AAinWonderblog: 2010

It's Far From Over.

This blog is like so o-v-e-r! You can find me regularly on

http://akaanuli.tumblr.com/

So, I haven't blogged in a bit. What had happened was that I've been so busy writing on other sites that I haven't been focusing on this one. The AAinWonderblog project has been good, but I'm thinking of doing something new. I don't know what to call it, but it'll be Anuli.

There Will Never Be Another

The Gucci Group has decided to continue with the Alexander McQueen brand after his recent death. They plan to show a A/W 2010 collection during Paris Fashion Week. Personally, I think they should not continue with the brand because there is absolutely no one else that can duplicate what McQueen did. I understand the business side of it (sales have soared way up), but what about the intregrity of the brand and McQueen himself. I do not think this is what he would have wanted. When McQueen died the essence of his brand did too. Neither can be fully brought to life again.

A Sad Day Indeed

Today designer Alexander McQueen was found dead in his home. I am truly speechless right now.

The Original Nasty Gal: Betty Davis

I recently did an interview for inCOLOR with Brooklyn-based designer Tennille McMillan. When I asked her who her style icons were she recognized Betty Davis as someone who's style she loves. The entire interview will be up on the inCOLOR site tomorrow. Check it out!

There are a lot of singers with crazy cool style, but can they really compare to Ms. Betty Davis? As the second wife of Miles Davis she is noted to have inspired a lot of his work including his album Bitches Brew. As a model and musician she evoked creativity in everything she did.

Fantasy Shopping At Tracy Reese

You all should know that I am young, fabulous, and broke. So until I win some type of lottery or get a job that pays in the higher two-digit range per hour then there is no way I am going to afford Tracey Reese anything (even on sale) anytime soon. But, if I could buy from her Tracy Reese collection then below are some items I would purchase in a hot minute.

Black Zebra Placement Jersey Cinched Frock

$250

Tracy Reese Black Shadow Dots 3/4 Coat

$440

Tracy Reese Trailing Floral Puff Chemise

$305

frock! "Sofia" in Tomato

$225

plenty Black Festival Friction V-Neck Tunic

$150

Tracy Reese Black Iridescent Back Bow Coat

$220

plenty Black Combo Sweater Dress

$135

Polaroids!

There are a plethora (nice word eh?) of reasons I currently ~~want~~ need a polaroid camera.
1. They give you almost instant printed pictures.
2. I like the spontanaeity of the results.
3. They are portable.
4. Andy Warhol took cool portraits with polaroids which would be nice to re-create with my friends.
5. I would love to do this to one of my walls (best most vital reason for me).
6. Lady Gaga is the new creative director of the polaroid company so I know it's gonna come back looking awesome.

pic sources: artknowledge, touchingharmstheart, thefab

Shout Outs From My Homies...I wish

Janet Jackson on the Feb/March 2010 cover of Wonderland Magazine (no relation to The Wonderblog).

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

I think afros are pretty cool...

Pam Grier

Lauryn Hill

Marsha Hunt

Angela Davis

That About Sums It Up...Yep.

I Love Me Some Paul Newman

Happy Birthday to the Late and Great Paul Newman. George Clooney has nothing on you sir. In honor of his birthday today they played some of his movies on television, including Cat on A Hot Tin Roof by my favorite playwright Tennessee Williams. I actually had an epiphany today and figured out (in my opinion) what it really means to be a Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. I actually never thought too much about it because I was always dazzled by the beauty of Mr. Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in the movie.

The Award For My Fav Spring 2010 Ad Goes To....

Alexander McQueen for Alexander McQueen. McQueen was actually the only designer nominated in this category because he squashed everyone else. All hail Your Royal Fierceness.

Here's a fact about me. I am deathly afraid of mice. I like snakes because they eat mice. Don't even think about approaching me with either though. That's not a threat, it's a warning. : )

I'm An Andy Girl.

Did you know that love Andy Warhol? I used to read bios about him in middle school and have totally digested his work. I love his style (art-wise, not much for his love of toupees though). I was at the Baltimore Museum of Art today and came across to Warholian pieces.

So, I'm looking into buying a new camera. Preferably a Nikon D40 or 90, but it's a pretty steep price tag. It'll be a nice treat to save up for during the next few years I suppose (unless you'd like to make a donation lol). For now I have my Coolpix, Nikon fm10, and soon my Holga to keep me busy. The Fm10 is cool, but dealing with film takes time, and most of my pics end up online anyway so I'd have to scan them. The coolpix is again cool, but I'd like a more professional grade camera. The coolpix is good for party pics though. The Holga is something I'm looking forward to purchasing. It's a toy camera, but I would like to see what I can make with it, just for fun.

Just Do It...Yourself

If you keep up with The Wonderblog I said last week in the "Dope Ropes" post that I would do some D.I.Y accessories inspired by the pictures I posted. Here are a couple of my results. It's kind of sparked a creative frenzy in my body and I've been making a lot of things during the past week. I love it because I used to make things on a daily basis when I was younger, so it's great to go back to doing that again.

By the way, Project Runway comes on tonight. My favorite quote from the commercials is, "It's hard being black, gay and in the ghetto." That guy seems fun, so I can't wait to hear more quotes from him.

Knotted necklace made by moi.

Hair bow/pin made by moi.

Ethnic Style History and Fashion Book

I was looking through a book called Ethnic Style History and Fashion Book the other day and found some cool pictures:

Silver hand ornament with pieces of colored glass.

An entirely tattooed groom. Circa 1867.

Old Maori with facial tattoos. Polynesia, New Zeland.

Currently Reading: A.L.T. by Andre Leon Talley

I am currently reading A.L.T. by Andre Leon Talley. The book is a memoir of his life that focuses primarily on his relationship with his two "mothers"; his grandmother that raised him and famed editor Diana Vreeland. So far so very good.