The Power of the Mannequin

Designing clothes can be fun and have an interesting outcome as a finished product. One side may be taken in more than the other, the arm hole may seem a little tight or small. The amazing things within the fashion industry is that they are ways to make sure we get the correct measurements and design an outfit from the view as if it is already on a human being's body.

The mannequin!

Yes, what a great gift a designer can receive. This one of a kind piece can help make the most bland outfit have so much dazzle that you would have never thought it could be! Mannequins have come a long way in the fashion industry. Starting as tools seamstresses used to make pieces similar to the human body to having them in department stores such as Macy's, Man Alive, Up Against The Wall in various colors [such as blue] and shapes advertising the hottest and current clothes of each season.

Mannequins, depending on where you purchase them, can be quite expensive. They can range from $100 to $500 depending on how complex they are such as size-related. An average size to buy would be a 10-12 because the average woman in America is [approximately] this size.

Need a mannequin that is a little cheaper? Hit me in the inbox! BDang3rouz4me@yahoo.com and I will let you know the secret place where I bought this lucky mannequin for ONLY $75 [and it is NEW]!

Flossin' My Kisses,

Ash

B. Dang3rouz, Dutch3ss, and Majesty Clothing @ Eluzions, July 10th

If you like custom men and women's outerwear and out of the box accessories, I will be having at the fashion event held on July 10th, 2010 at Club Eluzions.

As a Florida native, this means very much to me because this will be the first time that a mass quantity will see my talent and passion for fashion.

The first fashion event I went to I met a handful of great designers such as the owners of LYF Apparel, Spoiled Chick Clothing, The Walking Couture Movement, Alodeuri, MiKasa La'Charles, and blogger Dhalia Rodriguez Edwards.

Visually seeing their talents and how passionate they are about it and how open they were when I spoke to every individual one of them, has given me more ideas to come forth with. I find it very interesting how all these young women have a drive that is out of this world and the same as mine: I want to make it big, yet I want to take the hard working ones with me, such as my husband whose also a designer.

I met Tracey Brown, the event coordinator and creator of these awesome shows. She is warm and down to earth. She's all about finding great and potential talent and she's an open book when it comes to knowing a lot about the fashion industry.

When I got selected for the July fashion event, I was very surprised and interested to get started on more designs. What I'm planning to bring to this event is pieces from my company, B. Dang3rouz Clothing and accessories and previews from a designer I'm representing, Majesty Clothing and Dutch3ss Clothing, the extended line of Majesty Clothing.

All in all, this is going to be a great event to come to! VA Exposed will be in the house as well, so come down and see what B. Dang3rouz and Majesty Clothing has to offer.

Flossin' My Kisses,

Ash

The Thumping about Rompers

Attention all fashion gurus! Rompers are in this season! Consisting of many different custom patterns, fabrics, and colors, rompers have made an impact as the type of fashion to be seen in this summer.

For those who aren't aware of what rompers are, let me break it down for you. Rompers are is a one piece garment of shorts and a top (either one shouldered or strapless) and is connected at the waist. Rompers can also be worn with or without sleeves.

Rompers are sold everywhere and within everyone's budget.

For instance, Juicy Couture has Rompers going for $120. Rainbow has them in select stores in various states for a fraction of the cost. You can mix and make with either stilettos if you're going out for a night on the town or ballerina flats for comfort at a dinner party.

They're awesome for the beach! Wear your bathing suit underneath for easy removal and fun in the sun. Gladiator sandals go great with this beach wear outfit.

Flossin' My Wishes,

Ash

Yes, Your "Majesty"...

Ok, maybe it is me but I love looking out for new designers! I love their energy- they're typically upbeat and they have alot to say in what they know and do. Not to mention, they never have a problem with mentoring and getting to know other designers who are looking for the same results.

My management company, Flossie Lee Management,

represents a designer by the name if Doc Massard. His clothing line, Majesty, has been giving artists in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area whip lash for all the crazy designs he have in mind. They're so awesome that you HAVE to take a second look!

This Norfolk-native started out making clothes for himself because there was nothing that interested him in stores. From there, he made apparel for his church, Bread of Life Ministry and perfected his craft. He's better than ever and it's definitely showing! With designing each outfit himself, it's pretty apparent that he's very hands on and that he's precise and everything that he does. After all, it's the product and the quality that sells.

He's currently the featured story for Raw Talent Magazine. With the gained respect he has gotten from other men and women in the Hampton Roads area as well as ones from Raw Talent Magazine, Parle Magazine and VASwagger.com, he has come to an idea to design a female line entitled Dutch3ss, which I'm co creator of.

Be on the look out for this genius designer!

Have any questions for him? Comment!

Flossin' My Kisses,

Ash

Still Fly and Not Overpowering the Birthday Boy

My best friend of six years had his 21st birthday party this past week. He's very big on fashion just as I am. I never been a person to be more lively fashion-wise at anyone's party.

But that doesn't mean I don't dress up!

I have a dress line within my clothing

company. I made this line exclusively for this main reason because no one ever knows when a moment or a party like this is going to come up. You want to wear something that is free flowing, not too long, but has enough detail that will make people comment on how good you look.

This is one of my samples that I person had made for my dress line for 2011. I paired this great sequined dress with a simple smoky eye and what I like to call the "Traci Ross" big curls.

An outfit is never finish there! Accented with a pair of original B. Dang3rouz shades (off the accessory line), three-inch "Sasha Fierce" pumps and black bangles. I was ready to party all night.

Having any ideas that would be great on my 2011 fashion line? Let me know-comment!

Flossin' My Kisses,

Ash

The Diary of the Black Stilettos

It has taken me six months to write my second book, The Diary of the Black Stilettos, and it has been almost three years since I have written my first book, Puzzled Starts and Questionable Endings.

Though the second book is on another level than the first one, they both have life journeys in common. You cannot experience life without going on them. They make life interesting and they also teach us lessons that we either learn on our own or via other people. Regardless of how you put it, this second book is very special to me because I actually added some of my own life events to make it more realistic for others on all age levels relate to the plot of the story: know who you are.

While I'm waiting for opinions on my book, I will let you in on knowing a little more about this best seller book that will be hitting the stores potentially soon:

Dani Washington is a successful entrepreneur in downtown Miami. Managing her own corporation in the States as well as overseas including partying with the hottest celebrities in town makes Dani seem as if she has the high and glamour life. She has a lavish loft near the beach; she only shops at the high priced shops and drive only the most current. Though her life seems untouchable on the outside, Dani’s internal world was not as bright.

After years of suffering from abuse, Dani was engaged into a world she thought never existed. Sleeping with celebrities, CEOs and Vice President of the Top 100 companies and being a sex slave to others, Dani indulged in a world where she loved the power of controlling her business finances, but didn’t do too well with acknowledging that her body was how she paid her debt. With promising her grand mother, her former business partner, that she wouldn’t do business with ones that took from the less fortunate, she saw herself doing the complete opposite. All the shame and guilt she saw when she looked in the mirror everyday, she was determined to let it go. Though knowing she wanted and needed to let it go to move on, she didn’t expect such a massive business risk as well.

Within her journey to finding herself and what makes her happy, Donald comes along and helps her understand they both have a general desire; they both want to be loved. Throughout the troublesome worries and unexpected life turns, Donald truly shows her that she can be loved in many ways she had not experienced in her past, how to love herself and lastly, what a real man is all about.

Post your thoughts and let me know what you think about it so far. I'm really excited and interested to know!

Flossin' My Kisses,

Ash