Who are you wearing darling?

 

African Chic! Dress by Gitas Portal

I love all things fabulous and today's confession is that I have a hugh designer crush on Gitas Portal.Here's the scoop on the designer!

Mariatu Turay is a London fashion designer who aspires to bring her creations to an international audience.  Born to a Sierra Leonean father and a Barbadian mother and having lived in West Africa, and the USA, Mariatu pulls together her experience of fashion, art, culture and femininity into her work. As a self-taught seamstress Mariatu’s goal is to set a benchmark for diasporic inspired designs and recognises her talent as a God given gift.

As founder and resident designer for Gitas Portal an online shop and each collection is an expression and extension of her artistic vision; each garment is painstakingly crafted and finished to the highest standards. Using different textures of fabric from across the globe, her designs are elegant, offering the wearer a unique composition of art and passion which reflects her cultural influences.

You will see a strong expression of femininity within each collection, and a design that appeals to confident women who celebrate fashion through a desire for innovative design, luxurious fabrics and textures and meticulous attention to detail.

As a designer and a wearer of her own pieces, Mariatu celebrates fashion and sees it as a unique expression of individual flair and the emancipation of one's inner beauty.
“It's all about the individual. Every individual brings something different to an outfit, through interpretation of style. Therefore my designs do not dictate 'this is fashion', but instead asks of the wearer, 'to enjoy, what Gitas Portal like to describe as, fresh but elegant, exotic and innovation design wear for women.”

Simply put, Mariatu’s designs for Gitas Portal are Fabulous. Each piece is beautifully constructed and allows the wearer to showcase who they are comfortably and to promote African aesthetics through fashion.

 

Buy something fabulous today. Visit: http://www.etsy.com/people/gitasportal2011

#african  #fashion #chic

 

                      

 

Happy Birthday Opaz!

Cast your mind back, way back to....92! Remember this?

Industry peers, critics and music connoisseurs alike have all acclaimed Ray Hayden to be one of the most established legendary and revered producers in the UK and now Opaz Productions celebrates its 20^th Anniversary.

From the inception of Opaz Productions two decades ago, Ray Hayden has produced tracks for the following artists: Martine Girault, Ronny Jordan, Mica Paris, Swing Out Sister, Incognito, Guru, Maysa, George Howard, Omar, Adeva, Carol Thompson, Patrick Jean-Paul Denis; and remixes for: Marvin Gaye, Mary J Blige, Sade, Tyrese, Tony Toni Tone, The Brand New Heavies, The Christians, Gene Rice, Des’ree, Another Level, Nina Simone and The Temptations.

These formative years were bookmarked by the release of the now signature song and a firm UK classic ‘Revival’ by Martine Girault, which entered the charts at No 1. Revival added flavour to Nescafe's TV advertising campaigns and featured in films starring Meg Ryan, TuPac Shakur and Micky Rourke allowing Opaz Productions to establish itself as a world class production company.

In marking its twentieth anniversary The House of Opaz will be releasing its entire catalogue online including many hidden gems from its vaults.  Leading the campaign is new signing Cartier Fraser-a young lady from North West London.
Already a radio and critic favourite, lead track ‘Mr Lost’ from the debut album of the same title features nine tracks which showcases the incredible talent of Cartier nurtured and lead by the magical and renowned production skills of Hayden. ‘Mr Lost’ will be available to download from iTunes October 29th 2012 and look out for new collaborations with iTunes No1 selling Jazz Artist Yolanda Brown.

Opaz celebrates 20 years of Achievement and we'll be celebrating with them!
For more information visit: www.opazmultimedia.com

Lip gloss and 4 Inch Heels: A day in the life of a PR girl and all the other demands

Guest writer and new PR Assistant at Purple Reign PR, Lauren, writes: People only see the lip gloss and 4 inch heels. They rarely see, understand nor comprehend the sacrifices, effort, stress, worry and sleepless nights that go into what we do day in, day out…

The confession today and seven weeks since our last one please forgive us, is that recently us PR girlies would have happily traded our A39 MAC lipstick and gloss and KG’s for a pair of boxing gloves and a dark, empty room with a few choice individuals in the ring with us. We can appreciate that us females can be difficult. We’re intelligent, independent and overly capable, we can multi-task like nothing you’ve ever seen before whilst rocking a pair off killer stilettos and applying lip gloss at the same time.  But for some unknown reason, men continue to patronise us while selectively ignoring the fact that we’re smart, strong and quite frankly the closest thing to Superman.

Yes, yes, we're aware that none of us actually look anything like the girl on the cover of the magazine, the one who is surgically enhanced, air brushed and constantly made up to create the perfect pouting Barbie. However, we do know that hard work should be reciprocated in the same way it is given. It's not an unfair expectation for it to be met with the same premium intensity, commitment, dedication and sacrifice to be equally adhered to, valued and respected. If anyone feels that they cannot comply with these simple terms, they might find Estee Lauder eye shadow pots replacing their eyeballs sometime in the near future.

It was the worst 48 hours for us in the office, 48 hours of hell!!! The band were uncooperative, artists were making demands and then pulling out last minute with inexcusable excuses. The person that stayed the truest was the one who travelled the furthest and hustled the hardest to be here, from half way across the world, she stood tall and strong by our side always. Everything that could have gone wrong did, all the people we thought we could trust and rely on let us down; there was an insulting lack of gratitude shown from those whom should have been grovelling on their knees. A simple “please” and “thank you” would suffice now and then. BUT it was all in the name of doing what we love, bringing music to ears.

You should always remember that in order to maintain your professionalism you must bite your tongue and keep your composure, it’s all about the company image and the picture we're painting for the ever-watching eyes. The moral of the story is that at the end of the day when the applause has been had you must to act like a lady and think like a man. The show must go on…your hair must be perfection, lip gloss just the right shade and us girlies, the daily wearers of skyscraper heels, persevered in our 4 inch beauties all night long in outfits that would make Louis Vuitton look twice. It was a cool Sunday evening, the scene was incredible; wine was flowing and the music was grooving.

Until next time.

Guest writer and new Jnr PR Assistant at Purple Reign PR, Luke, writes: "Dear reader, it feels like a hot minute since our last confession even if the weather hasn't been so hot but we have something to be cheerful about!!... On Sunday July 8th 2012 MusicConnex brings you a Live Showcase not to be missed!!

Debut UK performances from Wildcookie (SWE) and Kendra Cash (US) along side UK's finest Chidi, Charlene & Cartier Fraser will all be blessing us with some of that soulful magic at Adam Street Private Members’ Club, WC2N, London.

We'll be there and we can't wait to see you and your friends there too!!

Tickets are available from: https://musicconnex.ticketabc.com/events/musicconnex-live-jul/

Early Bird tickets for MusicConnex Summer Showcase are £5.

Why not make a night of it with a *2 Course Meal with Entry to showcase for £15 from 3pm (*limited availability- purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment); or £15 ticket with a FREE Wildcookie CD. *Limited availability while stocks last - Standard Showcase entry only £10. Doors open at 6pm.
If you're soulful and need some of that good music to take you through until the event on Sunday July 8th then check out the new Soul Independence: Liberated (compilation cd) of the finest Independent Soul there is to offer, available on iTunes now: http://itunes.apple.com/preorder/soul-independence-liberated/id528325846
...and if that wasn't enough to get those taste buds going, here's the official video for the big event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aHQSiXUBRE&feature=plcp

See you there friends."

#SoulIndependence #MusicConnex #SoulMusic #Live

Dear reader, it has been 4 months since my last confession. Please forgive me.

Since the last posting lots have happened. LOTS!  But the one thing I’m most excited about is being approached to head up the PR for an Independent Soul label called SI Records. Shakespeare said: “If music be the food of love, play on”, and oh boy has this album been on repeat in the office…and at home!

Soul Independence: Liberated



SOUL: {noun} the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, regarded as immortal.
INDEPENDENCE: {noun} freedom from outside control or support.
LIBERATED: {Adjective} free from social conventions or traditional ideas.

Soul Independence Records have complied another amazing collection of music inspired and spurred on by the popularity and demand of the first edition; coupled with the discovery of new and emerging artists with a high calibre of musical artistry enthusiastic to showcase their material on this influential independent soul label. This CD includes rare and previously unreleased material from Honey Larochelle, The House of Opaz, Melodie Nicholson, Nathaniel, Darrius, Ebony Marks and Grammy Award Nominated Syleena Johnson with Syl Johnson’s legendary band.

The latest edition comes full of musical and talented surprises with many tracks on CD format for the first time. Lovingly put together with the music connoisseur in mind, Soul Independence: Liberated, is a music lover’s dream, packed with a *handpicked selection of gems from the likes of Slakah The Beatchild, Noel Gourdin and Kendra Cash.

SI Records said: “We have carefully selected artists and tracks to showcase some of the amazing independent talent out there. We admire and are continually inspired by these artists who just get out there producing their music with integrity remaining true by following their heart.”

Exclusive advance CD copies of Soul Independence: Liberated will be available in selected outlets in May prior to the full release on physical AND download in June.
                                                           **************************

Songs on repeat: Smile by Kendra Cash, The Cure by Slakah the Beatchild, Mr Lost by Opaz (look out for more from The House of Opaz is the coming months!), The Makings of You by Syleena Johnson, Be Your Baby by Honey Larochelle, and this intoxicating track (no pun intended!) Serious Drug by Wildcookie! Check out the full track listing below.
 

 *Track List
1. Kendra Cash / Smile

2. Honey Larochelle / Be My Baby

3. Opaz featuring Cartier / Mr Lost

4. Melodie Nicholson / Stay Gone

5. Slakah The Beatchild / The Cure

6. Wildcookie / Serious Drug

7. Smoke E. Digglera / Say U Really Luv Me, Baby

8. Darrius / Say All The Right Things

9. Emdee Brown / Nothing Will Prevail

10. Soulfruit / In Love

11. Nathaniel / Night & Day

12. Noel Gourdin / Sex In the City

13. Gloria Ry’Ann / Wait A Minute

14. Ebony Marks / Girlfriend

15. D. Reed / One Chance

**Special Bonus Track 
16. Syleena Johnson / Makings Of You with Syl Johnson’s Legendary Band

Is there any room in business for…Emotions?

Dear blog reader. It has been too long since my last confession. Please forgive me.

I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about writing this blog post. But it kind of feels like if I don’t get it out of my system it will stay swirling around my head like a washing machine on a long cycle.

So…is there any room for in ‘emotions’ in business?

I suppose it depends on the person and the circumstances.

I recently had to part ways with someone due to emotions – theirs, not mine! The person got, let’s say ‘emotional’ because they weren’t ‘centre of attention’ and decided to take it out on me verbally and via written communication on more than one occasion.

After receiving a curt email I had the following choices:

A) reply back in the same manner it was delivered thus entering into an unprofessional and unhealthy exchange of words
B) go running to said person and massage their already over inflated ego and appease  the situation
C) calmly close the email, reply 72 hours later informing said person that they have been terminated as a client due to 'misconduct'.

I went for option C.

Basically, it was like removing a band aid (plaster for my English viewers!) in one swift motion with no emotional ‘attachment’.

Don’t get me wrong, it is good to invest yourself wholeheartedly in a project and give your upmost best, but  I think it’s better to let your head lead the way when it comes to business matters.