Spring 2006 – Page 2 – Agenda Magazine Archives

Ty-Ron Mayes, Stylist and Fashion Editor with a Super Hero Eye

Ty-Ron Mayes – Stylist and Fashion Editor with a Super Hero Eye

Some people see New York stylist Ty-Ron Mayes as a triple threat. Not only does he do styling, but he has also mastered make-up and hair. He was in town styling a shoot, and I was able to ask Ty-Ron some key questions.

While Ty-Ron Mayes was in college studying pre-law (he wanted to be a lawyer).

I have a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Pre-law/Political Sciences.

Styling was always his hobby, his extra-curricular activity, and it started to become a lucrative business.

Ty-Ron decided to give it a couple of years before he began to immerse himself in another industry. While he was actually doing work in the law field, it started to pull him away from law. That’s when he decided to try fashion for two years.

“I discussed it with my family because they invested a lot of money in me, doing other things. And luckily it took off. I am an opportunist, so I took the opportunity when it arose. I got an internship, and was briefly hired with David Glinert and Associates under Entertainment Law. We handled precedent setting cases at the time, like Martha Walsh and Lolita Hallaway. Their voices were being sampled illegally. Now, as a result, you have to reference anything sampled, and you must pay for it. That was my beginning.”

Ty-Ron was always shooting for his portfolio, and he ended up getting some good layouts on magazines. Always interested in some facet of entertainment, whatever career he decided, it would have to be in entertainment in some way. This explains why he went into entertainment law. If not, then it would have been something else that would lead to his fashion career. And his first break came very soon.

“I had positioned myself to be with Amica Magazine because they were a weekly Italian publication, which gave me 52 chances a year to get published; and because they did 10 stories, it gave me 520 chances to get published. They liked me, but it was that one time I walked in with pictures of Bridget Hall, a 16-year-old super model who had done covers with Italian Vogue. They were astounded that I was able to shoot with her—because they couldn’t even get her themselves. That was my big break, and they ran the story that we shot. I was then asked to come in and do some shoots. Tony Verga of Amica Magazine, the editor at the time, trained me on how to do a fashion layout with all the politics that went behind it. I even shot with Scavullo. Sean Byrnes of Cosmo also took me under his wing. I did Oprah and Iman and it all snowballed at one time.”

There must have been something extra special, a technique that makes you a great stylist.

“I was friendly, people liked me, and helped me because of it. Lisa Lawrence with Moda had been giving me Jean Paul Gaultier for 14 years. What happened was my first love was comic books. I wanted to draw the super heroes, so I was searching my entire life to be able to transfer that love for the comics into the fashion divas that I was working with. I wanted women to look beautiful and heroic. I learned how to do makeup and hair, also; and because of my drawing technique, I was able to pick it up very easily. I learned how to augment the nose along with the little tricks that make celebrities look special. That made my vision of how women could look special. That was my secret weapon.

“It’s more about understanding what’s reality and not reality. Fashion is fantasy—it’s 2-dimensional. So you’re taking a human being who is 3-dimensional, and you have to see them as a 2-dimensional image. It’s almost dehumanizing. When I’m working with models, I’m thinking about the way they’re going to look in the picture. If you know the way the camera was created, whatever is closest to the camera is going to get bigger. A lot of times when I do makeup, I do contouring of the nose, because it’s going to be the closest thing to the camera. So the nose has a tendency to get a little bit wider. So you do some tricks, or see things in 2-dimensional. You’ll highlight the front of the nose and contour the sides because what gets darker falls back and what gets lighter goes front. That’s how you compensate and balance for what the camera is doing, taking a 3-dimensional image and flattening it into a 2-dimensional image. That’s also another reason they like models to be very tall and thin, because they look very normal on the runway. But when you see them in person, you’ll say, ‘’My God she’s 6’1, she didn’t look like that,’ because the camera squashes, flattens, and widens. So if you have a very long body, and it’s photographed, it will photograph like it’s normal. It’s really about understanding the medium that you’re working with.

“There are a lot of tricks, too. Photographers use certain lenses that can slim and elongate the body. They use different lenses that will be for beauty that won’t distort the face. It won’t make it wider or longer. We use a lot of different techniques in order to create an image. I would love for women to know that it is not real. It is definitely for fun—it’s fantasy.

“Then of course there’s retouching—everybody has computers now. No image goes through fashion without being retouched somewhat. Eyes are cleaned up to look whiter. Pupils are made a little bit bigger because they’re considered an erogenous zone, and that means that you’re sexually turned on if your pupils are very wide. So they will sometimes tweak and augment the eyes for magazine covers. There are lots of little tricks that go into making pictures.

“I also wanted to know more than if just the dress is pretty, or if she’s pretty. ‘Pretty’ gets you in the door. It’s all the other techniques that you learn that create the artist, and create someone that people want to work with, and people feel like they’re going to bring something fresh and new and different. The interpretation is going to be different each time. For all artists, you really have to learn your medium. A lot of the new kids that are on the block have no references. You need to have your references so you know what 60s fashion was about. And if you’re going to talk about make-up, what a doe eye is, a smoke eye, and color wash. You know the top and bottom lashes like Liza (Minnelli) and Cher. You really have to have some good references to pull from. This is what’s going to make a fashion picture even more interesting. When people look at a story, it should have some continuity and fluidity. They should be able to look at a fashion layout and see some kind of thin thread that ties all of the images together, and it creates a story and it speaks to you before you even read the title.”

What does Ty-Ron consider to be a trend in 2006?

“On the red carpet I see a lot of clutches from the Hollywood actress with drop down earrings. Platform shoes are more arched, streamlined, and thinner, corked bottoms and wood bottoms. It’s rethought, and shaped into something new. People don’t want to buy something completely old; they want to buy something new with a twist. Celebrities can be a great vehicle for trends, but the designers all have their own individuality—but they also have an ESP. I like to call it the hive mentality, you know, like a beehive. The one queen bee does something, and then all of the other yellow jackets go around and follow her message. So you’ll find that designers will do something and somehow the buzz word gets around. Celebrities have become the new runway stars, and the fashion model has stepped back into her old place. Now people really are celebrity driven. They’re following trends through celebrities. The tabloid magazines have all changed their direction and have gone with the times. And they’re tracking what these celebrities are wearing. You’ll see credits of who’s wearing what, their handbag, shoes, etc. The knock off industry has exploded because we can’t afford the Roberto Cavalli. But you’ll see the day after the Oscars the six hottest dresses duplicated in affordable fabric because people want to look like celebrities now. And now these celebrities look better than ever. They have the perfect haircut, the perfect color. They’re all skinny. They’re all killing themselves dieting so they can actually be on that red carpet. It’s leading to celebrities getting cosmetic, designing, and fashion campaigns. They’re now making their own clothing lines. Instead of blowing up designers on rap records, you’re seeing rappers now talking about their own line. And the kids are going out and they’re buying it, because the celebrity is so powerful.

“It doesn’t come easy. One thing you have to know about the fashion industry, if anyone is going to get involved with it, a lot of it has to do with rejection. It has nothing to do personally with you. A lot of times, you’re just not right for the job, or someone is a friend of someone, and they’re going to get the booking. If you can deal with the rejection and a lot of the near misses, you can have a really good career in the industry. But you really have to know the animal that you’re with. This industry is very fickle. You can be in one day, and out the next.”

Who are some of Ty-Ron’s favorite designers?

“I have designers I gravitate toward for many reasons. Artistically, I like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen for incredible corseting and interesting beading, and for chic and sexy [there] is Gucci. I always like to bring in somebody new. I am always interested in who’s going to be the next big designer, for instance, Jason Woo, who is a new designer who created the RuPaul doll. I like to book designers who do well and don’t try to make something out of what’s not there.”

Is it hard to be a stylist and not try to make over everyone you meet?

“I learned early on to turn it off, ‘cause if not, you’ll go crazy. You’ll scrutinize everybody that goes past you. I don’t traumatize women by putting them up to an unlivable standard. It’s O. K. to have an eyebrow out of place, or if you want to be experimental with a weird hair color. I like people to be normal. I talk to women all the time about this fashion machine because it can be very abusive to women. Fashion is for children. All of the models that you see walking down the runway that are size 0, 1, and 2 they’re all 15 years old. When they get that dress in the store, it’s going to be cut, reshaped, and lengthened to fit a woman’s body.”

Can you make any woman over?

“I can make a woman look fantastical and beautiful. But I am not a plastic surgeon and cannot move things around. But with tricks we can corset, pad, push up, lift up, and strategically hide things. Everyone, even models, have something that we as stylists hide and something that we really play up on. So if you look at the person’s best asset like maybe a great bust line or great legs, everyone has a little something. You can take that and magnify it, and make that your focal point, and I think that if women learned that little trick, they could take that into their everyday life. And they will feel a lot better about themselves because the real fashion models you see in the magazine don’t really exist. But they each have something special, and remember that we constantly fix and retouch.”

Highest High

“I think that I am enjoying the highs right now. I am in a place where I feel like I learned my craft and I have a lot to offer to my clients. They trust me. It takes a long time to gain people’s trust. It’s a really unfriendly industry to people that are new. A lot rides on a great makeup artist, great stylist, and a fashion model who’s thin, has great skin, and is on time. Millions of dollars are riding on whether or not we are going to produce what we say we can produce. So if I have to say that I am riding on high, right now people can trust my layouts, I have a history behind me. And hopefully I can go further with the career. I am also looking at a book deal.

“I am the fashion editor of a new magazine called Jewel Magazine. I get a chance to do this high-end magazine for people of color. If I can bring all the techniques that I learned on mainstream magazines into this publication, I think I can help change the face of publishing and prove that yes we can sell. One of the biggest injustices in the industry is that they say that blacks and others don’t sell when they put us on their magazine covers. So my task right now is that I want to bring that to the publishing world and show that we can sell.”

Look for Jewel Magazine on the newsstands. For more information about Ty-Ron Mayes visit Warren Tricomi Artist Management at:www.wtmanagement.net.

Interviewed and written by Kaylene Peoples

View the Ty-Ron Mayes web gallery

Watch the video.

Alan Del Rosario – Creating a Global Unification of Fashion the Second Time Around

Alan Del Rosario: Creating a Global Unification of Fashion the Second Time Around

Models in Alan Del Rosario Alan Del Rosario describes his clothes as sexy, flowing gowns with unexpected touches of leather, lace, and trim. Fun, billowy ball skirts worn with intricate sexy tops. Ruffles, both soft and starched, cascading out the backs of corseted gowns. And I agree whole-heartedly. But when I visited Alan Del Rosario’s place several weeks ago, I saw more than just that. I saw a warm, caring individual who had been through a lot just to get back what he had lost.

I heard about Alan Del Rosario through Adrienne Janic, a Ford model who is the co-host of TLC’sOverhaulin’. She sang Alan’s praises as a designer. I was compelled to interview him. While at Alan’s studio, I observed his design team diligently working to meet what seemed like an impossible deadline. Alan was going to be launching his new couture line at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in a couple of weeks.

I was immediately taken by the combination of styles and the delicate choices of fabrics. I asked Alan to shed some light on his new collections and to explain what had happened with his first line . . . why he had to make a comeback in the fashion world.

Alan Del Rosario used to be a Civil Engineer back in the Philippines. He had just finished a big project and decided he needed a little break, which led him to an early retirement and the start of a brand new career. A friend of his urged him to look into the film industry since his family had connections there. Ultimately, he ended up in fashion design.

“I came to USA to check on some schools, and accidentally went to a fashion school. It just hit me that this was what I had been looking for all my life. Back home, we’re not conditioned to explore our creativity, but a friend of mine had noticed that I was into more creative things and recommended that I look into the fashion institutes.”

At one of those fashion institutes, after just getting out of the elevator, Alan had overheard that a student had just won the Bob Macke award.

“This was a prestigious award where the faculty nominates 10 out of 500 students. Those 10 students have to submit their portfolios, while prestigious people in the fashion industry judge them on their work. Later that year, I was fortunate enough to have won that award myself. But it didn’t hit me until years later when I realized that the moment when I saw the value of the student who had won the award, there was a part of me that knew my own work will be even better—and it was a lot of work, but when you’re passionate about something, it becomes easy.”

Because Alan already had a college degree, he was placed in the institute’s accelerated program, where basically everything you’re supposed to learn in one year, you’re supposed to learn in two. Alan’s 2nd quarter consisted of both creative and sketching classes, which proved to be extremely challenging.

“It was a challenge, but it was probably one of the best years because that same year I won the award for my advanced program, and was sent to Europe to pick out hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of fabric.”

This is Alan’s second attempt at designing his own line. His first line was called “Del Rosario” and was not as high end as his Alan Del Rosario line is today. His new line is couture, while the other was more contemporary.

“I started Del Rosario with baby steps. My family helped me with the financing. When I won the 1st place designer for Gen Art, it increased my demand. When the orders came as a result of my award, I was only able to fill half of them—I just couldn’t deliver. I was trying to get backers, and I was so close until 911 happened. So, instead of digging myself even deeper in debt, I decided to close the business. Soon after, I had another chance to do the Relic jean line, and unfortunately it too was hit in just a short time. My financier got hit big time, also. So I closed that business, too. From then on I had an incredible offer to rebuild my finances from a junior clothing company, where I worked for a couple of years. I made that seven-year-old company a profit after only six months.”

Alan expressed how fortunate he is to be able to do what he loves for a living. His business partner, whom he’s known for over a decade, had followed his work. He wasn’t in a position to invest until now. But last year, as fate would have it, the two men ran into each other quite accidentally, and they decided to join forces. Their business is currently in a small space, but they are in the process of expanding to a bigger facility.

“There are a lot of great people out there, but if you’re not properly financed, don’t start a business unless your dream is just to be small and make only enough money to pay the bills. But even then, there is no guarantee that will be enough.”

Alan’s partner suggested he start a contemporary label. He did and named it Baby Tears. It is a junior contemporary line which Alan just launched a week prior to our interview.

“It’s not true junior, the prices tend to be very cheap, and I didn’t want that. With today’s woman, you have a young 20s and young 30s, so today’s junior ranges from high school through 30s. There are different price points, and the construction and fabrics are better than the true juniors. Baby Tears retails from $30-$60.00. I would like to be somewhere in the middle as the bridge between the junior line and the contemporary line.”

As a designer, Alan considers everything. He states that the best part about working for a junior company is you really get yourself trained as a designer. You learn what people are reacting to and buying, and you have to consider that in your line. He doesn’t believe in just designing, or not caring whether it sells.

“Of course not, that is such bull! It’s arrogant, too, because you do want somebody to wear your clothes. I enjoy seeing my clothes on people.”

Baby Tears will be in stores as early as April 30th. And there are already a lot of stores interested in stocking the new line.

Alan Del Rosario, the couture line, was debuted March 21, 2006, at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week; and so far the reaction has been incredible. People still remembered Alan from his previous line, Del Rosario. When they discovered his return, needless to say, they were very excited and could not wait to have him in their stores again.

In the new couture line, Alan Del Rosario, the details are more delicate, and the workmanship is as good, but very different. Alan feels that he has a better understanding now of the American market.

“I don’t want to be like a Gaultier, where just a handful of people can wear my clothes. Alan Del Rosario is not quite high fashion, but it’s more understandable, and I want women to wear my pieces more than once.”

From Alan’s first line a few years ago, a typical outfit retailed from $800.00-$900.00. But now with the new couture line, the prices range from $1500.00-$3000.00 depending on the style.

When asked what Alan thought was visually different about this new line, he said it was completely different. The choice of fabrics is different. It has been five years since his last line, and the trends are different now.

“Before, everything was an embellishment, but today everything is more subtle, more refined. The look is much younger.”

I commented that it seemed like a more sagacious, wiser, Alan. From my observation, I noticed Alan’s new couture line was very Mediterranean and more detailed with a feeling of the 1950s and 1960s influence. One very feminine black and white chiffon polka dotted, free flowing dress caught my eye, which caused me to make that comment. Alan agreed.

“You’re right, there [are] a lot of Mediterranean, Russian, and Spanish influences. And because of the Internet, the world is getting smaller—and as a result, so is fashion. The global unification of influences is very clear in fashion. Women today can wear a flamenco skirt with a Russian vest and a parka. It’s just one of those things that people are influencing in fashion all over. I think I am trying to do it with myself, too. You can do a gypsy skirt with cowboy boots and wear an ultra modern jacket. There are no rules. The media dictates so much of those influences, and things that were a no-no are O. K. to wear now. What’s great about this time is that it’s way more fun!”

In five years Alan hopefully sees himself doing the same thing, and growing to be able to help more people.

“I am so blessed, and I am a true believer that whoever you are is a true result of your past. I like harmony in my designs, and there is a thought behind it. I am really conscious about it.”

It was very heartwarming to learn that those who had worked for Alan in the past are back with him today.

“They are like family to me. The last three weeks they have been working so hard to get ready for Magic. I hired a masseuse for the whole staff to give them back massages. I see their dedication. With most workers, you cannot ask them to come in on the weekend without a lot of complaining or struggle. But my staff will suggest they come in on Saturdays if they need to. And if they ever make a mistake with sewing and something needs to be ripped apart and re-done, they rip apart their stuff at home and keep working on other things here at work. But I don’t believe that work is everything. I am always reminding them that this is just a job. Don’t neglect your personal life. I will let them tend to their families when necessary. I think that is why I have loyal employees. It’s all about the way you treat them.”

Highest High
“It always thrills me to see anybody wearing my clothes. As a person I really am very positive and I get high on a lot of things. I would not even say that winning an award is a high for me. To me it’s just something that has been recognized because I am doing what I love to do. And sometimes it’s a little bit too much. Sometimes I need to humble myself. Yes, I am grateful, but it doesn’t define me. I just ebb and flow because every day I see something really wonderful. I enjoy my work, and coming here, it’s not a struggle. Even with just two hours sleep, I continue doing what I started. I am very blessed. But if there was an Oscars for fashion, that would be a real high.”

Lowest Low
“When I lost my business, it was crippling. Not just for me, but also those who worked for me. I hate that I disappointed and let everybody down. But fortunately, as much as I disappointed them, they are still loyal and behind me. I talked to the buyers from Saks and they said, ‘Alan, don’t feel like you’re a loser. You are not a loser because most of your clothes have sold 97% in our stores. People want your clothes, and for that reason alone, you should consider yourself a winner.’ It was tough, and 911 was such a weird time. Just think about the people that lost their lives. I only lost a business. I got a lot out of it in terms of maturity. I learned a lot from that experience.”

Alan’s Advice to Young Designers:
“Be true to yourself, and if you really want to start your own business, remember that it is a business. You’ve got to have your finances on track, and just remind yourself that it’s a business because it can be taken away from you. If you don’t address that, no matter how creative you are, if you don’t have the backing and are reckless with your spending, it can be taken away from you.”

Interviewed and Written by Kaylene Peoples

Adrienne Janic – From Model to Television C0-Host

Adrienne Janic – From Model to Television Co-Host

image of Adrienne Janic Ford model and co-host of TLC’sOverhaulin’, Adrienne, AKA AJ, is climbing the road to success one car at a time. Adrienne was hired for a one-time episode onOverhaulin’ and won the producers’ hearts immediately. They asked her to shoot five more episodes then promptly contracted her as a permanent fixture on the popular television show.

“I played the part of a shop owner’s wife. I had on a mini-skirt, stiletto heels, and big hair, just really gaudy. It was what I thought an auto shop owner’s wife would be. The guy came to get his truck, and he thought it was getting done for free. Well, little did he know that I was going to charge him $1,500.00. So, I really got under his skin, and he was so upset with me. He called me every nasty name in the book (which was cut out of the show), and the director loved what I did and asked me to come back for another episode. That one episode led to more episodes on Overhaulin’, and the next thing I knew, the network called me and asked me to be the Co-Host.”

Before joining Overhaulin’ on TLC as a Co-Host, Adrienne hosted several shows on E! Entertainment. She hosted the pilot Music Café, and worked as a spokesperson for Coca-Cola’s Fanta Soda. Adrienne was born and raised in Whittier, California. Her mother was from Mexico, and her father was from Yugoslavia. Adrienne always knew she was an entertainer, and as early as six years old, she acted and danced on stage. She continued acting and dancing all through junior and senior high school. Adrienne attended Rio Hondo Community College and even wrote for a local newspaper for a short while.

At a supermarket one day, Adrienne was approached by a scout who asked her if she wanted to enter a modeling competition. At first she thought it was a scam, but the scout assured her it wasn’t and that it wouldn’t cost her anything. She thought about it and brought her dad along to the competition. Adrienne came in second place and won $200.00.

“For a 17-year-old, $200.00 was a big deal. So I did more local contests around the Whittier area. I would win anywhere from first to third place, and put cash in my pocket. One day, a photographer said I should go to Los Angeles to visit the different modeling agencies, and do this professionally. It took me a while, because Whittier seemed so far away from Hollywood to me, even though it was only twenty minutes away.”

Adrienne eventually gathered up the courage and went to five modeling agencies. The first one turned her down, telling her she was really pretty but too commercial. The other four wanted to sign her, but she ended up going with Ford. Adrienne had no idea that they were the largest modeling agency in the world.

“When I went to their open call, my hair was down to my waist, and I came in wearing so much makeup, big hoop earrings, red lipstick, too much mascara, blue eyeliner. I thought I was supposed to look like the cover of Cosmo. They actually told me to come back the next day and take off the earrings, get rid of the red lipstick, and remove the makeup. I thought, oh wow! I can’t go there without makeup. But once I came bare-faced, they offered me a contract.”

Adrienne has been with Ford Models for 10 years now. She started off doing Seventeen Magazine, Fitness Magazine, and was featured in so many more popular fashion magazines.

“As I’ve grown more comfortable in my skin, the more modeling jobs I’ve booked. I’ve learned with modeling it’s not so much physically—it’s how you feel about yourself, your confidence, and your personality. And as a result, I’ve been booking a lot more. But now with the show Overhaulin’, it’s been tough, but Ford has been really supportive.”

I asked Adrienne where she saw herself in five years. She would love to be doing films, and has already had some small supporting roles.

“Film is a whole other game. The pace is a lot slower, which it’s hard for me to get used to because I’ve done so much television. You shoot an episode in a week, or a couple of days, and I’m done. But in a movie, you’ll shoot just one scene in a day. On television, I can shoot my whole part in a day. It’s different, but I do love the big screen. So I hope to be there one day.”

Highest High
“Getting a contract with Coca-Cola and being a Fanta girl—that was so much fun. I was with them for four years. And Coca-Cola has probably been one of the best companies I’ve worked for. They are the nicest people and very down to earth. It was one of my biggest contracts with the commercials in the movie theaters and billboards. Everybody has seen it on television. I loved doing the personal appearances, traveling across the United States promoting Fanta, and also being with coca-cola from the very beginning, at the time, years ago before they decided to re-launch Fanta. I was there from the very beginning. I have been able to see the product grow and get into the market.”

Lowest Low
“I couldn’t get an audition for a few months. It was tough. This industry is feast or famine, and I couldn’t even get my foot in the door to even get an audition. I had to sit down and reevaluate things. Was this really how I wanted to live the rest of my life? When I worked, it was great, but when I didn’t work, it was horrible! I had to dip into my savings. It was really hard. I think the industry was just really slow at the time. I even called the model, acting and commercial agents. They all said that it wasn’t me. There was just nothing going on at the time. I even tried different things like getting highlights in my hair, taking new headshots, anything in the book that I could afford to do at the time. This was during the commercial SAG strike. I couldn’t even go out on any auditions. I cried a lot during that period of my life.”

I asked Adrienne if there was a love interest in her life, and she confessed that there was a special guy. She dated enough actors and models to know that she didn’t want to be with them. The more she got involved in those past relationships, the more they turned into a competition. One guy she dated had the nerve to ask her why she had more auditions and bookings than he did.

“A lot of insecurities came out with them. I just didn’t need that. I’m secure with myself in a relationship, and I don’t want to be with someone who’s like that. But at the same time, when I dated a guy that was not in the industry, they didn’t understand the schedule, or the fact that I had to do a kissing scene when it’s just work and doesn’t mean anything. That was tough, too. So I wondered where could I find that balance with someone who understands my schedule and is behind me 100 percent? So the guy I’m seeing is in production. He’s very supportive. He has to travel and be on set for hours at a time. With him, I think I finally found the right balance.”

Adrienne’s father has been her biggest fan since the day she decided she wanted to enter this crazy business that we call show business. He told her that whatever she wanted to do, whether it was basket weaving, or an oil painting in the mountains—he was behind her 100 percent. Adrienne’s mother was a little tougher. Being that she was from Mexico, she was big on education. Her mother had come to this country to better herself, and she had become a nurse.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to travel the world. It’s such a big world out there, and I didn’t want to stay in Whittier in school. So right out of high school, when I got the opportunity to model and travel the world, my dad gave me a little bit of money and told me to have fun. So my dad has been my biggest fan.”

And Adrienne is doing just that, and having fun right now. She is really grateful for her job at TLC.

“After ten years into this business, I’m so glad I didn’t give up. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel. But to see the famous people that stuck with it succeed, that’s what kept me going. I probably have more rejections than I have had jobs, but you grow from that. You learn to have thick skin; and when something does happen, you’re grateful for it, because nothing is forever. So I’m going to try to ride this wave for as long as I can. I am going to enjoy every minute of it!”

Watch the video.

Interviewed and Written by Kaylene Peoples

Sheryl Lee Ralph “Sometimes I Cry”

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s “Sometimes I Cry”: Raising Our Women’s Consciousness to This Crippling Epidemic HIV/AIDS

Sheryl Lee Ralph is known for Dream Girls, Moesha’s Mama, ER, Barber Shop, and several other popular television shows and movies. Aside from being a successful and versatile actress, she is an effective activist for HIV/AIDS, and she created Divas Simply Singing to remember those people she lost to the disease. It was so disappointing to her that so many people cast judgment on people with the disease. In 2003, the creator of the Black AIDS Institute asked her to come with him to the cities where people hadn’t heard much about AIDS. She had heard so many well-kept stories of women infected with HIV/AIDS.

“I was like whoa! With women come children, and then there were families. Why is no one saying anything about this? Then there was the great debate, when our vice-president sat up there when the question was posed, ‘What do you think about the rising rate of infection in black women when it comes to HIV AIDS?’ He said, ‘Huh? I wasn’t aware of that at all.’ I said, oh my god, we’ve got to do something. So these stories have always been in my head. And I sat down one day and I just started to write them down. And I was afraid because I thought I can’t write. Well, I can write. Nah, I’m too lazy to write. No, no! You have to sit and write every day! No, I can’t do it. I’m not committed enough to write. No!!!! I was giving myself all the reasons why not, and had writer’s block before I even started. And then one day I said, ‘Get over yourself! Let’s do it.’”

So Sheryl Lee Ralph sat down and started writing. She found Sherri Smith, who wrote as fast as she spoke. And before Sheryl knew it, she had nine stories. Then the Black AIDS Institute sent out a letter asking women to submit their stories, and that’s how “Sometimes I Cry” came together.

December 2005, during World AIDS Day Week, Sheryl Lee Ralph performed “Sometimes I Cry” for the first time. There was a lot of support. It stunned her. She was hoping people would be receptive, but she had no idea they would be that receptive. They started to come out by the hundreds. They had a 4-day run in Santa Monica a few weeks ago, and people were there every night. “Sometimes I Cry” made money for the foundation. Sheryl could not believe it.

“I thought we’d break even. We did a co-partnership with somebody. We made money for the foundation because people came to see the show. It’s just been amazing the kind of calls we’ve gotten since then. We’re going around the country to New Jersey, Arizona, New York 3 times in different areas. There’s been talk about off Broadway and Broadway. It’s exciting.”

“Sometimes I Cry” is about the loves, lives, and losses of women affected by HIV/AIDS. Sheryl Lee Ralph wanted to create a piece that would shed some light on the fact nobody was really talking about this disease.

“If you’re a female who is thinking about sex, or may have sex in the future, then this disease is all about you. We really have to create a movement. So for me ‘Sometimes I Cry’ is much more than a show—it’s a movement for women to really take stock of their self-esteem, their sexual well-being, their sexual rights, their reproductive rights, all of that to take stock in how they lead their sexual life.”

Sheryl gives shocking information about the new rate of AIDS infection, that it is starting to equal that of men; and it is becoming increasingly obvious that the weight and the burden of HIV is going to be borne by women, which means death.

“And in my mind, life is born of women, not death. Don’t get it twisted just because you’re young and you think sex is all about you. A lot of folks, once they have it, continue to have it, especially if they’re lucky. Good sex is a good thing to have. At the same rate, there are things like abstinence, and there is nothing wrong with abstinence. You abstain while you’re in your mama and your daddy’s house. Then you get out there on your own, and you get buck wild, but you don’t have the proper information, so therefore you’re not protecting yourself properly and you catch an STD. And HIV is definitely an STD. So I’m saying, let’s give all of the people the proper information so that they can make good choices for themselves. So I’ve got this show to let you know, be aware.”

The show is basically different women’s stories with each one running about 15-20 minutes. In this one-woman show, she takes on these true-to-life characters herself and becomes everything from a kid to a 68-year-old grandmother who ends up getting HIV/AIDS.

“I am not making this up. She’s out there, and it’s real. Miss Chanel—the successful entrepreneur who lives the life of Chanel: The Manolablonic shoes, the Chanel suit, the Chanel bag, and she never knew or thought that sex would be or could not be good for her. Why would it be bad? I’m still working on the 11-year-old twins having sex with Bubba to get ‘they hay done and they nails did’—both of them infected with AIDS, and Bubba’s 35.”

Sheryl had read the book, The Purpose Driven Life, and she realized that it was her purpose—to create a movement to help young women take stock of their lives and move forward in a healthy way. She realized it is harder to have a message that means so much to her, yet she is constantly hearing people tell her to quit talking about AIDS.

“Until somebody can introduce me to the test tube babies, we all get here as a result of one particular act—sex! We may talk about sex, but mostly in a salacious manner, but we need to talk about sex in a healthier human manner. And right about now, it’s not about birth; it’s about death, and it is very real.”

Even though Los Angeles is home for Sheryl Lee Ralph, she has really enjoyed doing the show in other places where she found people to be so supportive and excited about it. The church doors have swung wide open, and she is very happy about that.

“I don’t care what anybody says. The black church is a powerful institution, and we got to get right with the churches.”

Highest High
“During that run here in Los Angeles, from the Thursday to that Sunday, people kept coming back and bringing their children. One night we had 15 kids in the audience and they were all paying attention. We end the show with a 30-minute question and answer period because I want to have an intimate place where we can talk. And it was great to hear kids ask questions, and to have parents say, ‘Wow, I didn’t think about that.’ That’s been some of the highs—to really see that we’re able to effect change.

“For those who want to bring it to their city, just log on towww.sometimesicry.org. and let us know—let’s just make it happen, because it is all about you and your well-being. Because everybody’s sitting up there, waiting for you to do something. And it takes ordinary people every day to effect real change.”

What’s next?
“I am married to Senator Hughes from Pennsylvania. He’s up for re-election in 2 years. Who knows, he might want to be governor. I’m doing ER now. Who knows? Maybe a series next season. CBS wouldn’t be a bad place to be—anything can happen.”

Sheryl wrote a script called Red Rum and Coke. Red Rum is “murder” spelled backwards. The screenplay is about a mother in her 40s with a very successful daughter in her 20s, and the things that she thinks she knows about her daughter are not at all what she knows. The more she digs, the more she finds out. It is set in Jamaica, where Sheryl would love to do a movie some day.

“People ask me all the time if I’m going to make “Sometimes I Cry” into a book, or a film, or stage performance, or perform it at schools. So I think I’m going to have to put it in all of those forms in some way or another. Oddly enough, when I was doing Dream Girls on Broadway, there was this dreadlock ‘commedianish, social commentaryish’ person who had this strange name. If you could catch her, you would run after your show to go see her. And her name was Whoopie Goldberg. And she was doing this one-woman show. And I remember seeing that show and thinking what it must be like to be up there talking about things that she was passionate about, and affecting people, and I always held on to that. One day I was doing ‘Sometimes I Cry’ and I was like, oh my god, it’s a Whoopie Goldberg moment!

“I really have to thank the people I work with, like Sherri the typist, and then Scott Hamilton, who produces with me. We’re working on doing a tour, and getting it on the college campuses. We’re working with Dr. Lightfoot at USC, and we’re putting together a complete package for people who ask, ‘What do I do next?’ I’d like to be able to hand young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years old a DVD with a workbook and say ‘these are some of the things you might want to consider.’ I love being able to have that sort of synergy with someone. I’m looking forward to the 16th annual Divas Simply Singing, October 7th, in Los Angeles. People can log on towww.Divassimplysinging.com.”

Watch the video

Interviewed and Written by Kaylene Peoples

New Products Make a Glowing First Appearance at Diamond Lounge 2006

Now that all the Oscar hoopla has passed and those who took home their golden statuettes are busy reading the plethora of scripts that poured in the day after the event, Agenda Magazine has a preview of the products that made their debuts in many an Oscar-attendee gift bag.

From skin care to jewelry to island vacations to mojitos and cookies, the Pre-Oscars Diamond Lounge 2006 gave lucky celebrities and the media a glimpse of innovative products that will certainly be in great demand this year. Organized by Nathalie Dubois of DPA, the March 4 event provided vendors who converged at the Petersen Museum to display their current best-selling merchandise along with yet-to-be-released fare, a chance to garner some interest among the Hollywood community (and see the competition). While some products were appealing, others stood above the fray, poised to set a new standard in couture and body care. Several standout companies made an impression on this reporter and will likely grab A-list attention in the near future.

Isabelle Kellogg knows a thing or two about couture. The PR agent for Giorgio Visconti Finest Jewelry showcased some of the designer’s tastiest selections, including a $45,000 rope necklace piece enveloped in white gold and diamonds. Unlike many high-end jewelers, Visconti’s traditional approach retains the intimacy and uniqueness of the merchandise, which uses Italian diamonds.

“It’s a little bit different from the French, Harry Winston, American [design],” said Kellogg. “It’s from a house in Italy—Valenza—and it’s a family company like a lot of these companies are, which are from that area. And everything is made by hand. You’ll find things like ‘father and son, grandfather, grandson’—very few people in the company, but they make everything by hand.” Visconti keeps all of its manufacturing in-house, rather than outsourcing to other countries. That business practice may keep prices higher than companies that do have international labor forces, but the quality retention by keeping it local is worth the extra costs, adds Kellogg.

“You get the integrity of design, and the personal touch is one of the focuses of the company,” she said.

The unorthodox designs, with beautiful and unusual pairings of gold and diamonds, and broad, detailed shapes for necklaces, which lightly drape down the chest, pay homage to the past (dome-shaped ring) and future (rope necklace) jewelry trends. The rope necklace is a favorite among stars, including Sasha Cohen and Julie Delpy, Kellogg noted. The continuous diamond rope is popular for its ability to show a great amount of both light and shadow, as well as the heart-shaped collections, which vary with white and black diamond motifs.

If you want a little well-being with your vogue, try Energetix Magnet Therapy jewelry from Germany. Distributor Beatrice Cederstrom said that the product offers simplistic design—perfect for accessorizing, whether for a night on the town or a relaxed day at the beach—and the added health benefit of magnets, which have been known to aid in better blood pressure and respiratory function. Energetix is also registered for Class 1 Medical Devices with the European Union. With a 1,200 Gauss strength, which measures the attraction strength of the magnet metrically, the jewelry can be used to alleviate pain, stress and tension—all while sparkling fabulously against the neck, wrist, and hands. And celebrities can’t get enough of Energetix’s visual appeal and physical benefits: Allergy-free, shower-friendly Energetix has recently appeared on red carpets for the Golden Globes and (twice) for the Academy Awards.

“Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul, Oscar-nominee Terrance Howard, and Sharon Stone are just a handful of the celebrities who wear [Energetix] jewelry,” said Cederstrom, who claimed that she initially was skeptical about the jewelry’s physiological benefits. She since has experienced fewer migraines and better circulation from wearing one of the bracelets every day.

The company’s catalog features a host of bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and even dog collars, which, according to Cederstrom, offer the same amount of health benefits for pets as the jewelry does for pet owners. With an assortment of gemstones, beautiful black and white pearl designs and gold/gold-plated bands, Energetix is a pleasure to look at and even more to wear. Visit www.Energetix.tv for more information.

Jennifer Chang of Kumi Kookoon silk product makers was pleased with the response and success of their line of fine quality comforters and designer clothing. The hypoallergenic sheets, gowns, and bedclothes all use raw, hand-stretched silk that is unbelievably soft to the touch.

“Silk is actually the strongest natural fiber, so if you took the same square inch measurement of steel, the steel would break before the silk,” Chang said. “It’s also fire-retardant, so if there’s ever a fire, you can put it out with your silk blanket.”

One of the best features about silk products is that, because it is a natural fiber, the proteins within it are good for both the hair and the skin, said Chang, adding that silk proteins are about the closest to proteins naturally found in human hair and skin. The products—from pillowcases to pjs—come in a variety of colors.

Kumi Kookoon products are also perfect, regardless of the season.
“If you wear it in the winter, it will keep you warm,” said Chang. “However, if you wear it in the summer, it will keep you cool.”

Desperate Housewives stars Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria are fans of Kumi’s wares, as well as Oscar winners Adrian Brody and Halle Berry—all without any publicity.

“We’re all word-of-mouth—we don’t do any advertising,” said Chang. “I would say the quality speaks for itself.”

It certainly does. Visit www.kumikookoon.com for its online catalog.

When it comes to the high-end palate, you can’t get any better than Scott Briggs’ Studio Bakery. Perfectly positioned across from the Mojito Empire Inc. booth (where they served a steady queue of thirsty and curious guests with a delicious spin on the spirited favorite), Studio Bakery provided a fantastic assortment of cookies, only one of its specialties. The pastry designing company is featured in both Costco and Gelson’s supermarkets. For the Diamond Lounge, Briggs displayed a variety of fruit- and cream-filled, soft and flaky delicacies, which, unlike most packaged baked goods, are moist and chewy. And Studio Bakery’s talent is not going unnoticed in the Hollywood community, either.

Fans of the company include Beverly D’Angelo and a host of others who were lucky enough to snag a sample package, which included a selection of cream cheese- and strawberry-filled cookies.

Lamar Lindsay doesn’t do skin care. He doesn’t do fine linen. He doesn’t even do specialty baked goods. But he certainly does know quality fashion. The 20-something designer enlivens the men’s division of Snac, the “color blind clothing line” from artist/entertainer Macy Gray. T-shirts, jeans, jackets and the like are a staple of the cutting-edge style, with a nod toward urban but a definite grasp of the current trend in commercial, high-end fashion.

“We’re just marrying the two worlds,” said Diane, the account manager for Snac and the larger Macy Gray clothing line. “Right now, we’re selling to Scoop in New York, Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Hard Rock hotels . . . they’re starting a whole new retail in their stores which feature designs and high-end fashion from artists [and entertainers].”

Certainly a designer who will catch the eyes of everyone from Tinseltown to Broadway is Amanda, the creator of Phoenix, Arizona, based Ting Bling, a custom-adornment company that’s been featured on Fox News (among other national media forums) and creates unique, exemplary crystal work for cell phones, shoes, candles, clothing and even iPods!
“I can customize any wireless accessory that you want. You just send your item to me and I’ll get it done and FedEx it back to you—all over the world,” said Amanda.

Angela Bassett, Sasha Cohen, Paris Hilton, Kevin Nealon, Daryl Hannah and other celebrities have taken a liking to Ting Bling-erie, which can be found online at TingBling.com. The Hardware Collection immediately grabs your attention, with its use of bolts, nuts, and screws to fashion some of the most stunning jewelry and accessories. There’s also a velvet slipper collection, belts, men’s and women’s rings, flip-flop decoration, chocolate candles, vases, and chandeliers made out of actual tiaras. Amanda still believes in the hands-on method to designing, creating, and applying the decorations, as well as distributing them, herself. And, best of all, no two are alike.

“Everything is custom. It’s 100-percent original, so if you see these somewhere, you’ll never see them recreated,” Amanda said. “You may see something similar, but I never create the same design twice. And it’s just me; I don’t have a sweatshop or anything like that.”

Strangely enough, it was an innocuous child’s toy that introduced Amanda to the world of crystal work and jewelry.

“It was a Bedazzler that my parents got me when I was 16, and I was Beddazling everything—you know, lampshades, clothes,” Amanda said. “And then I moved into the whole crystal thing, I kind of graduated with it. I should really thank the Bedazzler people because it kind of launched me.”

Fileena Bahris is one who can appreciate the art of fine jewelry. A native of San Francisco who since has moved to Maui, Hawaii, Fileena, as she prefers to be called, has traveled the world, gathering inspiration and researching and working with dolphins and great white sharks.

“I did the official Star Wars charity necklace that we donated to AIDS for South Africa,” said Fileena. “I’ve been designing jewelry for about 10 years, but I’ve only been doing celebrity jewelry for film and television for about a year and a half. I just fell into it. I call it ‘very lucky.'”

With a nod toward her experience with marine life, Fileena’s most popular pieces use a great deal of coral designs. The Shooting Star collection features rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and Tahitian pearls. Tanzanite is also one of her most in-demand lines. Similar to Ting Bling, Fileena also offers matching items for pets and their owners. To view some of this amazing work, visit Fileena.com.

After a dizzying spin around this room, Agenda headed over to the next lounge, where even more vendors were sporting some innovative products that are sure to take the fashion world by storm (and unexpected booth by Biotene oral care products, which displayed a variety of mouthwashes, toothpastes and gum for adults, children, and yes, even pets.).

DermaNew Professional Skincare Collection will invigorate the spa world this July with a complete microdermabrasion system that refreshes and exfoliates for perfect skin health. Featured in magazines such as In Style, Cosmopolitan, Allure, and Stuff, DermaNew’s home microdermabrasion system provides a way to keep your skin enriched, smooth, and beaming without having to make constant visits to a salon. “You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars getting these spa treatments all the time,” said Lisa, a representative. “The CEOs were both working in the spa called the Dean Rhoades Salon and a lot of the clients were saying, ‘I love these results you’re giving me. Is there a way I can maintain it?’ And so they started developing this microdermabrasion crème, followed by creating the applicator.

“Matthew McConaughey was using the product because his (then) girlfriend Penelope [Cruz] was using it, and he kept taking it from her. Finally he called the company and said, ‘I need my own.’ And so we hand delivered it to him. A couple weeks later we were in People magazine because his skin looked so good.”

The company has won several America’s Best Beauty Industry Efforts awards for its revolutionary patented skin care system that has allowed clients to achieve the same beautiful skin in the comfort of their homes —and without excessive spending. To get more information or to order DermaNew products, which also include cleansers, exfoliating crèmes, and moisturizers, visit DermaNew.com.

Industry makeup artist Veronica Lenz from Beauty Blender was just as noticeable as the product she represented and created with her associate and fellow makeup artist Rayanne Silva. With an eye-catching purple bob and flawless skin, she was the perfect advertisement for a makeup applicator that will soon trump the current offerings.

“Beauty Blender is a cosmetic applicator that is the first one designed that’s three dimensional without any edges,” Lenz said. “It helps put on a smooth layer, gives a nice, air-brushed finish. So it helps the average woman get a professional finish.”

After cutting the edges off traditional makeup sponges, Lenz and Silva realized the potential of creating an applicator that was already rounded, providing better control and coverage. The light pink egg-shaped sponge is great for applying any brand of cream, liquid or powder foundations and blushes from Armani to Cover Girl. Eye shadows and finishing powders are also a breeze with the BB, which can be reused with a simple washing with its included soy-based cleanser, Blender Cleanser. Plus, there’s a benefit to throwing away your brushes and flat sponge applicators and switching to Beauty Blender.

“You know, she’s not going to last forever—it depends on how much you use her and everything,” Lenz said. “Once she’s flat and she doesn’t spring back as much anymore, send it back to us at the Blender Center Program and we recycle her into carpet fiber. So we take care of it from the cradle to the grave.”

Beauty Blender, which launches this year, will appear in Victoria’s Secret catalogs and is available online at BeautyBlender.net.

Perhaps one of the prettiest displays was that of Xtreme Lashes. Not your ordinary extensions, Xtreme offered individual lashes that required a three-hour application period. However, the waiting would be worth it—the look lasts for months!

The lashes come in a variety of colors, from simple black to black with purple, blue, red and white highlights, just to name a few.

“It’s literally like—it feels more weightless than mascara because it’s applied hair by hair,” said Norma, the training director. The lashes are custom-made and available to licensed cosmetologists across the country. For additional information or to get a glimpse of these gorgeous lashes, visit XtremeLashes.com

Darren was perhaps the most enthusiastic representative there, having prepared Blu for an official launch this year. Blu is a retail spa company with enticing beauty products (for both men and women) that, at the time of the Diamond Lounge, were not yet available in the United States. The items have established wide popularity through Internet sales and across the United Kingdom. From spray-on rosewater toner to anti-shine daily cream, the products they offer will find an anticipatory audience in Hollywood.

“It’s about beauty from the inside out,” Darren said about their merchandise, pointing out a natural fruit drink with antioxidants, which, with just one shot of juice per day, can deliver healthy skin. The assortment of day creams, facial masks, and gentle cleansers was enormous (requiring the entire back wall for the display), and the crowd couldn’t help but notice the wonderful but subtle aroma of the items. The company even developed a special lip gloss for the Oscars, with only 200 made.

The matting cream was especially nice, and well suited for the Hollywood crowd. Applied under or over makeup, it continuously absorbs oil throughout the evening, keeping the face shine-free but nonetheless radiant. Also available is an inexpensive skin care system called Anatomicals, whose slogan is “We only want you for your body.” It offers all-natural cleansers and creams for acne treatment, anti-aging, and sun protection. (It also has a hilarious statement on the bottle––in lieu of ‘how to use’ directions–––but you’ll have to order one to see!) Giving Good Head is a shampoo under the Anatomicals line, just so you get the idea. Visit Blu-Shops.co.uk for more information.

And finally, Dallas-based Christi Harris Products displayed a variety of items for both the body and home. From skin treatment to hair products to professional makeup to anti-aging to home products, CHP provides a comprehensive one-stop shop for beauty and beautiful living. President and CEO Harris, whose son Hunter manages the business side, decided to take a different approach for her Diamond Lounge booth.

“Well, at first we were going to showcase our makeup and cosmetic lines, but with all the vendors here doing that, we wanted to stand out a little bit more,” Christi said. “We are here to do hair for the celebrities tonight, and about 25 will be using our gel for the red carpet.”

Anti-aging and hair care products were the main items that the Hunters chose to display, as well as a linen spray that was absolutely fantastic while not overpowering. Her Volumizing Gel with its pleasant fragrance and amazing uplifting qualities is already making many celebrities happy. The gel is currently offered with a seven-piece hair treatment kit available at Victoria’s Secret and Nordstrom.

Experience has paid off for Christi, who also does national beauty seminars that offer tips for those who want to look better and for those who make the stars look stellar. For more than 30 years, she has been sharing her expertise and perfecting her professional-grade cosmetics throughout the United States. Her hair care line has been featured on television, including E! Entertainment Television, Inside Edition, and the 2005 International Emmy Awards and the 2006 Academy Awards official gift bags. For additional information about the CHP lines or to find locations to purchase, please visit ChristiHarris.com.

Well, that was a quick wrap-up of the 2006 Academy Awards Diamond Lounge Retreat that Agenda felt privileged to cover. While we profiled some standout vendors, listed below are others that kept the party moving, the celebrities happy, and are sure to make a mark this year on the fashion scene:

Mojito Island, “World’s Finest Mojito Mix”: Non-alcoholic flavored mixes available in regular and Blackberry. MojitoIsland.com (This url no longer belongs to this company).

Lucy B. Cosmetics, “The natural alchemy of beauty and healing”: All-natural, anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic beauty products made from fruit, flower, and herbal extracts. LucyBCosmetics.com.

Orientalism Los Angeles, “Furniture, Lighting & Accessories” provided the beautiful throw rugs, couches and sculptures featured at the vendors’ booths. OrientalismDeco.com (This url has moved.)

By Natalie Martin