That GOOD GOOD Around the Web

Atlanta-based designer Azede Jean-Pierre recently released some photos from her SS/12 Capsule Collection lookbook. I am absolutely in love with the sheer fabrics, the tailoring, and the overall femininity of these pieces, Azede certainly outdid herself. If you are unfamiliar with Azede, she is no stranger to That GOOD GOOD Blog and you can click here to read my past posts on her & her work. Here are a few more photos from the lookbook:

www.azedeblog.com

D’Angelo is back, ya’ll! After an 11+ year long absence, D’Angelo graced Stockholm, Sweden with a performance so riveting, it had R&B fanatics everywhere taking to the world wide web to bear witness to the magnificent footage. Not only did he serve up some of his more memorable hits such as ‘Chicken Grease’ and ‘Devil’s Pie’, Mr. How Does It Feel also debuted a brand new song entitled ‘Sugar Daddy’. This man’s voice is as brilliant as ever and his soul seems to be in the right place too. I’m so happy to see him back, it feels like the music world is starting to make sense to me again. Click here, here, and here to see the performance.

A friend of mine put me on to this producer/MC a few weeks ago and I have been hooked ever since. Oddisee is dope, I love his sound. Make sure you look him up on youtube! Here are a few of my favorite tracks of his: 

Chocolate City Dreaming, Once Again, Detroit & Mattered Much

This is, perhaps, the most creative tumblr that I’ve ever seen. As stated on the site: “If your house was burning, what would you take with you? It's a conflict between what's practical, valuable and sentimental. What you would take reflects your interests, background and priorities. Think of it as an interview condensed into one question.” People from all over the world send in photos, like the one seen above, displaying the items they would try to take from their burning houses. It’s such a simple yet amazing concept and as I peered through the site, it made me wonder what I would take myself. The Burning House is definitely worth a minute (or 5) of your time!

www.theburninghouse.com

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LAURENCEAIRLINE

Hello! I hope 2012 has been treating everyone extremely well thus far. Today, I would like to share a brand that I have been following for quite some time with you all. LAURENCEAIRLINE is a fashion label based out of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the hometown of LAURENCEAIRLINE’s chief designer, Laurence Chauvin Buthaud. The concept that “fashion and ethnic cultures can successfully collaborate to create possibilities for the future” is the driving force behind this line and also provides a vehicle for creating job opportunities in Abidjan amidst the aftermath of the humanitarian and political crisis in the Ivory Coast. LAURENCEAIRLINE’s SS/12 menswear collection entitled “ABIDJAN” features shirts and underwear composed of brilliantly colored poplin, chambray, and wax cotton fabrics which display an aesthetic similar to that of traditional African wear. I must say, I have seen wax cotton and ankara  overused, misused and abused within the past couple of years so it is extremely, extremely refreshing to see this fabric used so well. LAURENCEAIRLINE brings beauty and hope to a land that has been impacted by pain and despair and has thus earned the good good seal of approval. Please enjoy the photos & video, and make sure you click on the LAURENCEAIRLINE website link at the bottom of this post as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.laurenceairline.com

The GOOD Life: Mike Schreiber

In the past 1+ years that I have been running this blog, I have been afforded the absolute privilege of interviewing some of the most awe-inspiring individuals from all around the world. To call this experience incredible would be an understatement. Amazing does not even begin to break the surface either. This feeling I have is worth more than a 1,000 words, much like a photo. It's no secret that I am a lover of photography. I am captivated by a photographer’s ability to catch a singular moment in time and to have that moment live on for eternity. This brings me to today's The GOOD Life feature, hip-hop photographer Mike Schreiber:

I had seen samples of Mike's work all over the web; they were these breathtaking black and white images of major, major hip-hop icons. The photo that caught my attention initially was of my favorite rapper Mos Def (Yasiin Bey). I love Mos Def. 

Scratch that, I love Mos Def.

There was something so vulnerable about this photo that tugged at my heart the first time I saw it. Perhaps it was the manner in which Mos’ hoodie & hat obscure some of his face. Maybe it was his furrowed eyebrows and slight smile. The far off look in his eyes could have been it too. Whatever it was, I knew that I had never seen Mos Def captured this brilliantly and that I had to identify the individual who took the photo. The photographer was none other than the incomparable Mike Schreiber and after viewing the rest of his work, I was 100% certain that I needed to interview him for this blog. I sent him an e-mail, crossed my fingers in the hopes that he'd respond, and did a lil' dance the next day when he e-mailed me back saying he'd love to participate. 


Please enjoy my interview with Mike accompanied by a few of the stunning photographs from his photo book entitled True Hip-Hop.

What is your definition of a “good” life? Do you feel as if that is what you are living?

To me, a good life is one with as little stress as possible, staying true to yourself and living peacefully. I really hate drama, so I try to stay away from people who cause drama and mayhem everywhere they go.

To me, having peace and love is the good life.

How important do you feel it is for people to follow their passions, even if doing so doesn't seem like a "secure" life choice?

Well, I don't think there is such a thing as a "secure" life choice. Everyone with a job can lose that job. Then what? I'd rather have at least some control over my destiny. I think it's important for people to follow their passions, but it's equally important to be realistic. It's one thing to be passionate about something, making a living doing that thing is a whole different animal.

What aspect of your work makes you the happiest? What aspect do you like the least?

The process makes me happiest. The process of interacting with people and shooting. Travelling, seeing new places and people and cultures. That's what being a photographer means to me. The thing I like the least is the game of trying to get work. It's exhausting.

If you could photograph anyone in the world that you haven’t photographed yet, who would it be? Why?

Hmmm...there's not really anyone in particular. I'm happy shooting anyone that I think is interesting. It really makes no difference to me who they are or what they do or if they're famous or not. Maybe Tom Waits or Keith Richards.

What’s your favorite song lyric?

"I am what I am, thank God" -Jimi Hendrix from "Message to Love"

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew a few years ago that could have helped you along your life path?

Nope.

Where do you see yourself and your photography in the next 5-10 years?

I see myself doing personal projects, having shows, selling prints and making little books.

I think that'd be cool. I'd like to just keep moving. Doing things. Seeing new places and people.

If you could give someone a quote to live by, what would it be?

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock or

"The single most important component of a camera is the 12 inches behind it." Ansel Adams

www.mikeschreiber.com

My 'Finals Week' Playlist

Here are some of the songs that have been getting me through these strenuous hours of studying for my finals. Some are fairly new, some are quite old. Just click on the little play buttons and/or the songs and they will play in the little media player located in the bottom left corner of your screen. If the songs do not play, just refresh your screen and try again. Enjoy & the best of luck to all of you studying for finals too!

Love Song -1 by The Internet

Lady Brown by Nujabes feat. Cise Starr

Wondering Why (You Don't Talk To Me) by Jill Scott

Sleep by The Roots

You Got Me by Tab-One  |  This Way by Tab-One

Inside My Love by Minnie Riperton

Bye by J Dilla

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He's Got That Good Good: Curran Swint

Hello all! I hope that December has been treating everyone well so far. Today, I am pleased to present a brand-spanking new ‘He’s Got That Good Good’ post! It has been forever and a day since the last time I did one. Today’s feature is a young man named Curran Swint from Philadelphia, PA. What I like most about Curran, besides is sense of style, is his go-getter attitude. I have a lot of respect and admiration for people, especially young people, who allow their creativity to blossom by indulging themselves in a host of activities. Curran is a wearer of many hats and keeps himself busy as a stylist, event planner, blogger, and philanthropist. He has styled for the 2010 Philadelphia Fashion Week and The Source Magazine, and has been featured on major sites including the New York Times, GQ, Complex, The Source, Essence, and Ebony. Without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce you to.. 


Curran Swint from Philadelphia, PA

How old are you?

I'm a 24 year old King

What do you do for a living?

I’m a fashion stylist & owner of a blog called kingsruletogether.com

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

Inspiring, Philly, Sub-urban

Where are your favorite places to shop?

House of Ra'oof & Kamouflage Concept store

What is the 1 article of clothing that you couldn't live without?

I can live without all of my clothes but without my glasses, I wouldn't be able to see.

www.kingsruletogether.com

StyleLikeU

styleLikeU.com is a refreshingly brilliant site and one of my top favorite places on the internet. This site takes fashion and transforms it into a language which is spoken by each of the different people they feature. Why I love it so much is because it's all about the personal styles of a host of individuals: from designers, to writers, to students, to artists, and not just merely about the clothes. I am so intrigued by personal style because I feel that the way we dress expresses a bit about who we are as individuals, even if we don’t mean to do so. This site reaffirms that style is, perhaps, the broadest form of self expression that exists. I definitely encourage you to check out StyleLikeU and to watch the videos of these different people discussing what style means to them and how their lifestyles influence the way they dress, you will not be disappointed! In the meantime, I will leave you with a few of my personal favorites..

Waris Singh Ahluwalia, jewelry designer & actor

Lizzy & Darlene Okpo, designers of William Okpo

Preston Davis, actor, model & surf instructor

Kaelen Haworth, designer

Lindsey Caldwell, DJ & singer

www.stylelikeu.com