Gangsta and Gucci: How I Use Rap Music to Help Define My Fashion Styling...

"All Things Fly, Flashy & Fabulous Style Show" Models

My love for hip hop and rap music is equal to my love for fashion and style. Every chance I get, I try to combine the two to make something so fresh and unique that complete strangers get my point of view when they see my fashion styling work. I got the chance to do that on Friday, November 18th, at The Symposium NiteClub in Lakewood, when I was invited by Dj Jack da Rippa to produce a fall fashion set during the Tape Hustlers Invasion Tour. 

Once I confirmed, the next day I immediately sent out a group text to my models and started imagining how the show should go. With an audience full of hip hop heads thirsty for the main event- a rap battle, not my lil show lol- I knew I better not come with any type of prissiness or basic "fashion".

I decided to aim for an overall hip hop inspired street style look. With only a scoatch of glam lol...

The morning of the show I woke up super early, sent my son off to school and started scouring through my fashion wardrobe pulling out pieces that I thought I could add on to whatever my models were bringing me. But something felt off as I sat in the middle of the pile of glamorous chaos I had accumulated. I ran over to my CD player, rifled through my collection and popped in my old scratched up Down South Hustlers Bouncin' and Swingin Compilation CD (I love everything that has come through No Limit Records lol) and THEN proceeded to get work!

A video posted by AlltheFlyThings Fashion&Style (@alltheflythings) on Nov 18, 2016 at 7:50am PST

The juxtaposition of listening to dirty southern gangsta music while preparing for a fashion show or photo shoot puts my mind in a creative space that no other genre of music can. I need that sartorial clash of gangsta and Gucci, (the clothing brand, not the rapper- although I love him too lol) without it I feel like my styling would be boring and typical. I NEED to hear artists like Project Pat and Master P, the old Cash Money (back when they was an army, better yet a navy lol), UGK, and the Screwed Up Click while I'm putting together potential outfits.

It may sound narcissistic af, but I love producing my own shows because they hardly ever have anything to do with fashion. I am not a designer or boutique owner, so the only thing I have to sell is my styling skills. My models are told to bring a list of items from their own wardrobe and I style them via text messages, social media, and sometimes through a quick conversation.  I do the rest once the models arrive at the venue by adding my own pieces and utilizing style tricks like manipulating color, shape and texture. In a dark, dank underground spot like The Symposium- you better have some type of glitter, sparkle and shine lol.  

The club was small but I wasted no time turning that cramped back storage area into a styling and changing station for 11 models! We made it work and the show was amazing! My models did two outfit changes and literally twerked, dropped it, spinned and walked like Slayomi Campbell down the that makeshift runway!

They came out to "Too Much Sauce" by Future and "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd and did their final walk to the "I'm Bout It" by Master P instrumental. The crowd went in for them! I was on the stage watching the reciprocal love my models were giving and receiving from this crowd who at first were standing still in expectation and/or boredom, but now were rocking with and cheering my team on like they were the top headliners! The energy was exhilarating and the best part was just watching how much fun every single one of my models were having showing off their personal style and individuality which is the whole point of everything I do. 

A video posted by AlltheFlyThings Fashion&Style (@alltheflythings) on Nov 19, 2016 at 7:45am PST

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Jasmine: My homegirl is a full time director, who has modeled for me every now and again but this time she surprised me by not only slipping on a pair of high heels for her first outfit, but also DANCING in them! If you watched the (now deleted) Facebook Live all you heard was me screaming YAAAAASSSS lol.

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Danni: Seconds before the show started as the models were lining up for the first scene, the heel on Danni's greige thigh high open toe boots broke and everybody just froze wondering what she was going to do. They were perfect with her oversize camo jacket I had turned into a dress by cinching a belt around her waist, so I silently wondered too fr lol. All I know is she came out doing the slowest, sexiest model strut in that broke ass heel- she played it off so well and looked amazing in the process!

Denise: This was my first time working with Denise, but with her turnt up energy and go for it attitude she definitely had all eyes on her in both of her scenes and I loved it lol!

Harmoni: I have styled Harmoni for the past year in various live modeling workshops and each time she knows how to adapt to the environment. A true professional, I saw another side of her as she let loose on the runway and it was so much fun to watch!

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Jamecka- My girl from college brought her own style to the table literally hours before the show. She was another one of my models that danced down the runway and helped give the crowd a show! They loved her!

Tee Tee: I had to pretty much beg Tee Tee to be there over FB messenger about three hours before the show started. I wanted her there so bad though because she has gone through this amazing weight loss journey and I felt like she needed to celebrate herself and allow her self and personal style to be celebrated- and she did!

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Tiffany: Tiff has been rocking with me for so long she knows my styling preferences and works it with almost anything I put her in. Plus she knows how to mesmerize a crowd.

Mahogany: Mahogany is another model I have worked with closely all year and she keeps coming through for me. I love her style and it was easy to dress her for both scenes. And S/N I liiiived for her hair! I love a short sophisticated style, it fit her so well!

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Ashley: This designer wore her own designs down the runway and gave me that small dosage of high fashion glamour needed for a show of this type. She was like my secret weapon and closed the scenes out.

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Darvon: This guy brought the much needed sex appeal for the few women in the crowd. I love working with male models who know what to do and remain professional in all situations. Plus his walk is mean!

The House of Fly models

Liz: After five of my models canceled the day of the show I turned to Facebook and made a post requesting a few models for the night. Liz, who I had met after the Curve the Runway show in Columbus immediately messaged me and asked if she could be in it. I replied to her with a lol and was like "You know the show is in Cleveland right" She was like yeah- only two hours away... The next thing I knew, she had packed a bag, jumped in her car and was on the highway as I sent her the address to the venue. Ahem. And I am slightly ashamed to say that she actually beat me there lol. Yes, she drove two hours from Columbus, Ohio to Lakewood, Ohio, about 20 minutes from where I stay in Cleveland, and did her makeup in the car as she waited. I was in awe the whole time and could not believe that she actually showed up, but also went above and beyond her duties by helping me out once she got there.

Liz caught me styling in the back area before the show.

The House of Fly models

Last night was a #movie! I played both #costumer and #director and my #models were the #stars! They walked, danced and stunted for a tough #Hiphop crowd and #killedit and the crowd went in for every single one of them!! Thanks @djjackdarippa for the opportunity! #styledbysilk #thehouseofflybyladysilk #style #fashion #clevelandfashion #clevelandfashionstylist #clevelandmodels #clevelandfashionblogger #fashionblogger #styleblogger #instavideo #fashionstylist #thesymposium #lakewood

A video posted by AlltheFlyThings Fashion&Style (@alltheflythings) on Nov 19, 2016 at 6:17am PST

It was a great way to close out a wonderful year of fashion and styling for The House of Fly by Lady Silk LLC! I had many opportunities, met so many different people, grew my blog, enjoyed new experiences and I cannot wait to see what the new year brings. And yes, I know we still have a month left to go, but I will spend most of December chilling, reflecting and preparing for the next year. Thank you so much to everyone who has read along and supported my fashion adventures throughout the year!