I’m always browsing on the online store Etsy.com and came across the cutest decor by “Funky Dada”. She’s been in a previous post for her cute African print shoes so it was only right to catch you up to date with her new items. The throw pillows and bowls and spoons were handmade to perfect to give your home a chic style.
For more information on Funky DaDa visit the online store:
She calls herself the HSIC (Head Sista In Charge) but you may know her as Nailah Ricco, a New York City native and aspiring lawyer is making a big statement in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nialah is the owner of natural hair and body care line called Happy People Products. By producing products for individuals of color, Nailah’s strives to bring her own happiness to people who enjoy being healthy. Happy People products are 100% safe and crafted with scents and textures to give each product its individuality.
Reesa Speaks: Where did you get the name “Happy People Products”?
Nialah: Actually, I got the name Happy People after weeks and weeks of thought. When I made the decision to trademark my business, I was very cautious in selecting a name– primarily because if it bore likeness in anyway to another existing business, it’s trademark would be rejected. I wanted it to be a name that expressed how I felt when I was at my healthiest, and I wanted it to be a name that ALL individuals could identify with when they finally find something (be it earrings or shampoo) that they have been looking for possibly all their lives. I chose “Happy People” because after all…Happy People do make the world go ‘round. (Hopefully).
Some of the products available now on the website www.happypeoplestore.com include Happiness Bath Wash, Orange Rosemary Bath Salts, honey plum and rosemary body oil.
Not only does she cater to the happiness of your hair, body, and skin, but also Happy People includes handmade glass bead earrings. They are handcrafted to order by Nailah herself, with each pair representing and expression that she wants to share with others.
What’s very unique about this HSIC? She is not only a fellow Hampton University Alumna making a mark in society but also a recent law student in the process of obtaining her Juris Doctorate and receiving her certificate in International Law. She is working on her law school endeavors as well as paying close attention to developing her own business ventures.
Reesa Speaks values artistic people, and especially the ones that have Natural Hair so when asking her about her own Naturality, I thought that it was only right to give EVERY bit of the advice that she shares to you, I couldn’t possibly hold out on the TRUTH!
Reesa Speaks: What advice that you live can you share for women (and men) with Natural Hair?
Nailah: I can give 5 pieces of advice that I live and die by for Women and Men w/ Natural Hair :
1) Love your hair! Love yourself! – sounds simple but its really not. Loving yourself and the things that come as a product of your body can be a long journey. Once you love yourself, you will love your hair. Love is unconditional, doesn’t quit, and doesn’t hurt.
2) Treat your hair like you would your lover – would you fry your lover? Yank your lover around? Would you let your lover behave in a way that is getting out of control? Would you say ugly things about your boo behind his/her back? No. Don’t get fed up and just neglect washing, trimming, pampering or grooming your hair, allowing it to get out of your “control”. And don’t bad talk your hair (Its counter-advice tip #1)!
3) Use your head! – There are some things in life that are just not logical. Sometimes we can blame our naïveté, but other times you may be entirely aware of moments when you over-dye your natural hair, you slip up and use some alien-language’d shampoo or you just do something you know you had no business doing. Use your head when it comes to your hair!
4) Have some self-confidence! – It’s a horrible bi-product of any “ism” you can name, but the truth of the matter is that it is still VERY hard to have natural hair in some arenas of society. Break through! See that as an opportunity to show your self and your natural beauty off. Pick up some self esteem building books, some scented shampoo that makes you feel all that and get back in the game. Be proud, and have some self confidence.
5) Knowledge is Power! – one thing I have found is that the more people learn about their hair, the more they are able to use ALL 4 of the other pieces of advice I have listed. Learning about different styles and products, curl patterns and textures, and even the history of women with Natural, beautiful hair has PROVEN to contribute to amazing self-confidence and a loving relationship between you and your hair. You wont be able to stop bragging about all of the historical figures who had natural hair like yours at your next house party, and you will probably mention the textural strength and superiority of a natural curl to your chicas (homies?) next time your getting a mani (pedi?). Who knows, you may even wow your next date with your body of knowledge on your head full of hair ;-).
Nialah is a goregous woman with such a powerful statement for herself. I can only see greatness in her future! While perfecting her own talents and attributes, Nialah Ricco encourages all your African American business owners to “Follow your dreams, even I they may be fleeting.”
For more information on Happy People Products visit the website www.happypeoplestore.com
Two fingers to this artist, is a San Diego native that uses beautiful ethnic inspirations that creates jewelry in her line “Peace Images”. She has earrings, necklaces, and rings that are handcrafted to order and sent to you with love. Not to mention some of the proceeds go to charity. I happen to find that a beautiful thing when you can give back. Here are few of my favorite rings…
For more informations how you can get Peace Images:
I think I am in love with Etsy (online store) because I come across the cutest boutiques and it’s putting a hole in my pockets. I thought that Ododo Originals had the cutest hair accesories. Who wouldn’t want a flower to accentuate all those curls. These flowers are special because they are handcrafted with beautiful beads that will match any of your outfits. The lady is from Minnesota and she seems to be a very creative gal.
With a little inspiration from my fellow voluptuous diva, Tara Haskins I introduce to you “Full Figured Fashion Week” where the most elite plus-size, curvy, voluptuous models, fashion designers and inspired sponsors gather RIGHT NOW in NYC for a week of fashion. FFF Week, sponsored by Sonsi (www.sonsi.com) is hosted by plus-size model, icon, author, and founder of The Body Image Council (BIC) Emme.
As we all know I love to look into the up and coming designers during fashion weeks worldwide and I picked out a few of my favorites. Well Known and new to the industry, these designers make the full figured woman more beautiful then she already is.
I absolutely love Monif Clarke of Monif C. fashion line because it represents the more glamour and diva side of me. She specializes in contemporary clothing from swimsuits to party dresses. I almost tried to get my sexy bathing suit for Miami from her but things didn’t quite work out, she’s elite!
Qristyl Frazier Designs is from the designer from season 6 of Project Runway, Qristyl Frazier. Her pieces are very tasteful and neatly put together for the sassy career woman. I find her jumpers to very sexy and appealing on full figured women. Her designers were featured on BET Rip the Runway as well as in Essence Magazine.
I appreciate this 2nd annual event specifically for full figured women because I too have worked in the fashion industry through Torrid Clothing and find it such an uplifting community where woman of curves who are stylish and model-esque can come together and celebrate our fabulousity. For more information on schedule, sponsors, tickets, and events visit www.fffweek.com
I’ve done a previous post of Rachel Stewarts accessory line and wanted to show you what’s new with her collection. Now adding hair accessories to your wardrobe can be stylish and easy with Rachel Stewart. make sure you check out her online site www.targetqueenjewelry.blogspot.com/
I couldn’t keep this a secret from you any longer! I was recently put on by my cousin and Aunt to “Isha Couture” a fashion boutique catering to the vuluptous and full figured women. It’s not so often you find clothes fit for plus size women that aren’t so out-dated and ugly. This small boutigue in Oakland stands out amongst many, with its selected items in shoes, dresses, jeans, accesssories, and more for reasonable prices. From sizes XL- 5X Isha Couture is designed to meet every curvy woman’s needs. Established in 2006, Isha Couture is located at 2569 MacAuthur Blvd, in Oakland California; open weds.-sat 11-7 pm. Whenever I would be home from school, I made sure to stop and get my party outfits with here. Take a look at some of her selections and don’t worry, if you are not local you can always stop by the online store www.ishacouture.com
Also Isha Couture features a Beauty Bar where you can get makeup as well as an authentic Couture Hair Collection featuring Malaysian and and Indian Hair.
Make sure you keep up with Isha Couture for new arrivals and items:
www.myspace.com/ishacouture
www.modelmayhem..com/806177
www.twitter.com/ishacouture
www.facebook.com/Isha-Couture
www.yelp.com/biz/isha-couture-oakland
So earlier this week we discussed Six Flags not wanting black women with locks to represent their company, now we have American Apparel not wanting black women with STRAIGHT hair
. So really, what do you really want from us?!
Current and former American Apparel employees wrote to www.gawker.com addressing their concerns from their experiences with hiring and firing policing that expressed discriminatory and racial profiling at its best. Hiring managers were telling employees to only accept applications from people who look a certain way, from their hair down to the pair of shoes they wore that day. Yes, it is true that you should look presentable when applying for a job, but what EXACTLY does American Apparel look for in a black prospect:
“none of the trashy kind that comes in, we don’t want that. We’re not trying to sell our clothes to them. Try to find some of these classy black girls, with nice hair, you know?”
These following instructions were given to an AA employee by their manager explaining what kind of black woman that they are looking for. Now here’s the good part, you are probably thinking the black chick with the nappy hair wouldn’t make the cut, but in actuality the managers were referring “nice hair” to the women who didn’t straighten their hair. The district manager thought it was more presentable to have less raunchy piercings, less weave,but more authenticity and natural hair because of its “Full Body Head to Toe” Policy. The owner of American Apparel himself, Dov Charney, says he prefers that Afro over the straight hair to his company. But it seems to me he also prefers his models with their legs wide open and nipples showing, oxy-MORON! I think that is an odd preference to have, but I’m not surprised because there are certain models and looks in other stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister that lowkey rule out certain looks. So there you have it, not only are black women with natural hair discriminated upon but so are the ones who choose to wear their hair straight. I honestly don’t think this corporate world or distinctive race (I shall not say) understand the dynamics of a black woman and their hair. We are our hair and when one takes it as far as messing with our means of living, oh there will be serious problems. I commend these American Apparel employees for voicing their opinions on this issues and I hope that a lawsuit or some FIRING action gets done about this ridiculous hiring process. So much for wearing overpriced spandex!
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AMERICAN APPAREL’S POLICIES?
View full article here-à http://gawker.com/5560215/american-apparels-new-standard-no-uglies-allowed
While viewing the previews for Africa Fashion Week (June 30- July 3 2010), I came across some African Designers that really match my fly. Chichia London is a East African designer who grew up in London that designs pieces for the daring, baby doll, and edgy girls. Her pieces range from tunics, dresses, cover ups, and swimwear. Her influences derive from her native land as well as London giving it a funky street feel that can hit runways all over.
Spero Villioti is a Greek and Italian South African (if that makes any sense) pretty much a really cool white guy that had some very elegant evening pieces that I wanted to share with you. He is amazing in the sense of keeping the African feel but with a more modern and European look that we all wear today.
Last but not least my favorite, Gloria Wavawunno of Uganda
. She specializing in cocktail dresses and evening wear and I was the most excited with her because her clothes are so eclectic and different. Using feather and unusual walk of nature i I had a millions bucks I’d be sure to put her pieces in my wardrobe.
AfriqueLaChic is so cute to me. It’s a little African Boutique hailing from Los Angeles with a lot of Traditional African flava. I came across them on one of my favorite blog sites and I couldn’t resist the jewelry and accesories. This lady handcrafts her own jewelry using wood, bone, bamboo, and even ivory. All natural supplements used from the motherland. Although it looks a bit tribal to me, the jewelry adds a modern day twist so you don’t walk around town looking like a modern day Chaka Zulu. Or Do you? Here are a few of her pieces.
If you would like to see more visit her online store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/AfriqueLaChic for more details and inspirations.
Reesa Speaks 