Romeo Hunte Fall/Winter 2019

As we simmer down Fashion Week, RomeoHunte turns up the heat with his electrifying Autumn2019 collection! The luxurious outerwear, and his play on urban streetwear gave a whole new meaning to “Downtown Chic”. Romeo continues to elevate his brand, using Christian Louboutin as a go-to accessory for this year’s runway show makes him a major force in the fashion industry!

I was lucky enough to get some amazing behind-the-scenes footage, and a close look at some of Romeo’s designs before it hit the runway. I lost my mind when I saw the brick wall detail fur poncho, with graffiti writing (using words like DRIP and SWAG). INSANE!... Not to mention the half denim half grey big body fox fur jacket with mink graffiti, and purple leather gloves. And who can forget the gorgeous puppies gracing the catwalk. He paired the cutest pups with the foxiest furs, creating an unimaginable runway show, and a major moment in pop-culture! Romeo definitely reminded me why I love fashion so much!

Im so proud of my dog Barkley! His first fashion show!

Click Here to see my favorite look from the show

Romeo Hunte Men's Spring 19

Romeo Hunte dominated the scene with his first ever Ready-to-Wear Men’s collection at the Dream Hotel in Manhattan. This groundbreaking collection was motivated by his signature reference to Brooklyn street style with a luxurious twist. Romeo’s innovative designs and forward thinking collections makes him the most sought after designer.

Although Romeo’s shows are always a success, this show was one for the books as he mixed fashion forward garments with contemporary swimwear finish. His play on the ever growing Social Media trend was groundbreaking, using popular emojis and cool hashtags created fun and unexpected twist to modern day sportswear; and his mixed media outerwear pieces put him in a league of its own.

As always after any show I want to know: How do you feel, and what are you most excited about? Watch below for Romeo’s response...

Click here to view my favorite looks!

What Happens in Paris

Over the past few days, I have been trying to come up with a way to describe the magical series of events that happened during my stay in Paris, France. I planned what I hoped would be the most amazing, creative, and enjoyable photo shoot that I had ever completed, and for the most part it was. The theme was "Parisian Barbie" and I was prepped for weeks — my team had every detail spelled out to the T because it was supposed to be a sensation! When the day came, my stomach was bouncing with a ball of anxiety. I could not wait to land in one of the most beautiful places in the world and shoot with my 2 best friends: Sasha Payton, a fantastic Model and Event Planner, and Jamie Costello, a Shoe Designer and Lead Stylist on this project. But if you know me, I’m sure you know things did not go quite as planned. So instead of telling the story of all the great things that happened, I will tell you the real story broken down by all of my unfortunate chain of events.

For starters, upon arriving to the airport, Jamie and I were trying to check-in when we found out our flight was delayed almost 4 hours. Some people may say “oh that’s not to bad” but the gotcha was, I had a meeting with Sasha and one of the designers whose product I was shooting at 11am and could not inform them because my phone died. Jamie left her charger at my house, and I packed mine in my suitcase which I’d already checked in! SMFH! Once we arrived, Sasha greeted us with a friendly “bonjour” but quickly gathered me for not calling her until we arrived at the airport. We quickly dropped off our things and rushed to this amazing cafe in the heart of Le Marias. After ironing out all of the details with the designer, I just wanted to go back and rest because I was soooo exhausted and slightly hungover from that stupid flight.

Friday morning we arrived at the first shooting site — Hotel Les Dames du Pantheon. It was beautiful; our view was facing the actual Pantheon building, and the wall of the room had the most amazing Asian artwork I had ever seen. We thought it was perfect for the dress we were shooting - an amazing brown dress by Tamika Wilkins. The director of the hotel was also the coolest ever, he was so accommodating. He literally provided any and everything we needed to get the perfect shoots. That shoot went well but only lasted for about 45 minutes because we wanted to get some shots in front of the Pantheon building. We got outside and began shooting the second look, we were on a roll, and everything was perfect! We started to prep to shoot the third look when Jamie looked at me and said “I left part of the outfit back at the apartment”. I stayed perfectly calm and didn’t overreact at all. Ok, imagine that! I was PISSED. Everything was going so smooth, the weather was beautiful and the lighting was perfect. However, we were 30 minutes from home and could not go back. SMFH.

Saturday morning came and I was geeking about shooting at the next few locations. We landed a spot in the courtyard at the Louvre Museum. I wanted to shoot inside but I’m sure you know how that went. Lol.. I was ready, we were shooting all of our “lifestyle” looks which is my favorite thing to do. We knocked out our first look! It was this insane black rose top by TerelleTerelle. Like before, we got through the first look with a breeze. I was hype, the shoots were coming out great. There were people all over watching us; it was a rush I never felt before! As we were getting ready for the second look, Jamie struck again! I was doing a lighting test for the second look when I noticed Jamie shuffling through the bag. I knew something was wrong by the look on her face. Sasha and I looked at each other and said “oh shit not again”.. Jamie turned to us and said “I left the skirt to the other look at the apartment”. At this point, I couldn’t even be mad. Don’t you know when you are so pissed off all you could do is laugh? Well we all looked at each other and fell out!!! We laughed so hard we started to tear. It was ridiculous! How could she, Sasha and I both told her to make sure she had everything; but it wouldn’t be Jamie if she didn’t leave something again.

The second site was by far my favorite! We rented the top of a carousel located in the front of The Hotel de VILLE. It was perfect — the looks were ready, we had our spot secured and all we needed to do was pay. Sasha was chatting with the owner while I was in the back looking for my wallet. Jamie was standing in the corner looking at me strange knowing I did something wrong. Child I left my damn wallet and had to go all the way back home to get it. Luckily Sasha lives a few block away so I gave myself the pass, but no one else did! They were so over me! Once we got started, it was instantly a moment. We were on some America’s Next Top Model shit. I was Nigel Barker, Sasha was Tyra Banks, and Jamie was somewhere on her phone taking pics of herself. With all the people watching, and that carousel going around like that, it was crazy! Sasha was killing it. I do have to say it was the most exhilarating experience ever!

Sunday quickly came. And I was not excited at all. After the past few debacles, I know some shit was bound to happen. We were shooting at this incredibly beautiful church, Sacre-Coeur Basilicia, located at the top of Montmartre, and also the second highest point in Paris. Before leaving, Sasha and I made sure we had everything. I was not going to rely on you know who. We arrived at the church and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! Standing at the bottom of that hill looking up at that enormous church really made me emotional. Those happy emotions took a slight turn once we started walking up the hill with camera equipment and bags of clothes. Four hours later, we finally made it to the top, and we were all gasping for air and dripping sweat. To top it off, there were people everywhere. I was so nervous I was not going to get the perfect shot with so many tourist, police, nuns, and priests walking around; I started to shut down. However, this location turned out to be EVERYTHING! The crowd of people watching actually motivated me, I mean I was rolling on the ground, flipping upside-down, and doing anything to get a good picture. I like to think it was God watching over me because He knows I would have gone to hell if I had started freaking out in front of this church.

So if you are still reading and wondering what ever happened with the 2 looks we couldn’t shoot due to Jamie’s mishaps, we found the perfect location outside of Norte-Dame and it all worked out! Overall, I would not change a thing. This experience was unimaginable, we pushed ourselves in ways i didn’t think was possible. And the best part about it was, I got to do it with my 2 besties.

Until next time,

Stylish Manner

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Staying sexy for your significant other!

The other day I watched my girlfriend get ready for a date with her husband, and let me tell you, she looked sooo amazing! For the past couple of weeks, she has been really excited about spending time with him as they both have been extremely busy lately. She is a working mom and her husband runs his own business, so time is not always on their side. This evening was a really special night for them — no kids and great company; I mean what else can a parent ask for?! She and I went back and forth about what would be the perfect dress and shoe, how to do her hair, even down to what her makeup should look like. We went through several different ideas: should she wear a chic suit with nothing under the jacket, similar to the Alexandre Vauthier look Jourdan Dunn wore at the Harpers Bazaar event, or a great silk slip dress with a long duster channeling Chanel Iman’s look that she wore to Catch LA in West Hollywood? We were going crazy, but it was so much fun! At the last minute she decided to go with this amazing Chanel tweed mini dress, and a sick pair of Chanel Mesh Grosgrain Leather booties. She topped it off with her classic Chanel bag and a long black coat. She was DONE!

Just listening to how excited she was to get dolled up for her man got me thinking: are most people this excited to get dressed up for date night with their boyfriend, girlfriend, dog, or whomever they’re going out with? Or do we give up after years of being in a committed relationship?

Now you know me, I needed to know, so I took this conversation to the streets to find the raw truth. Well not really the streets, but I did partner with Relationship Expert and Fashion Icon Rori Sasoon of Platinum Poire to hear her expert point of view on the matter! She and I conversed for a while, as this has been a topic that comes up often. She got straight to the point; she explained to me that people should never give up on themselves. Always take pride in who you are. She also provided some personal tips that’ll help keep the relationship spicy.

Tips

1. Always Reinvent Yourself and Stay Sexy: “Once you seal the deal on the relationship, you've made it passed the first step. The exciting part in it all is finding new and sexy ways to keep that same look on their face they gave you when you met.”

2. Make a Happy Life for Yourself: Everyday you should ensure you feel good on the outside, that way you will feel good about yourself on the inside. A healthy mind will never allow you to become complacent, and feeling good about yourself will empower you to exude your sex appeal!

3. Take Time for Yourself: Go the extra mile and do all the things that make you feel sexy! This should be the fun part, keep your partner guessing. Always remind them that “you are the same person they fell in love with, only better now that you are together.”

After speaking with Rori, I did some self-reflection. I began to ask myself, “Do I take the necessary steps to keep my 5-year relationship fresh?”I know one thing’s for sure — I do take time to pamper and groom myself because looking good on the outside has always helped the way I feel mentally. But, before I drive myself crazy thinking about it, I turn to you. And ask. Do you experience the same excitement and thrill, or does it disappear and you give up? And if so, what happens next? Could this be a reason some people cheat, does complacent become the norm? I would love hear your thoughts or opinions. Let’s discuss! Leave a comment below or share an exciting story about a time you were excited to get dressed up for a date.

For information on how to get and stay in a relationship visit: www.platinumpoire.com.

STYLISH MANNER

Lately I’ve been asked this question a lot: What is Stylish Manner? What does it mean? The answer is simple! Stylish Manner is a lifestyle, it's your vibe; but it's also a fashionista's way of being creative and forward-thinking through your personal sense of style.

Normally when I talk about fashion to those that are not familiar with it, they do one of a few things: 1. The predictable eye roll - Meaning who cares, no one takes it serious; or 2. Ask questions about things they'd never take the time to understand. I was never one of them. I was the one that needed to know everything about clothes: all the different fabrics, how the garment is constructed, and most importantly, who was the genius behind the brilliant designs. I was just sitting back the other day thinking about my first "fashion coming to Jesus" moment. I was in school at the break table with friends and we were talking about new videos that just came out on all the latest video channels (106 & Park was one of my favorites BTW). Anyway, Beyonce’s song Crazy in Love just came out and it was the hottest thing on TV at the time. I mean, she made cropped bomber jackets and fitted hats one hell of a trend back then. But, the one look I was most intrigued by was the color block outfit during the dance number at the end. Most people didn't understand at the time, but there was something about wearing different textures and colors that was both fashion-forward and sexy, and I knew it was going to be a sick fashion moment.

It didn't take much for me to convince everyone that my views on the video was the one to take serious. It also helped that I studied every detail in each outfit like an obsessed crazy person. My friends were so impressed that I was able to speak to each look so confidently, with so much passion, that they needed to hear more of what I had to say. That’s when I knew not only did I have a voice, but I was also able to interest an audience through my fashion point of view.

Another eye-opening moment for me was realizing how meticulous and specific I was about everything I wore. Everything had to be perfectly pressed, my shoes had to always be clean and polished, and I didn't leave the house without hosing myself down with half a bottle of cologne. I mean, I WAS A PSYCHO, and I kept that mindset for the rest of my career - hosing myself down with cologne and all. Clothes just meant so much more to me! Not to sound all crazy and weird but it was the one thing that always made me happy. Don't lie; I’m sure you all can agree that there's nothing like a new jacket, shoe, coat, or whatever it is you love. You get it home, put it on and say YESSSSSSS! Well that's how I feel every time I get dressed.

I really believe out of all of the positive influences and people that helped shape my life, finding my passion for fashion was for sure something that made me who I am today. It made me want to become more cultured and learn why people in different places around the world wore what they did. I enjoyed watching the styles of a Pop Artist vs. a Country music star, and urban looks from a Hip-Hop Rapper vs. an R&B Singer. But the most important thing is, fashion gave me the confidence to become the strong man that I am today. I live it! I breath it! And that's a Stylish Manner.

The REPEAT

The Repeat!

We all spend a lot of time scrolling on social media, admiring the lives of the fabulous, rich, and extraordinary. We look at models in the hottest magazines, shooting the coolest photoshoots and wish that our lives were that great. We start to wonder what would life be like ‘if’. What most people fail to realize is that social media is an illusion!! It is a figment of your imagination. It’s a place where people can pretend to be whoever they want and the world would just eat it up. It has also become the new way of getting a job, getting rich, and doing practical anything. But the downside to it all is it has become a place where millions of people are being looked down and judged for every little thing they do, say, wear, eat, and anything else they can find to make others feel like they aren't as cool as the next person. And what that means to a lot of people is “You can’t repeat your clothes on social media because somehow that makes you less fortunate or not as cool as everyone else."

I was talking to my friend last week about some new shoes he had purchased. Now he's been mentioning how much he wanted the shoes for the past couple of weeks, so when he finally pulled the trigger, I was happy for him. I know what that connection feels like when you bring home your new favorite shoes, so I was genuinely excited. I’m sitting at home scrolling through my IG when I came across his picture; he was killing it in his new Princetown herringbone slippers by Gucci. I immediately called his phone to tell him how cool I thought he looked. Once he picked up I yelled “Yesssss!” and he knew exactly what I was talking about as we both started to laugh. Karson went on telling me how much he loved the outfit with the new shoes, but was pissed because he couldn't wear them next weekend because people already saw them. Now, the first thing I thought was how ridiculous that was, but I realized our generation has been brainwashed into believing “We can not repeat our clothing on social media”.

We are all guilty of this! I can admit, there were times when I’ve decided not to wear a specific piece of clothing I already wore, especially if there was a chance I was going to be photographed. Some of us worry so much about what others would think if they saw you wear your favorite Moschino jacket and Raf Simons sneakers. We would much rather stuff some of our hottest pieces to the back of the closet before letting our social media friends see it for the second time. I am the complete opposite - if I love some shit, I'm going to wear it again, and again, and maybe again. Or at least until I'm sick of it. We all work so hard to be able to afford these amazing designer pieces and would give it all up just to impress others who have no idea who we really are. You have to love the star of Girls' Trip Tiffany Haddish, one of Hollywood's funniest A-List celebrities. She made it known! She's the prime example of getting the maximum use out of your clothing, which is what she did with her Alexander McQueen white gown. It made its first appearance at the premier of Girls' Trip, it popped up again at the opening number on SNL, and last was seen at this year's Oscars. Good for you Tiffany, you looked beautiful every time!

Here's a tip to help you transition out of this pretentious celebrity mindset, and help you become the true style guru you are: SCREW what everyone else thinks, and start dressing for you!! A true fashionista can wear anything multiple ways and always make it look cool. And trust me when I tell you, no one can turn the light off on true style.