Toni Payne Opens Retail Store in Hollywood +Fashion Jobs and More Events!

Toni Payne Cosmetics owned and operated by the very driven young Nigerian entrepreneur Toni Payne, opens a retail store in Hollywood on October 3rd, 2007 so mark your calendars! Ladybrille is one of the media sponsors for the event and we will be there to support as well as give you all the scoop on the fun times at the opening!! For more details, click on the event flyer below.

Other Upcoming Events

• African Fashion on Stage in Germany: "The work of Senegalese artist and fashion designer Oumou Sy will be featured September 22, 2007 at the Kulturbahnhof in the central German city of Kassel. Sy’s latest collections under the “Made in Africa” label will be on stage as well as a retrospective of her work including her royalty-inspired golden-laced robes. 150 people will take part in the show from Kassel."
• Cari Borja Opens Retail Store in Berkeley: Cari Borja is a couture designer we love here at Ladybrille! She is having a grand opening for her store/studio in Berkeley. If you will be in the Bay Area you should check it out! "Cari Borja / clothesmaker retail store and studio now open thursdays and fridays 11am to 5pm and by appointment address: 2117 4th street, studio B between addison and allston way berkeley, ca 94710 510.981.0067. Grand Opening Party Saturday 29 September 2007 7-10pm. The retail front will include the following for sale at all times: women's new ready-to-wear and one of a kind pieces that will be ongoing depending what is made each week, classic ready to wear tops, bottoms, dresses and jackets, baby and toddler clothes, hats, cloth handbags, scarves. [S]he will also always have a sample box of clothing that will be discounted up to 70%.
• Colleen Quen: A designer I have modeled for and who I cite as one of my favorite designers has her work featured on Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model Episode 3. The show airs on October 3, 2007, Wednesday at 8:00p.m, PST. Be sure to check on it and meet Colleen

JOBS

1. Lucire on the hunt for the Face of Air New Zealand Fashion Week: Sept. 21-22nd, 2007, That could be YOU! Everyone knows African women are HOT! So, click the link and get to gettin'!
2. Ladybook: "Vatti, by Xavier Paris Studios is a new line of young women's fashion that fuses French and Asian tastes. We are beginning to expand in Africa, North America and the rest of the world are looking to become a popular vendor for stores that sell juniors and misses clothing. We are now hiring motivated individuals with the drive, communication skills, and sales personality who would be willing to go into shops and boutiques to introduce our line. Commission is 5% for every sale made.If you are interested and would like more information, please email Kkenyetta05@gmail.com. It's a great opportunity to gain supplementary income and learn about fashion, business, and trade. [P]lease vist our website www.ladybook.net to browse the latest designs. The site will soon be translated into English."
3. WWD: Hard Goods Designer: Boston, MA area company seeks freelance hard goods designer/industrial designer. Will be responsible for design and development of hard goods for sporting industry, including shoulder pads, knee pads, elbow pads, etc. Successful candidate will have 5+ years relevant work experience. Off-site work is possible, but some on-site required. Send an email to wwd@24seveninc.com.
4. WWD: Senior Planner: Vancouver, British Columbia based retailer seeks Senior Planner. Responsible for retail planning functions for assigned category. Successful candidate will have 5+ years relevant work experience. Send an email to wwd@24seveninc.com.
5. WWD: Buyer - Footwear: San Francisco Bay Area based footwear company seeks Buyer. Buyer is responsible for general merchandise selection, assortment planning, gross margin, sell thrus, and inventory management. Must have keen eye for trend and style, including knowledge of customer. Successful candidate will have 4+ years relevant work experience. Must have footwear experience. Send an email to wwd@24seveninc.com.
6. WWD: Senior Technical Designer: San Francisco Bay Area based apparel company seeks Senior Technical Designer. This position is a freelance to full-time opportunity for the right candidate. Must have expert knowledge of garment construction and fit, creation of tech packs, conducting fit sessions, overseas factory communications, minimum of 5 years relevant technical design experience. Send an email to wwd@24seveninc.com.
   
   Check out the events, the jobs and see you at the top of the fashion ladder!!! Ciao and have a brilliant day!

********* Updated 9/21/07--more fashion events:

• Sept. 26th: "Financing Options for Apparel Manufacturers,” presented by Dana Fried and the Renaissance Design Incubator455 Market St., sixth floor San Francisco6–8:30 p.m.Cost: See Web siteFor information: www.rencenter.org.

• Sept. 27: Macy’s 25th annual “Passport” gala and HIV/AIDS fund-raiser, with Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone and Dita Von Teese Barker Hangar Santa Monica, Calif.5:30 p.m. (cocktails); 7:30 (show seating); 8 p.m. (fashion show) Cost: $500 For information: www.macys.com/passport

• Sept. 27th: Sustainable Business Council panel discussion and fashion show Livingreen 10000 Culver Blvd.Culver City, Calif.7–10 p.m.Cost: $20 For information: http://www.sustainablebc.org/

• Sept. 27th: P.G.D. Style Luxury Clothing Collection launch party and fashion show, benefiting the Caring Voice Coalition charity and presented by Melissa Biggs Smashbox StudiosCulver City, Calif.7:30 p.m.Cost: $200 (all proceeds benefit the Caring Voice Coalition)For information: (818) 762-3911,Ext. 210, http://www.pgdstyle.com/ or http://www.caringvoice.com/.

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Lucire Magazine's Jack Yan Offers Tips on How to Get the Media to Notice You!

A big believer in Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] and a very savvy media expert, Jack Yan is the publisher of the global fashion magazine Lucire. He is also an identity and global branding consultant, management consultant, a cross-media specialist, an international columnist, author and speaker. He holds a law degree from Victoria University of Wellington Law School in [New Zealand], has been profiled and interviewed in too numerous a publication and TV shows to name. His book "Beyond Branding" which he co-wrote remains a very important reference for effective business branding in both the fashion and business worlds. Jack Yan started Lucire Magazine as an online global fashion magazine. The success of Lucire online created a demand from consumers for a print version. Jack Yan responded to the demand by going into print making Lucire the first global fashion magazine to start online and then go print. Jack Yan shares with LADYBRILLE.com the importance of media, branding, and how African fashion professionals such as models and designers can feature on the glossy fashion pages of a magazine like Lucire.

LADYBRILLE.com: Jack, I know you are a very busy man. So, I am truly grateful you could do this interview for Ladybrille readers. How have you been?
Jack Yan: Very busy, but we are growing Lucire, and we've at least another two titles that we want to begin. I find myself joining that bunch of people booked out months and sometimes years in advance.

LADYBRILLE.com: Jack, before we get into it, let us discuss what most in the industry are saying is the "death of print magazines," because of the online fashion media revolution, including blogs. What's your take on it and how is Lucire able to keep its head above water?
Jack Yan:If you can't beat them, join them. I have always been a supporter of interacting with readers, which was why we started a forum on the Lucire website in the early 2000s. That forum's heyday has long gone, but it positioned us as a magazine prepared to listen. Any strategy today has to encompass all media. Print magazines will not die because people want a tangible product. But a print magazine that operates independently of the web, for example, may die because it is ignoring supporters and potential readers. So we now have a blog. We encourage people to suggest stories to us. The future of magazine publishing is to be as humanistic as possible.

LADYBRILLE.com:From a media publisher and branding expert perspective, summarize for Ladybrille readers the importance and benefits of using offline and particularly online media to grow their African fashion brands.
Jack Yan: Success for Africa does not come from [International Monetary Funds] IMF loans or other institutions. Success for Africa comes from creating world-class brands that engage the first world, which will raise the standard of living of African people and awareness of African culture globally.

This has been done in other fields from countries that one would not regard as first-world: Dilmah Teas is a global tea brand from Sri Lanka, for instance. And one should remember that Country Road, connected to Australia, has South African ownership. Firms in Africa have an ideal opportunity to promote themselves because they can cut through the clutter. We are used to seeing the same-old press releases from the west. Both offline and online media would embrace them, because they are potentially newsworthy. I suggest events, targeting all media, and engaging with even bloggers interested in fashion. It's going to be ever-important to differentiate. As a publisher, I welcome seeing greater African inspiration, whether it's the heritage of Ethiopia or the colour of Kenya. I look forward to the day when it is not considered a single continent, but that each one of its cultures is celebrated by non-Africans.

LADYBRILLE.com: That is wonderful your outlook towards celebrating each country within Africa! Let me direct your attention to a different question. Jack, most African fashion professionals and the few African brands out there are clueless when it comes to interacting with media-- especially USA and European media. For those trying to export their fashion goods into the USA, for example, can you shed light/give some tips on how they can and should interact with the media?
Jack Yan: First, there's a lot to learn from copying. Read others' press releases and learn the structure. Have great photography—I mean world-class—to accompany anything you send out. Anything to get into the comfort zones of the media is useful, because then your message will be noticed. Be available to media and, initially, personalize the releases as best you can.

Secondly, I really would examine starting social networks and linking through them. These are becoming popular and it should not be hard finding journalists on MySpace, Bebo or Facebook. Don't commercialize your approach heavily, but get to know the people who can influence and help you, and see if you genuinely have an affinity with them. If you do, chances are they can become your allies.

LADYBRILLE.com: Speaking of social networks, a big part of what you do is stressing the importance of online branding. I truly believe that the internet evens the playing field especially for Africa's fashion industry if they utilize it well. MySpace, for example, recently launched a MySpace fashion site. Retail buyers can see videos of emerging/obscure designers globally as well as place orders for their merchandizes. How do African fashion companies position themselves so they can grow their businesses online?
Jack Yan: You have hit upon this perfectly. Ten years ago, to get noticed online, we would have had to get a lot of links from different sites manually. Now, people can go on to the social networks. The trouble with this strategy if you adopt it solely is that the brand becomes subservient to MySpace's. The MySpace site is not tidy or glamorous, no matter how you doctor the layout.

Social networks should be a complement, but only to build a community and to make some connections: the general public will still want to see a site uniquely for the designer, and that such a site must have a great and proud brand. It needs to start off with a unique vision for that designer. It needs to look pleasant by first-world standards. The navigation needs to be clear. But overall, the web can be an amazing equalizer and African fashion companies should not be afraid to think big or, as brand consultant Stefan Engeseth puts it, 'fake it till you make it.'

LADYBRILLE.com: Alright expand on the same question but this time, offline?
Jack Yan: Remember that branding is about communicating, symbolizing and differentiating. Focus on the things that make you unique and ensure that you are consistent with them in every contact you have with customers, buyers and media. You might not need to do flashy brochures, but follow the brand attitude you built online and take it into offline.

What differs for Africa is this: if there is a geographic or budgetary gap, then I would focus on building the online brand--the outward manifestation of the company's vision first, the offline brand second.


LADYBRILLE.com:Let's talk about what it takes for Africa's fashion models and designers, for example, to feature on the glossy pages of fashion magazines like Lucire.
Jack Yan:Introduce yourselves to me. Get a portfolio together of really beautifully shot work. Tell me a story about your brand that is unique and compelling, and differentiated from all the others in the West. Make your clothing accessible to our stylists and be prepared to ship them out for loan. I don't need a printed press release: if you can make your email and site look good, you can hook me in. Finally, I should note that we are a little different. The first two Lucires that went on commercial sale in New Zealand had a black model. We do not see race. However, I am afraid some other titles do.

LADYBRILLE.com:What happens after, for instance, an African fashion designer receives media coverage? How does that designer turn media coverage into sales and ultimately loyal customers?
Jack Yan:Media coverage is not the one thing that will become sales, but it becomes one of the many parts that show that a designer has credibility. That shows a buyer that the designer is newsworthy and can drive people to stores, lowering the risk. With customers, media coverage gives a brand an element of coolness, which they may wish to associate with. Media coverage is something a designer should compile and use it in any approaches to buyers, getting them over any doubts.

LADYBRILLE.com: Do you foresee an expansion into Africa for Lucire?
Jack Yan: Yes, but because our brand is tied to the web strongly and our African readership is low, this is something we are looking at for a longer term. But if something just came up, we would seriously examine it.

LADYBRILLE.com: Share three important advices for Ladybrille readers to always remember when it comes to media.
Jack Yan: First, be truthful. Secondly, state your case simply. Verbosity is tantamount to covering up inadequacy. Thirdly, geography is irrelevant today: you will make it because of your excellence.

LADYBRILLE.com:Thank you very much Jack. I so appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule for our readers.
Jack Yan: Thank you for having me. Good luck with everything.

Ladybrille readers, to introduce yourselves to Jack, contact him via the following channels:
LinkedIn: <http://www.linkedin.com/in/jackyan>
Facebook: <http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=751270354>
Murdoch Press: <http://myspace.com/jackyan>

~by Uduak Oduok

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Girly Men Need Not Apply

I watched Dr. Phil’s show about 2weeks ago. It had been a while since I caught a Dr. Phil show but the topic piqued my curiosity. It was called “Girly Men.” See for a while I thought I was the only one that thought men these days seemed to be quite girly. I mean this was a bit too much. The roles were completely reversed. In one case, the guy called A.J. said, "I am a prima donna. I’m selfish. I’m vain. I tend to put myself in a woman’s shoes." He and his wife often argued for time in front of the mirror to put on makeup and do hair! Say what? I thought it was bad until the second couple came on. This time the woman, Joleen, did all things considered manly. She came back from work, got a beer from the fridge and straight chilled in front of the television--I hate that!

During the week and weekends, she hauled stones, did yard work, mowed the lawn, cut trees and more. She was responsible for taking the trash out and definitely putting Christmas tree lights up during the holidays. Her husband cooked and cleaned. Now let me make this clear. I honestly don’t see an issue with a man cooking and cleaning. Cooking and cleaning does not make a man girly. It is a GREAT thing. The issue was that no matter how much she tried to get him to do the chores she did while she shared in some of the cooking and cleaning, he refused!

He was so against it and frankly I wondered if he had the physical strength to do it. He watched his weight, shopped so much and took up all the space in the wardrobe for his clothes and shoes, got facials, manicures, pedicures and seemed like he would have a fit if he broke a nail--total high maintenance! Dr. Phil made it clear that these men insist they are as straight as they come and I honestly believed them. But, I could not help but feel like I was watching neutered men. Both wives of these men said they liked their ‘feminine husbands’ but wanted to still claim some traditional roles as women in the house. A wishful thinking given the set of facts.

Dr. Phil’s show was interesting to me because I have been engaging in an ongoing dialogue with some friends on what I believed and still believe is the death of the real MAN. Why do men today appear quite CONFUSED about their masculinity? Why is there such feminization of men? Just because women say they would like men to communicate, be sensitive, open and give more attention doesn't mean women want girly men! Men, stand up, step to the plate and be MEN! Stop expecting women to take over the responsibilities that you can and should do.

I am unsure how much the fashion industry plays a role in this aspect. Afterall, we now have cute men’s underwear with lace/pretty prints. It is what a lot call 'feminine lingerie for men.' We have body and skin care for men, spa treatments and so forth and so on. Can a man be particular about his looks, love fashion, wear nice lingerie and still be a tough guy? I’ll let you answer that. Maybe we women are not being educated or open? Afterall, I do want a well groomed and clean man. Wearing a target $5.00 boxer all in the name of not wanting to be a girly man is like errrrrr, NEXT! I’m big on NOT taking over the bathroom with your beauty regimens and neglecting your manly duties like those enunciated above.

I get asked on dates a lot and so it bugs me when in that mix, a girly man approaches me. I was discussing this issue with some of my friends and later with a man I consider a man's man and also a mentor. He mentioned that men were being raised by women and as a result you have lots of girly men in today's society. I told him I believed that could be a contributing factor. Nevertheless, as I told my friend/mentor, I believe technology is also a major contributing factor. Growing up, I saw men work on their cars, mow the lawn, fix or assemble furniture or replace tires. These days, car manufacturers prevent anyone from tampering with the engine of their cars with design features that prevent access to the engine. You just have to take that baby to the mechanic/car dealership. But, what about fixing a flat, mowing the lawn, cutting trees, cleaning the gutters? Don’t give me the argument about being a professional man.

What happened before professional men got their degrees? Surely they were doing these manly chores, weren't they? It would seem to me that if most men are indeed being raised by single mothers, that is the more reason why they would do the manly tasks because they would have learned and performed these tasks to help ease the burden on their single mothers??? How many of us know men who can't replace a flat tire to save their lives? God forbid that you are caught in a high crime area with a flat and a girly man. You better pray real hard that AAA gets there on time or better yet get on your knees and start fixing the flat or else the girly man you are stuck with will stare at you till night fall; then it might be too late as you try to duck for cover from flying bullets! God save us all.

I want a man that draws out my natural raw feminine instinct which includes me feeling safe, secure and protected when I am with him. For me, that means he can do the all the manly things that Joleen does. Does that mean I do not know how to protect myself or cannot do the things he does or learn to—that in itself is a necessity because if anything happens to him like God forbid, death/paralysis, I need to pick up where he left off. But, while he is alive, well and able, he ought to get to gettin’! I can’t try to save him, the kids and save myself in the event of an emergency because he forgot how to be a man. O ti o! [Like, no way]. No metrosexual men, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I love fashion but I cannot be fussy in the mirror with you as you spend excessive time over your beauty. Kilonshele [what’s up]?

If the strongest thing on your body that could protect me is your cute face, then I'm cool son. I'll pass. Regardless of how you put it, I do not seek to date much less marry a girly man, metrosexual, sexual metro or whatever. I miss the days when men were men. Girly men are highly unattractive to me. They do not stimulate me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I anticipate some of the men reading this article to say, “well, we miss the days women were women—like clean house, know how to cook and make meals." I see them adding, “You women cried liberation and all that feminist stuff. You wanted us to be girly, get in touch with our feminine side, be sensitive and blah blah blah. Now, you say we are too girly when we give you that.” Fellas, the best example might be a dog. Just because I tell my dog [don't own] to bark a lot less does not mean I want the dog to lose the essence of being a dog which includes its fighting qualities, especially when someone tries to mess with me. Similarly, just because I want you to communicate more and all those things which should be common sense that it would help our relationship work doesn't mean I want a neutered man!

Women, I strongly believe, want masculine men not girly men, seriously. For a strong woman who ends up with a girly man, there is a tendency like those on Dr. Phil’s show to become resentful that the “he” is such a girl and it affects everything including bedroom performance. Men, you all need to figure out whether you are masculine, feminine or mascu-feminine or whatever. Either way, while you figure it out, you are on notice and pass it on to the rest of your crew that the Ladybrille woman does not do girly men so all girly men, please fall back and do not apply.

Meanwhile, I thought to leave you seven tips to pass on to your other straight guy friends who are particular about their appearances but do NOT ever want to be confused in any shape or form to be anything less than a MAN. Check it out and have a good laugh while you are at it would you?

We are grateful that you shop. In fact, we want to shop and help spend your money.We know we are worth it. But, DO NOT shop more than we do, neglect us in your shopping spree or get excited when you see a sale sign for clothes or shoes. No bruh, we can't be having that. Keep your cool!

Kicking it with the boyz. If you kick it with the boys way too long, we become suspectful of you and the boyz. Times have changed dude. So, mix things up a bit. You can't be hanging out with Ryan/Sankofa all the time and you better not be taking field trips with all the boyz at the same time the way we women do to the restroom. lol! Be a man and remain independent. Wait till your boi gets back from the restroom before you go.

Do NOT upstage, upgrade or outshine us in accesories. If you are a rap star, then you can bling out on stage not off stage becuase these days, rap stars come 'wit' it on the red carpet and even in their videos. No gossiping [the Ladybrille woman hates gossiping, especially when a man does it, so don't even do it]. No excessive dieting or too much fuss on personal hygiene. Clean up and stay groomed but chill out on the 1-2hrs time in the bathroom. Do trim the nails and also actually a manicure and pedicure does not hurt periodically because getting scratched by you with those long nails hurts and gets in the way of us maintaining our sexy. lol! But, while you get your manicure, DO NOT put nail polish on the nails, even if it is a clear coat!

Also, chill out on plucking the eyebrows unless you are a very hairy man--then please help us see you by taming those wild bush-- we understand. lol! By the way, we hate to break it to you but all that time spent in the bathroom makes no difference, really. It's not like you are adding a hair track/weave or makeup to make you prettier. If you are ugly, you will remain ugly or vice versa. Most women are not as shallow as we might look. If we are with you, probability is that we already know how our babies will look. They will be cute because of us. We are more concerned about your intelligence and how you treat us, among other things.

We appreciate that you love to stay fit but if you do pilates/yoga/pi-yo better than we do, it's over.

Crying-- this is a BIG ONE. We appreciate that you get in touch with your feminine side but even we don't cry all the time. So, unless it is a death of a loved one or some other tragedy, brother please chill on the crying.

Dancing- These days, it is rare to see a sister African/non-African who can't wind her waist or shake 'dem' hips. But, do not under any circumstances attempt to do what we do on the dance floor, even if you are on a dancing squad. Keep it funky but not windy.

Wearing Pink: Occassional wearing of pink is okay. Might raise an eyebrow but if you rock it well, then you do and we on those few occassions might actually think it hot! But, DO NOT become a pink lover with so many pink shirts everywhere. That is way too much pink for a us and definitely for you!

Cheers,
Uduak

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