Aug 2013 issuu

OT SO N ’S Z Y JA

A N G A M ER CART

ORGANIC SKIN PRODUCTS

BEAUTY SECRETS

YANDY SMITH MORE THAN JUST HIP HOP AUG/SEPT 2013 www.delux-mag.com

OF THE RED CARPET

2013 BET AWARDS REVIEW

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SIMSHAHS SHIFT58 DARICO JACKSON TEQUILA AVION DELUX MAGAZINE

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DELUX MAGAZINE NO. 28

CONTENTS

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featured 28 Delux Individuals 32 Yandy Smith: The Brand 40 BET Award Show Review 44 Fall Must Haves 50 Delux Opinion: Magna Carter?

51 One on One with Donell Jones 56 Profile: Shift58 58 Legends: 13 Black Katz

regular 12

From the Editor 06

Stuff 08

Living 12 Beauty 16

Get It 18

Style Icons 20 Essentials 22

DELUX MAGAZINE No. 28 路August/September2013 路 Year 4 路 PUBLISHER Keith Griffin II GRAPHIC DESIGN G5IVE MEDIA GROUP SUBSCRIPTIONS $19.99/YR. Mail Subsciption Cards and Payment to 2907 Magnolia St. Louis Mo 63118 DISTRIBUTOR Cowley Distributing Jefferson City MO IPAD APP Available in itunes store WEBSITE www.delux-mag.com ADVERTISING Email Sales@delux-mag.com SUBMISSIONS Email submissions@delux-mag.com PRESS RELEASES Email PR@delux-mag.com

TRUTH BE TOLD

DELUX PUBLISHER KEITH GRIFFIN II & YANDY SMITH SQUARE OFF IN A 3 QUESTION DUEL

Who is the king of Harlem, Sho’nuff or Frank Lucas?

Man, that’s a tough one. Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, was a bad mutha—WATCH YO’ MOUTH! But I hear that Frank Lucas was no punk either. They both had archenemies in Bruce Leroy and Richie Roberts. I think this one is a toss up… LOL. What about Nicki Barnes? LOL. Never mind. And why didn’t Dame Dash make the list?

Best baby making CD of all time

I should say Ron Isley with Between the Sheets since he lives in St. Louis and I’m so St. Louis ask my tattooist... but I’m going to have to go with R. Kelly and that 12 Play album. ‘Nuff said.

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Frank Lucas of course. He’s actually from Harlem.

Sho’nuff is a character in a movie.

R. Kelly TP-2.com #Classic I had to dust my CD off after the BET Awards.

Name one thing you wish you had invented I wish I had invented Facebook. That guy over there is a genius. He has direct demographics to over 500 million people. That’s power. That’s dangerous. But more power to him. Mark Z. will be around a long time.

Nursing bras. I couldn’t imagine breastfeeding for a year without them.

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Keith N Griffin II

PUBLISHER/CO-FOUNDER @DeluxMagazine

Get the DELUX Magazine App

Lawrence Bryant Co-Founder @lbfoto1 Michael Winfield Co-Founder @brklynstl Kyle A Griffin Co-Founder Managing Editor Kayla Bolton Art Director McArthur Smith Social Media Eric Cooper Writers Winnie Caldwell Seven L Maxwell Javious Walker Martha Marion Rachel Nevels Janine Brownridge Theresa Payne

Photographers Lawrence Bryant McArthur Smith Keith N Griffin II Sales | sales@delux-mag.com Carol Mayfield Ashley Broyles Serita Moody Keena Atkins Leslie Norwood Carissa McGraw Interns Rachel Nevels Janine Brownridge Publicist/PR Rep Kandis Knight(ATL) Advisory Board: Trina Claggett Kim Moses Anthony Sanders

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[Stuff]

VIVA TEQUILA AVION

The COIFFURE PROJECT

To dismiss Tequila Avion as the “Entourage tequila” would be a huge mistake.

Although the tequila was the centerpiece of the final seasons of the hit HBO show, Tequila Avion is much more than a TV show prop. In fact, Tequila Avion is one of the few premium tequilas that has a solid shot at really taking on Patrón.

Tequila Avion is different from many other types of tequila on the market. Many blanco or silver tequilas (like Patrón) deliver a pepper kick in the mid palate. This blast of pepper spice defines most of those tequilas. Avion goes about things a bit differently: rather than a blast of pepper, you get a pepper ramp. The spice builds gradually, steadily, and progressively as you drink it.

Avion is also an incredibly clean tequila. While it can get spicy, it never burns.

This is thanks to a patented filtering process, which along with a unique barreling process really defines Avion. Tequila Avion is available in three different forms: Silver, Reposado, and Añejo. Each of these has something interesting and unique to offer.

Tequila Avion Silver has clear aromas of fresh agave with an undercurrent of black pepper and a hint of hot pepper. The entry is soft and slightly sweet with a superb mouth feel, which is neither too thick nor too thin. Things get a little spicy at the end of the mid palate with a hint of grapefruit rind. The finish is nice, long, and super clean.

Tequila Avion Reposado is aged six months in Jack Daniels Barrels, which helps give it a sweet nose and adds vanilla and caramel to the mix along with fresh agave and clear soft oak. The entry takes on a subtle influence from the bourbon barrel with vanilla and caramel right off the bat. These notes mix extremely well with the fresh agave. Things ramp up in the mid palate and the pepper and oak come together in perfect union. The finish is wonderfully spicy and much longer than the silver. It also has a superb cool quality to the finish. This is an exceptional Reposado.

Tequila Avion Añejo is aged two years in ex-bourbon barrels. Oak spice dominates the nose but it’s balanced out with fantastic agave and caramel notes.

The entry shows off the oak well, but not intensely. The oak is immediately balanced by agave, vanilla, and caramel. The pepper starts soft and builds sublimely. Black pepper, agave, vanilla, caramel, and oak are joined toward the end of the mid palate by cinnamon and maple. Añejo has no heat or bite and the cool finish is long, soft, and peppery. This is not an aggressive Añejo. The goal here is clearly balance and Añejo achieves it excellently.

Clean and flavorful, Tequila Avion delivers an exceptional tequila experience, superlative to Patrón.

Glenford Nunez’s ongoing “Coiffure Project”—portraits of women modeling their glorious crowns of natural hair is amazing, so it’s especially exciting to hear that the Baltimore-based photographer has turned his stunning work into a book. The nearly 100-page tome, which hit the Internet not too long ago, is a well-curated collection of Nunez’s photographs over the course of a year. “The Coiffure Project” hardcover coffee table book is being sold on Blurb.com for $130 and there’s a paperback version available for $18 on Amazon.com.

Nunez, founder of TYP Photography Studio, designed and selfpublished the book using money he earned from working as a full-time photographer. In addition, he took his time finding the right distributors for the project to ensure quality and make it affordable.

“My main goal was not to make a profit off the book, it was just so that the book could be in the world—so it could exist, so people could have access to it,” Nunez says. Thankfully, Nunez continues to book jobs in order to uphold his ideas of artistic integrity (and of course, pay the bills).

Most recently, The 26-year-old photog has completed a few projects with Andre Walker, Oprah Winfrey’s longtime hairstylist and friend.

And there’s no need to worry about Nunez turning his gaze away from natural haired beauties now that the book is published. Nunez added that he still plans on snapping curly coifs and might even take the project overseas, while keeping his options open to other opportunities. “I don’t think natural hair is a fad or trend,” Nunez says.

“I really believe that the hairstyles and lifestyle are here to stay. This is how people wear their hair, and it’s a part of my life and I’m just documenting my life, whether it be natural hair or anything.”

Next for “The Coiffure Project,” Nunez has been in talks with a major art museum in Baltimore to host an exhibit of his work, but first he needs to make (and raise) enough money to produce and frame large-scale prints of the photographs. “It’s always been a goal of mine to have a show with my work and I’m hoping ‘The Coiffure Project’ is my ticket.”

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body desserts

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A SMOOTH OPERATOR

Gone are the days when only a good old razor and some shaving cream did the trick.

Nowadays, the options to remove hair are numerous, and many gadgets get the job done. Still, dark skin was much harder to treat until now. Finally, dark skin and hair have a solution.

How It Works Me smooth is powered by elos (electro-optical synergy) technology, and it works using two effective methods: It combines Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio Frequency (RF) energies, and the basic idea is that it selectively chooses the hair follicles and then delivers heat deep into the skin to prevent the hair from growing back.

The elos technology was invented by the cofounder of Syneron Medical, Dr. Shimon Eckhouse, who also invented IPL. This was the technology previously used for hair removal in a wide range of skin treatments.

Elos is already widely used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists, with over three million elos treatments performed annually by professionals around the world. Now the benefits of this breakthrough technology are available to consumers to use in the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

A PIECE OF

ZOE

FOXY STUFF

Foxy Fit Studios is a newly opened women’s fitness studio, offering classes like Zumba, Hip Hop, and Kickboxing. The sultry, all-female studio also offers chair dance and there’s pole fitness too. Foxy is the only studio in St. Louis certified to instruct the buzzed-about yoga mash-up, Polga. Foxy Fit Studios strives to give every woman an excellent workout while building inner confidence and enhancing outer beauty.

Stop by Foxy Fit Studios at 4204 Bonfils Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044, or call 314-739-FOXY (3699). For more information, visit www.foxyfitstudios.com

Celebrity fashion lines are usually overexposed and often leave the masses underwhelmed. But actress/singer/model Zoë Kravitz has added jewelry designer to her impressive list of titles by teaming up with Swarovski, and it seems her collection is designed to deliver. The nine-piece capsule collection, which launched in March under the crystal company’s Swarovski Crystallized division, was inspired

by Zoë’s love of travel, vintage jewelry, and her birthstone, turquoise. “I really wanted to try and capture the colors and textures of places I want to travel to, like Morocco and India,” says Zoë.

The yearlong process of creating the boho chic pieces, which range in price from $90 to $194, involved the 24-year-old making mood boards and working closely with Swarovski’s design team. “They really wanted to capture my energy and vibe,” Zoë explains. Zoë’s easygoing vibe likely comes from her parents— actress Lisa Bonet of “The Cosby Show” and rock star Lenny Kravitz, and she says they are thrilled with her new bling. “They are super stoked! My mom saw it for the first time […] and she said ‘It’s so pretty!’ And I don’t think my dad has seen it yet but I think he’ll like it,” Zoë says. “My style is very inspired by both my parents, so we all kind of have the same taste.”

And when it comes to the type of girl she imagines wearing the pieces, she envisions popularity with ladies that have a strong sense of adventure and individualism. Zoë believes her designs will resonate with “someone who’s exploring, trying to figure themselves out and the world out. They have a carefree spirit, like me.”

THE CHOCOLATE SPA DIY CARAMEL FACIAL

Want to get that golden summer glow from head to toe? Sweeten your beauty routine by creating a spa atmosphere at home with caramel-scented beauty products like caramel bubble bath. Try a DIY Caramel Facial (recipe below) with simple ingredients from your pantry that will leave your skin feeling fresh and fabulous!

2 tbsp. Brown Sugar 1 tsp. Whole Milk 1 tsp. Honey 1 tsp. Plain Oatmeal Instructions: Mix all the ingredients together and apply to the face in circular motions to exfoliate the skin.

Leave the mask on for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Follow with a mild cleanser.

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DaRico Jackson

The Man & The Brand Words by: Seven L. Maxwell

A

fter dedicating over 24 years to the hair care craft, St. Louis native, DaRico Jackson is one of the most sought out stylists in the industry. With an everexpanding clientele including starlets, singers, and socialites, DaRico has earned his reputation as one of the baddest in the business.

During his reign in St. Louis, everyone who’s anyone would sacrifice their Saturday—or any other day—for styles by DaRico or one of his cohorts in the craft, whose combined forces dominated the hair care sector for St. Louis’ style-savvy and sophisticated sisters. It was just a matter of time before he started catering to clientele of a higher caliber. So when the former owner of Fusion Salon got the call to go out to California, he knew it was destiny dropping opportunity directly at his door. Determined to elevate to the next level, he accepted the challenge to work with NBA baller Shaquille O’Neal for a commercial, which landed him the chance to groom “Diesel” for appearances on and off the court for the next three years.

After styling out of the ultra-elegant Elgin Charles Salon in Beverly Hills, DaRico focused on setting his standards higher than ever. DaRico feverishly focused on his mission to perform hair miracles. A stroke of his genius morphed manes from mediocre to marvelous—enough to make onlookers do a double take. DaRico describes turning a simple style into a staple of pop culture

as he humbly speaks of one of his many career highlights.

“When I did Tasha Smith for ‘Why Did I Get Married,’ I created that haircut for the character Angela and it just made headlines. It was just a bob, but I guess it was the way she rocked it and how I cut it, along with the character she played that made it highlight. And it hit the press everywhere.”

His sexy styles have been showcased on the hottest heads in the music and movie industries like: Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Jackée, Essence Adkins, Michael Ealy, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Gina Ravera (The Closer), Wendy Davis (Army Wives), Vanessa Williams (Soul Food), and Keyshia Cole—including her latest album cover. And that’s just the short-list. He may not have time to be still and stand in as their primary stylist, but when there’s an event where media is involved, he’s their go-to-guy for glamorous hair. His work is featured on the walls of JCPenney salons nationwide. Where there’s an African-American woman’s photo on the wall, DaRico’s signature is likely on that style. His work is also splashed across the pages of Sports Illustrated, Maxim, and Playboy magazines as he further extends his brands to some of the most beauty-driven editorials in the industry.

When he’s not styling hair, DaRico is serving up styles and creating curriculum as a Senior Educator and Educational Lead for Mizani— L’Oreal’s leading line of products created to style and treat multi-textured hair. “I’ve always had a love and a passion for teaching. I feel like learning is the best tool ever. I’ve been teaching since I started. I started with Sebastian. I’ve worked for Sebastian International, Sensitive

by Nature (Johnson Product), and Vitale. Then I fell off the scene for a while because I changed my goals,” says DaRico. “I wanted to go for the entertainment industry. I didn’t realize I needed that strong educational background to help me

grow in the beauty industry field. That’s when I got the job with Mizani.” He adds, “I came on with Mizani about five years ago and I moved fast in the company. My goal for even getting with the company was because I wanted to do editorials for the company and try to uplift the image and change the face. And I’ve successfully had an opportunity to do that.”

DaRico also handles the Associated Press for Mizani and he frequently speaks to the online press about hair trends through sites and blogs including his nearly 50 videos on Tyra Banks’ Type F series (www.typef.com). He’s done it all including “BET Upfront” and “Washington Watch with Roland Martin.” He’s styled the stars of countless shows and he serves as the lead hairstylist for the Television Critics Association (TCA).

On a mission to help others build their professional portfolio, DaRico is holding a series of seminars in several states. The Hair for Media workshop is a 12-hour media experience where he’s compiled an array of advanced cutting and coloring techniques to help take his students to the next level. “These are the stylists who want to rise above and step out into their lane and go get big bucks.” He adds, “Not only are they getting all the networking tools they need, I’m providing them with numbers and email addresses of graphic designers and media people and editorsin-chief of magazines—all of those things that no one would give me when I moved to L.A. I’ll also give them a list of agencies they can go to and I pre-warned all the contacts so they will know my students are calling because they’re building their network.”

Armed with an arsenal of Mizani products and his DaRico Majic styling tools created by One Tools, DaRico started his Hair for Media workshop tour in his hometown of St. Louis and moved his workshops to Chicago and Indianapolis before taking over cities like Memphis, Baltimore, Dallas, and Atlanta. “My goal is to create a network of the greatest hairstylists that ever lived, all around the world,” says DaRico.

The Hair for Media workshop provided countless stylists with more than an education, DaRico offered opportunity. “There are a lot of people out there that are yearning for opportunity, yearning for education, and yearning for growth.

I want to be able to provide them with as much opportunity as I possibly can.”

For more information, follow @DaRicoJackson on MySpace, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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[Beauty]

RED CARPET INSPIRATIONS

THE GRAMMYS “LOOK”

The Grammy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The annual ceremony presents trophies to musical acts and features performances by prominent artists in a widely viewed, televised showing. Safe and elegant styles like long hair, sleek waves, ponytails, and topknots look great on the Grammy’s exclusive guests.

FINAL LOOK: SLEEK PONY No need to fear, the sleek pony is here. This is a go to, simple style that depends heavily on natural beauty and soft features. Divas like Beyoncé and Gabrielle Union make this effortless style look fierce.

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YOUNG + SEXY + LAVISH!

What does it mean to be young, sexy and lavish from a beauty perspective?

YOUNG “youthful”---Being in an early period of life, development, or growth (unlimited physically, but mentally young in regards to the way one feels) SEXY “attractive” ---Arousing or tending to arouse sexual desire or interest of the mind and/ or body LAVISH “rich”---Characterized by or produced with extravagance and abundance

THE MET GALA “LOOK”

The Costume Institute Gala, known as the Met Ball or Met Gala, is an annual ball that celebrates the annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum’s fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. Vogue hosts the edgy, NYC social event. Met Gala styles are all about being daring and risky. Expect lots of color and offthe-face, free, self-reflecting looks.

FINAL LOOK------SHEHAWK BOUFFANT...

Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway have rocked fauxhawks, but this style takes edge to another level.

The teased curls and textured volume add body to make the striking look more of a bouffant.

THE BILLBOARD “LOOK”

The Billboard Awards also recognize achievement in the music industry. This televised presentation ceremony, which is a little more casual than the Grammys, awards trophies based on album sales, digital sales, radio airplay, and Internet streaming data. Top artists and A-list personalities are likely to show up with curly, textured, wavy, soft curl, big, and long hair looks.

FINAL LOOK----BEACHWAVE COMBOVER The tone is fun and relaxed so there’s no style more appropriate than slightly messy waves. The style, with a far side part, looks great on celebs like Kelly Rowland, Fergie, and Taylor Swift. We stretched them out looser and gave it slight edge with the straighter ends.

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[Get This] 1

Shine Bright like a Diamond

When you need quick whitening, a trip to the dentist is not very convenient and strips and pastes aren’t always effective.

The GLO Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device combines LED light and whitening gel that allows you to create the brightest beam, from home. $199, www.gloscience.com

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COMMON SCENTS

It’s hard to find a fragrance that works for everyone, but Jaipur Bracelet by Boucheron complements most. The multifaceted scent is a floral, herbal, earthy, and sweet mixture every woman can enjoy. $106, www.neimanmarcus. com

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GO DEEP

Ordinary facial washes and creams don’t provide the deep cleaning you need to achieve a healthy glow. The Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System gently removes oil, makeup, and daily dirt from the pores. It thoroughly cleanses to provide a fresh face for ladies and gentlemen. $159, www.clairsonic.com

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2013 delux-mag.com

Let’s Face It

Revive your face with the Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask. The miracle mask rehydrates and exfoliates to bring your skin back to life.

There’s no need to rinse, so the formula continues to work even after the mask is removed! $28, www.skinstore.com

There Can Only Be One Your Best Foot Forward The newest addition to Dolce & Gabbana’s “The One” masculine line is definitely playing to win. The One Sport is light, yet manly and energetic.

The layered cologne has a refreshing edge that’s perfect for the athletic man. $99, www.neimanmarcus.com

Even with regular pedicures and use of pumice stones, nearly 80 layers of dead skin can accumulate on your feet. Luckily, Baby Foot’s Foot Exfoliate Peel contains natural ingredients that will gently remove the roughage over time to reveal soft, smooth feet. $25, www.beautysage.com

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TODAY

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[Style Icons]

SABIRPEELE

By Alex Woodall

O

ften incorporating tailoring (in some form) within his ensembles, Mr Peele clearly knows his way around a suit – donning them in a variety of ways with consummate ease.

Whether it is a waistcoat and chino pairing, a bold double-breasted blazer or simply a stand out khaki suit, our man illustrates exactly, without fail, how tailoring should be worn. Peele appears to effortlessly avoid the disastrous pitfall of the clothes wearing the man, rather than the other way around, every single time.

Of course, outside of tailoring, Peele’s style still fails to falter. Making excellent use of the denim jacket (a firm FashionBeans favourite) as both a smart-casual and off-duty option is just one of the ways in which he broadens his style spectrum.

His outfits, appropriately rather than arrogantly, earn him the self-appointed title of ‘Men’s Style Pro’.

A major part of Peele’s appeal is his fresh footwear game. Be it the exquisite doublemonks he designed with Mantorii, a pair of white bucks or even a basic pair of low-top Converse, Peele not only pulls them off but also understands the importance of good shoes.

THE MUST HAVE MCALISTER You can’t go wrong with a suede chukka boot. Rock it with a pair of selvage jeans or even a pair of faded chino shorts; this low-cut wear-all is an instant solution to your footwear needs. Save the sneaks for the gym. $135, available at jcrew.com

KEVINSTEWART

Finally, the truly enviable aspect of Peele’s impeccable style is that he does it all on a budget. This icon has mastered the art of thrift store, high street and smart sale shopping. Creating a look that gives the impression of much money spent – when in fact it’s been carefully curated through selective shopping – is what today’s icon does better than most.

THEPUBLISHERS CLOSETCHOICE

K

evin Stewart the critically acclaimed founder of Old School Shirt Makers NY has often been cited in the press as a personage who exudes a quiet authority in both his demeanor and style, not unlike a dignitary or head of state, but one with swagger.

Kevin is so cool in his super power duds that he has become known as “Professor Badass” on the internet. In actuality he has spent the past twenty years serving as Creative Director/Style Director for ESPN The Magazine, Vibe Magazine, Gear Magazine, Savoy

Magazine and Men’s Fitness.

Kevin’s unique aesthetic and taste was front and center when he worked as a visual merchandiser for Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s and Joseph Abboud. The modern yet classic touches of his new line of men’s and women’s shirts speak to his thoughtful intentions as a fashion autuer who commands the attention of both the industry and fashion forward consumers. Kevin has a deep affection for Americana that grew out of his mother’s career as a jazz enthusiast that is evident in every fiber of this new collection.

DELUX MAGAZINE

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THE CELEBRITY SKIN Words by: Martha Marion

Leading lady Angelina Jolie is said to have a fondness for caviar facials. And superstar Jennifer Lopez admits to spending one hundred plus dollars per ounce on the luxurious Crème de la Mer. But not every A-Lister has an affinity for expensive treatments. Some celebs swear by basic beauty rituals anyone can try. It’s nice to indulge, but if you want to look DELUX for the low, keep it simple like these ladies...

Beyoncé is known for looking fierce from head to

toe. Coincidently, one of her secrets is that she uses the same product… from head to toe! Beyoncé’s beauty essential is Aquaphor.

Mrs. Carter makes the most out of the multipurpose product by using it as a lip-gloss and a full body moisturizer.

She even uses the petroleum ointment to tame her edges.

Tia MowryHardrict’s favorite beauty

item is something everyone can afford It’s not cheap; it’s free! The twin beauty gently rubs ice on her face until it melts. The frozen cure-all helps to smooth facial blemishes and relieve puffiness from the sensitive under eye area. Ice also tightens the skin and serves as a revitalizing morning pick-me-up.

Tika Sumpter has gorgeous skin that always looks

radiant. That’s because she realizes that nighttime maintenance equals daytime beauty. Before bed, Tika uses coconut oil to remove her makeup. Then she washes her face with an exfoliating cleanser and finishes her routine by moisturizing with Keri lotion.

Zoe Saldana keeps her tresses shiny and smooth by staying faithful to a tried and true trick. She applies mayonnaise to her hair to restore moisture and increase vitality. Zoe’s mayonnaise treatments help keep damaged ends away in between salon visits.

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LIFE INVESTMENTS: HAVE YOU MADE SELF-DEPOSITS?

Words by: Karen Banks, M.Ed., Therapist & Owner of Trinity Wellness, LLC.

It might seem a little odd for a therapist to discuss investing, but I’m not talking money matters. I’m talking about the most important kind of investment you can make... the one in yourself! If we want to live and really enjoy life, we can’t just take basic care of ourselves. We have to make small deposits.

Just as a financial planner would, we will start at the end.

Consider these questions. What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, or 25 years? What is important to you?

The next step is determining how you plan to achieve your goals and live your life. Have you taken the time to write down your goals and analyze each step? What investments can you make that align with your desires?

When thinking about making investments in yourself, consider several types of investments: Personal, Family, Faith, Health, and Career. Each of these might be equally important in your life or you might place more value on one than you place on others. To help determine your priorities, consider the following questions. It is easy to sit and think about the answers, but it is more beneficial to write or journal your responses.

How much reflection time do I give myself each day?

How much exercise do I get each day?

When I feel stressed, how do I handle it?

What is my level of spirituality?

What steps do I take to spend time with my family and friends?

How do I let go of past hurt?

How do I make and plan to achieve my dreams?

Do I sign up for too many things and then feel overwhelmed?

Do I know what my triggers or stressors are?

These questions are a starting point for learning about what is important to you, so you can make smart investments in your life. Deposit “currency” in yourself as often as necessary.

Take a quiet walk alone, pray more often, write in your journal, learn to say no, let go of your past, worry about fewer things, live a healthy life, and/or write down your goals and reassess them as needed.

Delux readers, I charge you with this: Make a daily investment in yourself. Make a small deposit to improve your life, make progress on your goals, and become a better you. Good luck!

Don’t forget to email me at info@trinitywellnessstl.com with your questions and dilemmas and I will answer them here. For more mental health and wellness tips,. visit my blog at http://trinitywellstl.blogspot.com or follow me on Twitter @TrinityWellST.

DELUX MAGAZINE

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GRAND CENTER PRESENTS

FASHION WEEK

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MOTO MUSEUM

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21 - SATURDAY AUGUST 24

MOTO MUSEUM

A XANADU PUBLIC RELATIONS AND K.LEE PRODUCTIONS EVENT

VISIT WWW.MISSOURIFASHIONWEEK.COM *DISCLAIMER: MISSOURI FASHION WEEK IS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM AFFILIATED WITH SAINT LOUIS FASHION WEEK

20+ DESIGNERS | 80+ VENDORS | ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCES COMPLIMENTARY MARTINI & APPETIZER STATIONS

Photo Copyright Peter Wochniak 2010 ProPhotoSTL.com

DELUX

INDIVIDUALS 28 The Doux

30 SimShahs

31 Cool Story

32 Niddy

influencers

crazy sexy cool “How bad do you want it..”-

WORDS BY DELUX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY MCARTHUIR PHOTOGRAPHY DELUX MAGAZINE

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DELUX.COM OR IPAD APP FOR MORE WITH THE DOUX

DOUX THE RIGHT THING Words by: Theresa Payne

Listen up hair lovers! There is a new product line on the rise and it goes by the name of The DOUX. The DOUX carries a variety of products ranging from shampoo and conditioner to styling and lengthening aids.

Described on its website as being for “smart chicks with real hair,” The DOUX has proven it’s not the ordinary hair care line.

In 2007, Maya Smith, owner and founder of The DOUX, relocated to Germany where she was disappointed with the lack of salons available for her hair care needs. “At the time, there were no professional options for women who wanted to wear their own hair without braiding, extending, or relaxing it. Seeing the void for knowledgeable, experienced professionals that catered to textured hair without chemicals, I opened The HoneyComb,” says Maya.

After the birth of her salon, Maya realized that it was somewhat difficult to keep up with products for both natural and relaxed hair.

Her motivation for creating The DOUX stemmed from “the fact that 90 percent of my clientele were either natural or transitioning from chemical treatments. I found myself constantly bouncing between two classes of products—those for straight hair and others for curly and kinky textures.” It was then that Maya decided she only wanted to use products in her salon that “performed well, were fun [and] fresh, and spoke to the soul of the textured hair experience.” In 2009, with the help of a small, collaborative circle, Maya created The DOUX. Regarding the relaxed versus natural hair debate, Maya says, “The DOUX is about open dialogue without promoting an agenda. We address the lifestyle needs of each individual and trust in their ability to choose for themselves what is conscious and intelligent. Relaxed versus natural is a non-issue when it comes to ‘real chicks’ making smart moves.” And Maya believes The DOUX consumer is capable of making appropriate style decisions. She has even visualized the ideal patron. The “DOUX girl” as Maya puts it, is not at all typical. “Our girl reaches for The DOUX to complement her beauty, not establish it. Her swag is complex, but her needs are simple. She wants to rock her hair her way, using a product that helps her express and display her creativity.”

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Professionally formulated and manufactured in a controlled laboratory facility by a team that includes a lead chemist, a trichology consultant, and a small team of salon technicians, The DOUX was created “for people who want stable, professional grade products that perform well enough to help them create salon results at home.” The DOUX is usually purchased as a complete system, but “intense conditioner, C.R.E.A.M. is the detangler that [The HoneyComb’s] clients swear by,” says Maya. Also, Bonita Afro Balm™, a texture defining cream, is one of the line’s most popular products. Maya insists that The DOUX stands out among other product lines. “We believe that in this industry, there are contenders, and there are pretenders,” she says. “People know the real thing when they see it.”

The DOUX is currently only available online but will soon be available in select U.S. retail locations by the end of this year. As for the future of The DOUX, Maya says, “Our ultimate aim is to establish The DOUX as a lifestyle brand, starting with the U.S. and greater European territories with a global reach. We want the people who live in the communities we occupy to benefit directly from our presence and to be inspired by our example of what happens when you work hard, dream big, and DOUX you.”

To find out more about The DOUX and for information on purchasing, visit www.thedoux.com

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DELUX.COM OR IPAD APP FOR MORE WITH SIMSHAHS

SIMSHAHS

Words by: Chauncia Boyd Rogers

Photographer: McArthur Photography

901 Pine Street St Louis, MO 63103 (314) 588-8700

When April Simpson and Kita Shah get together in front of the camera, their exchanges often seem more like hilarious outtakes from the cutting room floor than an actual news segment. And that’s a good thing. During the Fox 2 News pieces, host April coaxes guest expert Kita into comedic, yet informative spiels, sharing hair expertise and offering style tips. When they’re determining dos and don’ts and presenting the hottest hair trends, April and Kita interact in a manner that makes viewers feel like they’re sharing banter with their friends.

That on-camera ease and sociable delivery has always been part of April’s charm. For ten years, April has shared her life with St. Louis’ viewership as she anchors the Fox 2 News and News 11 casts. April was forthcoming about her health issues— she survived a brain tumor and bounced back after hip replacement surgery—and she’s always been candid about her clothing and her weave. April’s professional, but girlfriend-like persona has garnered her fans that are encouraged by her triumphs and inspired by her style.

Kita recognized April’s mass appeal 26

and suggested that they open a salon and store together. “I knew she had a nice following from being a popular anchor, so I approached her with the idea,” says Kita. “It took a little persuading in the beginning. I was like ‘Girl, with your artillery and my artillery, we can make something happen.’ I wore her down to the ground about the idea and reassured her that it would be an easy ride.”

April finally agreed and now the duo is eager to share their newest venture, which shows off their personalities and personal interests. April and Kita have collaborated to create SimShahs.

SimShahs, which is a blend of Simpson and Shah, is an ideal partnership for April and Kita. Kita has been April’s hairstylist for years and the two have a lot in common. “This is something we’ve been working on for a while. We’re both really into hair and fashion, so we created a salon and boutique that will have things like virgin hair, jewelry, and upscale clothing,” says April. And in a city where hair salons come a dime a dozen, April and Kita have figured out their niche and are setting themselves apart. Kita says the hair and accessory store is what makes SimShahs stand

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2013 delux-mag.com

out in St. Louis.

Although Kita is the licensed stylist, April’s involvement is not just limited to offering her namesake and doing promotional appearances. She and Kita work closely together to make sure their vision is realized. April says she journeyed to SOHO in New York to select her favorite pieces of jewelry for the accessory store and she is enmeshed in clothing selection as well. “We want upscale clothing at a reasonable price. You can expect hip, fun, and professional items and even some ‘going out’ styles, but no hoochie,” says April with a serious laugh. The salon opened a few months ago, but the clothing store is still in the works. “Eventually, we want to get the boutique up and running,” says Kita.

The salon is already receiving high praise and the owners are constantly coming up with ways to enhance the experience. SimShahs is a full service salon offering—among other services—hair weaving and extensions, coloring, eyebrow shaping, and lash extensions. The salon has a group of professionally trained stylists skilled in every area of hairstyling, but specializing in

natural hair, sew-ins, and braids.

There’s even a makeup artist. Kita says SimShahs’ location in downtown St. Louis’ corporate world brings a lot of clientele from working women who are looking for quality and quick service. But SimShahs is not just for professionals. The salon caters to a diverse clientele of all backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities. “My expectation for SimShahs is to have not only a diverse clientele, but a diverse staff as well. You can always learn new things from different hairstylists. I think the salon will naturally progress as long as the staff is being professional and giving the best service they can possibly give,” says Kita.

April shares those sentiments and says Kita is a blessing to her and their salon. “I couldn’t be blessed with a better person to partner with. God put Kita in my life for a reason and I’m thankful. She is so talented and our salon, SimShahs, is like nothing else in St. Louis.”

SimShahs Salon is located at 901 Pine Street, in downtown St. Louis. To make an appointment, call 314-588-8700.

DELUX.COM OR IPAD APP FOR MORE WITH COOL STORY

Words by: Janine Brownridge Photography: McArthur Photography

COOL STORY BR ...

From web design to graphic design to a clothing line, Cool Story has no ceiling as it expands from designs to include apparel and more. A few years ago, Cool Story started out as a collaboration of web and graphic artists seeking to help people create their story through design.

“Anything you need to tell a story— whatever it may be—from music to your entrepreneur business, we do it all,” says Bradley Edwards, Cofounder and Head of Operations. .

Bradley and Cool Story’s other cofounder, Kory Bernaugh, have worked together to create a company with many different features. Kory is the creative genius behind the designs. One of the secret successes of Cool Story is the clothing line. “Clothing came on accident. We had the regular Cool Story logo and people really wanted them,” says Bradley. After popular demand, Kory created different designs and the clothing line has been around for about a year. Cool Story has a lookbook on their website that allows customers to

check out the latest creations and items that are available for both men and women.

Cool Story gets orders for their clothing everywhere across the country and they have a watch party planned in Miami for the line. Now they are making plans for a new program that is coming out this fall. Project Cool Story will be presented to kids in middle school as a writing lab where students can create works for potential publishing. Cool Story has several other projects in mind and they hope to reach several people. Bradley says, “The best part is the endless opportunities. There’s so many different ways that we can help people.”

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DELUX.COM OR IPAD APP FOR MORE WITH NIDDY

THE N-I-D-D-Y IT’S NIDDY!!

Don’t color Niddy pompous when he’s telling of his friendships with global citizens and flaunting his international jaunts to places like Australia, Beijing, Dubai, and France. Not only is he grateful that his hard work has led to such opportunities, he wants to bring the experience to those who haven’t been as fortunate. Niddy, born Cornell Thirdkill, Jr., has envisioned a company that will allow diverse peoples to network internationally while enjoying privileged opportunities. The 26-year-old CEO says his emergent production and marketing company, Privileged Society, is designed to promote unity and empowerment.

Before creating Privileged Society, Niddy travelled abroad as a tour manager for a wellknown hip hop artist. While visiting the foreign lands, he “noticed how lifestyles were so different in other cities and countries across the globe and thought, ‘Why not bring that sense of unity and connection together under one roof?’”

Niddy got together with his brother Carlos Powell and with the help of several mentors, formed Privileged Society.

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Privileged Society was established to bring people and brands together through upscale events. “What told me I need to do this is really travelling in the world. I was able see that it’s a lot of underprivileged people as well, who are not catered to, who don’t have certain things put on for them,” says Niddy. “A person that works at McDonald’s might feel inferior to be around a CEO, but if you create that environment to where everybody feels like they are equal, then it’s not a hurdle to overcome.”

The neutral environment Privileged Society creates varies, but every event is designed to allow diverse interaction. “You might have a mixer where people are exchanging [business] cards or they are exchanging numbers. It’s just per event, to be honest,” says Niddy. “We host public and private charity, corporate, formal, and community events.

To be clear, the events Niddy speaks of do include social parties, which Niddy says he facilitates from top to bottom. And while those

Words by: Chauncia Boyd Rogers McArthur Photography

Photography:

parties create a memorable experience for all attendees, Niddy’s goal is to enhance lifestyles for people outside of parties and within more sophisticated contexts. “What we bring differently to the realm of things is that it’s not just about partying,” says Niddy. “It’s not about that. Privileged Society is about a lifestyle. It’s just really introducing concepts of living and things that are out there.”

Niddy still has some logistics to consider regarding Privileged Society’s operation and outreach, but the company does have some upcoming events. This fall, Privileged Society is participating in an invite-only polo tournament with the brewery-famed Busch family. They are also working on a weekend-long event with LeBron James scheduled to host for a night.

Internationally, the company will facilitate a music festival in Malaysia. Privileged Society is also involved with the Formula 1 auto race in Singapore.

For more information, visit www. theprivilegedsociety.com

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THE

YANDY BRAND

Honestly, you never know what you’re going to get with reality stars. Popular opinion would have you believe that anybody willing to let cameras follow their every move for the better part of a year is an attention seeking wannabe with aspirations of unmerited fame.

Everybody knows that the loudest, boldest, and most dramatic starlets get their 15 minutes and then some.

So I didn’t know what to expect from

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INTERVIEW AND WORDS: CHAUNCIA BOYD ROGERS, PHOTOGRAPHY: LAWRENCE BRYANT, MAKEUP: NYNA CHREECE MAKEUP ARTISTRY, HAIRSTYLIST: CARLA LEE, FASHION STYLIST: KAYLA BOLTON, FASHION INTERN: KELSIE JOHNSON

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COVER YANDY When I entered Yandy’s dimly lit suite, the mood seemed ominous, but I was immediately greeted by an assistant who introduced me to the star of VH1’s top-rated and much blogged about Love & Hip Hop. I expected her to remain seated, but she stood up and addressed me with a sincere, “Hey Love, I’m Yandy.” She was in St. Louis to host a party at the Paragon and she had less than two hours to get dressed, sit through hair and makeup, and field questions before she needed to arrive at the venue. So, if ever there were a time to be tense or snappy, a slight attitude would have been understandable. But when Yandy offered her greeting, the smile on her face radiated through her eyes and I could tell that our interview would flow more like a conversation than an exasperated Q&A. With a distinct New York accent and cadence, Yandy rattled off, “They’re into: who you’re with, what you’re doing with the person you’re with, what club you’re going to, who’s fighting with who… that’s the kind of stuff they’re interested in.”

But that’s not what the Harlem native is about. Yes, as a reality show participant she’s enthralled in ever-present antics. But any drama you get from Yandy is “going to be infused with some work and some business stuff because I’m more about that than anything else,” she said. “If they could get all of who you’re fighting and who you’re sleeping with, that’s what [the producers] would do. That’s what they would show. But you’re not going to get much of that with me.”

In the offseason—and even when the cameras are rolling—Yandy is well aware of how her actions will affect the empire she’s building.

So what you will get from the mini-mogul is a mother, mentor, and self-described “businesswoman” dedicated to expanding “the Yandy brand.”

Delux: Let’s talk about Love & Hip Hop. It’s going to be season four. What’s going on?

Yandy: Well, we just started taping.

Delux: How long is filming?

Yandy: Eight months. When the show airs, we’re still shooting. The last two episodes are not shot yet when you see the reunion show, so we’re still in the midst of it. It’s funny because you can think somebody is your best friend until you see that first episode. So it’s always funny to see that dynamic after you’ve watched. We don’t see it before. When you watch it, we’re watching it.

Delux: You film for eight months and what do we get, 11 episodes?

Yandy: Last year you got 12. The year before that, you got 10.

Delux: They’re just putting your life into this package. Do you think it shows who you are?

Yandy: I think it shows a portion of who I am.

You can’t capture all of me in two minutes.

Each episode you might get a collective seven minutes of each of us. Does that show me?

Absolutely not. Really, with me, they don’t show a lot of my work life, and that’s like 80 percent of who I am.

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“Oh. She’s just about money.

She’s not about family.

She’s just about business.”

Delux: How are you different from other members of the franchise?

Yandy: I think I’m different in several ways. This is no shade to any of them, but when the show was created, it was all about the women. It was about women that were who they were because of the men that they were associated with. And in reality TV in general, you have [casts like] the “Basketball Wives.” And they are the basketball wives because of who they dated. And they have all the nice condos, the fabulous homes, [and] the fabulous shoes. And I just felt like I wanted to come on the scene and show something different.

So I wasn’t attached to a man—at least not a man in the industry. And I wasn’t living the way I was living because of a man. So in that aspect, I felt like I was doing something different [from] what was the norm out there.

Delux: But you still have your relationship shown.

Yandy: That was a decision I made because after my first year, I got a lot of flak. People were like, “Oh. She’s just about money. She’s not about

COVER YANDY that was bothersome for me, for people to think I was setting up fights. And then another thing, people were saying because I was so passionate about my career with Jim [Jones] that we were in a relationship. And I do not believe in mixing business with pleasure. I built this career. For 10 years, I’ve been in this industry and I have never dealt with an artist. So for people to say that, I was disgusted.

Delux: When they put you together in the situations, how manufactured is it?

Yandy: Is it scripted? No. Do [the producers] say, “You say this and you say this?” No. Is it situational? Yes. They don’t tell us what to say when we get into those scenes. They don’t tell us how to act. They don’t tell us what to do. Every time I hear someone say, “Those shows are scripted…” Why would anybody want to say some of the things that they say? It’s not like we’re acting like we’re someone else. Like if my name was Michelle and I’m coming on the show as Michelle, I can act a fool because that’s Michelle doing it. But I’m saying I’m Yandy. That’s really who I am in real life. Nobody can script Yandy to say some foolish shi—some foolish stuff!

Delux: How are you with Jim and Chrissy?

Yandy: Oh. There’s no relationship.

Delux: And what about your relationships with the other people from the show?

Yandy: Kim and I, we’re still cool. Me and Olivia are great friends. Somaya’s cool. Whenever she’s in New York or I’m in LA, we’ll hang out here and there. Emily and I just did a charity thing together.

She’s all right.

family. She’s just about business.” They think you’re not about anything else because that’s all they see on TV. But my first season, I was like, “This is not what I’m putting out there.” What I’m putting out there is [that] I’m a businesswoman that did this on my own. I felt like once I entered the relationship world, I knew that the producers of Love & Hip Hop would capitalize off that and want it to be all about that. And the third season, when I decided to bring my relationship on TV, my whole season was about my relationship. They didn’t really divulge too much into my business.

And I had a lot going on as far as business last year.

Delux: Have you heard anything about yourself that you wanted to correct?

Yandy: After my first season, people were calling me the Don King of reality TV because it looked like I set up [Kimbella] when [she] and Chrissy got into it and another time with Erica Mena when she got into it. But what people need to understand is a lot of time we don’t know the full story of what’s going on with reality TV. I had no choice of who I brought into certain situations. So

“For 10 years, I’ve been in this industry and I have never dealt with an artist.

So for people to say that, I was disgusted.”

Delux: Speaking of charities, you have a charity.

What is it?

Yandy: Everything Girls Love and the PUD mentorship program. It’s Partners Uplifting our Daughters. I wanted to start this mentorship program—I have the Everything Girls Love blog—and we want to encourage young women to express what they’re going through, through writing to help them develop their writing skills. I definitely want women to go take a look at Everything Girls Love. It’s www. everythinggirlslove.com. I’m really excited about it because it’s not like the blogs out there. We don’t promote gossip. We don’t speak of anything that’s not factual, that’s not from the horse’s mouth. And really, it’s like a one stop shop for women to just get all of those “what-to-knows” that women need to know.

Delux: You talked about hearing things from the horse’s mouth. How do you deal with gossip blogs?

Yandy: The first year, it was hard. Everything was scrutinized. Everything is over exaggerated. So that was hard, especially with my pregnancy.

People were already going around saying I was dealing with Jim. And I didn’t need anybody going around saying this is Jim’s baby. And there was so much speculation. And then when I had the baby and my son came out with blue eyes?

One of those [gossip blogs] put a picture up of some basketball player and was like, “This is Yandy’s real baby’s father.” Things like that really used to get to me. But now, it is what it is. It’s entertainment and people soak it up; they want to tweet you about it. I also heard [a rumor] that my first Love & Hip Hop check went to a new booty.

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COVER YANDY But you let them tell it, I paid for eyes and I put contacts in my baby’s eyes.

So now, it’s just like whatever.

Delux: Let’s talk about when Love & Hip Hop is over. What happens then?

Yandy: You know what? I never ever expected to be in front of the camera. I love being behind the scenes. So I can’t say what’s going to happen next. I’m a businesswoman first and foremost. So that’s another reason why I can’t act a damn fool.

I got other businesses. This is one job of many. When this is done, I’ll probably continue doing what I’ve been doing. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get into acting. I still write for Black Enterprise. I’m producing a film called “The Chase.” I still manage. I’m doing the show and I’m a fulltime mom. So I’m used to being busy. I never would have thought of all these opportunities. I never would have thought I would have a cookbook. I never would have thought I’d have a workout DVD. Delux: Tell me about your cookbook.

Yandy: For me it’s really important— even as busy as I am—for my son to eat healthy. So steamed vegetables, quick meals, things that he can get the nutrients, the brain food that he needs, but that I can still go on the run and do what I have to do. So I’m just going to do several recipes that moms can take on the run with them.

If you got a 15-minute break, you can make a 15-minute meal.

Delux: Do you have an expected date for your cookbook?

Yandy: I don’t. I’m sure I’m going to be given a deadline soon, but probably November, the week of the [Love & Hip Hop season premiere]. I want to tie everything together.

Delux: You’re going to have a workout DVD? Yandy: I am! I really got serious in the gym, actually when I got pregnant.

And I figured why not make some money off this good old body that I was able to get back. So I got a DVD deal. You know whatever I do, it’s going to be something that I enjoy.

It might be like the hip hop inspired something.

Delux: Your other venture is a boys’ clothing line?

Yandy: Yes, baby boy. I think I want to do from zero to eighteen months, kind of like with the cookbook. Right now, we have t-shirts and onesies that we’ve been designing. I actually just got some new designs for it. It’s going to be like funny, catchy sayings.

The t-shirt line is for boys and girls, but the actual full clothing line will be for little boys. Hopefully, we’ll see a full line in November. Again, I want everything to come out with the launch of the show.

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Delux: How long are you willing to stay with Love & Hip Hop? Yandy: I feel like if I’m able to promote my brand and I’m given a positive platform to promote that brand, I’ll stay as long as it takes. But the minute I feel like my words are not my words or the brand is being diluted because there’s so much other nonsense and yuck, I will leave.

But as long as I can be a shining light and stand apart from the things that reality seems to offer, I will stay.

Delux: Do you think the show can get so messy that it interferes with your brand?

Yandy: That’s the thing. I’m scared if it does. I try to be a standalone person, but sometimes people categorize you by who you are affiliated with. I don’t do anything super special. I’m pretty normal. I think I remind a lot of people of themselves. I don’t crawl across tables. I’m not going to have sex on camera. I’m not wrapping my leg around somebody’s neck. Those are the kinds of things that most people find interesting. When [the producers] asked me to do the show, I was like, “Y’all are going to be bored.” I was like, “I don’t do nothing special.” So I’ve been taken aback because I never expected people to gravitate towards me.

Delux: What do you tell the girls who want to be on reality TV because of you?

Yandy: To the girls that want to be like me: That’s why a lot of the time I keep my mouth closed. I really try to put my best foot forward. It’s like once you punch that girl in the face, once you talk about that rapper you slept with, what other scenes do you have? What more substance do you have that’s going to captivate people? What are you going to do when it’s over? Because it does end. After you’ve ruined your career; you’ve acted a fool; you’ve hurt your brand; what are you going to do?

Who’s going to sponsor you? Who’s going to endorse you? Who wants to have you as the face of their brand?

It’s reality TV. It’s real because I’m not perfect. So there are things that I’m going to do that are maybe not the best thing to do. But things that I can control—and I can control a lot of things—I’m going to do my best at controlling them.

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2013 delux-mag.com

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CRUSHED...

SISTER SISTER...

People say [I look like] Angela Simmons all the time. I’ll be on flights and people will [ask], “How’s your dad doing?”

And I’m like, my dad? But they’re thinking Reverend Run.

I met Laz Alonso and I didn’t say anything. It’s best for me not to say anything. Lord! God forbid he’s interested in me. I don’t need no problems, so I didn’t say nothing. I sat there quiet. I didn’t even look in his direction. But my producer knows him and they introduced us. I was like, “Hi” and I kept my eyes this way.

REGRETS...

I’m upset with th e faces I make.

I’m like, “Why did I wear that together? Why is my hair sticking up like that, like I don’t have no friends?”

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I love Nic holas Cag e. I like A Jolie. I lo ngelina ve Angela Bas Will Smith; who doesn’t? set, when she decid come out. es to

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I like . re su ea y guilty pl Atlanta—It’s m crazy Tamar and her Braxtons, with butt.

CATCHPHRASE...

Pud is a term that I always used to call my friends. I still call my friends my Pud. So, my first season, it was so popular. Everyone was like, “Hey Pud! What’s up, Pud?” People know me for always saying, “Hey Pud” on the show.

GHETTO CHIC...

I’m kind of a renegade. I don’t really like to follow the trend and what’s out there. If I like it, I’ll wear it. And it’s as simple as that. I try to be kind of classy, but I still like to go to clubs and hang out and party and get a little ratchet. But, I wear what I want to wear. I don’t like to follow rs. I what’s the coolest thing out. I like colo a have really like suits. It just varies. I don’t ”? chic to set style. Maybe “ghet

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DELUX FASHION

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SWEET LIKE HONEY SEVIIN LI

DELUX VIBE

DELUX VIBES

Vancouver native Honey Larochelle is a young fire waiting to spread. Since moving to New York by way of Orlando and Texas, Honey—daughter of professional singer CC Larochelle—has become a sought after vocalist and a well-known name within the New York music circuit. Honey brings an unstoppable bubble of energy to the stage with her 6-piece band and she has graced the stages of venues like the legendary Blue Note, Lenox Lounge, Canal Room, and the Village Underground.

In between her personal music endeavors, Honey travels the world with artists such as The Brand New Heavies, Joss Stone, Macy Gray, and Roberta Flack as a backup vocalist. N’Dea Davenport says, “Honey Larochelle is one of my favorite people to sing with!” Honey has also had the honor of singing on Donny Osmond’s latest album, “Love Songs of the 70’s” and she is the featured lead singer of Thomas McClary’s (Commodores) upcoming gospel record, “Revolution, Not a Revival.”

On the live front, Honey has performed with or opened for many reputable artists such as Maya Azucena, Donna Summer, and AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys. As a songwriter, Honey recently collaborated with Jennifer Hudson, who says, “I’ve never seen anything like her, she just asked me a few questions about myself and my life and next thing you know she had a verse and hook written.”

Honey’s voice has graced over 200 song recordings, spanning all genres. But the budding diva has finally discovered her own artistry, “I can emulate just about anybody, and that’s why it took me so long to figure out who I am,” says Honey. “I’ve been in a gang, [I’ve] dated hustlers, and I’ve also been the chick with thick glasses who dresses weird and sings in musicals.

Finally, I’m clear about who I am. I’m a lot of different people all rolled into one and I love being me!”

And now Honey is prepared to show the world that person she loves to be. This year Honey wraps up her solo debut album, “Flight of the Honey B,” in which she shares insights on her life experience and her growth as a young woman. “Flight of the Honey B” is Honey’s 12-song debut that reveals her crisp and soaring soprano gift, while capturing her dynamic songwriting and production skills. Her joyous and unique funk-soul sound is sure to make an impact on the listener.

Honey’s journey proves that she is a triplethreat: an amazing singer, songwriter, and musician. With her chameleon-like gifts, her glowing persona, and her passion for the stage, Honey Larochelle will soon become a name to remember and a classic to keep.

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Dare to

Bare

BET Awards 2013: From Red Carpet Ravishing to Red Carpet Ridiculous

Award shows mean red carpets, which mean beautiful people and gorgeous outfits. It also means there will be those who show out in the worst possible way via struggle outfits and bad taste. The 2013 BET Awards were no different.

There were some standout looks at the celebration of black entertainment in June. Meagan Good may have had some ladies sucking their teeth, but the overwhelming majority of men approved of her revealing attire. Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Paula Patton also stood out. But to be fair, they would probably get noticed rocking sweats and tees.

As for the fashion fails, they were plentiful. The stylists Ne-Yo and French Montana pay to dress them are world-class thieves. And let’s just go out on a limb and assume that Trinidad James chooses his own attire for these events, which is unfortunate.

Check out the best and worst dressed at the BET Awards 2013...

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W

hat a BET Awards it was! Yes, the 13th annual BET Awards went bigger this time around than in years past, stepping up their game with performances from huge superstars from both pop and rap.

Smartly, the music-heavy set kept the pace up with appearances from Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu, Ciara with Nicki Minaj, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown with Nicki Minaj (again), J. Cole, Miguel and Kendrick Lamar (again), Mariah Carey with Miguel (again), Janelle Monae with Erykah Badu (again), and R. Kelly with R. Kelly because when you’re R. Kelly you really don’t need much else, do you?

by Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Snoop Lion or Snoop Dogg (hard to tell which one was on stage) and “Uncle Charlie” himself.

Among the winners were rap wunderkind Kendrick Lamar, who took home awards for Best New Artist and Male Hip Hop Artist, and Drake, who won Video of the Year and the Viewers’ Choice Award. Also honored: Rihanna for Female R&B/Pop Artist, Nicki Minaj for Female Hip Hop Artist, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for Best Group. (It’s worth noting that Emeli Sande also got a muchdeserved Best International Act award.

Well done.

A star-studded standout, though, was the tribute to the Charlie Wilson sung 40

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[The Look]

B

oho-chic Style & No-Heels: When it comes to styling them put your insecurities aside and let loose on your creativity. For a trendy but comfy style opt for the flat designs and pair them with flirty summer dresses, cut-offs, cropped tees, slouchy blouses, spring blazers or jackets and some boho-chic accessories: bag, fedora hat & some fun jewellery.

Go for knee-high designs or classic gladiator versions (flat, strappy, ankle) to get this always cool summer’ish boho-chic style.

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where

STAY+REST ST. LOUIS

DWELL NINE TWELVE

This private apartment bed and breakfast is attached to a 3,500 square foot home in the historic LaSalle Park neighborhood just south of downtown St. Louis. Separate from the main house, the modern B&B is accessed by its own entry through the side yard. The lounge is an open space drenched in St. Louis art where guests can chill out, catch up, tune in, log in, log on, or unplug. Dwell Nine Twelve delivers the basics of contemporary living with clean lines, open floor plans, and simple accents. The urban “hotel” is the perfect St. Louis getaway for leisure travelers.

912 Hickory St Saint Louis, MO 63104 (314)-599-3100 www.dwell912.com

MEMPHIS

MADISON HOTEL

The award-winning 110-room boutique hotel is unique in its blend of ultra-modern interior design with the building’s classical elements.

Also of note is the basement gym and lap pool constructed in the bank’s former vault. The large door and steel walls remain in place. Operating in the “luxury hotel” category, the Madison serves the upscale market and touts its high service level and high-end amenities, including Italian linens made from Egyptian cotton. It is 44

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often mentioned on lists of the world’s best hotels, including those compiled by “Condé Nast Traveler” and “Travel + Leisure.”

wonder why rock stars, legends, and celebrities make Hotel Phillips their vacation or business hangout.

79 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901)-333-1200 www.madisonhotelmemphis

106 W 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64105 (816)-221-7000 www.hotelphillips.com

ATLANTA

HOUSTON

Amid the excitement of downtown Atlanta nightlife and the wonder of spots like the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Georgia Dome, you’ll find the W Atlanta Downtown hotel. The W is a lush hideaway infused throughout with natural elements that beckon you to come revitalize, refresh, and rejuvenate. The W Atlanta is a statement hotel among Atlanta luxury hotels.

Located in a 1920s-era building that housed the precursor to The Houston Post, the Magnolia symbolizes sleek, understated elegance. From its rooftop pool to its hardwood-floored lobby to its modern-yet-cozy rooms in between, everything about the Magnolia was designed with a sharp eye for detail and dignity. Besides the delicious, complimentary evening cookies, your stay includes downtown car transportation. For a little extra, Magnolia Hotel offers special packages including a massage, a five-course meal at the popular Strip House steakhouse, and the Deluxe Romance Package.

W DOWNTOWN

45 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd Atlanta, GA 30308 (404)-582-5800 www.watlantadowntown.com

KANSAS CITY

HOTEL PHILLIPS

Can a hotel feel grand and yet intimate at the same time? That’s the allure of Hotel Phillips, a historic boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Kansas City’s business, entertainment, and arts district. With their mid-western hospitality, it’s no

MAGNOLIA HOTEL

1100 Texas Avenue Houston, TX 77002 (713) 221-0011 www.magnoliahotels.com

Lunc h Hours

Monday–Friday 11am-2pm 2617 Washington Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

Dinner Service Wednesday 5pm -10pm Thursday 5pm -12am Friday 5pm -1:30am Saturday 5pm -1:30am

Live M usic

Wed-Friday 7pm-9pm Find us on facebook Follow us on twitter @theRusticGoat

314. 371 . 4031 www.RusticGoat.com DELUX MAGAZINE

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EAT+DRINK ST. LOUIS GRINGO

grin·go: a foreigner in Spain or Latin America especially when of English or American origin; broadly: a non-Hispanic person. Their name says it all. Gringo’s expertise is serving authentic modern Mexican food with an American twist.

Just picture a handmade taco, small batch craft beer, and tequila restaurant in an environment best described as a re-imagined, mid-century Baja surf lodge. Located in the Central West End, meet Gringo.

398 N. Euclid Ave Saint Louis, MO 63108 (314) 449-1212 www.gringo-stl.com

KANSAS CITY COAL VINES

Coal Vines features New York style pizza fired in a coal burning oven, with whole wheat pastas, salmon, and chicken dishes on the menu as well.

Check out the ever-popular weekend brunch. A large beer and wine selection accompany the delicious food choices, with wine available for retail purchase.

618 Ward Parkway Kansas City, MO 64112 (816) 912-2690 www.coalvines.com/

ST. LOUIS

BAILEY’S RANGE

Bailey’s Range, the latest, most ambitious venture from restaurateur Dave Bailey (Bailey’s Chocolate Bar, Rooster, and the Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar), could be the perfect restaurant for St. Louis’ current culinary moment. It’s an All-American burger joint. Bailey’s Range serves quality burgers made from locally sourced, grass-fed beef. That local beef and the homemade ice cream shakes add to the appeal of the classic eatery. It’s a big hit around town with140 seats turned over twice during the downtown lunch hour.

920 Olive Blvd Saint Louis, MO Phone: (314) 241-8121 http://www.iconsrestaurantkc.com/

HOUSTON KARANCHOS

Tacos are one of those foods best enjoyed outdoors—yes, even on a sweltering day. It’s the Houston way! That’s why the all-outdoors Karanchos is the perfect destination for taco hounds. Karanchos boasts yummy pork dish, trompo. Like barbecue, trompo is best cooked outside. And as with good barbecue, people flock to good trompo from miles away. Get yours on 46

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fresh corn tortillas topped with cilantro, onions and some of Karanchos’ screamingly hot salsa verde while you belly up to a picnic table in the shade. It’s like inviting yourself to a family picnic, only better—you don’t have to make small talk with your relatives, just stuff your face with tacos and Topo Chico.

620 Sheldon Rd Channelview, TX 77530 (281)-862-9968

KANSAS CITY

BRGR KITCHEN + BAR

BRGR KITCHEN + BAR brings a fresh adaptation of the most classic restaurant concept around to the Kansas City area. At BRGR, the classic American foodie will enjoy a value-oriented culinary experience designed with an atmosphere and attitude that doesn’t forget you’re a sophisticated eater. Hand-selected beers and wines as well as craft cocktails round out your experience and complement your meal. When you visit BRGR, you can expect great food, fresh ingredients, focused service, and a little reverence for classic American cuisine.

11 E 14TH St Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 221-BRGR (2747) www.BRGRKitchen.com

ST. LOUIS

CHRIS’ PANCAKE HOUSE

Nestled at the corner of Southwest and Watson, this Clifton Heights diner is a great example of a time you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. The 1980s exterior may not allude to the delicious food being prepared inside, but reviewers on sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon rave about the omelets, sandwiches, and much more. Chris’ Pancake and Dining has been serving customers for more than 25 years. And The Riverfront Times, Sauce Magazine, and AOL City Guide have lauded them for having the “Best Pancakes.” They also received the RFT Readers Choice Award for “Best Breakfast.” They’re open early every morning and all menus are available throughout the day until their 9 PM closing time. Stop in for a family dining experience!

5980 Southwest Ave

Saint Louis, MO 63139 (314) 645-2088 www.bartolinosrestaurants.com/chrispancakes

SHOP+PLAY KANSAS CITY

ZAFAR SALON, SPA, BOUTIQUE

Zafar features 10 salon stations, a private line of salon/spa products, and a wide array of top quality clothes and accessories for the professional man and woman. A true urban oasis, the spa offers services that soothe the spirit and relieve stress including massages, facial treatments, hair styling, and much more.

1370 Main St Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 527-0002 www.zafarkc.com

KANSAS CITY

THE GARMENT DISTRICT KC

This fashion forward store is a collective of Kansas City’s great local boutiques for men and women, featuring a unique selection of cuttingedge fashion: Label, Two Chic Boulevard, Denim Couture, Nikki Grant Boutique, Gennaio, Reign, Imagery, Threads, Christian Michael and Zani Guggleman. Handpicked collections include: Miss Me, Rock Revival, MEK, Big Star, Fortune Denim, Fresh Ink, and Ben Sherman to name a few.

1350 Main St Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 221-4387 www.garmentdistrictkc.com

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Jay-Z, “Magna Carta Kanye didn’t care about satisfying radio with his latest album.

Neither does Jay-Z. “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” the rapper’s 12th album, doesn’t have the pop or mainstream appeal his past records have offered. The 16-track set, mostly helmed by Timbaland, is full of robust and moody hip-hop beats that maintain a nice groove. But don’t expect any booming anthems or party jams here.

With the exception of rapping about fatherhood and daughter Blue Ivy, lyrically, “Magna Carta” doesn’t tell us anything new about the mogul. We all know how he rose from selling drugs in the Brooklyn projects to become arguably the most important rapper of all time. And we’re aware of his multiplatinum feats, his awards, and the benefits of having Beyoncé at his side.

But while Jay-Z continues to make headlines away from music, this album treads familiar ground, which makes it—dare we say it—average.

On songs like “Somewhere in America,” he’ll remind you—a couple times—that Samsung bought one million copies of the record and gave it away three days early. There’s similar flavor lyrically on “Tom Ford,” with its freaky beats, and on the bumping “Picasso

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Baby” where Beyoncé gets a shout out: “Sleeping every night next to Mona Lisa, the modern version, with better features.”

It’s when he talks about the other lady in his life—his toddler daughter—where we see a rare side of the typically cocky rapper.

“Now I got tattoos on my body, psycho (expletive) in my lobby. I got haters in the paper, photo shoots with paparazzi, Can’t even take my daughter for a walk…” he raps on “Holy Grail,” a collaboration with Justin Timberlake. It’s revealing, especially coming from the often-unfazed Jay-Z. While Hov works well with JT, his collaborations with Beyoncé and Frank Ocean on the respective “Part II (On the Run)” and “Ocean” rely too much on the R&B singers. There are other big names on the album like Rick Ross, Pharrell and Nas, but “Magna Carta” it isn’t designed like albums in the past. There are no catchy hooks to grab you in. The most excitement about the album hasn’t been generated from the music, but its promotion plan. Jay-Z announced the album in a commercial during the NBA Finals in June and he launched a series of videos explaining the recording process and songs. He’s continuing to create new blueprints to debut his music.

That should be congratulated, but the songs on “Magna Carta Holy Grail” don’t

Words by: Mesfin Fekadu

boom like his business plan.

“Knock me to my knees about a million times. Uncle said I’ll never sell a million records. I sold a million records like a million times,” he raps on “Crown.”

Yes, Jay-Z you’ve defied the odds, but we want a little more from the king.

DELUX VIBIN’

/D/

DONELL JONES FOREVER R&B

R&B veteran Donell Jones released his long-awaited seventh studio album, “Forever”, via his label imprint CandyMan Music in conjunction with Entertainment One Music.

The 12-track opus features the platinum-selling crooner veering back to the “basics” with live instrumentation and inspirational songwriting on songs including the album’s title track, “Forever”, as well as Jones’ personal ode to his mother aptly titled, “A Mother’s Love”.

just watching her as a kid and watching all the things she had to go through being a single mom. My dad was around, but I still lived with my mom and I had to watch her go to work. We struggled a little bit, but what held us together was the love. So I just really wanted to put a song out there. It hadn’t been a song in a while since Boyz II Men put out their song for moms.

I think mothers don’t get enough credit. The fathers don’t either, to be honest with you. But I just wanted to say something to my mom because I love her to death.

During a recent interview with the Huffington Post, the Chicago-native opened up on the project in addition to his experience running his independent “CandyMan Music” label.

What was her initial reaction to the track?

Donell: She heard it as I was writing it. As soon as I played it for her, she immediately started crying.

On the album’s lead single, “Forever”, you dedicated the track to your “22.” What’s the meaning behind the term, “22”?

Donell: Me and my girl was looking on the internet and we were checking out life path numbers. And that was her life path number. So I said, “You know what, instead of putting your name in the record I’m just going to say, my 22.” So that was my message out to her without really having to put her name down.

Was there any music that inspired you during the recording process?

Donell: To be honest with you, every time when I go in to make any one of my albums, I usually listen to the Isley Brothers, Teddy Pendergrass, Michael Jackson, [and]Stevie Wonder. And that’s been my process since the beginning. I always go back and listen to those songs just to clear my mind… I really feel like those artists had a lot of great music as well as instrumentation.

Do you think R&B is missing the sentimental value it once had?

Donell: I think R&B is missing the art of storytelling and the art of storytelling through videos. That’s what we used to have. I think nowadays what the problem is, back in the days we used to have all the different singer-songwriter producers and once we heard their record, you knew exactly who it was. Nowadays a lot of the younger artists are going to the same producers and that’s what’s making the record sound the same. You don’t have a variety of different sounds out there, so when you get a chance to hear something that’s really, good you go, “Oh wow, I like that sh*t. That’s different.” Different is good now.

Among today’s artists, is there anyone who you would love to collaborate with?

Donell: I would love to do a record or two with Drake. I think that would be off the chain. I love his style. I love what he does. I think we could make some great music together. We could possibly do something along the lines of “Best of Both Worlds”.

There’s a track on the album is titled, “Step The F Off”. How should fans interpret that?

Donell: [Laughs] It’s pretty much about this chick who got a man and she tries to hit up on you. A lot cats think that there’s cats who be trying to hit up on their girl, but sometimes it be the girl. So it’s like, “Yo, you need to step off because I ain’t trying to fight this dude over you.” I don’t want one night of pleasure to end up in a lifetime of misery.

On a lighter note, you also took time out to pay homage to your mother on “A Mother’s Love”.

Donell: I really wanted to think about what my mom had been through,

Where do you envision your label, CandyMan Music, in five to ten years from now?

Donell: I see the label growing tremendously. I’m definitely about to step out in search of some new talent. I want to help some young artists discover their dreams and make them a reality. Also, I’m really trying to get back out there as a songwriter and a producer. I took a little bit of time off and focused on myself. I just hooked back up with Edward “DJ Eddie F” Ferrell, who was the guy who discovered me. We’re just going to win. It’s all about putting out as much material as we can—quality material.

Donell Jones’ “Forever” is available in stores and through digital retailers now.

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DECLARATION OF CIROC @ THE OUTFIELD: MIKE SHANNONS

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#OCCUPY NOCO @ CUETOPIA II Gentleman @SOHO RESTAURANT + LOUNGE #aviontequila #deluxmagazine #bfreepaparazzi #TheUmbrellaGroup

Photos Courtesy of B. Free Paparazzi

MARY J. BLIGE & FRIENDS PHOTOS COURTESY OF TY WATERMAN/

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ON I T A C O NEWNOLW OPENAVE SS223 A C 0 0 13 4-241-2 31

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#OCCUPY NOCO @ CUETOPIA II Gentleman Jack

Photos Courtesy of B. Free Paparazzi

MARY J. BLIGE & FRIENDS PHOTOS COURTESY OF TY WATERMAN/

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DELUX

WATCH

FROM LEFT

Tobi Colls, Jamila Wilkes , Cornell Boone

POWER Words by: Rachel Nevels Photography by McArthur Photography

SHIFT58

When you think of Ciroc, you don’t just imagine a slender glass bottle with its signature sphere. You imagine a lifestyle, the glitz and glam of everything celebrity. And that’s no coincidence. Marketing and brand management companies like Shift58 are responsible for stimulating your senses to evoke certain images when you think of the products they represent. Cornell Boone, owner of Shift58 concentrates on strategically increasing brand value in the AfricanAmerican market. Cornell has a wide range of clients including those in the fashion industry and from distributing companies. He also does branding and marketing for such alcoholic beverages as Ciroc and Crown Royal. Cornell, a St. Louis native, says he didn’t want to grow out of his community; he wanted to grow with his community.

So he has dedicated his entire career to empowering the AfricanAmerican community through branding.

DELUX: Tell me about your background. How did you get to where you are today?

Cornell Boone: [I got where I am because of] college. My first years in college weren’t about partying.

Being at an HBCU, you’re around a lot of people you know. I was there on a track scholarship and I used these things to my advantage. It was about the nightlife, throwing events for people. I partnered with various organizations as well as fraternities and sororities. And when I returned home, I took that same philosophy and turned it into a business.

DELUX: What university did you 54

attend? In what area did you earn your degree?

CB: I attended Tennessee State University and I got my degree in Marketing and Brand Management.

DELUX: How did you come up with the name Shift58? What does it mean?

CB: My company is a predominantly African-American targeted brand management and marketing company. So when I approach my clients, it’s about shifting their brand and their product or service to the African-American audience in a unique way. The 58 stands for the year my mother was born. She actually passed in 2005.

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DELUX: What would you describe as one of the most pivotal moments in your career?

CB: Picking up clients. Before, my company was an agency and a lot of the companies that sponsored me [then] are now my clients. Within a year’s time, I transitioned the company and changed a lot of things over and offered more services.

When I did that, I was able to turn some of my sponsors throughout the Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City areas into my clientele.

DELUX: What is the best professional advice you’ve received?

CB: Not trying to please everyone.

Sometimes you only can do what you can. When your brand grows and your company grows, sometimes you’re not going to be able to assist everybody. Everybody is going to have his or her complaints.

DELUX: What advice would you give those trying to get into the marketing/brand management industry?

CB: Find your niche and know what works for you. Also, stay grounded and don’t try to oversell yourself. Just stay focused and stay in your lane of business. [My niche] was that I was African-American. As syndicated as St. Louis is, there is always room for growth and opportunity. I decided to stay home and cover those (St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago) markets. I’m AfricanAmerican and I feel more comfortable with my people.

At the end of the day, we are in the business of creating more businesses and more job opportunities.

One of the top budgets many companies have is for the African-American market. They just don’t know what to do with it, so they reach out to companies like mine to assist them.

DELUX: What’s your daily motivation?

CB: Just waking up in the morning. And just in general, my kids [and] my girl. It’s just amazing to wake up and see another day, whether it’s good

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Legends

Words by: Janine Brownridge Photography: McArthur Photography

13 BLACK KATZ KOOLER THAN A POLAR BEAR’S TOE NAIL The 13 Black Katz is an organization formed in 2008 that actively serves the community and offers premier entertainment for adults 30 and older . “Our intention is to take individuals to venues and provide events for entertainment in venues that are considered upscale in the St. Louis metropolitan area and to do that for less cost,” says Clay King, one of the founders of 13 Black Katz.

The idea for the 13 Black Katz was sparked by a group of men who wanted to give adults a chance to go to high-end places for a decent and affordable price.

Clay and his cohorts have created an outlet where people can socialize and experience live entertainment at venues like the Ritz Carlton ballroom or the Exo Lounge. At 13 Black Katz events, guests can do a variety of things from listening to music to networking with others around them. The diverse events are set up so that a DJ plays the best of R&B in one area allowing partygoers to enjoy the tunes, while others can congregate in a different area to make professional contacts or sit and talk. “We’ll be in a specific area and within that area we’ll try to provide an opportunity that allows our guests to be entertained on different levels,” says Clay. “When we do an event, we try to combine all of the best of whatever our guests may be looking for.”

One of the 13 Black Katz’s most successful events is the all-white party, “Black White Event” hosted at the Millennium Hotel. They usually host the event in July or August and the experience is always pleasurable. Guests usually promote the event by word of mouth, bragging that they really enjoyed themselves.

“It’s one of the biggest things that we pride ourselves on,” Clay says. “People that attend our events are excited about what they just experienced and share that information with other people.”

More so than hosting multiple events, the 13 Black Katz are concerned with serving the St. Louis community and changing lives by donating time and funds.

“Giving back and showing support to the community is also a big part of what we do and what we’re about,” says Clay. Every year, the 13 Black Katz host a service event with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where they give turkeys and food baskets to families around Thanksgiving. Community Women Against Hardships and St. Louis Public Schools have also benefitted from the 13 Black Katz’s charity.

Clay King is most proud of that aspect of 13 Black Katz. “I think the community service piece is a big part of what is exciting to me. It’s about uplifting socially and from the community aspect of the people that participate in our events. That’s what makes it work for me.”

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@tequilaavion @tequilaavion facebook.com/tequilaavion facebook.com/tequilaavion

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