TEFF x COMPANY | MENACE II SOCIETY

[17-10-12] - DMV-based photographer, Teck has pre-propositioned a shoot since mid-Summer, but my schedule most recently gave room for it to take place.
You're probably wondering, "why menace?". Well, let me paint a picture for you. It seemed like we were getting kicked out of from one location, to the other. All in the name of Art, you know. I invited my intern, Alasia to help co-style. First, we shot in Duane Reade, simply to fulfill my desire to conduct a photo-shoot in a Bodega/ supermarket setting. Then, we shot in a gallery and its rooftop. Funny enough, after we concluded our shoot on the rooftop, that's when we were greeted by the same doorman who ushered us in with a warming smile at the front door, at the bottom of the stairs. "Can I help you?" he says with furrowed eyebrows and a daunting frown to which I had to fight the urge to respond with handing him my incredibly large bag I had been hauling about all day. After I got better acquainted with the reasoning behind his frown, I refrained and said, "no, thank you" and kept walking. He followed with, "you're not allowed up here!". We shrugged 'cause after all, we had came and conquered; his disapproval was of no meaning to us. I included one shot from each look. There is also a video to go along with it, which I can't wait to see and share with you lot.

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED x VOL.3 | A LETTER TO YOU

The time is currently 5:00am (26th of October) -- my usual hour of inspiration and yet, nothing. I am deeply disappointed - I am deeply disappointed in my inability to fluently and fluidly conceive words fitting for you, my audience. As a prideful and notable skilled manipulator of words, I am experiencing the deepest trifle in my attempt to find the right words to reflect the high regards in which I view you lot. The need to concoct this verbal disposition was prompted by the usual, but most notably, the recent out-pour of varying forms of support and Love. The fact-of-the-matter is: there came a time in my path where my pathological fear of being awarded more reverence for my physicality and sense of fashion, more-so than the intended goal-at-hand - to promote intellectual stimulation and encourage the desire to create from inward, free of limitations and speculations from others. It seemed as though my message had gotten lost in the midst of the glorification of the exterior over the interior. The fact-of-the-matter is: people will grow to perceive in the magnitude and fashion you present yourself. So, I took a step back - I took a step simply because I deeply desired to see who would remain. The decision was both revealing, as it were damaging. Revealing in the sense that the element of loyalty thinned. It's like, first, they fall for your hype. Then, they're hype for your fall. Not that I fell, but generally-speaking, from an observational perspective. With the step back, came the introduction--or, rather, the reinforcement of the role of Peace, Power and Purpose - the Holy Trinity. Not to pervert, nor corrupt its significance in Christianity; if anything, it further encourages the importance of placing your hand to your head, to your heart, and to the extents of your shoulders.
Peace is, but a state of mind; Power deeply and solely relies on that of one's heart; Purpose rests upon the shoulders of those who seek, acknowledge and accept it. So, I persisted - I persisted on peeling apart and exploring the premise of the power of purpose, purpose of Peace - peace while among others and, Peace within oneself, purpose of power, and having Peace in your purpose.

Ah! My tongue is tied - tied like the Lover who Loves much more than she is Loved. I want this to be long and meaningful, yet I want it short and concise. I like to believe you lot know me well enough to know what it is I am struggling to say.

PHOTO-DIARY | WHEN IN ROAM

[11-10-12] + [13-10-12] - I pride myself on taking an unorthodox approach to my opening statements on a post-to-post basis. This time, however, I seem to be running low on the think-tank. So, this will have to do. On the eleventh of October, I was in roam. Would we call this wordplay? I think so.

I had a meeting run late in the city, which by chance, collided with my boyfriend's evening engagement. Being that I was poorly-dressed for the weather (outfit post may follow this one. If it does, I will insert a hyperlink here. Fun how things are subject to change, huh?), I thought it best to wait for him to head home (we conveniently live off of the same stop, by the same train). Little did I know what this wait would entail.

First, I waited in Chipotle (the one on Spring for my NYers), where I was entirely too cold and too broke (not broke currently; holla!) to entertain a meal. I sat, pulled out my sketch book, one whose pages are ridden by verbal and pictorial sketches, and dove in. For what seemed like forever, I slipped into my self, as I have a habit of doing, and my went quiet. I believe this to be a consequence Eventually, I gave in. I sought a solution, which dictated that I take off my jacket and create a makeshift blanket. Hilarious, I know! Also, I got something to eat.
Then closing time came and, well, I had to seek shelter elsewhere, 'cause of course, it was much too cold to wait outside. Luckily, UO doesn't close till 11pm and it's also well-lit with mirrors and nifty trinkets (had no idea they carried Miles Davis records) and garments and empty at this hour (after 10, roughly). It posed as a most inviting playground for someone who desperately wished to kill time, like myself. So, I played. Peace.

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED x VOL.2 | PIZZA-SHOP EPIPHANIES

[26-9-12] - The ability to single out one memory, to me, dwells on distinction. What makes this memory most, well, memorable? And, why? Most recently, actually on the day depicted, I had the displeasure of entertaining the company of an unstable, liable to flip shit, homeless schizo. The whole experience was entirely foreign to me, but incredibly hilarious nonetheless. Many would argue such behavior is expected, given New York City's reputation for harboring the most strangest of characters - an attribute which most take incredible pride in, might I add.

Here we are, myself, Monica and her younger brother, Juan (whom took the photos and, I edited them) and we're approached by this initially calm woman, declaring her need and right to sit down and sift through her magazines. When she's justifiably denied and redirected to the other extreme of the statue's base, that's when the drama begins. Ha! She's wailing and shaking her head, persisting on her demand to sit where she desires to sit, despite the fact that it's already occupied and may be so for the next five to ten minutes. Not too deep into the squabble, we gave up; we saw no point in arguing with someone who is too consumed by their own desires to seek reason in the situation. All my years in New York; I suppose it - being directly confronted with madness - was bound to happen. "Power to the Peaceful."

THE (MUSE)UM PROJECT PRESENTS: DISGRUNTLED JUNGLE x ALASIA

[19-9-12] - Initially wasn't the objective to include this in The (MUSE)um Project, however, things change, eh? Anyways. Meet my intern, Alasia, native to the DMV area and freshman at F.I.T. So pleased to have someone who thinks so highly of my work and myself so much so that they'd fancy learning from it. I have to admit: it's been a learning experience for me as well. Both are interchangeable and equal in their importance, so it's safe to say: as I teach, I learn.

The shoot was styled predominantly by Alasia, with a smidgen of my opinion here and there and set in Harlem, 110th street. This was my first time shooting someone else Uptown (I've been photographed on one other occasion by my boyfriend). What I found most interesting is: this look contrasted greatly with what is expected of Harlem's fashion/style scene. Consequently, we did receive quite a bit of stares. Shortly after the shoot, we bumped into the lovely Luella Mink. Her and I have been meaning to meet up since early last year and it took chance for it to happen. A pleasure, to say the least.
Look below for more images. Peace.

TEFF x COMPANY | TUNNEL VISION

[13-10-12] - Ah! First, I'm good. Then I'm bad. Then I'm absent. That is seemingly the inevitable cycle my blogging habits seem to have found form and comfort in as-of-late. In a sense, it's actually a good thing. I have learned that the longer I'm in NY, the more I've experienced Living on an entirely foreign octave. Hence, leaving little-to-no time for this bit of reality I've created here. Also, I have to admit it's more exciting to sit a computer and feel an overwhelming sense of, "what do I write about first???" Conversely, me being the indecisive being that I am, it actually proves to be a bit of a dilemma. There have been moments where I find myself set at the computer for the course of 10 minutes (or more), sifting through the array of memories, seeking the most exciting one. Or, perhaps, the most important or the most detailed or the most monumental. To me, that's an accomplishment. It's like I like to declare, "align personal progress to influential impact. And, if one should exceed the other, make certain it's the former."

Last Saturday's shoot with a client, set in the Bronx, Uptown is what I've gone on to grab from the memory pool. What I find most thrilling of practicing Art, is the unending desire and ability to partake in different methods and cultures and Beings and aesthetics. I got the opportunity to photograph a client, who is Muslim and most recently pledged the Hijab - a most brave and noble thing of her to do.

I and two of my friends, one of which is my assistant stylist, Zunyda and the other, Preston, a videographer. The two were present to aid in styling and capturing behind the scenes footage. (The first and third photo are by Preston and the middle, Zunyda, then edited by me). Peace.

THE EXPRESSIONIST'S CREED | NAUGHTY Y NAUTICAL

[01-9-12] - Observe how the use of the term, "manifesto" quickly manifested into "creed" in a matter of weeks? I'm like that; I seek change. As titillating a quality as it is to have, it has its downfalls. I seek change perhaps, too often.

I had the utmost fun shooting these. My neighbors some two doors down kept peeking, trying to figure out exactly what I was up to. Even though I had grown exhausted after shooting [W]itches Brew, the laid-back ease of the outfit transcended in the air that enveloped the entire process, it seems. Peace.

EVENT: BACKSTAGE | WILLIAMSBURG FASHION WEEKEND

Upon my invitation to attend Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, via my sister, Jennifer, I thought, "Williamsburg. Hm." And, from then on, my mind began to wander and formulate a multitude of the oddities that is expected of the individuals native to the area. I speak of it as though it's a foreign Universe or entity. Well, that's because in a sense, it is. The thoughts alone stirred my excitement; I grew eager.

Before I go any further, can I just declare how incredibly flattering it was to be mistaken for a model not one, but nearly over 5 times? Here I am, in my 5 foot, 6 inches of glory, walking among these 5'10 and up "glamazons" and still managed to fit in the bunch. Ha! Ah! But I digress.
Backstage provides an entirely different momentum from being in the audience; the energy is as wild as imaginable. My experience at AFWNY 2012, contrasted greatly from the moments that followed upon my walking in. The looks ranged from bold and chic, to bizarre and well, odd. There were dancers dressed as makeshift pixies and fairies and one stood nearly 7 ft on stilts and a fabulously queer man sporting 7 inch long heels and doing so, effortlessly. The scene backstage was a production in itself. Somewhere in the middle of these extremities, the entire production found a balance. The audience got a taste of both worlds and seemingly enjoyed it about as much as I did. My favorites, however, were the works of Nathalie Kraynina and Mark Tauriello. Nathalie collection embodied chicness and poise and her choice in models was immaculate. My fondness for Mark stems from his choice and use of print and fabric. He created his own prints, by the way. I commend any Artist who cares to see a vision all the way through - start, to finish. Peace.

VIDEO: AZEALIA BANKS x "1991"

Directed by: Justin Mitchell.

Just as it proves difficult to enjoy your favourite Artist's music when amid a large, roaring, eager crowd, the same effect translates in seeking out a new Artist with an overwhelming amount of reception. You await the hype, anticipate its thinning out to. Waiting, sifting through all the hype to allow the music to properly sink in and create a space for better assessment, free of influences from others. That case was no different when it came down to the meddling in the sounds of the beautiful and seemingly bubbly, yet bold, Harlem native, Azealia Banks. I heard numerous reviews on her hit single, "212" and grew curious on what she had to offer musically. It now pleases me to admit - after months of stalling - to admit that I am smitten. This song serves as my introduction to Azealia and I can't seem to get enough.

I am especially taken by the capture and fine execution of the 90's essence, look, style and sound. From the lyrical content, to her garments, to her body language, to the dancers; it all just came together perfectly. From the moment I saw the video, I was itching to share it with you lot, even though I was certain a majority of you has seen it. In the off-chance that you are yet to, enjoy. Explore Azealia Banks; she really is a force to be reckoned with. Peace.