Jeannette Petri aka Jee-Nice of Anattitude Magazine.

As promised, we’re hitting you with another installment of one of our most popular features—Women Making History!

Today, we are honoring a sister out of Brussels: Jeannette Petri—they call her Jee-Nice!—the creative force behind Anattitude Magazine.

Not familiar with the magazine? Well, we’re about to hip you!

Founded by Jeannette Petri, Anattitude Magazine has been around since 2005. The magazine is the first and only existing international Hip Hop magazine in print that represents the female side of Hip Hop culture. Intended as an antidote to the one-sided, boring, even nonexistent representation of contemporary female Hip Hop culture in the media. Anattitude presents strong independent women from around the world with a special focus on the variety of gender styles.

Anattitude presents knowledge and style with attitude!

Anattitude has an international and diverse readership across Europe, the US and Canada—half of which is actually male! The magazine is for people who are interested in keeping Hip Hop culture alive. It is also for those who want to be inspired by a fresh points of view in design and photography. With features from international contributors from Britain to Bulgaria, Anattitude gives it’s readers information about females in Hip Hop culture, that you can’t find anywhere else!

The magazine also has some of the most on-point photography in print and is beautifully design.

While studying Fine Arts in Germany,  Jeannette focused on video and photography but also started her Hip Hop career as “Jee-Nice” spinning on the wheels of steel in 2000. She brought out every 12 inch she had featuring female emcees from around the world and made the people dance.

Jee-Nice’s goal was to bring forward the forgotten history of females in Hip Hop. She began to research the history of Hip Hop in 2003 and created the reader “Here’s A Little Story That Must be Told,”  along with a mix of rare cuts. The birth of Anattitude quickly followed.

A tribute spread in Anattitude to Sha-Rock of Funky 4+1—the first hip hop group to have a female MC.

Get familiar with Jee via our exclusive M.I.S.S. survey below:

M.I.S.S. Crew Exclusive: Women Making History Survey

A Q&A with Jee below:
What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

A lot of women are inspirational to me every day… I mean every woman who’s doing her thing, who believes in her dreams and tries to realize them no matter how hard it is.

There are so many… from Missy E to my neighbor who is running her own chippy. Big up to all you ladies, keep on rocking!

How did you get your start?

That was very easy…I got my degree in art school as a photographer. As a Hip Hop DJ and magazine addict creating a Hip Hop fanzine featuring the ladies was the easiest thing for me to do. To combine the things I love, and yes…I felt the lack of the representation of females in every printed matter. I also felt the constriction of how you have to look like in the Hip Hop game.

All of that seemed to be so boring to me.  I had to create a different image of women of Hip Hop. So I did this great photo shooting with my girls for issue #1 (www.jeannette-petri.com).

I wanted to create and  show a new attitude in the Hip Hop world. I wanted to put the whole gender theme into it. But now, years later, as the publisher and producer of a (bigger) magazine its getting harder and harder.

I still love it but now it’s not only about taking dope photos or including dope interviews with dope women but it’s much more a business thing and creating survival strategies. I’m so bad in all these acquisitions of money and advertisement. I am very lucky to have art foundations believing in my work and the power of my work. Without their support there would be no Anattitude…THANKS.

Issue #2 of Anattitude Magazine focuses on French Hip Hop.

What’s your favorite piece (feature story/cover/etc) that you’ve created?

I don’t have one fave. They’re ALL faves because everything in Anattitude is coming from the heart and I’m doing only what I think is important to read, to research, to know, to see. I mean all issues have been important to me and were made for different reasons.

The first issue focused on the gender theme in Hip Hop. The second issue was discovery; to find out what French Hip Hop all about. French Hip Hop is unique and totally different from the rest of European Hip Hop and also very different from the American culture. The last issue (The Old School Issue) was a big dream of mine because I’m personally a big old school fan. I’ve been digging vinyls by old school spitters for 10 years.
I’ve been researching the female side of Hip Hop history for years. But everyone knows, if you want to get deeper into it, you will find nothing in print. There is really a need for all the untold and forgotten stories to be read. It was a great challenge to seek out Sparky D, who gave up her career as an MC at the peak of her career due to drug addiction. I wrote her two emails and finally I got to her and this interview with Miss Sparky D touches me deeply. She is definitely one women who inspires me, because of her strength.
Also, famous photographer Janette Beckman…an email and five minutes later I had her response saying, Yeah lets do this. Those moments are really great.

Who do you want to work with in the future (feature/collaborate with/etc)?

More collabos with dope women, more collabos with art collectives and trying to find advertisers to survive.

I would like to travel more to find out what Hip Hop represents for  different cultures, away from what we know in our European or American cultures.

Anattitude will grow bigger and deffer… so you ladies & gents out there, if you want to contribute to the one and only Hip Hop magazine, please drop us a line!

Anattitude Magazine: Helping keep Hip Hop culture alive!

What part of your work process is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

Like I said before, the business side of things is the most challenging part and the part I dislike the most.

Last but not least, a big shout-out to all our readers, fans and helping hands who are supporting Anattitude!!! Thank you!

Thanks YOU, Jee! Your drive and passion for Hip Hop is beyond inspiring!

We have a lot more pictures below but before you check those, be sure to bookmark the links below:

• Anattitude Magazine
• The Portfolio of Jeannette Petri

• ANATTITUDE ISSUE #1
• ANATTITUDE ISSUE #2
• ANATTITUDE ISSUE #3

• Anattitude on Facebook
• Anattitude on Myspace

Cubannie Links Spring/Summer 09: Part 1

I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Cubannie Links pieces just got hotter with the first drop of Spring/Summer 09 pieces. Look familiar? You bet! The new collection features hotted-up versions of existing pieces as we welcome the return of favourites like the Tri-Ring earring, Hoops, Tupac Rosary and the bold Coco Knockers

For the look book, CL head honcho (and M.I.S.S. Woman Making History Annie Basulto) took it back to her roots – the vibrant Wynwood Art District, north of Downtown Miami. Home to museums, galleries, studios, and art fairs, the colourful streets played the perfect backdrop to the collection.

Annie always brings us the goods, and this collection is further proof this lady is taking over! But don’t spend all your hard-earned dollars just yet - this is only Part 1 of the SS09 drop. Keep your eyes peeled for the next installment in the coming weeks.

Oh hai Jenny Truly! We featured Ms. Jenny (if you’re nasty) during our “Women Making History” series back in March, and she is still cranking out that new new! Yours Truly released the promo shots for their new Spring/Summer 2009 line called “Above the Clouds” and we at M.I.S.S. think it is definitely above the rim. For this installment, Jenny takes your average comfy tee and gives it a sexy cut…so for some of the shirts it may be necessary to go braless. If you can, you should! Our fave shirt last season was her L’Trimm-inspired “We Like the Cars That Go Boom,” and this season, the winner is the “East Coast” and “West Coast” tees. Perfect for the girls reppin’ one coast harder than the other, this tee still manages to pay homage to both coasts! Check it out to see what we mean, and make sure to rep YOUR coast this season. Oh and Jenny, FYI, I personally rep the East (but love the West)…

P.S. - all U.S. orders get free shipping! Read the full story for more info and to see more photos from the collection.

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Week three of our Women Making History series for 2009 has come to an end. Below you’ll find links to all the incredible ladies we’ve featured thus far. Make sure to check out any you might have missed and, again, stay tuned cause we’re not done with March which means we’re not done honoring Women’s History Month!

The Ladies of Week 3:

• Sunday, March 15th: Martha Graham

• Monday, March 16th: Leah of Married To The Mob

• Tuesday, March 17th: The Ladies of Hottub

• Wednesday, March 18th: Michelle ten of Missfitstyles

• Thursday, March 19th: Isabelle aka Narcissister

• Friday, March 20th: The Ladies of She-bible

• Saturday, March 21st: Maria Callas

In case you missed any week one or two features, we’ve rounded those up after the jump!

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Hey Ladies! We hope you’ve been enjoying our exclusive Women Making History series for 2009, honoring Women’s History Month. This is only week one and there’s a lot more ladies we want to honor so stay tuned all month for more features, including our weekend Women Who Made History features.

In case you missed any of our week-one features, we’ve rounded them up below!

The Ladies of Week 1:

• Monday, March 2nd: M.I.S.S. Michelle Kwan

• Tuesday, March 3rd: Annie of Cubannie Links

• Wednesday, March 4th: The Ladies of Club Zonder Filter

• Thursday, March 5th: Kerri O’Connell of Good Wood NYC

• Friday, March 6th: Kelly B. of Princess of the Posse

• Saturday, March 7th: Joan Baez (singer/activist)

Photo by Rafael Rios

New York Based Artist and “It Girl”, Va$htie, has been known in the entertainment and underground scene for years. She’s achieved success as a Music Video Director, Artist, Creative Director and Party Promoter while being featured for her work in notable publications such as; The New York Times, Daily News, i-D, Trace, Paper, etc. This time she’s embarked in the fashion world, finally debuting a line she’s been perfecting since 2000, called Violette.  M.I.S.S. had a chance to chat with Va$htie about Violette, her inspirations and her love of fashion.  Va$htie is a woman who truly is following her dreams, is an inspiration to women everywhere, and is a “woman making history.”

How did you come up with the name Violette?  What does it mean to you?

It came out of years of indecision. Coming up with the name was the hardest and I went through a few. I’m a perfectionist and it limits me sometimes. I started designing and silkscreening tees in 2000, but didn’t come out with a brand until now because I wanted it to be right…right down to the name.

I’m not sure when or how, but it came up in 2005 and stuck. The whole time I had been thinking too hard about a name. I wanted to stay away from anything feminine and typical.  As a tom-boy who only really chills with boys, I wanted the brand to be equal to a boys brand and not seen as “a girl brand”. Then VIOLETTE came out, and it was slightly feminine and not at the same time. I wanted the name to represent prestige, royalty, and opulence without having an obvious name.  It’s a color, but it represents so much more in so many cultures…harmony, balance, clairvoyance.

Also, I have an old photograph of my mother when she was young that has a violet hue from ageing. In it, shes posed in a studio wearing a pink Sari. The photo is, framed, and sits next to my computer so I can see it everyday. My mother (and father) represent the “American Dream” to me. Working class immigrants who came to this country for a better life. My mother and I are so different, and the opportunites I have were never options for her. I think about that from time to time and it drives me.

Since the brand was to have a tomboy edge, VIOLETTE worked well to balance the masculinity of the line. It was just perfect and I decided not to waste time anymore and just go with my vision.

Read the rest of the interview and see more of Violette after the jump!

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If you were reading M.I.S.S. back in March, then you’re familiar with our “Women Making History” feature where we interview talented ladies who are paving paths and doing great things. We know that women make history throughout the year so we decided to make this an ongoing feature to highlight ladies that work hard behind the scenes. Don’t worry, we’ll have a different project for you next March to honor Women’s History Month.

This week, we are featuring Mel from Borougbred, a ladies’ streetwear line.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mel a few years back at the MAGIC tradeshow. I loved her line from the moment I heard the name, BoroughBred, and she makes some of the best ladies’ graphic tees around. A true NYer at heart, her love of being “borough bred” shines through in all of her work. Take a look and learn . . .

Check out pics of her tees and beautiful son after the jump . . .

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Here’s the final Women Making History series round-up! All 27 ladies ladies in one post. If all these ladies ever got together in one room, heads would explode, our minds would be so blown!

Thanks to everyone who read these features on the daily, posted about the series in their blogs, everyone who left lovely comments…you’re all appreciated!

Here’s a recap of the last 4 features, March 29th-31st:

• Saturday, March 24- M.A.F.I.A of Sneaker Freaker
• Sunday, March 25 - Linda of Burton/Lovemade
• Sunday, March 26 - Tammy of Lovemade
• Monday, March 31 - Gabriella & Liz, Founders of M.I.S.S. Crew

The ladies of weeks one, two, three and 4—after the jump!

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Another week of our M.I.S.S. Crew exclusive Women Making History series to recap:

• Monday, March 10 - Mitra of Blood is the New Black
• Tuesday, March 11- Karen Jane aka KJ of Not Bad For A Girl
• Wednesday, March 12 - Nicole of Nicacelly
• Thursday, March 13 - Una Kim of Keep Company
• Friday, March 14 - “Gina Valdez” of Office Tramp

If you’re new to M.I.S.S. Crew or missed week 1 of our month-long series, see the ladies we featured for that week after the jump!

Read the full story

March is Women’s History Month and you know M.I.S.S. Crew would not let this one slide without a little something special. We’re excited to announce that throughout the month of March we will be featuring ladies who are “making history” in their respective fields including fashion, design, music, art, media and much more. Tune in everyday to see who’s making history. And don’t forget about all the women who came before us who made everything we have possible.