Do it with Grace and Style tee

JunkPrints  is more than just than a just clothing and accessories line . It’s one part of the scope of ideas that has been birthed in the mind of  Chanel Kennebrew, a Cali- native with an eye for the most innate detail; a graphic designer marrying her love of art, fashion,  and popular culture into a stew chock full of ingredients that has made her a sought-after designer . Her impressive artistic imagery has  helped brands like Clutch Magazine and Fredflare.com  create a unique presence on-line with her art direction and killer design skills.   Chanel does it all: concept development, layout design, album packaging, and so much more! Whether she is creating a hot Grace Jones tee or statement buttons with  rapper Vanilla Ice  as a muse,  Ms. Kennebrew has her finger on the pulse.

1.        Style & Substance: Who is Chanel Kennebrew?
My name is Chanel Kennebrew  and I’m a hyperactive maker/designer and the gal behind Junkprints.com

2.      Style & Substance:  What is the inspiration behind your witty designs and slogan tees for Junk Prints?
I’m first content inspired and then medium driven, meaning the story or topic comes first and the execution. I’m inspired by the past and the present. I’m a salvager and duplicator who is super fascinated   with propaganda and how we as people relate to our social environments. The thin division lines between social separations are what push me to cover the topics I address in my work.

 3.       Style & Substance:  You studied in Toronto and built your portfolio while working the thriving art scene, how did you gained such insightful experience inside and outside the classroom?
 I want to do, go and see just about everything everywhere, in quest to fulfill that I’ve had the privilege to spend time with wonderfully fascinating folks, talented artisans, and all the riff raff in between. I’m def a calculated risk taker and don’t really believe in paying dues (but I do believe in being excellent and whatever you do) so I tend to carve my own path which inevitably lends itself to many lessons.

 4.       You are a self-proclaimed “one person” operation do you ever imagine branching out to expand your companies offerings?
 I created Junkprints  as an outlet for my creative endeavors. Some endeavors will require more folks than just me and that’s fine, I expand and contract my business in accordance.

Haiti Tee

 5.      Style & Substance:   What advice would you give  a young girl  scribbling in her notebook or playing on her  Mac computer who may not know  that she can create a career out of graphic design and art?
Design w/ relevance, heart and genuine integrity. I figure that each individual has so much potential and it’s  important to attempt to maximize that potential by doing the very best  one can possibly do at everything they do. I mean what’s the point of  doing something if it’s ‘half.’ As far as advice goes, be Brave, get  out there, make a ton of mistakes,  get the wind knocked out of  you and keep it moving.

  6.       Style & Substance:  As a budding entrepreneur what has been the easiest and hardest part of getting Junk Prints off the ground?
Junkprints has an organic evolution. I have a plan but tend to take things step by step. The hardest part is always when the next step is considerably higher than the one I’m standing on.

7.       Style & Substance:  Describe a typical day for you?

8/9 run and shower

9/10a check emails, for orders, customer service inquiries and to make sure no small fires are brewing in the internet land.

11:30-12:30 shipping orders that are all in stock

12:30-2p cooking/juicing/eating and seeing what’s going on the world via news, blogs etc.

2-6p production on commissions and made to order items, could include sewing, printing, etc.

7-8p nap and dinner time

8p-1am new product/idea development, marketing and silliness

 8.       Style & Substance:  What is your style & substance?
I’m just me, riding on the backs of giants and making my junk and if that gives me style and substance then that’s the answer.

To purchase items, click here.

Creator of MEO, Tiffiny E. Dixon

Looking your best should always be your top priority. But these days time and the daily grind has some people not giving their full attention to how their appearance is perceived to the world. You could have a dated hairstyle, unflattering clothing or just not looking your absolute greatest self. How can you change this? This is more than finding a trendy top or the of moment coveted tresses, it’s about feeling good inside AND out.

With the help of an image consultant like Tiffiny E. Dixon, owner of MEO Total Body Beautiful, she and her team of experts can transform you into the person you want to be. MEO isn’t just a company that gives you a quick makeover and sends you on your way, it’s about determining how to project a better you. It’s more than just clothes and lip-gloss it is a state of mind! Ms. Dixon turned an opportunity into a fruitful business. See how BEFORE meets AFTER!

1. Style & Substance: What was the concept and idea behind creating MEO?
I know there was a moment in time where I made a conscious decision to start MEO, the agency, but it’s really always been a part of my life, my lifestyle and me. Of course there were moments along the way that definitely shaped MEO, like working as an instructor at the Ophelia DeVore Etiquette School. But the major turning point was a little over 3 years ago when a woman came to me and told me about problems she was experiencing in her marriage, which she believed were caused by her self esteem issues. In our discussion she told me about specific image issues she was battling with. We spent some time working on these particular issues. A week later she and her husband called to thank me for helping them fix their marriage. This helped me understand the importance of strong self-image in regards to self-esteem, which became the guiding principle of MEO, born 1 week later when I named it.

"Little" Tiffiny (blue dress) imagining MEO, way back when.

2. Style & Substance: How did you get your start in fashion and image consulting?
My start was at Ophelia DeVore when they invited me back as a teacher. Before that I never even considered working in image management and etiquette as an option. I knew I loved it but it never dawned on me that I could make a living doing this.

3. Style & Substance: Why is it so hard for women and men to look good on a daily basis?
I think there are several different reasons for different people. But typically it’s either of the following two:

 1) The idea that they are not the “dress-up” type.
2) Over estimating the amount of time it takes to look decent every day.

4. Style & Substance: Do you have to have a lot of money to look your best?
Absolutely not! Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big advocate for investment pieces, just not when it requires that you spend 80% of your investment portfolio on your wardrobe. In our Wardrobe Planning session we help our clients build fully functional wardrobes and help them maximize the usage they get from every item. The goal is to break the wallet draining habit of buying something new for every function you attend.

Additionally, there are way too many mainstream label chasers out there giving the impression that style is directly related to how much you spend on your clothing, when actually it’s not a major factor. Think about it, let’s say, you give $100 to a label chaser, $100 to a person with true style and tell them they can only shop at Target. Who do you think will look better? Spending more money for higher quality and longer life spans is a great option if you can afford it, but it is not the only way to look your best.

5. Style & Substance: You look fab in a recent Style spotter in Essence Magazine, what is your mantra to looking good on the go?
Thank You! You should always look appropriate for your activity. My biggest style pet peeve is the idea that you have to always wear heels to look good. One of the key elements of a complete wardrobe is weekend and/or casual attire. There’s nothing worse than seeing a woman in severe foot pain at 1pm standing on line at the post office.

 6. Style & Substance: The hardest part about being your own boss?
Each victory only last for a fleeting moment (literally) and within seconds I have to start working on or thinking about the next booking or concept to keep MEO at the forefront of the industry.

7. Style & Substance: The best part?
An overwhelming since of pride at watching something you’ve created take on a life of its own.

8. Style & Substance: Describe a day in the life of Tiffiny E. Dixon.
Meetings, phone calls, emails, sales conferences, client meetings, research, speaking engagements, writing, developing and executing marketing tactics. Many people focus on the glitz of the industry, at the end of the day it’s like running any other business. The fashion shows, shopping and events, that’s all done after a traditional long day at the office.

9. Style & Substance: What is your style and substance?
My style is my mood. If you don’t feel it no one will believe it.What makes MEO substantial is our knack for making our clients feel at ease. Many of them express previous hesitations they had about working with image consultants for fear that some label chasing “fashionistas” turn his/her nose up at them. Here at MEO we appreciate individuality no matter how it’s packaged. As long as its presented well.

For more information on MEO or to inquire about services, click here.

Menswear designer and boutique owner Perchelle O’Boyle has returned to her native St. Louis to create a Midwest fashion capital. Downtown St. Louis is in a state of reinvention, and now with a resurgence of restaurants and boutiques including, Perchelle a custom-tailoring shop for men is now a treasured stop on the map. After living and working in L.A. for seven years O’Boyle used the skills she learned at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising working for such companies as Apple Bottoms, Gear 7, and Rock Revolution. Her resume lent her opportunity to maintain a list of famous clientele such as Tyrese, actor Masi Oka and footballer Gary Baxter.  After working for other companies she finally branched out on her own in 2008 to open her boutique. 

1.Style & Substance: Have you always known you wanted to be a fashion designer?
Yes I have! I don’t know if my mother agreed back then and I am so glad I did not listen to her! I used to cut up her good bath towels and drape them to make cute outfits.

2.    Style & Substance: What are some of the most rewarding perks of being an entrepreneur?
Not having to report to anyone, setting my own schedule, and watching what I have worked so hard for come to fruition. 

 3.       Style & Substance: Was it difficult to finance your dream and open your boutique and the fashion line itself?
        Yes and No. No because thankfully, I had the support of my parents. They had a nest egg set aside for myself and my siblings and they were all but happy to invest into their daughter’s dreams. Yes because it was a bit of a hassle being a new company trying to get a small business loan from a bank.

 4.       Style & Substance: Has the recession hurt your business and if so what are doing to gain new clients?
        Only to a certain degree. My custom business generally targets the more affluent male so my clients’ buying habits pretty much remained the same.

  5.       Style & Substance: Menswear is usually a male-dominated part of the fashion industry, why menswear and what about the ladies?! 
I definitely have an eye for designing male clothes and quite frankly, why not. There should definitely be a women’s take on male fashion out there in the industry. I have not forgotten about the ladies, but at this particular stage, my interest is growing my menswear line.

 6.       Style & Substance: What are some the key trends for fall that you can’t wait to  design?
         I see a lot of bold prints coming into play. It would be fun to play around with the different applications in some of my designs.        

  7.       Style & Substance: Where do you draw inspiration for your collections?
Any and everywhere. From watch designs to unique architecture.

  8.       What is your Style & Substance?
 My style and substance is a contemporary look with subtle details that distinguishes the Perchelle Gentlemen.

To find out more about Perchelle please click here.