegirl ever! Mary's style is consistent, and conscious. She is known for her short cuts and blond hair, and always sports earth tones. The best thing about her style is that it sticks to the script without being boring.

In 2007 MJB landed a  spot on The Top 25 Grammy Looks of All Time. Wearing a beautiful Micheal Kors gown was definitely a great idea.

I am a long time fan of Micheal Kors and he is a fan of Mary's. What an honor... For Micheal Kors 30th anniversary and the grand opening of the new rue Saint-Honore' boutique, he threw a most lavish party in Paris! How dopely posh is that? He invited his girl Mary to perform, and she got the crowd hype! Her performance didn't miss a beat and neither did her ensemble. Decked out in a beautiful Michael Kors runway look she was amazing from head to toe! Check out the pics and video of MJB's performance... even Micheal Kors himself had to drop it like its haute!!! lol