THE PLEASURE OF INSPIRATION...

Raw wood never looked so welcoming...enjoy.

A WORK IN PROGRESS...

Where have I been you may be wondering...I'm here in spirit but physically in full development mode focusing on a million things at once with only one brain and one body. As I always say, if it were that easy, everybody would be doing it! Starting and maintaining a business requires you to be on your toes at all times. I always make surely I'm observing, whether it be trends, peer brands, marketing strategies, etc. I'm currently juggling several other consultant projects, preparing for sample sale next week...stay tuned for details...and researching and developing ideas for BUTCH DIVA comic book coming this summer. In the mist of that, the blog must be maintained, the emails must be answered, and the follow ups must be executed. Without sounding like I'm making excuses, I will say this is a one-woman operated show, and there are never enough hours in the day to get it all done! I thought this very general and basic cycle guide could explain the technicalities of my point further, in addition to the things that need to be considered and analyzed when starting and conducting business...

A GLAMOROUS PURPOSE IN LIFE...

The M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M·A·C cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M·A·C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical donor in the arena, the Fund strives to raise awareness of four key issues in the fight against HIV/AIDS: prevention, the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS, access to care, and adherence to medications and treatments. To date, the M·A·C has raised more than $95 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of VIVA GLAM lipsticks and lipglass, donating 100 percent of the selling price to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.


For more information,visit www.macaidsfund.org

EYE CANDY OVERDOSE!!!

I SAID HOTT DAAAMN!

BUTCH DIVA COMIC BOOK DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES...

in the process of being inspired...

BUTCH DIVA FLASH BACK...

A feeling of accomplishment when I can look back on the shoots I've done and the clothes I've made and to know I was either ahead of the game, right on target, or setting a trend. Either way, I was getting the job done. Pictured above is model Tammy working BUTCH DIVA for the camera...

JUST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED...

An overdose of Miss Van!

STYLISTS x BUTCH DIVA...

Stylist Ricardo a.k.a Mr. Style continues to incorporate BUTCH DIVA into his work. Here he mixes in BUTCH DIVA's comic printed jumpsuit...Thanks for the support and exposure Ricardo!

BUTCH DIVA DESIGNER ADMIRATION...

The one, the only - Alexander McQueen! With his continually provocative shows and outrageous designs, Alexander McQueen has solidified his reputation as the bad boy of fashion. The designer's potent mix of controversy, creativity, and technical mastery has earned him three British Designer of the Year awards and a faithful celebrity following (fans include David Bowie and Prodigy's Keith Flint). Born to a taxi driver in London's East End, the self-described "pink sheep of the family" became an apprentice for Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard at 16. After working for Romeo Gigli in Milan, McQueen returned to study at St. Martin's College in London. His exquisite tailoring and inventive designs caught the attention of fashion legend Isabella Blow who bought his entire student collection and became his patron. McQueen soon launched his own label and made instant headlines with a racy, theatrical collection entitled Highland Rape that included his infamous low-cut "bumster" pants. In 1996 he was named the role of chief designer at Givenchy. Feeling creatively stifled by the couture house, whose founder he dismissed as "irrelevant," McQueen left Givenchy in 2000 and has since joined the Gucci group.
BUTCH DIVA admires his conceptual thinking, imagination, and the passion found in his tailoring techniques.

ONLY A PENNY FOR A THOUGHT?

" Women are always being tested...but ultimately each of us has to define who we are individually and then do the very best we can." Hillary Rodham Clinton

NAJA CONRAD-HANSEN MEANNORTH

art appreciation...do your homework. :)

VINTAGE VERSACE INSPIRES BUTCH DIVA...

...and inspiration is everything!

ADMIRABLE BEAUTY...

Alek Wek grew up in the Sudan in the midst of the vicious civil war. Now, at age 28, she is one of the most sought-after supermodels in the world, and has changed the traditional concept of what is beautiful in the West. As model, refugee activist and businesswoman she is an inspiration - and this remarkable real-life story sheds light on her journey from Dinka clan roots in war-torn Sudan to a new beginnings in Brooklyn. Born the seventh of nine siblings, on her escape to London at the age of fourteen she had already lived through violence, genocide and forced migration in her homeland. Alek Wek's poignant, powerful memoir gives an unforgettable insight into her rise to fame as a supermodel with a conscience, who balances cover shoots for glossy magazines (she was named Model of The Decade by i-D magazine) with political activism (working with Doctors Without Borders and the U.S. Committee for Refugees Advisory Council) and a dedication to refocus the world's attention on those she left behind in the Sudan.

BUTCH DIVA OFFICE / SHOWROOM SPACE...

What fun would work be if you didn't have a cool, calm, and comfortable atmosphere to be productive in! A part of my organization process has been revamping my studio to a point where I'm making the best use of the space I have, and it's official enough to conduct business out of. I have experience in home furnishings and interior design from my time spent working at a high end interior design production studio in downtown brooklyn... having the proper resources makes the job just a tad bit easier. See some of the inspiration behind my re-vamp below...

GRAND THEFT AUTO X BUTCH DIVA...

The BUTCH DIVA comic book project continues. Brainstorming script concepts, compiling images to inspire setting and scenes, color, and characters. And finalizing all the fabric and trim for the next roll out of styling samples. Seen below are a few Grand Theft Auto shots contributing to the development process...

"WHEN I GROW UP...'

Before there was Envogue or a Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls, I grew up inspired by watching this movie "Sparkle", filmed in Harlem capturing the 1950's. The light skinned oldest sister, who I thought I wanted to grow up looking like at the time, ends up getting turned out by the streets, and a big time drug hustler. Her lil sis who always admired her beauty and loved her no matter what goes on to pursue their childhood dream of a singing career...I don't want to give the whole movie away but it's def one to check out one weeknight with the girls...

I finally upgraded my lifestyle to the Netflix community and believe it or not, this movie was one of the first on my list to be delivered. I watched it last night and it bought back so many memories...I know it wasn't the drugs that inspired me, but it was "Sistah's' good looks, her attitude and sass, her hair and makeup, her fair skin, and her eagerness to want to be a part of the "big time"...

It also reminds me of my coming of age years in the Bronx when everyone pre-judged me because I was the light skin girl on the block with the big dreams. Regardless of my dreams- I was always the one they thought was most likely to get caught up in the game...and I never did! Instead I rose above it, and the beat goes on...

BUTCH DIVA POSTER ART...

Special thanks to my baby Adobe Photoshop for always being there to support my imagination!

Stay tuned for more...

BUTCH DIVA'S BOSS LADY AT PEACE WITH THE SEA IN TOBAGO...

Living my life like it's golden...