J.Goode Presents Black Women Rock at Verse Sneaker Boutique

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

J. GOODE PRESENTS BLACK WOMEN ROCK AT VERSE SNEAKER BOUTIQUE
Digital Fashion Event Jumps Off on Valentine's Day in Downtown Oakland

Black Women Rock is the premiere fusion event from the mind of artist and designer Jocelyn M. Goode. It will debut Saturday, February 14, 2009, at Verse Sneaker Boutique in the historic Old Oakland District.

Black Women Rock is a celebration of fashion, music, design, style, and art that is inspired by the many looks and attitudes of the modern black woman. It is retro-funk meets modern chic. It is a tribute to the beauty that encompasses women of African heritage, particularly the modern everyday style icon. "I want to highlight Black women who have made an impact in their respective creative discliplines," Goode explains.

"Women like Lauryn Hill, Naomi Campbell Erykah Badu are all present day examples who inspired so many other young women through their particular art and perspective while balancing their own personal struggles with their own success. That's why they rock."

Black Women Rock is the flagship event for the Fashion Art Interactivity Movement (FAIM) and will feature digital fashion illustrations from the J. Goode Collection, as well as live models and live painting. Music will be provided by DJ Kurse. The event will take place on the evening of Valentine's Day, 4pm to 7pm. Free admission.

Black Women Rock at Verse Sneaker Boutique
461 9th Street
Oakland, CA

Please visit www.urfaim.blogspot.com for further updates.


Media Contact:
Charisse Lambert
(510) 459-3065
underscore2030@gmail.com

Oscar Grant Unites Us

This is a piece I created in reflection of the anger, frustration, rage, disappointment and sadness over the murder of Oscar Grant. 

The violence and destruction we witnessed are symptoms of pain. Yet, they are also signs that show that we can unite. If people of all different backgrounds can express their emotions collectively, then they should unite to analyze and prepare effective ways of achieving justice.

Let us take this tragedy as an opportunity to come to the table ready to figure out how we can work together to begin resolving the problems we face daily. Let us embrace diversity as wealth and resources to create self-sufficiency and intercommunal reliance.

Oscar Grant unites us.

Art and story by Jocelyn M. Goode

FAIM Is...Labelle

Story by C. Lambert

FAIM loves paying tribute to style innovators. Ultimately, we realize influences come in various mediums. Regardless of the genre, style is as style does, ya dig? So we introduce FAIM Is...Fridays. This is where we take a moment to spotlight and celebrate innovators in art and style who helped make a way for the new breed of artist.

So, for this Inaugural FAIM Is... we are celebrating the sounds and style of Labelle!!


Consisting of Patti Labelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, they melded disco with funk and glam rock unlike the girl groups of the day. Many of us know and love spectacle that is Patti Labelle, but the truth of the matter is that the trio of Labelle is what set the precedence for the over-the-topness that later became the stage show of Miss Patti. The group was best known for their gospel singing harmonies and sang of racism, sexism and eroticism. This female trio is responsible for the proto-disco funk classic "Lady Marmalade," and LaBelle's outlandish space-age costumes and brash incorporation of rock & roll were a far cry from their early days as a typical '60s girl group, not to mention the later solo career of Patti LaBelle. The group's songwriter was Nona Hendryx, who followed an idiosyncratic muse into her own solo career, which often bordered on the avant-garde.

The group is enjoying a successful reunion tour for the first time in 30 years and will be playing Oakland's Paramount on January 30th.

Oakland Unites to Fight the Power

Story by C. Lambert. All Photos by Jocelyn M. Goode.

FAIM is all about fashion and style, but beneath the surface, FAIM is about philosophy and cultural upliftment. Having said that, today FAIM is showcasing exclusive pictures from a protest in support of bringing justice for Oliver Grant, 22, who was killed on New Year's night when he was shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer. This story is relevant for so many issues, but most notably because Grant was handcuffed and lying face down when he was shot in the back. Several witnesses were on the train and/or platform at the time, and astonishingly enough, there is even a video clip of the shooting taken by passengers making internet rounds.

Police brutality is hardly a new issue in Oakland or any other Black urban area for that matter. So the real question becomes what will make 2009 different than, let's say, 1969? Only the people can answer that question. Take a look at some of what they had to offer:

This is not a Black or White issue. Injustice doesn't know color.



Please follow this story. It's much bigger than just Oscar Grant. This is about all of us.

Oakland Strokes: Part Deux

Written by C. Lambert. All Photos by Jocelyn M. Goode.

Yesterday FAIM spotlighted images from the recent Body Art Fusion show in Oakland, which featured the best in Bay Area tattoo and airbrush artists collaborating with live models to bring paint and fashion to the catwalk. Here are a few more shots from the evening:

Oakland Strokes

Today FAIM is featuring images from a special fashion/art event held in late 2008 that brought together the visions of talented Bay Area airbrush and tattoo artists as they used models as their canvas. Enjoy!
Watch Out Now...

Jai're International Couture: The Grand Finale

Story by C. Lambert. Photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 9, 2009.

This week FAIM has been showcasing the creative designs of Jai're International Couture, whose styles promote individualism, art and fantasy.
Jai're was founded by fashion designer Nekia Hattley. She drew inspiration for the line from her sister, Jai're, who now serves as Business Partner and Marketing Director for the Los Angeles based company. Jai're IC is fitting for the rebel in fashion and is inspired by ancient Egyptian art and 70s funk sensibilities. The following images are a final recap of some of their illest styles as presented in the Fashion On The Square in 2008.

Please visit www.jaireic.com to view more styles and information.



This look features a teal and tan corset, hugging the model's body to compliment the smooth, flowing yellow short suit....


... So Silky!!



A typical designer piece, Ja'ire remixes these neckties into a spunky multi-tiered mini skirt.





This piece asks, "Who is the boss?"

Ja'ire International Couture-FOTS 2008 Continued

On this model, lace peach saddle stirrups, layered over white denim. Double waist-wrap belt to accentuate the torso's curvature.

Bell-bottom pants and booty-kins cut-out mix retro 70's with cowboy.

The indigenous print of the dress has a camouflage effect with a triangular ruffle formation building at the bottom of the outfit.

Off-the-shoulder fitting and side cutouts heighten this dress' drapery effect.

Captions and photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 8, 2009.

Ja'ire International Couture-FOTS

As promised, FAIM Magazine continues to bring selections from Ja'ire International Couture from Fashion On The Square held in San Francisco last year.

This fitted, skinny dress has been hand-painted, adding accent colors of metallic blues and pinks to the neutral brown material.

Artfully balanced, the exposed shoulders coupled with bunched sleeves accentuates womanly sensuality. The exaggerated length hugs the form while intriguing the imagination.

The piece harkens back to 18th century Victorian era with vibrate lime color layered with ethereal, black lace. This contemporary twist on the classic pant and jacket pairing gives a sexy edge for the expressive, business woman looking to turn heads.

The pant legs with triangular pleats layer give the illusion of a long skirt. Once again, this sexy-show-stopper is for those who are bold and fashion-forward.

Story and photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 7, 2009

J'aire International Couture-FOTS 2008

Photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 6, 2009

Fashion On the Square Runway Show, SF

Fashion On The Square held its fifth annual show on July 18, 2008 as the largest outdoor fashion show on the West Coast. 

Founded by Y'Anad Burrell, the show was hosted at Union Square in the heart of metropolitan San Francisco. Designers such as J'aire, Chris March, Virgil Ortiz and Allen Edmonds showed their latest designs. 

This week I will be highlighting designer duo, Jaire. These sisters presented sexy, sassy designs with flare. Flirting with the risque, Jaire International Couture intrigues the viewer and invites the imagination to fill in the blanks, truly for those that want to make an unforgettable yet extraordinary impression.

Check in daily to see the complete collection.

Story and photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 5, 2009

Black Women Rock-Jan 2, 2009

Black women have incredible strength and beauty that is so unique it needs a regular spotlight. This post will appear frequently showing different women's interpretations of what "Black Rock" looks like for them. This series highlights natural, original beauty so ladies, make it fresh and fly.

We welcome our readers to participate by submitting photos (72 dpi jpegs or pdfs) of themselves in their interpretation of "Black Rock" and/or natural hairstyles. Send to jocelyn.m.goode@gmail.com.

Here are two sisters with gorgeous natural hairstyles. True rock flava!

Story and photos by Jocelyn M. Goode, January 2, 2009.

What is FAIM?

What is fame? These days that is a good question. One answer is the Fashion Art Interactivity Movement. FAIM takes the art forms that we access the most and blends them with positive, impactful imagery in multi-media applications, presented with audience involvement and live action. It also documents the evolvement of underground and street fashion and art trends worldwide.

FAIM (pronounced like the word "fame") is a the present-day Harlem Renaissance. Its about the rise of culture and collaboration by the people who have been most marginalized, overlooked and oppressed. FAIM is a movement that creates a platform for the next generation of artists, designers, innovators, trend-setters, thinkers and inventors to link, experiencing each other's work as well as bringing new visions to the greater masses.

FAIM Magazine brings the latest in street, urban and underground fashion internationally. The journey begins in the Bay Area with pictures from shows in the last year. The magazine responds to the requests of its readers so it will present a diverse set of information. Keep posted and send in your recommendations for future consideration.

FAIM was founded by artist & designer Jocelyn M. Goode on January 1, 2009.