Its seems that Tiklyz are right on time with trend as face charms are all over the young beautiful faces of underground fashion and style bloggers. While many may see it as a western infringement on eastern culture we see it as a door to culture, freedom, self-expression and understanding.

Tikylz was founded and created by Tisha Agarwal, whom is a vegan chef, TV host and Marketing Consultant, and Pallavi Arora who is an Ivy League graduate. Tikylz was founded out of the longing for a piece of home and the desire to bring eastern culture to the western world. Founders Tisha and Pallavi are quoted as saying, “We hope to accomplish what Katy Perry, Madonna and Julia Roberts could not – take an exciting yet traditional accessory and make it sexy for the girls all around the world to embrace it.” What a mouthful! Can they achieve that level of success? The answer is a resounding YES! With their amazing plan to bring young women culture, freedom, and self-expression there is no other way but success.

I asked my niece to model a few of the face charms for me and she loved them. She thought they were cool, fun and colorful. The Bling collection was one of her favorites as it added a great sparkle to her face that she adored.

Tikylz wants you to stand out, have fun and love your awesome life!

Tikylz are available at www.tiklyz.com. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @tiklyz, and on Facebook at Tiklyz.

Peace, Love & Vintage!!!

The fashion world is prone to controversy when it comes to incorporating ethnic fashion in the latest trends. While some may see it as positive to have clothing from other cultures make it into the mainstream public eye, others see such fashion trends as appropriation and unethical to the garment’s origins and it’s people.

Urban Outfitters, the widely popular hipster chic apparel store, has recently been hit with criticism for advertising a “Vintage 90 Line Dress” online for a hefty $200 price tag, when it is clear by the embroidery and material of the dress to be a traditional garment from the Tigrinya tribe of Ethiopia and Eritrea. An online petition was quickly formed to have the dress appropriately label, however the dress was sold to an unknown buyer.

Spring 2013 has also labeled African Ankara prints as one of its hottest new trends. Superstar Beyonce was spotted rocking a pair of skintight print shorts, as well as reality vixen Draya Michelle and rocker Gwen Stefani. The loud and colorful print can be worn as every part of an outfit and is deeply rooted in West African culture.

In the summer of 2012 Adidas has to issue an apology after Jeremy Scott designed a “JS Roundhouse Mid” sneaker that included a shocking twist—a pair of gold handcuffs to be attached at the ankle above the shoe. Outcry of the similarity of the handcuffs to the shackles worn by slaves, forced the retailers to completely drop the shoes before it was to be released in August. The Spring 2013 Dolce and Gabbana collection also set a wave of controversy when “Blackamoor Inspired Earrings” featured on models hit the runway. The collection, an ode to colonial Sicily, not only failed to feature any models of color, but the “Aunt Jemima” figured earrings added to the mix left people with a sour taste in their mouth.

So when European models strut down the runway in these traditional outfits, is it a creative interpretation of the designer? Or a cultural symbol being renamed and redistributed? It is a very fine line between the two, and is important for all of us, both designers and consumers, to exercise responsibility when wearing clothing that represents a history and a culture.

Stephanie Byrd

“I am an up and coming wardrobe stylist in the Bay Area. Born and raised in Oakland. I come from a family where both grandmothers were seamstresses and maintained that creative gene, which was instilled in myself at a young age. I proudly obtain a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from International Academy of Design and Technology Sacramento. I like to describe my style as eclectic because I do not have just one look. I love the chic look, the hippy look, the vintage look, the super trendy look, and I love a super edgy look. You name it I can recreate it! My love and passion for making others look and feel fab gives me life!”

Keep up with Stephanie Byrd on these Social Media Outlets.

Instagram: flystyleb
Twitter: flystyleb
Blog: flylikeabyrd.tumblr.com

If you would like to be featured on “How She/He Rock’s It” please send a request to info@urbnvntg.com

Peace,Love & Vintage!!!

I am drawn to leopard! and it is drawn to me!

These are my most favorite stockings in the WORLD.

I bought I think a total of 3 or 4 pair of these, I was not going to have the problem of never finding them again. They fit amazingly, dispite being “one size”, they fit my 5’10″ almost 200 pound curvy frame with ease and comfort!

I previoulsy had scorred some Wolford leopard thigh-hi’s at Nordstrom Rack, but unfortunately one tore!

Well now you are fully aware of my SUPER DUPER love for leopard! So if you ever need to get me a gift and dont wanna give money, something LEOPARD will surely suffice!

Albinism is a disease in which a person is void of pigment and does not or has a hard time producing melanin, and melanin is what gives us all our “color”. Sadly , many with this disease are treated extremely cruelly and are teased, ridiculed and thought to have demons or to be witches. Because of this many Albino men and women live a life of seclusion so as not to be affected by the cruel world we live in. This hurts my heart, and adds even more to my love for the beauty that is Albinism.

As the years have passed and my love of the fashion world grew I came across on of the most beautiful models, Diandra Forrest; she is albino. Just as a avid fan of any music or movie star her photos had places on my fashion wall. She is beautiful, alluring and the first African American Albino female model to be signed to Elite, one of the premiere modeling agencies in the world.

Diandra Forrest and Shaun D. Ross are at the forefront of the Albino Model. Both hail from the Bronx, NY and both have made incredible careers for themselves in the modeling and fashion worlds.  I follow both via social networks dont think there will be any time soon that I will grow tired of looking at them as I do with many of the other top models. There is a mystique, and aura that surrounds them that captures me, forever still.

I look forward to the further emergence of more Albino models, and honestly I want to have an albino child – I know that may seem a little far fetched but I am in love with all it encompasses. I grew up TALL as hell, and more curvy than most girls and was constantly teased as well – in the end so much beauty, confidence and humanity come from those circumstances.

The purest of beauty.

Here are a few of my Nefertiti items:

        Forever a student.

Much of the credit in starting this trend can be given to Lady Gaga.  Lady Gaga is well known for taking over the top fashion risk and rocking things that only she can. Her now infamous tumble made these shoes skyrocket to popularity.

The shoes are available from high end designer Guiseppe Zanoti and mid-range designer Jeffery Campbell.  The Guiseppe Zanotti’s are sold from about $800-$900, Jeffery Campbells from $150-$300.

There are tons of alternative styles, look, colors, and brands out now so I suggest that I you were to get into this trend by some on the lower end of the price scale.

My overall verdict is DROP IT! Spend your well earned money on something that has more longevity and surpasses trend.

Peace, Love & VINTAGE!

One of my FAVORITE tats!!!

Outfit Details:

Booties: Tardy, Jeffery Campbel

Studs: One cupcake & one Revolver (It’s kinda my thing)

Black Cardigan & Turtle Neck: H&M

Grey Skirt: BCBG Maxazria

Belt: Vintage

Sunglasses: Jet Rag

Mixed Metal Statement Necklace: Bluefly

Bracelets: F21 & Vintage

Outfit Details:

Red Blazer: Vintage Liz Claiborne

Los Angeles T-Shirt: Vintage

Sneakers: Vintage Jordan 1′s

Earrings: Express

White Jeans: PZI Jeans

]]> http://urbnvntg.com/vintage-la/feed/ 0 http://urbnvntg.com/random-la-nights/ http://urbnvntg.com/random-la-nights/#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:51:59 +0000 admin http://urbnvntg.com/?p=504 This outfit was one that I have worn many times. A lil change in how it was accessorized but generally the same. LOL! The dress I got a while back from H&M for like $15 and with the proper care it has stood the test of time and numerous nights out!

Outfit Details:

Dress: H&M

Long Gold Jacket: Vintage

Black Cage Heeled Sandals: Boutique 9 (Nine West)

Bangles: A collection of F21, Vintage and Flea Market

Glitter Clip on Earrings: Vintage