Ok True Fashionistas, if you are truly into fashion then you know this young lady and her contribution to the street swag that was popular in the hip hop world of the 90’s. If you are not familiar with the awesome talent that is April Walker, allow this to be your first introduction to a style icon that people like Tupac Shakur, Jay Z, Diddy, Naughty by Nature, and so many countless other celebrities embrace by wearing her clothing and making her brand one of the greatest names to hit the streets of NYC.

April Walker is a designer that hails from Brooklyn (originally from LA) and she started her first urban apparel brand “Walker Wear” fresh out of school, at age twenty-two, landing accounts such as Macy’s, Footlocker, Spiegel, Finish Line, Dayton’s, and Dillard’s which is greatly impressive for a young lady that is in the beginning of her career. Walker has also worked as a VP at Phat Farm, managing the growth and all of the licensees. She implemented a women’s division for And-1 from “mind to marketplace”. She’s consulted for brands such as Ecko, Champion, Russell athletics, Vivian Kay, Idg, Money Clothing, and business outreach center network, a micro-enterprise and business development organization. Are you beyond impressed?

True to my nature as a fashionista, I felt it extremely necessary to connect you all with some of the history of hip hop style, so I caught up with the awesome lady of street fashion and chatted it up about her decision to get into the world of fashion, how she changed her mind about being a gymnast and what she is doing now to keep the hip hop world connected to the fashion community.

Who is April Walker? 

April Walker is a female designer in a predominately male business that trail blazed the urban/street wear fashion category that commanded over $200 billion by 2004. 

I have always had a love for the art of sewing! It is amazing to see what a designer/seamstress can do with a simple peice of fabric and it is also interesting to think about the fact that everyone has their own designing style.

Saturday, I began a new chapter in my fashion world. I am now getting professional sewing lessons. Yes, I did know how to do simple sewing techniques, but now I am learning how to eventually create my own sewing designs that one day I may be able to share with all of you! With all that said I am happy to introduce "My Sewing Reality"!

What is my sewing reality? Well, it is like my "blogairy" of my sewing journey. For 13 weeks, I will be journaling my sewing experience with Blu and Dahlia, owners of the non-profit organization Breakfree and owners of the cool fashion boutique, The Red House. Here I will show your pictures of my creations, quick tips I learned, and overall my experience making the items that I will be adding to my clothing collection!

I hope that enjoy my journey and that it inspires you to make a move on what you love to do!

To learn more about the Redhouse and Breakfree visit: www.bludahlia.net

Hey Fashionistas:

Within a lifetime, we will always encounter someone that is a child genius, and I think that I have met that girl! I would like to introduce you to my girl Jazmin Brown. She is a 13 year old designer that is making a mark in the fashion industry as she creates designs to please the eye. Starting out in the fashion world as a model at the age of seven, she found an interest in designing and she had her first New Jersey Fashion Week debut and she was a hit.

I had the chance to chat it up with the fashionista and check out what she had to say about her interest in fashion and where she sees herself in the next 5 years.

YHC: Who is Jazmin?

My name is Jazmin and I am a 13 year old tween model/fashion designer.  I love to watch TV, hang out with friends, watch my basketball games (they call me Coach Brown, lol), play volleyball, etc.

YHC: How long have you been modeling and designing clothes?

Jazmin: I have been modeling, and competing in runway competitions and scholarship pageants since I was 7 years old.  I have been designing for about a year now.

YHC: Why did you become interested in designing clothes?

Jazmin: I became interested in designing clothes from watching my designer making my clothes for competitions.  Being backstage looking at other designers work really encouraged me also.

About a month ago, fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli was interviewed for Vogue UK, by Colin McDowell where the well established stated the possibility that because he is a straight male, he has a better advantage at making better women's clothing. Read interview below:

Hey Fashionistas!

Want to make a statement with glasses? Well, I found some really cute glasses by Dezign Your Idenity with a unique flair and they are all created by two young designers from Philadelphia named Dez and Stefan.

Not only do they make custom made glasses, but shoes as well. Check out some of Eyedentity Customs that range from $35-$125 below!

What do you think of 'Dezign Your Idenity'?

Wouldn't you love to win one of these cool gifts?

To see more of their products check out their facebook page:

www.facebook.com/pages/Dezign-Your-Idenity/169750709704069

Today, I am still celebrating Earth Day and in doing so, I want to share an interview with you about a couple of designers that I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing for quite some time.

I first met with designers, Nyce and Homm, when they were having a casting call for their fashion show here in Philadelphia. I had never been in a fashion show quite like theirs and it was one that I will NEVER forget. They place was packed and they were displaying one-of-a-kind designs that were made out of… TRASH!!! That’s right! No I don’t mean the trash that you get out of the garbage, but they were made of unused and recyclable materials that can be used to make just about anything. As the saying goes, one mans trash is another mans treasure.

Well, their clothing was colorful, funky and full of creativity. When I walked down the runway, the combination of me in their clothing, commanded the viewing audiences attention. I have been a supporter of their clothing since that day in 2007.

Now the designing team of Jeantrix is funkier that ever with their new 3D line of fashion. They are bringing styles to you from their cartoon, futuristic minds, to the runways and straight to your choice of media escape.

Their clothes have been recently seen on the advertisement for Lisa Raye’s reality show. Her daughter, Kai Morae, is wearing a Jeantrix colorful bustier. Celebrities such as Dondria, Teyana Taylor, Fat Joe, Jackie Long, Lola Luv, Dj Diamond Kuts (host of BET’s ‘the deal’), Rasheeda, Lisa Raye, and Audrey Kitching have all been seen wearing their clothing. Many business owners, celebrities, and v.i.p. have also requested to be personally styled by the designers.

Many publications have featured the clothing line including the L.A. Times, Bermuda’s Royal Gazette, Elle  and Life & Style magazines just to name a few.

Needless to say, Jeantrix is doing it and doing it big. What most caught my attention was their campaign to raise money for the people of Japan. They created a line of Tees and 3D heart pendants that say “Pray for Japan” in order to raise money and donate to the Red Cross.

I chatted it up with the duo to learn a little more about what they do and what they have planned for the future so read on Fashionistas and get inspired!

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YHC: Where did you get the name Jeantrix?

JT: When we first started making clothing, we reconstructed a lot of jeans. We would often say our jeans were doing tricks, hence the name Jeantrix. It's corny we know… lol.

YHC: How long have you been designing?

JT: We started out in 2003 with one pair of sneakers. In 2004, we started the line and the rest is history!

YHC: When did you realize you had a passion for designing clothes?

JT: We have always had an interest in clothing ever since we were younger. Nyce discovered this passion when he was in middle school. Homm discovered this passion a little later in his first year of college.

YHC: What is it like to be partners?

JT: Every good business needs business partners! Our ideas flow together into a melting pot of randomness. We clash at times, just like any two friends, but we always find a steady medium for compromise.

YHC: What happens when you have a conflict in ideas?

JT: When we have a conflict of ideas we negotiate and go with the better idea. Sometimes we combine ideas to create an even better concept, but it always works out in the end.

YHC: What inspires you?

JT: Our inspiration isn't limited to any one particular thing. We can get inspired from anything from trash to buildings. Our biggest inspirations are comic books and super heroes.

YHC: What do you have planned for 2011?

JT: We can’t reveal too much because a lot of it is in the works at the moment and some things aren't 'set in stone'. A few goals we have for this year are: getting into Vogue magazine, working with many more celebrity stylists, and the debut of our entire 3D collection in Philadelphia.

YHC: Who is someone you want to wear your clothing and why?

JT: We would like to work with a lot of people, but if we had to name one that is living we would say Madonna. She has always been ahead of her time when it comes to her style and our clothing would be a perfect match for her!

YHC: Who are your biggest supporters?

JT: It's hard to say who our biggest supporters, who we call 'Jeantrix Junkies', are. We are getting a lot of love from the New York and DMV areas right now from people aged 13-35.

YHC: What was it like seeing your work in Elle Magazine?

JT: It was a dream come true! We were in awe and quiet surprised because we weren’t expecting to be in there at all! We are truly grateful for that accomplishment.

YHC: What can people expect from Jeantrix in the future?

JT: People can expect the unexpected! We have many different collections coming in the next few years that all flow together. Each collection is a continuation from the previous one.

YHC: What are some of the things that you did to begin your career?

JT: We began our career when we did a fashion show in 2006. At that show, we met many people that helped us on our journey, who we are still friends with day. After that we were requested to be in many different shows. At one point, we were doing fashion shows every week until the name of the company started to buzz.

YHC: What were some of the obstacles that you encountered when beginning your designing career?

JT: We never really encountered any obstacles. When it came to our company, nothing was going to stand in the way of our dream!

YHC: Do you have any advice for designers out there?

JT: Our best advice would be to just be you! Never copy anyone else’s designs, which will defeat the purpose of being a designer! Stay Positive, trust your instincts, and don't let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

Be sure to check out Jeantrix at: www.jeantrix.com or www.jeantrixclothingco.blogspot.com!

Let them know that YHC sent you!

Fashion Designer, Diane Von Furstenberg (64) was harmed during a ski trip with her husband Barry Diller in Aspen.

Accoring to WWD, the designer said:

"Barry and I were skiing happily. Some Brazilian man, who could not ski, lost control and went straight at me, hitting me badly on my face and ribs with his camera."

The designer was immediately rushed to a hospital and then flown to UCLA where she was treated for a broken nose and facial fractures. Oh my goodness!

Heal soon Miss Diane!!!