Model: Alice N

Once again, another shoot on a random day.

Model: Alice N

Wardrobe Breakdown

MJ - Ronnie Heller Dress, found in our Grandmothers closet.

Glasses: 5 Below

Jewelry: Tameka Newton's own

Hair Clip: Forever 21

Photography: Dougie Newton

Styling: Dougie Newton

What do you think!?!

Model: Yasmine Ings

What Do You Think!?

Model: Yasmine Ings

Photography: Dougie Newton [power of a camera phone]

Styled: Dougie Newton [power of grandmother's clothing]

So This What Happened!!

It's February 9th & I had the privilege to attend Temple Universities "The World's Runway" A Multicultural Fashion Show & Talent Showcase sponsored by The Progressive NAACP.

Multicultural is a great adjective for this diverse show. The show took us from Asia all the way to South America....for FREE! There were designs that represented each country, in this case, the countries of choice were Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and North America/Canada.

By word of mouth & applause, Europe ruled the show! The designs & presentation were impressive and well thought out.

Also in the mix of the fashion were a few performances. A routine by Alpha Sigma Rho, the Temple Irish Dance Team, Poetic Presentation by Noel Scales, Step Teams and of course a few rappers were thrown in the mix. This added a little spice to the show, but then you might put a little to much spice and throw it off. They just made it =]

Lastly, of course I could not leave the house without my dark shades for these bright lights and so did the crowd!

Check out some of the pics snapped at tonight's fashion show.

So That's What Happened! I'm Out!

So This What Happened!!

Its February 8th around 6:00pm & I'm having lunch/meeting with stage & performance coordinator India Jones www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1471110025 over at Temple University to help with there upcoming fashion show. ---->> "The World's Runway" a multicultural fashion show & talent showcase tomorrow, February 9th, at the Temple Performing Arts Center. Doors opening at 6:30pm. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Come witness great fashion! <<---

This was my first time in Temple's Student Center and I have to say I was impressed with the architecture & design. Then to witness all the places to eat! We had options to eat from Wrap It Up to Auntie Ann's. We chose Wrap It Up...you all should, literally =]

As we ate. we discussed the upcoming fashion show were producing which is gonna be held at Temple's Student Center. Our ideas & concepts for the show are bananas!! If you miss this show, I promise you, your missing something that this city is not ready for.

We watched as the models walked & be directed by Temple's own Dynasty Entertainment, a modeling troupe. Although all the models were good, one caught my attention. Islima Charles http://twitter.com/#!/IAM_SongBird , a temple university student. She really impressed me. Her walk, her stare & her confidence is noticeable from a distance. She sings as well.

Along with Islima, two other models, were noticeable from a mile away. Chuchu http://twitter.com/#!/MOBxChu_Bitchie & Courtney http://twitter.com/#!/DuhThatsMe_Cee both temple students and native New Yorkers. My reasoning for stopping them was solely because of there presence, and from there, talking to Chuchu it comes to find out that she has a blog as well! http://www.themoblifestyle.blogspot.com/ "When it comes to having a unique and successful lifestyle, there is much work involved to get to the point. Growing up in one of biggest most well known cities in the world, we developed an eye for the luxurious enviornment that we live in". To read more about ChuChu's blog, click the link & enjoy!

Finally while doing my random photo shoot with Chuchu & Courtney a photographer by the name of Taylor Gimbel http://twitter.com/#!/CertifiedVamp came in the mix and started shooting as well! He allowed me to look at some of his recent photo's & I was impressed! You can tell he has a vision and is not just a typical "photographer". Check him out yourself at http://taylorflash.tumblr.com/

Today was a success! Met some great people that I hope to work with in the future! Don't forget to check out Chuchu's blog, Taylor's tumblr, add Courtney's & Islima's twitter & India's facebook page!

And oh yea.....They all had on their dark shades =]

I'm Out!

A Man's World!

A Man's World is a photoshoot i've done with model Alice N http://twitter.com/#!/AliceN_ on a random day. By the way, she's my sister =]

Back Story: She came over the house one day to get her hair done by my sister and we recently got our wall painted as a present for my mother. I was so inspired to do a shoot with that wall. She came upstairs, stripped down and I said "put on my clothes". Then I said, "let's spike your hair". From there A Man's World was created.

Directed, styled, photographed [with my cliq t-mobile phone] by myself.

Notice the Dark Shades...Haha!

Im Out!

So This What Happened!

Wassup Readers!

This portion of "Dark Shades, Bright Lights" focuses on my adventure for the day & as you can see it's called So This What Happened.

So this what happened!

I am no stranger to riding septa & this is because I just received my license! Get it poppin!!

But I rode the 48 bus route into old city to have lunch with the fashionable, stylish, inspirational Ms. Fajr Muhammad of http://www.stylishthought.com/ at Pizzicato on 3rd & Market Streets [quite good]. It might not matter but I ordered the meatballs which were bangin & Fajr had a salad.

My talk with Fajr really opened up my mind and thinking process about my career and the future of "Dark Shades, Bright Lights". We hit topics about last nights networking mixer at Art, Beats & Eats hosted by stylist Curran J of http://www.kingsruletogether.com/ , all the way to getting me back into college [The New School]. I was honored & super excited that I got the chance to meet Fajr, she's a pioneer, watch out for her!

After our lunch she advised that I take a trip down 3rd street to witness all the amazing boutiques for my creativity sake. I walked & ran into so much creativity it made no sense. The style, the artwork, the details inside the shops were bananas! I stopped by Sugarcube http://sugarcube.us/ , Matthew Izzo http://matthewizzo.com/ , Third St. Habit http://thirdstreethabit.com/ , Lost & Found , Johnathanadler http://johnathanadler.com/ , & finally this last place is a must that ALL attend! With frequent parties, in house DJ and authentic clothing! Franklin Square http://www.infranklinsquare.tumblr.com/

To my excitement they all agreed to interview with me in the future! I guess they believe "It's A Hell Of A Life" =]

So that's what happened on February 7th! & I did have on my Dark Shades for those Bright Lights today, did you??

P:S: The picture attached is one of the artworks I came across on my adventure, look out for a photoshoot there pretty soon.

I'm Out!

Dark Shades, Bright Lights Presents: Deanna Robinson

Dougie Newton: Thanks so much Deanna for being my first interviewee!!

Deanna Robinson: Its an honor. I am always willing to help anyone follow their dream. We need more motivated men like you around.

DN: Awww thanks Deanna!! Okay, first question. What is your role in this fashion industry?

DR: Model Management

DN: What made you decide on Model Management?

DR: I was tired of seeing young girls mistreated by "model management companies" in the Philadelphia area.

DN: Describe to me your personal style.

DR: Fashion is about expressing yourself. I dress how I feel. Sophisticated.

DN: I agree, so is it a no to trends?

DR: Yes, I believe in trends. We set our own trends. Trends are looks that are accepted over time. So what you wear and people accept for a long period of time can become a trend.

DN: I gotchu. so who would you say is your all time favorite designer?

DR: Imma have to say Ralph Rucci because it takes a lot of skill to design functional clothing in geometric shapes. His designs are inspirational.

DN: How about favorite magazine? What can you not go without?

DR: Vogue of course & People.

DN: If you had to choose between flats & heels which would you choose?

DR: Heels because there is nothing more sexier than a woman in heels!

DN: Have you experienced any fashion gone wrong?

DR: I wore a dress designed by one of my friends. It ripped! Thank God I know how to sew! I walked out of the restroom with a new dress. Turns out it looked better after the adjustment!

DN: Hahaha, what is your opinion on Philly fashion scene?

DR: Everyone wants o be couture designers but cannot develop a complete collection.

DN: Do you think Philly is trying to imitate New York by attempting t be "couture"?

DR: Yes, but what city isn't? New York is our fashion capitol. What I am saying is that if your going to produce "haute couture" do it right. Assure that your pieces are finished and you have the right model wearing it. That's how you sell garments. Its all about presentation.

DN: What kind of models do you look for being a model manager?

DR: All models. There are so many ways a model can make money without degrading themselves.

DN: I love it! With all of this, what quote or saying do you rely on the get through this life?

DR: "Woussa" [Breath & Say It] & "It is what it is"

DN: Let's talk future for a quick second. What's next, what's poppin for you? Haha

DR: I'm taking C.K International!

DN: Let's Goo! I Love it! It's A Hell of a Life Right?

DR: It sure is.

DN: We've come to an end Deanna. I cannot thank you enough for this interview, I'm overly grateful!

DR: Thanks for the interview!

DN: Any final words, encouragement for the readers?

DR: Don't let anyone steal your dream!

DN: Exactly! Don't ever leave home without your Dark Shades for these Bright Lights!