Royalty with Different "Accents"

Deidre "Dee Dee" Showell was known to many locally and abroad as not just one who produced perfection within Interior Decorating but one who was a walking mogul in fashion. A trendsetter, risk taker and inspiration to many, lived as an example of elegance and her amusing beauty commanded the attention when entering any venue. I've had the opportunity to learn from her how to change an outfit just by changing the accents. Did you ever think you could take the same outfit, wear it three times, but have it look different each time all due to a necklace or maybe a broch? Numerous lesssons accompanied and followed this one important deposit. Her confidence could not be found on any scale as she reigned in a category where only few fit! Often displayed was the importance of a combination that could take you further than the world would allow; that combination being confidence and multi lingual. Your accent is more important than you can ever imagine. Accent brings character and life to both wardrobe and furniture. One year ago, the world lost another legend who has left an imprint on so many. All who have tons of valuable lessons and experiences to apply as a guide through out life.

Family, friends and associates from near and far gathered to support the Black & White Ball and Award Ceremony held in "Dee Dee's" honor. These events were just a start of many events to come to assist current and future students of Interior Design & Mortuary Science. These are two of many areas inwhich Dee Dee's hand of creativity & perfection were found to satisfy and comfort many.

During these events the common denominator was fashion! Captured above are two elegantly dressed women (Levolia Johnson & Pamela Reeves) of power who continue to impact many just as Dee Dee. These two women have been noted to posses not just beauty, but "Beauty with Brains!" Giving back to their communities thru their local churches, society groups & mentoring, are just few of many ways these fashion queens are found depositing positivity and life into the lives of men and women both young and old. These women exude royality and priceless smiles that display achievement, one of many characteristics of their beloved friend Deidre. Here's your peek at what I call "Royalty with Different Accents".

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show Experience

When hearing of the show, I was instantly excited about all the possible models, celebrities and designers pieces that could be found under the roof of the Manhattan Pavilion on February 3rd & 4th. Just as suspected, the house was packed with models floating and tons of designer labels old and new. Over 90 vintage dealers from as far as Florida and abroad brought designer pieces by Christian Lacroix, Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Balenciaga. It was one experience that could not be passed up.



Another highlight of my day spent with friends, was coming across two of fashion's edgy styled bloggers Jean and Valerie (http://www.idiosyncraticfashionistas.blogspot.com/). I enjoy viewing their blog as well as having caught them on a stint on Fashion Hunters. There were really nice people to come across. They made my visit worth it as I was making an exit from the venue. Thanks guys for the picture!

Photographed with two friends who are dear to my heart (http://www.dcamilleon.com/ and D. Evans). The day was most memorable! We all arrived the Manhattan Pavilion unexpectedly color coordinated in wardrobe as well as on one accord mentally. We came to enjoy the vendors and to have a day dedicated to fun and fashion; that we did! Fashion has no limits and with these two there were no limits with the purchases that kenj is awaiting to capture and upload for you guys to view. There's more to come very soon in fashion from these two. We welcome them into the Galaxy of Fashion!!

Great minds think alike! The color scheme was amazing and the energy from our vibe was even more fashiontastic. Sarah, is a tailer from Florida who has the heart and spirit of a saint and the fashion sense of a Fashion Goddess. A pleasure to have met and will look forward to our future in fashion.

The Luxury of Variety

You can never have too many articles of clothing!

When the doors of a closet are pulled open, inside shinning out should be a wardrobe with a wide variety. A variety inclusive of formal, semi formal and or casual. The combination of formal, semi-formal and casual provides an individual the ability to show diversity within everyday living. For example : attending a Black Tie event, a casual outfit would not be viewed as too appropriate. However now days you are afforded the apportunity to mix and mingle wardrobe as displayed on the red carpet of numerous award shows. Entertainment icons such as Kanye West, Lauryn Hill and Ashton Kutcher are a few who inspire all viewers how to incorporate formal with a twist of casual; a fashion combustion. Creating a combustion is a luxury. Why a luxury you would ask. This combustion can be looked upon as a luxury as it is a rarity that adds pleasure and comfort.

KenJ goes into the home of a "fashion edge walker" (one who displays individuality through fashion) Dustin E, and discussed just how fun it is to mix and match wardrobe to produce a combustion. During this visit great minds began to work together soaring into a galaxy consisting of creativity producing some of what is displayed in the following images.

from left to right: (blk leather sweat shirt, blk dress sweat pant slacks & blk vintage combat boots), (blue & white crochet tam, vintage blue velvet blazer, red turtle neck & blue tie dye jeans), (red lumber jack tuxedo jacket, white Cult tank, gray skinny jeans and blk patent leather opera pump)

Until we meet again, take a trip into your wardrobe, take inventory, add the luxuy of variety and I'll see you in the next KenJGalaxy!!!

Street Sweep

Fashion is artful, fun, relaxing and sometimes viewed as therapuetic to many. To start your day off, you sometimes need that one cup of coffee to give you that kick to get your engine moving. That coffee to me is fashion. In the streets, the fashion of those you past can be an inspiration and a breath of fresh air. It also can inspire you to grab a concept that will bloom into a wonderful canvas (your outfit).

While roaming the streets of Baltimore, I came across a few that offered me a therapy session that came with no cost. Below you can view the relaxed look of Ashanti Williams, Kenyatta Williams, Chimere and LaShay.

(tan newsboy, red hoodie, relaxed jeans, red/white/silver ree-bok pumps & blk leather motor cycle jacket, burgundy/blue sweater, blk leggins, brown vintage boots and vintage clutch)


(navy peacoat, blue oxford, navy sweater, pasley bowtie, indigo straight jeans & blue jack purcells and Fresh Fro, vintage black/white tweed coat, vintage royal blue sweater dress, blk fish nets, gray knee boots & funky gray purse)

(Rock'n her fro, plaid shirt, brown vest, blue skinny jeans, blue & gold high top Adidas, gold necklace and gold bangles)

The fun of fashion makes viewers feel inspired and give them direction on where to go with their relaxed look.

Check out future Street Sweeps

To Be Continued.......................

Always Picture Ready

To some there are days when you feel like looking your best. Then there are those days when you feel like being relaxed. Never should your relax days interfer with how the world views your fashion sense. We never know who's watching us, so we must always be ready for the shots being taken from digital cameras, polaroids or camera phones. Seize the moment and always be caught on your "P's" and "Q's"! It's very important to keep a few things inline at all times. The following suggestions are not gender driven.

Suggested ways to stay on your "P's" and "Q's":

1. Keep your hands manicured

2. Cleanse and moisturize your face and skin daily

3. Keep your hair in place

4. Always dress your best, not just on occassions (keep clothes fresh & crisp)

5. Keep your shoes the same attention as your skin (polish and heels in tack)

Now when leaving out for work, school, church, game night, happy hour or just a visit to the grocery store; seize the moment and always be caught on your "P's" and "Q's"!!!

Out in the "Trenches"

The trench coat is no amatuer in the world of fashion. This article of clothing has been around for approximately 200 years thanks to James Syne and Charles Macintosh. Both Syne and Macintosh were using a smelly non porus material known as Indian rubber to create an over coat that was then to be worn in stormy weather. This item served its purpose as a garment protector. This protector was to keep garmets from getting wet during inclement weather while constructed to keep you from wetting your garments from persperation. Many tailors/designers through time have created some wonderful trenches that are now not just stormy weather coats that range from traditionally long to short and hipsters. Each designer through time used different fabrics to accomplish not just the same look but the same purpose of the trench. Its now a coat that comes with it's own character from different colors, prints, textures and accessorized details. Trenches can be found adorned with studs, patches, fur, leather and skins. No wardrobe is complete without a trench. If you don't have one, get one and be found in the trenches!

If you are going for food, fun and great convo;GO RELAXED!!!