First Take PR – Page 4 – PR, Branding, Consulting, Social Media Mktg, & More

April 23, 2023September 28, 2023

Legendary Pianist Bobby Returns to Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill & Jazz!

Bobby Lyle burst onto the music scene with his epic release “The Genie” and has since continued to shatter records and mesmerize audiences with his world-class performances as a legendary pianist and organist. His talents have earned him numerous chart-topping albums, including his record-breaking #1 Billboard successful CD “Ivory Flow”. Lyle’s music is a unique blend of soulful melodies, intricate harmonies, and infectious grooves that have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.

In addition to his successful solo career, Lyle has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in jazz and R&B, including Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Bette Midler, and George Benson. His talents have led him to perform at some of the world’s most prestigious venues.

On April 25th, 2023, Bobby Lyle is set to take the stage at Vibrato Grill & Jazz, one of Los Angeles’ premier live music venues. Fans can expect a night of unforgettable music as Lyle showcases his impeccable musicianship and electrifying energy. With a career spanning over four decades and a reputation as one of the most dynamic and versatile musicians of his generation, Bobby Lyle continues to push the boundaries of jazz and R&B music.

Lineup: Bobby Lyle (Piano), Bill Steinway (Keyboards), Tony Pulizzi (Guitar); Brandon Fields (Sax), Hussain Jiffrey (Bass), and Tony Moore (Drums)

Address: Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill & Jazz, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077

Doors Open at 6PM

Reservation: (310) 474-9400

Tickets: https://resy.com/…/herb-alperts-vibrato-grill-and-jazz…

#livemusic #pianomusic #schmoozejazz #bobbylylethegenie #seanmckenzie #firsttakepr #vibratogrilljazz #contemporaryjazz #smoothjazz

March 31, 2023September 28, 2023

Model/Activist Bethann Hardison Talks About Her Career in an Explosive Interview for BDC’s Pull Back the Curtain Series.

Held at the Black Design Collective Creative Center in Downtown LA, with model/activist Bethann Hardison, Goo Goo Atkins hosts a once-in-a-lifetime conversation, followed by an audience Q& A.

Los Angeles, CA – March 31, 2023

On March 18, 2023, the Black Design Collective presented an intimate conversation with Bethann Hardison, the first Vanguard recipient for the 54th NAACP Image Awards. The event was hosted by celebrity stylist and influencer Goo Goo Atkins (Goo Ru Style). This conversation is part of an ongoing series titled “Pull Back the Curtain.” After Atkins and Hardison took their seats, the audience focused their attention on the stage with quiet anticipation.

FIDM Founder/President Tonian Hohberg attends Black Design Collective Pull Back The Curtain: A Conversation with Bethann Hardison. (Photo by Karim Saafir)

“Bethann Hardison was engaging and entertaining. ‘The Oracle’ shared that throughout her life, she always spoke her mind, fearlessly seizing every career-changing moment. Goo Goo Atkins’s questions were so well researched, they caught Bethann by surprise on more than one occasion. And her witty, well-timed responses had us in stitches so much throughout the discussion, Ms. Hardison could add comedienne to her impressive lists of credits. Black Design Collective’s Pull Back the Curtain provided something that was very special and exclusive. It was a rare honor to witness this living legend in such an intimate setting!” –Kaylene Peoples, Agenda Founder & Editor-in-Chief

AGENDA Founder/EIC Kaylene Peoples and Grammy-Nominated Bassist Bunny Brunel as part of the audience attend at the BDC Creative Center Stage in Downtown LA on March 18th, 2023

Goo Goo Atkins introduced Bethann Hardison, deeming her “The Godmother of Fashion,” informing the audience that she is “affectionately called ‘The Oracle.’” Atkins opened dialogue with Bethann by asking her about her outspokenness and if that came with maturity.

Host/Influencer Goo Goo Atkins at the BDC Creative Center Stage in Downtown LA on March 18th, 2023

Bethann responds, “It’s funny, I’m writing a book now, so you do go back and you start realizing who you were. I started saying that I was always successful from the time I was 12 years old. I was a leader. Outspoken? Maybe to get some things done.” Hardison continues, “I was lucky to grow up in the garment business. It’s not a corporate world, so it was much easier to be who I was.” Atkins talks about the very few Blacks who were involved in the fashion industry in the 1960s. Bethann reveals that there was no real fashion industry; it was the garment industry during that period. “It was just getting garments made, designers were there, racks of clothes were across the street. It was quite different, and I just wanted to be in the industry. I just needed a job. Back then you could go into the New York Times and look for employment. And they gave me a position in sales.”

Black Design Collective Pull Back The Curtain: A Conversation with Bethann Hardison. Photo by Karim Saafir

Goo Goo Atkins surprises Hardison with her next question, “Bethann, you walked up to the head of the Junior dress department and said, ‘if you want this to sell, then you need to put me in it.’” Shocked, Hardison replies, “How do you know all of this?” The audience bursts out laughing. Hardison continues, “It’s so funny when people interview you and they really do research. They had a Federated store with Junior dresses. It was Bernie Ozer of Federated Department stores, who was quite well-known in our industry,” Bethann goes on to say that when she was a child, she was a tap dancer, even on the radio. Bernie Ozer loved Broadway, so when Bethann saw him, she leaned in and said, “if you really want to have a great show, you should have me in it.” Hardison was scared that Ozer would be upset and tell her boss. Ozer said, “thank you.” By the time she got back to the office, they were so excited to tell her that Bernie wanted her in the show. She adds, “and that was the first time I actually did a runway show.”

The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show

Goo Goo Atkins: “In 1973, things changed one night in Paris when five American designers showed their collections along with five French designers. That became known as the Battle of Versailles. Tell us how you and the 10 other Black models changed fashion that night.”

Bethann responds, “We didn’t change fashion that night, we educated the European designers (the French) about who we were. Also, the American designers lost their set; they thought the set specs given were in inches, not centimeters. We were devastated. By the end of the day, we had music . . . and the French never used music. We had Barry White. They had never seen anything like it, and the show gave us an opportunity to be seen in that way. And that was ALL the girls (of all races).”

General Atmosphere – at the BDC Creative Center in Downtown LA on March 18th, 2023

Hardison shocks with facts, as she talks about how within the industry, people embellish moments. She educates that much of this information about the Battle of Versailles [Fashion Show] wasn’t known until as recent as eight years ago when the diversity department of the Metropolitan Museum learned about the event and decided to give the models a citation, subsequently featuring the 11 girls of color from that show. “When we were there, it was a collection of many: the dancers, the models, all of us coming together. It was diverse. And it was all because of the great choreographer Kay Thompson (American in Paris), not ‘Black girl magic.’ We were scared to death, the French and American designers were fighting among each other, Anne Klein was so put upon, and as much as I was first Steven Burrows’s assistant, I was still a model. I had to talk a lot with Anne who was the only female . . . and it was such a controversy. But when showtime came, everyone came together. That’s what was American. That’s what really impressed me. We won, and it was a brilliant moment. At the end of the day, it was just a gig!”

Atkins and Hardison continued their conversation with topics about Bethann’s diverse modeling agency, why she founded Black Girls Coalition, and her being instrumental in managing and launching the careers of Kimora Lee Simmons, Veronica Webb, Brandy, and her son Kadeem Hardison (A Different World). They spoke about her agency’s involvement with model Tyson Beckford and their deal with Ralph Lauren and Polo, her role with Gucci Changemakers, and her collaborative film, Invisible Beauty, that was selected for the Sundance Film festival.

Goo Goo Atkins asks Bethann a final question: “Will you continue to fight?”

Black Design Collective Pull Back The Curtain: A Conversation with Bethann Hardison.

Bethann Hardison: “I talk about diversity, and because I come from the garment district, I want to focus on the designer—a lot of them don’t have the background to succeed. I want them to have a business that they can pass down to their children. I got so tired of hearing people ask, ‘Where are the Black designers?’ I said, ‘Just because you don’t hear about them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.’ Collectively, the CFDA and I brought designers together who already had a brand, and I was able to educate them about retail. That started February 2018. So now, I would like to diversify it racially. But that’s not interesting to them because they’re too comfortable within their community. So, when you talk about fighting the fight, or ask if my advocacy will still support diversity . . . [the answer is] yes, it always will. But when I talk about racial diversity, I mean ‘Racial Diversity!’ And sometimes people think this means all Black. But I think that we do better if we integrate.”

Emmy-winning designer Brenda Cooper attends Bethann Hardison’s interview at the BDC Creative Center in Downtown LA on March 18th, 2023 (Photo: Karim Saafir)

Bethann Hardison was surprisingly transparent in her responses while Goo Goo dug deep with her questions. Many of Ms. Hardison’s responses were pearls of wisdom for anyone wanting to pursue a career in fashion.

Notable attendees who were present at the talk were FIDM founder & president Tonian Hohberg; AGENDA founder and editor-in-chief Kaylene Peoples, Grammy-nominated bassist Bunny Brunel; Robin Harrison (VP of Hollywood Bureau, NAACP); multi-award-winning actor multi-award-winning Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis; Emmy Award-winning costume designer Brenda Cooper; and fashion designers Kenneth Nicholson, Okera Banks, and Dena Burton. Guests that evening enjoyed drinks that were provided by Melody Murphy of Mixed Bar Services.

BDC Co-Founders/Designers: President Kevan Hall, Former President Angela Dean (Deanzign), and TJ Walker (Cross Colours) attend Pull Back the Curtain event at the BDC Creative Center in Downtown LA on March 18th, 2023

About . . . Pull Back the Curtain (A Black Design Collective Series): A Conversation with Bethann Hardison

Bethann Hardison is an advocate, model, and muse with a career spanning over five decades. Hardison has gone from working in NYC’s Garment District to becoming one of the first Black models favored by European and New York designers. She’s been a creative director and producer, and founded her namesake agency where she guided the careers of some of the most prominent models. In 1988, she founded the Black Girls Coalition, and in 2013, she spearheaded the launch of the Diversity Coalition, sparking an industry-wide movement for diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her decades of advocacy work, Bethann received the CFDA Founder’s Award in 2014. In 2018, with the support of the CFDA, she founded The Designer’s Hub to guide and empower Black designers. In 2019, Hardison became an inaugural member of Gucci’s Changemakers Council. Bethann currently serves on CFDA’s Board of Directors and as Gucci’s Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement. (bethannhardison.com)

Goo Goo Atkins has impeccable style and an audacious personality that depicts her dynamic portfolio as a designer, celebrity wardrobe stylist, creative director, actress, host, TV/radio personality, fashion columnist, and social media influencer. Atkins has worked, lived the fashion community, and more specifically, the plus-size community. You may remember her as the younger sister of Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, but she’s since made a name for herself with her own spinoff WEtv web series, Goo Ru Style.

Black Design Collective was founded in 2018, and is comprised of accomplished fashion industry professionals of color who seek to amplify the influence of and create opportunities for the community of Black apparel and accessory designers and costume designers within the U.S. and abroad. The BDC mission is rooted in the promotion of scholarship, mentorship, and entrepreneurship within emerging generations of Black fashion design talent. Through this work, the BDC aims at ultimately fostering an independent and self-sustaining Black fashion community. Proceeds from this event go to the Black Design Collective, a 501 c 3, to mentor, educate, and equip Black designers with the essential tools to create generational companies and level the playing field in the competitive fashion industry. Founders of the BDC are president & designer Kevan Hall, designer TJ Walker of Cross Colours, Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther, Wakanda Forever), and designer Angela Dean of Deanzign

(blackdesigncollective.com)

Release by First Take PR

March 18, 2023September 28, 2023

BDC Pull Back the Curtain: Conversation with Bethann Hardison

This year’s NAACP Vanguard Award recipient, Bethann Hardison shares her incredible life accomplishments in the fashion world.

The event will be held in the breathtaking Black Design Collective Creative Center in the heart of Downtown LA’s Fashion District. Designer/Influencer Goo Goo Atkins hosts this once in a lifetime conversation with Bethann Hardison, followed by an audience Q&A. (The event will also be live streamed.)

“THOMASINA “GOO GOO” ATKINS HAS BEEN A CELEBRITY STYLIST FOR OVER A DECADE, SO IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT SHE’S A MASTER AT CREATING AMAZING LOOKS FROM HEAD TO TOE. YOU MAY REMEMBER HER AS THE YOUNGER SISTER OF ERICA AND TINA CAMPBELL OF MARY MARY, BUT SHE’S SINCE MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF WITH HER OWN SPINOFF WE TV WEB SERIES, GOO RU STYLE. HERE ARE 12 LOOKS GOO GOO ROCKED THAT TRULY GAVE US CURVY GIRL STYLE GOALS.” – Essence Magazine

About Bethann: Advocate, model, muse—with a career spanning over five decades, Bethann Hardison has gone from working in NYC’s Garment District; to becoming one of the first Black models favored by European and New York designers; to creative director and producer; to founding her namesake agency where she guided the careers of some of the most prominent models. In 1988, she founded the Black Girls Coalition, and in 2013, she spearheaded the launch of the Diversity Coalition sparking an industry-wide movement for diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her decades of advocacy work, Bethann received the CFDA’s Founder’s Award in 2014. In 2018, with the support of the CFDA, she founded The Designer’s Hub to guide and empower Black designers, and in 2019 became an inaugural member of Gucci’s Changemakers Council. Bethann currently serves on the CFDA’s Board of Directors and as Gucci’s Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement.

For Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bdc-pull-back-the-curtain-conversation-with-bethann-hardison-tickets-541827168647

#fashionevent #blackdesigncollective #bethannhardison #firsttakepr #fashioninterview #googooatkins #designers #models #fundraiser

February 28, 2023September 28, 2023

Black Design Collective Designers Make an Impact with “Images: Fashion Moments in Time” at the 54th NAACP Image Awards.

Kevan Hall, Cross Colours, Kutula, In Earnest by Byron Lars & Sheila Gray, Harbison, House of Aama, & Kenneth Nicholson show their collections at the NAACP Image Awards, honoring the glam community.

March 1, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the NAACP hosted a fashion show luncheon, presenting the newest addition to the Image Awards, honoring hairstyling, make-up, and costume design. The Black Design Collective (BDC) followed the awards and wowed the audience with their most recent collections. NAACP president, Derrick Johnson, set the tone as he spoke about art and all its forms as a significant influence on the next generation. “There’s still protest in creativity, whether it is in the roles that we choose, the scripts that we write, or directions you give when you step out on the catwalk.” He continues, “So today, I want us to honor the accomplishments of the designers and nominees, because we recognize that it is very competitive in this environment. But I also want to challenge you to go further. We are here to celebrate Black essence, and let’s be proud of what we have accomplished in our journey in this country. Johnson concludes, “The fashion show was a new addition last year, because we want to make sure we embrace all of our creativity.” —Derrick Johnson, NAACP President

Karen Boykin-Towns followed up with these sentiments. “For the first time, we are recognizing the glam community with awards and their significant impact in the industry. It is an honor to celebrate all of you, because at one time, and even still often times our features, our body shapes, our hair, and even our style are harshly criticized. Yet, those very same characteristics are inspired for whole trends. Don’t they know you can’t mimic style? We set the culture.” —Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair, NAACP National Board of Directors

Last year, the NAACP reached out to Kevan Hall about showcasing Black Design Collective talent on their runway for the Image Awards, which proved to be a huge success. The show featured top talent from the rapidly growing community’s hand-picked assemblage of designers, and was appreciated by a distinguished audience of celebrities, fashionistas, and influencers. Designers came from New York, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles as they wowed the crowd. And BDC returned for this year’s NAACP Image Awards.

Fashion Designer and President & Co-Founder of Black Design Collective Kevan Hall: “We’re thrilled to partner with NAACP for its second year to shine the spotlight on our talented Black fashion designers. ‘Images: Fashion Moments in Time’ presents Black fashion throughout history—Harlem Renaissance, hip hop, Motown, and more. NAACP recognizes the importance of showcasing this illustrious group of designers and bringing them to the forefront of American fashion.”

“Black Design Collective was built on the premise that our actions do in fact speak much louder than our words. Of greater worth is both the amplification and consistency of the symbiotic voices between the Black Design Collective and the NAACP as we drive the changes that are essential to our cultural and economic empowerment. Thank you for a spectacular event, and as always, we look forward to what the future holds.” –Designer TJ Walker, Co-Founder of Black Design Collective

Each runway show had pre-taped highlights that shared inspirations of this year’s designers’ most recent collections that served as PSAs for the Black diaspora. Each collection carried with it the spirit of American Black culture and it’s varied experiences.

The Designers . . .

Harbison:

“During covid, I found a renewed sense of connection to nature. I’m opening the scope of my life in Los Angeles in a way that I hadn’t since arriving here. For Spring/Summer 2023, I wanted the feel of open space. I wanted to optimize florals, the sky, and the rainbow through these clothes. And I really feel like we did that. The great thing about Black style is that it’s understanding the empowerment that Black people experience through style, through affecting a different reality for themselves through their dressing that they may not be experiencing in society. It’s nice that the NAACP understands its importance and wants to reinforce that, even through this modern era. That’s exciting for all of us.”—Designer Charles Harbison (harbison.studio)

Images: Fashion Moments in Time — Models walk the runway wearing Harbison designs for the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards Fashion Show

Kutula by Africana

“At Kutula, we design clothes for the international business person and the very savvy fashionista who want pieces that stand for and celebrate the tribal beauty of Africa and its authentic nature. Most of our fabrics come directly from artisans and from all over Africa. We take those fabrics that are primarily adire and mud cloths and fuse them with cottons and silks to make every garment beautiful. Collectively, we try to elevate the culture for our clients to express themselves wherever they may be going in the world that most describes this line. What we’re trying to evoke is the ‘woo too’—the very raw nature of just being pure. All the designs are authentically sourced, and are ‘lifetime’ pieces. For Black fashion, what we really see is a rise to excellence where each of us are able to express ourselves with our unique backgrounds and our perspectives. –Bo Anuluoha of Kutula by Africana (shopkutula.com)

House of Aama (A Mother/Daughter Design Team):

“Our mission is to explore the folkways of the Black experience by shining light on nuance histories and unpacking family narratives. The garments are a vehicle for the stories that we tell. Our Bloodroot Heritage collection is the storytelling narrative centered on my family’s maternal lineage coming out of Louisiana, so it’s a Creole story. In this collection (and in our brand in general), we focus on the post-fallen South where you’re going to continually see at our core, silhouettes [with] touches of that. We’re also showing SALT WATER—a collection that pays homage to the seafaring legacy and water deities that come out of West Africa, but also to the lost but not forgotten resort communities that live in the Americas, specifically Oak Bluff, Idyllwild, etc. We are an Americana brand, focusing on specific themes dealing with the West. We consider ourselves to be filling our white cities and Americana fashion with these unexplored stories coming from the Black experience that are part of the fabric of America, not just fashion, but also part of the fabric of the country.” –Designer Rebecca Henry, House of Aama (houseofaama.com)

Cross Colours (Carl Jones and TJ Walker):

“Fashion always started with our communities. If they’re not willing to wear it, to push it, to style it, to rock it, then it’s not fashion. We wanted to make the statement very clear. It’s clothing without prejudice, but this is where it starts. When we relaunched the brand six years ago, it was mostly sweatshirts and sweatpants going back to the roots. We added some newer military looks as well.” –Carl Jones, Cross Colours Co-Founder

“It became very clear to us that hip hop was the huge influence of the brand, because it is so influential in the culture. And it’s a lifestyle. Hip hop brings a lot of things to it that many people don’t even understand. It was also important that we made sure that it was represented by us. All the advertisement, all the promotion were people of color.” –TJ Walker, Cross Colours Co-Founder (crosscolours.com)

In Earnest (Byron Lars & Sheila Gray):

“In Earnest is not just our name, but it’s also our mantra.” States Sheila Gray. Byron Lars adds, “Our point of view is women’s advocacy through the product itself, because no matter the theme, we never forget about her. There’s a lot of texture, lots of strong shoulders, really feminine shapes when people had a joy in dressing and dressed up. It’s about texture and color, pattern mixing. Harlem’s like the ham hock that flavored the whole pot American style.” Gray adds, “and that’s where Black culture . . . how it all started. Lars concludes: “We work and walk around Harlem every day and feel that history, so that’s what this collection evokes. When you think about Black fashion, it is fashion seen through a Black lens. And so often, Black people have had to go without, and have had to get extra inventive. And I think that is really the crucible of what makes us so fabulous!” (inearnestofficial.com)

Kenneth Nicholson:

“Growing up in Texas, I have found that it’s difficult to find pockets of community that are inspiring. One thing [in particular] is toxic masculinity. So, to me, the fully expressed man just means having more choices and more options to express a full sense of self. For instance, the red carpet . . . for the longest time, I would really only see women embracing and enjoying different silhouettes that are in color as it relates to fashion. As I began my work, I really wanted men to be able to engage in fashion in a way that felt enriching and exciting. With this collection, “From Grandmother’s Couch,” which was about sitting on your grandmother’s couch, and from that perspective, what did you see? Maybe a beaded lamp or a printed curtain or a ratchet rug, then taking all of these collage-like elements and making them exist harmoniously. This collection did invoke Sunday dinners, another sense of Black tradition. There’s a lot of love involved. I think it’s important to continue to tell these stories. And it’s very important to continue to highlight the work of Black Americans and our contributions, not only to American creativity, but to America as a whole.” –Designer Kenneth Nicholson (kennethnicholson.us)

Kevan Hall closes the show:

“My point of view as a fashion designer is to create clothes that are classic, beautiful, and made with the finest fabrics. I create designs that evoke a wonderful feeling of exuberance and excitement for women to wear throughout her day and night that become a part of her lifestyle. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I looked back to my beginnings in Detroit with Motown, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. I was inspired by the glamour of these icons dressed in sequins, feathers and dramatic silhouettes.” –Kevan Hall, Creative Director for Kevan Hall. (kevanhalldesigns.com)

The Inaugural Award-Winners:

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film) Ruth E. Carter – BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (Marvel Studios); Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film) Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman –WE OWN THIS CITY (HBO Max); Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film) Camille Friend –BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (Marvel Studios); and the Vanguard Award Recipient Bethann Hardison (naacpimageawards.net)

“The act of not being inclusive, no matter what your intentions, the results are the same. Starting Bethann Management is a joy that I have out in the fashion industry. Fashion is no longer just on a little tiny island that nobody knows about. Now it’s part of popular culture. Now it’s influencing young people. It’s beginning to show people what things should look like. It’s giving you the idea of what we see, how we act when it comes down to race. You never can take your foot off the gas!”—NAACP Vanguard Award Recipient Bethann Hardison (Model and activist)

In-kind Sponsor: Beauty brand Black Radiance celebrates 30 years of uplifting the inner beauty and the outer allure of women of color. (blackradiancebeauty.com)

About the Black Design Collective:

Founded in 2018, the Black Design Collective is comprised of accomplished fashion industry professionals-of-color who seek to amplify the influence of and create opportunities for the community of Black apparel and accessory designers and costume designers within the US and abroad. The BDC mission is rooted in the promotion of Scholarship, Mentorship, and Entrepreneurship within emerging generations of Black fashion design talent. Through this work, the BDC aims at ultimately fostering an independent and self-sustaining Black fashion community. (blackdesigncollective.com)

By First Take PR, Sean McKenzie

January 10, 2023September 28, 2023

Black Design Collective Presents “Designing the Costumes of WAKANDA FOREVER” with Oscar-Winner & BDC Co-Founder Ruth E. Carter

Production Stills from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Discover the importance of costumes in storytelling as Ruth E. Carter gives a behind the scenes look into the costume design process. Proceeds support the Black Design Collective Creative Center and The Black Design Collective Scholarship Fund.

(By Sean McKenzie) Los Angeles, CA

On January 12, 2023, the Black Design Collective will host a conversation with Academy Award-winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter as she shares the design process of creating over 2000 unique costumes for Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER.

Film Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter — Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther & Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Costume Designer)

Carter introduces superheroes and the underwater world of the Talokan to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with hundreds of new looks and multiple builds for characters that are steeped in symbolism and storytelling from two civilizations that battle on land, in air, and underwater. She elevates the Afrofuturistic Wakanda with more brilliance and depth of culture, creating new costumes and super suits for the original characters from the film BLACK PANTHER (2018) for which Carter won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Production Stills from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Featuring Angela Bassett

In the summer of 2020, Ruth Carter was approached by director Ryan Coogler, who informed her that the sequel would be introducing underwater dwellers—the Talokanil—inspired by Mesoamerican cultures. When Chadwick Boseman died in August 2020, the question was how would Wakanda continue. WAKANDA FOREVER is not only a tribute to Boseman, but an evolution of the world that was created in the first film.

The event, “Designing Costumes of Wakanda – A Conversation with Ruth E. Carter,” will be held at the Black Design Creative Center, located at The New Mart Building/Black Design Collective Creative Center 127 East 9th Street Los Angeles, CA 90015.

Bartender Melodie Murphy, owner of MIXED BAR SERVICES will craft 3 Signature cocktails honoring “Wakanda Forever”, Ruth E. Carter and Chadwick Boseman for the evening with UNCLE NEAREST, the Most Awarded American Whiskey or Bourbon of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The brand is named for the first known African American master distiller: Nearest Green. Whisky Magazine’s American Icons of Whisky Awards named Nearest’s great-great-granddaughter Victoria Eady-Butler as Master Blender of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, the first person in history to take home that honor two years in a row. Led by Founder and CEO Fawn Weaver and CBO Katharine Jerkens, the all-female executive team of Uncle Nearest is changing the face of American whiskey while honoring the best whiskey maker the world never knew.

For Tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-the-costume-of-wakanda-forever-a-conversation-with-ruth-e-carter-tickets-498523676737

Date & Time:
Thursday, January 12, 2023
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST

ABOUT:
Ruth E. Carter is the Academy Award-winning film costume designer, known for turning the BLACK PANTHER superhero into an African King; making history as the first Black person to win in the category, and earning Marvel Studios their first Oscar recognition. Over three decades in film, television, and theater, Carter has earned seventy credits and collaborated with prolific directors, including Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Ava DuVernay, and Ryan Coogler. Carter’s costumes based on real and imaginative characters provide an arc to the narratives of African Americans. From DO THE RIGHT THING, MALCOLM X, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, AMISTAD, THE BUTLER, MARSHALL, SELMA, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, COMING 2 AMERICA to BLACK PANTHER; her devotion to retraining the eye to see beauty through costume design and telling stories that enrich the humanity of the Black experience cements her legacy as a preeminent voice and expert on period genres and Afro aesthetics. Carter’s outstanding costume design work has been honored with Academy Award nominations for MALCOLM X (1993) and AMISTAD (1998), and an Emmy nomination for the miniseries reboot of ROOTS (2016). The impact of her career in filmmaking has been recognized with the Costume Designers Guild’s Career Achievement Award (2019) and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2021). Carter is a member of the board of governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Black Design Collective (BDC) Founded in 2018 is comprised of accomplished fashion industry professionals of color who seek to amplify the influence of and create opportunities for the community of black apparel and accessory designers and costume designers within the US and abroad. The BDC mission is rooted in the promotion of scholarship, mentorship, and entrepreneurship within emerging generations of black fashion design talent. Through this work, the BDC aims at ultimately fostering an independent and self-sustaining Black fashion community. BDC Founders are Ruth E. Carter, Kevan Hall, TJ Walker, and Angela Dean. Visit: blackdesigncollective.com.

December 26, 2022December 26, 2022

Bobby Lyle’s Single “Nujazzy” on Sirius XM Watercolors!

“Nujazzy” by Bobby Lyle features the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Nathan East and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta playing this mid tempo groove track. John Calderon is on guitar. This recent single release is still going for radio adds and can be heard currently on Sirius XM radio, Watercolors.

“Nujazzy” is an upbeat track with a catchy melody and a seductive groove anchored by bassist Nathan East and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Guitarist John Calderone (who trades licks with Bobby halfway through) and percussionist Tony Axtell round out the rhythm section. – This is an amazing song and looks like it will make a serious mark on the charts!

(Just a side note, Bobby Lyle’s first single release “Living in the Flow” remained #1 on the billboard charts all of 2021!)

December 8, 2022September 28, 2023

Editor at Large Bunny Brunel Features the Legendary Ron Carter on the Cover of VIRTUOSO BASS, Issue 2.

Inside this long-awaited second issue includes the following: “Bunny Brunel Moments” and his time with the late Chick Corea; interviews with Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Forbassplayersonly.com founder Jon Liebman and his new book FUNK/JAZZ/BASS, and Roger Linn of LinnStrument; a spotlight on Tal Wilkenfeld and a retrospective on Chick Corea that includes Corea’s last interviews; CD reviews with Bakithi Kumalo, Buster Williams, and reviews of “Unconventional Releases” by Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, and Ron Carter (including Carter’s documentary FINDING THE RIGHT NOTES)!

By Sean McKenzie

Since the official launch of Virtuoso Bass back in the fall of 2020, a lot has happened. The pandemic held up plenty of editorial calendars and the legendary Bunny Brunel waited for just the right time to put out the second issue of the much-anticipated lifestyle magazine for iconic jazz bassists. Virtuoso Bass seized the moment to retain Ty-Ron Mayes (America’s Next Top Model, Daymond John, Agenda) and NY photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth (Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Legend) to create the fashion/lifestyle editorial of Ron Carter titled, “Ode to the Upright.”

“A lot has happened since the launch of the first issue back in 2020. I was all geared up to feature some amazing bass talent. Sadly, when covid came, it destroyed a lot of people’s plans and Virtuoso Bass was not immune. But we’re glad to be back with a brand new issue, featuring phenomenal bass players. Being a bassist is not just about supporting the band, even though that is definitely the main purpose, but there is a level a player reaches when suddenly people sit up and take notice. My vision is still to put a spotlight on bass players who’ve made a real impact, are at the top of their game, and even created their own sound and style. Ron Carter is one of those bassists. Buster Williams, another great bassist who plays the upright is such a great musician and another player with an impressive number of performances. And we will always include women bass players just like in our first issue when we profiled female bassist Carol Kaye. This issue we chose another talented woman, Australian-born bassist Tal Wilkenfeld.” —Bunny Brunel

Ron Carter is highly featured throughout the issue with his recent release of the PBS documentary, Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes. The timing couldn’t have been better. Virtuoso Bass was able to feature a review.

“The most recorded bassist in history tells his story in this intensely moving documentary. This detailed biography gives us an insight into the life of the revered jazz icon.”—Virtuoso Bass

Carter is also included in the reviews of unconventional album releases: Ray Brown Jazz Cello; Ron Carter Dear Miles; and Paul Chambers Bass On Top.

“Working with Bunny Brunel to help him realize his vision for Virtuoso Bass is not only exciting, but it’s a real education. To be able to co-curate such a beautiful periodical and learn about jazz bass on such a deep level is compelling. I met Ron Carter after seeing him perform at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles back in 2015. Virtuoso Bass has given me the opportunity to experience this legend again. After exploring Carter’s music, watching his documentary, and poring over the images to make the final selection for his lifestyle editorial, I am unbelievably honored to be a part of this incredible history in the making! —Kaylene Peoples, Executive Editor

“What an honor it was to add a little extra sparkle to double bassist Ron Carter’s star. The maestro of jazz has got swag all day long and I wanted to show that he is still ‘mad fly.’ The moment I saw that woven, wool military-style suit with black iridescent flecks intricately peppered through the ensemble by Cillian Atelier, paired with that classic beret, I knew our cover would not only capture the look of the moment, but would also successfully define the tone of Virtuoso Bass, exemplifying the strength of this multi-Grammy Award-winning musical soldier. Carter’s editorial also highlights his “ageless” spirit that has experienced a life that still has so much to offer.” –Ty-Ron Mayes

Included in this issue is Bakithi Kumalo’s review of his CD “What You Hear Is What You See” and Buster Williams’s (& Something More) review of “Audacity. Journalist Sheryl Aronson interviews the revered bassist, Buster Williams, who has performed with a range of musicians including Thelonious Monk, Sonny Stitt, and Sarah Vaughan.

“You create something that is unconstrained; it doesn’t come from talking about this is what we’re going to create. You just start playing, you’re enjoying each other. Another thing is repertoire doesn’t necessarily change so drastically. You’re playing the same tunes, night after night, and because of your creative being, you strive to do something different. And you’re developing, you’re growing. So, the music develops and grows. What happened with Herbie [Hancock] The Sextet, is we were willing to let the music grow to the point where the music was the defining determinant of our actions. Rather than going on the bandstand and saying, ‘okay, this is what we’re going to play tonight.’ No, the music told us what we were going to play, and how it’s going to happen. This can’t happen without trust. And trust like that can’t really happen unless you’ve built a body that the collective reality of each one of you surrenders to. This collective body is what is determining things. This collective body belongs to the music. It wasn’t about any one of us, it was about the trust that we had.” –Buster Williams, Virtuoso Bass

Jon Liebman is the founder of the popular website Forbassplayersonly.com and has interviewed 800 bass players including Sting, Paul McCartney, etc. After publishing nine very successful instructional books for bass players, he recently put out Funk/Jazz/Bass endorsed by Bunny Brunel, Alain Caron, Carlitos Del Puerto, Bakithi Kumalo, and Chuck Rainey with the Foreword by Nathan East. Funk/Jazz/Bass is Liebman’s first non-instructional book that “illustrates the numerous possibilities of playing funk/jazz bass by analyzing how the bass greats have done it.” In Liebman’s interview, he talks about his background as a bassist, and what inspired his website and his latest book. “Funk/Jazz/Bass is ‘a play in the style of’ book. And I tried to get a good cross-section of some of my bass heroes. [There is] Richard Bona, Bryan Bromberg, Meshell Ndegeocello, there are 30 altogether.” –Jon Liebman, Virtuoso Bass

“Remembering Chick Corea” is a retrospective on the legendary keyboardist’s life. Anybody who knows anything about Bunny Brunel, knows his career was launched as a result of his nine years playing with Corea. It was Bunny’s desire to pay tribute to the brilliant fusion pianist who changed his life. Inside issue 2, Virtuoso Bass delves deep, profiling the 23-time Grammy-winning pianist and featuring highlights from Corea’s most recent interviews, his important releases, and his wildly prolific career. And in “Bunny Brunel Moments,” Bunny talks candidly about his time with the keyboard giant whose music will always live on.

Virtuoso Bass investigates two fast-growing Facebook Groups, For Bassists and Jazz Rock Fusion. And if you ever wanted to know who invented the drum machine, interviewed this issue is Roger Linn who tells the backstory that leads up to his latest technology, the LinnStrument.

Virtuoso Bass features contributions from Bunny Brunel (Editor at Large), Kaylene Peoples (Executive Editor), Florentino Buenaventura (Tech Editor), Sean McKenzie (Managing Editor), Sheryl Aronson (Buster Williams Interview); Udo Spreitzenbarth (Cover & Editorial Photographer), Ty-Ron Mayes (Stylist for Cover & Editorial), and Quintell-Williams Carter (Fashion Assistant for Cover & Editorial)

Advertisers: LaBella Strings, SIR Studios, and The Gibson Bass Book

Published by KL Publishing Group, a Verum Company

About Virtuoso Bass:

Bunny Brunel is the Editor at Large of the premier lifestyle magazine for bass players. Launched in 2020, the very first issue featured Bunny Brunel on the cover, Kyle Eastwood (back cover), Eddie Gomez, Carol Kaye, Larry Dunn, Stanley Clarke, and AMPEG SVT. Bunny Brunel talks about his mission for the magazine. “I want to talk about great players, and some of these guys, nobody ever mentions. If the media is going to publicize bass players, they should focus their attention on those great players who are responsible for what followed after,”—Bunny Brunel.

To purchase the print version of Virtuoso Bass Issue 2, visit Amazon.com. To get the digital copy, visit virtusosbass.com. For an exclusive autographed copy of Virtuoso Bass magazine by Bunny Brunel, please visit bunnybrunel.com/bunnys-store

Release Written by Sean McKenzie for First Take PR

September 17, 2022September 28, 2023

The 5th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival Closes the Summer Festival Season with a Variety of Jazz Styles and Legendary Musical Artists

5th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival Highlights

Jeffrey Osborne and Eric Darius headlined at the 2022 Oxnard Jazz Festival that featured a talented lineup of musicians with Kelly’s Lot, Queens of Soul Jazz, Blake Aaron, Gold Coast Horns, Hiroshima; Thee Travis Miller, Erin Stevenson, Paula Atherton, Bunny Brunel, The Emotions, & Darryl Walker. And Executive Producer Chuck Dennis was honored by the City of Oxnard.

September 17, 2022 – Oxnard, CA

On September 10th-11th, 2022, the Oxnard Jazz Festival presented a bigger-than-life concert event following a two-year hiatus. Lovers of jazz, soul, Latin, blues, and R&B came out in droves. The outdoor festival accommodated over 4,000 ticket holders with a sea of vendors, great cuisine, and most of all, great music. The festival featured artists with household names, as well as local talent. The top contemporary jazz bands graced the OJF stage, many are Billboard-charting artists. What is unique about the festival, it offers a stage and embraces diversity, women musicians, and honors legends. Paula Atherton, whose new release is climbing the Billboard charts performed on Sunday. This multi-instrumentalist not only played sax and flute, but she sang, too. Queens of Soul Jazz, starring Billboard chart-topping artists saxophonist Jeanette Harris and flutist Althea Renee brought the house down with their highly skilled instrumental set, and renown singer Erin Stevenson captivated with her soulful vocal performance. The Oxnard Jazz festival brought to the stage top smooth jazz artists saxophonist Eric Darius, vocalist Darryl Walker, guitarist Blake Aaron, and introduced the new group Gold Coast Horns with Billboard artists saxophonist Jeff Ryan, trumpeters Lin Rountree and Johnny Britt performing.

The Oxnard Jazz Festival showed the world that we only get better with age. Legendary Musicians with 40-year careers fascinated the crowd who enthusiastically embraced and praised these seasoned icons. The Grammy-winning group, The Emotions, are still performing and evoking old school memories. During their performance, people crowded around the stage to sing along to their well-loved songs. Fusion giant Bunny Brunel played the groove-heavy music of his Grammy-nominated band CAB as the audience listened and watched in awe the former Chick Corea band member. Hiroshima who has sold over 50 million albums in their career is still penetrating souls with their esoteric, thoughtful music. And the 70-something, multi-Grammy-nominated crooner Jeffrey Osborne, is still the stirring entertainer he was in his 40s—nothing has changed! Osborne was engaging and comical during his show while he performed his litany of hit songs at the Oxnard Jazz Festival. Even with the inclement weather on that Saturday, the headliner told the audience, “If at 74 years of age, I can feel energetic, then so can you. Let’s party with me singing my “old school” songs. Are you with me? And the audience’s approval kicked Osborne’s performance into high gear. He brought the house down!

On the opening day of the festival, Oxnard’s mayor, John C. Zaragoza, presented Chuck Dennis a Certificate of Appreciation for the 5th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival. Dennis was also honored by Ventura’s city council with Vince Stewart presenting.

Chuck-Dennis-Awarded-by-Ventura-City-Council — Chuck Dennis Awarded by Venture City Council

Chuck Dennis, Producer of the Oxnard Jazz Festival:

“The highlights of the festival for me was watching the faces and the expressions of the audience of people really having a good time. The Oxnard Jazz festival is not just me, it also includes my great team. And I was especially thrilled to have been able to introduce my personal group, The Gold Coast Horns, on the OJF stage. We have a brand-new single called ‘Bounce to This’—this was their introduction to the world!”

Sheryl Aronson, OJF’s PR Director of Artist Relations

“The community of Oxnard works together to put on this great festival. The staff is very loyal and has worked with Chuck for years, we’re just such a great team, making the absolute best experience for the ticket holders. The motto is “Feel the Groove,” and you can really see that. Everybody gets up and dances. People and some of the VIPs have been coming back for years and everybody knows each other. It’s just like one big happy family get-together!”

The all-star lineup with two days of performances, as well as a diverse range of music, gave the festival goers a potpourri of styles. The OJF is an outdoor festival, held at the Oxnard Beach Park, and those in attendance came out in droves in spite of the weather. Day 1 was unprecedently gloomy with intermittent rain. Guests said that it was a break and a relief from the heatwave Southern California had been experiencing. On day 2, the sun came out and temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, but it didn’t stop the party. Music lovers filled the venue both days and some even traveled across the country to see their favorite musicians; and Kyle Eastwood and Sherry Gordy were just a few of the celebrities that were also in attendance.

OJF’s Lineup on Saturday, September 10, 2022:

Kelly’s Lot; Queens of Soul Jazz (Jeanette Harris and Althea Renee); Blake Aaron; Gold Coast Horns (Johnny Britt, Jeff Ryan, Lin Rountree); Hiroshima; and Jeffrey Osborne

OJF’s Lineup on Sunday, September 11, 2022:

Thee Travis Miller; Erin Stevenson, Paula Atherton; Bunny Brunel; The Emotions; Darryl Walker; and Eric Darius

“Shout out to Oxnard. The entire city is amazing, I’m just so thankful to be here. Everybody is so wonderful and they know all the lyrics! It’s just such a blessing to still be doing this. I’m 70 years old, but I still feel 30. I love singing, and that’s what keeps me young.” –The Emotions, Wanda Hutchinson-Vaughn

“I had a great time playing to such a welcoming crowd at the Oxnard Jazz Festival. I was joined by some amazing musicians, playing the music of CAB as well as honoring the person who started my career, Chick Corea. I always pay a small tribute to him on my shows with tunes like we did today, ‘The Slide’ and ‘Spain.’ I have to give it to Chuck Dennis for extending his platform to jazz-fusion.” –Bunny Brunel

“We never consider the people who listen to our music as fans but as a part of our growing cultural community. The whole point is [to bring people together], it’s about unity, and that’s why June [Kuramoto] can play from her heart because she wants to bring people back there every time she plays.” –Hiroshima, Dan Kuramoto

About OJF’s Headliners:

Jeffrey Osborne OJF 2022 — Jeffrey Osborne (Photo: Sheryl Aronson)

“The audience makes it fresh because it’s always different. I am striving to touch the people who come to my concerts, which is the most important component to my performance. I want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves and has a good time—it stays fresh with me. My first love is performing live. I love recording, but there is a cold aspect to it. It’s just me and an engineer. But performing live, I’m out in front of people that have been my fans for many years and their chemistry is what gets me going. I feed off of them and they feed off of me, and there’s no other feeling like it.”—Jeffrey Osborne, AGENDA Magazine

Eric Darius Oxnard Jazz Fest 2022 — Eric Darius (Photo: Sheryl Aronson)

“I’ve evolved in every single way. When I go back and listen to my older albums, I feel everything has been elevated. I’m always pushing myself musically. From a stage performance standpoint, I’m bringing new dimensions to my show.” Eric Darius goes on to say, “I’m passionate about what I do; I am someone who gives 110% and someone who truly loves sharing his gift of music. I believe God has blessed me with this gift. The fans motivate me and inspire me. I’ve stayed true to myself and stayed true to my music.”—Eric Darius, Schmooze Jazz Magazine

The 5^th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors: Chuck Dennis Production, Alexander Cadillac, Stella Artois, Advocate Society Wellness, T-Mobile, The Port of Hueneme, Bard Boys, Victoria Entertainment, LLC
Gold Sponsors: Coast Cart, Hueneme Beach Festival, Schmooze Jazz Magazine, Coca-Cola, City of Oxnard, Mission Healthcare
Media Sponsors: KJLH 102.3 FM, Fuego 97.1 FM, Old School 104.7 FM; Alpha Digital Printing (ADP), Divine Brown Media Group, Emerald City Communications & Marketing, LLC
Community Partners: Bud Light, Bomb Life (Ventura County), Good Choice Catering, Costco Wholesale, Holiday Inn Express (An IHG Hotel), IMW – IVIE McNeil Wyatt Purch & Diggs; Fantasy Life Car Show, Marriott Ventura Beach, Pucker Up, Residence Inn Marriott, Nestle; Orange Theory Fitness, Salzer’s Records, Union Bank, Switch Car Club, Sparkletts, Mission Healthcare, Victoria Entertainment, LLC

“After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, it was very exciting to work on this year’s jazz festival. As the festival’s executive director, the goal for our fifth year was to bring A-list Jazz, Latin, Soul, Blues, and R&B musicians, vibrant retail, and diverse food vendors, as well as many other inviting attractions to make the festival a top-level event and destination to close out the summer festival season. With over 4000 attendees smiling, dancing, singing, enjoying friends and family among the swaying palm trees near the beach with beautiful white sand dunes and the Pacific blue waters in the background, I think we accomplished our goal!”—Daphne King, Executive Director of the Oxnard Jazz Festival

About Oxnard Jazz Festival:

With the motto, “Feel the Groove,” OJF is a cultural music celebration offering a diverse concert experience with the option of VIP seating in an incredible outdoor setting, complemented by scenic beaches, vendor booth shopping, cultural foods, and many other inviting attractions that make the festival a top event and destination to close out the summer festival season. The Oxnard Jazz Festival is a medley of jazz, Latin, soul, blues, and R&B. Southern California’s best-kept secret, Ventura County, is the gateway to the “Gold Coast” and home to some of the most respected jazz musicians in the country. The city of Oxnard is a vibrant and culturally diverse community, and known as the “Strawberry Capital.” Its historical, recreational, and environmental assets make it listed as one of the wealthiest areas in America, cultivating an exciting celebration of music. The Oxnard Beach Park has beautiful white sand dunes and Pacific blue waters in the background, offering a resort experience. The beaches are known for their sunshine, mild surf, and easy access; they are a five-mile stretch of sand that’s a romantic spot for sunset watchers. If you love music, you will love the Oxnard Jazz Festival! (oxnardjazzfestival.com)

September 14, 2022September 19, 2022

AGENDA Cover Models Coco Mitchell & Ty-Ron Mayes Talk “Career” on the Fashion Whisperer Podcast!

Coco Mitchell (Front) and Ty-Ron Mayes (Back) Cover Models

Supermodel Coco Mitchell dazzles on the front cover and celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes shines on the flip cover of AGENDA magazine Issue 18. Both are mavericks in the world of fashion, gaining endless exposure and worldwide recognition. These fashion trailblazers have an engaging dialogue, offering hidden gems of knowledge, including how to thrive as people of color in a competitive industry. Coco Mitchell talks about her early beginnings as a model during her interview, and AGENDA’s editor-in-chief Kaylene Peoples shares how the Fashion Whisperer became a part of the magazine.

September 14, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA

“Coco Mitchell was part of that first wave of Black models who came onto the fashion industry, mainstream, and at a top level. We were all just making it up as we went along, fighting for contracts, fighting to be on the runway, fighting to be in ads, fighting for covers. It was a movement for visibility [and] for representation, because Black people were spending a lot of money buying the top designer labels [including] Calvin Klein jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and still to this day, Gucci. There was an unwritten call to start having Black people in some of these ads and some of these covers, and more representation that would match the dollars that were coming out of the fashion industry.”–Ty-Ron Mayes

It all started with a fortuitous encounter with Eileen Ford who planted a seed in the mind of the young unassuming school teacher Coco Mitchell. And after one year of teaching at a Catholic school, Coco followed Eileen’s suggestion and made a call to destiny. “I got discovered by Eileen Ford [of Ford Models] on the streets of New York City. She walked up to me and asked me if I had a book. I replied, ‘I have lots of books.’” Mitchell continues, “I just graduated from college, and I’m going to be a teacher. I start in two months.” During the course of this conversation, Eileen informed her that what she’d be making every two weeks as a teacher, she could make every 20-30 minutes as a model. And the “book” Ford was referring to, she explained to Mitchell that it was a book with her pictures in it—a model’s portfolio. –Fashion Whisperer Podcast

Since that phone call, Coco Mitchell has been on a continuous, lucrative adventure as a model, working with some of the most iconic designers and campaigns around the world in the last four decades. From being a Kelly Girl to walking the runway for the biggest fashion brands, the former elementary school teacher was featured in MADEMOISELLE, GLAMOUR, Italian and French VOGUE. Coco was one of the first African American models to be in THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE and has worked with Francesco Scavullo, Herb Ritts, Armani, Versace, Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, just to touch the surface of her illustrious career. And after her first modeling assignment in the late 70s, she hasn’t missed a beat and shares the title as one of the hardest working supermodels in the industry.

Coco Mitchell talks about the fit model:

“I was still so new to modeling that I didn’t know before I met Ralph Rucci that models did fittings. Ralph approached me at a restaurant, ‘Coco Mitchell, I would love for you to do my fittings.’ When I did a fitting, I fit my clothes for what I’m wearing in the show, not do fittings. I said to him, ‘I don’t understand what you’re talking about?’ He said, ‘I want you to fit my whole collection.’” Mitchell talks about how she expanded her career as a fit model for Badgley Mischka, Chado Ralph Rucci, Donna Karan, and others. She added, “You could make a quarter of a million dollars just doing fittings!”—Fashion Whisperer Podcast

Ty-Ron Mayes has styled over 150 magazine covers and countless celebrities, including Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Carol Alt, Iman, Adriana Lima, Tyson Beckford, Megan Fox, Eminem, Daymond John, Leelee Sobieski, Renauld White, M.J. Rodriguez, Ron Carter, Halle Berry, Michelle Rodriguez, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hutton, and others. He was the fashion consultant to Tyra Banks for America’s Next Top Model Cycle 20, and was not only on Cycle 21, but was appointed by Tyra as ANTM’s first Lead Wardrobe Stylist. His career as a celebrity stylist was officially launched by Francesco Scavullo and Sean Byrnes, where he styled Oprah Winfrey on several magazine covers. Mayes has styled international editions of VOGUE, HARPER’S BAZAAR, ELLE, MARIE CLAIRE, and COSMOPOLITAN magazines. He has works with many prestigious photographers, including David LaChapelle, Sante D’Orazio, Anne Menke, Udo Spreitzenbarth, Antoine Verglas, Mike Ruiz, Marlena Bielinska, Emin Kadi, Matthew Jordan Smith, Mark Borthwick, Marc Baptiste, Yu Tsai, Ezequiel de la Rosa, and Greg Gorman. Some of Mayes’s advertising clients are Stila Cosmetics, Maybelline, Miss Clairol, Clairol Beauty Collection, Iman Cosmetics, FUBU, and the Guess campaign. Designers with whom Ty-Ron has cultivated relationships include Custo Barcelona, Carmen Marc Valvo, The Blonds, Nicole Miller, Zang Toi, and Lie Sang Bong. And Ty-Ron Mayes was given the name, “The Super Stylist.”

AGENDA’s editor-in-chief, Kaylene Peoples, approached Mayes about his being on the flip cover of issue 18. Ty-Ron was initially featured in the magazine years ago when AGENDA (agendamag.com) was exclusively online. Peoples later featured Rick Genest (Zombie Boy), an editorial styled by Mayes, which appeared in the 2014 inaugural “print” issue of AGENDA Special Edition I: “Fall Is Fascinating.” In 2018, print issue 6, Mayes was featured in Fashion Trailblazers, a 14-page retrospective, titled, “Ty-Ron Mayes: An Inside View of His Fabulous, Fashionable Court.” Also, in that issue, Ty-Ron styled Supermodel Maria Borges for the cover story, as well as the fashion spreads with Kelly LeBrock and Phil Sullivan.

“Ty-Ron and I discussed his being a part of AGENDA’s team in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. We had a great synergy and tended to think alike when it came to fashion stories. I was delighted when he agreed to come on board. The Fashion Whisperer made its debut, and issue 12, ‘Generation Quarantine – Pandemic 2020 the Fashionable Response’ was our PSA, becoming the holy grail of that perilous epoch and now part of AGENDA’s time capsule. AGENDA was one of the pandemic’s first responders for the written word in a fashion and lifestyle print magazine, and helped to open dialogue for other fashion periodicals; and the fashion story, ‘Generation Quarantine,’ was pivotal during that time.”—Kaylene Peoples, AGENDA Editor-in-Chief

Mitchell and Mayes star in their own stunning fashion editorials. Ty-Ron styles both spreads, featuring clothes and accessories (for Coco Mitchell) by Versus by Versace, Zang Toi, Donna Karan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Carmen Marc Valvo, and Sam’s Army & Navy, photographed by Ezequiel de la Rosa; and (for Ty-Ron Mayes) with Roberto Cavalli, Alessandro Gherardeschi, Tahari, vintage Jean-Paul Gaultier, Eliza J., Christian Louboutin, Zars London, Tiffany & Co., Salvatore Ferragamo, and Versace, photographed by Udo Spreitzenbarth with makeup, hair, and grooming by Ty-Ron Mayes for Paper Faces.

“The fashion stories, ‘In Love with the Coco’ and ‘Ty-Ron Mayes – Fashion Whisperer’ are both compelling and wonderfully styled editorials that are beautiful additions to this highly curated issue of AGENDA, which is all about inclusion. Coco Mitchell has been on our radar for some time, her being our cover model is not only thrilling, but beyond ideal as we approached the current fashion season; and Ty-Ron Mayes living on AGENDA’s flip cover has been a long time coming . . . and way overdue!”–Kaylene Peoples

With prestigious campaigns with Thierry Mugler’s “White Sands,” Virginia Slims, Benson and Hedges, and countless television commercials, Coco Mitchell has spoken at FIT, Pratt, and the Phoenix Art Museum in conjunction with PAM’s “Chado Ralph Rucci” exhibit. Coco Mitchell is now consulting, coaching, casting, directing editorial shoots, and assisting those both established and emerging in their modeling careers, and continues to give back to the very community that has enriched her life in countless ways!

Ty-Ron Mayes is one of New York’s most sought-after celebrity stylists who not only dresses his famous clientele, but also models. Mayes has walked in the highly touted Blue Jacket Fashion Show for three years in a row.

“When I was asked by founder Frederick Anderson to be part of The Blue Jacket Fashion Show, I was super excited, because the charity itself brings awareness to the prevention of prostate cancer. This was an opportunity for me to join the men’s health movement. The Blue Jacket Show brings together celebrities from the fashion, sports, news, and entertainment industries to have a national conversation about the risks of this disease. This year the focus was on African American & Latin men in America who statistically are the highest documented incidence rates of prostate cancer in the world.” – Ty-Ron Mayes

Check out Ty-Ron Mayes and Coco Mitchell’s cover stories in AGENDA Issue 18: “Black Design Collective” (Digital & Print). To listen to Ty-Ron’s interview with Coco Mitchell, visit The Fashion Whisperer Podcast at agendamag.com. AGENDA is published by KL Publishing Group. (@agendamag)

Written by Sean McKenzie
E: firsttakepr@aol.com
First Take PR (https://www.firsttakepr.com)

August 26, 2022September 28, 2023

“Black Design Collective” Is the Focus of AGENDA Magazine, Issue 18!

AGENDA Issue #18 "Black Design Collective" Highights

AGENDA features Black fashion designers, NAACP Image Awards “Colors Behind the Look,” and more in this exciting issue of AGENDA. Melanie Wise, Udo Spreitzenbarth; cover models Coco Mitchell and AGENDA’s Fashion Whisperer Ty-Ron Mayes; SHROOMS the cookbook; Aaron Walton, AMATO Couture Menswear runway; Jurassic World Dominion, The 355; and Kaylene Peoples Fashion Talk complete the story of this 151-page book periodical!

Los Angeles, August 26, 2022

AGENDA has been putting a spotlight on Black design talent since their first feature with Black Design Collective’s Co-Founder, TJ Walker of Cross Colours in Issue 10. What followed was Geoff Duran (Issue 11), BDC Founder Angela Dean of Deanzign (Issue 12), Sergio Hudson (Issue 13), OTG Essentials by Okera Banks (Issue 14), Apotts and Epperson (Issue 15), Agnes Bethel Shoes (Issue 16), Renaldo Barnette (Issue 17); and Byron Lars, Octavius Terry-Sims of Groom, and Kevan Hall were all featured in AGENDA Collector’s Issue 3: Changemakers. The world was informed that there is a kaleidoscope of “all” colors that make up the artisans behind the clothes we love. After a long hiatus following the release of Issue 17, Couture Paper Doll’s, AGENDA’s contributing staff helped to create another packed issue, appropriately titled, “Black Design Collective,” a nod to this pioneering nonprofit, created to bring awareness, mentor, aid and elevate Black design talent.

Catching up to Issue 18, Black Design Collective, the 151-page book periodical heavily features Black designers, a milliner, beauty brands, and pop-up shops. On the cover is supermodel Coco Mitchell who helped usher in a new generation of Black American models. And on the back cover is celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes, AGENDA’s Fashion Whisperer and America’s Next Top Model Wardrobe Stylist. Mitchell and Mayes are featured in breathtaking editorials shot by photographers Ezequiel de la Rosa and Udo Spreitzenbarth.

AGENDA interviews Tori Nichel (NBC Fashion Star) of Maison Black, Lisa McFadden Millinery, Byron Lars (Barbie) on his new collection by In Earnest, EPPERSON (Project Runway) and his latest fashion editorial EVOLUTION; and a recap of the NAACP Image Awards fashion event “Colors Behind the Look,” headlining with Kevan Hall (president of the Black Design Collective) and BDC designers EPPERSON, Byron Lars, BDC Co-Founder TJ Walker’s Cross Colours, and menswear designer Isaiah Hemmingway. Also featured this issue is “Emerge in Color,” a curated pop-up store headed by the Black Fashion Movement and Maison Black. This one-of-a-kind shopping event successfully launched at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

This intensely diverse issue also includes New York celebrity photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth and his traveling photo exhibition titled “Between Light & Dark”; The Swedish brand, Dagmar’s S/S 2022 sustainable collection; and AMATO Couture Menswear collection.

“Immune System Maintenance? Ain’t No Such a Thing!” is an article by wellness expert Melanie Wise of Wise Remedies. Sheryl Aronson (Arting Around) interviews Aaron Walton in “From Fashion Icon to Advertising Mogul, the CEO and Co-Founder of Walton Isaacson.” Fashion Archives presents a blast from the past with vintage Oscar de la Renta, photographed by Arun Nevader. And book reviewer Zac Baldwin critiques movies made from books, ranging from authors Stephen King to Dean Koontz. Universal Pictures and Amblin Productions presents Jurassic World Dominion and the backstory to the end of an era; and Universal Pictures in Association with FilmNation Entertainment presents The 355, an action film starring Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, and Lupita Nyong’o, now streaming on Prime.

Beauty editor Shahada Karim reviews the products Beautystat, Mented Cosmetics, and Oui the People. And Karim gushes about her new cookbook, SHROOMS, a book filled with “healing” recipes, based on the medicinal qualities of mushrooms.

Fashion Talk was inspired by the film, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.

“I just saw the film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. The film was set in 1957, about a maid who wants an haute couture dress. The movie triggered so many things in me. I would see a dress on the runway and covet it. Once, I attended a Carolina Herrera fashion show, and I saw this model in a gown that I had to have. To this day, I want that dress! Needless to say, it was way out of my budget. But I got how Mrs. Harris felt. Many of us are Mrs. Harris. That’s what high fashion is all about. Giving the fantasy that an outfit could change our lives. And creating a story with clothing, clothing that encompasses all the accessories, much like a finished painting. If Oscar de la Renta was alive today, I’d love to ask what inspired him when he created the perfect dress!” – “The Art of Dressing” by Kaylene Peoples, Fashion Talk

AGENDA Issue 18, “Black Design Collective” is sure to enlighten and entertain. You might heal an ailment, find a cute dress, or even buy a hat and a pair of gloves. But one thing is certain, you’re sure to enjoy the read . . . and don’t forget to shop Black! (@agendamag). Visit Agendamag.com/shop to purchase the digital magazine. AGENDA is published by klpublishinggroup.com.

Get your copy today of AGENDA Issue 18: “Black Design Collective.” Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBXSTVGR