Style

Bronzie De’Marco!

It started in the early ’70s.  Bronzie De’Marco saw her uncle premier as the first Black drag queen in Huntsville.  Today De’Marco celebrates her own career that spans over 50 years. Her illusions include Minnie, Patti, Whitney, and Diana to name a few, and she is an advocate…

Escape with Helen M. Bailey

  Helen Bailey is often described as innovative, impactful  and energizing …with a unique sense of style & grace. Just about the time COVID 19 sequestered society to zones of safety within homes, behind computers, and into the search of creative outlets, Facebook introduced me to Helen M….

Mi Casa, Su Casa: Editing and Curating Your Art and Collectibles

  Home with Janis Gipson Art and collectibles enhance and enrich your home in so many ways. Inherited art can contain the spirit and essence of its beloved previous owner. Art can mirror your taste, and can reflect your soul.  Art can evoke fond memories of a vacation…

Stay Tuned for @kennediekerenn:

  Wrapped in white – Kennedie Casey It runs in the family!  Kennedie Casey was born and raised in Florence, AL.  Her environment was always creative.  She was influenced by her mother, Von Etta.  As a child, Casey was always interested in what her mother wore and when…

Designs for Urban Comfort

  Designs for Urban Comforts™ is about making choices to live your best life. For Rhonda Hardy this means engaging with the people, places, and things around her. It means making the best of every situation. As an artist, Rhonda uses fabrics and form to create beautiful items…

Always Magical: Living with Janis Merrill-Gipson

She painted the face of her kitchen counter navy blue.  She turned her street-faced patio into a relaxing vista. All this during the pandemic!  So now, she starts retirement.  Who knows what we can expect from this design maven Janis Merrill-Gipson –  only magic!! – Victorine    …

Inspired to Sew: Darlene Jackson

So, here’s what happened. A Garden Spices interview with the artist, Dymond Phillips, enabled a talk with her exuberant mother, fashion designer, Darlene Jackson. It turns out that Darlene Jackson is not only a personal friend of actress Cecily Tyson,  but that she has designed and outfitted numerous…

Artistic Clarity: Style of Raub Welch

  “Josephine and the Beauty School Suite” 48″×48″ mixed media I missed an opportunity to witness the beauty of Raub Welch.  During my visit to Chicago last summer, my Sister-friend, Janis Gipson invited me to attend a gathering at the Bronzeville home of Raub Welch.  She knows that…

Maven Magic

  My name is Victorine, and  I am proud to be an Essential Elements (EE) Maven!   This status means that I will be tended to on Facebook, e-mail, and in-person, and given a key to the Deal of the Week, a bevy of extraordinary fashions, and always…

Interview with Fashion Model Vinay Sindya

  GS:  Do you think you are beautiful/handsome? What would you like to change? Definitely yes! I don’t think I would change anything. I am blessed with natural beauty, I guess. All thanks to my parents. GS:  What are your goals as a model? Who is your role…