Divine Women of Our Time: Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks (born December 4, 1973) is an American media personality, actress, occasional singer, former model and businesswoman. She began modeling in the 11th grade. She later went to Paris, France to do some runway modeling. Within Banks' first week in Paris, designers were so entranced by her presence on the runway that she was booked for an unprecedented twenty-five shows – a record in the business for a newcomer. She has done extensive print and/or runway work for fashion/advertising giants until she retired from modeling.


Banks was the first African American woman on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 1997, she received the VH1 award for Supermodel of the Year. That same year, she became the first-ever African American chosen for the cover of the Victoria's Secret catalog Banks was a top supermodel of the 1990s, when she became the first African-American model featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Famously curvy even by supermodel standards, she was a regular on fashion magazine covers and in the Victoria's Secret catalog. Banks also dabbled in acting, with appearances in the movies Higher Learning (1995, with Jennifer Connelly) and Coyote Ugly in 2000.

In the new century she shifted her focus to television. In 2003 she began producing and hosting the reality series America's Next Top , now in it’s 14th season. The show was a hit and spawned spinoffs in Germany, Holland, and many other countries. Banks also began hosting her own talk show, The Tyra Banks Show, in 2005. Banks announced her retirement from modelling the same year, saying she would focus on her television career. Since then she has also co-produced reality Tv show True Beauty. In 2009 she announced that The Tyra Banks Show would end its run after five seasons in March of 2010 so that she can focus on producing. Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a N.Y.-based film production company currently reviewing possible projects. Sticking to her mission, Banks aims to bring “positive images of women to the big screen,” says an industry insider. Source Wikipedia/Answers.com
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Divine Women of Our Time is a series to remind us of the rich culture we come from and to celebrate black history month. I will profile strong women that have been apart of building a culture, paving ways for those after them and who have made a memorable impact within their industry. These women were not only leaders, but they were role models for many people at an appointed time. Most of these women are still with us thankfully. Rightfully so, I want to celebrate them while they are here and can understand that there relevance is appreciated as apart of our rich history.

Kimberville Accessories Spring Debut in Atlanta Jan 28th

Introducing Kimberville:
There is nothing better or more smile inducing than gorgeous baubles that make you love being a girl. Kimberville, an accessory/ lifestyle collection design firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, will launch their Spring/ Summer collection, titled "I Am Kimber" in an event that will take guests into a utopia of fairytale glamour this Thursday Jan 28th.

Behind The Designs

"I wanted to create pieces that put us all in the mind frame of when we where all just little girls dying for something shiny, sparkly and would give us the permission to let our imaginations soar.", states Leaphart- Kimberville founder and Senior Designer. Kimberville's Spring/ Summer Collection, "I Am Kimber", will feature pieces made from a creative mix of pearls, chains, leather and Swarovski crystals ranging from $50 to $200, each containing small remnants that will remind the wearer of their younger years.

The Spring Debut
Pull out your dresses dusted with glittering crystal and as much sparkle as your heart can muster and join Kimberville on January 28, 2010 from 7:00pm - 9:30pm at Chocolate Pink.

For more info visit www.KimbervilleOnline.com and buyers can contact kimbervilleusa@gmail.com for look book and line sheet requests.

Media Contact Nicole Garner

O: 866-984-5854 E: pr@thegarnercircle.com W: www.thegarnercircle.com

Macy's is Looking for New Fashion Brands

Department store Macy's is taking a fashion cue from its upscale sister Bloomingdale's. Next month, the famous department store will host its first Open Call event, where fashion houses not currently selling at Macy's can showcase their wares for a possible slot on the selling floor.


Macy's is searching for established brands that may already be selling at rival stores such as Lord & Taylor. That's a different approach than Bloomingdale's takes. Last spring, it held an event called B-Seen, which was designed to attract new and emerging designers.

The Macy's casting call includes a two-week application process that starts Friday. If brands are selected, they will be asked to showcase their wares at Herald Square on Feb. 25 and 26.

“Macy's is continuing to invest in new endeavors that focus on inspiring our customer,” said Nicole Fischelis, Macy's fashion director, in a statement. This is the first time Macy's will sponsor an event of this kind, although in the early 1990s, the department store held a vendor fair where sought new and underexposed designers.

The switch to an already-established label makes sense, experts say. During this financial uncertainty, many stores are looking for tried and tested designers who already have their merchandising, marketing and production strategies in place.

Last week, Macy's announced it will close five underperforming stores, affecting over 300 employees. It has struggled with sales during the recession, though did end 2009 with sales at stores open more than a year rising by 1%.

In related news Thursday, online retailer Bluefly Inc. announced that it will be the exclusive online retail sponsor for season seven of fashion reality-TV series Project Runway. Macy's sponsored the show during season six, when Project Runway moved to the Lifetime network. Bluefly also sponsored seasons four and five, and earned high marks for TV brand integration, according to IAG Research rankings

Source: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/ words by Adrianne Pasquarelli

Full Interview of Tyler Perry on 60 Minutes

Tyler Perry was on 60 Minutes last night, where he discusses the success of his entertainment empire, his audience, his abuse as a child, response to the criticism of Spike Lee referring to Madea & Mr. Brown as a coon and much more. Check it out


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Tyra a.k.a. Bankable Productions is Really Banking

According to Forbes Tyra Banks is more than a media mogul in the making, she is a mogul. Tyra is the top of their 2009 television earner list, with an estimated earning of $30 million over a 12 month span from all of her television projects combined. These shows include: The Tyra Banks Show, America’s Next Top Model and producer credits on CW’s Stylista and ABC’s True Beauty and cameos on Gossip Girl. Bankable Productions is really banking. Congrats Tyra.

Her newest venture is Tyra magazine, pictured to the left seems to be coming along. I tried to view it in it's entirety but was not able to do so from http://www.tyrabanks.com . She is definitely appreciating the path that Oprah has paved for black women in media and she is creating her own path for others to follow as well. As I stated before I think Tyra is a great role model, she is a little over the top at times on her shows, but that's what make her Tyra.

When Oppurtunity Knocks, I'm Ready

It’s a heavy burden to carry when you have a child relying on you to provide for, a man who is expecting you to be the woman he knows you can be, or being that daughter your parents can be proud of. I’ve heard men say they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, but let me tell you that is an extremely heavy feeling. Now that I am in a new city and getting back in the game, I will keep praying that the right opportunity will come my way.

I want my website to be transparent, a little different from some other blogs. I peak into the lives of celebs, but I also want to give you a peak into my life. Let’s be honest running a business is not always peaches and cream. You have highs and lows like anything else in life. It’s what you turn to during those periods that matter most.

A lot of business websites I visit, only reveal the glorious side but where do you turn for the not so good moments. No one writes about how you’ve been waiting on a client check to come in the mail so you can pay a bill, or what to do when no checks are coming in the door at all. If you have a big business you might not be able to identify with these problems, excuse me while I talk with us little people.

It’s my goal to deliver rich content that can not only entertain you, but can help you through the good times and motivate you during the bad times. I first hand understand, but I’m on my way back up; are you coming with me?

Real Housewives IN Atlanta part 3

Dee Dee Cocheta, Husband & some of their Children

To some she's Dee Dee Cocheta, and to others she's the Hip Hop Mama; either way she is a great woman of integrity that has a really big heart, a natural love for hip hop and even greater love for friends and her family. You almost have to wonder how a woman who has been married for 20 years, a mother of 7, and owner of ABC publicity Firm still has so much love to give and show others; somehow she does it.

Dee Dee is one of the first women who embraced me after starting my magazine during my early years in Atlanta, she was so genuine and helpful to me and she introduced me to everyone I needed to know. She shared a wealth of information with me and I as our friendship continued, I realized that this is not something she only did for me, she helped countless others. Truth be told, she was also influential for the careers of many of Atlanta's publicist and entertainers. At one point or another she's mentored them, worked with them or influenced there want for being a publicist or entertainer.

Last December Me and my family went to a Kwanza celebration at her home, and we all joked how she should have her own reality show. Until she gets one, I want to share with you her thoughts on being a REAL housewife IN Atlanta.

NUAL: We know you have 7 children what are there names? Alkebulan - 19, Kadir - 18, Bomani - 13, Kmt - 11 (Only daughter), Katamba Lumumba - 10, Adafa - 9 Jonas - 5

NUAL: How do you balance work/parent/spouse relationships and time? I just go with FLOW, like my hometown NIKE's slogan I just do it...Every day is different, to whom is given...much is required.

NUAL: What can you do to be a better housewife? Great question, I can't honestly say I had put any thought into this nor ever given anyone advice on this...I would say BALANCE is the key...also knowing how to say "NO" and lastly being able to find YOU time in the midst of it all. This should make for a well rounded housewife to be able to take on the challenges of family, work and personal time.

NUAL: What words of advice can you share with other married or engaged couples? COMMUNICATION - never assume, always ask and be honest no matter what you think the other person will feel. If you are able to do this, LOVE finds the place there.

Who is your favorite Housewife from the Bravo Housewives Series & Why? Lisa Wu Hartwell, I love her personality, she's courageous, a great mother and wife (I LOVE Love & seeing her and ED together is so romantic). Lisa is also a strong entrepreneur in meeting demands & her goals which to me she seems to have balance in all that she does. Plus I have come to know her personally and observed her around others, she's a genuine spirit!

To find out more about Dee Dee Cocheta follow her on Twitter - www.twitter.com/abcpublicity or visit her website A.B.C. Associates Entertainment Firm - http://www.abc-aef.com/

Wearable Art by Aakofii

At Haute.lanta Fashion week I meet a wonderful woman who had amazing energy but even more amazing jewelry, she goes by the name of Aakofii. If you don’t know, and you are a lover of silver and metal please get familiar. Each piece is handmade and manipulated into very eclectic wearable art that you enjoy looking at, but you will enjoy even more wearing it. I will let the work speak for itself- Enjoy!

For more Information visit Aakofii online

REAL Housewives In Atlanta pt 2.

The Reed Family

Last week I got a little flack from a reader in regard to the family I featured on my post “They Really Do Exist…Housewives in Atlanta,” which is apart of a series that I am putting together to feature housewives in Atlanta.  I think it’s a great idea to profile housewives who are “Not So Average” to see how they make it work, other than to speculate on what we think is going on, as the tabloids often do.

This week I got a chance to catch up with a self made media mogul in the making, Tammie Reed. Most people know her as Talking With Tami, but I know her as the lady who juggles a full schedule being a producer of her own TV show, blogger, tweeter, a mom to 2 pre-teens and a wife to a husband who is supportive of her very busy schedule.

How long have you been married?
Tammie: Married 10yrs

Do you have any Children?
Tammie: Yes, two Tyra 12 Terrell 9

What is your profession or what type of business do you run?
Tammie: I'm a Talk show host

How do you balance work/parent/spouse relationships and time?
Tammie: It’s all about communication and prayer. We pray over everything. My husband and I tag team a lot, it’s a collective effort.

What can you do to be a better housewife?
Tammie: I can cook and clean a bit more, I’m always traveling or on red carpet, but we all chip in. Everything else is pretty good I guess lol.

What word of advice can you share with other married or engaged couples? Tammie: Talk to each other; have date a nights, that’s very important. Sometimes when people get married they forget to keep dating.

Who is your favorite Housewife from the Bravo Housewives Series & Why?
Tammie: My favorite housewife is Lisa Wu Hartwell. She is also a good friend of mine maybe that’s why. I can relate with how she tries to handle home life and the entertainment business.

For more information on Tammie visit www.talkingwithtami.com/blog
or follow her @ www.Twitter.com/TalkingWithtami