Can a White Woman Tell Black Women how to be Beautiful?

Left to Right: Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt Murray, Michaela Angela Davis, Elliana Plancas

By Akilah Porter
Readers and former employees of Essence magazine were outraged when the decision was made to promote a white woman to the position of fashion and beauty editor.
Although diversity is ideal in business, I think when it comes to this position for this particular magazine, only a woman of African dispora can tell other women in that group how to be beautiful and black. We can go to magazines like Elle, Cosmo or Lucky to get beauty tips for white women by white women, but now the magazine we once called our own is no longer ours only.
Former Essence writer Michaela Angela Davis has been speaking out against the decision since July. Hundreds of her Facebook supporters have taken her side on the issue by commenting on her page supporting her distaste in hiring Ellianna Plancas as the new fashion and beauty editor.
Davis insists that this is not reverse racism. She is concerned for the black women who will not have the opportunity to hold an editorial position because of incidences like this.

"Essence was the first magazine that says in their brand that it is for black women and their motto when I worked there was 'where black women come first,'" Davis said on CNN. "This is not about being racist, this is about wanting a place where black women can grow and flourish and go out and help diversify.”

Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt Murray stands by her decision to hire Plancas and wants readers to stay loyal to the brand:

"I understand that this issue has struck an emotional chord with our audience...however I selected Ellianna, who has been contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis for the last six months, because of her creativity, vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. We remain committed to celebrating the unique beauty and style of African-American women in Essence magazine and online at Essence.com."

Plancas previously worked at O: The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly.

Modista presents Dreamland

Modista hosted the first fashion show to take place on Rockwell Hall's runway in decades last Friday. The event ended Black History Month programming by taking its audience to dreamland. If dreamland is where the best fashion show at Kent State in the past three years takes place then Kori Fields and members of Modista sure got us there.

Co-founder of Modista, Fields, exudes confidence walking the runway in a chartreuse dress she made. The fabric is weaved on the silhouette of the dress. This is one part of her collection.

Intrendzick designer Jasmine Williams took spectators to the dark side of glamor. Models appeared to be incredibly vain as they exited a picture frame and posed as mannequins.

Williams' designs coming down the runway.

Audience members were heard saying "I'm scared" when designer Marquis "Lucky" Engle's scene began. His one part Rihanna, one part Saw introduction set a tone for his collection. From his "Diva" shades to the reoccurring shoulder pads, the whole collection encompassed what urban edginess is today. It was nice to see studded shades pushed to another level when Engle put a broken CD on the lenses of a pair of his shades.

This was Ashley Tolliver's first make-up scene in Ohio in almost a year. With Ashley Morgan on hair, Tolliver had audience members talking more about their leotards designs than their hair and make-up skills. Morgan used interesting colors to create couture hair, and Tolliver gave the models a natural look to match hair colors. But it was the pearl-embellished leotards that left the audience talking.

High Fashion

Left: Jasmine Williams, Right: Sheila Denanyoh

The .designers responsible for making the garments worn in the "Black is Beautiful" shoot

Sheila Denanyoh owner of Ill-La-La Designs

Sheila Denanyoh

Jasmine Williams owner of Intrendzick Couture

Jasmine Williams

Jasmine R Williams and Sheila Denanyoh are UHURU magazines' spring 2010 designers to watch. For more information read their interviews below and also look for their designs in our spring 2010 "Black is Beautiful" in April.

Designer to Watch: Sheila Denanyoh

Interview By: Britany Ruby

Photography By: Benjamin Moten

Sheila Denanyoh has always had a strong love of fashion, but she was raised in a community where being a fashion designer was not a respected occupation. When she entered college, Denanyoh chose to major in Interior Design. Now at the age of 21, she is an up and coming designer on her way to fashion greatness.

Clothing Line: Ill-La-La Designs

Based In: Kent, Ohio

What is your design style? Ill-La-La Designs is a very eccentric clothing line, with African print and soft fabrics.

When did you know you wanted to be a designer? I started sewing when I was in the fourth grade, but it wasn't until I was ready to graduate high school that I realized that I would like to get into designing clothes.

Where do you get your inspiration? Most of my inspiration comes from Africa. It ranges from the people to the culture. My friends are from all over the continent of Africa. I draw inspiration from them and their heritage.

What new trends should we expect from you in 2010? I am focused on a sophisticated more grown-woman style.

Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion designers? Be sure this is something you want to get into. When you really know that this is what you want, you have to push hard, look past all of the obstacles and keep pushing.

What are you currently working on? I have just started working on a WInter/Fall 2010 line, but I still have a lot to do.

For more Information on Ill-La-La Designs contact Sheila at

Sdenanyo@kent.edu

Designer to Watch: Jasmine R Williams

Interview by Britany Ruby

Photography by Benjamin Moten

Jasmine Williams set a record for student designers by winning two fashion show competitions in less than two weeks. Williams, a junior fashion design major, is taking Kent State's campus by storm. When the "Fashion C.E.O." isn't slaving away in classes she is winning competitions.

Clothing Line: Intrendzick Couture

Based In: Kent, Ohio

Where do you get your inspiration? Life experiences and daily encounters.

What is the hardest part of starting and running your own clothing line? Getting the money and having everything fall into place.

Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion designers? They should never stop believing in themselves, never accept "No" for an answer and know that you can do all things with God.

What are you currently obsessed with? Rihanna. I love her style, her edginess and how she is constantly evolving. I think fashion is ever changing.

What is your style philosophy? To think outside the box and to always wear something that will leave an impression on people's imagination.

What are you currently working on? I have a couple of fashion shows coming up next semester, and I am working on planning and making the clothing for those shows.

For More Information on Intrendzick Couture visit www.intrendzickcouture.com

UHURU Fashion: Couture Chic

Photography by Rachel Kilroy
Styling by Ashley Morgan & Rashonna Duett
Hair by Ashley Morgan
Make-up by Ryan Robinson

Kent State University's Best Dressed

Name: Myrna Elizabeth Daher

Major: Public Relations

What she’s wearing: BCBG sweater wrap(as a dress), Green Scarf, Gianni Bini belt, Urban Outfitter leggings, Coach Shoes

Why did you pair these pieces together? “I chose the green scarf because of the way it coordinates with my plum colored, Coach shoes.

Favorite Designer: BCBG & French Connection

How many pairs of leggings do you own? Around 20, including about 10 black pairs.

Photo and Interview By: Britany Ruby