The 9th Annual #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk in Review

Erika Sutton, a 2011 graduate of Canine Assistants, shares a little about her experience with me just before #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk kicked off. She and her 7-year old service dog "Paisley" were fashionably poised outside at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta when I arrived. Ericka says, "It's just been an awesome journey to have a disability, but that's not the highlight when we're in public. The highlight is her (Paisley) changing the conversation. We talk about her, then we talk about my independence and everything I have accomplished in life." In fact, it's people like Ericka and stories like these which are exactly why Vincent Martinez and his team work so tirelessly to host the highly anticipated fashion fundraiser every year!

Celebrating nine wonderful years of #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk bliss, the event was held again at the beautiful Shops Buckhead Atlanta. With just one year to a decade anniversary of this event, guests gradually starting flooding out the scene to network, browse the silent auction and gaze at these two 2017 Porsche vehicles parked out front including this a stunning 2017 lava orange Boxer S. There was just so much class about the whole event, that you couldn't help but be entertained from start to finish! The silent auction was lined up with over 20 items to pick from, including a custom 30 X 60 wooden mural portrait of a single pet by Kent, a matching necklace and earring pair by Kendra Scott Jewelry, an exclusive Porsche Driving Experience where the recipient would ride with one of the country's most accomplished race car drivers and many other signature items that were being auctioned out. Vincent Martinez does not hesitate to tell you that pulling off such a grand event requires a solid team and hard work, like that of Theo Tyson, Grace Murphy, Laura Williams, Jacqueline Childers and Denae Hutchinson.

Grace Murphy, the Director of Development for Canine Assistants, shares with us that her organization trains service dogs and places them at no cost with their recipients. With that being said, the foundation has to continuously raise funds to house and train these dogs from birth totaling over 25K per service team. Canine Assistants offers service dogs for epilepsy patients, diabetic patients, those in need of assistance with their general mobility. Likewise, they currently have 11 service dogs in rotations with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Grace says the need is so great that they have a 5 year waiting list to-date. With this very pertinent information about what all Canine Assistants does, I found myself even more intrigued with these adorable dogs at the event. But alas, amidst all of the activities, the time for the runway show arrived as these amazing doggies strutted down the runway along with their models!

This year, #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk was fortunate to have designs featured on the models by Alice + Olivia, Akris, Planet Blue, Therory, Christian Louboutin, COS, Les Copains and Tod's. The lovely Monica Pearson was emcee of the runway show and introduce the looks and the K9 models as they walked. We also got a chance to view 3 stunning looks designed by individual Art Institute of Atlanta students. The culmination of a classy event with stellar designers all for an absolutely worthy cause, is one that I'd recommend you be a part of next year for the 10 year anniversary!

For more information and coverage of #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk, please visit www.fashionado.net and to support Canine Assistants, please visit www.canineassistants.org.

Photos Courtesy of Lindsay Abarca Photography

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The New H&M X KENZO Collab

Kenzo’s Carol Lim and Humberto Leon with H&M’s Ann-Sofie Johansson, center. - Photo: Courtesy of Soraya Zaman

Following a very exciting #HMBalmaination collab, H&M announces another thrilling collab that will launch in stores and online featuring KENZO! On November 3, the launch will include a collection of vibrant, youthful clothes and accessories for both men and women. KENZO creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon shared in a recent exclusive interview with Vogue.com about this new partnership with H&M. They share, "To us, the H&M collaborations have always felt like celebrations of the brands they’ve done them with. They’ve done them so well." And a celebration of the brands is precisely what consumers can anticipate!

In fact, one of their latest designs is inspired by The Jungle Book in line with the playful KENZO aesthetic and will showcase more of the brand's bright, fun, vigorous patterns to appeal to its fans. Another plus for those who typically would not shop KENZO is the fact that their collection will be at affordable prices through H&M in order to gain the interest of both the old and new customer. 

For more on the KENZO X H&M collab, please visit this link.

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The 9th Annual #DoggiesOnTheCatwalk Returns!

Jenna Muller of Modern Luxury hosted a Kendra Gives Back at Kendra Scott in support of Doggies on the Catwalk w/ Vincent Martinez

Friday, June 4, the highly anticipated and 9th Annual  "Doggies on the Catwalk" return to The Shops Buckhead Atlanta! Spearheaded by its founder, Vincent Martinez of Fashionado.net, this year's event will be emceed by Atlanta's own Monica Pearson in an effort to raise funds toward Canine Assistants. In fact, proceeds from the $50 cost for the tix will help the foundation in their tireless mission to provide service dogs for children and adults with disabilities. And just in case you're wondering what #DoggiesontheCatwalk looks like, just imagine a bunch of totally adorable and well-groomed K9s strutting down the runway coupled with models wearing upscale brands such as Alice + Olivia, Akris, Planet Blue, Theory, Christian Louboutin, COS, Les Copains and TOD'S. This outdoor event is one you can't afford to miss and begins at 7PM.

To purchase tickets for the event or to make a donation to Canine Assistants, please visit the link here. Cocktails and hors d'oevres will be served prior to the runway show.

Thanks in advance and see ya at #DoggiesontheCatwalk!

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Orchestra Noir's Red Carpet Launch - Atlanta, GA.

Jason Rodgers & Singer Solomon Thorne

On the beautiful evening of Saturday, May 14, 2016, Jason Ikeem and his all-Black orchestra AKA Orchestra Noir hosted a phenomenal Red Carpet Launch at Studio No. 7 in Atlanta. Jason's Music Mom and Instructor Virginia Lam was in attendance and says she is extremely proud of Jason's accomplishments. She tells us that the beauty of what Jason has done is to present orchestral music in a way that transcends the norm, transcends culture and yet manages to meet its audience in a very relevant way. Virginia Lam was the one to cultivate Jason's gift since his youth and has consistently supported his efforts throughout the years. Jason, a native of Philadelphia and currently the musical director of the Clarkston Civic Orchestra in Clarkston, Georgia, continues to make big moves in music and conducting which are only opening up greater doors of opportunity for him.

With a host of musical awards he's received both nationally and internationally, Jason has every right to celebrate it! Yet, he unselfishly considers others and thrives on providing occasion for their gifts to shine.  In fact, the night of his launch, Jason shared with us that he ran across an extremely gifted violist from upstate on Instagram who he absolutely had to have join in with the small ensemble. Her name is Lelia Walker and she among other brilliant talents like Singers Christian Eason and Solomon Thorne accompanied Orchestra Noir during the event that night. From song to song, the audience was captivated by the harmonious sounds coming from these various instruments and voices echoing throughout the congregation at Studio No. 7. We Atlantans are not only impressed by Jason's gift, but now more than ever, we are greatly expectant of that which is to come for Orchestra Noir.

For more, please visit www.orchestranoir.com.

Photos Courtesy of Lindsay Abarca Photography

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Recap: Men's Panel Discussion at Sheen Magazine's 10-Year Anniversary

On Saturday, May 30, 2016, Sheen Magazine hosted an all-male panel and discussion on the topic "What a Man Wants". The panel speakers included Christian Keyes (Actor & Author), T.W. Dawson (Motivational Speaker), Pastor Adrian Davis (All Nations Christian Center), Andre Carter (Author & Speaker) and Tre Chapman (Chapman Foundation Chair). Each gentleman chosen on the panel represented different areas of the industry with different life experiences and differences in age. The beauty of the discussion was that the audience was not just men, but also women who wanted to hear what these men had to say. As the discussion unfolded, the conversation leaned more on the side of "what a woman wants" more than about "what a man wants". One of the panelists and son of Kim Chapman (Founder of Sheen Magazine) by the name of Tre Chapman (Chapman Foundation Chair), made a comment in the midst of the discussion that ended up rattling the crowd. He says, "Women want direction and correction".

Without much explanation and little to no time to elaborate on his views, Pastor Adrian Davis of All Nations Christian Center in Huntsville, Alabama, interjected concerning the statement Tre made. Pastor Davis not only offered biblical perspective throughout the forum, but also some very sound wisdom on the topics that were covered. In response to Tre's comment, Pastor Davis says, "You have to be the man she is willing to follow so that when you do bring correction she is open to receive it." Along with these mentions, Actor Christian Keys and Andre Carter became very transparent regarding the affects of fatherlessness in their lives and how it has impacted them today as grown men. They share how the absence of the father has weighed heavy on their development as men and is is a constant battle, yet Christian Keyes shares very frankly how his faith in God has helped him to forgive in hopes of one day getting the opportunity to get to know his father personally.

For more info on Sheen Magazine's Legendary Weekend 2016, please visit www.sheenmagazine.com.

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Spring Media Dinner and at Davio's

Thursday, March 4, an invitational media dinner was held at Davio's Atlanta Restaurant. The intent for this event was to gather up a host of media affiliates to network and to enjoy a multi-course tasting of Items from Davio's new spring menu. The evening would commence with cocktails at 6:30PM facilitated and selected by Davio's General Manager Paul Dunn.  And prior to taking our seats for the splendid 4-Course meal, media contributors, PR personnel and the restaurant staff made their rounds throughout the enclosed private terrace to make connections, discuss experiences in the industry and to simply unwind for the evening. Among these media guests included bloggers, journalists, PR agents, editors, film publicists and more.

Finally, the guests were encouraged to take their seats in preparation for the serving of the dinner. Each item brought to us was impeccably prepared and tasted great. Along with each dish served except for the dessert, came with reserve wines as a compliment to the items. The curator and head chef behind this spring menu was Timothy McGee who shared the story behind the preparation of several of the items and how the cooking team is excited to introduce these new dishes to the community this spring. The media dinner menu items were served as follows:

PRIMO (1st Course)

MEDITERRANEAN OCTOPUS

Cauliflower, Spicy Almonds, Carrot Purée

2013 Davio's Reserve Chardonnay

SECONDO (2nd Course)

RICOTTA-PROSCIUTTO RAVIOLI

Parmigiano Brodo

Davio's Reserve Pinot Noir

PIATTI DEL GIORNO (Main Dish)

BRANDT PRIME NATURAL AGED SIRLOIN

Confit Potatoes, Morel Mushrooms, Barolo Sauce

2013 Davio's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

DOLCE (Dessert)

VANILLA BEAN PANNA COTTA

Local Georgia Strawberries, Lavender Shortbread

For more information on Davio's Atlanta or to locate the restaurant nearest you, please visit www.davios.com. 

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Alliance Française's Africa Belle Soirée Tonight!

Tonight May 22, 2016, Alliance Française hosts their annual Africa Belle Soirée at Colony Square in Atlanta. The 6th Annual Africa Belle event will be the finale event to a week long celebration where the francophone, francophile and general admirers of the African diaspora have attended dialogues, women's entrepreneurial activities and more. This year's theme Héroïnes d'Afriques (Female African Heroes) focuses on strong women in the diaspora who have amazing stories to share and extremely influential to their generation in both business and day-to-day affaires. The soirée this year will allow local contemporary African vendors to sell at the event, have great western/central-African dishes served to its guests, music, dancing and end with a highly anticipated runway show. This event is a must-see and will be held at the Alliance Française d'Atlanta's office located at Colony Square in Atlanta, Georgia. 

For more information about Africa Belle, please visit www.afatl.com.

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