DC's Style Scene with
Maggy Francois!
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
PUBLISHER
Denise Rolark Barnes
PHOTO EDITOR Dejah Greene
LAYOUT EDITOR
Dominiqua S. Eldridge
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Black Women Break PAGE into Athleisure Fashion with ‘Glamourina’ Street Style PAGE Seen Around the City Maggy Francois A DC STYLE MAVEN
It’s September and for many publications around the world this month marks the beginning of a new fashion season.
PAGE
ON THE COVER
Sarafina Wright
EDITOR’S LETTER
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CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jade James-Gist
In our September issue we wanted to bring the best the District has to offer on the fashion scene, for example, our cover girl Maggy Francois. Francois breaks down her career in the industry and also provides must-have tips on how to be stylish and build a classic wardrobe. We also feature Glamourina, an athliesure line out of D.C. dedicated to making Black women the focus in a new fashion category that we lack visibility in.
WI BRIDGE TEAM
No fashion focused issue is complete without showing off the unique style and swag of the people who makes this city what it is; so make sure to check out our double spread of street style and and don't forget to connect with us on social media. Questions, comments, concerns? Let me know at swright@washingtoninformer. com.
The ladies of the Bridge Jade, Sarafina and Dominiqua caught up with each other on Saturday, March 25, a beautiful spring day at Union Market in Northeast. / Photo by Steve Garrett.
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Cover girl Maggy Francois at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 47th Annual Legislative Conference on Thursday, Sept. 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
Black Women Break into Athleisure Fashion with ‘Glamourina’
A model sports the Kente collection from the Athleisure line ‘Glamourina' at a fashion show on Monday, Sept. 4 at Decades Nightclub in Northwest. /Photo by Jade James - Gist.
A model showcases the Kente collection from the Athleisure line Glamourina at a fashion show on Monday, Sept. 4 at Decades Nightclub in Northwest. /Photo by Jade James - Gist.
A model rocks the Kente collection from the Athleisure line Glamourina at a fashion show on Monday, Sept. 4 at Decades Nightclub in Northwest. /Photo by Jade James - Gist.
At their standing room only fashion show on Monday, Sept. 4, at Decades nightclub WI Bridge Contributor in Northwest, Glamourina showed off its Glamourina, the self-proclaimed go-to versatility debuting their 2017 Kente Athleisure athleisure brand for women of color, wants Collection. to make it easier - and cuter - to be healthy. Models were styled for the Fall fashion season Owners and designers Kia Renee and Nekol with boots, jackets, jeans and heels to show just Choo believes their clothes will give women, how easy it could be to jump from shopping, to who look like them, one more reason to live brunch with friends and ultimately, to the gym. healthy, active lifestyles. Although the duo has experience in the “Wearing these pieces, you might be at the modeling industry and online marketing, neither grocery store and think ‘hey, I'm already of them comes from a true fashion or fitness dressed, I might as well run to the gym background. or get a little workout in, in the midst of everything else I need to get done during “We both like to work out, so we brainstormed this idea together and decided to do it,” Renee the day,” Renee said. recalls on starting their business this past April. For those out of the know, athleisure is the “It just goes to show you that if you have a comfort-conscious, multipurpose clothing passion for something, just do your research.” trend best known for replacing jeans with “You may think you need a certain background leggings. or degree to do whatever your dream is, but that “You can look cute and you can do whatever might not necessarily be true.” you need to do – hop right into the gym, a “If you think that this is your calling and this is run or go for a walk,” Choo said. “You’re something you really want to do, my advice is freer to get some movement in your day just to go for it,” Renee said. when you’re already in our clothes.”
A sneak peak of the 2018 collection showcases heavier doses of bright colors along with new bottom options, like short, and more styles for workout bras and tops.
Jade James-Gist
Along with creating clothes that encourage a healthy lifestyle, Renee and Choo hope to break Black women into a fashion realm that isn’t known for showing much diversity. “A lot of times when you see athleisure advertised, it’s done with an upper middle class looking white woman with a Starbucks cup,” Renee said. “You don't often see a Black woman with her natural hair in these ads. We do yoga, we work out and we just wanted to introduce that and represent that.” “At Glamourina, we want our models to be the majority, not the minority,” Nekol said. To shop the current Kente Collection, visit www.Glamourina.com or their Instagram @ShopGlamourina.
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Street Style - Seen
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
Mike; @itsmsanii
Felecia, a fashion blogger and stylist; @felecia_monique
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Messiah, student; @haisiah
Around the City
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
On the left: Chinenye and friends, makeup artist; @melanated_martian
Blair Imani, a model and activist; @blairimani
A vibrant woman
Reggie, a student; @max_payne1120
On the right: Darrick, a bowtie designer; @deeworldsbest
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SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
Maggy Francois - A DC STYLE MAVEN
Maggy Francois at Fiola Mare in Georgetown
Maggy Francois at the Starz Network Power premiere this past summer at the Newseum.
fashion bug bit her
By Sarafina Wright
Conference on Thursday, Sept. 21 at the When the WI Bridge Editor Walter E. Washington Convention Center Fashion did not start at home for me. People think because I’m from New York Recently named a “Woman of Style” by to find out how she does it all. DC Magazine, Maggy Francois turns On being named a Woman of Style that it would have, but no fashion started heads wherever she goes simply because It felt great. It was an honor, because it’s so for me in college. I went to Wesley College then transferred to Delaware State and both of her impeccable style. many fashionable people in D.C. People think Seen on the scene everywhere from premieres like Starz’s Power, TV One’s When Love Kills or the chicest events the District has to offer, Francois showcases her inside-out knowledge of fashion with the threads she rocks. The Brooklyn native began her career in the industry 20 years ago and since has branched out to public relations, producing events and teaching fashion design.
that D.C. isn’t a fashion community and a lot of people here don't know how to dress, but they do. I’ve been in the fashion industry for 20 years, so I guess it was a little refreshing to hear somebody recognizes you for what you do. I’m not really the person in front of the scene, I’m more behind the scenes and it just felt great.
How she feels about style in the District
I would say people here are very very corporate. You have to be because it’s D.C. and politics, so people dress safe here. They don't try to take a chance and break barriers. A lot of people We caught up with the very busy Francois here don't wear color. I wear color and I love at the Congressional Black Caucus color. But, I’ve seen a difference in the fashion Foundation 47th Annual Legislative community. People are starting to branch out. WI BRIDGE | 6
schools taught me about fashion. I learned about the fashion industry from school and just building relationships with people and getting internships. All of those experiences helped me grow and build when I moved to Maryland. Then people started asking me to plan events, that’s how I really started with a lot of fashion industry events. One of my biggest events, was a fashion show here at CBC. This like full circle.
On her personal
style
I don’t know if I have a personal style, but I do like classic pieces, like the dress I have on today. I can wear this 20 years from now. I tend to shop looking for pieces where I can use it 10-20 years from now.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 9
Maggy’s Style Tips: On Starting a Wardrobe:
Classic pieces of course a button down, pencil skirt, wide leg pants, sheath dress, start off with that. You can always accessorize with different blazers, jackets and accessories.
Affordable, Quality Shoes:
I shop online, outlets, I shop everywhere because I love deals. Always a great neutral shoe, because I want to rock them with everything. Wear them with different pieces and I don't want to be too trendy where I cant use the show anymore.
Favorite Fall/Winter piece:
Coats, colored, jeweled toned coats. Maggy Francois at the 2017 Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Style Trend She Hates:
Trying to love the glitterati boots. I’m trying, but…
Trend She’s Loving:
Actually the chokers, they’re cute and they’ve been around for years. But I love the way women are wearing them now with blazers.
Favorite Designer:
Diane von Furstenberg, Self Portrait and Tracy Reese
Favorite Shoes Ever:
Aquazzura, they are high as heck, but so comfortable.
Life advice she lives by:
Positive vibes only, positive people, positive energy. If you look good you feel good and you do good. Check her on Instagram @FancyFrancois.
Maggy Francois and team after producing an event in Washington, DC.
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The WI Bridge is looking for millennial culture creators, writers, photographers and crea�ves to work with us. We are looking for contributors to “bring the cool.” Who we are: A culturally innova�ve magazine based in Southeast DC that serves as a lifestyle guide for millennials. Follow us! Twi�er: InformerBridge | Instagram: WashInformerBridge | Facebook: WIBridgeCommunity Email the editor at swright@washingtoninformer.com! | #WIBRIDGE