debunking the myths of voodoo in his directorial debut
Djimon Hounsou HONORING WOMEN IN FASHION
NYFW Fashion for the gods
Evelyn O. SAVED
By
GRACE
THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF
KENNY RUIZ
THE RECIPE FOR TRUE LOVE
Part II
DIGITAL ISSUES At your finger tips W W W . C R E A T I V M A G . N E T Visit www.creativmag.net and enjoy our free digital copies today! Available on your tablet and Android or Apple phone. Download the Joomag TM app for better visibility.
25 The ARTISTIC FASHION issue
Editor's Letter
omorrow is not promised, we only have the present, and yesterday is already forgotten, words that we hear endlessly throughout our lives. How precious it is to be able to enjoy the freedom of expression, but have you ever thought how sometimes we take freedom itself for granted? A lesson that I’ve learned by interviewing Artist Kenny Ruiz of Magchop. An inspiring story that will have you think twice about how a situation quickly turned for the worse can always be overturned by the grace of God. He goes into detail about what happened to him and how he overcame his shortcomings.
T
Our editor in chief Corhinn poses with Djimon Hounsou
The past month has been incredible and jam packed with activities. We’ve had the privilege of interviewing Djimon Hounsou, the star of Amistad and supporting actor in King Arthur. He made his directorial debut at the Miami Film Festival showcasing his new movie “In Search Of Voodoo – Roots To Heaven”, an incredible documentary about the religious journey of African natives told from their perspective. We also had the pleasure of meeting him in person at the movie premiere where he was delighted to answer any questions that the audience may have had. This time around we honor the achievements of Evelyn Onyejuruwa, the founder of Ankara Miami the only African inspired fashion show in South Florida. Moreover, have you seen New York Fashion Week’s latest designs?, check them out on page 64 where the most influential designers of our time slay the runway with their latest work. We’ve also had the pleasure of attending Jazz in the Gardens FRONT ROW!! Enjoyed every moment of it and undoubtedly looking forward to next year. It has been an eventful couple of months and we are delighted to share these moments with you our readers. I can’t stop thanking our contributors who continue to donate their time and work to the magazine. This is the 25th issue. A milestone in our journey. Enjoy!
CORHINN BRUNOT Founder and Editor in Chief Follow us on IG @creativmag
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Someti m es the smallest step
in the right direction
ends
up being the biggest step of your life. Tip Toe if you must, but take the step.
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CONTRIBUTORS Ms. Bryce, an eloquent and influential speaker, teacher, motivator, mentor, and life coach, finds energy and passion in inspiring individuals to reconcile their lives with the Master Architect. She helps people, through conformance to His specifications, come into the expected end that was pre-designed for them. Her messages are geared towards empowering individuals, through the process of self-discovery and the pursuit of their tailored purpose. Emphasis is on accurate relationship development; beginning with the individual (self) and then interdependently. Visit her at buildingaccordingtopattern.com
Georgia Bryce
Known by most as "Toni". For eleven years, Toni served her community as a high school English teacher and an Instructional Reading Coach for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Currently, Toni is in pursuit of publishing her first book, Controlling Your Crazy While Dating Your Non-Existent Boyfriend. In her spare time, Toni enjoys shopping, traveling and writing. In addition to writing for CREATIV magazine, she serves as the blogger for The Millionheiress Club and Keva J Swimwear. One day, Toni aspires to be an esteemed author and public speaker. For the mini bio on the article: Toni is in pursuit of publishing her first book,Controlling Your Crazy While Dating Your Non-Existent Boyfriend.
Toni Douglas The Conduit for the Poet Entrepreneur, Emonde M. Prosper is an author, spoken word poet, and creative entrepreneur advocate. Founder of RegalPoete, an arts and education programming company, Emonde devotes her time to developing artists into small business owners. With her first book, “Exposure is Not Enough: Pay Me for My Art� she continues to be a passionate vocal advocate for the social reform of the prosperous and sustainable artist in all art forms. www.RegalPoete.com
Emonde Prosper Yvonne Nobles is the founder of Climb42. Along with her husband Louis Nobles, with whom she shared her first kiss nearly 35 years ago, this dynamic duo shine as life coaches, lyricists and motivational speakers. To discover the key to unlocking your greatness, follow them on Instagram and visit them online at climb42.com.
Yvonne NOBLES Victoria McCoy writer of the SistaMIA Blog and Host of the Social Sista Podcast is the multimedia journalist who strives to creative positive media platforms within her community. The ultimate goal is to connect black creatives to support, aid, and promote the advancement of the urban black community. www.sistamia305.com
Victoria Mccoy
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Taking the world of fashion and beauty by storm. Fashion And Beauty from her perspective
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MAR -APR 2018
40 COVER STORY: Putting to spotlight on Artist Kenny Ruiz
COVER CREDITS Subject : Kenny Ruiz Photo Credits: Photo by Sean Simpson
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IN THIS ISSUE POP UP PHOTOGRAPHY Up Fashion Photography 16 Pop Seizing the Moment
20 26
by photographer Claire Oreskovich Films you should watch Djimon Hounsou's directorial debut at Miami Film Festival Art Appreciation The galleries at Art Basel
80
COVER STORY AND ART 40 FASHION The Incredible story of Artist and fashion enthusiast Kenny Ruiz
FEATURED STORIES honors 54 CREATIV Highlighting the achievements of
20
Evelyn O. of Ankara Miami
special events
64 80
New York Fashion Week Fashion for the gods Photography by Dennis Madigan and Claire Oreskovich Jazz In The Gardens Highlights by Victoria McCoy Photographed by Sean and Peter Simpson
WRITER S CORNER
86 Empowerment What’s Your Stake on This Side of 88 90 92 94
History?by Georgia Bryce Story Telling True Love's Recipe II by Yvonne Nobles Love and Relationships How to cope when your partner up and leaves you by Toni Douglas Traveling in style Wakanda to Africa by The Traveling Diva Artistic Entrepreneurship The Independent Artist says #MeToo by Emonde Prosper
54
64
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Editorial Director
Corhinn Brunot HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Sean Simpson
ARTICLES CONTRIBUTORS Emonde Prosper Showeshi Boston Toni Douglas Georgia Bryce Yvonne Nobles Victoria McCoy
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PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTION Sean Simpson Peter Simpson Claire Oreskovich Dennis Madigan
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Pop-Up Photography | Seizing The Moment
Seizing The Moment "I got started in photography by chance, I started messing around with my mom’s cameras when I was younger and never really stopped. My high school did not have any photography classes so I was self-taught for the first 2 years. I knew I wanted to pursue it further which is why I continued to go on to study it in college. I have about 1 more year left of college before I graduate and I'm hoping to find a career in some photography field. I have a major love for wildlife and landscape photography and that has been my primary focus that last few years. I have been branching off into a few other genres of photography like fashion. It would be cool to work in a field that combines the two of them." - Claire Oreskovich
Model: Victoria Henley Photographed by Claire Oreskovich
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He wanted to tell our story
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MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Showed on March 10th at Regal 18 Miami Beach
I
If the black population living in the western hemisphere really took the time to know about where they came from, they would discover so much about the origin of their culture. With slavery came tremendous pain and suffering, it meant forcibly leaving everything you know back home to adapt in a new land. However, the strong who survived preserved the culture to the best of their abilities, part of that culture was the ancient religion of Voodoo. For centuries Voodoo was portrayed as evil and demonic, the only problem with it is this narrative was never told by its originators but instead by colonizers who wanted everything black rejected. In his directorial debut Djimon Hounsou explores the different sects of Voodoo. We had the privilege of attending the premiere of his movie In Search of Voodoo – Roots to Heaven, a documentary about the ancestral religion of African natives. Understanding its origin and how it is viewed and portrayed in Hollywood and throughout the western hemisphere. For centuries slaves brought from Africa were forced to convert to Christianism, with the belief that their own religion was to be eradicated. In order to preserve their lives and live to see another day, slaves complied, however Voodoo is at the root of their freedom. We can’t forget that Haiti, the first black republic of the world, has Voodoo to
thank for the brave slaves that who held clandestine Voodoo ceremonies before taking on the battle of their lives. Curiosity creates opportunity for greater knowledge. Getting to know our roots and the make of our culture all while debunking false statements and beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation, is Djimon's goal in this movie. After the movie Djimon was invited to answer a few questions from the audience where he passionately and eloquently spoke about his passion project. This documentary explains so much and sheds light on so many questions regarding our origin, our culture and even our belief system. For those who are curious enough to know about the subject, this movie is definitely a must watch. We look forward to its release on blu-ray or DVD however in the mean time it can only be viewed in a film festival near you. We would like to thank Djimon Hounsou and his staff for allowing us this interview. We urge you to take of part of this movement of discovering our roots and culture, to watch the trailer visit our website www.creativmag.com. www.creativmag.com | Mar - Apr 2018 | CREATIV | 23
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u sart W E
L O V E
A R T
Art Appreciation | The Galleries of Art Basel
Art never dies Art never withers Art never fades Blum & Poe
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David Kordansky Gallery
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Courtesy of Art Basel
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Esther Schipper
Courtesy of Art Basel
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Gagosian
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Galerie Gmurzynska
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Courtesy of Art Basel
Galerie Hans Mayer
Courtesy of Art Basel
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Rome wasn't built in one day. 25 issues and counting. Your support is appreciated. Get your yearly Subscription and get your full access. Be Creative Join us at www.creativmag.net
Cover Story | Kenny Ruiz
KENNY R U I Z Fine Artist & Exotic Swimwear Designer
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The SUCCESS STORY OF AN UNDERDOG
HIS FAVORITE PIECES
THROUGH HER EYES COLLAGE WITH FRAME
H
ave you ever heard someone’s story and imagine how on earth could they have survived their situation? Or perhaps you wonder the involvement of a supernatural force. Coming up with the idea that indeed we can only be here, survive and overcome our short comings only by the GRACE of GOD. Such is the story of Kenny Ruiz. On the surface we can only see an artist aspiring to be the best that he can be, however if we look under the layers of his strength we would discover how much he has endured, how he could have spent the rest of his life in prison, but didn’t, and how he turned his life around. We’ve had the privilege of catching up with him to listen to his story, the following is something that you definitely will want to read.
"FIRST IMPRESSION" GICLEE ON CANVAS
REEL PASSION COLLAGE WITH WOOD FRAME
NOT YOUR typical FASHION SHOOT
Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Celine Alva Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
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Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Celine Alva Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Celine Alva Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Celine Alva Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
In his early years, Kenny begin to reveal his talent at the age of 10 years old, He grew up in Chicago and states that life was different then. Like the saying, kids will be kids, at this young age he started getting into drawing graffiti, That would be the beginning of the love he has for art . Voted Most Artistic in Deerfield Beach High School, he continued on, “I always did artwork, but I never considered it as a career. I never considered selling it, except when I did backpacks or I did small things for people.” He states. The following is a conversation with Kenny, a deep look at his personal and artistic life:
that. That's pretty much how that transpired.
You started in graffiti but when did you make a transition into let's say, canvas? And other things like that. I see the drafts of swimsuits and stuff like that.
It's such a funny way that it happened, when the first collage piece that I did was actually, an influence piece by a guy named Jerry Gladstone. He wrote the book The Common Thread. And we were talking one day; he's a friend of mine.
When my mother passed away, 5 years ago I actually lost the ability to draw, and I started doing collage art as a supplement, a way to try and bring back the creativity. I started doing
And you think because of that, it stopped ... well, I mean, pain can actually do two things, either completely block that creative part of it, or ignite it. Wouldn't you say? It changed it. And it's funny, because of all the mediums that I do now, I do collage art now, that was the medium I disliked the most. You disliked that medium, Now you're thriving in it?
And I said, "Why do people pay so much money for artwork?" He responded: "Because people like to have something in their house that
represents who they are, what they like, or what they're into." Whether it's a subculture, low-riding motorcycles, fishing, etc. When you capture that, people will pay a lot of money for it if they relate to it. They like to have something in their house that represents them." So, I thought to myself, man I want something that represents me, so I started to speculate on what I would draw. Okay. I see that you took a picture with Gartel. Now I'm very familiar with his work. So, I wanted to know, are you collaborating with him? We are going to collaborate. Yes. Well I met him at a hanger event. I had my art exposed there, and he walked up, and he asked, “you did this?” I answered yeah, his response was: I've never seen anything like this. Being in awe, I blurt out “you're Laurence Gartel. I know who you are.” So needless to say that he proposed to collaborate and I said yes LOL.
So, let's talk about your art with integration in fashion. How did that come about? I wanted to be looked at as a fine art artist, and I wanted to be able to come out with products that were either exclusive or very, very different that weren't just going to resemble swap shop items, like phone cases and this and that. I came up with a mug collection, which was doing really well and I wanted to find another product that was going to be interesting, something that amazes people. And a friend of mine loved the idea of art on his wife. And I thought, what? And he suggested having the art put on a bathing suit for his wife. So I told myself this was a pretty good idea. I went through the whole process of learning how to put the artwork onto bathing suit material. Trying to find out what a great bathing suit material was? What is the manufacturing process? I then took a crash course in fashion and I created these first two bathing suits, they were amazing, But they were really expensive. And I mean to profit on them, I'd have to sell them for $500 or $600. Then I met Liliana from Palm Beach Sewing. I met her at a random networking event. And she used to be in cars, and so we ended up talking cars and became friends. And I would run into her at these random events. So I took a chance and asked her for her help. One thing led to another and I ended up doing the West Palm Beach Fashion Week.
all sizes. And so, Liliana looked at one of my drawings, and pointed our that I had designed a suit for a bigger women And I reassured her that I'm Puerto Rican. Therefore we love all sizes. She was super impressed by my line, the creativity , and where I did get most of my ideas. Okay. Switching gears probably is going to get a little deeper because I know you've revealed some stuff to me. You can be as deep as you want if you want to tell the public that, or you can be as reserved as you want if you don't want the public to know. You have a very profound story for someone who probably I would say cheated death because once you enter that system, that's basically what I call it, you know? ... I don’t mind talking about it. So here we go!. Two days after my birthday in 2006, my family and I had a big celebration down at a place in Hollywood, Florida, and at the end of the evening, the off-duty officers, one of them was having a problem with somebody who I guess in his eyes resembled me, so he had kicked the guy out, and they had an altercation. Yeah, so what had happened was the lights had come on, and I was going to pay my tab, and he yelled at me to leave. And as I was walking out we were made aware of the situation with the other person he was in an altercation. Happened to be my cousin.
The verdict came back NOT GUILTY.
I brought her 23 drawings. I worked ... The first three days all I did was study bathing suits from the internet. I went through 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, to now. And then I went to the beach, and I spoke to people. I was like, how does that bathing suit fit? Is that comfortable because it doesn't look comfortable. They assured me that it was indeed comfortable, and I started thinking about what I like to see on women. And it was funny because I wasn't even enjoying looking at the women at the beach because I was focusing on the suit. Like, that doesn't look good. I don't like that. You know? My line was diverse. It was for women of www.creativmag.com | Mar - Apr 2018 | CREATIV | 47
Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Alana Castro Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
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Canvas art imprinted on swimwear Artist/ Kenny Ruiz Model/Alana Castro Makeup/Veronica Lisicki Photographer/Sean Simpson
And so, on the way out, I guess the officer was really amped up. Eyes were wide open. He was very, just very angry. He came up behind me out of nowhere, and he hit me from behind and I took his hand off and shoved it back and asked him,, "What are you doing, man? What's wrong with you?" And he's like, "Get out of here! Get out of here!"
mom passed away. Because you gotta remember there's a distance. My mom passed away in 2013. The trial ended two days before my birthday two years later.
When I walked out, he was pushing a lot of people, so people got a little bit rowdy, and somebody at some point spit on his car. So, as I was giving my wife the valet ticket, I never knew any of this happened. I just got hit because somebody radioed in: "Hey, somebody just spit on your car." He assumed it was me and just came running out and decked me, and then he threw me towards the car, while punching my face, and you know, it was a crazy situation. A brawl kind of ensued. I wasn't in it because I was almost knocked unconscious, but it became a thing where other people that were around the party, were taking the shots.
It's May 8th through the 20th, but our show should be on the 11th or 12th. We may have two days. And so when I found out really what it was, we signed on right away because what I was told was that for this particular show, they had never done swimwear. They've only done couture and bridal, so the theme this year is a year of change, so it's the first time they're gonna have bathing suits, and we were the first company to sign on. But I'm excited to be representing south Florida. I mean, I'm originally from Chicago, but I'm a Floridian now!
And so at some point the cop just kinda lost it, and I had to dial 911. At some point he got up and shot at me, and I never realized ... I was still dazed, but I called 911, screaming frantically, "Hey, you have an officer that's out of control here." Who do you call when the police are being bad? You know what I mean? And they arrested us, and they charged me with attempted murder on a law enforcement officer. They charged me with depriving an officer of his means to protect himself because they say I knocked his radio off at some point. Needless to say that I ended up in cuffs for trespassing, which was overturned the day after the statute of limitations for the lawsuit. The state turned it over because it was a mandatory valet. I couldn't be trespassing if was outside in the area where I was waiting was off property. They also gave me obstruction with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer. I was facing 32 years. And by the grace of God... I didn't have to. We went to trial. Trial was seven days, and then three days of deliberation. I was found NOT GUILTY. How do you think this experience actually impacted your life towards your art? For the better, of course?! You know, I don't know if the trial and everything I went through really affected my art because I wasn't doing art as a business. It was just a hobby, so my art really didn't change much. It was just something I was dealing with. My art really changed when my
So, you have a show coming up. Is it a show, a the Cannes festival in France correct?
You do charitable contributions? How did that come about? I worked with a group called END IT, and they asked me to come out and do artwork with children in rough neighborhoods and to come out and speak with them, and so I was expecting 13 kids. I ended up with 66 the first time. Using all that experience, coming from a broken home, coming from poverty and everything, I was able to really relate to these kids, and I'm able to tell them, like, I remember when someone like me would come in to my school, and they would tell us, "Hey, there's a way out." And so I'm like, "Man, I believe that because somebody told me once." So maybe if I come in, and I tell them, "Hey, I'm actually from where you're from, too." Maybe what I have to say would actually impact one of them. So in other words, God is not over with you? So, on that note, I want to know if you have any last words of wisdom maybe that you would like to offer? Believe in yourself, and don't stop. Don't quit. But you have to believe in yourself, and that's something that I personally still struggle with even where I'm at. We can only wish Kenny Good luck in his endeavors and may he continue to spread blessings upon others as he was truly blessed himself.
A FI
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S AION W E
L O V E
F A S H I O N
Q
Q
ueen
in every sense of the word.
Evelyn Onyejuruwa E n t r e p r e n e u r , P r o d u c e r F a s h i o n E n t h u s i a s t
,
Featured Stories | Evelyn Onyejuruwa
Understand that the fashion industry in South Florida is on shaky ground. To survive 7 years and still going strong, especially in the black community needs to be celebrated. That’s why we salute Evelyn O., for her tenacity and her achievements within this industry.
S
South Florida’s fashion industry is truly a very small circle. Once you enter that circle it’s pretty obvious that you will get to meet the movers and shakers making tremendous strides in this field. Ankara is a show that we have been following for the past 3 years, yet it is now 7 years in the making. Its creator Evelyn Onyejuruwa or Evelyn O. as she is nicked named, had the vision of bringing her culture on the runway. Originating from Nigeria Africa, she has created a niche like no other. Each designer signed on to her show, depicted the beauty, the accents and the fabric of the Motherland. This year we have decided that it was time to get to know Evelyn and her endeavors. However, understand that the fashion industry in South Florida is on shaky ground. To survive 7 years and still going strong, especially in the black community needs to be celebrated. That’s why we salute Evelyn, for her tenacity and her achievements in this industry. The following would shed light on who she is and her plans for Ankara Miami’s future. How does it feel to be able to celebrate now 7 years of Ankara Miami: Florida’s Premier African Fashion Week? E: Completing our 7th annual celebration of African fashion (4th annual official fashion week) feels energizing. There is so much that goes into each event and so much more that can be done to elevate it. Once the weekend is over, we’re already on to save the dates for the next year and our strategic plan for continued improvement. With all that is happening currently with the social divide in the country what impact do you think that Ankara Miami has made in the fashion and art industry? A: Our commitment is to highlight contemporary African fashion, music, art, and talent as a whole within the Diaspora. Our events are social in nature because they’re meant to be inviting to all culture enthusiasts regardless of nation of origin, race, etc. We also stay far away from negative imagery and stereotypes and make an effort to bridge the gap amongst cultures. After all, we’re all rooted in Africa and are more similar than we are different.
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7 years in the making Ankara Miami is Going long and strong What was that pivotal moment for you when you decided that this is what you wanted to do as a career? E: The event that single-handedly brought me to this point was becoming the winner of the 2011 Miss Nigeria Florida Cultural Pageant. I wanted to create something longlasting and meaningful as the titleholder and planned to host an annual fashion show once a year. The show has since evolved into a 4 day event with multiple past partners and media coverage on a local, national, and global scale. Which designer do you think has benefited the most out of the enterprise? Do you have a favorite out of all of them? E: Although I don’t have an absolute favorite because each designer brings their own flare to the runway, I do believe local brands such as Adjanie by Adjanie Muller and Wamuiru Couture by Marquita Moore have gained the most in our 5 & 6 year relationship, respectively. Being local allows for more opportunities throughout the year outside of our fashion week and Ankara SWIM, our annual summer showcase. They’ve both been featured in numerous showcases, including AfrICANDO, www.creativmag.com | Mar - Apr 2018 | CREATIV | 57
Do you plan on taking Ankara Miami in other cities or would Florida always be your home?
consistent and authentic. Everything else will fall into place as and when it should. What is next for you?
E: The company name is pretty much rooted here so Florida will always be home. We’ve had the opportunity to travel to Orlando to produce showcases and welcome the opportunity to be on the road more – both for commissioned projects and for our own. Do you think that you would ever get bored of doing this?
Although, I had a wonderful time competing in the Miss Nigeria Florida Cultural Pageant years ago, it was a one time “bucket list” item.
E: Absolutely not. It may shift into other endeavors and growth opportunities but Ankara Miami will continue to promote its mission of providing a platform for POSITIVE and progressive people and trends within the Diaspora. You’ve started in pageantry, do you think you would ever go back to that industry? E: Although, I had a wonderful time competing in the Miss Nigeria Florida Cultural Pageant years ago, it was a one time “bucket list” item. I do appreciate the platform it provided for me and the path it created for Ankara Miami to become a leader in the South Florida cultural movement. I’ll continue to support its mission to no end.. Do you think that Ankara Miami would ever evolve to something else? Or something bigger than what it already is? A: Certainly, there is always more to do in terms of travel, retail, culinary, larger fashion weeks, etc. It’s all about remaining
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E: Next up for me and Ankara Miami is the expansion of our retail component, Ankara Delights. We’ve been blessed to provide opportunities for consumers and emerging/established designers & vendors to connect during our quarterly pop-up shops. It’s now time to take it to the next level and provide a hot spot for contemporary ready-to-wear African print to be available straight off the rack. This Spring, we’ll be opening a specialty boutique in Downtown Hollywood which will feature West African sourced fabrics, our signature head wraps and a local outlet for a variety of curated men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, home décor, art, music, organic products, and more. We look forward to becoming a hub for all things African fashion and beyond in South Florida. Would you like to share some last words of wisdom to those seeking your level of success? E: 2 things – as cliché as they may sound, I truly believe then. Timing is everything. What’s meant for you will be yours when it’s supposed to be. Part two is to keep positive and uplifting people around as reminders of that. The group of, primarily, women involved in maintaining our level of excellence is unmatched. They’re talented, creative, committed, and faith-based which allows us to feed off of each other’s passions and build our brands along the journey
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FASHION WEEK Victoria's Adventures: Yes, spring is making its way back around this 2018 and we all know what that means. The fashion season of showcases, pop-up shops and trendy fashion shows will be in our presence soon. There would be no other way for an urban social as myself to kick start the season by attending Ankara Miami this year. Attending the fashion showcase even this year is one of the best ways to support culture, fashion, and entrepreneurship of the African diaspora. This was my second year witnessing the lovely Ankara and it’s a joyous occasion each time
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This year Ankara Miami was hosted by comedian Chello Davis and celebrated during black history month of course. Before the affair began there was a nice selection of vendors with unique clothing and accessories representing African culture, like Okeri Collection, so we could get our Wakandian spirit aligned.
The show opened with jokes from our comedic host then a moving African drum performance by Mother Drum. The event hosted a very nice roster of African and African descent designers who had fashions that made statements by representing their culture. The featured designers included Adjanie, Deborah Rose Designs, Fabian and Mom, Jean Decort, Tasha and Tianne Fashions (T&T Fashions) and Wamuiru Couture. All designs and fashions were amazing but I have to say this year my favorite was Jean Deocort. The pieces from the collection were vibrant, colorful and trendy I could envision myself in the clothing for an upcoming trip to the Virgin Islands this year. The show was entertaining and a great vibe, it’s a joy to be amongst my creative brothers and sisters from different cultures but still bringing attention to our #BlackExcellence. Ankara fashion show concluded with a performance from award winning recording artist King Kanja that had everyone in the right mood for the after party that proceeded after the show. To be able to attend Ankara Miami 2018 is an honor and will always be due to the fact of how much I enjoy seeing black creatives prospering together in a world that was built for us to fail. The idea that was brought to life by Evelyn O. has become a great success and celebrated fiercely amongst her peers. If you have yet to experience Ankara Miami then you must set your calendar for next year to attend. Let’s connect with those who are willing to share our culture that is strategically placed on a fashionable and lively catwalk.
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CRYSTALS FOR DAYS
Allow yourself to be transported as you enter Crystal Vision and see a 7ft pyramid that invites you to sit beneath it and experience the energy as you de-stress, release and re-energize yourself. As one of the largest Crystal Stores in South Florida we strive to provide the right vibration and energy in the store which makes it an irresistibly inviting oasis to either add to your collection of stones, spiritual growth or from the daily bombardment of life’s stresses. The revitalizing aroma of essential oils and incense waft through the air as many geodes and crystals catch and reflect the sunlight that floods the octagonal shop, it is here that you will be greeted by a friendly smile and welcomed to come in. www.crystalvisionltc.com
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Photographed by Claire Oreskovich and Dennis Madigan
Special Events | New York Fashion Week
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A D R I A N A L I C E A
Adrian Alicea is an award-winning fashion/ costume designer and creative director based in New York City. Born in Puerto Rico, Adrian moved to NYC at the age of three. In his teen years, he would spend hours studying art; this deep exploration of the human spirit engendered an unrivaled love for expression through dance. At the age of 21, Rae Dawn Chong discovered Adrian at the iconic nightclub The Tunnel and invited him to go to Paris and walk for Thierry Mugler’s couture show. From there his career took off and with persistent effort continued working with the masters of Europe: Hermes, Giorgio Armani, JeanPaul Gaultier, Gianfranco Ferre, Vivienne Westwood, and Patricia Fields and graced the stage with notable supermodels Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Debra Shaw, Veruschka von Lehndorff, Tyson Beckford, Iman, and Marpessa Hennink.
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E M M A A L T M A N
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E L C Y
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C O R T O R R E A L
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Beautify Your Locs! SHOP NOW www.jewels4mylocs.com
Special Events | Jazz In The Gardens
Miami Garden's biggest outdoor house party - Kid from Kid n' Play
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Photography by Sean and Peter Simpson
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Avery Sunshine
A. Randolph
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March 2018 was the month to enjoy the 13th annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest that took place in the thriving community of Miami Gardens. The city of Miami Gardens has made sure to expand interaction when leading up to the music fest. It was great to see attendees being involved in the community by attending events like Women’s Impact Lunch and Spice It Up Miami, weeks before the festival. Jazz in the Gardens during the years has made sure to continuously curate events that highlight the black community. This year JITG had a spectacular lineup that was complete with amazing artists and music legends. The lineup included heavy hitters such as Tasha Cobbs, Joe, Trick Daddy and Fantansia. Legends like Kid N Play, Salt N Peppa, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan and Smokey Robinson came to grace the stage with legendary hits that to us back in time. For anyone who is not aware JITG is held at the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium which looks spectacular. If you have never attended JITG then let me tell you the main attraction (low-key) is the food. Some of the best food vendors come to JITG to take our coin and fill our tummies as we jam to classic hits. I enjoy seeing the artists, but I split my time between the main stage and the food stands, just saying.
The breakout star who performed this weekend was the American Idol, Ms. Fantansia. Let me tell you all, she was amazing. Everything about her performance was perfect and demanded attention from the audience. She was electrifying as well an intimate and her voice had the majority of the audience in their feelings during multiple sets. It was my first time seeing Fantansia live and I can say I would pay to see her again and again. It’s great to see growth from an artist that you have seen at their humble beginnings rise to stardom. Watching her made me so proud to be an imperfect woman who has gone through a struggle and to recognize other women who have gone through the same journey. All the artists were great indeed but, in my opinion, Fantansia did a phenomenal job at JITG. The atmosphere of Jazz in the Gardens is always a delightful one to be in. Being surrounded by the community, the food, and the music gives a warm feeling inside that emits a glow. If you never attended, then it’s a must to experience JITG so take the time out to plan to attend next year. Let me reiterate these events our curated within our community for us to attend and enjoy. It’s the time to be a part of an experience that will create a memory that is everlasting. Always be sure to support events that are based on culture and community.
Anita Baker
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New goodies for the true bohemian girl!
Writer's Corner | Empowerment
What’s Your Stake on This Side of History?
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Fact! A hundred years from now you will not be here. Unless you are a die-hard believer in transhumanism, a hundred years from now you will not be here. Fifty years from now, you might not be around. Narrow that down to the possibility of ten, even one year from now. My work in the substance abuse arena brings me face to face with Clients who are in the fight of their lives. Looking at them you probably could never tell. I was given this very staunch reminder quite recently when one client lost that fight. Young, vibrant black sistah. One day she was sitting with her peers, laughing, jamming to music, having a good time. I remember watching her as I walked down the corridors that afternoon on my way back to my office. She was happy. She would be discharging from our care in one day. She was. Two days later, she was on life support. The very next day, she was dead. She was not my client but I was working on her behalf. You see, her other half was my client. Whatever I was able to accomplish with him, I had hoped, would ultimately impact her. He was ready to assume his role as leader in their relationship, head of his household. He had mapped out his plans for long term recovery in great detail. He loved her deeply and he was ready to make it official.
Jim Lovell once said, “There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. “ There is sooo much going on in our world today. If you manage to escape the written news, there is still radio, television, and social media to contend with. The means by which we can keep in touch with our world in real time are superfluous. The happenings in our world somehow manage to extend their tentacles and invade our private spaces, no matter how hard we try to experience otherwise. Mass school shootings; Church shootings; natural disasters; violence in our communities, our workplaces, our homes, and our streets; police brutality; terrorism, lack of adequate education; lack of adequate housing, rising drug epidemic; fraud in our governments; people losing businesses and homes; injustice all around; teens joining gangs and living vicariously; fatherlessness; inadequate healthcare; poverty; deficit of strong community leadership, etc., etc., etc. The list is endless and so are the myriad of opportunities to get plugged in to doing something significant, to serving your gifts and impacting someone else’s life.
In this time, we are all being called upon to do something, no matter how small, to change the general landscape of our societies. We are all being challenged to make some positive impact, to be the answer to a problem, the solution to a dilemma. That feeling you possess deep down inside that is beckoning you to accomplish something meaningful and substantial in your generation, was inbuilt in your DNA by your Creator. That is why you were born. Not to simply sit idly by and watch things happen and certainly not to be at the back end wondering what just happened. Get up, get involve! Be a voice for change. Help lead someone else, if even just one person, out of this gross darkness that is threatening to swallow up our globe. I was fortunate enough to connect with my former client in the midst of this most devastating experience. I told him, “I don’t care that you are no longer here, that you are no longer my client. Call me if you need to at any time. Remember everything we talked about. Remember your Crisis Prevention/Intervention Plan. This is it. This is a crisis. You are prepared. Don’t waiver. Don’t look back. Don’t go back. You can do this!” He said, “I will Ms. Georgia,” and thanked me profusely. What will you be remembered for? What’s your stake on this side of history? I want my name to be there with all the history makers in my generation.
Written by GEORGIA BRYCE
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Writer's Corner | Story Telling
True Love's' Recipe II
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continuation to the previous issue of CREATIV magazine, what follows are the final steps for cooking up true love.
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5. Gently fold your loved one into your arms. 6. Garnish with endless kisses and genuine compassion. 7. Serve while warm.
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Fewer exchanges carry more meaning than an embrace. The warmth and protection it offers transcends the physical benefits. Be it a frightened young one in its mother's arms, an exhausted infant clutching its father's chest or an injured toddler in its grandparent's caress, we learn from an early age that hugs make the world go round. And as the years pass us by, this truth surfaces time and again. A hug has no age limit, nor does its value expire - ever. It is especially when words fail to express exactly what we feel or intend to say that a warm embrace gets it right every time. Life's storms are inevitable, but the warmth of the sun is sure to return and outshine those dark days. So when the seas of your relationship get rocky and it seems like the world is slipping from beneath your feet, HOLD ON TIGHT to your loved one as often as possible to steady yourself and cement your bond evermore.
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Each year as the globe completes a graceful pirouette around its axis, different parts of the world complete a fresh cycle of the seasons. Many dread the bitter cold that accompanies winter months. Do not let your love grow cold, nor let the fire die out. Continually stir the embers of your beautiful flames, remembering when, how and why you fell in love in the first place. There is no room for laziness in this department. Diligence is a must. And the danger of complacency is that it can also stifle the growth of your love, strangling its roots. Keep your passion ABLAZE: the lines of communication must remain open and you have to spend time together. Change is inevitable, both as individuals and as a unit. The only way you can meet new complexities with sure success is by valuing the love you've shared and maintain a positive outlook about the new experiences yet to unfold. The rewards will be well worth the effort. To all you dear hearts that may still be searching: remember to climb - it is always better to relocate to higher ground and raise your standards, rather than lower them, to find your rightful king. And for those who have successfully found "the one": keep striving to improve upon and perfect the recipe that drew you together. Bon Appetit!
Do you remember your first kiss? I remember mine, most vividly. My family had arrived in Heilbronn, Germany (in the heart of Bavaria) earlier that day to join my father on base at his newest military assignment. Eager to make sure we felt at home despite being abroad, Dad took us to meet a family upstairs in our apartment building with whom we would become lifelong friends. The children passed the time with a classic game of hide and seek. I was deciding on an ideal hideaway when the cutest boy I'd ever laid eyes on peeked out of a closet and beckoned for me to join him. Little did I know that was one of the best decisions of my life, for while in the closet he laid a giant kiss on me, a kiss that neither of us would forget. You see, that boy many moons later became my husband and still reigns over my heart as the all-time heavy-weight
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champion. Though some 34 years have passed since we shared our first kiss, we never take the significance of each successive one for granted, and are honored to have discovered that each one that follows just gets better and better. It is so important to stay true to the connection that fuels your love. Yes, love takes work; however, that should come as no surprise since anything worth having is worth fighting for. So DO NOT GIVE UP and DO NOT BACK DOWN when obstacles arise. Use your compassion to see these not as problems, but rather as opportunities to prove just how strong your love is for each other.
Yvonne Nobles is the founder of Climb42. Along with her husband Louis Nobles, with whom she shared her first kiss nearly 35 years ago, this dynamic duo shine as life coaches, lyricists and motivational speakers. To discover the key to unlocking your greatness, follow them on Instagram and visit them online at climb42.com.
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Say What?!: How to Quickly Cope When Your Partner Up and Leaves You “It’s never any fun when the rabbit’s got the gun”, (and by “rabbit” I’m referring to your partner). Let’s face it. No one wants to be rejected by their partner and kicked to the curb. It’s a sucky feeling whether or not you were at fault for the break up, and it forces you to have to deal with emotions that you’d rather not confront. No matter who we are or where we’re from, having to cope with the loss of a partner has happened to the best of us, and if it hasn’t, it has happened to someone we know. Regardless of whose had the experience, when someone breaks things off with you, and you weren’t quite ready for that step, it puts you in an emotional bind and pushes you to manage your feelings quickly. Believe it or not, there’s a good life after a bad break up. It may not feel good when it happens, but it’s life and you’re probably better off any way since your partner made a split without involving you in the process. Before you attempt to break down into crumbles, here’s how to cope when your partner exits the door abruptly:
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Process what happened quickly. Now by all means, this doesn’t mean you should get over it quickly, but rather, take in the reality of what happened and affirm that it is real. This will help you get through your denial stage with ease and reassure that you’re not dreaming and your partner’s not coming back.
2 Don’t reach out to your ex-partner.
The worst thing you can do to a person who wants nothing to do with you, is to bother them and/or annoy them with the “Why’s?, How’s?, Maybe’s? and Who’s?” Just as you should process the break-up quickly, your ex needs to process what they did to you just as fast. Interrupting their processing time only triggers them to put a guard up and convince themselves that they made the right decision. Besides, why would you want to reach out to someone who unexpectedly gave you the boot?
Writer's Corner |
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Love and Relationships
Stay Busy This is a big one. Staying busy doesn’t have to mean spending a whole bunch of money, finding new friends or losing sleep. It simply means having a weekly agenda and sticking to it. Go to work or work on your hobby, exercise, get through important emails/phone messages, cook and have dinner, watch a TV movie and go to sleep (in that order!) Finding time to do productive things rather than moping and worrying about your ex ditching you, will soon have you not thinking about them at all for periods throughout the day.
While there isn’t a “one size fits all” cure for dealing with an unexpected break-up, these are sure methods to at least get over the initial hump. As we maneuver in and out of relationships throughout our lifetime, we run into occurrences like this. It happens, it’s life and if we plan on living, we just have to deal with it— simple. So, when and if this occurs, be prepared to cope and know that this too shall pass.
TONI DOUGLAS Toni is in pursuit of obtaining her Doctorate degree in the field of Education while also pursuing her goals of publishing her first book, "What NOT to Do While Dating Your Non-Existent Boyfriend."
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Writer's Corner |
Travel In Style
From Wakanda to Africa No two words have set the movie and travel worlds on fire like Black Panther. As of this writing, Black Panther is set to hit and exceed the $1B mark in global ticket sales. While this movie raised awareness about the need for more representation in Hollywood films, it raised awareness about something just as significant – the beauty and unique cultures that can be found on the continent of Africa. While Wakanda is a fictionalized depiction of an uncolonized nation in Africa, the movie combined numerous countries, tribes, and cultures to create a vivid world of color and stylish fashion. It was infused with the rhythms and the heart of what makes each country unique. Naturally, there is now a growing interest in the
be sure to note areas where you’ll need to practice extra safety and precaution in addition to fun activities that are off the beaten path. While this make take some time and effort, it’s worth the investment. You will become more and more excited about your upcoming adventure.
Mind the Weather The one thing that will surprises most visitors to the continent is that it has a wide-range of weather. The weather can swing from being cold in the desserts at night to be being unbearably hot during the day. Knowing the weather and the rainy seasons better prepares you for dressing accordingly and packing the necessary accessories, such as travel umbrellas.
Be Prepared to Shop Vibrantly colored clothing along with handmade jewelry and crafts are just a few of the items you will surely want to purchase while visiting. If you find some powdered herbs you like, pick up a small sampling and bring them home with you or ship them back. Don’t miss the artwork and tapestries. Many are handmade from materials like silk, which matches depth of richness of each country. It is wise to research if you should use credit cards and cash. If you are using cash, be sure to know if you should convert your currency from your country’s currency to the currency of the country you’re visiting.
Have Time If you are planning to go to more than one country in Africa, be sure to give yourself time. A visit that’s about 14-21 days will give you plenty of time to explore multiple areas. Otherwise, 7-10 days is sufficient time to explore one area and get a taste of what it has to offer. The point is to go and enjoy as much as you can and to take it all in. Taking your time also means to enjoying the moments where you can absorb the music, the scenery, the culture, the food, and the beauty that are found in the people of Africa.
Use a Travel Advisor
continent and what it has to offer. Here’s your brief guide to what you should know if you want to plan a trip to the continent.
Research The most important thing you can do in preparation for a trip to Africa is to do research. Research the various countries, their current political climate, any required immunizations, and any recommendations for tourist “must see” spots. During your search,
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As vast a continent as Africa is your research and options can become overwhelming. Therefore, using a knowledgeable and experienced travel agent will enable you to make the best of your trip. They can find the hidden gems for your, not just safaris or sleeping in tents under the stars. There are fashion weeks and movie premieres. There are opportunities to do volunteer work. Your travel agent can uncover these hidden gems and create a life changing trip. Africa. The home to some of the most amazing kings and queens in history. The creator of the pyramids; the possessor of hidden gems; and the mother to the world. She beckons for you to come see her beauty, listen to her voice, and experience the warmth of her love. Take her up on it. You won’t regret it.
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The Independent artist says ....
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Writer's Corner |
Artistic Entrepreneurship
"Time's up!" The final statement of 2017 and the beginning of the #metoo movement in 2018. But what does it all mean to a self-made entrepreneur? How does it fit in the societies of the independent artist businesses?
individuals are treated, women especially, open up more doors people can walk through with their dignity and pride intact. More importantly, that the support is there for us all no matter how large or small. How strong the movement depends on, how strong we believe this premise.
With Hollywood opening up its closets to put out their dirty laundry other industries reflect. Reflect on the inequalities that youth, women and many men are subjected to in order to succeed. Other industries reflect on the compromises and sacrifices individuals make inside of their careers towards their accomplishments. Above all, many reflect inside of the same silence they have been trapped in for years.
Thus, this article is written in hopes of recognizing and remembering this fact: That we all can achieve without compromise, without the loss of self to another. Too many nights have been dominated by abuse and this false bartering system of intimacy for support. Too many nights artistry is awarded by manipulation not merit. We are at a time and place where hard work and talent can truly pay off. Nevertheless, it has to be repeated that this movement can only prevail if we all raise our standards and demand respect. We should all know that at this moment we all can because we believe in this together. To do this, we must speak out, connect with others, gather the community and not just allow Hollywood to make this happen. We have to join with brevity.
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As an independent artist you take on not only building a career with a very small team and/or completely alone, but the independent artist deals with prevalent issues including, sexual harassment more times than they are comfortable with. In a male dominated industry, women especially have been subjected to the abuse of power by their male counterparts while attempting to cultivate their career as a creative entrepreneur. This movement, however, is an opportunity that can be easily overshadowed by the very thing that kept it alive....fear. Harassment and the abuse of power has stayed strong all of these years because so many keep quiet, so many believe a position will be lost if they report misconduct. Being that an artist may be a sole proprietor or typically a small business the individual feels too small to speak. Smaller numbers breeds a false reality of being alone. What the #metoo movement does is highlight that placing standards on the way
Lastly, we may not know when the abuse of power will end, especially when it comes to the independent artist. Yet and still, Oprah's words within a recent acceptance speech of a lifetime achievement award expressed our future best. "For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their #timesup." -Oprah Winfrey
written by
Emonde Prosper
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