Happy Thursday and summertime! Isley Brothers getting me in the mood for the weekend. Enjoy!
Jun26
Category Archives: TenaciousM Art and Culture
Jun25
Standing On Their Shoulders – Zelda Wynn Valdes
You may not have heard of Zelda Wynn Valdes, but you’ve certainly seen her designs. The fashion designer is credited with creating the original Playboy bunny costume. The work of the trailblazing fashion designer/entrepreneur highlighted the coveted hour-glass figure in the 1940s and 1950s.
In 1948, was the first Black designer to open up her own shop on Broadway. Valdes created gorgeous gowns many stars like Mae West, Joyce Bryant, Josephine Baker, Gladys Knight, Sarah Vaughan, Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald and countless others.
Later in her life, she created costumes for the Dance Theater of Harlem, and Zelda Wynn Valdes also helped found the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers. She died in 2001 at age 96.
Check out some of her work.
Valdes fits a gown on Dorothy Dandridge
Ella Fitzgerald
Credit: mycoloures.com
Jun23
Rosie Assoulin Resort 2015
Ahhhh! Can’t get enough of Rosie Assoulin. Check out her resort 2015 lookbook! Incredible!
Credit: Style Pantry
Jun21
Off The Chain Performance – Christina Aguilera
Aretha Franklin tribute by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Yolonda Adams, Martina McBride Live From The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards 2011. I love them all, but Christina kills it!!
Jun19
Over The Hump Old School Sound Check – The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The band has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide throughout their career. The group was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Jun18
Victoria Beckham Fall 2014 Ready-To-Wear Collection
In February, designer Victoria Beckham showed her eponymous fall 2014 collection—full of sleek, feminine pieces—to a crowd of admiring fans. Shot by contemporary art photographer Todd Hido, the collection—comprised of colorblocked tunics, lady-like shifts, and youthful, bug-print dresses—is shown in a moody, dramatic light. With the emphasis on texture this season, from the intricate embroidery and sparkly lamé to the delicate glass beading and rich, velvet fabric, Beckham chose to debut her collection, not with a traditional look book, but with a video that would highlight the detailed garments and bring the clothes to life: “The idea of telling a story and using different characters enabled us to work together to create something different from the usual Look Book format both in photography and film,” Beckham said of the collaboration.
Credit: Elle Magazine
Jun16
Off The Chain Performance – Tina and Beyonce
Tina Turner and Beyonce perform at the Grammys 2008. Could this be more divalicious? Beyonce and Tina Turner, yes! Beyonce and Tina Turner perform Proud Mary.
Jun12
Over The Hump Old School Check – The Delfonics
The Delfonics are a pioneering Philadelphia soul singing group, popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include “La-La (Means I Love You)”, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”, “Break Your Promise”, “I’m Sorry”, and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)”. Their hit songs were all written by songwriter and producer Thom Bell and lead vocalist and founder William Hart.
Jun11
Off The Chain Performance – Aretha Franklin
In 1998 soul singer Aretha Franklin had just a moment’s notice before she took to the stage to sing Nessun Dorma after operatic sensation Luciano Pavarotti had to pull out due to a sore throat. Sting introduces the star.
Twenty two minutes after she was asked to cover for her ailing friend, Luciano Pavarotti, Aretha Franklin takes the stage to perform the legendary aria “Nessun Dorma”, a piece she sang previously a few days earlier (in her own register, I might add), without changing Pavarotti’s key – which is no minor achievement. It begets one of the most extraordinary musical moments in awards show history. It brought the audience to a thunderous ovation.
Jun10
Make Hay While The Sun Shines
BY ADESEWA OYINKANSOLA
What can be done today
Never leave till tomorrow
Yesterday is but a past
Tomorrow may never come
This reminds me of the saying:
“Make hay while the sun shines.”
Procrastination is but a thief
Little children never be deceived
Never allow a later spirit
To delay what you can do now
For you must, my dear friend
Make hay while the sun shines
Credit: Face2Face Africa
Egos & Buffaloes 