Untitled & Underrated..An Inside Look at Detroit Fashion

By: Tasha "The Fashionista" Robinson

 

 

Twenty-four year old fashion designer Jaiden Shepard (Detroit native), and twenty -seven year old Rondregus Underwood  a model/stylist (originally from Alabama) set out to change the way critics viewed Detroit fashion and bring in support for future fashion shows from Detroiter’s. They came up with  “UNTITLED” which was an exclusive, uniquely formatted fashion show, aimed at celebrating Detroit’s distinguished in fashion, as well as others outside of Detroit connected to fashion. The first show was Friday October 19, 2012 at The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit. Jaiden hand picked seven designers and each designer was allowed to have only three models.

Jaiden and Rondregus wanted the show to be different.  The designers displayed detailed work, as professional fashion was the main focal point.

On this night they brought New York to Detroit, transforming The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit into a royal themed setting with a live band and singers to set a very intimate fashion ambiance. The designers that were blessed to be part of such a powerful show included Sansa Sanyika, Nova Brown, Trenese ‘hearts’ Collection, Cheire Jewelry House (from Cleveland, Ohio), Stef-n-Ty Dickey (Stephanie Dickey), and of course Jaiden Shepard with his Vintage Ties by Jaiden Collection. I also had the honor of showcasing my brand Ca’esha London (saysha london) with my version of an African Queen theme. The show was professional, the designers, makeup artist, photographers, models, vendors, musicians and the ushers all did an awesome job.

    

“UNTITLED” runway fashion show breathed life back into Detroit’s fashion world with nothing but great reviews from those that were present . Jaiden Shepard’s segment was last. I got chills, as I heard a few other on lookers saying the same, as the musicians played music and sang. Jaiden set on top of the runway with a King’s crown on while twenty models walked  the runway in his vintage tie collection.

 

This show gave fashion in the City of Detroit hope for growth and longevity.

 

 

Behind The Lens

 

 

 

Our Interview with Calvin McDaniel, Sr.

 

Owner of CC Photography Enterprise, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many different photography professionals throughout Metro Detroit.  We chose to interview Mr. McDaniel because of his dedication to his craft, admirable values and talent for capturing art from behind the lens.  Here in this candid discussion, you will get to know more about him, and some of his work. 

 

 

 

DCEO:   Who is Calvin McDaniel?

CM:       I am a lover of Christ, a husband (for 31 years), a father (of two young men, one is a graduate of Michigan State University, the other, a Senior at Saginaw Valley State University).  I am with family values, and I am a photographer.  I love to take/create images that will be memorable for a long, long time.

DCEO:   How did you decide to start in the photography business?

CM:        I developed a need to have a camera in my hand based on having two boys, who were always very athletic.  Even before they became athletic though, I just felt the need to document their lives through photos.  Just having them around and seeing them grow into men catapulted me into wanting to make a profession out of photography.

DCEO:   Is there any additional motivation behind starting CC Photography Enterprise, LLC?

CM:      The desire to be an independent business owner, free from being under the thumb of someone I’m “employed by”.  I had my own landscaping business for about 10 years, and the freedom to go by my own schedule was very attractive to me.  Though I love that ideal, that (landscaping breaks the body down after a few years.  I’m striving to accomplish that feeling again with my current business venture.  I haven’t gotten there yet, but through lots of prayer, family support and continuing education.  I’m hopeful that the freedom, once again, will become a reality.  I have the desire to make CC Photography Enterprise, LLC my sole livelihood.

DCEO:   What challenges do you face working a regular 9-5 AND operating a photography business?

CM:        It’s difficult to do so.  I desire to shoot 24/7.  I don’t currently have the opportunity to develop a specific genre of photography because I’m not in the position to shoot the way I would like, in reference to frequency.  Having a 9-5 limits me, but also inspires me.  It creates an increased desire to build my business to consistent and sustainable profitability. 

 

 

DCEO:   What are then pros and cons of being a business owner in Metro Detroit?

CM:       The Metro Detroit area is beautiful.  There are lots of different backdrops to use.  Location shooting in the area is awesome!  As a bus driver for SMART, I’m all over the place.  The pros are being able to find those unique areas to shoot in.  As far as cons are concerned, based on the economy, people just don’t have the wherewithal to be able to afford a personal or private photographer.  You can try to tailor packages of photography work that is affordable, but on the backside of that, you’re not making a lot of money, so one has to have a love for their craft.  I shoot a lot of times for little or nothing, first of all just to be able to shoot and secondly to generate some revenue.  If the economy ever does turn around, then there won’t be any cons.  People will be able to afford a good photographer that loves doing what they’re doing and is going to give them the best product possible.

DCEO:   Do you self-market your business, or do you use an outsourced medium?

CM:        I do self-market.  Social media sites such as Twitter/Facebook prove valuable to display my work so that people may see it.   I have my own website, and I have done some smaller scale advertisements, but at this time, it’s not practical for me to spend a lot of money to advertise when social media sites work just as well, especially when I don’t yet have the revenue coming in from the business.

DCEO:   What type of support system do you have?

CM:        My wife is my biggest supporter.  When I decided to go take the step out into photography, we sat down and talked about it.  She knew I loved photography, but stepping out as a business was something totally different.   Photography equipment is not cheap, but after talking about it, we decided to take a leap of faith and see where the Lord would lead us.  I get a lot of support from my church family and immediate family.  Surprisingly, I get a lot of support from other photographers in the Metro Detroit area.  I don’t consider myself to be the best photographer in Detroit, or Michigan for that matter, but the accolades from others in the industry motivate one to want to work that much harder to improve their craft.

DCEO:   Do you feel that, because you are fairly new to the scene, that there are those that think your intention is to step on some toes?

CM:        I haven’t really experienced that, however, I do believe, to some degree that there probably is a competitive thing going on in the industry.  There might be those that want to know “who is he”, “why is he at this or that event”.  I don’t feel that any photographer should by threatened by another photographer.  Whatever your niche is or whatever you do, you should do it to the best of your ability.  If you are sincere and humble about what you do, whether there are 10 photographers in Detroit or 1000 photographers in Detroit, people will appreciate your individual work, and you don’t have to worry about stepping on somebody else’s toes.

DCEO:   Do you maintain a professional atmosphere with your subjects?

CM:        Yes.  I like to have fun during my sessions, and when I shoot with models specifically, I try to make them as comfortable as possible.  I like to build a rapport with anyone before we even shoot. In our pre-shoot discussions, I like to disclose that I am a married man, and that my only desire is to capture your image.  You can help me get to where I want to go, and I can help you get to where you want to go, and that’s only by you being in front of the lens and me being behind it.

DCEO:   Do you believe in mentoring?

CM:        Actually I talked to my pastor on a couple of different occasions about implementing a program at my church.  Specifically, I want to be able to take a couple of kids out who are interested in photography, learning about the art of it, and just allowing them to shoot.  I want to teach them how to create an image, how to compose it, and just teach them some of the things that I’ve learned in the industry.  Though  I haven’t learned everything there is to know about photography as of yet, I am interested in sharing the things that I do know to a child whose eyes light up when they see a camera.

DCEO:   Do you have any aspirations for expanding the business?

CM:       I kind of have an itch for videography.  I want to learn the ins and outs of filming.  I’ve had different ideas about doing short films.  Another idea that I’ve had is to do a short film with the children of my church that would teach them how do produce a film from beginning to end.  A studio is probably one of the next most important things for me.  Having a studio would just add to my creative juices and allow me to be “Dr. Frankenstein”

DCEO:   What advice would you offer to up and coming photographers?

CM:       Go back to school.  Learn what photography is.  Study other photographers because you can learn from them.  I personally marvel at the work and techniques of other photographers because some of their images are stunning, and I wonder,  'how did they do that'?

DCEO:   Are your rates fair?

CM:        Yes.  I try to make it as affordable as possible.  It’s absurd to me to charge a family $200-300 for family photos.  In order for me to generate business, I have to be fair.

Calvin McDaniel can be reached via Facebook at Calvin McDaniel Sr., on Twitter @ShutterbugMcD , and his website is www.ccphotographyenterprisellc.com. 

 

 

 

Community Talk with Erroll L. Bomar, III

 

Community Talk w/ Erroll L. Bomar, III (Ambassador of Y.U.P. Connect)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What sparked the idea for YUP Connect?
 
 YUP Connect came out of a desire to bring the city that I live and work in closer together. The vision for YUP Connect is to become a voice of the community by combining individuals who have a desire to improve not only themselves but the communities that they live and work in. The most important piece to the YUP Connect network is the Five Core Tenants: Unity, Integrity, Consistency, Efficiency, and Community. These tenant set YUP Connect apart YUP members identify and operate with them in mind on a daily basis.

 

Tell us something about Erroll Bomar III, and why you chose the title of "Ambassador".

  I'm a Native Detroiter born and raised on the West Side & currently living in Rosedale Park. I love MY city this will always be home to me. I do love to travel and look forward to purchasing a second home in Florida or maybe Puerto Rico. I selected Ambassador because I am a representative for YUP Connect. It is a company that is all about the people. The Ambassador represents a Nation & Nation is defined as a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent or history...THATS YUP Connect all day long.

What are the goals that you would like to accomplish with your organization?

Ultimately to be a key player among entrepreneurs, small business, toast makers, and all young professional. YUP Connect is just not just a business it’s a lifestyle, it’s a statement that say YES I AM YOUNG...YES I AM URBAN...& YES I AM PROFESSIONAL! The YUP’s the game changers of our society and our time. Just look at the increase of small businesses or young wealth that has spread across our country within the last 5-7 years.

Is there anything unique to how you're doing things? What's your approach?

My approach is personal, Grass Roots. YUP Connect is a company that is created and sustained by the culture and people that we serve. I try to embrace the idea that simple, personable and entertaining are the three key ingredients to building a successful customer base.

Tell us about your thoughts on our local community. Is there anything in the news (or not), for whatever reason, that you want to share your thoughts on?

For me, the biggest think I can point out is the "BUZZ". I encourage anyone who has not done so to take a moment and visit downtown on a weekday in the summer during lunch time. There is an energy that is almost palpable. Detroit is on the rise and the ones driving are the 25-40 something professionals.


How do you envision YUP Connect to grow in the future?

As big as the staples in every major urban city, just like a YMCA or community center. YUP Connect will become a place you can go to for resources, information and simply an enjoyable time.

 You can find out more about Y.U.P. Connect on the web at www.yupconnect.com. Connect with Erroll L. Bomar, III on Twitter @YUP_Connect or call 313-583-YUP1

The Importance of Balancing Your Life

As I write this post, I can assure you that I've always been able to give good advice, but i've never been able to take my own.  Now I type (on a freshly disinfected keyboard) from the sidelines with Pneumonia.  Whether you own a business, or work for someone else, i'm sure you can relate to the imposition of being ill  and not being able to get as much done as you would like.

This is especially true for me, as I own two businesses.  Between article and advertisement deadlines for a new magazine, to having clients with upcoming events that I have to deliver for, i am literally cringing with having to jump back in on overdrive after i'm well.  That same "overdrive" is what got me into this mess in the first place.  I would make a habit of working on projects until the wee hours of the morning, just to take a 30-45 minute "power nap" and start all over with pushing myself to the limit.  This, for various reasons, is unhealthy for anyone.

According to a Harvard University Sleep Deprivation Study, harmful effects include increased blood pressure, impaired control of blood glucose and increased inflammation (among many other risk factors) http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences/sleep-and-disease-risk.

We all have had moments where we are convinced that "pushing ourselves" will help eliminate things off of our to-do list much faster.  While this may be true in most cases, getting it done faster is not worth the risk of your good health.  Additionally, sleep deprivation and illness puts your family under unneccessary pressure, and ultimately catagorizes you as one that does not prioritize properly.

Make it a priority to study time management, and put into practice what works best for you.  If you don't, your family AND your business will suffer from the imbalance of your life.

Are Your Intentions Aligned With Your Actions?

There are so many people who claim to want a better Detroit.  Many make impressive social media proclamations, settle on a "cause" for a short time and then it's on to the next "big thing" that solidifies being a follower versus a leader.

 

 

For example, how many people say that they plan to vote, but don't even have a voter registration card?  How many people complain about the State of The City, but have never attended a Town Hall Meeting or written a letter to one of our local politicians?  For that matter, do you even know who to contact for various concerns? How many of our "famous" or "infamous" peers do everything that they know how to uplift our neighborhoods, instead of just complaining about what those in office aren't doing? These questions were posed to make you think about your position when it comes to Detroit...to challenge you about why you think or feel as you do.

 

A poll commissioned by the Detroit News and funded by the Thompson Foundation reports that 40 percent of Detroiters plan to leave in the next five years.  On the surface, there is nothing wrong with that.  People relocate for many reasons.  The underlying issue with that, if this "poll" were to be true, is what did you do to improve the things that impacted your life as a Detroiter while you were a resident?  Sure, there are things that are out of your control, but there are also things that could have been influenced by you.  If you had concerns with the Detroit Public School System, did you take the time to personally address them and facilitate change from a parental perspective versus removing yourself and your children from said "problem"?  If your issue is a lack of jobs, did you consider thouroughly that you have inner marketable talents that only need guidance, thus, attempting entrepreneurship?  Now, please understand that not every one is cut out to be a business owner, the example provided is to shed light on the fact that not everyone exhausts all of their options before giving up.

 

The hard truth is, there are so many opinions about what could be different about Detroit.  I agree with a few of those opinions.  What's different for me is, I'll do my part to change what I can within my power, and make sure that those that are in high positions of authority hear from me via single letter or petition, so they can do their part.  We have power as citizens.  It's time for an alignment that forces a collaboration between what we say, and what we do.

Detroit Glamour Icon, Jewel Estes

 





 



 

 

Though there are many fitting words to describe Jewel Estes, there is one that most of her fashion colleagues can agree on: GLAMOROUS.  Thus her company, Glam House Productions,(www.glamhouseproductions.com) is centered on that very endearment.  Any of the many illustrious events that she has brought to life throughout the Metro Detroit area since 2011 have involved some the fashion elite of Michigan.  She has even co-produced the Michigan Grand Opening Event for World-Renowned Haute Couture Clothier Saiid Kobeisy (www.Saiid-Kobeisy.com), a Lebanon native.  The Troy, Michigan Saiid Kobeisy Showroom is the only one in the United States.

 

 

 

 

 Jewel says, “I am elated to proclaim that one never experiences an Event like that of Glam House Productions.  I’m grateful for the reception that my peers have given me, and I will always make sure that there is value, diversity and glamour involved in all of my events.”

Her account is perfectly accurate.  From the local and international celebrities that enjoy these soirees, to the décor and professional staff, a Glam House Productions event is one that you surely don’t want to miss out on.  Detroit has certainly welcomed the elegance and class that encompasses this Fashion Force.

Mrs. Estes’ personal brand tagline of Innovator|Visionary|Philanthropist is a very suitable definition of her commitment to quality, personally and professionally.  She has made a success out of the Glam House Empire utilizing sophistication and allure.  She has visualized the growth of the Glam House brand to include the fashion of an iconic designer.  Plus, she has gracefully given back to the community through a plethora of financial sponsorships to a variety of causes.

Her next event, Glitz and Glam 2012, will take place November 24, 2012 at the historic Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.  Hundreds of Detroiters that purchased original designs right off the runway at Glitz and Glam 2011 have anticipated the 2012 follow-up.

 

 

Glam House Productions specializes in High End events, including Runway Productions.  You can find more out about this energizing company by visiting them on the web at www.glamhouseproductions.com, or contacting info@glamhouseproductions.com.   Additionally, you can connect with them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/glamourosity) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/GlamHouseLLC).