All posts by Joey Pinkney

5 minutes 5 questions with

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Polo AKA The Fur King and Fallon Seaborn, Designer vs. Stylist

2 Comments

Ladies first. Ms. Fallon Seaborn, what is your “stylist philosophy”?

Fallon Seaborn: I live by my philosophies and sayings, but the one that really stays with me is: ” Never be afraid to go left if left is really your right!” A lot of people think being different or leading your own path is crazy.

I have my own style, and I do my own thing in life. When people see me, they have so many different opinions on how I should be.  I think that hinders people. They never evolving into ones true self.

When I wardrobe style my clients, I allow them to bring to life what they imagined and add my flavor to the equation.

Now, Polo. What is your philosophy on the “art of fashion design”?

Polo: Fashion is what you make it, Joey. It’s like art. You have to imagine what you want and bring it to life.

Ms. Seaborn, what are some budget-friendly styling tips a person can use when they are coming up with something on their own?

FS: Don’t be afraid to shop on sale, consignment, thrift stores and at outlets. You will probably never be able to guess everything I have on or how much I paid for it. That’s because I love clothing! You should never go by the name; go on how you feel.

Some of the best looks are when the heart and effort is put into the fashion aspect of what they are wearing as opposed to a person just buying something for the sake of having a designer name. I shop all over for my clients. I rarely ever buy everything for my clients in one store. I like to see what’s out there.

There are so many up-and-coming designers that are majorly hot. But people are sticking to what they are accustomed to. I venture out because Louis Vuitton was once a new designer. You never know when you will find a diamond in the rough.

Polo, what is your view on fashion as a business? How has fashion become a business for you?

Polo: It was just a hobby at first. I was spending more and more on the clothes I was buying. I was like, “Whoa, I can do the same thing and go into business for myself!” And that’s exactly what I did!

Ms. Seaborn, what are some of your favorite brands? And why?

FS: Wow! Great question, Joey! I love so many. For my personal style, I’m a jean and purse fanatic. I love Escada, Versace, Joe’s, Moci and DCuts for my denim.

My favorite purse designers would be Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Fendi and Hermes. I’ve never owned a Hermes bag yet, but trust you me I’m working on it. I love these designers because of there cuts and designs.

I personally wear all the jeans by the designers I just named, and they have stood the test of time. Their designs are always hot and the fit is incredible for a mast majority of people.

My picks on the bags have been tested over time. I’m always carrying a lot of stuff, and I need to have a very durable bag I need space, but still be fly.

Polo, what is some good advice for up-and-coming fashion designers?

Stay focused. Stay at least 10 steps ahead of the game as well as the people that you are around. Keep you mind right, your time right and your grind right and you will be fine.

Ms. Seaborn, where do you get your inspiration from when coming up with new and exciting ideas?

FS: I’m loving the questions, Joey! I pull inspiration from all types of places: my friends, people, magazines, music and myself. I’m constantly trying to improve and be better then I was 5 minutes ago.

I know some really creative people, and theykeep me on my toes and make me feel comfortable to know that it’s ok to be different.

Polo, what is most challenging about work now?

Polo: Making the customer happy. It’s hard work, but I do a good job at it. I love seeing the customer walking out with that smile on there face its a beautiful feeling.

Ms. Seaborn. If you could pick one person to style you for a photo shoot, with no involvement on your part, who would that person be? And why?

FS: For women, I would have to pick two people and for men one person. I love June Ambrose and Brea Stinson. They are really talented, and I love there style.

The man I would choose would be none other than my manager himself, Polo AKA The Fur King. Polo knows my edgy side.

It’s funny because I think it’s hard for a person to dress me because I’m a moody dresser. I can literally be over a look in two minutes! It’s annoying sometimes! FYI: I never make it to the club until it’s time to close.

Polo, how has you birthplace influenced your designs?

Polo: I was born in the Bronx where the people are fresh, but I was raised in Teaneck, NJ, where people are the best. Considering I’m only 10 minutes from Harlem AKA The Mecca, the influence was easy. My style is like no other, so it made it that more easier.

857.417.2033
http://www.myspace.com/thefurking
http://www.maggbeatz.com/privatecollection
http://www.maggbeatz.com/stylist

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)
5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Yvonne N. Pierre, author of The Day My Soul Cried

11 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Yvonne N. Pierre, editor of The Day My Soul Cried
(Zyonair’s Unlimited, LLC)

Yvonne Pierre’s journey from the depths of despair to an awakening of soul and spirit has been a long and difficult one. From sexual abuse, excessive drinking, failing in school, having a child while still a teenager, being unable to get a job, having a second child with Down syndrome, gaining excessive weight and allowing herself to no longer care about how she looked – the painful pattern of all types of abuse seemed endless.

Until one day, when Yvonne’s soul cried. She began to see that how she perceived her life and the attitudes she had, were crippling her as much as all her bad habits and the ugly things that happened to her.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Day My Soul Cried?

Yvonne N. Pierre: Wow, the inspiration to write this book stemmed from me trying to figure out why I was always piling projects on my plate and never completing them. One of my projects was to write a book, but could never complete it.

While I was soul searching, trying to figure out why I was afraid of something as simple as completing projects, The Day My Soul Cried, came to me. It wrote itself, so to speak.

JP: This memoir brings the beauty and the ugliness that life can deal and sit them side-by-side for the reader to decipher. How did you struggle past the discouraging thoughts that raced through your head as you created what became The Day My Soul Cried?

YNP: Oh yeah, the discouraging thoughts. About seven or eight years ago, I wrote a book called, Phoqus. I proudly contacted a local publisher and setup a meeting.

That’s a long story, but I met with him and presented my book. He laughed and said he loved the concept. He said that he would only publish it was if I “removed myself from it”. I kindly stood up, smiled, shook his hand, thanked him and left.

Without realizing it, I was discouraged. Years later, I posted snippets of my story online and received many emails from women and young girls telling me that they were inspired by my story.

As I was writing, The Day My Soul Cried, those negative statements kept replaying in my mind. I learned to use negativity and discouraging thoughts as motivation to press on.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Day My Soul Cried getting out to the public?

YNP: Joey, there were two things that hindered me initially from getting my book out of my computer and onto print: overcoming fear and finding my voice. I had to learn to get out of my own way. My fears had me at a standstill. I was afraid of failing AND of success, which I talk about in the book.

My editor, Ann Fisher, told me that “letting go of the book is like sending your child off to college.” Finding my voice was another obstacle, which I personally think was connected to the fears. Once I found my voice and overcame my fears, getting it out was so much easier.

Fear is natural and the only way to overcome it is to figure out where it’s coming from and then pushing through it. I had to learn to just be ME!

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Day My Soul Cried?

YNP: I had to visualize it first as if I were writing a movie. It took about two months, but most of that time was spent finding my voice and overcoming my fears. Excluding that, it probably would have only taken me a few weeks.

I started with the title and an outline. Then, I designed the cover. I know that’s a little backward but I needed a visual. I marked the days on my calendar that I would only focus on writing. I put together a music playlist of songs that “put me in the mood” to write and wrote the book.

JP: What’s next for Yvonne Pierre?

YNP: There are two things I am very passionate about: inspiring others AND advocating for special needs. I am working on another book called, Beyond Measure that I plan to release toward the end of the year.

It is an inspirational, heart-felt letter to my youngest of two sons, Zyon, who has Down syndrome. Presently, I host a Blogtalkradio called “The Yvonne Pierre Show” and I have a social network for special needs parents.

Joey, thank you so much for this opportunity to talk to you and your readers about my book. I truly appreciate it! God bless!

http://www.ypierre.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hyhonline
http://www.facebook.com/ypierre01
http://www.twitter.com/ypierre
http://www.youtube.com/hyhradio1

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)
free, giveaway

Congratulations Karen L. Simpson! Winner of the UPrinting.com 18″x24″ Poster Print from JoeyPinkney.com!

Karen L. Simpson is the winner of the UPrinting.com 18″x24″ Poster Print.

JoeyPinkney.com, in conjunction with UPrinting.com, held a giveaway contest March 18, 2010 to March 29, 2010. One lucky author would win a poster print of their book cover. Sixty-six authors of various genres entered to win the prize.

Using Random.org‘s Third-Party Drawing Service, the entrants were compiled and a winner was randomly picked. If you were one of the 66 authors who entered this contest, you can verify your entry and your status by entering your email address here: http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=1779.

Stay tuned for more giveaways, book reviews and author interviews here at JoeyPinkney.com!

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)