C&C Style Club: Venita Aspen

Meet Venita Aspen, a barely 20­something year old who has accomplished much more than the
average woman of her age. Oh yeah, she's a pretty snazzy dresser to boot. We cover everything
from her fool­proof strategy to avoid wardrobe malfunctions, why "Coraline" is the most stylish
movie ever, and 100 ways (kind of) to make sandwiches.

Age: 20
Occupation(s):
Full time student
Restaurant Hostess
United colors of fashion manager of development
Model coach assistant for CFW
Editorial assistant for smallchicksbigdeals.com

"Waking up. That's inspiring. Because not

everybody has the opportunity to wake up so

when I wake up I'm inspired, like 'dang, I get

another chance'. "

C&C: So let's talk about style. Who and what inspires your style?
V. A.: Janelle Monet inspires my style. All the way. There's no other person. I can't think of
anybody else but her. The first person I think of is her.

C&C.: Is there a certain thing or things that inspire you?
V. A.: Waking up. That's inspiring. Because not everybody has the opportunity to wake up so
when I wake up I'm inspired like, "dang, I get another chance". Somebody else didn't, and at the
moment I'm thinking I have another chance, somebody else's is being taken away. So that gives
me even more power to do the best I can for that day.

C&C: What are your hobbies and interests?
V. A.: I like thrifting. I think that's everyone's answer right now. It's easier to do. It takes up a long
time to find what you want, but it's worth it if you only pay $8 versus paying $30 for it and you only
wear it  like 3 times. I like going out to eat with my friends. We're big foodies.

C&C. What’s your favorite food? No wait, what's your favorite restaurant?
V. A.: Huh!

C&C: It doesn't have to be in charleston.
V. A.: Favorite restaurant, oh my gosh. I have to say Allouettes right now.

C&C: I've actually heard that from a couple of people recently.
V. A.: She has… I kind of get inspired by her because she has a healthier style to her menu. She
does vegan and vegetarian style foods. The food is really good.

C&C: I remember we had a previous conversation and you mentioned that you are in culinary
school, correct?
V. A.: Right.

C&C: What's your favorite thing to cook?
V. A.: Sandwiches. I guess you don't cook sandwiches, you make them. You can make a
sandwich in over 100 different ways.

C&C: Are you familiar with Bubba from Forest Gump?
V. A.: Ok?

C&C: 100 ways to do shrimp?
V. A.: (Laughing hystericaly) Yeah!

C&C: Give me 10 ways to do sandwiches. Go!
V. A.: 10 ways to do sandwiches… Ok. You can do hot sandwiches or you can do cold
sandwiches. That's easy. Let's see, you can use different types of bread. Let's see, what else…
You can do dessert sandwiches.

C&C: Really?
V. A.: Yeah. Like the bread is like a French toast style and all of your ingredients other than that
have to be sweet. Like caramel apples or any type of fruit. And you can toast it and cut it up. Let's
see, I don't know man… it's kind of hard. I would have to sit down and write all the ways.

C&C: Yeah, I kinda put you on the spot huh?
V. A.: Yeah.

C&C: What is your dream job?
V. A.: Having my own restaurant. That would be my dream job. And to have it so big to the point
that people come to me for it. They come from all over just to eat at my spot. I don't have to have
three different locations or a chain so people come to it. Like they would fly to me.

C&C: What's your favorite piece in your closet right now.
V. A.: My leopard print flats, I guess.

C&C: By?
V. A.: Target.

C&C: Score.
V. A.: Yeah, I actually wore them today. With all the things I do so late at night. After I get off and I
have to do things for United Colors of Fashion. That's taking up a lot of my time right now. So in
the mornings when I get dressed, that's the quickest way to be not lazy, but be relaxed and still
look cute. Leopard print flats black jeans or some cutoff jeans or some boyfriend jeans or anything
like that. Those leopard print shoes do it. They're like, "oh man, she got style, she's got sass.
She's got leopard print shoes".

C&C: So real quick. One thing. There's this misconception that in order to look stylish it take a ton of effort, but you just said it. Like, if you strategically pick pieces that you can just throw on, it's really not that hard.
V. A.: Right. Like my favorite outfit I have right now is my “Canadian suit” as my friends call it at
work.

C&C: Double denim?
V. A.: Triple denim.

C&C. Triple?... Ok.
V. A.: I wear some jeans with a denim button down with a denim jacket. And then I'll do leopard
print flats or nude flats. And if I had denim shoes I might try to pull it off but I don't know how good
that would look. That's simple. If you’re getting dressed and you’re trying to do the double denim
thing, like “oh look at this jean jacket. Let's throw this on”. That takes two seconds to put that
together. Then just put your hair up. Throw on some earrings to give it a little edge. You don't
even have to put on makeup. Just go.

C&C: I totally agree. So you mentioned United Colors of Fashion. Talk about it a little bit. What is
it?
V. A.: They're an organization that tries to bring awareness to AIDS, HIV, and sickle cell. Right
now the main focus is HIV but I'm trying to bring more focus to the sickle cell side if things.
Because I honestly don't have an understanding of what it is but it affects just as many people
who get cancer. And cancer is all over the place but sickle cell is off in a corner and no one talks
about it.
I got this position because I was interning for someone who has their own quarterly magazine and
I presented an idea called "Fashion Talk Fridays". [The editor in chief] has a magazine that was
based more towards African American women. With what I was trying to do, everybody was in it,
not just Black women. I don't know how to only cater to one specific group of people and that's a
challenge to me. I want to cater to everyone if I can. And then a couple days down the road she
said I did something she didn't like and a couple days after that I didn't have the internship
anymore. I was working with both her and United Colors of Fashion. So I took the idea to them
and from there I became the manager of development. We have an internet magazine so with the
team that I have right now if it works out well we will have a print quarterly magazine out next
year.

C&C: Wow. Congratulations.
V. A.: Thank you. Yeah, at first I was a little down about it but I talked to my boyfriend and I talked
to a few friends and they said take the idea someplace else. And if they don't like it, patent it, and
make it your own idea. So if United Colors of Fashion didn't take it I was gonna go to do it on my
own and right now it's booming so hopefully I'll have a baby soon. It's exciting.

C&C: So let's say, uh, knock on wood, (3 knocks) I don't even know if this is wood. Yeah, this is
wood. This is totally wood. So let's say your house is burning down. You have like, three minutes
to get out and you have a duffel bag. What are five things that you put in that bag that will hold you over for the next month.
V. A.: My medicine. Hold up now. I'm asthmatic, I have allergies. [I] gotta grab all my medicines.
Um, my blanket. I still have the blanket I was wrapped in when I was adopted.

C&C: Whaaat?
V. A.: Yeah, a little unsanitary. My mother has not washed my blanket. I don't know if she used it
after I was adopted or not but it looks perfect. Looks brand new. I could probably sell it and they
would think it was brand new right now. Um, oh a hair tie. With this thing, whooo! Gotta have a
hair tie. Um, a picture of my parents and a picture of my best friend.

C&C. Good answers. So another list: Five things every woman should have. Five fashion
essentials.
V. A.: Anything leopard print. Shoes, scarf, bag. Anything leopard print. Classic pair of black
jeans.

C&C: Black jeans. Why black?
V. A.: Black goes with everything. If it's not black don't buy it. I used to wear black all the time. But
then I started to get into colors more often. But on days that I'm lazy I'm in all black because it's
easy. Um, red lipstick. A denim jacket. And nude pumps. That's an outfit right there. Leopard print
shirt, denim jacket, black jeans, nude pumps, heyyy. Red lip.

C&C: The 5 essentials that everyone should have, goes together. It's crazy how that works.
V. A.: Right.

"My energy has to be right when I step out

the house. Because the same energy I leave

with, I want to come back with. So if I leave

with good energy, I have to come back with

good energy. "

C&C: In the morning when you get dressed, is there a routine that you have? Or is it just
different every time?
V. A.: No I wake up. Check my emails. Make my cup of tea. I drink 3 cups I tea a day.

C&C: Favorite kind of tea?
V. A.: At the moment I have to say jasmine green tea. That's basically it. I put my makeup on first.
Then I figure out what I'm wearing. Because I can't decide the night before, when I'm doing
makeup I'm like "oh, this looks good" then I put my clothes on. I can't put my clothes on first. And I
pack my lunch. I pack my lunch every day to save money. And then I'm out the door.

C&C: When you're figuring out what you're going to wear, is there a certain piece of clothing that
you build around?
V. A.: I guess I build around the jeans. Because I really don't care if the jacket and the shirt
doesn't match as long as the jeans and the shoes match, if that makes sense. It's hard to describe
but that's what I think about. It just makes the most sense.

C&C: Has there ever been a time when you have gotten dressed and gone on about your day and
halfway through, you started to hate what you had on. Or you realized you had a wardrobe
malfunction but it's too late to go home and change. What happened?
V. A.: Uh uh. I don't have moments like that because I will be late to school, late to church. I'll be
late to work. I will be late to anything. I know that sounds bad, but I'll get dressed early enough to
wear I can switch my outfit seven times before I leave the house. Because… just in case. I'm not
gonna have that "I don't like the way this looks" and I'm halfway down the road because I'll turn
around and be like "excuse me, I'm gonna be an hour late. I have a wardrobe malfunction".
No...no... no.  I can't. I don't feel right. My energy has to be right when I step out the house.
Because the same energy I leave with, I want to come back with. So if I leave with good energy, I
have to come back with good energy. Even if I leave with bad energy I try to make the other
energy throughout the day good so when I come back, that bad energy is gone. Um... no, no.

C&C: That's pretty impressive.
V. A.: Oh, that's scary.

C&C: Go back to the time you were just getting into high school, like 9th or 10th grade. How has
your style changed from then to now?
V. A.: Style has changed. My style had a done a 360, but at the same time it hasn't. Maybe like a
270. Only because I had my own style back then, but it wasn't just as profound. I didn't dress the
norm, wallabees, jeans, polo button downs. Like I wore polo every now and then but I would wear
it like everyone else. I wouldn't change anything though. Because in order to get where I am now,
I had to experience what i experienced. So no I wouldn't change it.

C&C: So if you had to chance to spend 10 minutes with 9th grade Venita, what would you say to
her?
V. A.: Keep up the good work. Don't change for anybody. Stay true to yourself.

C&C: So what do you think the most fashionable movie is?
V. A.: That's hard because I don't like a lot of the mainstream movies. I'll have to go with the clay­
mation "Coraline". That's my favorite movie, so I may be a little biased.

C&C: I've seen it, but only half.
V. A.: It's my favorite movie because it took them seven years to make it. With claymation, they
have to film by the second so I think that's interesting. But she wears whatever she likes. She runs
out of the house with yellow rain boots and a striped shirt. But it's cute because it's kind of preppy.

C&C: I'm totally gonna finish that movie tonight.
V. A.: It's really good. The movie has a dark feel to it but it's supposed to be a children’s movie.
But just the style in the movie. There's a part in the movie, I don't want to spoil it for you, but the
other mother turns into I would say an Anna Wintour. If that makes sense. She gets really tall. Her
waist is 3 inches wide. And she has on this red dress that catches every shape that she has. She
has a bob haircut.

[editor's note: I've since seen the remainder of the movie and that description is spot on]

There's more style in that movie now that I think about it. She has on a pair of pumps and she's
running around the house chasing Coraline. The dad’s wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and flip flops.
So that's kinda like Charleston. And then the mother is average. But then Coraline tries to add
color to everything because there's a part where she has her uniform and she sees a pair of
striped gloves and she asks can she get those and her mom says maybe another time because it
doesn't match her uniform. But she's just trying to stand out within a crowd that looks so similar.

C&C: You know it's funny that you mentioned claymation. One of my favorite movies, it drives my
wife crazy now because me and the kids watch it all the time, is "Fantastic Mr Fox"
V. A.: What? Right here man! (High fives were exchanged). I have that on Netflix. Fantastic Mr.
Fox is the business. It's supposed to be a kid’s movie but you know when your older you catch
stuff like "hmm, how'd they put that in there?" Like instead of cursing they just say "what the
cuss". I think I'm gonna watch that tonight!

For more on Venita, you can follow her on Twitter. 

Also, check out a behind the scenes video of the photoshoot.

Interview Edited by Felicity Rhode

Highlights from Saturday Night's Emerging Designers Party

This past Saturday I was invited to an event introducing a new batch of semifinalists that will be competing during Charleston Fashion Week this coming March. The Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant provided a beautiful backdrop for the event and Jim 'N Nick's BBQ came through with an awesome spread of goodies. And naturally, the room was filled with some super style mavens. I was so inclined to put my Nikon to work and capture the standouts.

Just a smidgen of what Jim 'N Nicks had to offer on the night.

Bridal competition winner (left) Kendra Barnes and blogger & model coach assistant (right) Venita Aspen

Semi-Finalists (in blue dress) Terese Brown

Semi-Finalists (from left to right) Angela Bacskocky, Model, Kaitlyn Machos, and Zachary Howell

I caught up with Angela, Kaitlyn, and Zachary to ask a few questions.

Chinos & Cheesecake: What are you most excited about getting to present at Charleston Fashion Week?

Angela Bacskocky: This is my 4th collection and I've wanted to show at Charleston fashion week since I first started my design line. I think this is a really unique and relevant show that has launched some great designers and I want to be a part of that. My highly conceptual clothing is going to be awesome on the Charleston runway!

C&C: What was the inspiration for your collection?

Kaitlyn Machos:  Exposed is a collection that was initially inspired by shattered glass and the way it cracks. A year ago my car was broken into and they completely shattered the glass of my car. Not only did the glass break into several beautiful shapes, colors, and reflections; but also it gave me a life realization. As I worked on the collection and talked with others, the meaning developed into something more personal. This collection was going to be a way to express my emotions about all the bad things and the people I have lost involving shattered glass.

Before, I just found beauty in the shattered glass in the colors and shapes, but I found the beauty in the story that these cracks would tell. Ever since I was little everything bad that has happened in my life has involved shattered glass and the deaths of 22 of my closest friends in car accidents since my sophomore year of high school. Since I didn't expect any of these moments to happen, they did ... thus my inspiration found me. But the collection is not meant to be dark, it meant to take those lost moments and make them beautiful. It is meant to celebrate the life of the ones who I have lost and to possibly have emotional closure.

While thinking about all of these factors, I finally realized I was trying to expose myself. Trying to expose my vulnerability; to shed the armor of emotions I have been hiding behind for years; to finally reveal the emotional secrets that I have kept hidden for so long. Thus my journey for self-revelation and healing began.

C&C: Why do you want to be a designer?

Zachary Howell: I have a passion for dressing women who are not afraid of the people around them that cling to the social norms. One day my hopes are to be walking down the street and see a woman wearing one of my pieces and being filled with joy on the inside.

Semi-Finalists Deanna Ansara

Last year's emerging designer competition winner Alfriye Poku and me.

Alfriye and I had a lengthy conversation about his upcoming collection but I'm sworn to secrecy about the details. All I can say is, this guy has me beyond excited in anticipation for what he's planning on sending down the runway in two months. 

Semi-Finalists Yuyan He (right)

The highly talented semifinalists.

Tickets for Charleston Fashion Week are on sale now.
Mark your calendars for March 18-22. It's going to be grande!

#rewindNYE 2014

This past Friday, the Fashion Queen of the Southeast Ayoka Lucas, threw New Years Eve party. If you're checking your calendar, I know, New Years Eve was like two weeks ago. But give me one good reason why it's not OK to celebrate it again. Don't worry, I'll wait. Hard to come up with one right? I definitely had no problem showing up to The Royal American to bask in the festivities. And as always, I came strapped with my camera to capture all the happenings of the night.

Makeshift photo booth was is full effect.

Photographer Landon Neil Phillips was on hand visually documenting the night.

Me with K. Cooper Ray, aka Social Primer

Lexa L'Terra performed one of her songs.

I believe Beyonce's new single "Drunk in Love" was playing at this point. The room proceeded to go nuts.

Elliot Carlyle the PR machine.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.......

The Art of Splurging for Women

Earlier this week, I gave you a list of what I thought to be the top 10 menswear items to splurge on. Well I didn't forget about the ladies, this one's for you!

Jil Sander Wool/Cashmere Sweater - $1,590 on sale for $954

I have always been a fan of Jil Sander's knitwear designs. She knows how to turn something that can easily end up being pretty bland and boring, into something fun and quirky. This wool and cashmere blend piece is done in a two-toned yellow color block style that I find to be very clever. You can wear it during these last few months of cold, and because of its color you can still get some use out of it during the early spring when temperatures can still flirt in the 60s.

Tiffany & Co Watch $2,450

I'm not one for generalities, but it's safe to say that every girl wants something from the store known for their little blue boxes. This simple, yet elegant watch is made from stainless steel and it features quartz movement (sorry, this one doesn't sweep). This will work for almost every occasion except maybe a formal event. You'll need something a little smaller for that. Nonetheless, this would be a great choice for a splurge purchase. 

Chanel Makeup Set and Perfume - $415

Once a lady finds a makeup brand that works for her, it's hard to get her to switch. But if you’re okay with trying something new, then set your Cover Girl, Maybelline, or even your MAC products to the side for a bit and give Chanel a try. What makes me so confident? Well, while I've never tried their lipstick (for obvious reasons), just about every notable female blogger I keep up with swears by it. Then of course there's the iconic perfume, Chanel No. 5 that has received a massive amount of praise over the years from the likes of celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Nicole Kidman. Getting back to the makeup, I'd think the best way to get the full effect of the brand is to wear everything in conjunction with one another. The $415 price tag is for the perfume, lipstick, lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, and blush. If it's not for you, then it's not for you. But with a little extra cash on hand, it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.

Burberry Trench Coat - $1,995

You would be in your living room doing the rain dance and praying for the opportunity to break it out if you had this in your possession. Trust. Burberry is known, hands down, for their immaculate trench coats. Quick history lesson: They got started in 1856 but it wasn't until 1879 when Thomas Burberry invented "gabardine", a strong, water resistant fabric that he began to use to make the coats. British military supplied their troops with them and when the war was over and they returned home, it was an instant hit for civilians. The rest was history. 

Ralph Lauren Alligator Belt $1,095

Full disclosure: this is from the Men's section, but you would never be able to tell. You will get a lot of miles out of this. Obviously it will go with your denim and chinos, but because it's so slim (coming in at 1" thick) it's the perfect waist clincher for those shapeless dresses. Coming in at just over a grand, I'd be lying like Lil’ Kim on the witness stand if I said it wasn't expensive, so think of it as an investment. As the years go on and a rich patina starts to form, it will have its very own special character.

RED Valentino Dress - $595

This next one is broken up into two parts. I'll start off by saying that just like every guy should own a tuxedo, every lady should have a little black dress in their collection. When the invitation says "formal" or "black tie" this is the dress that you reach for. No thought, worries or stress. Grab something classy and simple.
Option A: If you don't own one, this one by RED Valentino (the diffusion line of the iconic Italian dressmaker Valentino) is the one for you. It teeters the line of being beautiful and at the same time not so memorable. If you have a plethora of evening events to attend, then you can get away with recycling it a few times before anyone starts to notice.

Diane von Furstenberg - $525

Option B: If you already have one or a couple black dresses, then it's time to add a show stopper to the collection. Done in a sparkly chevron pattern with lace sleeves, this one is definitely memorable. I would only pull it out maybe once or twice a year.

Miu Miu Clutch - $850

Speaking of "formal" and "black tie" occasions, this would be the perfect accessory to go along with it. I'm not really sure on the rules for women's dress code on these occasions, but who cares when you have a clutch as beautiful as this. The hot pink provides a strong contrast to a black dress. In a meticulous pattern of folded leather, this bag packs one heck of a punch.

Tom Ford Pumps - $1,250

The Tom Ford pumps with golden lock accents are simply to die for. You will almost certainly be the envy of every girl in the room. And I think these are very versatile. They'll go seamlessly with any color denim, chinos, dresses obviously, and even shorts. 

Gucci Suede Boots - $1,295 on sale for $906

These heeled boots in a neutral suede gray kind of sneak up on you. They don't really pop. They almost come off as looking a bit dull. But once you put them with an outfit, you won't be disappointed. The great thing about gray is that it compliments every color. These are on sale so there are only a few sizes left. Don't miss out on them. 

Hermes Home Goods - $225 - $1,800

While Hermes is widely known for their scarves and their 6-figure Birkin bags, they also make some noise in the home furnishing areas. Many of the worlds wealthy (or at least the interior designers they hire) choose to furnish tier homes in Hermes furniture. And it's with good reason. Each item is unique, well thought out, and beautifully constructed. Like this beach towel that's reminiscent of a tiled bathroom floor. Or the plush cashmere blanket. You can even treat your dinner guests to some fancy plate settings. The possibilities are endless. Bed linens, lamps, books, etc. A full range of home items. Pick out something to throw in your living room. 

As I said in the previous post, you can pick whatever you want from this list, or you can use it as inspiration to get something else. Feel the thrill of purchasing that piece that you've been coveting. I always get a feeling of accomplishment after I shop. Don't stress out over this stuff. Have fun with it. But above all, be smart and don't add debt to yourself. 

NO CHARGING.

 CASH OR DEBIT ONLY!!!

Edited by Felicity Rhode