"Will work for sneakers tee"

Rising fashion designer and student, Phylicia Dee is not your average 18 year old. How many teens do you know are at the helm of a thriving apparel line?  Ingenious Style, created by a then 16 year old California native has taken her love of fashion, music, and art to create a collection of colorful graphic tees.  The clothes are ripe with comical statements and animated characters that could become your mascot and compliment a pair of your hottest kicks. Realizing your dream is only half the battle executing them is the fun part! See how Phylicia makes this happen every day!

1. Style & Substance Magazine: When were you inspired to create this limited edition clothing line?
I have always loved everything about clothing and fashion, but, I never knew what I wanted to do in the industry until 2 years ago when I started my line. Prior to starting Ingenious Style Clothing my friends, Teyonie Page, Maryssa Rebekah, Brianna Steward, and I saw an up rise in urban apparel and local clothing lines. We thought to ourselves, we could be doing this too. So we started working on a line and although we had great idea’s we had too many and couldn’t decided on one. We ended up not producing a line but during this time it was as if we all found our calling in the industry. Teyonie Page is now a music artist, Maryssa is now my photographer, Brianna is one of my models and I continued with the clothing industry. I created a new logo, new name, new ideas and from there came Ingenious Style Clothing. 

 2.  Style & Substance Magazine: So ambitious!? You are 18 years old and still in school where do you find the time to create and produce the line AND complete your schoolwork? 
It is very hard to find the balance in school work and my company. I am actually a third year of college and attend California State Polytechnic University Pomona. It has been extremely challenging to maintain line and my 3.0 + grade point average. I thank God for planners, and support. I have to keep a tight schedule and make sure I allot myself enough time for my school work because that is most important to me right now. But, as an Apparel Merchandise Management major my school work and my Ingenious Style Clothing work pretty much goes hand and hand.  The key for me is always planning and making sure I stick to my plan. I also have a really great team of people (my parents, my assistants, and my staff) who support me and keep me on track. 

  3. Style & Substance Magazine: The apparel business can be a tough cookie to break into, you are based in your hometown in California, what about NYC?

 It is a very difficult industry and location is very critical. California and NYC are two of the best places to start a clothing line in the US because there are so many opportunities. So, I’m glad that I was able to start my line in my hometown of California but, after 2 years I do think it is time for me to expand my line and I will be moving to New York very soon.

 4. Style & Substance Magazine: What are your future plans for growing the brand?
My next venture I’m going to move to is expanding the clothing line and doing some collaborations with some already established sneaker lines. I also have a lot of new urban apparel (Letterman sweaters, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Crewneck Sweatshirts, hats, etc.) coming out with my next season. So, I have a lot of big plans for the line short term and long term branching out into a couture line.

 5. Style & Substance Magazine: Describe a day in the life of Phylicia Dee.
My day usually starts at about 8:00AM. “Wake up in the morning and I have to thank God.” I go on twitter on my phone (I have to see what everyone is doing), then head to my computer. I usually do my homework in the morning so I will knock that out then head to school, where I will go to class and club meetings. After school I’ll head back to my apartment and depending on the day make some phone calls find out what’s going on with the business: how sells are, status on shirt printing, progress with sponsored artist. After that I will usually do market research: watch videos, go online FaceBook look in magazines and find out what people are wearing so I can make sure that not only am I keeping up with the trends but starting new ones. I have meetings at least once a week with new artist/groups who are interested in sponsorship by Ingenious Style Clothing, so I am constantly in Los Angeles working. I’m not all school and work though; I also make time to hang out with my friends/family and of course shop.

 6. Style & Substance Magazine: What are some inventive ways you have made your resources stretch to gain more exposure for the line.
Like I stated previously, I have a lot of people who a behind myself and the line. We all work together to get exposure for the line. I sponsor different groups which helps with exposure because whenever they go out and do show’s with Ingenious Style Clothing on people will recognize like oh, “I saw Audio Push in that shirt.” or whoever it may be so that is a great resource. Also using my school, I recently had an article come out at my school about the line which reached over 20,000 people which was great. I also do my research on great magazines like yours which could help the line gain more exposure. 

 7. Style & Substance Magazine: What motivates you to really make it in the industry?
Many times people will say that they are motivated by the naysayers and the people who hated on them but I’m motivated by the opposite. I’m motivated by the people who believe in me and the line because I don’t want to disappoint. So, I continue to push and try to make it in the industry because I know people are watching me and expecting me to do great things.

 8. Style & Substance Magazine: What is your style & substance?
Keep your style ingenious and make sure you keep your substance with the style.

To purchase clothing please click here.

Working in the high-pressure world of event planning and production  can be rewarding and glamorous.  A-listers walking down the red carpet, paparazzi flashing, champagne and good food galore, DJ spinning the hottest tracks, how fun could that be to get paid to party!? Now, wait one moment before you jump into a new career. This event didn’t magically happen overnight.  There were VIP lists to write, a venue had to be selected, you had to stay within a defined budget, on- site staff to assist the day of, security had to be enforced, press had to be notified, and you may need to secure a sponsor as well!Doesn’t sound like a cake-walk after all? Enter I’na Saulsbery, an Atlanta-based event planner who has turned her passion into the Starfire Group, which produces an array of events of every caliber. From baby showers to large scale celebrity events  I’na knows how to create an affair to remember.

A Clark Atlanta University alum, she started her career while  working at Diddy’s restaurant, Justin’s as a Marketing Director for seven years and built a loyal following that in turn became future clients. Her strong work ethic and innovative eye has made her a sought  after planner in Atlanta and nationally. You may have seen some of work on the BET show  Monica: Still Standing  and  the MTV  series,  My Super Sweet 16 party for Quincy, Diddy’s son. See how one woman’s passion became her labor of love.

 1.    Style & Substance: When did you know working in the event planning industry was your calling?
I hadn’t realized that event planning was my calling until a little later on in my life. For eight years I worked HARD for someone else, and although I enjoyed my job, as rewarding as it was-I wanted more. I would do events from time to time on the side and people would always tell me how much they enjoyed themselves. I just never realized that I really could make a living out of it. Since I was 16, I knew it was something that I enjoyed doing, and surprisingly I was pretty good at it.

2.    Style & Substance: What was your idea  behind the name Starfire for your company?
I came up with name-The Starfire Group for my company, because I wanted a name that was unique, vibrant, and yet easy to remember.

3.    Style & Substance: Your core business is based in Atlanta, how do you continue to gain new clients outside of this market and grow your brand?
I have been able to gain new clients and grow my brand, because I believe I do doing good work, and when you do good work, you can’t help but to move up. (SMILES)

4.    Style & Substance: In this tough but rising economy, how did you get the strength to start your business and was it difficult?
I started my company in 2007, and I had no idea that the economy was going to take this downward spiral. It was more than strength it was about timing and having faith. “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” -Martin Luther King Jr.  It has been difficult, but I have been extremely blessed.

5.    Style & Substance: What are some resources every event planner should have to be successful?
While some people may think that you have to have a lot of money or a nice office to show off, its much more important for every event planner to have a creative mind, be detailed oriented and possess a very outgoing personality. It also helps to have a good following of people that support and look forward to attending your events. These are just some of the resources that every event planner should have to be successful.

I'na prepping for an intimate baby shower.

6.    Style & Substance: How do you stay grounded when working with celebrities and not  getting star struck?
It can be exciting to work with celebrities, but it’s not hard to stay grounded when working with them, as they are regular people just like us at the end of the day. Now, I couldn’t have said the same if I was working with someone like Michael Jackson or Madonna…I’d probably be floating on cloud 9 for years!

7.    Style & Substance: Do you have any advice for up and coming event planners that  are starting out?
I would advise any up and coming event planners to do their research. I would suggest they read plenty of books on event planning and use the Internet…it’s your friend. (SMILES)I would also suggest that frequent different events in their area as well as other markets.

I'na at the Still Standing Preview Party, an event she planned to promote singer Monica's reality show.

8.    Style & Substance: What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is having to accept that I am not able to control the weather. (LOL) Clearly, that is something that is way out of my league, yet being an event planner, you plan accordingly so that everything goes just the way your client imagined- you always want to make sure that everything is perfect for your client. However, Mother Nature can put a damper on even the brightest day.

9.     Style & Substance: Describe your style and substance?
My style and substance is extraordinary, exuberant, & EXPLOSIVE!

To learn more about I’na and her company click here.

Reading Michael Arceneaux’s blog, The Cynical Ones, often invokes some type of emotional party in my head. The brother can write. There has been times where I have laughed till I couldn’t laugh again, cried because he was so brutally honest, or even thought, wow does Michael live in my brain? This Howard University alum, Texas native, now a Cali transplant, has turned his blog into a full-fledged career and made new opportunities blossom. Arceneaux’s voice is what makes his blog so entertaining, provocative and one of the best daily reads on the net. The world is so obsessed with celebrity and pop culture, and he covers their missteps, trials & tribulations, awkward moments and triumphs with flavor a  that is so unique.

Style & Substance: When did you start the blog, The Cynical Ones?
I started my blog in May 2005.

Style & Substance: You also write for The Root, where does your inspiration stem from?
I was assigned that blog, actually. I reached out to an editor, who through research, I found out went to Howard. I was familiar with her work at The Washington Post. She told me I could pitch her and so I did. Every now and then my work would be published on the site. Then earlier this year she told me that they had a new blog in mind and after submitting a sample, offered it to me.

Style & Substance: I have coined the phrase, “instant celebrities for no reason” why do you think there are so many people famous without having real talent?
I think we live in a celebrity-obsessed culture and because we’ve created such a need for celebrity anyone can be one now. That in turn has convinced others with not a lick of talent in their bodies that they, too, can become famous so long as they attention whore enough.

Style & Substance: Post- graduating from Howard University was it hard for you get a steady writing gig?
Yes. Incredibly. The publishing world was in disarray and with the state of the economy, budgets were slashed everywhere which only exacerbated the problem.

 Style & Substance: What celebrity really gets on your last nerve?
Far too many. But in short: Any self-involved “celebrity” who acts as if they’re above criticism or above anyone or anything, for that matter.

Style & Substance: Did you always know you would be a writer, if not your second choice?
I knew I was always wanted to write, but I initially thought of becoming a news anchor and then eventually go on to write books and the like. I’ve never had a second career option, honestly. Just couldn’t see myself doing anything outside of media.

Style & Substance: You put a lot of heart into your writing as well as personal information that makes your work EVEN more soulful, do you ever regret that?
There have been some instances where I’ve looked back at something I’ve written and thought, “Yeah, maybe that was too much.” Then I remind myself quickly that what’s done is done and there’s no turning back.

Style & Substance: Your favorite writer?
It changes often. The first writer to come to mind is James Baldwin. Not only because of his eloquence, but out of sheer gratitude for paving the way for people like me to be more frank in their work, and touch on issues still largely ignored within our community (sexuality being the main one

Educated. Black. Men. This should not be a rarity in this day in age. We have a black president and not every young person should strive to be a ballplayer, hustler, or a rapper. Demetrius  Walker, a Vanderbilt University alum and co-creator of DangerousNEGRO.com  with his impressive team, is cultivating  a new way to empower the youth of today to realize that  being smart is cool.  Using fashion as a platform,  to reach the  masses, they have created, this site to not only spread the message but also invoke a conversation. The line is not just about graphic tees and catchy logos. Ten years ago the urban apparel market was the toast of the town. It became the accessible mascot for young kids  wanting to “keep it real” mimicking the style of their music idols and fake street thugs. Kids today are not buying into the  façade. Now is the time raise the bar.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: Who are the creators of Dangerousnegro.com?
dangerousNEGRO is myself, Demetrius Walker (Marketing Director), Tre Baker (Chairman), Sebastine Ujereh Jr. (President), Justin Giboney (Attorney), Tracy Holmes (Customer Service Director), Gary Mavindidze (Community Relations Specialist), and Frank Robinson (Technology Specialist).  Six out of the seven of us went to Vanderbilt University, where we were friends with similar interests in Black empowerment. From there we all furthered our education in different ways.  I’m proud to say we boast amongst our ranks an MBA, an MBA candidate, a PhD candidate, a JD., a Master of Engineering, and 2 Bachelor of Arts scholars. Justin and myself (Demetrius Walker) are also public speakers that travel around the country lecturing.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What is the meaning and goal behind your site Dangerousnegro.com?
dangerousNEGRO arose from the minds of Black men united in a quest to deliver consciousness to a lost generation. Point blank there is way too much coonin and way too much glorification of ignorant behavior going on these days. So we decided to take a stand by giving the world a positive visual representation of Black culture. Our goal was to start not just an innovative clothing line, but a movement that could branch out into every major avenue of influence in the Black community. We firmly believe that through our products we can increase the number of socially conscious individuals around the world, and, in turn, increase their impact on the community. By serving as a visual representation of the Black Empowerment Movement, our brand can help to inspire action and combat the apathy that has taken over many aspects of the Hip Hop culture and Black society.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: How long did it take you to get your ideas and thoughts together to launch this exciting movement?
Well Vanderbilt was really the incubator for most of our ideas.  So debates amongst ourselves in undergrad laid the foundation for what would become a dynamic movement.  After our Chairman, Tre Baker, learned about the remarkable work of A. Philip Randolph, and him being labeled “the most dangerous Negro in America” by President Woodrow Wilson, we found a name to place on top of our thoughts. The FBI also called MLK a ‘dangerous Negro’ after the March on Washington. There was pretty much a trend used by the Federal government in labeling Black leaders with organizational skills “dangerous Negroes”. We felt like those are the cats we needed to emulate. Those are the people that put fear into the powers that be…. not these fake want to be gang bangers on TV and the radio. We noticed there was nothing out there as far as fashion that portrayed what we stood for… The Stop Snitching shirt movement was going hard in the streets.  Dope Boy tees was popular.  We wanted a visual representation of a new way of thinking… hence the clothing line. So to answer your question directly, it took a couple of months to officially launch the business, though our thoughts and beliefs had been constructed year’s prior.  We started selling t-shirts in December of 2005 and officially became an LLC in February of 2006.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: One of your hot sellers, the “Young.Gifted.Black.” tee was banned in a school in South Georgia, why do you think one tee shirt could cause such a negative reaction?
Taking pride in ones Blackness is often construed as being ultra radical, super militant, or as history tells us – dangerous.  For a shirt like “Young.Gifted.Black” to scare the mess out of a public school in the 21st Century, it just proves we still have a long way to go in terms of American race relations.  Everyone needs to understand that loving your ethnicity and taking pride in which you are does not mean you are racist.  Racist people take pride in their race, but also go out of their way to degrade other races.  There’s a huge difference.   

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: The urban apparel market has become saturated with a lot of clothing that may be branded as trendy and “overnight sensations” what will make your brand stand the test of time?
dangerousNEGRO will be here forever because it goes way beyond just clothing. It’s a mentality, a lifestyle, and a way of thinking.  We’re taking the fashion industry by storm because we’ve been so shut out that it’s only sharpened our swords… People’s ignorance has only made us stronger and helped us build more character, confidence, and competitive spirit…Not to mention, it has forced us to cut out middle men and make ourselves much more profitable.  

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: Are you surprised about the success of the site?
 As far as success is concerned, we’re happy that people have embraced our message.  However, we still have not reached the extremely high goals that we set for ourselves back in 2005.  Honestly, we feel like we’re just getting started.  There’s so much more to accomplish.  Until we can clearly see a paradigm shift in the mentalities of our people, we really haven’t accomplished anything.  Every household in the Black Diaspora needs to be familiar with the concept of dangerousNEGRO.  

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What is next for dN|Be Apparel and dangerousNEGRO.com?
dN|Be will be branching into every major avenue of influence in the Black community.  TV is not out of the question. Political engagement is in the works.  We have books coming out. As far as the clothing line, people will notice more attention to detail, quality, and creativity in our designs and concepts.  Stay tuned for dope hats, more women’s selections, and premium/limited edition items in the near future.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What is your Style & Substance?
Our company’s tag line is “The Style’s In The Message!” Therefore, what gives dangerousNEGRO substance is the principle of Black Empowerment that goes into every decision we make.  That puts us in our own lane.  Show me another clothing line that inspires so much thought and action in the minds of its followers.  We own social media… look at how large our following is on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Youtube.  There’s simply nobody on the Planet Earth doing what we’re doing right now.  We’re in a league of our own.

 For more information  please check out this site.