:: In The Mirror | Nicci Hou ::

 On the far right, Celebrity fashion designer Nicole Houston looks on as models display the latest garments from the Nicci Hou Collection entitled "Bad Romance".

You can only imagine what she's thinking...

Nicole Houston premiered "Bad Romance" this past Tuesday night in Atlanta, Georgia. This invite only event was sponsored by J'Adore Magazine, Adrene Boutique, and True You Cosmetics. I had the pleasure of attending the collection launch and I was completely blown away by EVERY garment presented that night. She presented beautifully constructed designs with eye catching colors, patterns, and textures. A collection filled with long sophisticated gowns, dresses, and jackets that all scream high fashion! 

The Nicci Hou collection was created two years before the designer graduated from Alabama A&M University in 2009 with a degree in Apparel Merchandising and Design. Nicole is inspired by high fashion photography and describes her designs as classy, edgy, glamorous, and sophisticated.


Designer Nicole Houston


 I really enjoyed myself at the event and also networking with other like minded individuals.


Designer Reco Chapple (Season 1 of Bravo's "The Fashion Show")



Enjoyed seeing Anna Marie again! She's so fierce!



Project Runway Alum Mychael Knight

More pics from the night...

  

  

  

An amazing night with great people. Nicole's collection was simply amazing. With undeniable talent, I truly believe that she is definitely on her way to the top. Keep an eye out for this sweet and humble woman. Thank you Nicole for having me!!

Visit Nicci Hou online!!

For purchase inquiries email niccihoucollection@live.com

::CheckingOut:: 

::In The Mirror | NINETEENTWENTYNINE::

Meet NINETWENTYNINE!!

I recently had the opportunity to ask the creatives behind this amazing brand a few questions about the new lookbook for their collection of clothing and accessories! I was first introduced to the brand by following them on Twitter when I saw an "RT" of a ring they had made. From there I went to their blog and fell in love! These ladies had three different personal styles that I found to be very intriguing and I wanted to learn more. As I read through their blog I noticed that they didn't have an online store at the time so I was a little bummed that I couldn't purchase anything, but I still liked seeing their new posts on their blog about what they were wearing and had been working on.

Since then the ladies of NINETEENTWENTYNINE have a new lookbook entitled "Jones to the Rhythm" including go to dresses, separates that can be pieced together to make outfit magic, and super cute accessories. They have also opened an online store to allow everyone to purchase their products whether you live in an area where a boutique sells their goods or not.

Aljaira, Jasmine, and Alma are the ladies behind NINETEENTWENTYNINE. Building their own formula for fashion in Los Angeles, California these ladies have charm, class, are empowering, and have humor that is very refreshing.

Here's what they had to say about themselves, ENJOY!! :)

Alma: We like to think of ourselves as a collective, like a trinity: Three ladies who share the same passion towads the development and execution of our dream. We’ve molded NINETEENTWENTYNINE into brand that represents our diversity and one that has a distinct point-of-view.


Jasmine: Yeah, the element of point-of-view is extremely important, we think as designers it’s crucial to be distinct. We started designing clothes because we really felt like we had a visual story to tell. We ALWAYS dressed and styled ourselves in a way that was organically our own and when our friends and family started to notice, we were encouraged. We got sewing machines, taught ourselves, and started sewing our earliest collections.


Aljaira: With the accessories, we just started exploring and came up with accessories that we wanted to wear and people were responsive to it. That’s fueled us to keep creating for the love of it and for the love we receive. Alma and Jasmine love sketching and designing the clothes, and I found a niche with jewelry making so it’s allowed me to explore a hidden talent.


Q. Which came first, the accessories or the clothes?

Alma: The clothing came first, but I have to say the accessories have really been an amazing addition to our bag of tricks. We love designing both and being able to do both is sooooo doooope.


Aljaira: Alma and Jazz got together one night just to make jewelry for our look book, and it’s been a wrap ever since.


Jasmine: Now Jaira can’t stop coming up with new ideas and makes a new piece like every week!



Q. Where did the inspiration behind your latest Lookbook “Jones to the Rhythm” come from?


Jasmine: GRACE JONES! Literally following the beat of your own drum, re-inventing oneself and pushing forward while inspiring others to breakout as well. We are heavily influenced by music as well, she has a song titled “jones the rhythm” and we sorta pulled from there.


Alma: It’s the same thing with “The Love Movement” collection. It’s in reference to the Tribe Called Quest album, which really inspired us and set the tone for us. Everything forms itself around our ideas: the initial spark feeds into the design, then into the styling, and then the overall presentation.


Q. Who wears Nineteentwentynine?


Jasmine: Foremost WE wear NINETEENTWENTYNINE, and we each have very different ideas in regards to style, but it goes back to distinction and creating pieces that really can transcend those differences in taste and style. Ladies who understand that understand us.


Q. What is the significance behind the phrase, “Rise In Love”.


Aljaira: To “Rise in Love”, means to be able to elevate yourself without pulling others down. It’s all about respecting each other’s existence and what gifts and talents we each have to share with our community and the world.



Q. Being women of different ethnicities, do you ever fuse your racial backgrounds into the creation of your products?


Jasmine: Most definitely we do, we are women of color and we love embracing that, I think it’s evident in everything we do. In “Jone’s to the Rhythm,” there are cultural elements that shoot right across each of us. In “The Love Movement” as well, there was juxtaposition between our model and the styling: reminiscent of a modern revolutionary.


Alma: For sure, the style of Che Guevara, the Panthers… revolutionaries always have great style.

 

Q. What was your most recent accomplishment as designers?


Aljaira: Anytime anyone shows us love, it’s a major accomplishment for us. Opportunities to build and connect with others are major accomplishments as well, cuz there’s nothing like growing with like-minded people.


Jasmine: I second that emotion, ha!


Q. What’s next for Nineteen29?


Alma: Growth, really getting the chance to show how much range we can offer our peeps.


Aljaira: Continuing to build what we’ve started to and ultimately develop into an undeniably- talented brand.


Jasmine: Giving back is on our agenda too, in any way, shape, or form we can!

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I really enjoyed interviewing these ladies and I hope you all enjoyed getting to know them as designers!

Please make sure you check out their website www.nineteentwentynine.com

Also visit their blog, and follow them on twitter@Nineteen29.

Shop online at http://nineteentwentynine.bigcartel.com/

::CheckingOut::

:: In The Mirror | Fhonia Ellis ::

  Designer and creative mind behind Rebirth Designs, Fhonia Ellis is "In The Mirror"



That's Fhonia in the purple dress! Love Her!!

I first saw Fhonia on Facebook and I became quite intrigued by her personal style. 

Fhonia describes her style as vintage, sexy, futuristic, edgy, and girly.

:: The Designer ::

Fhonia is from Louisville, Kentucky and has been designing apparel & accessories for 7 years.

She usually creates her ideas for new garments and accessories from her own style. She says, "My collections actually match me to a tee. In one word, free. I love to dress based on how I feel".

:: The Collection ::

I asked Fhonia about her clothing line and how she derived the name of "Rebirth" and her answer

 completely blew me away. "I came about the name of my line, REBIRTH, through life. I went through a lot of pain, hardship and felt like my back was against the wall. After all I went through, God blessed me enough to make it to the other side. I was a new person in Him. I was free, had freedom, and the old me died...". Absolutely poweful, there's no better feeling in the world than knowing who you really are. I must agree that no other explaination or word could have better described a change like that.

A woman who wears REBIRTH is fearless and free, very confident, and not afraid to stand out in a crowd...a trendsetter. I love Fhonia's attention to detail and her ability to work with patterned fabrics. As a designer who constructs all of her garments and accessories herself I must say that she is doing an AMAZING job. I believe I'm totally biased to her use of mosaic mirror chips on her clothing. Her eye for creating intricate patterns from those little mirror pieces is just mind blowing.

:: Pressing Forward ::

I feel that location is everything depending on your goals in the fashion industry, and Fhonia has a similar take on it. "Louisville is not a city known for fashion so [being here] it has had some affect on business. My mind is so far out there and Louisville, I feel, is not ready for what lies inside of me", she says. Fhonia has made a decision to relocate to better herself as a designer and to expose herself to new cultures for inspiration, which is a great idea!

*****************************************************

I hope you guys enjoyed getting to know more about Fhonia Ellis and her clothing line.

Be sure to check out her website  www.fhoniaellis.com where you
 can purchase the garments above!

She's also on twitter @DESIGNSBYFHONIA

::CheckingOut::

:: In The Mirror | MELANIE MARiE::

I was contacted by a friend a few weeks ago who asked me to

check out a jewelry and handbag designer by the name of MELANIE MARiE.

I had no idea that I would be blown away by the design, style, and allure of her pieces!

As I communicated with her directly, I felt her passion and ambition for the MM brand. 

She took the time to answer a couple of questions for me,

AND she's sponsoring my next GIVEAWAY!

The Melanie Marie Collection is stylish, affordable, and MirrorCheck approved!

Check out the interview below!

Q. Who is MELANIE MARiE?

A. I am MELANIE MARiE! I am a 24-year old accessory designer from Yonkers, NY and I

am currently still there ;) Designing for me began when I noticed the love of accessories and

embellishment in everything among females. I have always loved accessories, whether it be

bags, rings, bracelets, or necklaces and being creative by putting together pieces and coming

up with different styles that I buy in stores, thrift shops, or my borrow from my grandmothers

vintage collection was always a favorite hobby of mine. I have dozens of handbags that always

seemed to have some minor detail on them that I wanted to change, so that eventually turned

into me wanting to come up with my own designs. I would get so excited when I came up with

a new piece that it evolved into me creating more and more and then eventually grew into me

starting my own business.



MM Collection Jordan Necklace



Q. Did you ever think that the launch of your collection would have such a quick and positive response?

A. Well, I’m a very positive person so I launched my line with the confidence that people would

like the pieces but I did not think that it would take off in the short amount of time that it did! I

have already been featured in magazines, photo shoots and celebrities have been seen wearing

my pieces. It’s all very exciting since I have only been working on the MM Couture Collection for

less than a year.

Q. What have you done as a designer for your brand to set your products apart from any other?

A. MELANIE MARiE is a line that is based off my unique style. I always notice when there

is a new trend, there are so many designers that have similar pieces. I don’t want anyone to

look at a MELANIE MARiE bag and think to themselves that it looks like another designers

handbag. That is why I create pieces based off my experience and environment. If you notice, I

have a few pieces that are named after women. I name pieces after friends because I feel their

personality is reflected in the piece somehow.

MM Collection Black Onyx Duo Ring

Q. When I see your jewelry, I can totally see myself wearing EVERY piece. How does it make you feel to know that you are creating a brand that people love?

A. Aaaww thank you! That makes me VERY happy because I love all my pieces and I want

everyone else to feel the same. I feel very accomplished and grateful when people tell me

that they think my pieces are great. Knowing that people love my line makes me want to work

harder to keep my customers happy. I want to make sure that I keep my customers in love with

MELANIE MARiE so I keep them coming back for more.

MM Couture Showstopper Handbag

Q. What is the vision for the MM Collection going forward to continue success?

A. The vision I have for my collection is a very big one. People say when you dream to dream

big and that’s exactly what I am doing. I plan to expand my collection to include accessories for

men and children and get my pieces in major department stores and other boutiques. I even

want to start designing shoes! I LOVE shoes so why not, right? One day, I might even open a

store, but we will see how everything works out.

MM Collection Iman Cuff

Q. Do trends play a major role when designing your pieces?

A. I try not to design pieces based off the trends of everyone else. I try to design pieces that are

different so my customers wont feel as if they have the same pieces as everyone else. I want

the customers to have a sense of exclusivity.

Q. Do you have any events or collaborations coming up?

A. I do! I am currently working with a publicist as we speak, so I will let you know once I have

them set in stone. ;) I just had a collaboration event with Honey Magazine during NY Fashion

Week for my MM Couture Collection preview.

Melanie (middle) with designers Coco & Breezy

 Q. Where can we purchase pieces from the MM Collection?

A. You can purchase pieces on http://www.melaniemarie.com/. Soon MELANIE MARiE pieces will be

available in boutiques throughout the country. The names and addresses of the boutiques will

be posted on the site. I will keep everyone informed via the Facebook fan page and the MM

Twitter page.

  

MELANIE MARiE GIVEAWAY 



MM Collection Peace Earrings



 Enter for your chance to win these teardrop peace sign earrings valued at $50!

Melanie mentioned they are a best seller!!

TO WIN YOU MUST DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Follow Me on Twitter

2. Follow MELANIE MARiE on Twitter

3. Like the MELANIE MARiE Fan Page on Facebook

4. Leave a comment on this post with a valid email address

If you enter Tweet me and let me know! :)

Submission acceptance ends October 6th @11:59pm CST!

::CheckingOut::