The Sophisticate Chronicles

Black Music Month began in 1979 when Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams developed the idea to set aside a month dedicated to celebrating the impact of black music. Created by music business insiders, the group successfully lobbied President Jimmy Carter to host a reception on June 7th, 1979 to formally recognize the cultural and financial contributions of black music. Since 1979, Black Music Month has grown from a commemoration to national proportions with extravaganza across the country. Hip Hop has continued to be a subculture of the young people. Since it burst onto the scene in the late 1970s it has always been the voice of the young people and a conscious generation. “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang is noted as the first hip hop record to go Mainstream. Over the years we have enjoyed various artist and groups as Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Fab Five Freddy, Doug E. Fresh, The Fat Boys, Slick Rick, Run DMC, and the list goes on. In the late...

Spring is officially here!! After the frigid temperatures, snow, and ice we are finally on the horizon of warm weather and sunshine. The Pantone Color Institute has released their “Color Report” for Spring 2015.   The color trend for this season has returned to a more traditional palette. Each features warm tones of beige and Marsala (which is the 2015 color) and cooler tones of teal and citrus orange.   Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute stated, “There is a growing movement to step out and create “quiet zones” to disconnect from technology and unwind. Color hues choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated.” This month I decided to feature my Top 5 hottest trends for Spring 2015 under $100. 1. The Statement Skirt Normally when we hear the word “statement” in fashion, we automatically assume it is in reference to an accessor...