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A Fashion Designers, Designer. 

Eppreson is known, as a designer’s designer

because each one of his garments is a piece of Art.

Fashion designers are artists, as with all affecting

Art it is subjective. A Painting can be many things,

a snap shot of another time done with varied linear

stroke. Some artists have moody period and take

us with them on a journey through their innermost

minds and circular movements. The masters once

in a while did self-portraits and allow us to form

our own conclusions on who they were and why

they created their works. I love all art forms but I

am moved most by fashion designers, they reflect

current states. As I evolve in my political

persuasion and my life’s needs change so does my

wardrobe. My fashion style often mirrors my

emotions and reflects innermost sensibility, those

who watch can interpret where I am. For fashion

lovers the famed Seventh Avenue, in the heart New

York City is similar to strolling the halls of the

Lourve or the Henan museums this is ground zero

for style.I spent an afternoon with Epperson in his new the

38^th street Studio and I was once again moved

deeply by his talent. We had a lunch appointment

and I made my way bobbing and weaving the street

filled with folks in a New York rush. Everyone multi

tasking, carrying bags and talking on their

blackberries and impatiently waiting for the traffic

light to change so that they can continue their

quick step to their next stop. During to day the

streets are just mobbed with an excliche mix fixed

on rushing to and fro with blinders on. These

streets and no place for tourist mid week from

8:30 am until 7:30pm because you will get mashed

without a mission. The trucks are mixed in with

the passage buses and expensive luxury cars all

trying to get their 45minute long destination in

15minutes so you got to be quick and alert.

Construction in this city is every where and today

is a clear and warm picture prefect spring day and

the hard hats have a little fever and heckle every

female not carrying a cane just because. They do

the same thing all over the world just Big boys with

jobs. I enter this breathtaking mosaic tile lobby in

what was an old sewing factory in the 80’s. I am

greeted by a very handsome uniformed doorman /

security guard to be announced. I walk in to a huge

elevator used to hold rolling racks of clothes but

now it is filled with funky artist type from every

genre. I was going to the tenth floor and my short

ride was what I image the tower of babble to be

like. Every single one of the maybe 15 passages

was on cellular telephones discussing varied

business topics. On my far left was a hip music

executive instructing some one to press more

copies tomorrow, on my right was a fashion

designer upset that her garment were going to be

late for delivery, it was just overwhelming space of

varied degrees of “do it Now”. This is a typical ride

in the heart of every industry during work hours. I

have been riding in elevator chatty on seventh

Avenue since 1982.I have over heard conversation

from Tom Ford at his peek with Gucci, the late

great Gianni Versace order his car service and

Famed Japanese designer Yohji Yamomoto cancel

flight arrangement. Points begin in these building

up and down the New York garment district the

fashion world gathers every day. My goal is to give

you a little more than just a replay from the

runways but useable insider information and

conversation with tastemaker from around the

global. The newsstand and the Internet are filled

with hot lists that can be very confusing. Before

you even get to wear your new purchase it is most

time out of fashion. Together we will reach more

toward the makers and gatekeepers of well made

thing and long lasting Style. The women who read

these pages have lived a little and seen a few

things along their paths and flashes in the pan no

longer excite. My column will bring to you

cultivated folks from around the world who’s

passion and dedication is to how grown up women

are dressed. Floor number 10 was mine and I

bristled out and paused before knocking at his

studio door to reposition and center myself to

interview this virtuoso.

I crossed the Epperson studio doorway and

stepped into an oasis. I was embraced with a warm

hug and the wisp of scented candle burning. Huge

floor to ceiling windows framed the ciaos out

doors the sound of soft Gospels singing tickled my

ears almost like a whisper. Body forms dressed in

different stage of work edged the space. Remnants

of three seasons were sprinkled around vintage

work tables. One had the last of summer fabrics

another was spring 2008 beginnings and the

longest was fall special orders. We sat and caught

one another up on personal things like the

Epperson’s family move back to Harlem from

Brooklyn and some of the transforming techniques

he used to recreate his new studio space. I shared

with him my debut post as Style editor with Black

Intellect Cafe. We ordered “in” some Tea from a

local shop and I hit the start button on my tape

recorder.

VSG: What was your inspiration for Fall Collection?

EPS: The global women who survived the clone Era.

My ladies is powerful, vibrant and she appreciate

the complex done with simplicity. I know she is

special so I specialize in made to order, it’s a fresh

idea for this woman chooses carefully. Her closet

is lading with the like of Gucci, Helmut Lang,

Comme Des Garcons and Issey Miyake. In this

company I can never complete a season until it’s

done so that is why I am still creating for Fall. My

collection is named “Luxurious edgy survivor”; Fall

is my favorite season because I love layers, hand

tailored de-constructed jackets, skirts and

dresses. Each piece is designed and made with the

most innovative, luscious fabric’s of deep texture

and rich tactile. Visceral hues in Navy Blue, Smoke

Grey, Dark chocolate brown dominant, which calls

for long, trips away.

VSG: Where do you see fashion going in the few seasons?

EPS: I feel that everyone is ready for something

that they can claim! People are tried of begin

dictated too. As crowded as the retail stores are

there isn’t very much new and exciting. It all kind

of looks the same. Yet we all feel different about

shared experiences. On a 70-degree day some will

be warm and others cool so why should we look

the same? I see the move away from disposable

things and toward more value and knowing when

to own a special piece.

VSG: What is your favorite body part of your muse’s

EPS: Shoulders, It holds up the beautiful Face.

VSG: How do you describe the Epperson Studio

collection?

EPS: My collection is Trans cultural, it is an organic

blend of Yen and Yang with a sophisticated

sensibility for well-lived and traveled clients.

VSG: What is the one thing that would like the

reader to be left with from the interview?

EPS: I am a god-fearing family man, I have two

handsome and very grounded Sons’. My truly

beautiful wife, Lisha is my partner in life, which

includes my business. Epperson is a craftsman

who is an artist and chooses to make clothes as

my medium.

This creative business and relationship are

superficial most times. I believe that like energies

pull to one another and every time I have ever

been in Epperson Company I leave lifted. Touched,

some how changed and always bearing a gift. This

time I exited with a beautiful book on Black

fashion models ” skin Deep by Barbara Summers

that I was just admiring. After more than twenty

years in the business it’s hard not to be jaded. My

admiration for his masteries is welcomed in this

everything go’s fashion world.

For more fashion 411, real fashion stuff that

matters come and blog with me to you go to

www.vsg-verystylishgirl.com anytime Now follow

VSG on Twitter VSGVerystylishG@twitter.com

** really special Farewell To the first Black Cover Girl The New York Times reports that model Naomi

Sims died on Saturday at age 61. The cause of

death was cancer.Sims was considered the “first

black supermodel” for appearing on the cover of

Ladies Home Journal in November 1968, a time

when African-American models were few and far

between. She subsequently modeled for designers

like Halston, Fernando Sánchez, Teal Traina, and

Giorgio di Sant’Angelo. She also appeared on many

other magazine covers, and two images– a 1969

cover of LIFE and a 1967 New York Times fashion

magazine over–are on display in the Metropolitan

Museum’s “The Model As Muse” exhibit.

After five years, Sims retired from modeling and

started a multimillion-dollar wig-making business

that specialized in designs for black women. Sims

also penned at least five books on beauty and

modeling

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From where I Sit, Your VSG ……………

 This is the last page of 2008, it was very difficult

to edit with so many stories to tell and discuss. I

hope that you and many others will join me in

2009 in more dialogue and exchange the concept

of Style in this business called Fashion.The goal

of VSG is to shine enlightenment on the Art of

styling a fashionable life and challenge an

opening of a few more gates locked by Size, Age

and still Color.

Our New President Elect has moved many serious

conversations into the living room but there are

still topics to be engaged. I am first an African American

Woman in stilettos heeling the doors of Seventh Avenue for

more change and posing questions to the inclusion of more

Size, Age and Color in the industry. I will beat the pavement

until it softens for You and change like this past November 4th

is true. I will continue to  bring a truth and an insight in

between the lines of my column titled “from where I Sit”. I

wish all logged in the Healthiest and a fulfilling 2009 I could

also wish you prosperity and happiest but I will leave those Up

to You…  Seasons greeting Now for some Style and Fashion:

Fashion (N) Prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette,

socializing, ETC as stated in Websters New Universal

Unabridged Dictionary. In a tribute to a style maven and true

Oxymoron the Quiet Icon, Odetta whose passing on December

6th called many emotions and a few necessary notes to be

shared. Here is my attempt to pay proper homage to a great

prevailer of a socialized style of doing yourself, your own

way. The Art of fashion is sometimes the measure in which you

style your own life and Odetta blazed a trail forgotten and

rarely taken by African American Women in Music as a

Folk songstress. I had the awesome pleasure to meet

her many moons ago and from it I was changed. These

thoughts come to mind while reflecting on my meeting

“Success is not reached by chance-it is reached by

choice and Leadership begins with defined goal that cut

through the fog like a beacon in the night”. I borrowed

these unnamed quotes as watermarks that echo styling

your own personal paths to your own measures of

success. Falling into to singing, as a child, was her

entrance; it was the honing of that realized talent that

took her from being politicized by Paul Robeson to

being scheduled to sing at the inauguration of our new

President elected Barack Obama.An original in style,

which includes what is an Afro or natural today, used to

be called an Odetta. Breaking rules and crafting a style

with help from notables such as the Nat King Cole trio

and Ella Fitzgerald, she began to mold her own sound

by singing prison songs. Singing these types of

hardship songs helped to release her own inner

prisonership during the volatile times of the 50’s & 60’s

for Black people in the World. Odetta’s intense

emotions marked and influenced many into legendary

status such as Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan and Bruce

Springsteen. Her unique style still inspires talents to

reinvent their own modern versions of prisoner love

songs from the likes Tracy Chapman; India Arie and UK

born Corrine bailey Rae works is undeniable. Martin

Luther King Jr. requested Odetta to sing at the 1963

Civil Rights March on Washington the old slavery

anthem “O Freedom” and she became one of the voices

that is the background of the movement, she was a

lifetime fighter for the Civil Rights.

Click here: YouTube - The Midnight Special / Odetta

Her first Album “Odetta sings Ballads and Blues” (1956),in 1999

presented the National Medal of the Arts by our 42nd

President, Bill Clinton. Her life was a life that spanned so full

witnessing the death of John F.Kennedy for whom she sang

for, to proudly participating in electing the First African

American President of these United States of America, fullness

reigned. Her voice Big, Bold belting out calls for pause and

action, like many of our lost jewels Mahalia Jackson and Marian

Anderson whose journeys provide wide shoulders we stand

upon, were also full in stature, girth and life lessons to be

learned. A Glamorous and flamboyant stylish group of

powerful Women with huge stories are now shiny and

sometimes sad examples of maybe what not to do as well as

why not just do it?

At 77 years young, a life span shortened in today’s

standard but sadly for black folks is still well lived

years. Odetta lived with and now died from Heart

Disease, stealing from her grasp one more great

moment is also sadly an issue for both Blacks and too

many Women, Still. Health and Size are not synonymous

as is not Fashion and Style so be more proactive and

take a loved one, maybe even your Grandmother, Mom

and or a Auntie and get them checked out, small

changes could make big impacts. I am not trying to

preach but do a little more teaching and learn from the

life lived and loved by others. Yes, this still is a fashion

blog page. In Memoriam of Odetta’s sense of style I

would like to kick it off with my Spring 2009 Picks from New

York’s fashion week and give you a peek into the future

promised up close and in-depth interviews and some juicy

insider information.Here are my Top Five picks and my must

have spotting & shopping list.    

Ports 1961  By Creative Director Tia Cibani *

launched In 2004 this Canadian inspired collection is

fresh with it’s signature prints and Boho / global

aesthetic is why I am looking forward to a conversation

soon.Click here: http://www.ports1961.com

Tracy Reese  Tracy Reese is another one with

her ladylike and girlie essence for Spring no one comes

close. Every season she just out does herself and 2009

is a solid well crafted modern luxury with no hard

edges. Keep a look out for a little Sister to Sister

connection Click here:www.TracyReese.com

Baby Phat  By Kimora lee Simmons, her maturity

has evolved from the street wear genre to real world

Gottexx by Gideon Oberson, every Spring his swimwear

pushes my tail into the Gym in hopes to claim his Art on this

body. What is so beautiful about his collection is that whether

I’m diligent about my training or not I still get to wear a well

made and stylish suit at any size and for this I give big props.

As the weathers starts to get hotter, don’t spend a dime on a

suit before reading the blog. Click here: Gottex-2008

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              One of the thrills of gambling is that you just never know who will be the Winner, its chance. Well one of my picks of season five of Project Runway Korto took it to the tent and perhaps missed the coveted title of “Winner” by a mere big dress and or being too safe. Like most gamblers you must stack the preverbal deck and never ride the safe edge. With only 2 days before the entire Free world gets turned on its axis and I go in the back of the closet and dust off one of my big dresses for the possible Party! Folks do not stand by on the sideline, get in there and mix it up in the booth and make yourself accountable on November 4^th. This will be one of your most

affective

actions of the next four years you are living history, Rock you RIGHT to Vote.Oh, Yes, right this is a fashion blog so let’s get back to that dress stuff because I do have something very special for you on this page. Sometimes size as an idea is a relative perceptive however huge talent is unmistakable from any angle. In my opinion gambling is chance mixed with speculation and a little research. This month we’ll highlights a true talent, which is GOD given. I hope that I am successful in conveying one small lesson, which is that everyone should recognize his or her own specific talents. My quest is to inspire all my readers to hone your own talents into the sweetest ark of success, as did this spectacular International savant, Tadashi Shoji has. I have had the pleasure a few times of being in the front row, witnessing his unveiled collections in the tent on Seventh Avenue. I have even whispered a few requests in his ear both behind the scenes as well as on the phone. He is a soft-spoken gentleman originally from the picturesque humble industrial town of Sendai, Japan.

Tadashi’s journey has taken him more than 5471 miles from him studying Fine Arts and later training with Legendary Japanese artist Jiro Takamatsu to his not so humble 14-room 5021sq ft 1950’s home in Pasadena, CA today. In 1982, Tadashi established his company and set out to join the racks of the American designer elite and has outdone even his own big dreams. He entered the gateway under the tutelage of costume designer Bill Whitten, creating some of the most over top and flamboyant 70’s icons looks for names likes Sir. Elton John, super band Earth, Wind and Fire and the unforgettable “Jackson’s”. Staying the course that included being selected three times as the Official designer of the Miss Universe Pageant, which was seen live in 170 countries around the world. An event that had been known for Big dresses, his sensibility bought chic and cutting edge style that reshuffled how we view global style on one of the biggest stages. Tadashi has engaged in intimate project like revamping the uniforms of more than 400 employees with creating 30 looks for the staff of the Ivy Hotel. Now with over the past 26 years, Tadashi has quietly become one of the leading Los Angeles based eveningwear designers. His brand of balance between Art and making form-flattering clothing pulls a celebrity clientele including Shakira, Vanessa Williams and Jennifer Hudson. Luminaries such as The Queen ( Latifah), Condolezza Rice, Claudia Schiffer, Trya Banks, Halle Berry and Countless other millions of beautiful woman around this World; Including a few of VSG’s “stylizing”.

With the launch of Tadashi Shoji, the brand’s new luxury eveningwear collection, the company began its move into new categories, which include ready-to-wear and home. Tadashi is currently available at the company’s retail boutiques in South Coast Plaza and the Forum Shops at Caesuras, as well as better specialty boutiques and department stores posting earning upwards of more than $25 million-a-year selling gowns to such names as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.

 

                                                               

  

  

                           

     

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K SUGGS. Yes it is named after yours truly admit it; you got to love it … Get your own!

K Suggs Style #1114 Finally, hippie chic that actually works! Leather & crochet make fabulous bedfellows in this Samanta K Suggs barely there tan leather t-strap on top of a 3″ wooden heel. A great way to work it out while keeping it real. Price:$165.00

  Pull in just a bit closer here’s one last tip “Keep in mind when possible even in the bedroom never let your shoes Fall but slip them off and wrap tight for better keep and wear”. This seasons hot fashion pick is the Scarf get a few the Bolder the better. See you next page and walk in Style on November 4 into the Booth for the Next Big Seater; Rock your VOTE…

Click here: Congress.org - Voter Registration

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Note: I wrote this article about  Dana Owens, A.K.A. Queen Latifah in 2006 right after the launching of her collection. 
 

Potential:1po·ten·tial Pronunciation:\pə-ˈten(t)-shəl\ Function:adjective Etymology:  from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens  Date:14th century  1: existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality. Capable of being or becoming.

         

 * Toccarra Jones                                       *Naomi Campbell     

* Pat Cleveland                                           * The Queen Of Soul Artetha Franklin

  * Gail O’Neill                                  *Liya Kebede

* Karen Alexander                         ( photo’s courtesy of July Italia VOGUE)Potential Unlimited : (Queen’s Bio: American rapper, singer and actress. Latifah’s work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.)    Until Next Time… Thrive, VSG

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Will the Fifth season be a charm or the end of the shows Road? 

  

Bravo !11 Emmy nominations, It is hard to believe that this is the fifth season of the Must see TV   Project Runway , much like the HBO hit show “Sex in the City’s” impact on my life I now have to rework my schedule. With lots of anticipation, mixed with serious scrutiny for me lately, the show did open with a bang, Whew! Change, oddly in the fashion world, is not easy to make seamless. Fashiontista have been wondering what will happen when the show moves to the not-so-fashionish Lifetime network for the next season.

Thankfully they brought in a new dimension by adding a guest judge, season one’s Austin Scarlett. I do applaud bringing realness to the judge’s table with someone who has walked the talk. I hope they continue to seat many of the talents we learned to like and those who have the experience. Speaking of change, this season would premier now that I got a good groove on my Wednesday evening, heavy work out night at the gym. Now it is the mad dash night but one just has to make it work and carry On!

This season’s collection of 16 skilled creative hopefuls in the heart of Gotham City feels a lot different and I smell some serious issues brewing in the background. I also see a little ” carrying on” plot begging to be sketched out behind the scenes. The show has been under a good deal of mixed reviews and I think they will put a shocker in the clan. All these passionate folks sleeping so closely together something’s got to happen. I will be tuned in and watching for those nuances.

 

I do want to gamble a bit and call my picks early. I have eyed my top three Terri, Daniel and Korto to the last ones standing by season’s end. Who do you forecast will ultimately make it work ???????

 

Season One Winner Mr. Jay McMarroll & VSG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Season 3 runner Up Daniel V & VSG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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