Wednesday, January 28, 2009

*GOOD WILL HUNTING*

Crystal Anderson is the prefect example of a born model. Read this AMAZING story...
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...Crystal was born In Myrtle Beach South Carolina to an African American mother and Italian father. Her first 2 fashion "Ahh Hah Moments" both occurred when she was in the sixth grade:
discovering a pair of Doc Martin Mary Janes at TJ Maxx for twelve bucks. Her mom made her throw them away after about 6 months of constant wear.
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In high school Crystal coasted through with a breeze by doing the "America's sweet heart apple pie role;"yearbook editor, homecoming queen, class president, cheerleader. After High School Graduation she matriculated at the MECCA of Black Education: HOWARD UNIVERSITY..It's the place that finally gave her lessons on being yourself. Crystal visited NYC for the first time her sophomore year, and left a piece of her heart there. By October of the following year and with her parents blessings, she moved to New York with a little money and a dream.
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Now here's the good stuff. Crystal decided that going to an open "cattle" call wouldn't make sense, so she scoured the trade papers looking for clerical positions at the big agencies, because she knew all she needed was a one on one shot! She replied to an ad for an assistant to the president of a top 10 agency. On the day of the interview she packed some Polaroids and resume and went into the agency for my interview. As she was waiting in the lobby to see the president, agents were coming looking at her and streaming back and forth. Ten minutes later the door opened Crystal stood up and shook the presidents hand and before she could introduce herself the president said, "you know I can't make a girl like you be my assistant...that would be a waste.....AND THE REST IS HISTORY! Crystal was signed to Elite modeling agency and has spreads in major fashion and music magazines, including Haaper's Baazer, Marie Claire, Trace and Nylon. She has also shot campaigns for H&M and Rimmel London! Awesome!!
You go Ms. Anderson!!

ARCHIVES UPDATE: Crystal will be the muse for the brand. Please look out for the campaign!!
A/W 2009
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Check out more photos of this beauty.
Marie Claire in Paris
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Rimmel London Makeup Campaign
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NEVER TOO SICK TO GRIND!


TODAY WAS STILL A TOUGH ONE FOR ME! I AM BEHIND ON MY WORK, EVEN THOUGH THE MAN IN CHARGE DOESN'T HAVE TO POINT IT OUT TO ME! (I'M WORKING ON IT!!!) MY MEDS ONLY HELPED ME THROUGH THE NIGHT, THIS A.M I WAS UNDER YET AGAIN.


I HAVE A TON OF THINGS TO DO!

- PREP FOR FASHION WEEK

- ORGANIZE THE TEAM FOR OUR FFC AD SHOOT

- MARKET WORK FOR THE LINE'S CAMPAIGN, LOOK BOOK, ECT NEEDS

- FIND A STYLING INTERN

- FIND MATERIALS FOR MY FAB CREATION (I WILL REVEAL THAT TO YOU LATER...WINK WINK)

- PREPARE FOR MY PRODUCTION MEETING


THE LIST GOES ON AND ON....


I GOT A LATE START TODAY, BUT STILL GOT TO ACCOMPLISH SOME MAJOR TASKS! I GOT MY HAIR AND MAKE UP TALENT CONFIRMED, MY CASTING CALL IN ORDER, A NEW POSTING UP FOR AN INTERN AND I AM WORKING ON THAT INSPIRATION PACKET FOR THE PRODUCTION MEETING IN BETWEEN! NOT BAD FOR A 2PM START AND SICK AS A DOG, VOICE AS DEEP AS BARRY WHITE'S!


I HAVE FINALLY COMES TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT I CANNOT DO EVERYTHING FOR MYSELF, O'NEAL AND TY! IT IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE! I HAVE A MILLION LISTS, NOTES, NOTEBOOKS, NOTEPADS... I JUST NEED HELP! OUR DESIGN INTERNS HERE ROCK, I NEED SOME STYLE INTERNS WHO CAN DO THE SAME!


THE REMAINDER OF THIS WEEK, I WANT TO PRODUCE A DOPE AD FOR FFC...THEY DESERVE IT AND YOUR EYES DESERVE TO SEE SOMETHING TASTY! I WANT TO MAKE THE BIG MAN HAPPY AND HAVE SOME NEWS ABOUT MY DEVELOPMENTS. I REALLY WANT THEM TO BE MARVELOSO!


I AM NOT SURE WHAT MY BODY WANTS TO DO, BUT I KNOW I NEED TO WORK IT OUT! LIKE ASAP! TIME IS TICKING AND I REALIZED THAT I AM A MAJOR MAJOR PART OF THIS MOVEMENT..THIS FAM!


CAN YOU EVER BE TOO SICK TO GRIND OUT AND GO HARD? YES AND NO...DEPENDS ON HOW SICK YOU ARE I GUESS. I DON'T WANT TO LET THIS FLU WIN ANYMORE SO I AM GOING TO GRIND OUT AND GO HARD!


I'M EVEN LOOKING A BIT MORE LIKE MYSELF TODAY!


BACK TO WORK....

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

**MARCH 24**

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M.I.A..SEQUIN DOT


My life is something like the matrix. I wake up quoting Hovito, "red or green pill? you live and you learn..." Working full time at Artifacts, then there is the freelance grind in the wonderful world of styling, then my side hustle that allows me to survive in these ruthless streets of NYC, has taken a slight toll on my body! Along with the hawk outside, I caught the flu.


With that said, I haven't been able to jump into this the way I wanted to...I have been M.I.A I am here though! Miss SEQUIN DOT, MISS STYLE MAVEN, GUCCI PUCCI...I have a ton of alias' which come out depending on what's going on at that point in the day! Whatever triggers me to morph into that creative alien persona..kinda like the United States of Tara( heart that show already)
Well...I have to get back to work as stylist, creative director, design assistant, dope mamacita, sick lil lady! Just wanted to introduce myself.....
HER NAME IS SHAY!!! SH TO THE A-Y
Until I land again!
peace!!!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Crazy Day!

After another sleepless night in the office, a crazy Monday is always a follower. Today was filled with alot of interesting details. I had a fitting today at 10:30am with the lovely designer/pattern maker/technical master Laura Seymour.

Blurb: I will do a post about this awesome lady very soon! So stay tuned.

We fit 3 of the 4 remaining styles that will complete the technical process of my 12 pc collection due to launch this A/W 2009 Fashion Week season.

Blurb: We has a team collectively decided not to show during that week (February 13-20th), because as a new collection that no one knows or heard of and the fact that millions don't grow on trees we will not be recognized standing next to the Marc Jacobs, Calvin Kleins, DVF's, Zac Posens of the industry.

(continued) We had a few technical difficulties because the sample room that I'm using is a little slow..mentally and the dresses are not fitting correctly. In this case, getting muslin's sewn up to avoid extra cost and quickly moving forward to SMS(salesman samples) was not a good idea. Now I will have to get protos mocked up of all the dresses, including trims and lining. I'm not complaining, just explaining..lol:) This is where my exceptional problem solving comes into play. FUN TIMES!!
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Ty hard at work preparing for "Colorful Conversations" and "Fashion Fights Cancer" events. The world of PR, Marketing and Sales! What a job he has..hehehe.:)

After fitting, I prepped my great interns!! Thank God for INTERNS!!! They are so helpful!
Vanessa was God sent from AIU in Tribeca. She runs majority of my errands and she is handy around the office. Ms. Cruz has no "ego problem," like some interns..hint, hint..FIT, Parson students. She very humble and willing to do anything if you teach her. I have her work on novelty dresses for the "Fashion Fights Cancer" charity event campaign.

Check out a photo of her hard at work!
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Time fly when you're busy. Around noon I finished up with my emails and I started updating and sending jewelry technical packages to my freelance client Antonia-Marie (designer for Ntice Clothing) http://www.nticeclothing.com/. Now, she is an Asian sweet pumpkin pie! I will have to do a post about her life and her many brands. She's a very interesting girl residing in New Jersey. She's showing her debut collection of gold-plated urban hipster jewelry at MAGIC on February 16th. So she's in a bind because the jewelry company is a little flaky. TROUBLE-SHOOTING
I have faith that she will pull it off with style.

Around 3pm, Vanessa and I ran over to 8th ave to meet with Mike @ Berenstein Fabrics to order sample yardage for the collection...can I say EXPENSIVE!!! Damn, let me bust it down in twenties.lol:) Ran back to the office for a meeting with Mack Dugan. Dugan is creating a couple of patterns for the collection.

The day is winding down now, so this my time to rest my eyes and start on yet another project. It never ends for me guys, but I wouldn't accept it no other way!
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-Wonder Child

The Phenomenon Begins!!

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FUCK THE STEREOTYPES! BLACK IN HIGH FASHION, BITCH!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

**Random Business**

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is my favorite all-time classic! Primarily because my personal private dancer, the legendary Tina Turner is in it! She plays the sexy Aunty Entity. Love her!
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Blurb: I was only 3 years old when it the movie released. My mother would always play the movie for me over and over because I would be glued to the screen, so happy and excited.


Fact: A Golden Globe-nominated 1985 film, the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise. The film was directed by George Miller and George Ogilvie, and stars Mel Gibson and Tina Turner. The original music score was composed by Maurice Jarre



LOVE ALWAYS TINA! This video is one of my favorite moments in life.


Tina Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero






TECHNICAL WIZARD

Follow me on this post. ;)
- What magical hands this extremely talented guy has! I met Mack back in the summer of 2005, when I started working as Assistant Designer at Heatherette. I was so amazed by his knowledge of garment construction and his passion for pattern-making. More importantly Dugan is a down-to-earth individual with a kind heart, which is very rare in today's NY fashion scene. I love this guy!! Since the glitter and star-studded days of Heatherette are long done and over with, Mack has been working diligently on his name sake menswear line called "MACKDUGAN." It was a "must" to highlight this technical genius.

Check out his Spring/Summer 2009 collection. You go Mack! :)
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Elliot Dugan was born in South Dakota in November, 1980. He acquired his nickname Mack from his father before he was born, and was moved to the other side of the planet, Wellington, New Zealand shortly thereafter where he was happily raised. He learned to sew at age 12, and from that point on has had his hands in an avalanche of diverse projects. After winning a prestigious high school fashion competition, Mack left Wellington to study Textile and clothing at a trade school in Berlin. In 1999, he returned to complete his formal fashion training at Massey University Wellington.
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Mack's first romance with the fashion industry came along with his job working for independent designer Natlija Kuchija in Auckland, NZ, where he had the opportunity to work hands-on with production, cutting patterns, and sewing, gaining experience and perspective and leading to his first namesake pieces. The MACKDUGAN brand debuted, in its first incarnation, at seminal Auckland boutique "RIP SHIT AND BUST". In his free time, Mack was also dabbling in the indie/art scene as a founding member of "The Fame Game", an ensemble of rag-tag artists perilously navigating the party scene and pretending to make art.In the scorching summer of 2002, Mack escaped New Zealand with his life and one suitcase containing only his pattern blocks and a few beloved and spectacularly impractical articles of clothing and headed for New York City. After joining forces with the only soul he knew, Wellington comrade and stylist Kate Ruth, he was soon plopped into the eye of the fashion storm, assisting super-stylist Patti Wilson.

On a fateful David Lachapelle photo shoot, Mack was introduced to Heatherette's "accidental fashion designers" Richie Rich and Traver Rains, who had chosen a name and a theme for their next fashion show but had forgotten to make the clothes to go with it. With 2 months until fashion week, they adopted unsuspecting Mack and he found himself thrust into a glitter-encrusted fashion week whirlwind. Immediately following his first turbulent and chaotic New York Fashion Week experience, he thought to himself, "I'll never do THAT again".
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How wrong he was. Mack has since presided over 20 full-scale fashion shows at Heatherette, 10 in New York, and countless others in LA, Moscow, Mexico City, Miami, St. Barths, including a particularly over-the-top retrospective at Vienna's Life Ball 2007, to name a few.As Heatherette disbanded in 2008, Mack found himself a happily experienced and well-seasoned free agent, utilizing the multitude of varied skills he'd picked up over the years to keep his hands in different types of projects. At present, he continues to freelance for stylists such as Patti Wilson and Yana Kamps, and is a contract pattern cutter for global brands such as TSE, The Row and Pepper & Pistol. Mack also dabbles in freelance fashion styling and blogging for Paper Magazine. At night, he can be found hosting a few weekly parties at NYC area clubs.
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In a PAPER Magazine blog interview, Mack was asked who is the MACKDUGAN man and he stated, "This collection is deliberately made of easy pieces so it will work for a diverse cross section of guys. What makes this line modern is that it easily adapts to different people. The clothes themselves are staples which could work great separately or as head to toe looks . This collection would look just as at home at the Bowery or Barneys as it would at the Beatrice Inn or Barnes & Noble."

I will keep you posted on upcoming collection, events and exclusive info on the wonderful Mack Dugan!

Check out his interesting website:
http://www.mackdugan.com/
Also check out PAPER mag blog interview:
http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/11/mack_dugan_solo_star.php

Throwback PIC *Exclusive*

I will be randomly uploading exclusive pix with my favorite people that are on my frequency.

I heart Wish! In this pic we were on our way out for a fashion show last fashion week. She always ready for a photo opp.
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WHY ARE YOU ACTING HOLLYWOOD?!?!?!

I posted this blog back in June of 2008, but I had to re post it, because I consistently come across people in the fashion industry that pretend to be something their not. It's so annoying! My new term of expression for posers in '09 is "Acting Hollywood." (courtesy of JimmyHennec) :)

As my partner Ty states, "everything returns to it's original form." So all you posers out there, your little secret will soon reveal itself. Be true to yourself and the people around, and see how quickly you prosper.
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Blurb: Old Myspace Posted (June 2008) with updates
-I've recently came across a mass group (all at different times and places) of POSERS!!! They are everywhere, but they are very visible in my common area! I have a question....why does it seem as if POSERS try to belittle the individuals that actually have careers and dreams?!?!?!? It amazes me that their lives are surrounded by LIES and disease, and they are okay with it.

Setting the record straight:
I'm not saying that posers don't want success more than myself, or that they aren't trying, but its 2009 and if what you've done so far haven't got you anywhere..especially, with a fake resume and blind dreams...GIVE IT UP! get a real job, internship...or better yet, enroll back in college..and reevaluate your goals..LOL!
There are alot of POSERS in the cyberworld, so please research your sources before you believe what they are saying. Anyone can copy and paste pics from fashion and music sites and start a FAKE business and lure you in...check their resume(sources) and ASK QUESTIONS!!!! It's very important! Also to the ones that had their one hit wonder shine on REALITY TV..GOOD LUCK! Enjoy your fame while it lasts and make the best of it..LOL!

-Word to the wise....The searching-out and thorough investigation of truth ought to be the primary study of a poser.

-Wonder Child

CHECK OUT THE BLAZIN 102.3 FM INTERVIEW WITH JIMMYHENNEC

I got some exclusive audio footage from a recent interview with Blazin 102.3 FM DJ DAP AND SUPASTAR J KWIK in Tallahasse Fla. Check it out!
http://www.box.net/shared/1kmcaakm6x
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**ATTENTION**
I need to clear up a few things. I spoke with JimmyHennec himself and the info about his digital album was incorrect. Here's the updated info:

The album is gonna be release in over 155 digital retail stores in over 77 countries!!

WOW!!! Now, that's major ish!! Do it Hennec..lol!:)

Also, I got the track that has been heating the radio stations down in the South titled "BYE BYE." a personal note to all the haters out there in the world. Say BYE BYE to all of them in 2009!!

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http://www.box.net/shared/t52sl7oyxu

PLUTO MUZIK - JIMMYHENNECCheck out the JimmyHenneC
www..myspace.com/oxe_europe
Check it out!!
www.myspace.com/whodatoxe
www.youtube.com/whodatoxe
www.twitter.com/jimmyhennec
http://www.jimmyhennec.com/ COMING SOON!Pluto Muzik / OXE

I Truely "WISH" 4..

WHOA!!!!
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Wish is my favorite!! She's a sexy dedicated woman. Product Development Manager for apparel brand by day and singer/songwriter/performer at night! Whoa, what a driven individual. She has been diligently working hard day and night on her new wave R&B creative concept album, collaborating with music songerwriter and producer Donny Roc. Now, don't get me mistaken, she's no stranger to the hustle. In the past she's sang with two separate groups but knowingly she was meant to be a solo STAR! You go Gurl..lol! :)
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Check out the promo photos from her shoot and check out the new single "SLUT" you gotta love that..lol! I will keep you posted on all upcoming events and footage.

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For album sampler, photos and more music info: click this link
www.myspace.com/wishishere
You can also follow WISH on Twitter! www.twitter.com/wishishere
SNEAK PREVIEW OF INSIDE ALBUM SHOTS! MORE SHOTS TO COME SOON!!
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Saturday, January 24, 2009

*FACE*

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OMG!!
This one is GREAT!!!

Aaron Chavis is a model and working to become what the horribly critical fashion industry considers as "different." From my perspective, he has the right look and definitely a FRESH FACE for Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Week! He has breath-taking eyes, facial and body structure to die for.

What do think?

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GREAT!!
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Surprisingly he grew up in Atlanta, GA...YAY!! He gained interest in modeling and started shooting with numerous photographers and local magazines. He moved to NYC shortly afterwards and started grinding.

Blurb: Now, Aaron is a Virgo, as well as myself ; when we really want something we will find a way to get! Virgos are so determined. We strive with passion, perseverance and motivation.

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Interview with Bleu magazine Aaron stated, "I'm striving for a dream that I believe to be tangible and I have expectations to become one of the "crossover images" that will influence the fashion world."
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Well, if you feel that way Aaron....you've already won!! Keep grinding my friend and success in around the corner!!
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Friday, January 23, 2009

The End of a GREAT Week!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

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New Wave Lyrical Artist Spotlight *JIMMYHENNEC*

Now, this is some good ish...

JimmyHennec started writing lyrics and rapping at the age of 12 years old. The youngest of 2 siblings and the only son, so he was born to be a star.

Blurb: Hennec and I grow up together and we both watched each other grow as artist over the last 15 years (and still do). Encouragement is the KEY! You need great friends that you trust to give you honest advise and want to see you succeed.

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Since his dedication in 2000, JimmyHenneC, has started to really master his style of rapping and producing creating a tune that his ears could accept. He's the owner of an underground label, "O.S.O.L. XPRESSED ENTERTAINMENT", which stands for Original Soundz of Liberation Xpressed. He also created a non-profit organization for the youth in his community, (Quitman, Georgia), called "The OSOL Foundation", to help the youth understand that they are our future. As you can see, Mr. HenneC is a young man in his own universe planting a seed that’s going to grow larger than we can imagine.

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Born and raised in a small South Georgia town by the name of Quitman, Georgia, JimmyHennec has made a name for himself in his area. He began writing poetry for school fairs, and later joined the Brooks County High School band program. So his creative talents weren’t a surprise. Growing up with such creative talents was quite challenging in a small town like Quitman. There weren't a lot of opportunities to actually become successful. All through high school JimmyHennec built his name and style to prepare himself for the big city of Atlanta, Georgia.After graduating from high school in 2001, JimmyHennec continued moving throughout South Georgia for a year, then in 2002, he was off to Atlanta. He enrolled in American Intercontinental University in Buckhead, Georgia, majoring in Media Production. He later dropped out because of financial reasons. He then began recording his album out of his very own studio in Atlanta, Georgia. The recording, mixing, and producing were all done by Mr. HenneC himself.

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JimmyHennec now has numerous mixtapes and a new album on the way. “I always wanted to make my trademark in this world since I was a youngster", says JimmyHennec. “The small things are the things that really count in this world to me, such as seeing my family smile or making someone else smile. My fans really appreciate me as an artist and a person and that’s very important to me. There are plenty of people in the world that just need to hear the words that I have to say or just need someone with a positive vibe to encouraged them. I’m nowhere near full of myself, I'm just informing you, what the people tell me. In my music you will hear some of the things that I have experienced, want to experience, or something I’ve witnessed. At the end of the day, I would just like my voice to be heard. Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter. Believe that!”

Now that's from the man himself! Check him out! You can find his digital album circulating in 40 States. His live performances are dynamic. You will see him BLOW UP real soon!!

I will keep you in the know of new music, photos and exclusive info from this incredible artist.

"WELCOME 2 PLUTO" COMING SOON TO A ITUNE NEAR YOU!!
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www.myspace.com/whodatoxe
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What a day...

Today was full of surprises :)

shhhh! It's a secret!! ;)

Usually in the morning, it's like a ghost town...but by 11:30am is pretty CRUNK! I have been blessed with AMAZING people that have the same vision for success as I do. We are able to creatively work together and make MAGIC!!!

A little history: We work very hard here at Artifacts Exchange and IFS(International Fashion Society). Those companies are very special in there own way. Obviously, AE is my baby and IFS is owned by the brilliant marketing guru, Ty Canty. Under the companies umbrella we have created two apparel brands Archives the Collection (Women's Contemporary Sportswear) and Dreamer (Men's and Women's Street wear) consisting of colorful graphic tees, hooded sweatshirts and crew neck sweatshirts. Ty and I have also created a fashion charity event called Fashion Fight Cancer, that contributes back to cancer research.

Side bar: Now this is very exciting to me, because personally I have close family that's fighting that horrible disease. I know that you can relate..everyone has experienced a relative or friend with cancer.

(continued)We joined forces back in April 2008 in Atlanta, GA and since then we've been building a phenomenal movement for the fashion industry and education as a whole!

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Ty and I
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Ms. Shay Baker

Check out the site! Warning: The sites are all under construction. We are linking them all together. Bare with us! We"re a growing team and business, so sit back and watch how we quickly build.

http://www.artifactsllc.com/
http://www.fashionfightscancer.com/
http://www.archiveskey.com/

DANGER ZONES!!!! HATE POSERS!

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Well, its another late night @ the office. Working on Archives during the day and working on freelance work at night for other labels to pay for Archives expenses, seems to be my continual routine for the last 4 months. Its 3:11a.m. and I'm about to retire to my bed(which is 3 pillow cushions from the couch in the front office). This is truly the life of a working designer.

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Sleep over Survival Kit (courtesy of Mickey D's and Duane Reade)
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-Wonder Child
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