CYBERSTYLE
 
by Michael T. Kilgore
 
SPECIAL REPORT
 
 
HONORING AN AFRICAN - AMERICAN FASHION DESIGN ICON
 
 
Greetings Cyberstyle readers...I know its been a minute since my last story
and I hope all is well with you and yours. As for me, I've been consumed
with launching a new company called A.A.D. - ATHLETIC ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT.
 
The concept, began about four years ago when my wife and I were designing
clothes for CHERYL MILLER and then, we started doing some interior design
work for her as well. At first, I thought the company would be a joint venture involving Ms. Miller
but ultimately, I decided to make it happen alone...Cheryl is, however, a super human-being!
 
Essentially, A.A.D. is the first, full - service company for professional athletes offering image and marketing services,
voice and "how to perfect the art of the interview" training, personal shopping, custom
hand-tailored wardrobes and interior design for home and/or office.
 
Long-term plans (but not too long:-)) include a modeling agency exclusively
representing, professional athletes. We anticipate a Spring - Summer 2007
launch date for that effort. A.A.D. is an official partner of NAAAA -
The National Association  of African - American Athletes.
 
A key element offered in the imaging and marketing package is a
state-of-the-art press/media kit whereby we design a cutting-edge
tool used to position the athlete for the all-important endorsement
opportunity.
 
The game that athletes play in the marketplace has gone far beyond
bouncing a ball on the court, hitting one with a bat or throwing one
down a field...the real game now is about "getting paid" for all
the extra - curricular's. Additionally, one must remember that professional
athletes have a relatively short career span and a very early
retirement. That said, they really have to make an effort to "stay in the
game of life" and that takes, serious planning on their part.
 
The A.A.D. website will be launching in June.
 
____________________________________________________________________
 
Turning to another page, the hot fashion design news in the industry is that
Stephen Burrows, the most famous Black designer in history, will be
receiving a special Honorary Award from the CFDA - The Council of Fashion Designers
of America. The event, happening the first week of June, will be star-studded
as he accepts the award for a lifetime of brilliance from Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren
and Oscar de la Renta.
 
I am the west coast chairperson for a gala event being presented on June 23 rd
in Beverly Hills. It will be a reception for Mr. Burrows held at the exclusive
Lladro boutique on Rodeo Drive and it will be followed by a trunk show @
the Linda McNair boutique on Saturday, the 24th. Finally, that evening, there
will be a closing reception @ my art gallery - THE BUNGALOW GALLERY.
 
Rest assured, there will be exclusive coverage and the press thus far,
is staggering including VOGUE, ESSENCE, EBONY, OUR WEEKLY,
THE CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES,
ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT.
 
As of this writing, Tracee Ellis Ross is being courted as one of the
celebrity hosts of the event along with Kimberly Elise and the
beautiful Anna-Marie Horsford.
 
Please refer to the CYBERSTYLE article archives for information of
Stephen Burrows and my most recent story introduced The Linda
McNair boutique. If you haven't discovered it yet, what are you waiting for:-))??
 
I'll be in New York for most of May and there will be plenty of
news to report upon my return...till then, BE BLESSED.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
 
 

 

 
CYBERSTYLE
by Mikel T. Kilgour
 
Special Fashion Correspondent
 
EXCLUSIVE REPORT:
 
 
 
On legendary Sunset Avenue, there is a new girl in town and fashion is her
forte - Linda McNair. Her highly specialized boutique, aptly named
"Linda McNair" is just steps away from trendy Sunset Plaza and perhaps,
ten minutes away from Rodeo Drive. Linda McNair, the boutique, is
decidedly recessed from the street in an intimate strip mall giving her
shoppers a feeling of "cherished" privacy. Once inside, you are in your own
world. Outside, cars passing by on Sunset, slow down to catch a glimpse
of her stunning windows.
 
There are wonderful suits for late day and evening in addition to a
very impressive selection of dresses which are very hard to find in today's
market. Some of the dresses feature Art - Deco inspired prints while
others are offered in silk taffeta, brocades and piques. One standout
amongst many was a black silk taffeta bubble dress - the rage of the season.
 
On the subject of gowns, again, there was a many a confection to behold
and Ms. McNair can custom order selected styles for formal occasions.
 
The boutique also carries an extensive collection of accessories that
include a luxurious selection of handbags, jeweled belts, breath-taking
hats and shoes by none other than the grand master - Stuart Weitzman.
 
Ms. McNair has created a "niche" environment that is unique yet
consumer-friendly. It is for a true "fashion customer" who loves
inspired doses of color and quality fabrics. The prices are very reasonable
and are totally affordable...some of her special occasion pieces that
chimed in around 300.00 left me in awe because they looked, much
more expensive. (tell them it was 600.00:-))
 
Ms. McNair has assembled a stellar cast of designers that she features
in her signature boutique that inlcude Chetta B, TeriJon, Nicole Miller
Paul Vasseur (Paris) and Badgley Mischka to name but a few...as previously
mentioned, there are accessories galore that finish off all the looks to
perfection. Again, prices are very pleasing given the quality of the product.
 
Ladies, I urge all of you to discover the Linda McNair boutique because
its a rare circumstance to see an African-American woman achieve
this level of excellence. While some may view her location as
"inaccessible" to the Black community, in my fashionable opinion,
it's not about that. Our sistas have no problem finding Neiman
Marcus, Nordstrom's, Saks Fifth Avenue or St. John Knits. Therefore,
they should have no problem finding Linda McNair, a sister who
has created an enviroment that should make any progressive
Black woman proud. Let's step up to the plate and represent!
 
 Not to misunderstand, the boutique
will attract woman of all races and cultures, (Paris Hilton just
popped in the other day to shop) but it would be great to see
some of our "fashion plates" frequent the boutique as well.
 
Linda McNair is stylishly located @ 8555 Sunset Boulevard in West
Hollywood and her awning is visible from the street. There is
a small parking lot in front of the store that she shares with her
neighbors in addition to meter parking. 
 
For those wishing to congratulate Ms. McNair or to find
out additional information , please correspond
 
 
This is Mikel T.Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 

 

 

CYBERSTYLE by Mikel Kilgore

 

 

 

SPECIAL REPORT - THE WEST COAST FASHION SHOW

  

 

The runway was set...and then, the click of a stiletto heel multiplied

into a steady, stylish, hypnotic beat as a group of female

models hopefuls introduced themselves to a capacity, standing room

only crowd. The only common denominator: The familiarity of a white

"wife beater" and jeans, also rocked by the often, buffed legion of

male models - all vying to become the winner of the Coolture Top

Model Search Competition sponsored by The Los Angeles Business

Expo. The extravaganza was held Saturday, Oct. 29 @ The Convention

Center.

 

Dynamically conceived and presented by the team of Myra Wallace,

the Expo Director and Davide Stennett, Fahion Show Director,  the show was a tour de force

that focused on the collections of a group of featured designers that

included Steve Harvey's new, ubiquitous offering of tailored suits.

Dapper as they were, Mr. Harvey had to take a back seat to some

of the other creative minds who expressed a genuine knack for

profound originality. Such was the case @ the house of Madeline K

who exhibited a stellar group of womenswear for evening and

beyond. Designed by Madeline K. Smith who also owns the company,

the entrance-maker collection glorified "couture-quality" fabric-- the

likes of silk charmeuse, silk matte-jersey and imported, beaded laces.

 

On the subject of menswear, J. Anthony Brown of Miami offered a cool,

casual way to dress in shades of mocha, cafe au lait and periwinkle

in fabrics that were solid and often pinstriped. A collection that was

perfect for the new NBA code...yes, Iverson...I'm talking to you. Aside

from the aforementioned collection by Harvey, there was Butta - a

crowd pleasing (for the ladies, that is) collection made in Africa and

designed by Dr. Bill Releford. Male models attacked the runway in

the good doctor's form-fitting, black underwear collection with

an unabashed sense of bravura as they tossed their "wife-beaters" into the

crowd, almost causing a third world war of sorts between the

females (okay...there were a few guys too:-)) in the audience.

The Butta collection also featured some great pants that featured

drawstrings at both sides rather than the front. A serious political statement

about Africa accompanied Dr. Releford's design mission that although

well intended, seemed a bit too heavy for what appeared on the runway.

 

 Ultimately, the show was very entertaining although at

times, one became confused and didn't know whether to focus their

attention on the competing models or the wares of the featured

designers. There was many a euphoric moment with great collections

by Nondi Luxe (a beautiful collection of world-class bathing suits),

B.Chic ( a group of directional, dramatic womenswear that focused on

inventive cuts rendered in rich brocades, metallic jersey knits and matte

jersey in a rich palette of colors that included rust, gold and persimmon),

Cezar ( a menswear collection with a distinct European flair that focused

on a strong presence of knits teamed with denim), Royaltee (another

menswear collection geared for the urban minded featuring new

denim pant options topped with vibrant T-shirts that featured various

tie-dye and acid-washed effects), Tasha Monique Carter ( a pivotal

collection of cocktail and evening womenswear that featured an

array of unexpected fabrics primarily in shades of red and gold) and

not to be soon forgotten, the house of Drini (a plus-size womenswear

collection that took bold creative leaps that often soared though at

times, the boundaries of correctness and good taste were stretched).

 

To the credit of Wallace and Stennett, their selection of model hopefuls

and designers were eclectic and eccentric...after all, we can be a very

demanding, discerning audience and after a long day @ the Expo,

folks wanted to be entertained in a serious way. Bottom line, you had

to bring it on and the brilliance of our Black designers, the physical beauty

of our Black people and the overwhelming talent exhibited by our

Black Make-up and Hair Artists did bring it on...Kudos and congrats to all!

 

Note:  Top Model Winners:  Left:  Mr. Tyrone Jones won the top male model spot while

Ms. Desiree was named top female model for the Expo’s West Coast Fashion Show.

 

Fashion Show '05 Photos Gallery    /   BACK TO EXPOUPDATE

 

CYBERSTYLE
 
SPECIAL REPORT
 
THE HOUSE OF DEREON
 
By Mikel T. Kilgour
Fashion / Style Correspondent
 
 
Unless you've been in a remote part of Siberia, I'm sure you've
noticed the expected emergence of some major trends as we
approach the Fall / Winter 2005-06 fashion season...menswear
influence, novelty jackets, the return of dresses and for men,
a retreat from clothes that are overtly oversized.
 
There is much to talk about and even more to consider while the
world's top designers continue to define the new millennium.
Many thought the year 2000 would usher in a trend towards
clothes devoid of excessive details...instead, designers continue
to dip into decades past for inspiration - a hybrid of the 1920's
right up to the 80's.
 
One such design house is the mother and daughter team of
Tina and Beyonce Knowles who will find themselves making
a much anticipated debut into a very competitive market this fall.
 
The collection, dubbed "THE HOUSE OF DEREON" is taken from
her grandmother's maiden name and that, Cyberstyle readers,
is where the trouble begins. The name of a fashion line can make
or break a company and from where I sit, the philosophy behind
this name is not going to create the "sizzle" a new line needs to
generate. A name like BABY PHAT has that type of sizzle... a
name like GUCCI has that type of sizzle...when people buy and wear
clothing, they also wear the philosophy behind the line. Thinking
about someone's grandmother (endearing, as she may be) may work
for Beyonce but I doubt if it will win over buyers looking for that element
of danger and sex appeal they need to feel.
 
As for the clothes themselves, I had the opportunity to preview a substantial
part of the collection while Beyonce and her mother prepared for
a press conference. Kelly Rowlands, Beyonce's sister, Solange and her new baby
were also in tow...my good friend Stacey "J" who most folks know
from being on Trump's THE APPRENTICE show, is in fact a very established
high fashion couture model who wore the garments that afternoon.
 
 
The line was very "1940's vamp" and brought to mind some of the costumes
Diana Ross wore in the iconic, LADY SINGS THE BLUES...fitted jackets,
flirty, hip and thigh hugging skirts and plenty of "dressmaker, couture - inspired"
details. These details are more often than not a little "dated" and give the
clothes an almost matronly types of appeal.
 
I was looking at some of the first samples from the manufacturer of the line
and the workmanship on a lot of the pieces didn't exhibit the quality needed
for a higher priced line. All this is a little puzzling given her mother's extensive
work in designing costumes...perhaps, its too soon to cast judgement and
nonetheless, I hope their venture is successful. Trust me, in the industry of
fashion, you only get one, very important chance to make it happen.
 
On the other side of midnight, one Mr. Sean John Combs (AKA P. Diddy)
is preparing to launch his new womenswear line which was bankrolled
by a billionaire from California after a chance meeting. One hundred
million dollar was invested in the venture (all at once) and as of this
reading, the collection is looking pretty damn good.
 
Heading the cavalcade of important department stores that will carry
the line is New York's BERGDORF GOODMAN, the most exclusive
of the bunch...there is only ONE in the world on upper 5th avenue.
 The women's and men's store face each other on opposite sides
of the street and both stores, are the ultimate shopping experience.
 
The new women's line is not an urban line but it does borrow heavily
from the urban world...Go figure. Bergdorf 's never believed in the
men's SEAN JOHN line and never carried it. Truth be told, the menswear
line has been in the red and has lost money the last several seasons
and is in the process of being totally reinvented.
 
Gone are the T-shirts, jeans, jackets and other items that have been
previously stamped with the SEAN JOHN logo...the new collection
has only three T-shirts with any logos at all. 
 
According to Puff, who I recently ran into @ Magic Johnson's gala
fundraiser where he acquired one of my paintings, the line is
all grown up to coincide with the core of his client base. There is
much more tailoring involved and even some serious suits that
has been introduced in his flagship, Madison Avenue boutique since
it opened almost two years ago. Sources report that the suits although
well made, have not been selling well and some have been hanging
for...well, almost two years.
 
This, after he won the coveted CFDA Award from the Council of Fashion
Designers of America - the fashion industry's OSCAR if you will.
It is a tough business and you have to love it...fashion is in this man's
genes (his mom and his late father always took best - dressed list
honors in high school). If he can bring the men's line to the
level of finesse the new women's line represents, P. Diddy will
continue to make a most stylish impression on 7th Avenue and the world.
 
There are many other Black celebrities who have collections
debuting at some juncture, but they are too ridiculous and
even insulting to consider...it's like they wake up, wash their
face, do their duty, look in the mirror and say, " Today, I think
I'm going to be a fashion designer... tomorrow,...who knows??"
 
My dawgs and divas, its not that easy...take it from one who knows.
Just ask Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Eve, Outkast, Master P and Serena Williams
who all fell to the wayside with their collections.
 
My advice is to keep putting out those fly beats and in the case of
Serena, I have nothing to say therefore I'll take the fifth.:-))))
 
 
THIS IS MIKEL T. KILGOUR FOR CYBERSTYLE
 
questions and/or comments:

 

 

 

Art Pieces by Michael Kilgore: Love Dance, Father and son, and African American Asian Girl

inquiries please contact:
The Bungalow Gallery @
310.785.0910
 
 
 
 
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Fine Art works by Beverly Hills Artist, Michael Kilgore, will be showcased
 
at a trilogy of events presented as part of Earvin "Magic" Johnson's, A MID-SUMMER NIGHT MAGIC
 
program. Kilgore will present pieces from his present collection, HARLEMHIPHOPHOLLYWOOD,
 
and a sneak preview of his next collection which will be unveiled this fall, FAITH AND FAMILY .
 
 
The first showing will be presented at Johnson's estate for a select group of 500 guests on July
 
12th followed by a 2nd showing at The Century Plaza Hotel on Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
 
The gala Black Tie event, the Scholar Awards Dinner, is honoring national leaders of prominence and
 
Kilgore's works will be viewed by Muhammad Ali, Clarence Avent, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Sean "P.
 
Diddy" Combs, Willie E. Gary, Esq., Aaron Goodwin, Earl G. Graves, Darryl Hazel, Reverend
 
Jesse L. Jackson, Linda Johnson Rice, Quincy Jones, Star Jones-Reynolds, Tom Joyner, Sr. &
 
Donna Richard Joyner, Edward Lewis and Susan Taylor, Eddie Murphy, Russell Simmons,
 
Willie and Jada Smith, Travis Smiley and Congresswoman, Maxine Waters, all cherished
 
honorees for the evening. A Kilgore limited-edition giclee entitled, HARLEM GIRL, will be
 
offered at the silent auction reception.
 
 
The third showing will be presented at the Magic of Golf Classic held at the Riviera Country Club in
 
Pacific Palisades on the 18th. Magic will tee off with such notables as Sugar Ray Leonard,
 
Emmitt Smith and Reggie Theus to note a few. 
 
 
After the events, the works will be available to viewed throughout the rest of the
 
summer @ THE BUNGALOW GALLERY. In addition to his own gallery, a selection
 
of reproductions are available @ THE PICTURE IT GALLERY located inside the Fox Hills Mall
 
in Culver City. 
 

 

SIZZLING SUMMER STYLE
by Mikel Kilgour
 
 
Memorial Day has passed and once again, the heat is
on... for the next twelve weeks, summer fashion will be
flaunted for better and unfortunately, for worse. In an effort to
dispel the latter, let's take a look at some of the season's
hottest trends while not forgetting the reliable power
of classic style (not to be confused with "dated").
 
WOMEN
 
Summer brings out the sizzle in the ladies. - a sexual side that
sometimes alter their better judgement...such is the case when
I often see our beautiful Black sisters showing too much
skin and not enough class. We all know that everything is
NOT for everybody and that is why the word "options" exist.
The "midriff thang" has gotten a bit out of hand and is better
left alone unless you have the attributes to pull it off.
The other day I saw a young lady that was absolutely offensive
and one wonders if she is trying to evoke a reaction from the
public...flesh, everywhere!
 
Cleavage too, can be a tad much when "the cups spilleth over"
to wild abandon and this is coming from a man who loves
the beauty of all that. (just check out my art work:))) Still ladies,
leave a little mystery and intrigue when wearing the plunge...
in this case, less is definitely more!
 
Chart a new direction and try out some of the great draped
tops that are key this season often found in chiffon or
other sexy fabrics. Underneath, show off the all important
curves with a wifebeater (that's a ribbed tank-top,
babyboomers) or a lace-edged camisole.
 
Of course, jeans are always the bottom of choice and
the Summer of 2005 elevates them to new levels of distinction.
Find them adorned with lavish embroidery and/or beading,
acid-washed effects or distressed with strategically placed
holes. Price-wise, they run the gamut from $20.00 @ Ross
(trust me, they're there) to designer denim offered @ the
staggering price of $1000.00 and beyond!
 
When its all said and done, nothing is sexier in summer
than a lady showing off a great pedicure in a wonderful
high-heeled or flat sandal...a great pair of legs don't hurt
either. Again, you can find attractive shoes @ all price
levels and there are great looks everywhere. The handbag
is as important as the shoe and ladies, finish off the
the look with a pair of drop-dead sunglasses and
if you dare, a shade-friendly sun hat for that "Hollywood" vibe:))
 
MEN
 
For men, fashion has never been better because
there's so many avenues to travel be your taste, classic
or fashion-forward. New this season, a great selection of
solid colors and eye-popping prints that can really make a
statement in the right environment. On the subject of pastels,
they can look a little "questionable" on the wrong guy.
Pink seems to be coming on strong this summer and if you
must, just do a cool linen button-down shirt or an easy
pullover style. Please, leave the pink pants on the rack
and you'll have a better summer (this, I swear).
 
Classic Summer suits are best in light Seersucker versions
or crisp linen...colors to consider include navy, white,
neutrals, and my favorite, a pale celery green - so right
and always in style. Button down striped shirts are newsy
in addition to some with embroidered ethnic accents.
In lieu of slacks with a thousand pleats, opt for some
flat-front styles that are instantly more modern.
 
Urban wear is abundant in infinite varieties and the
major trend towards a more tailored look is continuing to
emerge throughout all the influential collections.
The over-sized look can be overdone when you're a
little on the older side so take heed and scale it down a bit.
(unless of course, you're cool like that and age ain't nuthin
but a number:-))))
 
Sneakers are the real news and soon, brothas will need
entire closests JUST for their sneakers and all those
 t-shirts...hey, that's sounds like MY wardrobe:-))
Again, jeans are the crucial component to concentrate
on and you can never have enough...that's just reality.
 
My look for the Summer 2005 - A linen unconstructed
blazer (most likely in celery green), a t-shirt of some sort,
a cool pair of jeans with just the right touch of slouch,
some "off da hook" sneakers that pull in the color
scheme and to top it off, a 1940's Harlem-style brim
hat and a pair of directional sunglasses.
 
That's a wrap on Summer 2005...it goes by in a flash
so if you're yearning to express some new attitude,
don't wait too long...once Labor Day passes, the mad
days of summer is over and the first leaves of autumn
begins to fall...even in California:-)))
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
 
CYBERSTYLE
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
Special Fashion & Style Correspondent
Photos by
 
 
Also:  ADE BAKARE - A FASHION ICON VISITS LA FROM LONDON (see below)
 
Life can sometimes be magical and mystical all at once...such was the
case on the afternoon of Saturday, April the second when couture designer
 Kara Saun, seduced a celebrity-studded audience at an
exclusive showing held @  the magnificent home of Daphne Wayans, a longtime
client, friend and muse.
 
Her triumph, for me was pre-destined and inevitable because more than a
decade ago, I was instrumental in sending her to Paris, France as the 1st place
winner of New Day Associates Designer of the Year Award held @
The Newark Airport Marriot in New Jersey under the direction of
Mr. John Blassingame, CEO of this unique organization that has in fact, sent
 minority fashion designers and models to Europe for over 25 years.
Mr. Blassingame also publishes a plethora of well known Black
magazines that include TODAY'S BLACK WOMAN.
 
Kara had no idea I was attending her show and didn't  know I relocated to
the west coast...  as she basked in applause immediately after the show, she
eyed me in the audience and it was indeed a very special moment.
 
A consummate professional, Kara has an unyielding passion for exquisite
fabrics that are then treated to the pleasure of her unique take on glamour and
sophistication. The collection paid homage to the sinewy look of the l930's while
still forging forward into the new millennium. Cleavage was a recurring theme
throughout her small but thrilling group of evening looks and was best when
worn by celebrity models Stacey J (Ford and Elite model, The Apprentice) and
 Nicole Murphy (still flawless after bearing five of Eddie's kids)!
 
Daphne Wayans was a most gracious hostess and her palatial home was
draped in burgundy with gilded gold accents. Exotic libations were in abundance
and was served near poolside as waiters passed morsels of lobster and foie gras.
An array of sumptuous desserts were actually freshly baked in Ms. Wayans kitchen!
 
Models glided down a circular staircase into a select group of notables that
included Debbie Morgan, Mekhi Phifer, Djimon Hounsou, Malinda Williams of
SOUL FOOD and Tichina Arnold who could not contain her obvious delight
during the grand finale of the show. She publicly announced that she would
custom order a white Jean Harlow - inspired gown that brought the house down!
 
Kara Saun is a designer to watch because only great things are in her
fashionable future...Saturday's event only reconfirmed what I already knew.
  
More recently, she placed second place in PROJECT RUNWAY, a series
that was broadcast on the Bravo cable channel...truth be told, most of the
viewers feel that she was the true, deserving winner. This because, Ms. Saun
won four challenges during the competition whereby a designer had to
create a garment under extreme conditions...Kara did just that and the
results were consistently amazing!
 
She also creates the costumes for EVE, a very popular television show
based on the escapades of a fictional fashion designer. For more, you can peruse over
to Ms. Saun's web site @ www.karasaun.com 
 
Photography by: Amaka Nwigwe
Fashion Photography / Interior Design
 
 
ADE BAKARE - A FASHION ICON VISITS LA FROM LONDON
 
being of Nigerian descent. After receiving a grant from Prince Charles, he started
his couture house that is now, an institution in London. The designer is known for
his breathtaking late afternoon and evening creations that culminate with his
magnificent wedding gowns that start at $10,000.00. He travels regularly to Nigeria
to service a demanding, adoring clientele.
 
Mr. Bakare and I have much in common...like me, he is also a couture designer and
fashion writer. He contacted me several weeks ago to ask for an exclusive interview
which will be published in several of Africa's most prestigious publications.
Needless to say, I was and continue to be honored...as of this writing, I personally
escorted my new friend to Rodeo Drive and he found the environment to be
very similar to that of Monaco where he has been the guest of Prince Albert.
 
Here in Los Angeles, he is entertaining the possibility of setting up some type
of operation that will expose his couture confections to the powers that be in Hollywood.
Mr. Bakare visited my art gallery and has expressed great interest in exposing my
work to the art community in London, Monaco and Nigeria...GOD is so good!
 
For more on this dynamic design presence, please refer to www.adebakare.com
and much more will be revealed.
 
Again, life is sometimes magical and mystical...a designer I helped send to Paris
emerged from my past and now, a designer from London has become a new
entity in my life. To think, my Dad wanted me to go into his trucking business:-)))
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
CYBERSTYLE
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
 
 
One of the pleasures of living in America is being able
to express yourself and your opinions freely...still, sometimes you
have to take a step back and understand how powerful words
and implications can be to a person, a culture or even a race of people.
 
CHRIS ROCK is tasteless and tacky. That, in itself, is not new information
unless you live in Siberia but in my humble opinion, he reached an
all time low while hosting the Oscars on Sunday evening.
 
As most of you probably know by now, Mr. Rock elected to take his
audience out of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood to Magic Johnson's
Theatre located in The Crenshaw District of Baldwin HIlls.
 
There, in front of one of the largest TV audiences ever, he decided
to imply to the world at large that we, as African-Americans do
not have the smarts or savvy to view movies of a higher intellect.
Before that, back at the Kodak Theatre, he threw quite a few
hardballs at Black folks in the name of his trademark humor...
most notably, the comment regarding our knack for making
one-name movies like BARBERSHOP and CARWASH. According to
Mr. Rock, Black filmaker's next offering might be entitled,
"LAUNDROMAT or CHECK-CASHING PLACE (oops...that's three
words Mr. Rock!). Contrary to his degrading innuendos,
our next one-word movies might just be "SPELMAN" oR
"MOREHOUSE".
 
Adding insult to injury, one must take into consideration that
Mr. Johnson's ground-breaking theatre is located in an area
inhabited by many, many standout individuals from all walks
of life who enjoy a host of artistic, cultural events. Mr. Rock
should spend a day in Leimert Park soaking up culture and
maybe...just maybe, his Oreo-White Cookie center might
somehow turn Black.
 
I fully understand the politics of being original and funny.
I understand the tremendous pressure Mr. Rock was under.
I do not and refuse to understand why he chose to make us
look like a race of stupid people who can only relate to
the mentality of vaudeville-like movies...of course, the White
gentleman at the end of his skit saw every movie that was
nominated and appeared to be very distinguished.
 
How sad a moment for us - even Oprah Winfrey sat in her
seat with her mouth open in shock...I am almost happy
that the great Ossie Davis did not live to witness such
a deplorable moment in television history. I know Magic
Johnson did not appreciate Rockhead's implications towards
the taste level of his patrons or the type of movies shown
at his establishment.
 
Mr. Rock can be funny...many times, he falls flat and
that indeed happened several times during the evening.
I don't think it was necessary to imply that actors like Jude Law
or Colin Farrell was not bona-fide actors...he was, however, right
on point when he urged the powers that be to wait for
Denzel Washington instead of using his monotonous talents.
 
The next morning, THE NEW YORK POST exclaimed
that Mr. Rock was a total bomb @ the event and I'm
not going to say I TOTALLY agree with that...
 
but I understand:-))
 
THIS IS MIKEL T. KILGOUR FOR CYBERSTYLE
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: CYBERSTYLE@PRODIGY.NET
 
Next time: Hot fashion news on local designers:
ANGELA DEAN, AHNEVA AHNEVA, KARA SAUN
AND STERLING CAPPRICIO

 

 

CYBERSTYLE

 BY MIKEL T. KILGOUR

 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL EDITION

 HOMAGE TO THREE GREAT FASHION DESIGNERS

 

WILLIE SMITH - PATRICK KELLY - STEPHEN BURROWS

 

The creativity of Black fashion designers have influenced global fashion

throughout the decades...in this edition of CYBERSTYLE, I would like to

focus on three stellar talents, one of which is still alive and flourishing.

 Each of these luminaries was a unique force in their own right and first,

the spotlight shines on the genius of one Mr. Willie Smith who rose to become

one of the country's most significant visionaries between the mid-1970's and 80's.

 

Mr. Smith's most famous quote was that "he designed clothes for people who

waved at the queen rather than the queen herself". Simply put, his whimsical,

generously cut designs was created for the masses of people who desired

a high fashion look without the burden of spending a lot of money. His fabric

of choice was cotton closely followed by linen and he favored clear, translucent

colors like wheat, periwinkle blue, banana yellow and white.

 

Toukie Smith, his sister, became an international couture model after being her

brother's muse for several years...she became the mistress of Robert De Niro

for almost 15 years and their escapades make for another entire story.

She became somewhat of a cult figure.

 

On a personal note, I knew Mr. Smith well because his showroom on 7th Avenue in

New York was three floors above mine. We saw each other very frequently when

one morning, I noticed he looked very sick in the eyes...they were sunken and empty.

I commented to my wife and about a year later, he became one of the first major

fashion personalites to dies of AIDS. The fashion world was stunned and saddened.

 

His sister tried to hold on to his company but could not in the end...she sold her

interest to TJ MAXX who continues to sell the WILLIEWEAR label in most of their

stores...although not created with Willie's humorous touch, one can see a shred of

his legacy in the pieces.

 

A high point of his career was when Caroline Kennedy asked him to design

groomsmen suits for her wedding. Willie Smith received international accolades

and all types of offers were pouring in. Willie Smith was truly an American original.

____________________________________________________________________

 

Patrick Kelly hailed from Mississippi and traveled to New York to pursue his fashion

design dreams. He fashion logic was inspired by the grand style of southern church

women and he supported himself by selling fried chicken and fish dinners. After

several failed attempts to travel to Paris, he decided to give up when mysteriously,

someone left a round trip, first-class ticket to Paris at his door step. Once in

Paris, his bold silhouettes embellished with colorful, oversized buttons and bows

took the city by storm and he caught the eye of a financier from Benetton. All of

a sudden, Patrick Kelly was thrust into the limelight wearing his trademark overalls,

turned-up baseball cap and high-top sneakers...and yes, the chicken and fish was

still frying for his close friends!

 

Mr. Kelly became the first American designer in history to be invited into the

exclusive couture organization that would allow him to have a full-scale runway show.

Not Calvin Klein, not Bill Blass...no, not even Donna Karan. He did so to

great acclaim and at his zenith, he too was sticken with the deadly AIDS virus.

In a flash, he was gone and again, the fashion world poured out a sea of emotion.

 

Mr. Kelly will be remembered for his southern charm and the big, big fun he

brought to the world of couture...even Bette Davis wore his creations in her

latter years. Patrick Kelly was recently honored @ The Brooklyn Musuem in

a retrospective exhibit that spanned his brief, but unprecedented career.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Happily, Stephen Burrows, is still alive and well but not without severe bouts with

drugs that caused him to lose his business several times. Mr. Burrows is from

Newark, New Jersey and for those who do not know, Newark has spawned many

great individuals in the fashion world like male supermodel Renauld White .

 

Mr. Burrows was a man of many firsts in the fashion world: He was the first Black designer

to have his own shop in a major New York store, that being retailer Henri Bendel.

Henri Bendel discovered great talents like Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and now,

Mr. Stephen Burrows. He was the first Black designer to have a signature fragrance

which he called RED, his favorite color. Most importantly, he was the first Black

designer to win fashion's "Oscar", the coveted Coty Award for womenswear.

 

Shortly thereafter, he was invited to accompany Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta,

Geoffrey Beene and Halston to present a show of American designers in Paris.

This was the first time our designers were invited to show on French soil.

 

Mr. Burrows ruled the Studio 54 crowd and hung out with Diana Ross, a very

young Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, Grace Jones and Liza Minelli. This

was the world that would lead to his relationship with drugs. If not for his

many supporters, he would have fell to the way side...to his own credit,

this not the case. After a 15 year hiatus, he is once again @ Henri Bendel's,

an institution that has believed in him. Today, he reigns supreme and his

major influences can be seen on a global level in the international collections.

 

Stephen Burrows favors wraps and pullovers in lieu of zippers and buttons.

Matte Jersey is his signature fabric finished with his trademark "lettuce"

hemline. Intense color is his passion, be it offered alone or in arrresting

combinations that are not for the gentle of heart.

 

Stephen Burrows is also a business associate of mine and recently,

we served on a panel together with Iman and other fashion folks @

The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

 

The important three...Willie Smith, Patrick Kelly and Stephen Burrows.

Indeed, the genius of many others have left their mark on American

fashion but this after all, is about true style...

 

and that has nothing to do with fashion.

 

 

This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE

thanking all of you for your kind expressions of love and

sympathy regarding the recent passing of my beloved father.

It's good to be back and have a blessed 2005. 

 

questions and comments: cyberstyle@prodigy.net

fashionguru@prodigy.net

 

can be found @ www.designerhistory.com 

 

 

 

 

CONFESSIONS OF AN EXCITED ARTIST

by Mikel Kilgour

  

I confess, I am very, VERY excited about the upcoming

grand opening of my new Fine Art Gallery on December 5th.

Why am I excited? Essentially, because I have had this

dream for a very long time and thankfully, GOD has blessed

me to live long enough to realize it. I do thank Him with every

fiber of my being...because of His grace, my soul feels satisfied.

 

I would like to extend an invitation to the members of ExpoUpdate

to attend the Grand Opening Artist Reception of THE BUNGALOW

GALLERY which is located inside very familiar surroundings - my home.

The name of the show is HARLEMHIPHIPHOLLYWOOD (one word).

 

I have been a Fine Art Major my entire life and because of my 

interest in high fashion (as related to art), I became a fashion

designer...not to bore you, you can read all about it by reading

"FULL CIRCLE PTS I AND II" in the Cyberstyle archives.

 

The gallery boasts an Advisory Board that consists of a stellar

group of luminaries that include Kenny Lattimore, Blair Underwood,

Rockmond Dunbar (Soulfood), Lorraine Toussaint (CSI, Any Day Now),

Kawanna Myers (COO-Magic Johnson Enterprises), Cheryl Flenoy

(UCLA), Monique Smith (Hammond Entertainment), Tanya Hart

(Tanya Hart Communications Inc.), Steven Williams (Steven Williams PR),

"Pookey" Wigington (Chocolate Sundaes, DON DIVA magazine),

Wendy Krueger (Hotel Luxe - Rodeo Drive), Mel Grayson (FIDM),

Emmet Dennis (BAD BOY WORLDWIDE), Alvin Clayton (Ford Supermodel,

Fine Artist) and our own distinguished Mr. Harold Hambrick.

I thank all of them for lending their prestige and distinction to the

gallery.

 

I would also like to thank the Executive Director of the gallery,

Dr. Derek Taylor, Ph.D. and my beautiful wife, Celia Sweet-Kilgore,

who will serve as Manager of Gallery Affairs. She is also a Fine

Artist and her mediums are pencil, oil, charcoal, crayon and pastel.

Stay tuned for her exclusive debut @ the gallery!

 

You are all welcome to come enjoy the opening and

due to the fact that this article will appear after my RSVP deadline,

please correspond to fineartbym.kilgore@prodigy.net to have

a formal invitation sent via e-mail. Then, please RSVP to be

sure your name appears on the list.

 

I hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving last week

and I confess again, I am very, VERY excited !!

 

This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE

 

inquires or questions: CYBERSTYLE@PRODIGY.NET

 
 
 
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
 
Special Fashion/Style Correspondent
 
 
Rags to riches...triumph over tragedy...light transcending darkness.
 
Today, I am compelled and even moved to recall moments from the paradoxical life of one Mr. Ray Charles, a musician who is most responsible for developing soul music as we know it today. Granted, there was Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke and many others, yet the man who lost his sight at the age of six, had more vision than all of them.
 
Today, I want to salute Mr. Charles on behalf of The Los Angeles Black Business Expo, our people, the nation and the world for giving us the gift of song. He urged the world of music into new, exciting territories by merging 50's R&B with gospel-powered vocals...then, he revolutionized  the worlds of contemporary jazz,  blues and yes, even folk and country. All these genres were included in the mix of the genius that was Ray Charles - a superb keyboard
 player, arranger, composer and bandleader.
 
Ray's brilliance actually reached its peak in his l950's and l960's work (there were very few
classic tracks after the mid-60's) yet he continued to record works that reflected the times
he was living in. At a live concert, audiences were treated to both his classics and unique
interpretations of popular music. His last work of selected duets is now available.
 
Both of his parents died by the time he reached his early teens and this musical legend
went out into the world without ever looking back. He felt that "music was born inside of him"
and was actually fascinated with its relationship to mathematics. That fascination ultimately
led to a career that is unmatched and unrivaled in American popular music.
 
 As a young man, Ray Charles took an even younger musical prodigy under his wings
and indeed, their friendship endured for the rest of his life - he was Quincy Jones.
Together, they took on the world with two separate missions that often became one.
 
He was not perfect... there was the womanizing, the drinking and his
notorious heroin addiction that led to a drug bust (a year long hiatus) when chart busters like,
"I Can't Stop Loving You", "Take These Chains From My Heart", "Busted", and
"Let's Go Get Stoned" ruled the airwaves during the mid-60's. 
 
He continued on throughout the late 60's influencing some of America's greatest
White singers like Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood, Willie Nelson and Van Morrison
with his unique take on rock music tinged with country and folk.
 
Mr. Charles really used all types of music to deliver a musical message that
he considered to be "all-around pop" that appealed to all types of people, everywhere.
 
Yes, on June 10th we lost Mr. Charles to severe liver disease but his genius will
forever live on...how could it not? Growing up, I remember my parents playing
his music along with Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Miles Davis on one of
those TV/stereo combination consoles. Even then, I knew he was someone special.
 
 Today, I want to shine a spotlight on Jamie Foxx who will go down in history...
his Oscar-worthy performance is magnificent, brilliant, and mystifying.
The New York Times, in its review declared, "his performance goes way beyond mimicry...
HE LIVES THE LIFE of Ray Charles. He does not simply act the part of Ray Charles".
 
Ray Charles deserves Jamie's heartfelt portrayal of him...despite any shortcomings
 he was a great man that was loved by countless millions...there will never be another.
He was the first recording artist in modern music to own his own master tapes and
the first to not perform in a segregated state (Georgia). They responded by banning
him from ever returning there only to welcome him back many years later (with a
public apology).
 
I hope you went out and made those first weekend dollars count for one of the greatest
movies to ever grace a movie screen.  I also hope you brought your handkerchiefs.
 
"Ray Charles taught the world how to see with their ears - not their eyes" mk
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
Inquiries and questions: CYBERSTYLE@PRODIGY.NET  
 

 

 
EXCLUSIVE REPORT:
by Mikel T. Kilgour
Special Style Correspondent
 
 TRIBUTES AND TRENDS AT DEANZIGN
 
A Menswear revolution at KEVOLUTION
Avant-guarde illusions  NEKIA HATTLEY - J'AIRE
More to love at ADRIAN EVANS - DRINI
Neo - Classic finery at LE CHEMISE LTD.
New urbanisms at MEOSHE
Bold expressions at MKO MAN
A fashion paradox at  AHNEVA-AHNEVA
Tailoring tweaked at WARREN GEORGE
Couture Inspirations flow at MICHELLE' C.W.-FRANCE
Strong and elegant at ERICKA VICTORIA COLLECTION
 
  
The click of a four-inch stiletto heel...a chiseled eight-pack torso
defining the lines of a stretch shirt...flowing tresses of Medusa-like hair
and bohemian 1970's Afros...suits for the discerning man and woman...
directional plus-size fashions for women who want more...
 
All these elements erupted onto the catwalk of "COOLTURE", a mega -production
produced by Myra Wallace (of MKO Man) for The West Coast Fashion Summit.
Mr. Wallace was assisted by Davide Stennett, a creative genius with a masterful
eye for art direction and choreography. Together, once again, they triumphed
and the audience was treated to a funky, Euro - Urbanized extravaganza that
covered the gamut from classic to trendy and regular to plus sizes.
 
Added this year, was a philosophical statement from each designer before their collection
appeared on the runway. Though well intended, it often squelched the momentum
  of a capacity, standing-room only audience. Perhaps next year, they could be a little shorter.
 
Otherwise, it was a brilliant production and serious accolades are deserved to all concerned!
 
The event kicked off with a tribute to veteran designer, Angela Dean, a precious
resource in America's fashion industry. She is responsible for the wardrobes of
many A-List celebrities that include Nancy Wilson, Patti Labelle, Jill Scott, Natalie
Cole and Cookie Johnson to name a few...add to that, her unprecedented number
of covers for ESSENCE magazine, her breathtaking studio/showroom on Washington
Avenue, her former exclusive boutique on Melrose Avenue , her prestigious alliance on
the board of FIDM  (where she attended school ) and a brilliant business partner (Jonathan)
 who happens to be her husband, one would wonder what could be next?
 
The trend-setting answer to that question would be FASHIONISTA - Angela's latest
offering to the fashion world...a collection that falls deftly into the category of
Kimora - Lee Simmon's Baby Phat line but blessed with Angela's impeccable sense
of detailing and distinction. The collection has its own web site and is governed by
her daughter, the next chapter in the Deanzign Book of Style.
 
Ms. Dean accepted a beautiful award created expressively for her from
Harold Hambrick, Executive Director and Founder of LABBETS and soon
thereafter, the models descended upon the T-shaped runway.
 
As a couture designer, fashion historian, writer and art director who nose has
been buried in international style magazines since the age of
twelve, I always look for true fashion innovation that takes a bold step forward -
even at the risk of making a mistake...I found what I was looking for in the collections
of KEVOLUTION (designer: Kevin Haywood) and Nekia Hattley - J'aire, a designer
inspired by the eclectic musings of her sister.
 
These two designers forged into territories that forced us to consider new ideas
and techniques in fashion...though not for everyone, one would have to admire
the quality of workmanship that was clearly evident. If not for such exquisite
workmanship, the designs could have been a disaster! In the tradition of such
masters as Jean Paul - Gaultier and Alexander McQueen, they went to a place
that was emphatically bold and daring. Mr. Haywood elevated a simple pair of
men's overalls to exciting new heights and Nekia's lattice work, hand-pieced
work was in a word - amazing. If I closed my eyes, I could have been at a show
in Paris watching two new vanguards on the fashion scene. Bravo!
 
Flipping the style script, MKO Man, Le Chemise Ltd. and Warren George
all showed great new takes on men's sportswear with Warren George
teetering slightly more toward urban wear.
 
Myra Wallace knows her customer well and the confidence exuded in her
collection was unmistakable. There were handsome coats, great suits
and separates that any man would love to wear. She specializes in big
and tall men in addition to her regular sizes. Mr. Wallace is a consummate
professional and her work is tried, tested and found true.
 
Le Chemise Ltd. by Lisa Guillory was a safe, classic collection that
again, could find its way in many a man's wardrobe. The tailoring was
good in many aspects but could use some fine tuning in others...there
were suits, seasonal coats and wonderful dress shirts . Overall, a strong
collection from an emerging force to be reckoned with.
 
Warren George intermixed classic tailoring with a touch of urban sensibility.
Many of his silhouettes were fashionably oversized and his choice of
fabrics were bold and in your face. A very commercial collection with
a small touch of "risqué" thrown in for those who want to move forward.
 
Meoshe, founded by Lennox Barnes, is a well proven staple in the
urban market. Their collection was classic "Meoshe" and did not veer
away from the expected... it was perhaps, the most commercial collection
in the show. The collection can be found in many stores across the
country.
 
We've all heard the phrase "less is more"...well, guess what? At the design
house of Adrian Evans - Drini, "MORE IS MORE" and that was the message!
 
Ms. Evans - Drini showed a collection that often brought the
audience to thunderous applause as her bevy of enhanced - figure beauties
took to the catwalk with a vengeance. It was almost as if they pitied the
scores of "skinny girls" watching them in the audience...it was their moment
and what a moment it was! The clothes were sexy yet tasteful in beautiful
colors and intoxicating prints. A job well done...there was more to see,
more to wear and more to love!
 
The Erica Victorian Collection by Chamain Rene and MiChelle' C.W. - France
were both visually exciting collections with two individual schools of thought:
 
Ms. Rene likes her woman to be powerful, but sexy...a strong, sensual warrior
ready to take on a man-dominated world. She achieved that with a
strong offering of daring cuts rendered in chic fabrics that even included fur.
 
Michelle has couture (even haute couture) dreams but be warned: using the
word "couture" demands a certain level of fabrics, hand workmanship and
even more hand finishing. The looks were interesting and her use of color
and texture was often very original. I look forward to watching this
talent evolve  and expect great things in the future.
 
Finally, Ahneva Ahneva (who has a beautiful showroom/retail boutique in
Leimert Park) showed why she is often in a class by herself. She showed
two distinct, different ways to dress while stamping her unique signature
of style on both...there were the majestic group of short and long caftan
tops in Art-Deco Period black and white prints, a fresh new direction for
the Queen. I was visibly moved by this group...the sophistication, the
movement, the proportions...it was sensational and stunning! Her other
group, a total turnaround that took tailored denim to a true level of couture
via her use of rich details and trims. The cut was very French and still
evoked all the drama that is synonymous with The Motherland.
Yes, The Queen is in a class by herself...and there she will remain.
 
There you have it CYBERSTYLE readers,..."COOLTURE", the mission was
was conceived, created and executed with spellbinding results. Again,
congratulations to Myra and Davide in the highest order and their
dedicated, talented team that include make-up, hair and style technicians.
Add to that, a multitude of stage hands and production assistants that
gave their time and talent to a most worthy cause.
 
This show reminded me why I have been captivated by fashion all my life
with no regrets...no regrets at all.
 
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
questions and inquiries: cyberstyle@prodigy.net
 
 
 
 
 
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
Special Fashion Correspondent
 
 
As we approach the upcoming, highly anticipated Los Angeles
Black Business Expo 2004, memories of last year's extraordinary
fashion showcase is vivid in my mind. It was a tour de force of
great looking clothes that covered the gamut from urban wear
to the coveted world of couture.
 
This year's extravaganza, aptly titled "COOLTURE" will raise the bar
to yet another level. The production is once again, masterminded by
the team of Myra Wallace and David Stennett along with their crew
of dedicated workers.  They set a most mesmerizing stage, then
decorate it with an assortment of models that represent every market.
There are petite models, enhanced figure models, child models
and even some older models (though you would never know).
The models will walk the catwalk in this year's featured designers,
some of which appeared in last year's show. (Photographs of
models selected from a mega audition and a roster of the designers
selected for the show is offered in this edition of Expoupdate).
 
As a  veteran couture fashion designer, I know first hand how important
this type of venue is to up and coming designers. Quality exposure is
almost never easy to come by and it is key to a designer's success.
There can be no grander stage set than that of The Los Angeles Business
Expo, the largest business expo in the country. It is always a standing room
only crowd in attendance for the fashion event...a crowd that has a very
discerning eye for what works and what doesn't.
 
That's a good thing because a designer should welcome response from
the public at any level. They are, after all, the ones who ultimately determine
the success of a designer.
 
If for some reason, you were not present at last year's event, make it
a priority to be in attendance this year. Our designers work hard and they
deserve your support. The business of fashion can be very jaded at times
and that is why the Expo works so hard to make them shine so brilliantly.
 
Ebony Fashion Fair could learn a valuable lesson from the folks at
the Expo...for years, they asked my wife and I (Kilgour and Sweet) to
showcase our designs in their production which travels all across the country.
We would not because we didn't understand why Black designers were
 the minority in a show whose title begins with the word "Ebony".
Instead they elect to show the public a show that is comprised of 90%
European designers...you know what that leaves us.
 
That is why The Los Angeles Black Business Expo is so vital to
our people and for that matter, all people. The business of being
in business is their focus and fashion is a big, big business.
 
See you at the show, CYBERSTYLE readers...I'll be the one
applauding until my hands turn red and shouting until I'm hoarse!
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgore for CYBERSTYLE
Questions & Inquiries: cyberstyle@prodigy.net
 
 
p.s. Watch our for my exclusive review of the show!

CYBERSTYLE

by Mikel T. Kilgour

 BLACK DESIGNER IS A FIRST @ GIVENCHY MENSWEAR

P. DIDDY JOINS FORCES WITH SOCIALITE DESIGNER

 All spotlights are on Ozwald Boateng, the first designer in history

 to become the Creative Director of menswear for legendary European

fashion house, Givenchy.

 

A native of London, the designer has been operating on famed Saville

Row for many years and some of his earliest clients include Mick Jagger,

Elton John and David Bowie.

 

Stepping into the deep tradition of Givenchy is no easy feat...it's founder,

Hubert de Givenchy, was the first designer to have an official muse and his

was none other than the exquisite Audrey Hepburn. Years later, Black models

would form such alliances with top designers as did Naomi Campbell with

Gianni Versace, Mounia with Yves St.Laurent and Iman with Thierry Mugler.

 

Mr. Boateng has yet to name a specific personality to represent his line

but rest assured, he will as his collections continue to amaze. Known for

mixing bespoke tailoring with cross-cultural references, the designer also

owns his own luxury boutiques in London and New York.

 

The great and wonderful "Oz" is also responsible for creating the signature

look of the three Matrix movies - a look that has become as popular as the

movies themselves. Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne continue to

be devoted clients, the latter also being one of the designer's closest friends.

 

Not always successful, Mr. Boateng resorted to closing his business in l998

after his largest wholesale client, a Japanese retailer with 30 stores, went

out of business. Left holding all the orders with no money, he lost everything.

 

A slew of clients and friends came to his aid and he was able to buy his

operation back from the bank and he recovered to grander, loftier results!

 

An Ozwald Boateng suit is not for the squeamish and most of his clients

are under 35 and slim, like the designer himself. Colors are bright and

blatant without apology and even the linings inside his jackets and coats

are provocative to say the least. The saving grace is the razor-sharp cut,

the quality of the fabrics and the painstaking finishing techniques.

Zippers, buttonholes, hems and linings are all decidely done by hand.

 

Just a minute over the age of 35, the designer has little to complain about

these days...he is married with two children (to a Russian woman) and

lives in Eric Clapton's former home. His private passion is his well known

penchant for rare antique cars and vintage wines.

 

He himself, is an interesting looking character...he is ultra slim and for lack

of a better description, looks like a English aristocratic gentleman. Actually,

Mr. Boateng doesn't seem to be interested in being a black man and

hardly ever uses models of color in his catwak presentations and

advertisements. Two wrongs never make a right therefore, I still give him

accolades for his prestigous achievement.

 

In other news, Sean Combs has just joined forces with Jewish-American

designer Zac Posen who has been the so-called designer to watch for the

last several seasons. P. Diddy now owns 50% of the company and intends

to become a mogul owning several American houses. Hopefully, he

will look to Black designers like Tracy Reese, Edward Wilkerson or Patrick

Robinson in the future as lucrative investment prospects.

 

He's a shrewd one, that Mr. Combs...Mr. Boateng is not far behind.

 This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE

To see a video of his line:  http://www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk/main.html

 

questions or comments:

fashionguru@prodigy.net

cyberstyle@prodigy.net

MR. MELODY
 
Andy Bey @ The Jazz Bakery
An exclusive review by Mikel T. Kilgour
 
 
    Nat King Cole had it...Mel Torme knew how to use it...Joe Williams, Lou Rawls, Billy Eckstein, Arthur Prysock, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong all mastered it.
 
The gift of song.
 
That gift was hand-wrapped and delivered with impeccable style and
panache by Andy Bey - an extraordinary vocalist and pianist.
 
His special brand of magic was on stage @ Culver City's well known
jazz joint, The Jazz Bakery. Mr. Bey has just finished up a week long gig
that will not be soon, if ever forgotten.
 
He is a jazz legend...an American treasure, if you will. He was born in Newark, New Jersey and shared the famed Apollo Stage with none other than The Divine One -Sarah Vaughan, another Newark native (and my favorite female jazz vocalist)
 
His first jazz group, Andy & The Bey Sisters, were regulars @ The Blue Note Jazz Club in Paris and many other European venues until the l960's when he ventured out on his own. The 70's and 80's found him recording with cats like McCoy Tyner and Lonnie Liston Smith to name a few. To date, he has recorded several critically acclaimed solo albums...a slow simmer of song and style.
 
After attending Mr. Bey's performance this past Saturday evening, I would say that simmer has reached a glorious boiling point! There were no gimmicks or
tired trickery...this consummate performer simply sat down at his piano and
created a mood that left the audience spellbound and enraptured. You know
when your witnessing a talent that is "otherworldly" in its scope and Mr. Bey's
voice is just that. Spanning several octaves, it is like a fine instrument that
is in perfect sync with his incredible piano playing.
 
His newest release, AMERICAN SONG, was the focal point of his set. My personal
favorite was "Never Let Me Go"...the depth of his range and that signature timbre
in his voice was like a mirage for the ears...you hear it...you see his mouth moving
but you don't believe the exquisite sound coming out of this man...but indeed, it is! 
Mr. Bey also performed selected works from his previous releases
much to the delight of the audience.
 
Andy Bey was accompanied by stellar sideman, Kiyoshi Kitagawa
on the stand up bass and Toronto import, Mark McLean on drums.
Several selections were enhanced by the presence of guitar great,
 Paul Myers.
 
Thank - you Barbara Collins for inviting me to experience something that
is all too rare in today's jaded, commercial - driven industry: true talent.
Ms. Collins also works with the fabulous Sweet Baby J'ai, another
amazing jazz vocalist and she is appearing locally all over town @
various venues.
 
For more on Andy Bey, peruse through his site @
www.andy-bey.com  and www.sweetbabyjai.com  is where
you can find out more on Sweet Baby J'ai.
 
I urge you to see Mr. Bey...not that he is going anywhere soon but realize,
his brand of genius is almost extinct. His is a gift that can only come from
GOD...the gift of song.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
questions or comments:
www.cyberstyle@prodigy.net
fashionguru@prodigy.net
 
Back to Expo Update.com

 

 

CYBERSTYLE

 

 

FULL CIRCLE (Pt. II)

by Mikel T. Kilgour

 

 

If one would have told me a year ago that I, Mikel Kilgour (fashion designer,

writer, historian, etc.), would be writing a story about me, Michael Kilgore

(artist), I would most likely not have believed them.

 

Nonetheless, that is exactly what happened when I wrote a story called

"FULL CIRCLE" two months ago (still posted in the archives for your perusal).

This time, rather than a story, I would like to invite you inside the thoughts

of some very special people who attended an opening reception showcasing

my art works @ Picture It Gallery located in Culver City's Fox Hill Mall.

 

My collection was the finale of a month long celebration showcasing

African-American Fine Art...I was indeed billed with some of the greatest

names in the art world. There was WAK, the dynamic artist Bernie Mac,

recently commissioned to create a painting of an African angel dropping

gifts as the children of Africa scurried about at his feet picking them up...

that painting was presented to Oprah Winfrey for her 50th birthday and

by her own admission, was her most cherished gift out of all the hundreds

of thousands she received. I also shared the billing with Cidne Wallace, the

creator of a world renowned collection of figurines and artist extraordinaire,

Charles Bibbs, who needs no introduction.

 

My art works had actually entered the gallery about a month before the reception,

which was held on the evening of February 27 between the hours of six and nine.

The week before, I was showcased in the gallery's front windows, a stunning

experience for me that at times seemed a bit surreal...the premiere of Michael

Kilgore's ALBINO COLLECTION was how they billed my presentation.

 

What exactly is an Albino Collection? It is a series of primarily nude, voluptuous

women who are sometimes pictured with robust images of men (no frontal nudity).

They have strong Black features yet their skin is white...charcoal is used to outline

and shade their bodies with a technique that almost recalls air brushing. In the

background, a variety of effects are used according to the piece.

 

In TWO JOSEPHINES, one of the gallery's favorites, two nude models strike a

dramatic pose while sporting square-encased tattoos that spell out Harlem

and Paris, the two cities that Josephine Baker was torn between her entire

life. GIRL GROUP (original sold before the reception) features three singers

in micro-mini dresses in vivid shades of red and magenta...in the background,

still another shot of intense color in the form of orange. NUDESQUE features

nine female nudes who appear to be dancing in some sort of fantastical

environment...seven of the women are black while two in the foreground are

strangely Albino...a most arresting image. LOVE WARRIORS features a

muscular African dude carrying his lady love through the jungle...their bodies

intertwine throughout the work and graphic symbols adorn their Albino skin.

BILLIE'S SWAN SONG (original sold before reception) shows Lady Day

waving goodbye during her final concert...as she is waving, she is looking

behind a purple brocade curtain at agents from the FBI who is waiting to

arrest her for possession of heroine. Of course, a few weeks later she died

in jail, her body wracked by withdrawal symptoms. The ALBINO series has

become an instant signature of mine and I will always be adding new

editions during the length of my art career.

 

There were many works shown that were not part of that collection and

I invite you all to the gallery to view them at your leisure. Oliver, Stacey,

Aaron and the rest of the staff will be happy to assist you.

 

As you can imagine, it's not easy to review your own works so I asked

some who attended the reception to submit their thoughts and opinions...

 

Oliver Talbert (owner of the gallery, art collector and curator)

“I see nothing but bright horizons for the art of Kilgore...now, it's all about

exposure and I don't foresee any problems regarding that, given his

many styles that all spell out "genius".

 

Doris Bergman (President of the Bergman Organization)

"THE BREAST IMPLANTER" left me speechless!!!

Picasso would have included Mr. Kilgour amongst his most

respected colleagues.

 

Actress, Lisa Dinkins, has this to say..." I was thrilled to see how many people

were in attendance and at the same time saddened that I didn't overbid for

one of the originals that I loved. I invited two friends who are professional artists...

one who works in metal and the other, pottery...they both are very accomplished.

They both felt Michael's work was entertaining, enlightening and indicative of his

heart and creativity".

 

Mark Duff (Real Estate Mogul)

"Michael...what a pleasure it was to see you and your works...You never

cease to amaze me! Not only are you able to capture drama in your fashions

but you have obviously transferred that talent to your art work as well! Your

colors, angles, arches and shades of grays personally speak to me. What

a tremendous gift you have".

 

Monique Smith (Hammond Entertainment)

“The collection evokes classic surrealism with profound ethnic accents...

his strong color palette interprets his bold, thought-provoking visions.

I would encourage all art enthusiasts and those who just appreciate

beauty to visit the gallery. Congratulations on a wonderful collection!

 

Derek Taylor (Scholar, Entrepreneur)

"Sir Francis Bacon once said that he felt he was giving the world of

art something it previously lacked. Michael, your art reminds me of

what Yeats called, "the fascination with what is difficult.” In other words

my dear friend, you accomplish what others can't even imagine.”

 

Stacey Whitney (creator of couture home decor accents)

"First with fashion...now with Fine Art. Michael is truly a master of

style and color! It's rare to find an African-American artist who can share

his culture through cubism and abstracts. What a privilege to see his works

up close!!! By the way, Chris Rock never looked better than Mr. Kilgour's

portrait of him...he NEVER looked better! It was amazing!”

 

CHERYL FLENOY(Exclusive Representative)

"A new, rising star in the Fine Art world is on the horizon and his name

is Michael Kilgore! His works are unique, funky and all about US!

If you missed his premiere showing last week @ the Picture It Gallery for

Black History Month, you missed a good one! Michael is so talented, it's

scary! I am now the proud owner of three original works...keep on doing your

thing! WE NEED YOU!”

 

Pookey Wigington

(Producer, Chocolate Sundaes @ The Laugh Factory, Entrepreneur)

 

Michael's collection is DOPE!!! I want to buy an original and just have to

decide which one...CONGRATULATIONS!!

Note: Mikel Kilgour, the fashion designer and Michael Kilgore, the artist is one in the same.

 

 

 
CYBERSTYLE
BY MIKEL T. KILGOUR
 
President of Magic Johnson Enterprises
 
 
This week, I had the extreme pleasure of sitting down with a very dynamic presence in
Los Angeles who is in fact ,The President of Magic Johnson Enterprises. She is truly a
woman representing the new
millennium in all its diversity and one that masterminds all the Enterprise's
efforts throughout the year.
 
She is Kawanna Brown and this time, its all about the upcoming fashion extravaganza being hosted at the
legendary Peterson Automobile Museum. The show is entitled "THE MAGIC OF FASHION" and indeed, there will be
illusions and grandeur galore as seen through the eyes of long time producer,
Paula Bond and Robert Hansen, the set designer. The featured designers were
hand picked meticulously by fashion maven, Eula Smith, a style expert .
 
Ms. Brown expressed to me that this year's event represents a natural growth
period for the foundation which  has been presenting shows saluting African - American
designers for many years. Truth be told, this is the tenth show and I can testify
from personal experience (having participated in three), they are always presented
in a top shelf manner. This time, however, the foundation has decided to  expand
its designer roster to include a mix of designers. " We have decided to
include designers like Von Dutch in the show this year to add a new slant to
the production. This event has a three - fold mission...
we want to present the designers in a first class forum, raise money for our
beneficiaries and give the public an enjoyable evening to remember", Kawanna
explained.
 
Needless to say, Von Dutch will be in the best of company as some of the world's
top African - American designers will be on display come the evening of February,
the thirteenth. She revealed that Kevan Hall (master couturier and former designer of
Halston), Gigi Hunter (known for her beautiful knit work creations that rival Missoni),
Ron and Ron ( a pair of twins who turn out impeccable tailored menswear in the
tradition of London's Saville Row), Alejandra Jackson (a brilliant newcomer on the
scene who I reported on as a participant in The West Coast Fashion Summit
and wife of Jermaine), Eve's new line called "Fetish" and Steve Harvey's new line
of men's suits and trimmings will all be on display.
Finally, Magic himself will be debuting a dashing new line of men's suits created
via a new partnership with a manufacturer. In all, the creations of twelve designers will be
stalking the catwalk in a billowing, voluminous tent staked outside the museum.
 
A new addition to this production is a designer's boutique section that will be opened
immediately following the show and throughout the remainder of the evening.
Kawanna continues, " in the past, we have had many inquiries as to how the clothing
may be purchased...this is an excellent opportunity for the public to either buy or
perhaps, to establish a networking connection for future reference."
 
I, for one, cannot applaud that effort enough because that is the prime reason for
the show - to expose the designers to prospective clientele.
 
There will be a VIP reception hosted by the sponsor of the show (Lincoln) at
7pm followed by a reception at 8pm. At 8:30pm, the doors will open and the
models will take the runway at 9pm. The fashion boutique will be open at
10:30 until the end of the affair as I stated previously.
 
All funds from this stellar event will benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA)
and The Magic Johnson Foundation whose work throughout the community
and the country speaks for itself. Who knew that one of our most treasured
basketball stars would rise to become one of the nation's greatest business
icons? Not to mention, his many humanitarian efforts on behalf of the people.
 
Celebrity models for the event include the fabulous Lisa Raye, the vivacious
Tracee Ellis Ross, the soulful songstress - Tweet, actor Sean Patrick Thomas and
the beautiful Nona Gaye . Special guests include Boris Kodjoe, Missy Elliot, Ludacris,
Chingy, Derek Fisher, Nicole Ari Parker and David Hasselhoff, veteran actor. There
will be music pumping throughout the museum for your dancing pleasure until the
wee hours, so ladies, keep a pair of soft Naturalizer slippers tucked in your
purse when those Jimmy Choo stilettos start pinching your toes (yeah, the ones
with the corns.!)
 
The cost for this very special evening is priced @ $300.00 but you can
rest assured, every penny will be worth it. If you elect to just attend the
after party and not the fashion show, you can get your groove on for $100.00
  From all accounts, expect an evening of dramatic flourishes and unexpected thrills that will
almost seem like (Magic) but trust, untold hours of work have been put in to
ensure your pleasure.
 
I would like to thank my friend, Kawanna Brown, President of The Magic Johnson
Foundation for taking time out of her schedule to give us the inside track on
the event.  We, at the Los Angeles Black Business Expo wish all of you nothing short
of absolute success in this and all your future endeavors.
 
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
p.s. Check back for an exclusive review of the show!!
 
Comments and inquiries:
 

 

BY MIKEL T. KILGOUR
(Click photos to enlarge)
 
Happy New Year greetings Cyberstyle readers...I hope all had a most
blessed holiday season and that 2004 is a healthy, prosperous year for you.
As long as I can remember, the start of a New Year somehow signals a
new beginning of sorts...as if by some miracle, we can start over by proclaiming
a host of resolutions (that last about a week).
 
Rather than resolutions, I decided to embrace a personal revelation that started
before the New Year even arrived. It started around June 9th, the day I was born
and it hit me hard and hasn't let go since. I decided to return to my first love - Fine Art.
 
dedicated the last 20 years of my life to that vision along with my wife and design
partner, Celia Sweet. There has been four exclusive retail boutiques featuring our
designs and a wholesale showroom on New York's Seventh Avenue. In July of
2000, Earl Graves Sr. and Jr. asked me to grace the cover of BLACK ENTERPRISE
magazine in an unprecedented issue that recognized nearly every great Black fashion
designer in the world...I was and still am honored.
 
Clients has included Lena Horne, Laila Ali, Lisa Leslie, Lorraine Toussaint,
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy, Don King,
Grant Hill, Suge Knight, Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock, Dorian Wilson, Mr. and Mrs.
Blair Underwood, Mike Epps, Stephanie Mills, the late Phyllis Hyman, Elise Neal,
B. Smith, Audrey Smaltz and Her Royal Highness, Princess Amanda Borghese
to name some of my favorites.
 
I have staged shows all over the country for top shelf Black organizations, Jewish
country clubs and most recently, became the first black designer to present a
couture show in Hawaii. Along this two decade ride, I have met so many celebrities and
business giants, they all can be barely remembered...this has been my life since
my late teens and I thank God, my wife, my family and my friends of which I am
blessed with many.
 
Minutes before I sat down to write this story, I clicked over to a website I peruse through
every morning that gives me up-to-the-minute news on international fashion. Today's
issue revealed to me that Tom Ford, the designer of Gucci and Yves. St. Laurent
has left both companies and is heading for Hollywood to produce films...he predicts an
Oscar within four years. I believe he will, given the fact that until his arrival, Gucci and
Yves St. Laurent were both old, musty design firms that had no sales.
 
When I took over as Chief Designer and Creative Director of Dion Scott, a men's
made-to-order couture house in Beverly Hills (which is no longer) in l996, I brought
a new scope of design to their existence. One of the owners, Scott Torrellas, compared
me to Tom Ford in an article written in The Los Angeles Times in the spring of 2000.
 
I admire change and as a sufferer of chronic boredom, look forward to new avenues
of _expression. This new avenue has indeed been traveled before because I have
always been creating art (my mom still has report cards from my Third Grade teacher
telling her that I am a bright student but my drawing on the desktops has become
a problem). I have been a Fine Art Major since the 7th Grade and several years
later, I  would earn a scholarship to The Traphaghen School of Fashion whose alumni
include Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Geoffrey Beene and LA's own James
Galanos who created those ultra-expensive gowns for Nancy Reagan that caused
so much controversy. I never learned how to sew but my drawings led me to Celia
Sweet, a graduate of FIT and a construction genius who learned her craft from her
grandmother, a master dressmaker from the old, old school. A gifted designer as
well, we added just the right compliment to each other's design acumen and the
rest is, well...our life.
 
The photographs you are viewing were taken at a private "sneak peek" showing
hosted by my dear friend (and now exclusive sales representative), Cheryl Flenoy
at her beautiful new townhouse in Baldwin Hills. Sales went unbelievably well
and it culminated with the unveiling of "FOUR WOMEN (for Nina)", a piece inspired
by Nina Simone's masterpiece of a song, "Four Women", which tells a story from
four different points of view dictated by the shade of each woman's skin.
 
The Picture It Gallery in Fox Hills Mall represents my work under the direction of art expert, Oliver Talbert. Suddenly, I am in the company of such great Black Artist as Charles Bibbs, Ernie Barnes, Alonzo Adams and Elizabeth Catlett.
The Gallery will be staging a formal three day event in late February during Black History month and the date will be announced shortly.
My art work is signed Michael Kilgore...Mikel Kilgour is my fashion design alter ego I conjured up at the age of fifteen and it kind of grew on me.
 
So, Cyberstyle readers, my life has come full circle and I intend to keep going around that circle until I breathe my last breath. My fashion design career is
in full swing and it will not stop because of the art. I expect at some point, the
fashion and art will occasionally be shown together and that prospect
excites me very much.
 
 I also owe a debt of gratitude to one of my GodSisters, Edna Campbell who
resides in New Jersey... it is because of her that I actually started sketching fashion because she
was an aspiring model and subscribed to VOGUE magazine. I started  fooling
around sketching some of the photographs and one day, decided I would
just use the pose of the model and design my own clothing instead of what
they were wearing...I was twelve or thirteen.
 
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
Back to Expo Update.com

Scroll below for other writings by Mikel Kilgour

 

 

Gifts Galore at Leimert Park

by Mikel T. Kilgour

Special Fashion/Style Correspondent

 Stunning Art Collectibles...museum quality artifacts...beautiful, original 

fashion designs in imported African fabrics...exotic oils and incense...fly,

urban gear...unique furniture...colorful textiles...beautiful, hand-made jewelry...

theatrical offerings and mouth-watering delectables for your eating pleasure.

 

Welcome to Leimert Park - an oasis of culture and history located in the historic Crenshaw district of Los Angeles. I remember my first visit there...

My good friend, Sailfish Logan took me to LUCY FLORENCE Coffee House (4305 Degnan Blvd.; 323/293-2395)., a charming spot owned by Ron and Richard Harris, a pair of identical twins with impeccable taste. The restaurant is named after their beloved mother who resides in Atlanta.

She is a master baker and it is from there that she sends a scrumptious selection

of cakes and pies every week that customers literally wait in line for. The coffeehouse features a thoughtful array of imported teas and coffees and a small, but satisfying menu of sandwiches and salads. The two level establishment features live jazz throughout the week (call for a schedule) on the main floor and upstairs is reserved for quiet reading, lectures and prose. It's the perfect place to go to savor a moment before you get your holiday shopping on and trust me: There are many choices for you to consider.

 At SIKA'S (4330 Degnan Blvd.; 323/295-2502), I found myself emerged in a total environment that welcomed my senses to discover. Classic Jazz sets the mood as you stroll about looking at Sika's bold, original jewelry designs that feature precious stones like amber and turquoise. There were tribal drums, beautiful African tapestries, accent furniture items and art collectibles. You are invited to sit down in their generous lounge area anytime to just enjoy the flava whether you're shopping or not and that's a very cool thing. Check it out, why don't you?

 KUMASI GIFT SHOP had a clean, spare look that urged your eye to focus on their unique selection of gift items. I found a cool set of coasters held in place by a small African sculptor to be of interest at the cost of $19.99 and there was great jewelry that was also very affordable. There were several customers in the store when I stopped in and the salesperson was very busy. Still, she had time to quickly show me a few great clothing items, some African bric-a-brac and

their small furniture collection that featured a show stopping chaise lounge that included a separate foot rest and matching side table. It was truly a very unique gift for someone who would have to deserve it. It was priced at $600.00 for all three pieces and it was worth every copper penny!

Leimert Park features a wide array of clothing and there are a few standouts that deserves a special mention. Anyone who does not know the work of Queen Ahneva Ahneva at this point must have been living in Siberia...her selection of original designs are available in a huge selection of styles that are ready-to-wear and she also creates a couture line for those who want the very best. All are rendered in rich fabrics that can only come from the Motherland. The shop is

aptly called AHNEVA AHNEVA (3419 West 43rd Place; 323/291-2535) and I urge you to discover the unique pleasure of wearing one of her designs.

If urban gear is your want, peruse through HISAM'S, a phat shop that features clothing for men, women and children. The shop is owned by Harold Ingram  and it is well presented throughout with all the expected labels and then some.

The ZAMBEZI BAZAAR (4334 Degnan Blvd.; 323/299-6383), had just received a massive shipment of gift items that were packed all the way to the door (and almost the ceiling) when I arrived and I know they have some wonderful things in all those boxes! The store is always beautifully presented and I always bring visiting guests there to pick up great crafts and gifts. I travel all the way from Beverly Hills just for their Orange Spice incense (can't live without it) so you know the deal. The store is owned by Jackie Ryan, Mary Kimbrough and Alden Kimbrough. Please stop in...You will not be disappointed.

Finally, consider the gift of culture for yourself or someone you love. Leimert Park has several art galleries that each speak their own special language. MUSEUM IN BLACK (4331 Degnan Blvd.; 323/292-9528) is a very serious journey into the history of our people. The artifacts are intended for avid collectors and can be quite expensive. The pieces are museum quality and some are massive in scale. If not buying, just stop in and relish in our rich culture. The art is set in a tropical greenhouse effect that makes one feel like they're walking through a jungle or rain forest.

On a lighter note, Laura and O.B. Hendrix has created a very consumer friendly environment at GALLERY PLUS (4333 Degnan Blvd.; 323/296-2398). There are beautiful pieces by such masters as Charles Bibbs and a great selection of gift items that include unique greeting cards and wreaths. Gallery Plus also has a selected array of books and calendars that they offer.

Back to those debonair Harris Brothers, they have created a unique Fine Art Experience that is located across the street from THE VILLAGE THEATER (that they also own) on the diagonal. Their breathtaking gallery, LE FLORENCE GALLERY speaks to my heart on a personal level being that I am an artist. It is exquisitely appointed, spacious in proportion and is presently featuring the work of SADIE in her first Los Angeles exhibition. The collection will be shown until December 28th and is a must see! There are also many other exhibits presented at the gallery and one in particular brought a profound tear to my eye as I was leaving. That photographic exhibit included a work that actually depicted the door that 35 million slaves walked through as they were put on a ship to never return to their homeland of Africa. A moving piece indeed.

What can I say about Leimert Park? Never enough. The people and images are real and full of hot-buttered soul. The mood permeates every fiber of my being and I feel like I am home. It is a place of immense comfort and fulfillment.

You should never come there with an attitude...it is not welcome and save it for "that other world.” Come, enjoy and know that it is all for you. Have a bite with the Harris Brothers at their coffee house or their new eatery located right next door or you can grab a bite at M&M's. Of course, a slab of ribs are always required! Mall - hopping is okay but in my opinion, a shopping experience in Leimert Park will make everyone on your Christmas or Kwaanza list feel very special. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends and enjoy the flava!

This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE

Questions & Inquiries

 

Editor's Note:  And don't forget The Kitchen on 43rd Place near the Vision Theater  (try their Turkey Chops!  Yum!) owned by some brothers that can burn!  Enter Leimert Park Shopping District at Crenshaw and 43rd Place in Los Angeles.  Shops are on 43rd Pl., Degnan, Leimert Blvd. and 43rd. St.  For more information on other shops, click here.

For even more info, Click here.

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PURNELL PLAYS THE PARK
(LEIMERT PARK, THAT IS)
by Mikel Kilgour
 

She was exquisite, captivating and unforgettable...

She was inspiring, heart wrenching and brilliant...

She was flawless.

 

Kimberly Q. Purnell was Josephine Baker and I was mesmerized! 

Beginning with a magnificent script that she herself wrote, Ms. Purnell delivered a performance that left me

yearning for more. The title of her play is J'ai Deux Amours...A Journey with Josephine Baker.

 

It was indeed a fascinating journey that traced Josephine's life from her early days as a young girl to her triumphant, but lonely return to the stage that she loved until the day she died. In between, Kimberly portrayed various vignettes that chronicled Baker's rise to stardom...

her beginning years when she teamed up with her friends to form a dance troupe...the episodes that led her to leave the United States for a life in Paris...her rise to become the most celebrated performer of the era...her political involvement as a spy for the French Resistance...her return to the American stage...her mission to raise a small tribe of international orphans (twelve in all) and the tragic eviction from her beloved mansion that made her return to the stage (as a senior citizen) for financial freedom.

(Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monaco helped her out initially).

.

 
It was all there and Ms. Purnell simply owned the stage as the only performer. That's right Cyberstyle readers, it was a one woman play
and ONE WOMAN WAS ALL IT NEEDED!
 
Kimberly's set featured small, yet effective playing areas that included a personal vanity table, a dressing area that featured a rack of
breathtaking period gowns designed by Marcel Christian LaBeija and the rest of the stage area. To my amazement, she changed costumes
right on stage with perfect grace and ease using a nude-colored catsuit as a base. Several songs from the Josephine Baker songbook were
performed by Ms. Purnell and found themselves at home with her beautiful, lilting voice.
 
There's so much more to say but I don't want to give every little nuance away because I want you to go out and see this gem of a play. It is
a Leimert Park exclusive and it is produced by ToDaz Woman Productions. Kimberly has already won the prestigious AUDELCO Award for Best Lead
Actress for her riveting performance and she wowed New York in a previous limited engagement as well.
 
Start the Holidays right and discover the genius of the great Josephine Baker who would later inspire such divas as Eartha Kitt, Grace Jones and
legendary catwalk queen, Pat Cleveland who portrayed Baker in Patrick Kelly's last show in Paris. For those in the dark, Patrick was the first American Designer accepted into the Paris Couture Association and he was from Vicksburg, Mississippi (that's another story we'll get at later).
 
For those intrigued, call Lucy Florence Coffee House in Leimert Park for details regarding show dates and ticket prices. Next week, I will
be visiting some of the merchants in Leimert Park to bring you folks the best they have to offer in terms of gifts for Christmas, Kwanza
or just because...
 
Go see Kimberly Q. Purnell electrify the stage as Josephine Baker...the last one woman play I saw was Lena Horne - The Lady and Her Music
in the early 90's in New York.  I have never forgotten the time I spent with Ms. Horne backstage after the show and
Ms. Purnell left me with that same, special feeling of being in the midst of someone truly gifted...Thanks Mel.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
Inquiries and Questions:
CYBERSTYLE@PRODIGY.NET
FASHIONGURU@PRODIGY.NET
WWW.MIKELKILGOUR.COM
 

Back To Expo Update

Spotlight on
Kenneth Reynolds
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
Special Fashion/Style Correspondent
 
 
Wow! That's all one can say after attending the birthday celebration
of Kenneth Reynolds, famed public relations guru and socialite.
 
It did my heart good to see it all in effect. Recently, I wrote a letter to
Anna Wintor, Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE magazine asking her why we
never see Black socialites in her magazine living the good life. I mean
divas like Freda Payne (who belted out a rousing version of Cole Porter's
LOVE FOR SALE) or the exquisite Lorraine Toussaint (ANY DAY NOW,
THREAT MATRIX) who popped in for a brief but meaningful minute
 to wish Kenneth well. Why don't we see all of our people in their splendor?
All they present to America is Missy Elliot or Eve doing the ghetto fabulous
"thang." That's cool but we represent so much more than that.
 
Kenneth is a person to know in Los Angeles and New York, for that matter.
I've attended several gala events at his spacious dwelling and have come
to expect only the best from this gentlemen. His home is a marvel to the
eye and is accented with breathtaking art pieces...one in particular is a
large glass mural of Dorothy Dandrige etched in glass. That mural is the
centerpiece of his marigold yellow dining room so you know Mr. Reynolds
goes for the gusto! The living room is anchored by several huge statements
of style including a grand piano and a magnificent painting nestled against
the mantel of the fireplace where a cozy fire roared ever so gently.
 
Guests dined on sumptuous appetizers like olive bruschetta on toast and
an abundance of fresh strawberries and grapes that were perched in huge
goblets. Roast Loin of Pork and a wonderful Glazed Chicken satisfied the
most discerning palette as main courses and were served with great side
dishes like Creole Corn, Dill Potato Salad, Tarragon Green Beans and
Wild Rice. Did I mention the mouth-watering Salmon Cakes?
 
Music plays an important role in Kenneth's life and we were treated to
vocal performances by many of the guests. Cynda Williams (most noted
for her unforgettable performance in Spike Lee's MO BETTER BLUES),
performed a rendition of GOD BLESS THE CHILD that brought the house
down in true Broadway fashion! The band was in top form and featured
several master pianists accompanied by drums.
 
That's how I spent my Monday evening Cyberstyle Readers...surrounded
by Black Hollywood royalty like Debra Morgan (ALL MY CHILDREN, ROOTS),
Robert Glass(BARNEY MILLER), Jackee(227) and Rolanda Watts. A wonderful
evening was had by all and it was very obvious that Kenneth is dearly loved by
many, many people.
 
Did I mention that Elgin Charles, Beverly Hills's hair designer to the Stars
was in the house? I meant to.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
Questions & Inquiries
cyberstyle@prodigy.net
fashionguru@prodigy.net
www.mikelkilgour.com
 
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Mikel,

 What can I say to do your prose justice?  Your writing style and command of words flow like a mighty  river.

Genius is too cliché and prodigy is not enough to express my sentiments.  Perhaps the most compelling thing about your  writing and every creative topic you choose to address is the authenticity and warmth that permeates the lucky patron after being exposed to whatever you choose to share with us.

 Best,

Derek

 

From Mikel Kilgour, Special Fashion Correspondent
IT'S ALWAYS HOLIDAY TIME
 
by Mikel T. Kilgour
Special Fashion Correspondent
 
 
 In my introduction column for Cyberstyle, I stated that from time to time we would explore pivotal figures whose style became a unique signature. In this case, that signature is somewhat of
an enigma unto itself...
 
"Southern trees bear strange fruit...blood at the leaves and blood at the roots." These immortal, poignant words were etched in history by the one and only Miss Billie Holiday...Lady Day if you will.
 
Many a club owner yelled at her to sing louder and faster or get out...she would not. Her plaintive, languid phrasing and elegant gestures would come to hypnotize audiences in a manner that has never been duplicated. Granted, Sade can weave a very intoxicating web while belting out tunes like "Is it a Crime" or "Tar Baby" - both very Holiday-esque in mood. Still, the pain of Lady Day was expressed in  very syllable. Somehow, through it all, she became a fashion icon with her bias-cut gowns and perfect, snatched-back hair accented
with her most endearing trademark - White Gardenias.
 
Billie could get more emotion out of one bent note than most of her peers could get out of dozen. She was a gifted writer when she felt like it, which wasn't often...her most famous original composition is
 the blues standard, "Fine and Mellow". She preferred to interpret
melodies of the best songwriters from that era - Duke Ellington, The Gershwins,
Johnny Mercer and scores of others. The range of her voice was less
than two octaves yet Billie tackled songs that Ella and Sarah soared through
with ease. She tapped into the pain from her heart rather than vocal acrobatics.
Cherished by jazz giants, it was not uncommon to see her shooting the breeze
after hours at a sandwich joint with Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Charlie
Parker and Count Basie.
 
Her brilliance was inspired by a life of tragedy...she was born Eleanora Fagan
to Sadie Fagan, a maid and Clarence Holiday, a big-band guitarist who showed
up only sometimes with no financial or parental strings attached. Her mother
moved and left Eleanora with her Grandmother who exposed Billie to recordings
of blues diva Bessie Smith. It was from her that she learned how to express pain.
At that time, she also discovered Louis Armstrong, a singer she immediately
identified with because of his unconventional, even ugly voice. She studied his
phrasing, sense of humor and ability to warm a audience with his compassion.
 
Her Grandmother became ill and died...homeless, Eleanora became
a prostitute. She began to like her tricks and loved their fast, reckless lifestyle.
Movies became one of her favorite pastimes and she decided to change her
name to Billie after one of her favorite actresses, Billie Dove.
 
She was discovered in a Harlem club and her first real gig was at The Apollo.
Billie's ascent to the top was swift as she had no rival...no one could compete
with a woman battered by alcohol, heroin, cigarettes and physical abuse that
was inflicted from the men in her life. All this is at the core of her artistry.
 
Jailed on more than several occasions for her drug abuse, she still managed
to hold on to her career though later performances were marred with
her ravaged voice and disheveled, world - weary appearance. Her last
recording, "Lady in Satin" is the classic example of this period .
 
Billie lost her battle with life in l959 at the age of forty-four...though immensely
popular in her day, she would never know her music would become
a national treasure that outsells any female jazz vocalist in the world. She
even won a Grammy in l993, thirty-four years after her death from a collection
reissue that toppled sales records.
 
Introduced to a new generation by Diana Ross in "Lady Sings The Blues,"
her legacy is strong and one can only imagine the revenue generated from
her vast library of recorded music. It wasn't just the singing nor the gowns
she wore that sparkled under the spotlights...it wasn't even the White Gardenias.
 
It was the style in which she did it all...the allure, the intrigue, the mystery,
the rare glimpses of happiness, the intense mood swings that caused her
to throw furniture across the room and the ever present pain that visited her
brief life from the moment she was born.
 
Incidentally Cyberstyle readers, if you love female jazz vocalists like Ms. Holiday, check out Dianne Reeves,
Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater,
Nnenna Freelon, Vanessa Rubin or Carmen Lundy - they all represent the
new vanguard and have new, recent releases. You may also want to check
out works from Abbey Lincoln, a singer from Billie's day that is the bomb!
 
Short on cash? Lady Day is all of the above and much, much more!
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for Cyberstyle
Questions and inquiries:
cyberstyle@prodigy.net
fashionguru@prodigy.net
www.mikelkilgour.com
 
Back to Expo Update.com
   
LA FASHION WEEK
STERLING CAPRICCIO
SPRING 2004
 
A special report by
Mikel T. Kilgour
 
 
A beautiful woman stalked stoically in my direction as I
sat in my chair...she tossed her huge mane of hair to one side
before gazing over the eclectic crowd of fashion followers....
 
I had entered The Forbidden City, the location of choice for veteran
fashion designer, Sterling Capriccio who unveiled a virtual tour de
force collection for the Spring/Summer season of 2004.
Los Angeles Fashion Week is in effect!
 
A very strong hard rock vibe set the precedent for Mr. Capriccio's
show as a band pounded out two painfully loud songs for what seemed
like an eternity (my ears were actually throbbing). The live music finally
gave way  to the classic sounds of Jimi Hendrix to signal the beginning
of the show.
 
The collection was an exercise in juxtaposition....beautiful, diaphanous
chiffon dresses stomped past, tattered and torn with wild abandon at
the hemlines. At a moment's notice, Sterling's models would change their
mood...sometimes they were romantic and charming, then defiant and
cocky. The chiffons were sometimes transparent and not for the squeamish
at heart. Flamboyant, 1930's prints were in abundance but these pieces
were not intended for Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues! Bondage was an
occurring theme throughout the collection and was at its best when
the model's bust were encaged in corset - like strapping techniques.
 
There was a small leather group...Mr. Capriccio gave a nod to Wilma
Flinstone with a white leather piece that started this section of his
show. Although accessorized to perfection, the piece was almost
too organic in its conception...others pieces fared better and you could
see the work in the construction and technique.
 
The designer has always had a knack for witty, daring pantsuits and this
collection was no exception. Rendered in black or white, this group was
my personal favorite. Signature touches included Sterling's ingenious
use of zippers and other types of hardware. The suits were very severe,
then out of nowhere - the romance of a puffed, abstract Victorian sleeve.
The pieces had a very "Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome" effect and
guess what? They rocked and yes, they worked!
 
We were finished off with another group of chiffon dresses letting us know
that the word "soft" was foremost in his fashion vocabulary for Spring.
Turning up the volume, Sterling draped, knotted and twisted the fabric
into a group of gowns that showcased his love of arresting color
combinations. Lips were englazed in sparkle-enameled lipgloss that
made his bevy of Amazonians seem otherworldly, yet ultra chic.
 
At the show's end, Sterling emerged exhausted and exhaulted by the
enthusiasm of his beloved paparazzi - some who have followed his
career from the very start. Famed Actress, jewelry designer, art critic and
gallery owner, CCH Pounder was in attendance as was Mel Grayson, FIDM
instructor, interior designer and master stylist. There were business people,
urban people and obvious fashion people, one of whom was me...entranced
in The Forbidden City and The Spring 2004 Collection of Sterling Capriccio.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
Inquires & Questions:
www.cyberstyle@prodigy.net
www.fashionguru@prodigy.net
www.mikelkilgour.com
 
 

KEBEDE, THE GREAT!!

The new face of Estee Lauder

By Mikel T. Kilgour

Special Fashion Correspondent
 
Like Iman, Alek Wek, Kiara, Katouchka and Princess
Khadija, she is an African beauty who has made her mark
on the guilded world of high fashion. She is twenty-five, newly married, the mother of a two year-old toddler and she represents from Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia.
 
Over the last few years, her face and size four body has been in virtually every issue of American VOGUE magazine and on the covers of several foreign editions. In many issues, she has appeared on twenty consecutive pages!
 
She is a black woman with very fine chiseled features - the same type of features that prompted VOGUE to put the legendary Beverly Johnson on their cover in l974.
 
Liya Kebede is the print ad model for Dolce & Gabbana, Yves. St. Laurent, Gucci, Escada and Tommy Hilfiger ...if that is not enough, she has just become the face of 57 year old cosmetic giant, Estee Lauder who aspires to reach out to a larger multicultural audience. Mass brands like Cover Girl, Revlon and L'Oreal have been using models of color for many years but this is the first time a "prestige" label is being represented by a black woman - a black woman from the Motherland.
 
According to Aerin Lauder, creative director and heir to the Lauder dynasty, " Estee Lauder is committed to a wide range of customers and Liya will help us achieve that goal. We feel her beauty appeals to women all over the world, transcending generations, cultures and ethnicities."
 
Estee Lauder is not naive by an means...like many other industries, they have studied the way we present ideas, perfect them and market them in a way that only their huge dollars can afford. In this case, the victims are Black cosmetic  companies like Fashion Fair, Flori Roberts and Iman's new line. Back to the words of Aerin Lauder, " it's a clever move to pick a new, rising star that is tearing up international runways, thus appealing to all the "in-the-know" fashion followers...we certainly want to capitalize on that buzz"!
 
Liya's buzz is paying off in a big, beautiful, black kind of way... African-American consumers buy up 19% of all global cosmetic sales and Estee Lauder covets 4.7 billion dollars of those sales every year coming in only second to that other
cosmetic giant, Clinique. (Estee Lauder's sister company).
 
In the past, Black models only received tens of thousands of dollars while Caucasian models received exclusive million dollar contracts. To Liya's credit, she has inked a multi-million dollar contract as she joins British model, Elizabeth Hurley and American model, Carolyn Murphy to complete Estee Lauder's trinity of print-ad supermodels.
 
Liya is thankful and in full view of those who paved the way for her to catwalk into this most enviable position...Veronica Webb, Lana Ogilvie, Halle Berry, Brandy, Tamika Jones, and "Miss Jiggle", Beyonce represent the past and present.
"I hope I can make a brighter day happen for a future generation", is Liya's fondest wish and you can't be mad at her for that.
 
This is Mikel T. Kilgour for CYBERSTYLE
 
Questions & comments:
www.cyberstyle@prodigy.net
www.fashionguru@prodigy.net
www.mikelkilgour.com

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