Sunday, September 27, 2009

New work...Custom Cuffs for E. Badu.


Erykah Badu has been one of my top clients for 10 years.
She and I are both intrigued by spiritual teachings
and symbols of enlightenment.
Below are images of the Khepera Cuff bracelets
I recently crafted for her by hand. Also known as Scarab,
large dung beetles from the eastern Mediterranean
and regarded as sacred in Ancient Khamit/Egypt.
Khepera is the manifestation of the rising sun,
rolling the sun along the sky.
Khepera also has the attributes of
self generation, self renewal and to become.

Cuffs are made of Sterling Silver with a
high polish finish.

I design a pattern to fit her wrists perfectly before
cutting the final pieces out of metal.

Below are images of Badu wearing classic
LWest pieces I designed custom for
her throughout the years. She owns dozens
more that I'll share during my
Vault page launch coming soon..

The first pair of leather cuffs I designed for Badu.
Tan fish cuffs with burned engraving.
She wore these for almost two years straight during
the Mamas Gun Tour.

On stage over seas wearing the
Grey Leather Stitched Fish Cuff Bracelets.

Custom Astro Pisces Pendant in Copper,
worn during the filming of the
Dave Chappelle Block Party movie in Brooklyn.

Badu pictured here wearing the first
generation prototype Nipple Bangles in Copper.

The 3rd generation design...perfection!
Available for purchase at www.tashawest.com

Ladder Copper cut out Cuff Bracelets.
One of her all time favorites she purchased two pairs.

Copper Hammered Ripped Cuff Bracelets.
very elegant and organic.















Saturday, September 26, 2009

Salon du Shine x M.A.D x The Toledo's Part 2.


The Fashion Institute of Technology Museum curated a
remarkable showcase of Isabel Toledo's fashion designs
from the years 1985 -2009. Even Michelle Obama's
Inauguration dress was on view. Suspended from the ceilings
surrounding Isabel's garments was Ruben Toledo's
Illustrations documenting each garment displayed.
I would like to give a special thanks to Michaela Angela Davis,
long time friends of the Toledo's for hosting the private
walk through and talk with the first couple of fashion.

Michelle Obama's Inauguration day dress.

Barack and Michelle Obama shine!

One of Isabel's' most popular silhouettes.

A peek at a portion of the collections shown at the
Fashion Institute of Technology Museum Gallery.
Look above, Ruben's illustrations hover
over his wife Isabel's work.
A match made in heaven and on earth!

Me with Michaela Angela Davis host of Salon du Shine.

Isabel, Myself and Ruben!
They are two of the most creative, intelligent,
warm, informative, and fun people I have ever met.

25 years and counting of their devotion to
art, design and love for one another.

Divine partnership a marriage between two souls
and their visions! An artist dream!

It was a pleasure to finally meet Andrea Pippins,
artist, graphic designer and expert blogger.
I'm a big fan of her blog www.flygirls.typepad.com

Click on the title post to view more history
of the tremendous Art of Ruben Toledo.



FNO x Isabel and Ruben Toledo Part 1.


Hello lovelies I'm back to share my two weeks of adventure.
First up was my Fashion Night Out experience at
Barneys New York with fashions first couple,
(Fashion Designer) Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Artist/Illustrator).
The Toledo's have pioneered the fashion business for over 25 years.
Isabel's claim to main stream fame came when Michelle Obama
wore the Toledo's lemon grass silk ensemble to
President Barack Obama's Inauguration day.
You may have seen Ruben's whimsical artwork in the pages of
Vogue Magazine and Nina Garcia's; The Black Book of Style,
The One hundred and Style Strategy.
Check out my portrait below by Ruben Toledo that
he sketched in my copy of Fashion From the Inside Out.
Once in a lifetime!!!

The finished gift a personalized portrait of me
and autograph from Ruben and Isabel Toledo.

Isabel Toledo's book Fashion from the Inside Out.
A testament to her design genius featuring the
exquisite Illustrations by her husband Ruben Toledo.

Ruben Toledo signed and did portraits of each individual that
purchased Isabel's new book. Isabel followed with her
autograph in each book with a smile!

A fun black number by Isabel Toledo sold at
Barneys New York.
Click the title of the post above to discover
more of Isabel Toledo's fashion designs.

Ashaka and I strike a pose while Rebecca's behind the lens.
Its almost our time to meet the legends!

Ruben begins his Illustration of me!
So exciting to watch the master at work.

Almost done!

Ruben said, "I wish I had more time, I love all this hair!"

We chatted up about Art, Design, Life and Love!

One of the best moments ever...The crew poses with the
Toledo's they had just as much fun with us as we did with them.
Left to Right; Me, Isabel, Ruben, Rebecca, and Ashaka.

A quick stop at Bendel's. I loved the banners
hung high from the ceilings...very inspiring words.

Me wearing the TW Asea Brass Bib Necklace
it topped off my outfit!

Last stop of the evening was at Apt to say farewell for a year
to our sister friend Jessica Castro, dancer extraordinaire,
she's on the worldwide tour with the Black Eyed Peas.
Can you believe we all met at F.I.T. back in 94-95
and still going strong.

DJ Cato taking a break from spinning his eclectic mix of beats.
BTW he's a client to...
DJ Cato wears his custom 14k LWest classic 45 pendant.
He never leaves home without it!






Sunday, September 13, 2009

Patience is a virtue...Fashion Week is here!


Hello lovelies I hope your enjoying
this glorious and beautiful Sunday!
Yes it is Fashion Week and I've been enjoying
the festivities immensely thus far!
I have so much to cover and share with you.
I'll be back soon with my coverage
from my Fashion Night out festivities along
with the past weeks events and commissions
So stay tuned! Thank you for your patience! xo