Where The Ladies At?!
Ladies, if you’re sick and tired of all the hot shirts only being available in a men’s XXXL, here’s something for you to sink your teeth into. New York based brand, Hiqee, promises to come correct with designs that keep you feeling sexy and sporty. Bouncing off of their brother brand, Lemar and Dauley, you can expect designs to be bold and fresh but approached with a feminine mind. Though Hiqee is somewhat new and small compared to other brands, they’re expanding rapidly and are working hard to stay one step ahead of what’s next on the streets. A trained artist and designer first and foremost, lead designer and voice of Hiqee, Simonette Quamina, teamed up with one of the designers from Lemar and Dauley, Daniel “Manhattan” Pierre, to fulfill her need for an exciting closet with less hassle. Well, more hassle for her, but less for you..
Starting out by taking men’s shirts and doing the “cut and sew”, she quickly added embroidering, dying, screen printing and soon began creating her own designs. Expanding the brand with more graphic tees and adding accessories, Hiqee wants to focus on becoming a well branded and recognized street wear name and continue in creating a worldwide buzz. Already available at Caliroots, Goliath, Kickballers, One Anthem and other boutiques both online and in the streets, you can get your Hiqee fix in oh-so-many spots. Spread the word ladies: in the name of comfort, style, and finally getting your man to be jealous of what YOU’RE rockin’!
Fella’s, don’t hate! Be on the look out for my post tomorrow on Lemar and Dauley…
SexyBlackElectroDisco
That’s how Chicago born house erudite, Felix Stallings aka Felix Da Housecat describes his new album Virgo Blaktro & The Movie Disco.Considered a prolific member of the second wave of Chicago house, Stalling has been releasing music since the early 90’s when he first dropped his full-length Alone in the Dark. This DJ whose productions have included remixes for Madonna’s American Life and Gwen Stefani’s What You Waiting For, will stop in Montreal, the day after Halloween, as part of his promotional tour. The Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), one of Montreal’s most modern multidisciplinary art spaces will be grooving to Stalling’s newest production, an extravagant mix of electro and funk. On this album Stallings boasts a wide range of influences, from Sly and The Family Stone to George Michael and Prince. As the hit single Something For Porno proved, Virgo Blaktro, is definitely Da Housecat’s most eclectic and distinct work to date as he mixes it up with elements of modern electro, pop and 70’s disco. Well Montreal, what more can I say ?! Get ready ! There’s gonna be murder on the dance-floor! Where ? SAT in Montreal. When? November 1 @ 10pm.
Take Me Home
Brother Ali knows the struggle and continues to rise above. Representing Minneapolis and independent record label, Rhymesayers Entertainment, this Albino lyrical genius can run circles round your mind with the knowledge he spits! Following in the path of conscious hip hop ground breakers like KRS-One and Rakim, Ali started spittin’ rhymes before many of us caught on to long division. Sharing the stage with Rakim, Atmosphere, Brand Nubian and MF Doom, (just to name a few), and playing 500 plus shows has taken Ali worldwide, from coast to coast in the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Collaborating with producer ANT of Atmosphere, on the release of his most recent album The Undisputed Truth, Ali puts his heart on his sleeve with “Truth Is” while rocking the boat and opening some eyes on “ Uncle Sam Goddamn”. Along with Rakim and Ghostface Killah , Brother Ali will headline the first annual, 19 city, Hip Hop Live Tour backed by the 10-piece live band “The Rhythm Roots Allstars”. The tour gets sparked October 29th and will stop in New York on November 16th @ the Nokia Theater.
Ghana, Revisited
In the midst of a rebirth of this nation’s love affair with the noose, this is perhaps no better a time to be reeducated and reacquainted with the beauty of Africans and their descendants. In 1963, photographer Paul Strand traveled to the West African country of Ghana during the height of racial and civil turmoil to document an original people and culture on film. More than 40 years later, six photographers traveled back to get a revitalized look at the first sub-Saharan colony to gain independence. Ghana: An African Portrait Revisited, sustains Strand’s initial visionary concept through an updated variety of styles and viewpoints of Ghana at the brink of the country’s 50th anniversary. Printed completely in vibrant full color, the collection was edited and shot in 2006 by Peter E. Randall and five photojournalist: Barbara Bickford, Tim Gaudreau, Nancy Grace Horton, Gary Samson, and Charter Weeks. The 168 page photo essay was recently presented during New York City’s inaugural celebration of “Africa Week” (October 14 – October 21), co-sponsored by the African Studies Association, also celebrating its 50th anniversary. Represent!
The Great Heist
The first time I saw Isis from Thunderheist on stage I just about fell over. She had the stage presence every woman wishes she had, and more energy than a pit bull in rage. Dreads flying, pelvis thrusting, body rockin’ music that gives you no choice but to get down and grind. The floors are wet with sweat (and who knows what else) when you leave a dance party led by the mighty Thunderheist. Representing Canada, I was stunned when it was brought to my attention that the success of their band was the Net. Getting tons of play from DJ’s around the world, songs like “Bubblegum” and “Suenos Dulces” embraced what they call “Ribcage rattling breaks laced with clever rhyming flip…80’s classics to digital booty bass and slowed down Southern bounce”. With Grahmzilla lacing the tracks and Isis’ tight rhythmic flo’s, excitement comes to a head with the announcement of the 12” Bubblegum EP. Featuring remixes by Ghislain Poirier, Wax Romeo and Wicked Lester, get ready to bounce-bounce-bounce.
Design Without Borders
For the first time, la creme de la creme of the graphic design and visual art world, as well as members of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations, students and professors will meet to exchange, discuss and share their creativity. Over the last 44 years, Icograda has been one of the leading forces in the ever so innovative world of graphic design; this year the Icograda World Design Congress takes us to La Habana for its 2007 event. Until October 26th Cuba’s cultural center will be the capital for international communication and graphic design. The themes of this year’s event are Design and Culture. Speakers from Brazil, Korea, Canada, the UK , Cuba and the US will cover topics like the influence of urban and traditional cultures on communication, the impact of new technologies on graphic design, and the role graphic design can play in economic development. The highlight’s of the 2007 edition is the Eduardo Munoz Bachs retropsective. This exciting exhibition features the finest collection of work by the Cuban visual artist, whose posters have illustrated some of Cuba’s most celebrated movies. The retrospective is presented in association with the prestigious Cuban Cinema Institute (ICAIC). Who would have thought Cuba and the US could work together for the sake of art and culture.
The Coke’s On You
This is not a joke: 29-year-old Japanese experimental fashion designer, Aya Tsukioka is taking a lunch break bite out of crime. Her latest artistic expression to match a rapist’s wit is a skirt that transforms into a vending machine in a few simple folds and snaps. The purpose of the camouflaging clothes are to turn possible victims of street crimes, rape, and theft into commonplace public scenery— that is if you don’t notice their legs and shoes peaking out from the bottom on the coin return. Not only has Tsukioka created the go-go-gadget vending machine, she has also designed child size anti-kidnapping fire extinguisher backpacks, and a line of purses called the “Manhole Bag,” which aptly titled look exactly like a sewer manhole cover to the non-discriminating eye. Couture du jour? Not so much. 1st place winner at the dopest Halloween costume party. All night baby!
Street To Night
Until November 3rd, Paris’s mecca of style boutique Colette is hosting the “From the Street to the Night” photo exhibit. This series of candid snapshots from bloggers and photographers, document the always changing nightlife of Paris, New York, Tokyo, L.A. (and many more). Street portraits of famous faces and average joes are juxtaposed against a background of the grit and grime of city life. Some of the artists featured are the infamous L.A. kid Cobrasnake, Linlee Allen, Jeremy Kost and Marco Dos Santos. A must see exhibit if you’re in the City of lights.
Sun Moon Child
If you dont know about Imani Uzuri it’s about time you were introduced to “Her Holy Water”. New York City, don’t sleep on this powerhouse in our midst. Performing from Japan to Senagal, Imani fever is spreading like a flame that cannot be suppressed. Her refreshing approach and satin voice could silence a room in seconds, while the soulful sounds intertwined with electronica, rock and opera, tempt you to open your mind and travel through her galaxies. Working with the likes of Herbie Hancock, 4Hero and Talib Kweli, Imani is now claiming her own. Check out her new video, Sun Moon Child, brought to us by Pierre Bennu @ Exittheapple.com. You can listen and purchase her album, Her Holy Water: A Black Girl’s Rock Opera, here.
MixTape
Wanna be fashionable and “go green” at the same time? If so, this is your ultimate retro accessory. These cassette wallets were first introduced in Tokyo a few months ago, and were created by Italian designer Marcella Foschi. To all the die hards out there, note that each piece is unique and is handmade with real cassettes from the 80’s and 90’s! The wallets are available at designboom.com and price varies between $ 39.00 and $43.00. Be kind, rewind.