Burning Guitars at Philadelphia Fashion Week 2017

We first witnessed Burning Guitars on the runway at Atlantic City Fashion Week a few years back, and immediately knew they are something special. The brand that lets you ‘Live Life Like A Rockstar’ draws inspiration from music, art and pop culture to create a unique image. I bought one of their amazing jackets for my husband and whenever he wears it, there are constant comments and photos taken by people who are impressed by it.

The Burning Guitars team is lead by their CEO and founder Smiley Jonez, designer Saiyd Muhammed, and executive Kenneth Jackson. They are supported by a wonderful team of models who bring their vision to life on runways around the world.

We’ve been fortunate to see their collection evolve since then, but they truly took things to a new level at their February runway show for Philadelphia Fashion Week. From an innovative use of sports jerseys, to some of their most beautiful evening gowns, their collection has become stunningly diverse, ranging from dope street wear to high-end couture.

I asked Smiley about the philosophy underlying the Burning Guitars brand.

“My philosophy is simple. Burning Guitars is for everybody. So each show I try to take the onlooker thru a journey of fashion and subliminal messages. Whether it’s dealing with political issues or just displaying a trendsetting collection, my overall goal is for our runway to never look like any other runway. I believe in breaking the rules respectfully.”

Music is a constant presence in all of their work. Smiley is a talented performer and MC, who sometimes performs on the runway as the models do their thing. They talk in terms of touring, travelling the world like a rock band playing the hits at packed arenas.

“Music is energy in the form of sound and sound sends waves,” Jonez continued. “Those waves can be energy of positivity or energy of negativity. Either way you look at it, sound waves create a feeling. I like to make sure that my collection matches the music so that the onlooker is having a fashion/listening experience as well as viewing experience.”

The hard work is paying off with increasing visibility for their label, a growing list of celebrity fans, including Yazz The Greatest, Tyson Beckford and CeeLo Green, and their first show in Paris coming up later this year. I asked Smiley what such high-profile support has meant to him.

“Celebrity attention means nothing to me if true friendship isn’t attached to it. I am inspired by love and friendships. I truly genuinely want for others what I want for myself. I display that in every gesture. When I meet a celebrity I treat them how they yearn to be treated, which is like ordinary people. The moment I connect with them on that level we automatically become friends.

“In reference to what it means to me for the brand I would have to say it means everything. It wasn’t until celebrities like B.O.B., Yazz and now CeeLo Green started wearing the B.G. brand that everything really began to take off. To go from everybody laughing at me and calling me Mr. Brown to now everybody wanting to wear the clothes is kind of different and scary, but I embrace it and I am thrilled that everybody is starting to represent the brand. It makes me feel like “I’M NOT CRAZY AFTER ALL!”

“My overall goal for B.G. is to change the world through fashion one needle and thread at a time and give everybody in the world the feeling of what it means to ‘Live Life As A Rockstar’.”

Catch the tour when it hits a runway in your town, join their 43.5k followers on Instagram @burningguitars and let’s all watch them change the world!

DJ Siaani Love rocked this special custom Sixers jersey.

Model Elona Hope Mitchell-Strong Nlm is an amazing presence and practically floats down the runway.

Model John Alex Gaines III.

Model Tiffani D. McLoyd absolutely slays every time she walks.

The man himself takes the finale walk.

Philadelphia Fashion Alliance – Designer Terese Sydonna

My biggest new discovery at the October 11 Philadelphia Fashion Alliance Launch Event, is designer Terese Sydonna.

Terese Sydonna, the brand, is a contemporary ready-to-wear and accessories brand designed for the superhero in all of us. Inspired by bold prints, sculpture, and unexpected detail, Terese Sydonna’s collections celebrate a modern landscape where art, fashion and comfort intersect. Stylish, yet maintenance free, 95% of the collection is machine washable, quick drying, and wrinkle-free.

Terese Sydonna, the designer, is a 2014 alum of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s, holds a dual degree in Economics & Business and Studio Art from Lafayette College, and a Fashion Design degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), and is super-cool, friendly and one of my new favorites. And, yes, one of those print jackets is now hanging in my closet. I couldn’t resist!

Learn more about Terese and her collection at her website www.teresesydonna.com and feel like a superhero!

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Thank you, Terese! I’m looking forward to seeing you and more of your wonderful clothes and accessories very soon!

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Philadelphia Fashion Alliance – Designer Jovan O’Connor

I was so fortunate to be invited to the launch event for the Philadelphia Fashion Alliance (PFA), held at Wetherill Mansion, South 18th Street on October 11, 2015.

The Philadelphia Fashion Alliance is an alumni group for designers of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. Its purpose is to create a support network for these designers to promote the growth and success of not only their businesses but also the Philadelphia Fashion Industry as a whole. Since I love to support and promote the local fashion scenes in our area, I was thrilled to participate and see of the wonderful designs and styles coming out of this vibrant city.

I was first introduced to the brilliant work of designer Jovan O’Connor at her New York Fashion Week AMONYC show, so I was especially excited to find out that she’s a member of the PFA and would be a part of this event. A number of her beautiful dresses were on display and I was very happy to see a lot of people checking out (and buying!) her styles.

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What to buy, what to buy?

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I like this one!

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Or this one?

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No, this one!

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The beautiful and incredibly talented Jovan O’Connor. I am so looking forward to seeing her Spring 2016 collection. She had some previews at this show and they were amazing.

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