Andy Drew 2
Andy lives, breathes, drinks and sleeps fashion around the clock, 365 days a year. When he's not busy designing his own unique garments, he's either creating art pieces featuring subjects dressed in his signature couture designs, or perusing through shops in downtown LA or Hollywood looking for new fabrics and materials, or reading fashion magazines, or surfing the web for all things fashion-related, and/or watching television programs and movies about fashion. As a child, Andy became fascinated with fashion and art. His grandmother, Ms. Evera Drew, taught him how to sew, make patterns and drape fabric. At the age of nine, he began sewing clothes for his sister's dolls on his grandmother's sewing machine. With Evera's technical guidance and lessons in faith, Andy developed his skills as a designer along with a high taste level and strong work ethic. After graduating high school, Andy moved to San Francisco where he studied fashion and art design while working as an assistant buyer for a major retail establishment. Drawing upon his training in fashion and design, Andy began designing women's ready to wear fashions, handbags, hats and jewelry.
Anyone who knows Andy Drew 2 knows that he is a man intense and passionate about being a fashion designer. Andy has synthesized his unique style into a seamless web of fashion, art, accessories, and jewelry. His work escapes category and is a menagerie of traditions, colors, patterns and textures. Andy works intuitively from a global aesthetic that integrates high fashion and couture. His goal is to connect with people on all levels through visual aesthetics. Andy brings to bear his signature style on his artistic endeavors as well. He sculpts, paints and creates art pieces brimming with the same signature style that makes his garments so special. No matter what the subject, Andy's creativity and passion are evident—even his sculpted birds are fashionable.
Andy Drew 2 has completed several lines of women's ready to wear fashions, and is credited as the featured designer in many fashion shows including: Catwalk 2004 (annual fashion showcase at the Celebrity Center in Hollywood), Fashion On The Square 2007 (Union Square, San Francisco--the largest outdoor fashion show on the west coast), and most recently, The 2008 First Ladies High Tea sponsored by the LA Focus Newspaper. With each fashion show, the buzz surrounding Andy Drew 2 continues to get louder. Currently, Andy designs for private clients, and his hand-crafted work is featured on his website. Andy has worked with internationally known and celebrated photographer Ash Gupta, and was also the fashion designer and a creative consultant for the WNWN photo shoot with Meagan Good. Additionally, Andy has designed a handbag for Janet Jackson and completed a denim-inspired art project for Gap. Through his work, Andy's connectivity to fashion is impossible to ignore.
Ayaan & Idyl Mohallim
Born to Somali parents and raised in both their native country and Washington DC, identical twins Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are anything but ordinary. Having fled Somalia at the age of nine to escape the country's civil war, both Idyl and Ayaan completed their college education at University of Michigan and Boston University, respectively, before making the bold move to Manhattan where they aimed to stand out from the rest in the world of fashion and design. Experiencing the industry from the ground up through careful study and practice, they slowly crafted their talent, weaving their cultural influence throughout each meticulously designed piece in their studio with only distant dreams of launching a collection.
In 2008, the Mohallim sisters took their first step together, launching a new brand, Mataano (meaning "twins" in Somali) and furnishing a platform to express their vision and bring forth their creations to the marketplace. Mataano's premier Spring 2009 collection launched in New York City on November 1, 2008 featuring a boutique preview of ten dresses, many of which received notice in the industry. Oprah Winfrey, the queen of daytime television, invited both siblings onto a recent show via Skype featuring the Olsen twins and young millionaire moguls. Paralleling their success with the Olsen sisters, Oprah lauded the duo for their inspiring story and much deserved success, and gave them the national credibility that will undoubtedly launch Mataano as an emerging brand with a rich cultural heritage.
Kemmy Solomon
Having learned her craft from the Massachusetts College of Art and the London College of Fashion, Kemmy Solomon has a unique perspective. She creates fabulous one- of a-kind works of art that reflect a worldly sense of style that is youthful with a hint of classical, rock, and glamour. Having lived in London, Florence, New York and now Lagos, she pulls from her Nigerian roots to build looks that are powerful and feminine. Some of the fabrication she uses include Lace, Aso-oke, Damask, Chiffon, Ankara, Tye dye silks, Egyptian cotton lace, and among others. Kemmy's skill has been developed by working with labels like Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Levis to name a few. Kemmy's styling work has been featured in the pages of art-friendly publications like Metro Pop, Trace, Untold, Lemonade, Haute, Fab, Genievieve, Flair, Fashizblack and others. She has also assisted Robert Verde and Phillip Broch to style red carpet looks for Halle Berry, Natalie Portman and Heidi Klum among others.
A 10- year veteran of the fashion industry, Kemmy's design starts with the knowledge that fashion is internationalism. Kemmy Solomon is the creative Director of Kemkemstudio a high-end women's wear line (a mixture of couture and ready to wear).
Kemkemstudio was established in New York, USA 2001 where Kemkemstudio showroom was based and is currently located in Lagos, Nigeria. Kemkemstudio designs include everything from hand painted Jackets to red carpet gowns and flirty cocktail dresses. Kemkemstudio designs are characterized by simple feminine layered cuts with delicate textured fabrics in vibrant colors, which are made captivating with intricate details. Kemkemstudio designs have been showcased in Bloomingdales, Young Designer Market, The Galleria, Temple Muse and Quintessence. Kemmy recently showcased Kemkemstudio UNCOVER Spring Summer 2011 collection at Somerset House in London Oct.30, 2010 sponsored by www.untold.co.uk. The UNCOVER collection is also currently available at Temple Muse, a luxury boutique in Victoria Island, Lagos. Kemkemstudio KKS line, high street line will be available for purchase at www.agnesandlola.com an online boutique bringing Africa made high quality product to Europe this march 2011. People who inspire her anyone doing it their way like John Galliano, Vivian Westwood and Martin Margiela. Four words Kemmy lives by are "Live, Laugh, Learn and Love." Her favorite phrases are "Let Go and Let God" and "Keep it moving".
Dani Johnson
Raised on welfare, pregnant at 17, homeless at 21, and a millionaire at 23, Dani Johnson is now multi-millionaire entrepreneur, best selling author, internationally sought after speaker, and radio talk show host. She knows what it takes to overcome adversity and succeed in life. As a Business, Finance and Relationship Expert, her unique strategies have literally transformed the lives of thousands, empowering and equipping them with the knowledge and skill to achieve the impossible. Dani regularly consults, mentors, and coaches people from all walks of life and career paths, regardless of position or status, on career advancement, personal achievement, business growth, leadership development, marketing and profit strategies, relationships, time management, wealth attainment and spiritual issues. Her passion is helping people break through barriers that stop them from experiencing true freedom emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially.
Dani is President and founder of Call to Freedom Int'l, a personal achievement and corporate training company. Dani and her husband Hans are also the founders of King's Ransom Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to serving people in need worldwide. Dani and Hans believe strongly in the need for successful people to give back to local communities and charitable organizations that are working to take care of orphans, widows, and those who are hurting by providing them with food, clothes, shelter and education so they can experience a new start on life. Dani is passionately dedicated to her husband Hans, 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and her relationship with God.
Megan McGlover
Los Angeles' number one Lifestyle Specialist, Megan McGlover hails from Southern California. Raised under the strict tutelage of her mother and grandmother, her passion for balance-in-life was instilled in her early on. She began her oratorical speaking career at the age of three. Since that tender age she has been honored at an array of historical events. Speaking engagements include, an honored guest at the Riverside Community College, numerous Martin Luther King celebrations, NAACP ceremony honoring Dick Gregory among so many others. She was awarded the "Distinctive Person of the Year" by the NAACP; first place award by the National Youth Congress- to name a few. She's also been featured in several newspapers. For as long as Megan could speak, she's mesmerized young and old alike with her distinctive tone and impressive memory. With a blossoming acting career, Megan has developed and maintained a keen sense of high spirited humor over the years. Along with her extraordinary focus, she has merged the two into pure delight. After personally training a few friends and dramatically transforming their lives, Megan began her pursuit in nutritional fitness and life evolution.
Dedicated to the adoption of truth in the minds and daily digestion of a person's cognitive understandings, Megan is engrossed in the force behind what makes thoughts reality, what makes true manifestation actuality, and what makes us FIT (Focused, Informed, Tenacious) enough to survive the toils within the FAT (Fatigue, Anger, and Torture) that weighs us down. For the past 15 years, she's demonstrated this passion through rigorous self maintenance. Believing that her body is her proof, she guarantees that healthy living, a focused mind, and belief in self-empowerment… works! She continues to motivate the masses with her unconventional humor and training methodology that consist of a FULL mind and body workout. With an emphasis on cardio and a strong focus on the core since (the core of the body is the ROOT of the mind." – MLM), she believes this approach provides the body with the strength it needs to cure itself from all disease and function at the potential of its initial design.
Lightening struck during a dramatic winter storm in Atlanta, Georgia in 2011. Megan decided, as she's known to do, to express her dislike for the storm's irreverence on film and upload it for her friends and family back home in sunny southern California. From these youtube videos, Megan's career took off by leaps and bounds. With guest appearances on the local 11Alive News, The National Weather Channel (TWC), and several other magazines, articles, and blogs, Megan McGlover is nothing short of an overnight sensational sensation. Her company, McGloverable is devoted to the nation's obesity and diabetic epidemic, whose objective is to cure these issues through nutritional directions, fitness instruction and emotional counseling. In her words, "Fitness and Focus is not my mission… it is my DESTINY. I will change the world, one family at a time. I am obligated to make a DIFFERENCE"
Website:mmcglover.blogspot.com
Melani Ismail
You may recognize Melani Ismail – Actor, Musician, Artist – from the hit reality show VH1 Football Wives that debuted in 2010, but as revealed through Melani's persona on the show, the depth of her soul is greater than the glamorous and luxurious lifestyle typically associated with most famous athlete WAGs (wives and girlfriends).
Melani truly has a passion for people, especially hurting people. She grew up the daughter of a minister and an evangelist and over the years has had the opportunity to encourage people from all walks of life from the church pews to musicians on street corners to follow their dreams. She has just started laying the groundwork for starting The 3W3 Foundation – Wisdom, Works, & Wealth -- whose purpose is to help finance the dreams of everyday people who just need that little extra push to take them into their next stage of success.
"I love to see people's dreams come to fruition. I care about their families, their children, and ultimately their walk with God. I don't like elitism in any form, and I hate to see people looked over because they don't have the resources needed to fulfill their goals."
For more information on Melani Ismail log onto her website.
Sefyu
Youssef Soukouna born June 20 1981 in Paris, better known by his stage name "Sefyu", is a French rapper of Senegalese descent. As a child, he exhibited interest in sports- particularly soccer. He played as a left-winger in soccer and attended the prestigious Shenley Training Center of Arsenal F.C. He envisioned himself making a career in this sport; but unfortunately, this dream did not materialize because of an injury. Regardless, Sefyu had a backup plan and converted his attention to hip hop music. In early 2000, he joined the French groups "NCC" (Natural Court Circuit) and "G-Huit" (G-Eight) and began his ascent to fame by rapping with Rohff on his album La Fierté des Nôtres, released in June 2004.
He worked with a vast array of French rappers, including Moystaff du Bengale, Nemesis, Ritmo, La K-Bine crew and performed publicly in 2001 at the Francofolies de la Rochelle. In 2005, he released a street CD entitled Molotov 4 and in April 2006, Sefyu released his first album, Qui Suis-je ? (Who Am I?). Sefyu's style is characterized by a few features- a deep husky voice and a range of unique phrases. Some of his songs belong to the hardcore hip-hop genre whereas some others are inspired by R'n'B music.
On May 12, 2008, Sefyu released his second album, Suis-je le gardien de mon frère? (Am I my brother's keeper?). Before its release, Sefyu made a few acclaimed singles Mon Public, Molotov 4 and Au pays du zahef which contributed to the album's commercial success. In 2009, he won the Victoire de la Musique Award, in the category Revelation of the Year. Sefyu seldom shows his face. He hides it by wearing a hooded jacket; by hiding it with his fist, a ski mask, or fitted hat.
Song:www.youtube.com/watch?v=6alYflCqdZ0
Soweto String Quartet
Soweto's always been alive with music. The dance rhythms of Kwela, the syncopated guitars of Mbaqanga, the saxophones and trumpets of swaying African jazz and the voices of people singing in joyous, easy harmony. The Soweto String Quartet sometimes known as SSQ is a world renowned South African Band. The last years have seen SSQ performed around the world as ambassadors for the new South Africa. SSQ is not your ordinary classic music band. Their music is not conventional string quartet sound but uniquely African. It is a unique blend of traditional rhythms, township jazz, pop songs, jazz-fusion and strong classical influences.
Their sound is fresh, vibrant and funky, not what you'd expect from a string quartet, but a sound that the SSQ delivers with panache and enthusiasm. Some puritans would say: "You're not supposed to grin from ear to ear and tap your foot to the music!" Nelson Mandela allegedly plays their CD in his office all the time. His assistant is reported as saying: "The old man loves it!" They became a full-time professional group in 1992 and performed at President Mandela's inauguration, after which Mandela started recommending them for other jobs.
The Soweto String Quartet emerged during the late 1980s around the nucleus of the three Khemese brothers -- violinists Sandile and Thami, and cellist Reuben. The sons of a conductor father and a choral-singing mother, the Khemese siblings attended their uncle's township music school, with Sandile and Reuben later serving as violinists with the Soweto Symphony Orchestra. During the early half of the 1980s, Sandile continued his studies in the UK, including a four-year stint at Manchester's Royal North College of Music; after returning to South Africa he taught at the Madimba School of Music, forming the Soweto String Quartet in 1989. Completing their roster with the addition of viola player and longtime family friend Makhosini Mguni, the ensemble initially faced criticism at home for their adherence to traditional European instruments, but in the years to follow, their music increasingly absorbed native African rhythms and intonations, even experimenting with guitars, keyboards and drums. Increasing national popularity resulted in a nine-month residency at the once-infamous Sun City resort, where the Soweto String Quartet was discovered by BMG Records producer Grahame Beggs; their label hit debut Zebra Crossing, appeared in mid 1998 and followed a year later with Renaissance. Their albums showcase the band's unique blend of traditional rhythms, Township Jazz, Pop songs, Jazz fusion, and of course, strong Classical influences. The songs are arranged in the band's unique and vibrant fashion - a true celebration of the resilient township spirit. Other albums include Four, Millenia and Our World.
Website:www.sowetostringquartet.co.za
Kenza Farah
Kenza Farah was born on 8 July 1986 in Bejaia, Algeria. As a child, her family moved to Marseille, France. There she will grow up and discover music. She made her first appearances small and local music circuit of neighborhoods at the age of fourteen performing Celine Dion covers. She made a name for herself as a darling of her hometown. Her talent was noticed as a performer and she earned the opportunity to record some tracks in studios. She soon began writing her own songs and attracted web interest through her blog. Visitors to the blog increased and eventually she was discovered producer. Now marrying a tough hip hop sensibility to confessional R&B balladry, Farah was signed by Parisian label Karismatik in 2006. She recorded the R&B album "Authentik" in 2007 and became the French music industry's second internet-driven success story after Yelle in 2007. Authentik with singles "Je Me Bats" (I Fight) and "Lettre du Front" (Letter From the Front) featuring Sefyu broke the Top Five and went gold in its second week on the back of massive Web buzz.
Website:www.Kenza-Farah-Zik.skyrock.com
Song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYMBaLqPaNM"
Nneka Ezekwueche