Dream Team... Put em in Coach!!

God works in ways that are indescribable!  It's amazing how he orchestrates paths for people to meet, people that you KNOW you will rock with for a long time. Aaliyah Arrington (left) and myself, Damaris (right) are the founders of Polished culture, together with my mother Martha Fletcher (Jewelry Designer).  Aaliyah will probably hate me for putting her up here like this, but I had to mention the creative drive behind the Polishedculture Vision.  She is comfortable behind the scenes, but the creative energy she has and the way she stays humble in all things, really encourages me and keeps me grounded.  This project has been an just an idea for 3 years, and Aaliyah is the only person that believed in Polishedculture and understood the necessity to bring culture to a culture-less generation.  It's uncomfortable to be soo driven and surrounded by individuals who don't keep it pushin, they are just there.  I  had a conversation with a very talented young photographer, LoanyG (Below of LoanyG photography, check her out)

the other day, and it was a breath of fresh air to hear that someone else feels the same way I do as far as pushing for something you believe in and want to see grow, and leaving those stagnant individuals behind that are comfortable where they are, even if it hurts at first... the life and times of Greensboro, NC (lol).

People always underestimate the power of a young mind, which makes sense to a certain extent because we have much to learn. However, a young mind which is determined and WILLING to learn by branching out and doing what works for them, and not for others (which includes multiple failures), at the end of the day is even more powerful.  I have been blessed to be surrounded by the best team evveeerrr; young, artistic, powerful creators at the peak of their craft.  Not too long ago we did our first photo shoot for Polisheculture jewelry, and it was soo effortless how the magic happened.  It honestly felt like a day party (just got on those "day parties"...thanks Atlanta), with the cool sounds of J-Davey and RES playing in the background lol. Photographers LoanyG, Shacko Oteka (below right), and Aaliyah Arrington all vibed to execute the Polishedculture vision.  Makeup Artist Jaime Wooden (below left) came and SMASHED a couple faces to really give the West African/High Fashion look that Polishedculture represents.

(Please check all of these artists out...it will be worth it! ) The Chemistry was sooo crazy, it almost didn't make any sense! Not only are these people freaking awesome at what they do, but they are genuinely goood people, and for that I'm thankful that God allowed all of our paths to meet.  Some call it networking, others call it PR, I call it ordained by God=) It's easy to meet people and work with them, but its difficult to find geniuses at their craft that are humble and truly believe in what your doing.  Thanking God for the DreamTeam =)

Some photos from our Polishedculture photoshoot party... Website coming soooooooooooon!!!

 

Ethnic Rockabilly...

So As I'm getting used to being apart of this cyberworld, which has been long overdue (i know i know), I came across an incredible designer who has incorporated west African fashion at its best.  Maya A. Blake is one of the few and far between designers bold enough to incorporate West African beauty in the colorful and eccentric patterns shown in the fabric, which so many countries of West Africa are very well known for.  She mentions that her 2009 collection "Boxing Kitten Fall 2009", embodies conservative cuts of the Civil Rights era and the bolder fashions of the Black Power movement while using the colorful West African pattern scheme represented in the fabric for a look she’s christened “ethnic rockabilly.”

 The only thing I can think of to officially set off the fashionable suave yet cultured outfits would, of course, be a polishedculture beaded or brass necklace and several beaded bracelets on one arm to also offer a rich West African feel and really represent that empowered look women of the Black Power movement so effortlessly portrayed.

Check Maya out:  http://www.thefader.com/2009/11/18/boxing-kitten-fall-2009/

Stay Polished!! =)

Lets get Cultured...=)

It's truly an honor to have you stop by and get a feel for who we are at polished culture.
It's funny because when trying to figure out what TRULY defines PolishedCulture in the beginning, we realized that what we are doing is more of a movement than a trend. Being a biracial individual with a father from Ghana, West Africa, a mother from Mexico City, and socially recognized as a black American woman born in the U.S., I have had challenges trying to identify myself growing up, thinking that I had to fit a mold that is recognized and accepted by other people. I've noticed that this is the same story for sooo many people, especially biracial or multiracial individuals that were born in America with close family from other nations. As I mature and truly appreciate my trips back home to Ghana and Mexico, I have the opportunity to learn where I come from, and the rich culture that has even influenced America in in soo many ways. I can't help but gain respect for cultures as a whole, and even more respect for those individuals not ashamed to express who they are, even if others cannot relate.
I don't consider myself the most knowledgeable individual in the world and I'm still learning everyday, but I do find it verry difficult when close-minded people aren't willing to expand, and be open to other cultures which make America what it is, and instead look at individuals as different, or crazy because they never "lost" that cultural stuff when they moved to the states.

Beautiful Beginnings!!!