BET Awards09 ~ Red Carpet PLuSH Personalities!

(Above) actor Bobby J Thomson from That's so Raven

(Above) BET President Debra Lee

(Above) Beyonce in Balmain

(Above) Adrienne Bailon

(Above) Keke Palmer
(Above) Ciara

(Above) Kerri Hilson
(Above) Toccara

(Above) MC Lyte, good look for her

(Above) Lala & Carmelo in an MJ tribute tee

(Above) Fonzworth and Faune
(Above) Ray J

(Above) Ginuine

(Above) Jimmy Jean Louis

(Above) Tre Songz

(Above) Sean Paul
(Above) T.O.'s own Drizzy Drake was there and performed!!!!!

PE Approved

Designer Michelle Turpin's *Karamea*

As a fashion design student at Ryerson University, we’re required to complete 400 internship hours with at least 2 different companies prior to graduation. This enables us to network with people in the industry as well as gain experience and insight on the fashion scene in Toronto (and beyond).

Karamea Fall08
Photo -Vincent Lions
Stylist -Marcus Tripp
Hair + Makeup -Minna Loponen
Model - Elise

Some girls choose to spend their time at a large companies, which I must admit will look great on their resume, but personally I like pursuing smaller, more hands-on designers. There is something quite satisfying about actually meeting the designer and seeing what you do has an impact on them in some way; as well as allowing for the blossoming of personal relationships.

<< Michelle @ work...photo by Shauna Eberle.
For the past couple summers I have had the great opportunity of interning with Toronto-based designer Michelle Turpin. Born in the city of Karamea, New Zealand, she has always been intrigued by the movement and texture of fabrics. Love for design and fashion has always been an integral part of life for Michelle, beginning in her mom's closet- where she used to play dress-up. Throughout school, Michelle says that her school projects always ended up being design related, but it wasn't until she attended AUT in Auckland, New Zealand, that she came to the realization that this was a viable career path.

In 2000 Michelle bought a one-way ticket to Toronto and never looked back. After travelling for a year, with nothing but a credit card to her name, she started working in the theatre industry. As much as she wanted to finish her degree, the more pressing issue at hand was her financial situation - so when someone’s aunt lent her a sewing machine to commission bridesmaid dresses, so began her new life.

Soon enough, the desire to return to the fashion industry caused Michelle's line "Karamea" to be born. After a period of time at the Toronto Fashion Incubator, she decided it was time to step out on her own. When I asked Michelle how she felt about the Toronto fashion industry, she replied "there are so many Canadian designers that I admire, Katya of Desperately Different and Veronica Milkovich to name a couple."

There is difficulty competing with larger brands, especially corporations, however. "When a brand dominates about 60% of the store's stock, even if my pieces sell first, I may not receive payment until after they have been paid. Those brands have the luxury of employing lawyers, debt collectors and such." Michelle realizes that although there may be struggles, especially
starting your own company with nobody to advise you, they are greatly rewarding and every day is a new lesson learned.

*Karamea*

Photo - Vincent Lions
Stylist - Marcus Tripp
Hair+Makeup - Minna Loponen
Model - Mary B. from Next

Michelle's line is typically described as artisan, detail-oriented, a mix of femininity with a touch of classic tailoring. Karamea employs the use of luxurious, natural fabrics with a focus on chiffon, organza and light cotton voile. These feminine flowing fabrics compliment her love for bias-cut
dresses and her skilled hands finish them beautifully. The thing I love about Karamea is it's ability to be versatile while still remaining true to Michelle's personality. I can easily see myself wearing her clothes and my mom wearing other pieces. A business woman will appear polished and professional without sacrificing femininity; yet, the line still appeals to the plushanista who, by putting her own twist on it, makes the clothing a little edgier.

Karamea Spring/Summer '09 @ L'oreal fashion week...

To see more of Michelle Turpin's work visit: the Karamea website
or
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Karamea/88047218379?ref=ts

(Above) Middle left: Judith Mcmillan -artist whose x-ray flower prints are featured on Michelle's '09 Spring/Summer pieces. Middle right - Designer Michelle Turpin

Bringing you PLuSH design news...
Written by Andrea Golberg.

PLuSH Mosaics ♥

Keeping up with high end markets, is Bisazza world renowned for their PLuSH mosaics.

Check out their ultra chic ads/designs:

To learn/read more check out Nami Interiors leaders in design, decor and furniture design!

PLuSH Empress...living a life of PLuSHosity!

♔♥ High Fashion High Way ♥♔

Harpers Bazaar Romania~~ Karl Lagerfeld F/W07/08 Editorial

Why High Fashion?

Well I say because of it's mystique!
Always deviating from the norm of everyday existence, high fashion has many influences.
High fashion imagery is meant to be whimsical, most often romantic, always fanciful, fantastical and unpredictable!
Eccentricity is the name of the game on the high fashion highway as HF definitely takes the high road and plays an exclusively PLuSH visionary role. {Jahmilla Small}

PLuSH Empress...says Cinderella doesnt always loose her glass slipper!

Introducing Young PLuSH Artiste ~ Omar Malden

{My Internet was down yesterday, as a result I have here an important belated post}

Happy Sweet 16 Lil Bro ~~ You are growing up far to quickly!! I Love You!!

Earlier this month I showcased my other little bro Kassa's art work; well, art runs in the family and my other lil handsom brother Omar aka "Omarion" Malden is an incredible artist!!!

Check out his new shoe "Avenger" design below, along with some other illustrations I hi-jacked from his FB lol.

Created by Omar Malden All Rights Reserve C. '09
The Avengers...


(Above photograph -- Omarion 09)


PLuSH Empress...says peace, love & hairgrease lol keep up the stellar work fam!

Tragedy Strikes...RIP Michael Jackson

August 29 1958 - June 25 2009

{Jermaine Jackson made a statement on CTV news...now I believe} Im sad!

All I have to say is...
Michael Jackson you were and still are the truth!

THE KING of POP!!! You will be missed!

PLuSH Empress...an intricate and vibrant soul has passed!

Hold On Michael!!!!

Who should we trust, who to believe!

I do not want to speak on this for too long as it may manifest other outcomes but news today reports that Michael Jackson has suffered a heart attack and may now be in a Coma.

FYI, as I'm writing this, there is a growing crowd outside the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles hoping and praying it isn't so.

And to CP24 + all other news outlets...how are they gonna reflect on a man's life without even receiving legitimate confirmation that he is no longer with us??

Urrrrrrrg! These vultures...the F-ing propaganda! Already put the man in past tense.

As far as i'm concerned the Media killed Michael!

I'm praying hard for our KING OF POP! Come on Michael I know you've suffered a lot but remember the times!!!!!!!!!

PLuSH Empress is living life on the edge listening to MJ

RIP Farrah Fawcett

Remembering Farrah:

Fawcett was an American actress who rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the TV series Charlie's Angels in 1976. Fawcett was also a pop culture figure whose hairstyle was emulated by millions of young women. Her poster sales broke records, making her an international sex symbol in the 1970s and 1980s. {Wikipedia}

But today, we must say our goodbyes to the PLuSH angel who passed away after a long battle of rare (anal) cancer. She bravely chose to have a friend record her struggle in a documentary entitled Farrah's story where she said:

"Sometimes this disease makes me feel like a stranger to myself; like a blonde nothingness. Alone inside a body that once was mine but that has been damaged by radiation, Chemo and all those drugs necessary for me to live."

"There is a reason for all this, it is a challenge to my very core, to my strength, my mind, my spirit and my soul"

"All those chemicals that are highly toxic and slightly paralyzing are forcing me to experience intollerable suffering and pain I have never known...I miss my life"

Farrah is now at rest, in peace at the age of 62.

PLuSH Empress...you know it's judgement times when you keep saying goodbye to angels!

PLuSH Designer Lollipops

Ever wanted to know what it would be like to taste delish haute couture? I mean, we all know how desirable it is to wear Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent; but, what about tasting them? Artist and photographer Massimo Gammacurta has created high fashion lollipops to add pizazz to these designers runway shows.

PLuSH Empress...says if you can't rock fashion, suck on fashion!