La Vie ARTfroheme

I am a self-proclaimed FASHION GIRL! I love putting a look together.

As I have learned to dress my body over the years and there is not much that I am afraid to do fashion-wise. My core style is full of color, textures and prints with a strong slant for the Afrocentric (also a little razzle dazzle…sparkle and shine ain’t never hurt no body either.) In terms of cuts and silhouettes, I am a fan of ruffles, peplums, wide-leg pants, maxi skirts and dresses, kimonos, dusters, cardigans and caftans.

When I am shopping I am not only looking at the article of clothing the way it appears but also for what it can be. Like many of my brothers and sisters in fashion, I keep a tailor and seamstress in my back pocket for customization and needed adjustments but I am not a stranger to needle and thread, fabric glue, and paint because above all things, I will not rest until I get it the way that I want it.

Such is the case of this #boohoo cardigan that I recently purchased online. While others may think of one of the top fashion houses when they see red, green, and black together…my mind, immediately, goes to Pan-Africanism and Black Power so I decided to make a “Black Power” cardigan. I actually purchased two articles a cardigan and a satin bomber jacket with the intent to transform them into a unique article that illuminates my style.

To complete the “Black Power” cardigan, I started by purchasing patches from Etsy. My goal was for all of the patches to have a color scheme of Red, Black, and Green and include an empowering message.

The end result is this beauty here. Once I placed the sequined Africa on the back of the cardigan, I wanted to add a final detail to finish off the piece. When I receive the final piece, I will take more pictures. For now, take a look at what I have done.

The next project will be my “Black Girl Magic” bomber…

#fashion #diy #blackpower #cultureintheclothing #lifestyle

Target’s Future Collective – Dear Kahlana

Dear Kahlana Barfield Brown,

First off, congratulations on your latest Target curation! You continue to set the pace in fashion, consistently raising the bar and reminding us all why you are a true trailblazer in the fashion industry. Your eye for style, coupled with your ability to bring fresh and innovative designs to accessible spaces, is truly unmatched.

But I want to take a moment to say thank you for something even more significant—thank you for understanding that #RepresentationMatters in every aspect of fashion, including body type. When I saw your #TargetFutureCollective collection, I was excited. Too often, I find myself hyped about a new collection, only to realize the options for my body type are either unavailable or feel like an afterthought. It’s disappointing when I’m reminded that the fashion world still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity, especially when it comes to serving plus-size women.

But your collection was different. I was not only able to find pieces that worked for me, but I also saw my plus-size sistren represented and celebrated in the designs. You understood that plus-size girls like to slay too! You’ve made sure that we are not an afterthought but part of the vision from the start. The fact that I could find items that fit me beautifully, while also knowing that my sisters who needed expanded sizes could do the same, felt empowering.

I copped this little diddy from your collection, and you know I’ll be adding my own flavor to it—gonna #Africanize it to suit my vibe, because that’s how we do. I’m all about making a piece my own, and with your collection, it’s easy to do that.

So, from one creative woman to another, thank you for considering us. Thank you for making sure that fashion is for all bodies, and for continuing to push the envelope on what it means to be stylish, inclusive, and true to ourselves.

#DeltasDoItBetter #AlphaMade #SupportBlackCreators #PlusSizeFashion #TargetFutureCollective

Keep leading the way, Kahlana! We see you, and we appreciate you!

When I Saw this Cardigan…

Target’s Future Collective – Dear Kahlana