Kimolisa Was Here

 So, I'm going through my email, and I come across the essence.com newsletter. Normally I would delete it after I scanned it simply because it was either featuring an eye candy that doesn't inspire me to check him out or some newlyweds. Thanks a lot for making a single woman feel under accomplished. Well this newsletter featured "Street Style: The Alvin Ailey Gala", I'm a fan of the dance company from a distance, so I clicked on the link.



After clicking through the gallery, I realized that I wanted to be a particular woman when I attend formal affairs. Now some of the women were.... how do you say, donkadam, which means they don't give a damn. They put on an outfit that is formal, but they fall short of their potential. Instead of being "WOW!", they're "Oh, so and so in a formal attire." I know I can do the "WOW!" but I hold back because I don't want to stick out, I don't want to be the target of haters and you know some women can hate. But you know what, after seeing some of the women at the Gala, I want to be them. The kind of woman that catches everyone's eye when she enters a room, and the kind of woman that makes her man hold her closer and have him beaming with pride.


Below are my new found inspirations

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

I stole this from The Essential Man. Why because it made me look back at when I was younger and I would dress how I wanted. Some were hits and some were misses, but when I got it right I think it scared me. I couldn't handle the attention and then people doing what I do. Perhaps I can learn again how to be. I would look at nature and  be inspired because those creatures are existing, being and not second guessing what they are doing, they are just doing. They are just being. No, I won't be a great fashion icon, but I'm going to do me.

The other day, my sister posted a video from these guys and I loved it so much that I looked them up. It's called Street Etiquette and this is what they had to say about themselves:

Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs are the owners of the style blog Street Etiquette which is making ample waves from the city of New York to the world. With the explosion of menswear what they do is provide the vision from a urban perspective and look to connect with individuals worldwide. Expressing their influences from various boundaries and eras ultimately constitute to their personal style. Appearances in magazines from GQ to Complex the 20 year old duo from the Bronx are excited with their current position and looking ahead to the future. Ranked ‘Best Men’s Style Blog’ by the Guardian UK and selected ’40 bloggers who really count’ by the London Times have been some of the accolades this 2 year old blog has achieved.

What I love is their style, how it is both contemporary and black, mixing the preppy angle and the afrocentric angle. Loving it. If anything it inspires me to develop my own style and not get caught up with my fear of being over the top.

Here are some of their videos

The Black Ivy from Street Etiquette on Vimeo.

Item Etiquette : The Waistcoat from Street Etiquette on Vimeo.

Check out their blog, Street Etiquette.

p.s. rule of thumb, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.