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One of my friends in the blogging world, Brandyn Braden, a student at the International Academy of Design and Technology, is making waves in the world wide web after his fashion and lifestyle blog ImmaculateBacktalk. The blog is being nominated for Best Blog Design, Best New Blog, and Best Group Blog by the Black Weblog Awards. And rightly so with its streamlined and stylish style complemented by the emphatic orange logo proudly bearing the blog's name. The articles aren't word-laden which widens the blog's audience in a world where people have developed phobias of large blocks of text. His attention to rising stars in music also gives him an avenue to help others get publicity and have a chance to realize their own dreams. Braden's strong sense of humor and disdain for seriousness is evident in his blog as well in his real-life personality. The disclaimer on the home page is surprisingly candid yet its presence is understood by the content of the blog. It states, "This is a blog. That fact means nothing. It is essentially as it came from the keyboard: spontaneous, un-proofed, unrevised, and corrected afterward only when necessary to address mistakes that grossly effect the intent." Yet what sets Brandyn apart and what credits him as a serious blogger is his impressive articulation and presentation of his content. To him, his blog is his child; he receives the greatest sense of accomplishment when the lessons he places into his blog are returned back to others. If you haven't subscribed yet, then you most definitely will want to add his site to your blogroll.
While I was scouring the digital ether, sorting through an infinite mass of information of fashion, lifestyle, celebrities, and pop culture, I happened to run into a pair of guys who told me who they were and simultaneously showed me who I wanted to be. Rae Holliday and Gabriel Williams are the creators of the exceptionally successful and award-winning--yes people, there are actually awards for doing this sort of thing--blog Stuff Fly People Like. The blog's aesthetic is not extremely complicated, yet is replete in links and archives and chock-full of colorful photos which are sure to grab the attention of a contemporary audiences keen on more showing and less telling. Gabe, a Florida native takes music as his greatest pleasure and his attentiveness to the craft is clearly seen in his coverage on the goings-on in the world of hip-hop and R&B music. A former background singer for artists such as Kirk Franklin and Nona Gaye, Williams never distances himself too far from his roots. Rae finds himself inclined to the realm of fashion and entertainment. With origins in dancing and even a BA in criminal justice under his belt, Holliday still has managed to establish himself a knowledgeable source of sartorial advising. His close watch on the fashion industry is one the most effective parts of the blog's success. Overall, the blog's pulled major weight, winning the award for "Best Fashion Blog" by the Black Weblog Awards, being featured in Essence magazine, and being a part of RocaWear's 10th Anniversary campaign. I don't know about you people, but this one is definitely getting put into the Flashy Files. Don't forget to subscribe to Stuff Fly People Like. You never know if you'll be thanking them for the interview later...
Bleu Magazine is showcasing the photographic talent of fashion photographer Kevin Amato on its website/blog Bleulife.com.
Amato's shoot for this, although not entirely devoid of the sparkle and gloss of many other fashion shoots, still achieves a captivating and artistic quality. The color palette strong, imposing urban landscapes that surrounds and almost seems to overpower the models mixes smoothly with the apparel and allows for an ingenious integration of the subjects and the environment. Kevin Amato works closely with the extremely successful modeling agency Red Models NYC and has photographed some of the most promising Black male models which are represented by Red. Some include Salieu Jalloh, Dominique Hollington, Shawn Sutton, and Marcus Lloyd. Check out more photos from the shoot here and more about Kevin Amato here.
