An Apology to Chrisette Michele

Instead of detailing my exploits since my last post, I feel the need to send a heartfelt apology to recording artist Chrisette Michele. Before you get the wrong idea, I didn’t do anything personally to her, but after the events of last night, I can’t help extend the sentiment to her.

Last night, a group of friends and I made a trip to Manhattan’s Lower East Side to the hotspot, Boucarou for Vibe Magazine’s VSessions featuring R&B sensation, Chrisette Michele. Sponsored by Seagram’s, the event started off perfectly. The deejay was spinning a great mix of old skool and new school hip hop and R&B. The crowd was on the dance floor and the drinks were flowing.

About an hour after the doors opened, Chrisette took the stage. She began to croon. Unfortunately, those of us who actually came to see her perform could barely hear her due to the crowd. Many of the “guests” felt that their conversations were more important then Chrisette’s performance. So after only one song, she walked off the stage. My friends and I were shocked and dismayed to say the least. One of my girlfriend’s, Nivia, was so angry that she actually got on stage to ask the crowd to show the artist some respect. The crowd ignored her and continued to chat away. It wasn’t long before the deejay started spinning again. My friends and I were so turned off that we just left.

So many things annoyed me about last night’s occurrences. Firstly, the reason for the event was to see Chrisette Michele sing. If people felt the need to carry on conversations, then why come to a concert? But I think the thing that shocked me the most was that no one (not any one from Vibe, the venue or even Chrisette’s team) made an attempt to quiet the crowd. Nivia has no connection whatsoever to Chrisette or Vibe Magazine. She’s a fellow publicist and a fan of the artist…that’s it. Why was she the one to take the initiative to say something– and even after she did, no one even stepped up to reinforce her efforts. How do you produce an event where the crowd is showing little or no respect (or courtesy) for the performer and you don’t say anything? Are you for real?

So in the end, I felt the need to extend a heartfelt apology to Chrisette Michele for the blatant disrespect shown to her by not only the crowd but by the folks that her brought to the venue to perform. Chrisette, you are truly a talented artist who deserves so much better. My sincerest apologies.

For more info about Chrisette Michele, visit her website at www.chrisettemichele.com

“One Night Stand” (Fundraiser for HIV/AIDS Awareness in NYC)

I know it seems like forever since my last post, but things have been a little busy with new projects, the new gig, and more. Check out this event that my clients Anise and Sandra are producing this week:

“ONE NIGHT STAND” WITH NORMAN THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL

AND GRAND STREET SETTLEMENT

Celebrity Stylists Team With Manhattan High School and Charity Organization for Fashion Show Fundraiser for HIV/AIDS Awareness

NEW YORK, NY—April 27, 2008—Celebrity fashion stylists, Sandra Alexandre and Anise Labrum, recently teamed with the students of Norman Thomas High School and Grand Street Settlement with a generous grant provided by the United Way of New York City to produce their first annual fundraiser for HIV/AIDS awareness. The May 9th event, a fashion show entitled “One Night Stand,” will be hosted by entertainer Tony Woods, with the red carpet hosted by Tracy Westmoreland of FOX News’ “RedEye.”

Sandra and Anise, are overseeing the creative/fashion direction for the show. The stylists have been working with the students over the past few months to teach them how to produce the show. The teens have been learning everything from stage production, fashion show coordination and how to perfect their runway walks from the team and other professionals that have donated their time to this worthy cause, including Oxygen Light Works, who donated all the lighting services to the event.

As word of the event started to spread, top-notch fashion brands and entertainment personalities began pouring in their support. Many major fashion labels have lent their many resources to all aspects of the production of the show.

With performances by RockStar Games Pro Skate Board Team, the evening of fashion will take place at Norman Thomas High School located at 111 East 33rd St (at Park Avenue) in Manhattan from 6 to 8 PM. For more information about the event or to inquire about tickets, contact: Shenica Odom at Sodom@grandstreet.org or Tamara Walker at nyprdiva@gmail.com.

GRAND STREET SETTLEMENT

Grand Street Settlement is an historic social service institution on the Lower East Side in New York City and was founded in 1916 in response to the needs of waves of immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe who were settling in the area. Today, over 10,000 children, youth, families and older adults residing on the Lower East Side and Brooklyn are served through Grand Street Settlement’s community-based programs. For more information visit: www.grandstreet.org.

Mission Statement:
Grand Street Settlement expands opportunities for low-income families and individuals by providing culturally relevant services that support community-building, advocacy, self-determination and an enriched quality of life.

ABOUT NORMAN THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Norman Thomas High School family to prepare students to be literate, caring, questioning and critically thinking members of society.

Our young people will be prepared to meet the academic and the technological demands of the 21^st century, thereby enabling them to succeed in college and the business world.

Funding was provided by the United Way of New York City through a project grant called Focus Forward and the Department of Education through funding for the Grand Street Settlement 21^st Century Learning Center at Norman Thomas High School.

CROSS POST FROM SAPPHIRE STYLEZ BLOG: Meet Devyn Cook

It’s 2008 and I said I was going to be working on big things for Sapphire Stylez, my personal shopping and image consultation company. Check out the news here…

I recently took on the position of the Hugo Boss/Max Mara Weekend Specialist in the newly revamped bridge sportswear department at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square. A major part of this big change is a personal shopper/clienteling aspect which has each specialist giving clients one-on-one personalized attention to help them reach their shopping goals by making the process much easier. The great thing about being in Herald Square is that I have access to clients from not only here in New York but from across the country and around the world. One of my new clients is a young attorney from Chicago named Devyn Cook.

Devyn came into Macy’s on Sunday in search of an outfit for an interview she was doing on the Today show the next morning. She had brought outfits from home, but was looking for the perfect outfit to help showcase the new Devyn. She had recently lost 165 pounds and was being showcased as the newest member of the Today Show’s Joy Fit Club.

I spent about 2 hours working with Devyn and pulling sexy, stylish dresses from a variety of designers including DKNY, T Tahari (an exclusive brand at Macy’s developed by the Elie Tahari design team), Kensie, and BCBG Max Azaria. She settled on a cute black dress from BCBG. Because the dress was a little low cut, we paired it with a cute leopard print (animal prints are a trend for spring) cami by Jockey. I event took the time to find a cute lime green (prettier than it sounds) twin set for her mom from Jones of New York (which was a good thing because at the very end of the segment they pulled her parents on stage). They looked great!

Click here to watch Devyn’s segment from the Today Show’s Joy Fit Club.
You can learn more about Devyn and her amazing journey here.

To find out more about Sapphire Stylez, visit my other blog at www.sapphirestylez.wordpress.com.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

The NY PR Diva loves you, the New York Giants. I was in junior high when you last won. Thanks for brining the Lombardi back to New York.

Queen said it best with:

I’ve paid my dues -
Time after time -
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I’ve come through

We are the champions - my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions - of the world -

I’ve taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortuen and everything that goes with it
-
I thank you all -

But it’s been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain’t gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions - of the world -

(We Are the Champions by Queen)

NY PR Diva in the Press!

Hello my loyal divaites! I am currently featured in two articles this month focusing on inspiration. Check out what I had to say in YMIB.com’s Daily Inspiration as well as this month’s issue of Fix Ya Face Blogazine. Copies of these pieces can be found in the press section of this blog as well.

Special thanks to Ericka Taylor, editor at YMIB (You Make It Beautiful) and Marcella Precise, editor at Fix Ya Face Blogazine for interviewing me for these features and helping me share what inspires me to the world.

And We’re Off And Running….(Fashion Week Begins)

So my fellow fashionistas, our semi-annual homage to fashion has begun. And as always, I will be bringing an insider’s view to some of the top shows at New York’s Fashion Week thanks to my work with the famed production company, the Ground Crew.

This year’s kick-off event was the eco-friendly fashion showcase, Earth Pledge Future Fashion Show which was held on Thursday night at New York’s Gotham Hall (just steps away from Macy’s).  The evening’s designers included Behnaz Sarapfour, Bottega Veneta, Boudicca, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Doo.Ri, Doro Olowu, Giambattista Valli, Givenchy, Isabel Toledo, Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Martin Grant, Martin Margiela, Michael Kors, Moschino, Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Lauren, Rodarte, Rogan, Stella McCartney, Thakoon, Threeasfour, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent who united to celebrate FutureFashion™ by creating garments that are made of sustainable materials like sasawashi, piña, bamboo, organic cotton and wool, corn-based fibers, recycled fibers or fabrics and biopolymers. And no show would be complete without a gift bag which reinforced the idea of going green with handbag utilizing Pure & Natural(TM)’s biodegradable bar-soap packaging that is actually embedded with seeds and when planted, will sprout baby’s breath. The bag also featured a cherry and almond oil body wash, grapefruit hand wash, a bamboo bar board, and an issue of Organic Spa magazine. Check out the contents below.

I had the pleasure of dressing three of the sweetest models I have come across in a long time. My first model was Bruna, who graced the runway in a red evening gown by Martin Grant (see below). Next came Julie who wore a beautiful Donna Karan creation (second image). But the showstopper was Vlada in an amazing (amazingly heavy as well as beautiful) cream-colored evening gown made of silk and hemp by Versace (the sketch is amazing).

Today hearld the official start of Fashion Week Fall 2008. Starting things off slow, I headed to Cipriani’s (across from Grand Central) for one of my favorite shows…Rag & Bone. This season’s design inspiration was Blade Runner meets WWII– a military chic. A twist on fashion inspired by the 1940s, this season’s collections featured cashmere, wool, skinny pants and jackets. The stylings were very sexy and sophisticated with very fall/winter colors such as grey, navy blue, black and white. Below are the images of the models I dressed for the show. For the full collection, check out the images as captured by New York Magazine.

Well, I’m going to turn in and get ready for Z. Zegna tomorrow and the swag that will be offered at the tents. Stay tuned for more!

Reflections….

A new year always brings about a time of personal reflection…today is the time for mine.

Tonight’s premier night for One Tree Hill–one of my not-so-secret teen drama addictions. The two hour season opener is turning out to be an interesting one. It’s four year’s after the last season’s ending and the Hillers are now grown ups– post college in the real world with real jobs (or no jobs) and real world problems. The biggest thing the episdoe has done so far, is made me think…Looking back, am I living the dreams that I dreamt back then?

To be honest, I’m not. Truthfully, I can’t even really explain how I got where I am now. All through high school and college, I was prepped for one thing…to be successful. I was supposed to be on track to someone great…a doctor, a lawyer, a future mayor of New York City or even a Supreme Court Justice. And for all intensive purposes, I was on the fast track to some sort of career in the political/legal world. I was Brooke Davis (character on One Tree Hill) who knew from the start that she wanted to be a designer and pursued her dream. But then reality set in.

I realized that I really wasn’t living my dream. I wasn’t interested in law school, and though I did love politics, but I didn’t want to be a politician (please, could picture me on the campaign trail like Hilary and Barack? I don’t think so). Adding to the dreams deferred was an unstable economy when I got out of college. I went through a period where I bounced from job to job dabbling in everything from insurance claim adjusting, interior design, accounting and then eventually PR. Not exactly on track to what I was “supposed” to do. But nonetheless, I am here.

Can I call where am now being successful…definitely not. I am far from it. I feel like Peyton Sawyer (another OTH character) who everyone thought would amount to something great but in reality fallen short. Like her, I ask myself “what am I doing here?”

For all intensive purposes, I am still young (relatively). And each chapter of my story is still in development…each one more interesting than the last. What does my future hold? Who knows? All I do know is that I’m at a crossroads right now. And I have to make a choice as to what I want to do with my life– a choice I have to make by myself and for myself. Not sure what to do just yet, but when I know, I know my choice will be right.

The NY PR Diva Wishes You a Safe and Joyous New Year’s. See you in 2008!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE NY PR DIVA!

I want to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and the most joyous of holiday seasons. See you in 2008!

 

United Curves of America (Open Call)

This one if for the plus sexy fashionistas out there. Check out the open call for United Curves of America sponsored by Voluptuous Magazine.

UCA - Print Opportunity United Curves of America VOLUPTOUS Magazine LLC is looking for the baddest Curvy Divas to appear in our Magazine in Print this Summer - “United Curves of America” we are seeking the best 50 ladies from all 50 states, sizes 12 and up. Ages 16 and up.  This is your chance to shine! Submit high quality photos that you own to: models@voluptoustalent.comor voluptousmagazine@gmail.com Add “UCA Model” to the subject line Please include photographers name No nudity please! Or mail to VOLUPTOUS Magazine LLC Attn: UCA Model P.O. Box 531221 Cincinnati, Ohio 45253 There is no cost involved! If you miss this opportunity you will be sorry!! Hurry and submit your photos to represent your state!! The competition is getting fierce!