Behind the Mask: Interview with DOPEciety’s Denisio Truitt

Recently, at MoCADA‘s Soul of Brooklyn Launce and Concert, I was introduced to Denisio Truitt’s line, DOPEciety, which she described as afrofuture apparel. I was intrigued and so I interviewed her to find out the inspiration for her line and her plans for it. Read below: 1) How did you become interested in fashion and […]

Behind the Mask: Shakilla’s Visionary Loc Scultping

Recently I was part of Going If you would like Natural’s 10th anniversary photoshoot event at Afropunk and my hair was styled by a gifted hair stylist and jewelry maker Shakilla, who calls herself a loc sculptor, and her work is filled with truly divine masterpieces. Her styling business, A Manifestation of a Vision, is […]

Behind the Mask Interview: Butch Diva

Since I am doing a Caribbean focus, here is my interview with Tiffany Rhodes, designer of Butch Diva, whose first major patron model for her fashion line (and one of my favorite artists, too) was dancehall queen, Patra. Rhodes’ designs are vibrant and colorful, and look as much fun to be in as it is […]

Behind the Mask: Mindless Behavior

As I get older, one way that gauge how old I am is boy bands/boy groups. At 22, I am that crux where I am old enough to be over them and still young enough to swoon over them without that much shame. I still remember singing along to B2K and B5, and that was […]

Behind the Mask: Isaac Hayes

Yesterday, I watched Isaac Hayes’ Unsung on TV One and one thing that stood out to me about Hayes besides his musical talent was his fashion sense. The man who co-wrote the superhero lover songs like “Hold On, I’m Coming” and “Soul Man” for Sam and Dave, had his own particular smooth style. For a […]

Behind the Mask: Space Children

While doing some research I came across this event that took place last year at the British Library. Space Children: From Dr. Funkenstein to the ArchAndroid featured interviews with George Clinton and Nona Hendryx in which they discussed their spaced-out fashion styles as well as a screening of John Akomfrah’s The Last Angel of History. […]

Behind the Mask: Tunde Olaniran’s Futuristic Style

Below is an interview I did with artist Tunde Olaniran about his fashion style: 1) Describe your style. What different elements make up your style? My style is meant to evoke visceral emotions as well as exuberant nostalgia. I blend very tribal shapes and influences, 90s grunge and punk, and large, changeable shapes and draping. […]

Behind the Mask: Butch Diva

Brooklyn fashion designer Tiffany Rhodes, the “Queen of Spandex,” is raising money to open a store for her line, Butch Diva. In the description of the name of her line, she explained, “I thought ‘butch’ was an expression of androgyny, boldness, masculine aggression, and a tough edge, and ‘diva’ was still sexy, feminine, boss, and […]

Behind the Mask: Playin’ Mas

As we are in the midst of carnival season, I would like to share something interesting that I learned about carnival in Dominica. The other day I visited my family in Brooklyn and one of my cousins let me borrow his book, Ma William and Her Circle of Friends. Written by Giftus John, who taught […]

Behind the Mask: I Met A Clown…

Last weekend, I went to Brooklyn for the Soul of Brooklyn Block Party. I was curious to know what was going on there. While it didn’t turn out to be the block party atmosphere I expected, I was able to listen to a couple of steel pan players do their own version of popular songs, […]