What a thrill to get an intimate view into the stylish Ty-Ron Mayes’s “Fabulous, Fashionable Court.” A true trailblazer, Ty-Ron is a celebrity stylist. In our interview, he talks about Rick Genest (Zombie Boy), America’s Next Top Model, Harlem Fashion Week, his forthcoming book, and more. Super Model Maria Borges graces our cover this issue with her stunning, natural beauty; cover styled by Ty-Ron Mayes and photographed by Ken Gray. Sheryl Aronson of Arting Around interviews Music icons Freda Payne and Tito Jackson and his B.B. King’s Blues Band. And a special treat this issue is an interview with Lea Thompson, who candidly discusses her role as an actress and producer. In Fashion Talk (my editor’s commentary), the article “Your Style Is a Personal Choice” was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld and Coco Chanel. Beauty editor Shahada Karim opens discussion on melanin inhibitors versus skin bleaching; and K-Beauty’s Cushion foundations are expanding to deeper tones.
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Meet Ash Gupta’s Face of the Month Mariam Zol, interviewed by Caitlin Gibbs. Check out her editorial, photographed by Christian Duarte and Tuhan Bedi by 838 Media Group. Photographer Glenn Gordon shoots Tyler Bilbo for this imaginative fashion spread, titled “Lone Star Fashion,” shot on location at College Station, TX. Celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes dazzles us with four stunning editorials that feature Christian Siriano and model Thayná Santos; America’s Next Top Model Cycle 20 Phil Sullivan; actress/model Kelly LaBrock; and super model Maria Borges.
This issue’s runway reaches beyond fashion borders with international designers from New Zealand, Madrid, Berlin, New York, and Paris to include Roberto Verino, Malne, Antonia Goy Defile, Kristina Fidelskaya, and Edmund Hillary. Desigual brings a splash of color to the runway and an equally vibrant Backstage Beauty spread. Closing this issue are timeless designs from Fashion Archives, highlighting past collections from Spring 2012, and hailing from New York with designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Anna Sui, Chado Ralph Rucci, and Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B., all photographed by Arun Nevader. We’ll see you inside . . . Enjoy! Purchase the issue now.
Maria Borges made an incredible style change that led her to a fascinating career as a super model.
Two years ago, the Angolan Bombshell known as Maria Borges decided to do something drastic in her career. Just as the catwalk stunner was peaking on the runways and covers around the world, Borges decided to free herself from the typical hair weaves and relaxers that Black models customarily wore and cut her hair into an Afro. Unbeknownst to Borges, her short, cropped hair would eventually become her signature look.
It was 2016 and Maria was enjoying being photographed as a Grace Jones-inspired avant-garde model, Victoria’s Secret called, and was considering the six-foot-one stunner to walk for the lingerie brand’s coveted VS show. At that point, Maria Borges had joined the sorority of undies clad, wing-wearing beauties two seasons in a row. She asked her agents to tell VS that she needed a day to put her hair weave back in. But Victoria’s Secret requested that she attend the casting with her natural hair. The number 1 selling ladies intimate apparel line immediately casted her again, and she became the first model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway with an Afro.
The moment the show was televised, Borges made history and she was catapulted into supermodel status. Media outlets worldwide reported that Maria Borges, a young African woman, made history as she changed the beauty standards for Black women everywhere. Borges was celebrated in news reports, as well as high fashion magazines such as Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire and now . . . AGENDA!
So what’s next? Would she put in another hair weave and become a full fledged Angel? L’Oreal cosmetics had other plans for Borges. Maria signed a worldwide, lucrative deal with L’Oreal. And once again the all natural African beauty was requested to stay true to herself and to continue to wear her natural hair. Now, we have witnessed many Black models on the runway rocking a “Maria Borges” inspired Afro and she has become a leader in the Black beauty industry.
Maria Borges together with her friend, Stylist and Beauty Artist, Ty-Ron Mayes are working together on a project that will document Borges as she challenges the industry to document Afro-sensuality with Maria as the subject while rocking her short hairdo.
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