America’s Next Top Model Week 9

The models arrive in Morocco this week. They toured all of the hot spots.
 Marrakech is a beautiful and colorful city often used for photo shoots.
 My personal highlight of week #9 was seeing my fashion god Andre Leon Talley
throughout the entire show. When the girls arrived at the designers showroom, 
he was there waiting for them. They walked in and his first reaction was,
 "I hope those are your travel clothes. You look dreadful",
 to a group of aspiring models. Imagine that! My look has to be fierce at all times.
 You never know who you may meet on a plane and especially on the streets of NY. 
I have been stopped before by a photographer for an impromptu picture, 
I stay picture perfect. The photo shoot was in the desert on top of a camel. 
Molly was still complaining about any and everything but she took the best photo. 
From a stylist point of view, I couldn't pick just one quote because several
 stood out to me during Molly's critique.

 Andre' Says
TM

"Do you see the message in the clothes?"
"This is a dramatic picture it's a story. It has a narrative. I see the message of a high fashion princess."
When I'm styling an editorial or photo shot my job as a stylist is to answer that question 
with a resounding YES!!!!!!!! So in my opinion the message can be conveyed by a 
stylist but the model is there to bring the story to life. Like a marriage they walk
 hand in hand. FYI. I am working on a very special blog in honor of Andre' Leon Talley.
I want you all to see why I love him so much. 

TTYL,
Miquelle

America’s Next Top Model Wk 8

The models will be traveling toMorocconext week, but the go-sees where done inL.A.  My favorite ANTM weeks are the trips to other countries and getting familiar with unfamiliar designers abroad. Since the go-sees were local not really much to blog about so I will move straight to the photo shoot.

Week #8 featured an Eco Friendly fashion shoot with designs by Eco Friendly Couture designer Michael Cinco. The models wore custom made designs which I thought were amazing. The catch to the shoot was the location a garbage dump. Yuk! Since the shoot was eco-friendly I think a recycling plant site would have been a better choice but that’s just my artistic opinion.

Alexandrian stepped her game up winning best photo and the go-see challenge. At panel she wore a Chanel inspired No.1 t-shirt (that’s kinda in your face) and she received my pick of best critique from Andre Leon Talley.

TM

“The star of the picture. The birds, the poop, the funk didn’t take over.”

My response…

When everyone around you wants to see you fail, it’s all about focus. No matter what you are doing in life to achieve the best results, you have to stay focused at all times.Alexandriastood in the midst of garbage with one goal on her mind, nailing the shot.

On another note… One thing that has been consistent this season, the good girls are being sent home and the bad girls remain. I am not sure what message that sends with this cycle of Mean Girls. I thought for sure Molly was taking her miserable self home this week. I think everyone should be tired of hearing her complain. That’s all for now.

TTYL,

Miquelle

America’s Next Top Model (Week 1)

I’ve been a fan of America’s Next Top Model since season one. While watching I imagine myself sitting on the panel as a guest judge or even behind the scenes styling the models. It’s Ok for a girl to dream, but dreams are to be worked towards not waited on.  Therefore, each week I will bring my dream to life in my blog for season 16.   It takes lots of creativity to keep viewers watching after 15 seasons.   I like how Tyra ditched her regular casting segment and continues her quest to find the next Super Model with her hand picked girls.This season opened with a runway show featuring designs from Alexander Wang‘s diffusion line “T” by Alexander Wang.  I remember when he launched his first ready-to-wear collection in 2007.  Some people take the stairs, he’s taking the elevator to the top but that’s another blog.  Anyway, the model’s had to literally walk on water inside of a plastic bubble.  A difficult task I’m sure for the most experienced model, so you know these girls struggled but it made good entertainment.And! Andre’ Leon Talley returns for a second season as a panel judge (love love him) but I am sure you already know that.  I always pay homage to him.  A man from such humble beginnings but when you hear him speak, he sounds like a born aristocrat.  He speaks with such eloquence and if you pay close attention you can learn a thing or two about fashion.

™

This week Andre’ Says ™ …”Tyra would you ever go to a go-see wearing a midriff?” ( When Molly shows up at ellimination wearing a midriff top.)  My response, No model that wants to be taken seriously should show up at a go-see or casting call wearing a midriff.  A go-see is considered a job interview for a model, so you shouldn’t show up half naked.

TTYL,

IAMFASHIONNYC

Allow me to reintroduce myself

Allow me to reintroduce myself…… My name is Miquelle West. I chose the name I AM FASHION for my blog because it best describes who I am and what I represent. I was born into the world of fashion. I left Providence Hospital wearing Baby Dior. I developed a sense of style and love for high-end designers at a very early age. I was rocking Louis Vuitton as a toddler; Chanel and Fendi bags in grade school. I’ve always been the go to person for my friends when it comes to fashion advice. While reading a UK fashion magazine, I ran across a tag line, “You’re nobody in fashion unless you’ve got a blog.” My BFF Robin from Nice, France has been trying to convince me to start a fashion blog for months. I am definitely somebody in fashion, so I finally see his point. I don’t think it’s fair to those in the fashion blogosphere to appear out of no where blogging without offering any insight into my life as a true FASHIONISTA.

My journey began…..
When, I first stepped on the runway at four years old as the star child model in adult only fashion shows. I did lots of back to school and holiday shows for retailers. I only reached 5ft 3 in height, so modeling wasn’t in my future. But I do occasionally sit for fashion design students. In high school, my guidance counselor encouraged me to pursue a career in the fashion industry. I embellished jeans to earn extra money to move to N.Y.C. after I graduated. I took fashion design classes at Parsons while working full time for a luxury goods company. I worked my way up from a sales associate with sales exceeding one million yearly to an accessories manager. Here’s a quick run down of my resume. Freelance stylist, TV, movies, magazine shoots, fashion shows, video shoots, visual displays, fashion designer and of course luxury goods (retail). My mentor is one of the best in the business Patricia Field. I interned with her for 5 years to learn every thing about styling and costume design. I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I have to tell you….. I ROCK!

Now, I am adding fashion blogger to my list of accomplishments. When I think about my passion for fashion…. All I can say is many have been chosen, but I was called to do this! I am feeling inspired to be able to communicate on a global level and offer a fresh, new point of view on ALL things fashionable with my blog.
Please follow me on twitter/@IAMFASHION. I will be taking fashion related questions on twitter and posting the responses on my blog. To my fellow bloggers…. I can’t wait to meet you. There is plenty of room at the top, so I hope you welcome me into your world as I have you into mine.