ART:
DSETIA MARIYA PANTYUKHINA SHERI O’NEAL
APRIL 2009
MUSIC:
MUSIC CAREER CONSULTATION KIDD LINUS
FASHION: CULTURE:
FORGIVENESS CLOSING THE MINDS EYE
GINO GREEN GLOBAL CHARGRELS COUTURE MAC HELLO KITTY KOUTURE COLLECTION
‘The Mayor’ Young Cheino Speaks..
SUPREME POWER
FASHION MAVEN, CHARKETA GLOVER, OF CHARGRELS COUTURE, CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE DETROIT LOCALS AND BEYOND, WITH HER FUNKY, ORNATE FASHIONS, THAT ENCOMPASS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SUPREMACY TO PREVAIL IN EVEN THE HARDEST OF TIMES.
By Raven Martin
D
etroit, Michigan, internationally known for its historical ‘Motown Sound’ among other pioneering genres of music, isn’t getting enough credit for its other types of artistry these days. Amid the ranking for the second worst crime rate in the country, the almost bankrupt automobile industry, and the dramatic double term of Former Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, people usually aren’t thinking of FASHION when they think of Detroit. But this way of thinking will soon change as giants of artistic ingenuity are rising above the reputation of one of the most important cities in America. The designs of Charketa Glover, known for her couture fashion house, Chargrels Couture, are one of those artistic giants whose tenacity will help better Detroit’s reputation. Chargrels Couture is known for having unique and fashion-forward designs, specifically catering towards women who
make personal and social statements with the clothes they wear. For Charketa, her story with fashion came at an age when impressions were life-long. Her grandmother was a master seamstress, and influenced Charketa’s creative inspiration. “When I was in elementary school, my grandmother’s clothes were so well made that my teachers were having her make their outfits. That freaked me out,” said Charketa. Despite being “freaked out” by her grandmother’s designs, in high school, Charketa was voted “weirdest dresser.” As a hobby, Charketa would remake thrift store finds into unique one-of-a-kind pieces. “I wasn’t afraid to think outside the box. I had a free spirit for dressing. I also mixed and matched a lot.” For some, it was weird and unusual. For Charketa, this exercised her sense of style that would soon bring her
success with her own fashion house and online store, Chargrels Couture (located in Oak Park, just outside of Detroit.) Here, Charketa has free reign to do what most people dream of doing: creating with no inhibition, in an environment that is a reciprocal designer-customer relationship.” Here I can talk to my customers one-onone and I can also come up with new designs on the spot,” she said. D.A.M. Magazine 14
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Currently, Charketa has styled many A-listers such as Musiq Soulchild, Truth Hurts, and America’s Next Top Model diva, Dionne, from Season 8. “I make clothes for people who aren’t afraid to wear stuff that’s different. If you want to wear something different, you can definitely rock this,” she said. The success of Chargrels Couture wasn’t necessarily easy to get to overnight. Charketa says that ‘maintaining her store is hard work and that one has to be “consistent and persistent” in order to thrive. Her motivation is due, in major part, to her personal mantra: Never let anyone create your world.’ “This means you have to live your life your own way. There are a million ways to do everything. You have to create your own path and not be afraid to venture down it on your own. And lastly, Be a Trendsetter,” Charketa said proudly. The most important aspect of inspiration, Charketa pointed out, was that ‘one should try draw inspiration from one avenue. This benefits aspiring designers and also, people who are looking to expand their personal style into something more unique.’ “You need to try different things. If your closets are consistent, expand your wardrobe. Once you take one step towards doing this, it breaks your wardrobe up a bit so you are used to thinking outside of the box,” she explained. Despite the statistics, an estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in the country. Also, the sputtering auto industry’s plea to congress for much needed federal bailouts has made the industry-dependent state hold its breath as things smooth over. Chargrels Couture’s success has not been dependent on the economic state of Detroit. Chargrels wealth has been self made, making the effect of the economic downturn of Detroit, Michigan a small feat to overcome. “It hasn’t been a big issue,” Charketa, said, referring to the economy. “You definitely see the difference. For instance, instead of someone coming in and buying two D.A.M. Magazine 15
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pieces, they buy one. And even then, Chargrels has an tions,” she added. online store people can also buy from,” she noted. “For However, in the near future, Chargrels Couture will me to have gone from a small independent label, to this host another fashion show “Revolutionary Road” for its store with a growing client-base, I can’t complain. I’ve spring/summer collection. been blessed.” “My designs have come a long way from where I started out. So this show is a celebration of my rebellious style and its evolution. Were even using different The Future... materials.” The future of fashion is uncertain, but Charketa’s big Aspiring designers, take note: Tenacity and originality hopes and determination is a sign of good times to come. is key when one is trying to thrive during hard times. “In three years, I will be more mobile. I want my Learn from the best, especially Chargrels Couture. clothes to be more national, with a lot more clientele. We should have more workers, more products, a flagChargrels Boutique, ship store and also boutiques in different areas around 21700 Greenfield Rd., Suite#430 the country.” Oak Park, Mich. 48237 313.205.0237 “I love the idea of having small boutiques everywhere www.chargrels.com and having a flagship store here, the base of my operaD.A.M. Magazine 16
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Copyright 2009 Dynamically Active Movements Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.