Excuse me, you left your bullets

I recently returned from a trip to Israel/Palestine. That was intense to say the least. Between waiting hours between borders, interrogations, etc trust me when I say it was an adventure. But one moment I will not forget has to be when my friends and I were on a bus and I was sitting next to a soldier and his oversized machine gun. When his stop came he took his belongings and left the bus. Five seconds later he was running back to grab the bullets he left in the chair next to me. #EPICFAIL

Hence the topic of this post. 

Although the political scene there is one that we should all research and understand closely the fact that just about every teenager I saw had a machine gun, like some sort of accessory, made me think about the fashions here that depict some military inspiration.

Now, I'm not sure what it is that makes this look so popular. 

It could be anything from the use of natural down tones, to gold tassels and stout framework, or maybe the idea of an empowered look. 

Whichever the case I too have found myself mimicking the look of a soldier once or twice. And many designers are following suite.

Plus, its honestly a super easy look to put together!

Happy Turkey Day, yum

Interview with LaDorian Morris

LaDorian Morris is a Marymount University 2009 Alumni who majored in Fashion Design and minored in Business. Growing up in Queens, New York, she ventured to Arlington Virginia to study her passion. As a Marymount student LaDorian traveled to Italy in 2007.  After graduating from Marymount she applied to different companies relating to merchandising, fashion design and PR. Even thought she had an internship in school she felt as though she needed more experience. LaDorian interned with Bismark Phillips Communications and Media during 2010 Fashion Week, while beginning her adventure at RocaWear. Here’s her story. 

LaDorian's Dress on the Front Page of
Dollhouse Magazine

How has your past influenced your style? 

While growing up I was influenced by the old 80’s hip-hop style. Additionally, the current evolution in hip-hop has also influenced my style. One of my biggest influences are Rihanna. Both artists have a very edgy and unique style. They can both be elegant while having a very eclectic and high fashion look. 

While growing up I was influenced by my sisters who are about 13 years older than me. A lot of people say that I have a mature fashion sense. I considered gaining this mature style from my sisters. Since childhood they had a big influence my own personal style.

Are there any high fashion designers that influence you?

My favorite high fashion designers are John Galliano and Betsty Johnson. Both designers stay true to their own style no matter the current trends. Whenever you see garments from these designers you know that it is from them. They are also not afraid to be over the top while still being true to their own style.

How do other cultures influence your designs?

My designs are very influenced by many cultures. One of my favorite cultures is Japanese culture which is known for it Harajuku style. Its very fun, unique and inspiring. I am also influenced by Indian Culture and middle Eastern fashions. I love the fabrics, the beadings, and the bright colors. I love the movement of Saris and parachute pants. The prints and colors deriving from the African culture inspire me as well. I like different fashion trends that became popular based on what other cultures traditionally wear.

Does your company use other cultures to create designs as well?

RocaWear takes trips to Hong Kong and parts of Paris and Japan to look for influence for new fabric trends or denim from any other trends. They just don’t focus on what’s new in America, but RocaWaear is also influenced by fashion in other cultures. For a current collection we are using Native America Print with neutral and subdued colors. 

What did you do in Italy?

I studied Italian for 4 weeks and did and internship for 5 week afterwards. I interned for a company called Barone (bar-o-nay). Barone created and produced women’s, men’s, and children leather goods. In their Florence store while they had their private label they also sold other outsourced goods, while leather goods were their specialty. Barone’s outsourced clothing including denim and skirts and tops. At the internship I helped with pattern making and designing actual bags and jackets for men. I helped sell some of their goods at the yearly fair.

After returning from your trip to Italy, how did it change your designs?

While abroad, I had a great experience sewing a sample leather jacket in Italy for Barone. Because of that experience, I was inspired to do a menswear piece during my senior yr at Marymount. I decided to do a leather jacket. If I hadn’t gone to Italy to sew with leather goods, I wouldn’t have been inspired to do a leather garment. At one point I never thought I would be interested in menswear. And even today, I am doing menswear. I stared out as an intern at Rocawear, but after 5 months I am now an employee.   

Today LaDorian Morris has a fashion blog that show cases her work, and other work from artists in the Art, graphic design and fashion community. See her take on the world at www.ladorian.blogspot.com . She plans to have her garments in a couple of upcoming New York Fashion shows and continues to update her blog. The following images are handmade garments and graphics made by the talented fashionista. Thanks LaDorian for sharing your story!

Visit LaDorian's Blog at 
http://ladorian.blogspot.com/ 

Howard University Yardfest!

Three members of the VTU Creative team hit the streets to Howard University’s International Yard Festival (Yardfest) in Washington, DC on October 3, 2010. Tenesa Brown, VTU’s Creative Director along with enthusiastic Creative Team members, Maria Ar and Joi Russel ventured out to find inspiring ethnic and urban wear. As one of the most anticipated events of the Bison homecoming week, many Howard students, local university students and other Howard enthusiasts made their presence known. Amongst ethnic vendors, foods, and live music, the community came to celebrate Howard’s homecoming.

The VTU’s Creative Team sought out to find students with unique personal style that appeals to the overall theme of this year’s fashion show. Attending Yardfest gave them an opportunity to find Latino, Caribbean, and African inspired clothing while informing the community about VTU’s upcoming fashion show. A few of the standouts had what the team was looking for: bright and bold prints, distinctive textures, and other apparel and accessories reminiscent of African, Latino, and Caribbean culture. The event’s attendees were interviewed on their style and how it reflects their personality and culture. It was the perfect way to gain inspiration for the show. They had fun absorbing new cultures and explored different ways to express ethnic fashion. As this year’s show highlights the art of story telling, the creative team wanted to hear how the community incorporates their ethnicity into their daily fashion sense!

Here’s their story!

Jytoshia Bridges

 Jytoshia is a Fashion Institute of Technology Student studying Advanced Marketing/Fashion and is planning to graduate in 2013. Jytoshia’s African American and Native American heritage inspired her outfit. Specific aspects of her environment affect her personal style such as magazines, inspiration from other people and her fellow peers. If her harem pants were used for the VTU fashion show, they would match the style of the other garments going down VTU’s runway.

Nick Bowen 

Nick wears a Coogi sweater. The bright colors in the sweater attracted him to add it to his closet. He purchased his garment in Soho NY, while he also shops at American Eagle for his clothing. The aspect of his atmosphere that affects his personal style includes television and magazines.  The bright colors reflect the vibrancy in ethnic Latino clothing.

Kelauni Cook  

Kalauni, a Howard Alumni who studied Biology in 2010, recently took a trip to Senegal in Africa. Her trip to Africa greatly influenced her sense of fashion and style. Kalauni explained, "My trip back to the motherland was so powerful that I had to come back to the states and share it with my people here.“ The necklace she wears is from Senegal, while her earrings are handmade. The VTU team instantly knew that her necklace was a reflection of African-inspired fashion.

Javontae Thomas

Javintae wears coordinating Coogi pants and shirt.  The eye catching Egyptian patterns and bright colors influenced him to buy the outfit. As a native to Minnesota, he often makes many of his purchases in the Mall of America. The Egyptian prints he wears would make a perfect garment to showcase in VTU’s fashion show. (The Eye of Horus, which I happen to have a tattoo of, is a prominent symbol in Egyptian culture)

Jonathon Neal Hu student c/o 2012

As a Howard University student, Jonathon knew his participation in Howard’s Yardfest was important. Jonathon’s Lrg track jacket contained the symbolic African colors: green, yellow, and red. Also the phrase Deeper Branches Stronger Roots on the back of the jacket meant a deal of importance to him. The statement is powerful to him since the African American community is the strongest when they stand together and support each other. Jonathon composed his outfit together because he is very Pro-Black and felt that the atmosphere of Howard’s Homecoming Yardfest celebration is a great place to show case his outfit.

Hannah Baptiste

Hannah, a current Howard student flaunts authentic African jewelry. Last year at Howard a Mali jewelry maker sold items to students, and Hannah took advantage of the opportunity to have authentic African jewelry. Each element on the necklace such as the metal chevron, beading and the intricate braided leather rope symbolically represents different aspects of the specific elements from the Mali community village.

Cordney Best

Cordney flaunts a soccer jacket that promotes a Spanish team. Since VTU will showcase Latino related clothing, his outfit that flaunts a Spanish soccer team is an appropriate fit for this years fashion show. 

Couture Fashion Week, New York 2011

"The idea of seeing everybody clad the same is not really my cupof tea"

Christian Lacroix
Couture Fashion week is right around the corner, days before Voyage to Utopia! 

On February 18, 19 and 20 at the Waldorf Astoria Grand Ballroom 3rd Floor at 301 Park Avenue, New York City, many will take their seats (VIP seats if you have $4,000 to spare), watch as the runway illuminates and become enchanted by breath taking Haute Couture.

Costume and Fashion history would not be the same without Haute couture. For those who don't know Haute Couture is a French phrase for 'high fashion'. 'Couture' meaning dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and 'haute' meaning elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments.  

Don't get too excited though because the price tag is not a friendly one. The purchase of a haute couture garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house.  A haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer's measurements and body stance.  The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client. 

Couture is about taking imagination to its limits. The are no boundaries with Couture and that what makes it do beautiful. The freedom expressed in couture fashion is one that can only be witnessed first hand, that's how difficult it is to describe. Its more than just expensive fabric.

If I could I would wear couture everyday!

Check out the line up for Couture Fashion Week Designers '11 (Click Here)

One of my favorite couture designers (who is featured) is Nigerian designer Zizi Cardow!

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” Coco Chanel

French fashion designer, Coco Chanel, ruled over Parisian fashion for nearly six decades. Her quote, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different" is the perfect depiction for the beautiful models for Voyage to Utopia '11. 

Eager VTU '11 Models line up during practice each one ready for their run down the practice carpet runway

Each Print and Runway model represents something different. No two are the same and each will bring to the runway a new personality and their own spice to the garments. Monochromatically themed models are boring!!! Fashion is far too dimensional for it to be displayed only one way.


This past Tuesday, Nov. 2, Model practice was held with Model coordinators Justin Rice Moore and Courtney Kemp at the helm. Both coordinators have modeling experience in fashion shows on and off campus and are divesting their vast knowledge into these eager models. 

Model Coordinator Justin Rice Moore

Practice will take place every Tuesday in the Lee Center Atrium in preparation for the big day!

Again, CONGRATULATIONS to all the models who tryed out and were chosen to be a part of this Voyage. It won't be an easy one, there will be bumps along the way, and definitely sore toes, but the road to Utopia is never an easy one.

I am looking forward to working with each of you when I return from Jordan.

Designer Spotlight:

Here's one for the Men =)

Raul Osorio...

Honduras born Raul Osorio is transforming the look of traditional “dude” apparel with a little help from his friend androgyny and a whole lot of innovation. Inspired by Grecian draping, charro suits, military jackets and the romance of Hispanic culture, Raul’s exquisite designs are a hybrid of multicultural fashion, blending soft, almost feminine elements with bold color, hard lines and tailored silhouettes.

I don't know about you but the jeans and T-shirt look for guys can get pretty old. It's nice to see male designers take fresh and different approaches to men's fashion. It's also nice to see a feminine softness without going too far. Raul's designs incorporate a new approach while also staying true to his roots and Hispanic culture at the same time. Raul has also been quoted to say that he like to create 'gender neutral wearables'. He says that his draping style is 'smart' and prides himself on being able to showcase the fashion versus the gender of the wearer. 

I'm a fan of 'girly' specific for females and the 'manly man' look for men but sometimes its nice to be a bit ambiguous and give the androgynous look a try. 

Ok, so I'm almost certain my boyfriend would absolutely NOT let me put him in these but maybe some mix and match would work. He would definitely go for the jackets but the shorts? No. Nevertheless, beautiful work by Raul.