It’s about time the Baltimore-bred MC and dance party guru Rye Rye (Ryeisha Berrain) got some attention. This 18-year old girlie was the first artist signed to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T Records, and as far as I see it, bringing back the fun of dance routines and booty-shaking. Her heavy bass, catchy lyrics, and conceptual style is reminiscent of the earlier, more enjoyable days of Hip-Hop. No wonder she’s partnered up with the none other than the creative “Bamboo Banga” herself- MISS Rye Rye has an image that compliments the past, present, and future of refreshing young talent, especially in the context of upcoming young female artists.
We Got The Beat: Right on Rye Rye
Diplo, Afrikan Boy, and Baltimore rapper Blaqstarr are just a few of the artists who have collaborated on Rye Rye’s music. If you need to get a download now “Shake It To The Ground” ft Blaqstarr is available on iTunes and at the end of this summer you can catch her live August 7 at Lollapalooza 2009!!
Priestess NYC/Shanghai is a women’s contemporary line based in New York City and designed by the fabulous Cody Ross. One look at the pieces and you know these clothes are for girls who are out on the town going to parties and dancing the night away - and now that I’ve met Cody and seen his bubbly personality first hand, it’s no surprise that his clothes convey a glamorous, yet happy-go-lucky vibe. Priestess NYC/Shanghai is in its 5th season and the line has been a success from the start with celebrity trend-setters like M.I.A., Katy Perry, Kerry Hilson, Juliette Lewis and Björk all fans of the line.
Cody’s interest in fashion began as a kid - his mom was into fashion and he gathered lots of inspiration from her wardrobe. He was always sketching and designing on the side. Later on he had a career in finance, but while he was in graduate school in London he took night classes at Central St. Martins and learned fashion design and pattern construction. Once he had the tools to wield his passion, Cody founded Priestess NYC/Shanghai.
Read the full story to learn more about Priestess NYC/Shanghai and to see more photos.
Part-time soccer coach and full-time creative being, Jasko Begovic has worked with the likes of Santigold and M.I.A. on clothing collaborations, traveled the globe spreading his colorful world and can be found at his store, Momoca in Berkeley, that we owns and operates with his wife, Tomoko. His collaged creations are a vibrant mix of his international influences from his life growing up in Bosnia and living life in America.
Tonight is the opening party for his solo show at Shotwell SF. It’s gonna be a party ya’ll! Jasko can be contacted at jaskohabibi@gmail.com. Read more to see more and get all the details!
One word: under-boob…or is that two? Regardless, leave it to Brian Lichtenberg to work under-boob into his SS09 collection. Debuting at this past L.A. Fashion Week, BL offered a collection which included his signature patched together wonders, including a full body stocking that my body is craving to be encased in, a bandage/bondage dress that my own personal under-boob is desperate to peep out of, neck pieces as part of a collaborative effort with Alex & Chloe and headpieces that would have made Isabella Blow proud by L.A.’s Franc Fernandez.
Litchenberg has been on the rise and seems to be continuing in that direction. Dressing the likes of M.I.A., Katy Perry, Santogold, Yelle, Lady GaGa and even Mz. Beyonce is found rocking BL in her latest video “Diva”. Yeah, I’d say he’s doing alright.
See his entire SS09 Collection, including under-boob after the jump!
Everyone was waiting for it and now it’s here. M.I.A.’s newest line just hit Karmaloop.com and can be yours! The collection includes bomber jackets, leggings and bodysuits, and the debut collection is designed by none other than M.I.A featuring her signature bold colors and graphic prints. This collection was produced in limited quantities and can be seen in her new video “Real Pirates of the Caribbean.” The video features a toe-headed Okley Leslie, who models the pieces from the collection that can be found on the singer’s website and purchased from Karmaloop.
Kali Arulpragasam (aka M.I.A.’s sister), is the designer of Super Fertile, the politically-conscious jewelry line. Each season, Kali chooses a different world issue from the caste system to terrorism, and addresses them in enlightening ways. All of her jewelry is unique and each detail is deeply thought out. Her pieces are the kind that make you stop and stare because they are unlike anything you’ve seen. Super Fertile’s newest collection is called “Hunger” and “is designed to raise awareness of the current food crisis.” Kali crafted beads in precious metals in shape of staple foods such as rice, beans, sweet corn, nuts, black bean, lentil, chick pea, wheat and seeds. The pieces are crafed in sliver and some are plated in gold “to symbolise how precious these staple foods are to starving countries in the battle against the rising cost of food.” The pieces range from small subtle charms on chains to giant collar pieces and neck plates that are like armor for the modern day warrior. I lover her pieces, and some of them are so exquisite as statement pieces, that I would want to wear little else.
True to her cause, Super Fertile is donating 7% of the profits to Oxfam to help in fighting world hunger. Not only are these pieces amazing, but the concept behind them makes them all the more beautiful. Kali says, “Everyone has the right to eat.” We agree. You can help promote the cause by purchasing her pieces at Kabiri, Selfridges, and Euforia in London. I hope she starts selling the pieces state-side soon, I love them!
M.I.A. performed recently at Diesel’s XXX party in NYC where she surprised the crowd with a baby bump! Yep, M.I.A. will be adding “mama” to her resume. Check out the video from Last Night’s Party below where she sings one of her “bangas” and shakes her bump.
As part of the release of her book, Miss Universe, Ruby Veridiano-Ching has put together a soundtrack for Miss Universe. The soundtrack includes songs that inspired her journey and healed her along the way as well a little commentary from Ruby through-out. From Kanye to Stevie Wonder the playlist really helps to create an even more vivid picture of Ruby’s world and that of Miss Universe. Join Imeem now and listen to the Intergalactic Soundtrack of one Miss Universe.
Stay posted for more info of Ruby’s book release party at Milk in SF on Oct. 26th! Peep the flyer after the jump!
A while back we gave you a head’s up and a sneak peak of M.I.A.’s clothing line. Well, it’s drrrrropped and we saw it first hand being rocked in the streets. You can purchase the pieces on the M.I.A. website here - act quickly because it’s going fast!
A few month’s back we gave you a head’s up about M.I.A.’s new clothing line. We just got some sneak peaks and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. From trademark M.I.A. tees to wildly printed hoodies, to lycra to fleece tops, each of the pieces has the M.I.A. mark on it. Think lots of color and patterns - definitely not for the shy! If music were clothing, I think these pieces are a good translation of the M.I.A. sound. I took some screenshots for you to look at and you can view the short film here. More shots after the jump! Read the full story
