MODEL CALL!! ImaniLia Fashions is looking for the NEW Face of the brand!!

ImaniLia Fashions (www.ImaniLia.com) is looking for a model to be the Face and Main Model for the brand for the next 12 months! This is an opportunity for YOU to be the personality of the brand, brand ambassador, and the face everyone sees when they are looking at the brand for the next 12 months. 

If you are chosen to be the face of this brand you will be in promo videos for the brand, at minimum 2 photo shoots for the brand, ImaniLia runway shows, featured on all our social media and our ads. If you are selected you will be required to sign a contract as an independent contractor working with ImaniLia Fashions. A signing bonus plus monetary payments per shoot and event is included in the contract along with other perks like the gifting of brand clothing, promotional product and more. 

THE CASTING PROCESS: Apply via the terms below . You must be a female model age 18- 28 living in the Tri State Area, sample size 2-4, and at LEAST 5'9 WITHOUT HEELS!! ALL ETHNICITIES ARE APPLICABLE!! Some tattoos and piercings are acceptable but ImaniLia Fashions reserves the right to use our own discretion in the casting process. Four to Five young ladies will be selected as Finalist, If you are selected as a finalist you will be contacted and asked to come in and meet with the ImaniLia Fashions team Hair and Make Up ready so that we can do a QUICK test shoot with you, see your wonderful personality, as well as how you fit in the clothes. At the casting you will be given a copy of the contract for your review and in 48-72 hours the selected young lady will be contacted and asked to sign and work with ImaniLia Fashions!! Send your info into our casting and check our website (www.ImaniLia.com ) to find out more info on the brand , the designer, and if this brand is the perfect fit for you!! 

HOW TO APPLY: 
SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO IMANILIA@IMANILIA.COM BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,2014 3:00PM EST!!!
2-4 photos of yourself including AT LEAST ONE Headshot/ Beauty shot AND ONE full length body shot (seeing previous fashion work wold be preferable but NOT required). 
Full Name 
Age
Measurements
Dress Size 
Height

Thank You for taking the time to read this casting and hopefully send the the information so we can have the opportunity to work with you! We appreciate your time and professionalism. 

Fashionably Yours, 
The Team at ImaniLia Fashions

Stylist Spotlight- Couture Provocateur

Couture Provocateur is a styling house run by the fabulous designer and stylist Xaymara Rodriguez!! I have known this wonderful woman for some years now and I'm happy to see her branch out and get more into styling because every designer doesn't have that gift!! She has worked with television stars, up and comers in the music industry, and MTV Tres!! Xaymara's time is totally now!! Her website is coming soon but check out her work on Instagram @couture_provocateur or email her at info@coutureprovocateur.com 

Why Can't we Help One Another.....

Hi Fashion Lovers, 

So often people come to me telling me that they are looking for ways to start their own company or asking for advice on how to expand their brand or whatever creative business they have. IF I can help I always do or I give solid advice on WHO actually can help them!! Why do I do that you ask.. I do it because why not.. I needed help, I STILL need help from people and helping someone else won't hurt my come up. To me their is room for EVERYONE!! 

Ironically overall in my entire 16 year career I haven't gotten the most help from my own people. I always get the best advice from other people in the industry. Even if its quick advice its sound advice. I haven't yet found my business mentor but just from my track record alone I don't think it will be a person of color. I do believe that you have to help yourself before anyone else can but too many african american business people seem to think as soon as you can no longer further their moment they can't help you with yours (at least in my experience). 

I strive to give the best of myself and my company in all that I represent when it comes to my brand but mistakes are made; This is how you learn & grow so why can't we do it together? 

Speak on it Fashion Lovers... Am I the only one to experience this? 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia 

The Perks!!!

As you all know my fundraiser is 24hrs old and going strong I just want to keep getting the word out as well as I want you all to benefit from helping me!! SOOOO with that being said I have added some perks for your generous donations to my brand growth and production. Check out what I'm giving you for helping me!! 

PERKS:

 Everyone: Personal Feature and Public Thank You on my blog

$300-$400: Behind the scenes access at official photo shoot (2/9/14) Or Front Row seats at Sept. show

$250: 5hr Personal Styling Session w/ ME! Re- Vamp that wardrobe!! 

$200: ImaniLia "Signature Tee" (please include your sizing info)
*It is not guaranteed that you will get the version pictured.

ImaniLia Signature Tee Front Photo Credit Nay Marie Photography

ImaniLia Signature Tee Back Photo Credit Nay Marie Photography

   

$75-$100 : 40% off any purchase on the online store

I appreciate all of the well wishes and continued support for my success!! Lets make classy fashion happen!! 

Donate to the ImaniLia Fashions Fundraiser here!!! 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia 

Time to Raise Funds

Putting my Pride aside I took the time out to start a public fundraiser to help aid in factory production of my next line due in February. Some close friends and family have helped me privately over the last few months and I truly appreciate it but I can't do it alone!! So to all of you that wanted to & can help please do!! I appreciate it 200%. Heres the link and spread the word. 

Check the tab titled "ImaniLia Fundraiser" on the home page for more details as well we all need each other and every little bit counts so thank you so so much!!  

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Dominika F.

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Robin Sienne

Photo by Nay Marie
Model Dominika F.

The direct link is : http://www.razoo.com/br/causes/Building-Andamp-Branding-Imanilia-Fashions

Thank You in Advance!!

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

The Price of Fashion

Hi Happy New Year!! It's my 1st post of the New Year and I'm excited.. I'm REALLY trying to get into this blogging thing for you all.. SO todays post is about the cost of custom pieces and how much $$ time it takes to make a piece. So many people come to me wanting a piece but they don't want to pay the right price for it. It gets on my nerves because of the following: 

 #1. I was some big name designer you'd pay no problem.

#2. So many designers lower their rates for a sale that people don't understand its true value; and lastly but not least. 

#3. Garments and product that is massed produced will 99.999999% of the time be less expensive because you are paying a bulk rate by the quantity that was ordered using fabric and what not that has been already paid for and put aside for this purpose etc. etc. 

For New Years Eve I made this fab sequin skirt and I want to share with you how much I would probably charge if I sold it to private clients outside of a collection price. Take note at the Price of Fashion....

This maxi skirt was inspired by a tutorial put up by Mimi G (www.MimiGStyle.com) So I started by making the pattern which after taking a few easy measurements took me about 20 mins to make. For pattern making I charge $30.00 p/hr (If less than a hour is used you are billed for one whole hour). 

Next I had to buy the fabric; The heavy sequin is $25 per yard. The skirt was lined and the lining fabric was $4 per yard. To find the amount of yardage needed I had to do the following math: length of the skirt in inches x 2 (front & back) / by the height of the roll of fabric (36'') = I came up with 3 yards of fabric needed. In total I spent $87.00 on fabric. I paid $1.00 for a yard of elastic. The total on fabric and supplies is $88.00 

I spent about 3.5 hours cutting fabric and sewing. I charge $20 an hour for cutting and sewing. That totals $70.00

So with no inflation this maxi sequin skirt would cost $188.00 if requested by a private client. Sequin is no easy fabric to work with nor is  it inexpensive so this is why for a custom sequin skirt it would be almost $200.00 

A lot of people might not say it's worth it but why is it not? It's custom made for you, made by a skilled hand with sourced fabric by your request. If my name was Galliano people wouldn't blink at spending $200.00 on a full length sequin skirt. I don't understand why so many people wont do the same for small business' and emerging fashion houses... 

What say you Fashion Lovers?

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia 

Stylist Spotlight.......

Today's Stylist Spotlight is L'Wren Scott! 

Photo Credit: NYMag

This beauty is the beautiful girlfriend of Rockstar Mick Jagger but is very much a stable woman on her own. She was 1st a model and now is is a great celebrity stylist. She doesn't let much get out about herself especially who she styles but I found out that she's great friends and has styled both Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. 

L'Wren Scott has been a highly influential celebrity stylist since 2009, she contributed designs for Madonna to wear in her photo shoot with model Jesus Luz for W Magazine and in 2011, Scott styled actress Julia Roberts for a W Magazine shoot, alongside Tom Hanks.

She has also designed costumes for such films as Diabolique (1996 remake), Ocean's Thirteen, Eyes Wide Shut, as well as Shine a Light, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger, with whom she has been romantically linked since 2001.

L'Wren Scott is also a designer and her first collection was Little Black Dress, launched in 2006. The collection presented an array of black dresses, including her now famous Headmistress dress worn by Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz and Amy Adams have all worn Scott's dress.

L'Wren in her famous Headmistress dress

In 2010, Scott collaborated with Lancôme to design a capsule collection for the 2010 holiday season featuring a lipstick in Scott's signature bordeaux color. The campaign was shot by photographer Mario Testino and featured model Daria Werbowy wearing an outfit designed by Scott. May 2011 saw the launch of Scott's first collection of handbags, named "Lula" after her mother. The line was launched at Barneys New York, with a personal appearance by Scott.

I love her because her style is tailored and sophisticated. She keeps it low key in her work and her personal life which I LOVE and aspire to be like!! I loathe that people want to damn near know your social security number before the know if they want to buy your clothes. ANNOYING!! 

Her latest work is with the store Bannana Republic & it's on sale NOW!! Check out some looks below... (Photos Curtosy of Bananna Republic) 

Check out BanannaRepublic.com for      shopping!!  

Look for her credits when you can find them.. He he.. 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Mogul Mondays: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani was born on July 11,1934. He is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company,Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013.

Now lets go back in time and start from the beginning....

After his stint in the armed forces, Armani found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a department store in Milan. He went on to become a seller for the menswear department, in which capacity he gained valuable experience in the marketing aspect of the fashion industry. In the mid-1960s, Armani moved to the Nino Cerruti company, for which he designed menswear. His skills were in demand, and for the next decade, while continuing to work for Cerutti, Armani also freelanced, contributing designs to as many as ten manufacturers at a time. In the late 1960s, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, an architectural draftsman, which marked the beginning of a personal and professional relationship that lasted for many years. In 1973, Galeotti persuaded him to open a design office in Milan, at 37 corso Venezia. This led to a period of extensive collaboration, during which Armani worked as a freelance designer for a number of fashion houses, including Allegri, Bagutta, Hilton, Sicons, Gibò, Montedoro, and Tendresse. The international press was quick to acknowledge Armani's importance following the runway shows at the Sala Bianca in the Pitti Palace in Florence. The experience provided Armani with an opportunity to develop his own style in new ways. He was now ready to devote his energy to his own label, and in 1975 he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in Milan, with his friend Galeotti. In October of that same year, he presented his first collection of men's ready-to-wear for Spring and Summer 1976 under his own name. He also produced a women's line for the same season.

In 1979, after founding the Giorgio Armani Corporation, Armani began producing for the United States and introduced the Mani line for men and women. The label became one of the leading names in international fashion with the introduction of several new product lines, including G. A. Le Collezioni, Giorgio Armani Underwear and Swimwear, and Giorgio Armani Accessories. In the early 1980s the company signed an important agreement with L'Oréal to create perfumes and introduced the Armani Junior, Armani Jeans, and Emporio Armani lines, followed in 1982 by the introduction of Emporio Underwear, Swimwear, and Accessories. A new store was opened in Milan for the Emporio line, followed by the first Giorgio Armani boutique. Armani's concern for the end user culminated in the development of a more youthful product with the same level of stylistic quality as his high-end line, but at a more accessible price.

Armani is the man we always can look to for great tailored Italian style.. a great Fashion mogul to look to when molding your career. Study your craft, Hard work and dedication pays off. So get to work Fashion Lovers!!!! 

Mogul Mondays(LATE EDITION!): Miuccia Prada

Today's Late Edition of Mogul Mondays is a bit late but none the less totally worth it!! Spotlight on Miuccia Prada!! 

Prada was born in Milan, the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the company of the same name. Miuccia and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978. Since then, they've turned it into a fashion powerhouse, acquiring Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co. She is a collector of contemporary art and owns several personal artworks. In 2002, she opened a contemporary art space, Fondazione Prada, which exhibits work by various international artists. Prada announced the winner of the 2010 Turner Prize. She was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over 50s by the Guardian in March 2013.

Miuccia Prada was born on May 10, 1949 in Milan, Italy. She attended The High School Liceo Classico Berchet in Milan. After graduating with a PhD in political science, Miuccia attended Teatro Piccolo to study and perform as a mime for five years. She was known to be a member of the Communist party and a champion for women’s rights during the seventies in Milan. In 1978 she entered into her family’s business of manufacturing luxury leather bags, a company established by her grandfather in 1913. Around the same time Miuccia met her now husband and business partner, Patrizio Bertelli. In 1985, Miuccia had her first hit when she designed a line of black, finely woven nylon handbags that instantly became a hit. By 1989, Miuccia designed and introduced her first women’s ready-to-wear collection that was critically acclaimed; men’s wear followed in 1995. Miu Miu was introduced in 1992 as a less expensive women’s wear line that was inspired by Miuccia’s personal wardrobe and nickname. Miuccia was honored with the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 1993. The following year she showed her collections in both New York’s and London’s fashion week, although she had already become a staple of Milan’s fashion week. Miuccia’s husband, Patrizio Bertelli, is still the predominant business force in the company who is responsible for the commercial side of products and Prada’s retail strategy.

Miuccia Prada is known for her understated, minimalist, classic, cool, and comfortable luxury. The company has expanded into leather goods, shoes, fragrances, and apparel for both men and women. Prada currently has about 250 stores in 65 countries. 

Miuccia Prada Fun Facts

She's a Taurus just like ME! 

Prada is worth 12.4 Billion Dollars!! (THAT'S WHY SHE'S A MOGUL)

Late Edition: Wednesdays Fashion Tips and Tricks to Get You through the Week!!

Every Fashionista has Fashion Tips and Tricks in her back pocket that get her through those emergency moments so check put the list below of 10 fashion Tips and Tricks that will get you out of a bind!! 

Look for different Fashion Tips and Tricks every Wednesday!!! 

1. Use white wine to remove red wine stains.

2. Remove odors from vintage or thrift clothing by spritzing them with a mixture of one part vodka, two parts water.

     

3. “Remove white deodorant marks from a garment by gently rubbing the protective foam used on hangers against the fabric.” — Jonathan Simkhai, designer

4. Fake designer bags are a huge don’t, fake diamond studs are a huge do. Faux stones are hard to spot to the untrained eye.

5. “Never put a garment on immediately after ironing, as this can actually cause new wrinkles to form. Instead, let it sit for five minutes to set the press.” — Althea Harper, Designer and Rowenta Brand Ambassador

(I think I'm the only 20 something that still irons but still.. LOL)

6. Snap clip-on earrings onto flats for an instant evening shoe, or onto shirt collars for DIY embellishments.

7. Pour a dash of vodka into vase water to extend the life of your flowers.

8. Spray tights with sticky (read: cheap) hairspray to avoid holes and runs.

9. Blot, don’t rub, when you spill something on your clothes. Wiping or rubbing will actually further ingrain the stain into the weave.

10. “Use hairspray to remove a lipstick stain.” – Kaelen Haworth, designer, KAELEN

I hope these tips help you out and remember to look out every Wednesday for new tips and tricks!!!

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Stylist Spotlight

Celebrities usually look really good 90% of the time we see them and often it is not done on their own so check out one of the women that helps some of our favorite gals look their best!!

Stylist Petra Flannery

This beautifully stylish woman is Petra Flannery. She is a Los Angeles based stylist who was born in San Francisco. Flannery is most recognized for clean, classic sophisticated looks. Through her extensive experience as a stylist, she has cultivated a professional and well-honored approach to her craft, quickly forming a lasting presence in the industry. 

Emma Stone

Flannery's best-dressed clients include Emma Stone (winning looks: Calvin Klein at the Globes and Chanel at Vanity Fair's fete Not pictured), Mila Kunis (winning looks: lavender Elie Saab at the Oscars (pictured below) and Alexander McQueen at the SAGs) and Zoe Saldana. Before making Steinfeld a red-carpet one-to-watch, Flannery created Saldana's elegant, avant garde style during last year's Avatar awards campaign, including the daring lavender Givenchy Haute Couture she wore on Oscar Night 2010 (Not pictured).

Mila Kunis

Zoe Saldina

Last year Petra was singled out as one of "The 25 most Powerful stylists in Hollwood", topping the list at number 3. Of her many projects and collabrations, shemost recently launched a capsule collection for Genetic Denim's Visionaries Initative for the 2011 Holiday collection.  
She is surely a stylist to pay attention to. So Thank You Petra Flannery for helping the world be a more beautiful place 

Mogul Mondays Has Begun

EVERY MONDAY we're going to highlight a Fashion Mogul that is an inspiration to us all in some way. I mean they've made it so we all need to take note. The 1st mogul up is someone I personally adore for my own personal reasons and that is Sarah Blakely the founder of Spanx!!!  

         

Sarah Blakely is originally from Florida and originally planned to become an attorney but changed her mind after less than stellar scores on the LSAT's. she in turn worked various odd jobs including working at Disney World, stand up comedy and selling doors door to door. The selling door to door was the sole inspiration for creating Spanx alone. After making many self prototypes and shopping the idea around to manufactures who had no interest she moved to Atlanta, and while still working at Danka, spent the next two years and $5,000 she had set aside in her savings researching hosiery patents and visiting craft stores to find the right material for her product. Eventually coming upon a solution, she wrote her own patent from a Barnes & Noble textbook and incorporated her company under the name Spanx. She eventually found a hosiery factory in Asheboro, North Carolina, which was willing to make her product. She successfully pitched her idea to Neiman-Marcus by personally taking the buyer to the ladies restroom to show her the benefits of Spanx in person. Bloomingdales, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman soon followed. She handled all aspects of the business from marketing, logistics, and product positioning (preferring that Spanx be sold alongside shoes rather than in hosiery). In November 2000, Oprah Winfrey named Spanx her favorite product of the year and sales took off; soon after Blakely resigned from Danka. Spanx had $4 million in sales in its first year and $10 million in sales in its second year.In 2001, she signed a contract with QVC, the home shopping channel, where she sold 8,000 pairs in the first six minutes.

SARAH DID IT!!! She worked hard and persevered; and at a young age came with something unique and made a way for herself. at 42 years old she is still a young designer and a billionaire to boot!! 

Sarah also has a philanthropic side since Spanx started she has been putting money aside and in 2006 she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training.

Sarah inspires me to continue to be different and motivated as well as reminds me that even if I become MAJOR 15 years from now I will still be young in fashion years so I will continue to strive for my dreams. I know I can make it!!! 

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia