Perspectives

10 QUESTIONS: THE FUR KING

2010-01-13T18:38:04Z

Words by Jerris Madison

Photo Jaynes Levitt CLICK IMAGE FOR PDF VERSION

Where are you from?
Bergen County Teaneck, NJ

What inspires you everyday to wake up in the morning?
My children, the woman of my life and life in general wakes me up in the morning.

Why did you decide to do a ‘Fur’ collection for men and women?
I felt like the industry needed change and I had the perfect product for it. I figured that I would design something for myself and see the outcome. It worked!

What would you say is your ‘Signature’ design?
My signature designs features quality fur mixed with leather, wool, and plaids.

Who are your favorite designers? Why?
Ralph Lauren, Versace, Giorgio Armani and Hugo Boss. All of them represent class.

Who are your clients?
The public, the streets. I’m a designer to the streets.

Your mentors(s)?
My father and my brother.

How important is having a great team?
It’s very important to have a great a team. Without one, you can’t achieve your dreams or vision. Loyalty is very important to me.

What is your definition of success?
My definition of success is having a sound mind and knowing what your next move is. A successful person can make a way out of nothing because of their passion about what they believe in.

Random: If you opened your refrigerator, what is the first thing I would see?
Ginger Ale...LOL!

Follow The Fur King
www.twitter.com/thefurking

ART: SIMPLE AS THAT

2009-07-02T22:50:55Z

Mateo De La Harris is a Jamaican born, New Yorker, who understands quality and detail. His collection of fine and unique jewelry (art) is designed for the man (women too) who want something different and not too trendy. Each piece is carefully designed with its own personality. What's impressive about this collection is the use of varies stones, metals and the exquisite architecture.

"Having no formal training and experience in jewelry making, I have the relentless ability to create art (jewelry) can only be described as 'A Gift of GOD'. I have created Mateo Bijoux as an expression of the beauty I see everyday and a deep held desire to share this beauty to all whom I love." says Mateo.

Whether you're a high profile person or just appreciate great art in jewelry form, Mateo Bijoux's collection fit you. This is reinvention.

www.mateobijoux.com

Click to view:

PREtty FAB Homes

2009-07-02T20:37:23Z

by Jerris Madison, Creative Director

Are you looking to have your dream home custom built at your leisure? Its ECO-Friendly home with high-efficiency lighting, neighbor friendly while being built, lower water consumption, EnergyStar appliciances and ready to move in 3-4 months; all for under $350,000 or less. Sounds good? Stillwater Dwellings can make this your reality and more.

Still Water Dwellings is a Prefab home manufacture in Seattle, Washington. Stillwater Dwellings was founded by 2 architects, and 1 builder/ex-developer on these Fundamental Beliefs:

Quality, contemporary, prefabricated homes do not need to be expensive
Building a new home should be fun, not stressful
Eco-friendly building is not a luxury, it is our responsibility
Construction costs can (and should) be predictable. Careful, thorough planning and intelligent building processes make this possible.
Less ‘house’, more ‘home’

Stillwater Dwellings' Brad Conway was kind enough to answer these questions:

How did you come up with the name "Stillwater Dwellings"?

We wanted a name that represented our home styles well. Our homes have always been focused on having an understated elegance about them, and we've always believed our homes and our company culture have a calming, serene feel about them. We felt the name Stillwater really symbolized that feeling. Our homes are different than most, and we felt our name should be as well.

CiCi KELLEY: DANCING QUEEN

2009-07-01T16:52:56Z

Story by Omari J. Faulkner
Photography by Jerris Madison www.jerrismadison.com

Choreography: The art of symbolically representing dancing.

Atlanta native CiCi Kelley understands that hard work and determination are the keys to longevity in an industry that is very demanding both mentally and physically.

When music lovers see their favorite recording artists do choreographed moves, dances or routines, CiCi is the brain behind-the-scenes who helps propel artists to the next level in entertainment. Her clients achieve memorable performances that reflects the emotions associated with the song. She has had the privilege to work with Beyonce, Tina Turner, Outkast, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Farnsworth Bentley, Musiq, Tyler Perry and A Tribe
Called Quest, just to name a few.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with CiCi Kelley to discuss her career in choreography from where it all began to the tremendous amount of success she now experiences.

To many you are known as CiCi, what is that short for?
Yes, CiCi is short for Cicely.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. I'm a "Georgia Peach" through and through.

Where did you train to dance and why in that city?
I was trained in Atlanta by some of the most amazing teachers and professionals in the industry. I had old school training. My teachers demanded a lot from me, especially when they noticed my drive and talent. I then continued my training in Philadelphia at the University of the Arts. That school, along with the city itself, truly perfected my craft and exposed me to so many different genres of dance. Philly also helped to develop me as choreographer as well.

What do you love about dancing?
What I love about dancing is the fact that it gives me the space to be free. I can channel all of my emotions through my craft. When I'm feeling bad and can not figure out the words to express myself, I do it through dance. It's truly remarkable when someone can understand your emotions through your movements. Dance is a beautiful, universal language.

How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I have been in entertainment industry for a little over ten years now. I started as a freshman in high school. My first big break was when I was 16 and got the opportunity to dance for Tina Turner at the Super Bowl. The "bug" bit me hard after that!

Where can we view your body of work?
My work can actually be viewed on my website www.cicikelley.com. Currently, I have two 'MADE' shows running on MTV, and of course you can watch the music videos I've worked on anytime. YouTube!

What inspires you to stay focused on your goals?
My inspiration comes from various aspects of my life. I've learned that I go through phases within my actual artistry. For example, currently, everything I choreograph, I want it to be from a more emotional standpoint. I'm not using too many steps, just simple movements that are true to the intended emotion. I also like telling stories with my creations. To me, it keeps the choreography fresh, and makes it mean so much more.

When you are having a not-so-good day, what do you do?
When I have one of “those” days I really like to go into a big open space, turn on any music that relates to my mood and lie down in the middle of the floor with the music blasting. I don't know why, but it helps to center me and bring me back to one.