Andre' M. Baxter is the creator of Christine Designs By Andre'. Following is a wonderful interview VertiKal MagaZine had the pleasure of conducting with this unique designer, artist, and craftsman!Andre's interest in the art of designing crowns for his grandmother turned into a passion in 2006, when he designed a crown for an administrator at his former church in Phoenix, AZ. Everyone adored it and began asking for advice on everything that had to do with "Hattitude". In addition to his grandmother Christine, and all the pastors' wives he's designed for, his mentor and teacher Jan Wutkowski has been a consistent encouragement in his millinery life.
How did you get started? My late Grandmother, Christine, (hence the name of the line, Christine Designs by André) was a bishop's wife in the COGIC (Church of God In Christ). Need I say more...LOL I've always been crafty with my hands and whenever a feather or flower would fall off of her hat, she'd say to me, "Fix this!!!" Over the years I learned the traditional techniques of millinery. A true milliner doesn't use glue, like most so called, hat designers and milliners do.
What is your motivation? As cliché as it may sound, living is what motivates me. All the beauty that God has created and surrounded me with inspires me and motivates me to become the best at my craft.
What do you hope to achieve? To become the best known designer and milliner in America and that my hats appeal to women and men of all ethnicities around the world.
Who are your idols, greatest influences? I don't really have idols; however some of my favorite designers of hats are Philip Tracy and Stephen Jones, both out of the UK.
What or who do you aspire to be? I aspire to be the best me I can be. That includes creating a brand unlike any other.
Long term goals? To have a line of hats in some high-end boutiques and stores within the next 5 years; also to have my line appear in some of the many "fashion weeks" around the country and the world.
Christine Designs by Andre' specializes in creating "one-of-a-kind" crowns to fit any occassion be it a wedding, cocktail party, garden party, a day at the races or a casual outing. "We customize all crowns and do not live by the slogan, "One Size Fits All.""
Although Andre' is a man of few words, his fabulous hats and fascinators speak for themselves!
What do the Mickey Mouse Club, double master’s degrees in Finance and Bioengineering, make up guru status, and being appointed by her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Sussex have in common? They are the many faces of Mason Hollandbeck. Interestingly enough, the distinguished list does not end there. Mason is also a designer, promoter, stylist, business owner, and humanitarian. Mason has over 20 years experience in the beauty industry from time spent working on everything from stage and screen to print and runway. He is a master artist with makeup and hair styles and provides a fairy tale look each one of his clients dreams of. Mason also works with local salons in Atlanta providing celebrity looks for clients without the celebrity price. Mason has had his work photographed by Derek Blanks, Phil Grossman, Todd Killen, and many other celebrity photographers. He has done makeup for Miss Georgia, Miss America and Miss Universe pageants.
I could go on and on about the tremendous accomplishments of this very talented young man. Many who are familiar with Mason and his work are also very familiar with his numerous talents, numerous well executed projects, and many, many accomplishments. In writing this piece, I felt it necessary to lay the proper foundation as to the caliber of man Mason Hollandbeck is; to introduce to some and present to others this extraordinarily gifted individual. It was necessary to iterate and reiterate the public face of The Duke of Sussex, Mason Hollandbeck. And without laying any of these wonderful things aside, I want you to meet the Mason Hollandbeck I had the awesome opportunity to meet just a few short months ago.
As many of you know, The VertiKal Group and VertiKal MagaZine was in its’ foundling state late last year. We were just getting established as an entity and decided to host a fashion show to launch the magazine. We had no money, and very few people were familiar with Norman and myself as partners. Yes, there were those who knew us individually, but our partnership and joint business ventures were new to everyone – including us. We solicited designers, models, photographers from social networks, ads, word of mouth, etc. The response was incredible and we were well on our way to putting on a fantastic show. We put out feelers for hair and make up professionals to work with us pro bono, as all of the participants in the show agreed to work with us voluntarily; and we were grateful. Over the course of preparing for the show, there were confirmations and cancellations; as is to be expected.
With some trepidation but with more determination, we proceeded. The day of the fashion show we had our first meeting with the man, Mason Hollandbeck. From the outset, his professionalism was apparent. He sent his team of stylists ahead of him to aid in getting the models together. His team echoed his professionalism and they were an absolute joy to work with. Shortly thereafter, in comes Mason. After brief and pleasant introductions, he did what we learned he does best. Mason assessed the ‘lay of the land’ if you will, and made one request. He asked if we could line up 6 models in a row in chairs, and make sure no chair remained empty. Mind you we had 40 models. Masons’ team consisted of 2 assistants.
Originally, the plan was for Mason and his team to do makeup. When he learned we had no hair stylist, he didn’t miss a beat. So now, not only was Mason doing makeup for 40 plus modes, he styled hair for 40 plus models. His dedication to the success of our show was unmerited, to say the least. He remained for the entirety of the show, with the help of his aid, and restyled hair, refreshed and changed make up, until the last model walked the runway.
Now to some of you, this may sound ordinary, but let me explain the extraordinary nature of this encounter. When we met Mason, it was the day of the show. We didn’t learn until later about his incredible resume and his Duke status!! Mason did not come in with pomp and circumstance, demanding recognition of his status or his many accomplishments. He came in to help us….. Mason can command top dollar for his work. He worked with us and asked nothing in return. His humility and willingness to be a team player continues to leave the VertiKal Group speechless. Once we really found out who Mason was, speechless became dumbfounded because of the spirit in which he operated.
Since that time, we have continued to nurture a very wonderful relationship with The Duke of Sussex. He continues to demonstrate his indomitable spirit of excellence and genuine character. Some lovingly refer to him as The Duke. But for me, Mason Hollandbeck will always be “The Man”; style and make up guru to the stars – big and little. Thank you Mason for being who you are to all of us. We appreciate you.
Of course, bathing suits are on top of the shopping list for most college girls headed for the beach for Spring Break. Some classic styles will never go out of style, like the basic black or white bikini. But what's especially hot this year?
One of the hottest 2010 swimwear trends is the single shoulder style. These swimsuits come in both one-piece styles or as bikini tops paired with a bottom. There's nothing overtly risque about the single shoulder look, so girls can choose this if they want something a little more modest, or they can go all out with a single shouldered micro mini.
Another popular 2010 swimwear is the cutout look. These suits look kind of like someone tried to cut snowflakes or something out of a piece of fabric, as they have large geometric holes cut at various places. Some of these suits are more revealing than others, but generally these suits are not a good choice for a girl who doesn't want to show lots of skin. They're also probably not the best choice for actual swimming.
So what about color? When it comes to swimsuits, anything generally goes with color, and this year is no exception. Black and gray combinations are popular this year, as are bright shades of purple and wine. Floral patterns will be big in 2010 fashion in general, so for girls who want a little color, a floral swimsuit is always a good choice. Another popular pattern choice these days is plaid.
Picking The Right Bathing Suit
Best Bathing Suits for Your Body Type
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Many women are self-conscious about how they look in swimwear. Finding that perfect bathing suit that helps you look great on the beach can be a daunting task, but keeping a few flattering styles in mind while you shop can help you pick a suit you look good in and feel comfortable wearin
Determine your body shape. The following are some common body shapes for women.Pear: You are small-busted with an average-size waist and a large bottom.Hourglass: You are curvy with a large bust and bottom.Slender: You don’t have many curves.Athletic: You are toned and muscular.Tall: You have long legs and/or a long torso.Petite: You have short legs and/or a short torso.
Step 2
Once you decide which category or categories you fit in you can start looking for styles that will flatter your figure. Check out steps 3 to 5 and decide which fits you best.
Step 3
If you’re a pear shape, try a suit that draws attention to your bust. This will make you seem less bottom-heavy. If you’re looking for a two-piece go with a print or pattern on top to draw the eye there. You may also want to look for a top with a little extra padding in the cups.It’s OK to wear a solid-bottom with a patterned top. For extra coverage, consider a suit with a skirted bottom. But remember, if the skirt is too long, it can actually make you look heavier. If it’s a one-piece you’re looking for, try something with a plunging neckline or extra flair on the upper section, such as ruffles or funky straps.If you’re an hour glass shape (or have a very large bust), you may want to try a one-piece suit in a bold color to show off your curves. Suites with empire waists also flatter the hour glass shape, by pulling attention away from the stomach.Don’t let a large bust keep you from wearing a two-piece. Try a halter top or a top with wide straps. Choose a top with a built-in bra for extra support.
Step 4
If you’re slender or athletic, sporty suits flatter slender and athletic bodies. Slender women, and most women with toned and muscular bodies, can actually get away with wearing boy shorts without looking bottom-heavy. If you’re tall, an all-over pattern may draw attention away from your height and to the areas you want to show off. If you have long legs, you may want to accentuate them with a bottom that ties at the hip. If you’re petite, look for a suit that is high-cut in the thigh. This will make your legs look longer. Avoid boy shorts and skirted bottoms, they can actually make your legs look shorter. Go for a design that runs vertically, or stick with bright colored solids. V-shaped necklines also draw the eye up and down, making you appear taller.
Step 5
Remember you might fit into more than one category. Some women are tall and slender; others are petite and pear-shaped. Knowing the category or categories you fit into will help you narrow the swimming suits to consider, so you can spend your summer at the beach instead of in the dressing room.
Designer Rafe Totengco launched his namesake handbag collection in 1995. Since then the Rafe brand has grown to include women’s handbags, shoes and small leather goods. Known for its balance of fashion and function, Rafe blends uptown sophistication with downtown edge while remaining classic enough to be worn for many seasons to come. Over the years, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of American designers. He has been recognized in his field with numerous honors. In 2005 Rafe received the honor of being tapped by Target as the first accessories designer to create a capsule collection for the mass retailer, setting a precedent for all those to follow. Rafe is currently available at upscale department stores and specialty boutiques worldwide as well as select online shopping sites.
DESIGN STATEMENT: Rafe cares passionately about quality, style and comfort and strives to bring joy and satisfaction to each customer. Rafe accessories are known for their balance of fashion and function with each item crafted using top grade leathers, original fabrics and a fierce attention to detail. A Rafe accessory is the exclamation point to any fashion statement..
HISTORY: In 1989, Rafe left a successful clothing business he started in Manila to pursue his dream of a career in fashion design in the Big Apple. He moved to New York, enrolled in FIT, and supported himself as a design assistant. In 1994, he produced his first collection of accessories: belts and watchbands for a SoHo boutique which sold out instantly. When the shop asked him if he had handbags to go with the items, he enthusiastically said "yes" even though he didn't have a single bag made yet. One year later, the first collection of Rafe New York handbags debuted Bergdorf Goodman's uptown. In 1995 Rafe worked out of his apartment with one assistant making bags and belts in a few of the last holdout factories in Manhattan’s garment district. In order to grow business, to sell Rafe personally made cold calls and brought his collection to stores. By 1999 with a small infusion of cash and help from family and friends to he was able to expand to over 60 department and specialty stores worldwide. Since then, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of New York fashion designers and President and Creative Director of his Corporation Rafe New York., now nearing it's 10th anniversary.
Rafe Totengco is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
