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Monday, July 29, 2013

MET Photography Presents "Artist Spotlight Featuring The 2013 Azy Banks Fashion Show Tour in NYC"

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to another edition of the MET Fashion Photo Show. Tonight we are featuring three designers from the Azy Banks Fashion Show, Pearl Naidoo (Denkay) , Precious Stone (Swim by Juelle) and

Abalo Francis.
(Hewena Brand Original)


I had the pleasure of interviewing Pearl Naidoo first. I wanted to know a little bit about he company and how she got started. "My vision is basically trying to take each creation one at a time. This is a South African brand in NY. I started my own pieces which can be found on Facebook and Twitter. I started by working on individual jewelry pieces and worked my way up to designing garments."

"I first came into the fashion industry when I started working with Ky Brewster. I also worked with Rodrigo T doing jewelry. I was inspired immediately after that. Once you come into fashion you can never leave it." (Pearl's designs are available now on Facebook)
When asked what makes her products unique, she stated that "Once you see my products you will understand. It's not about the product as much as it is my story."





















I then interviewed Precious Stone. When I asked her how she got started she told me that she was studying architecture design. After receiving her degree in architecture, she realized that she didn't want to be an architect at all. "I was studying architecture design and I went through school, performed all of the requirements for graduation and then I realized that this is not what I wanted to do in life. This was not an easy decision to make but I did it anyway. I used my architecture background to help me in the fashion world."
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I figured that this was the end of her story but it got more interesting as the interview went along. "I wanted to work with a friend in the fashion industry so we started a business together. Unfortunately the business didn't work out and I decided to venture out on my own. I haven't looked back since."
When I asked her about her designs and what makes them unique, she said "I specialize in "Monokinis" (One piece bathing suits) When I design my swimwear the structure of my line is what makes them unique. The comfort in my swimwear also exaggerates the right curves on a woman's body."

I wanted to know what it meant for her to appear in today's show, and what else she wanted the audience to know about her product line. "I want everyone to know that appearing in today's show means a lot to me because this isn't just a fashion show, but it is a show that is going to help a lot of people. I want the audience to also know that in my clothing line, there is a piece for every woman."

Precious Stone and her collection; "Swim by Juelle" can be found on Facebook and is available right now.

Finally I had the pleasure of interviewing Abalo Francis. Abalo's story and his participation in today's show has a deeper, more personal meaning for him. Abalo originally started his clothing line in 2007. He was on a quest to help the people of Africa overcome exploitation and being taken advantage of. "I started my company so that the people of Africa would no longer suffer the ill effects of dependency and consumption of people and things that exploit them, and take advantage of them. (The first thing that comes to mind is the under developed regions of the country that are in desperate need of facilities and things that are taken for granted such as schools, medical facilities and fresh, running water)

"I wanted to bring a brand line to the fashion world that has its origins based upon the Zulu language. My company (Hewena Brand Original) is not merely a brand name, or just another clothing line, it is a culture. My line is a conception of new life. Hewena means "Hey You", it is a call to order. It is like a mirror that you look into. It holds us accountable for everything that we do. It is a vision for the future."
I asked Abalo to use three words that would best describe his product line. "The three words that would best describe my product line are Pride (Which is where the color "black" comes from), Courage (Overcoming fear) and Wisdom (We need to accept the bad and work things out regardless)"
For more information about Abalo's clothing line you can visit www.hewenabrand.com.



Thank you for tuning in to today's "Artist Spotlight" featuring Pearl Naidoo, Precious Stone & Abalo Francis. Visit my fashion page on Facebook at MET Photography's Fashion Photography for more photos from the likes of Adrian Alicea and the other designers who presented at the show.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MET Fashion Photo Show Artist Spotlight Presents Fashion Designer "Lamont Antwan"

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us in a special edition of the MET Photo Fashion Show blog. On Tuesday evening at the Sky Room, Lamont Antwan & Tawni Michelle produced an incredible show called "Tribal Fashion". As usual, Tawni Michelle and her team of makeup artists brought their incredible makeup skills and transformed the runway of the Sky Room into a fantastic, tribal adventure in fashion. The designs seen this evening were produced by Lamont Antwan. Lamont brought his latest designs (A+Dreams) creating another magical moment at the Sky Room.
I can say a lot about Lamont and his creations but he was nice enough to share his bio with me so now I am sharing it with you the audience. I have also selected a few of the photos that were taken during the event. As usual, if you would like to see the entire show, please visit my Facebook page; "MET Photography's Fashion Photography" page.

Lamont Antwan also known as Twa BlackHeart was born in Harlem, New York. As a youth growing up in the public housing projects, he gained his strength by overcoming the common challenges and battles of the streets. To escape his harsh reality, Twa explored creative writing, in which he was able to create a world that was peaceful and loving.
While in the second grade Twa was commissioned to write a poetic love letter for a fellow classmate who was too shy to talk to a girl. When word got out of the success of Twa's love letter, before he knew it, he had a generous clientele of students, and his first experience as a business man.


By the sixth grade, writing took a back seat to his new found love of basketball. He devoted his life to the sport, and decided this would be his way out of the projects. Twa had a successful basketball career until he entered college at Maryland Eastern Shore, where he lost his desire for the love of basketball. From the disappointment of a dream shattered, Twa left college and moved to South Florida.




While in Florida, Twa defined his self identity, found confidence, and re discovered his love of written art. In addition, he explored the creativity of acting and modeling. He was casted in a Gatorade commercial along side of Dwayne wade, acted on The Burn Notice TV show, appeared in print ads, and walked in numerous fashion shows.

While on a short trip to NYC to visit with family, Twa was in a severe car accident, that took away his ability to walk. Through this difficult time, a back brace became a fixture in his life, as he nurtured himself back to health.
During these unforeseen yet humbling circumstances, Twa began to write. He wrote about his hardships and heartbreak. His trials, tribulations, joys, and triumphs. He published these unique moments into a book titled, “Just Thoughts Free Art.”

In his latest venture Twa has established a brand and lifestyle company titled Made Perfect Entertainment. Under the brand, he produces books, film, and fashion. He is currently working on his clothing line A+Dreams, a Punk Rock High Fashion line, that expresses his style and experiences from his writings.


Twa has come a long way since his humbling beginnings in the projects of Harlem New York, and knows he has many endeavors to still fulfill. He believes, " With a sense of purpose and belief there's no limits to what life can offer". Twa Blackheart's life shows us that you can tackle any obstacles placed in your path, and still achieve success.