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?"