Fly

Forever Natural Style

Fly intern, April Chaires just launched a t-shirt line celebrating natural hair, see her post below.

 

The Forever Natural Tees mission is to share genuine and authentic messages that empower women in the natural hair community to celebrate individuality, self-love and style.  

 

Our hand drawn designs represent the essence of natural hair which is untamed, individualistic, genuine and authentic. We want people to love who they are and be themselves, especially, girls who wear their hair natural. We are all eclectic, beautiful, bold, brave, passionate, funky, fun, intelligent, sophisticated, edgy, and unique in our own way All of our designs are an illustration of that. Our minimalist and timeless designs can be worn with practically anything. Pair it with a denim shirt and bright skirt.

Or a blazer and floral pencil skirt for fly lady look.
Words and images by April Chaires

Music for Your Weekend: Cold Specks

I'm diggin' the folk-inspired sound of Cold Specks. I'm loving this song, "Blank Maps" from her I Predict a Graceful Expulsion album.

Eye on: NOEMMI

I LOVE hearing from former Fly Girls of the Week. Especially when they share their latest projects and creative endeavors. NOEMMI, the brainchild of former FGOTW Tenneal Rochelle McNair, is a clothing line inspired by her love for art, cultural studies and women's empowerment. I'm loving the patterns and edginess of the looks. Beautiful!

Looking forward to seeing more from the brand. Check out more here.

Loving 31 Bits

Over the weekend while I was in Philly, I was visiting one of my favorite boutiques, Vagabond, when I stumbled upon this lovely line of jewelry called 31 Bits. The beautiful and colorful necklaces and bracelets made of recycled paper are designed by women from Northern Uganda. I loved them so much I had to leave with a necklace of my own. Learn more about the designers or buy a piece of your own here.

Favorite Photo in Rio: Isabel and I

Isabel and I walking on Copacabana beach

As my trip comes to a close I've been editing tons of photos and reflecting on the days I've spent in this wonderful country, and keep coming back to the photo shown above. I've seen and done so much, way more than my previous visits — but what I've enjoyed most is spending time with my little cousin Isabel.

Isabel is the sweetest, most generous, happiest, smartest, silliest, most confident, wisest, cutest, and stylish little ten year-old girl I know. I love her to death! She was only two when I saw her last, and I fell in love with her then because all she did was smile. Now as she is beginning her early prepubescent years I can see her curiosity growing, and her identity blossoming. She is like any other young girl anywhere in the world — questioning her beauty, showing interest in boys, loving to dance in the living room, experimenting with make-up and hanging out with her girlfriends. Despite her amazing sense of confidence (you know how girls exude confidence at this age) she's a little shy when put on the spot, but she's in that pocket of space where she knows what she wants and who she wants to be. Being here to see that in her means so much to me.

I want her to hold on to that. I wish all little girls could. It's hard though, because the pressures of being a teenager comes and something changes. My wish for her, and all the little ladies out there, is to hold on to that beautiful sense of power, and that glorious sparkle that makes her shine. All I can do is tell her I love her and remind her that she is amazing, and know that she'll continue to light up the world like so many of us do.

Tie-Dye by Shabd Simon-Alexander

right photo by Caitlin Mociun

Textile and surface designer Shabd Simon-Alexander has just released a new book, Tie-Dye: Dye It, Wear It, Share It, which shares tips and tricks for creating your own wearable tie-dyed creations. She spoke with Fly about her inspirations, shares a peek in her studio and some advice about creating a brand.

Tell us about the book, how did it come to be?
When I started playing around with tie-dye, I couldn't find any books so I created one that people could use for inspiration and reference.

Favorite project in the book?
How can you choose a favorite?! I loved being able to take the time to do really beautiful but time-consuming pieces that I wouldn't be able to do in a large scale for production, like the polka dot dress, the shibori napkins, or the ombre gown. I also love that some of the simplest pieces to make produce the most stunning results, like the watercolor dress and the crystalline scarf.

Your earlier work was inspired by nebulas and galaxies, what is currently inspiring your work?
My summer collection is all sunshine yellow, sky blue clouds, kaleidoscopic rainbows, and the stark contrast of black & white.

Can you share some advice for artists and textiles designers looking to create their own textile/surface design brand?
Find your own niche, look out there and see what's missing, not what's popular. And don't start a business based on what you like to look at or wear, start it based on what you enjoy doing, because you'll be doing it every day. Honestly, I didn't own any tie-dye or even like it that much before I started doing it, but I had so much fun working on creating designs.

Lianne La Havas on The Outnet + Music Films

I'm a huge fan of Lianne La Havas so I love seeing her getting featured for her talents and style. Like in this video for The Outnet where she shares a little about her wardrobe and what she wears for her performances.

(Also, check out this information for her concert at the Baltimore Soundstage this month.)

And take a look at this two part film for two of her singles, "Elusive" and "Gone." They're really beautiful.

 

Music for Your Weekend: Andy Allo

Check out Cameroonian-born funkmaster Andy Allo. I'm diggin' her song "People Pleaser." Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Kim Bentley's Style

Loving the laid-back style of this month's Her Creative Life feature, Kim Bentley. Her look makes for an easy transition from instructing a class to cranking out prints in the studio.

clockwise from top left, Skinny Skinny Western; Yellow Medium Soft Cover Notebook; Long Sleeve Pocket Tee in Stripe; Baltimore Print Studios Strategic Plan Print; Blue Denim Apron; Booker Boots.

Her Creative Life: Kim Bentley

As an artist and designer, Kim Bentley brings her creative visions to life with ink — lots of ink. Along with her fiancé Kyle Van Horn, Kim is the co-founder of Baltimore Print Studios — a letterpress and screen-printing workshop and design studio. Together they’ve brought a fresh perspective to the Baltimore art scene and have become a staple in the creative community that is growing rapidly in this transitioning city. Outside the studio, Kim is a talented graphic designer and shares her lovely spirit with the students at MICA as a part-time design educator.

I chatted with Kim to hear more about her background and what it's like to run BPS.

Describe your creative path. When did you first become interested in design and the printmaking process?
I've always enjoyed making artwork of some kind since I was little. Whether it was drawing, painting, or printmaking, it was the process of making something that I loved. I majored in illustration in college at the University of Delaware, and then after graduating, I continued to take printmaking classes at the local community college in Maryland. After working for several years as a designer, I decided I wanted to gain a better foundation in design and connect with other designers and educators. I applied to graduate school and was fortunate enough to get into the graphic design program at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where I started to combine my interests in design, bookmaking, and printing processes like letterpress and screen printing. Read more...

Words by Grace Powell, Photos by Andrea Pippins

Music for Your Weekend: Quadron's Avalanche

Quadron's new album Avalanche is soooo AWESOME! Have you heard it?

The "Grown Woman" Music Video in My Eyes

Have you heard Beyonce's new single "Grown Woman?" I first heard the track last week and immediately fell in love with what sounds like an afrobeat inspired song. As an artist/designer I sometimes fantasize about dream projects, especially ones that fit into the my design aesthetic. So as soon as I heard this song, with its rich mix of global sounds, I could instantly visualize the colors, cinematography, and styling. If I were asked to art direct this music video the styling of the Fela Queens, the dark collage imagery consistent in vintage Grace Jones music videos, and the layering of patterns in photography from Seydou Keita would be my sources of inspiration.

Do you have a dream project? What is it and what would you do for the project?

Music for Your Weekend: Valerie June

I am really diggin' the traditional folk and soul influenced sounds of Valerie June. Her album, Pushin' Against a Stone, doesn't come out until August but I've been enjoying her music videos, like this one — "Workin' Woman Blues." I love this song! Check it out and tell me what you think.

Schwanda Rountree's Style

Schwanda's artsy-rocker style is so cute we had to do a follow up style post. I love how she uses pops of color, pairs tough with sweet, and layers quiet little necklaces. The wedge bootie and leather jacket make this look easy to translate from gallery hopping during the day to drinks at night.

Read more about Schwanda Rountree's feature here. Meanwhile, check out this collection of similar items inspired by Shwanda's style (the lip color is the exact same, though).

clockwise, Band of Gypsies Printed Strapless Dress; Chanel Rouge Allure LA SENSUELLE; Whistle Necklace; Mini Straw Necklace; Wylde Faux Leather Biker Jacket; Via Spiga Sophie Bootie.

Photos by Kate Warren.

Her Creative Life: Schwanda Rountree

I have been missing Fly Girl of the Week, the weekly feature of young creative ladies sharing a bit about what they do and why they are fly. Since ending FGOTW a year ago, I've been feeling that I still wanted to have a regular fly lady feature, but a curated and in depth version. So here is Her Creative Life, which is a monthly installment showcasing talented ladies excelling and inspiring others in their creative areers. Our first feature is art consultant Schwanda Rountree.

D.C. based Schwanda Rountree loves art. She collects it, critiques it, hangs it on her walls and puts the best contemporary pieces in internationally acclaimed museums. Schwanda maintains her day job as a lawyer while running her own consulting business, Rountree Art Consulting. With her own extensive art collection, and expert voice, Schwanda has emerged as an intriguing presence in her role as a creative cultivator in the global artistic arena. Read more...

Photos by Kate Warren.