Geneva Toddy
It was a giant step for Blake Shelton, actually it would have been for anyone. In 1994, just weeks after graduating high school, the Oklahoma born country singer packed his bags and headed for Nashville, Tenn., a place that established some of country music's biggest stars like Alan Jackson and Dolly Parton. “I was so naïve though – when you're seventeen, this [is] going to be easy – so, I never had a doubt that I was going to make it one day,” Shelton said in an interview with Country Music Television.
After years of working random jobs and playing his guitar in bars, the perseverance finally paid off for the young country-rock musician. In 1998, Shelton was signed to the now defunct Giant Records. He released his first single “Austin,” on his self-titled debut album.
Though you may not be familiar with her name, you've lived in her style whether her name was on the label or not. Fashion designers are well known for their head to toe impeccable appearances, in the case of Isabel Marant, you'll find a more lax style. Baggy sweaters, easy hair-dos and just a light touch of makeup encompass Marant's look.
However, this is not the same as the clothes she creates. Marant's designs are very subdued in color. Earthy, natural tones are occasionally splashed with a pop of blue or red. A billowy blouse is complemented by a sleek pair of crop pants. The best part about this is that Marant's clothes are great for everyday wear. Nothing is grandiose or flamboyant – the focus is on making clothes that people want to wear, not just a piece of art that could be worn, but that will be worn. “I want to make real clothes that you keep in your closet a long time, that you don’t tire of, and that you can juxtapose with the next collection,” Marant said with the arts and travel site Hobo Magazine.
Boris Kodjoe is all over Hollywood. He began acting on television’s The Steve Harvey Show and almost immediately jumped into movies after that. You can see him on the films Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and most recently, he played in part of the Resident Evil franchise. Kodjoe is also well- known for his looks. The man is gorgeous and it’s no secret. He’s managed to keep afloat in the uncertainty of Hollywood, but that let’s us know that one thing is absolute: it’s hard work. It’s not just about getting by on your looks.
“I have to be very disciplined because the hours are ridiculous. We shoot 12 to 14 hours a day. To do all that physical stuff yourself, you have to be on a nutritional plan. I have six or seven meals a day. I eat every hour and a half, and make sure it’s all clean. I have absolutely no sugar at all,” Kodjoe explained to media, technology and entertainment site Collider about his role in the TV show “Undercovers.”
There’s certainly no shortage when it comes to fashion designers. Year after year, fashionistas around the globe anxiously await Fashion Week that floats around to so many different cities. The ability to evolve as a designer is crucial in such a saturated market, and that’s exactly Prabal Gurung’s specialty.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge have (at least) one thing in common: impeccable style. Who is the designer that links these two? Prabal Gurung. One aspect that sets Gurung apart from the rest is his ability to adapt. Gurung believes that fashion is forever changing - so his designs should be, too.
The label Proenza Schouler is most widely known for its early success. The It's creators/designers are Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough who met when they studied at Parson's School of Design. The duo worked together on their senior thesis in school. The project eventually became their first collection as Proenza Schouler, borrowed from the designers' mothers' maiden names. They now regret the name choice.
“The whole reason why we even picked that name in the first place was that when we started, Barney's had just bought our collection and we didn't have a name. We thought, Hernandez McCollough? [laughs] Doesn't sound so high end, does it?” McCollough said in Interview Magazine.
As the two designers grew to fame, they were popular for their bustiers and corsets. They responded better to men's clothing, so the designers began to incorporate that kind of tailoring into their clothing, which is a women's clothing and accessories line.
