DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE...
My personal style is unstable; I have so many different style of clothing, which allow me to create a plethora of looks. I favor a more 80’s and 90’s type of look day to day. I also like to add a futuristic/militant touch to my look as well. More recently I’ve been more casual than usual with my newfound love of trench coats!
WHAT ARE YOUR GO TO PIECES?
My go-to pieces is my studded shoulder army jacket by UNIF, my thrifted pilot jumpsuit, YSL trench coat, tan jungle boots, and my custom light wash distressed Levis.
WHO ARE YOUR TOP 5 STYLE ICONS?
​Rihanna, Jeremy Scott, Pharrell Williams, Iris Apfel, and Carmen Dell’Orefice.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?
My next move is to create my own Apparel brand and build my Youtube Channel.
WHERE CAN WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK?
Website: www.junkcs.com
IG: @dressed4thegods
FB: junkcotureShades
Youtube: Marshall Jackson
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
​Creativity is a freedom that can’t be taking away. It’s a right within in our nature. Don’t ever stop creating!

Draped up and dripped out is one way to describe the fabulous models in the Designer's Palace Valentine's Show produced by one of Cleveland's legendary designers, Dee Dee Tufts-Carter.  The show, held at the Ken Ferguson Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on February 12, 2017, was one of many shows produced by Ms. Dee Dee in the past forty two years and let me tell you- Ms. Dee Dee knows exactly how to entertain!

This was a formal, but laid back affair- perfect for the after church, greens in the pot on the stove, Gerald Levert/Charlie Wilson listening crowd. Women and men were dressed to express and impress in their Sunday's finest exotic skins, furs, leathers, big jewels and bright colors- the audience was just as lit as the models! Who not to be outdone, mingled and sparkled like expensive jewelry in their outfits from Ms. Dee Dee's collection and from Charlesie's Apparel and Accessories located in Columbus, Ohio.

Emceed by Patrick Washington, the hilarious fashion show commentator- the show was non stop entertainment! Models of every shape, size, color and age came out looking and feeling like money in designs that were made to be shown off. I mean from the time the first model strutted out til the last one danced off the stage- we were served haute high drama fashion on a platter and the audience ate up every drop!

Gold, glitter, and sequins, sexy fringe and tassels, stretch fabrics and liquid metallics, bursts of hot pink, reds, oranges and grape... Shimmer, sparkle and shine- asymmetrical, tea length, slits up to there, front out, back out...we were privy to one of a kind pieces shown by models that made those clothes SING ok?

The clothes were perfect and based around Ms. Dee Dee's signature, no zipper, no button, no wrinkle design theme and it was funny to hear Mr. Washington's good hearted shade (watch the videos below lol!) and suggestions on how, when and where to wear the garments being modeled. The show was lengthy with about four or five scenes including a hot and saucy lingerie scene and a sensual/awakening red scene- but every minute was thoroughly entertaining with food, singers and a special surprise appearance by Diane Linston- another Cleveland design legend - who presented Ms. Dee Dee with a cake and balloons during one of the intermissions.

It was such a moving moment to witness, especially for me for personally because I have known and looked up to both ladies for years (and I mean YEARS, they both came to my very first fashion show when I was still just a student back in 2010) and both have always looked out for me, checked up on me, always inquiring about how my business is going and just showing love and support at every moment. 

It was also so inspiring to see those two up there together because people always speak about jealousy and competition among women, and truthfully it is always there- especially in a small concentrated fashion industry here in Cleveland. But these two support each other, congratulate and understand that there is room for everybody in this game. And it was just a beautiful thing to see.

Overall the show was great, showcasing exciting wearable one of a kind fashions that could work for anybody type, and ya'll know I'm always down for that. Ms. Dee Dee has these shows often, so when you hear about the next one- I definitely think you should go! Get in touch with Dee Dee Tufts-Carter via Facebook for more information.

Designing since she was a little girl, Queen started taking her craft seriously in 2013. After receiving a big break from the designer behind New York based fashion brand Boujichick, Queen took off debuting her fashion and eyelash designs in Amherst, New York. Since then she has showcased in two New York Fashion Week (NYFW) shows, became an author (book coming soon) has a cameo appearance in Aftermath (478) an upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger movie and is soon to release her own mini movie! Shortly before her trip to this year's NYFW, Queen took the time to answer a few Fly Questions via email...

WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR TALENT?
I have always had an appreciation for the arts and participated in several, so I knew that I loved fashion and especially creating my own at an early age as a child.
​WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I don't really have spare time because I'm always working. Whether it is putting photo shoot productions together, writing poetry or books, doing my charity events, my filming projects (movies, videos & voice over projects for my poetry), fashion designing and lash creations, being an advocate for human rights and the list goes on.  But when I take time off, I usually spend time with my loved ones.
​WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRESS?
I would love to design for Janet Jackson, Serena Williams, Queen Latifah and of course the Queen Bey herself- Beyonce.

WHO ARE YOUR TOP STYLE ICONS?
I love Grace Jones' style because she is fabulously out side of the box with no rules and unapologetic and I love it!  I also love the style of R&B singer Monica, Janet Jackson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, Rihanna and  Beyonce.
FAVE FASHION MOVIE OR VIDEO?
I love Beyonce's videos as far as fashion goes, especially the song from the sound track Dream Girls.
​WHAT WAS YOUR FAVE OUTFIT GROWING UP?
My favorite outfit was this black and white dress with suspender like straps that I wore with my white half shirt and my 3 pairs of black and white lace socks with ankle boots.

WHOSE CLOSET WOULD YOU LIKE TO RAID?
I would love to raid Diana Ross's closet because I know she has wardrobe from the movie Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues which I love.
FAVE SONG TO GET READY TO?
I love listening to the great Whitney Houston song "Queen of the Night" when I'm getting ready for a fashion showcase and of course I love to listen to V. Bozeman and Remy Ma.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I would tell them to be themselves and never be afraid to share their vision in whatever they create and be unapologetic in what you create and share with the world

WHAT DOES FLY MEAN TO YOU?
Fly to me means something outrageously gorgeous and sexy.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?
I'm going to create a seriously over the top line especially for my Paris showcase in October and take that city by storm and hopefully have them love it and expand my designing career even further.
WHERE CAN WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK?
FB: Lea Gardner
FB: Queen's Fashion Glam Line & Queen's Glam Lashes Line
IG: Author Lea Marie
Website: www.queenofqueensproductions

My homegirl Jasmine Golphin wanted to test out her fancy new video camera and called on me to style a mini video. I'm always down to create and collaborate and after I learned the look and  location, I was able to come up with a vision in my head and I immediately called on Bella Shantel. Bella is a Cleveland model that I had worked with indirectly (while assisting on other shoots and fashion shows) but I never got the chance to style her myself. All that changed last week when she became available for the shoot!

I did not really have a specific theme, just the few words Jasmine threw out at me- vibrant, flowy, contrast and drama- so I built two looks around those ideas using a vintage red and white sequined jacket and a citrus colored tulle skirt from my wardrobe. Bella filled in the blanks by bringing me pieces from her own closet, I sprinkled a lil more sauce with my personal accessories and voila'! 

It was cold af and it decided to damn near blizzard while we filmed, but the whole time Bella literally kept her cool and never complained- a true professional! I played the background while Jasmine filmed, but I was still able to get a few dope photos, which you can see below- but first you have to check out this awesome video "In Living Color" that Jasmine shot, directed and edited!

#Blackgirlmagic