A Mural's Message

In April eight students came together to try to make a change in Philadelphia. Everyday the news reports more and more deaths due to violence. We created a class, Lights, Camera, Action, through the Beacon Program which enabled the students to brainstorm, act, tape, write, and produce an entire public service announcement (PSA) themselves. Through this PSA the students developed a voice to stop the violence in Philadelphia.

Please visit www.youtube.com/thebeaconprogram to view their PSA entitled, "A Mural's Message."

We spent many hours with these kids. We took them to hear Russel Simmons speak about his newest book, "Do You."



After the PSA was complete, we held a premiere at the school. We went to Power 99 to talk about the PSA. Chris Tucker was there, spoke to the kids, and ended up advocating what they've done on the air afterward. Hopefully, we can get that soundclip on here for you guys.





This was our first class, and many of these kids have gone on to take an advanced course with us. Please go check out their PSA, and if anyone would like a copy or wants to write an article about the PSA we'd be glad to give you any info.

Vintage Magazine

Vintage Blue was scheduled to meet with Macy's for a meeting about launching the line in the department store. For the presentation we spent three months creating this magazine to present what our company is about. We created ads, wrote editorials, explained our demographic and target market, our inspiration, and displayed the line. The Macy's meeting has been postponed for a couple of weeks, but our 50 page baby is now into the world, and we're already thinking of how we can improve the next one!

Vintage Blue

Vintage Blue is a vintage-inspired apparel line drawing inspiration from the 40's and 50's with a contemporary twist fusing old with new. The line has acquired the license from The All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) featured in the movie A League of their Own with Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnel.





Bringing 1940 to 2007- Vintage Blue designs are tailored for the trend-setting woman whose main interests and passions are sports, music, and fashion. The line will offer everything from vintage soft tees with distressed graphics from the 40’s and 50’s, as well as an abundance of tops, skirts, dresses, sweatsuits, and signature pieces like the stylish floor-length polo dress.

Black Vintage- Represent Your Culture

Black Vintage is an apparel line designed to represent cultures. Cultures give character to a group of human beings. Communication, beliefs, activities and structure are unique aspects giving each culture its profound form. This line is a representation of individual cultures with the realization that each culture functions best with open minds and open eyes. Black Vintage believes in the acceptance of every culture, living freely, and representing your roots.

Black Vintage is launching with the Cape Verde collection. Cape Verde is a group of islands off the coast of West Africa. Previously colonized by the Portuguese, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after a long armed struggle by the The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde led by Amilcar Cabral. This line reflects the stregnth and importance of the fight for independence as well as a playful representation of being a Kriolu.

Women, Men, and Children shirts are available as well as a tote bag.









To order please visit www.blackvintageapparel.com

Denim Society

Denim Society is a premium denim boutique located in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia. Brands from Joe's Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, J & Company, Antik Denim to 575, People's Liberation, and Jame's Jeans can be found on the floor. The store offers a unique ambiance with warm colors, antique furniture, and an array of unique hand-crafted accessories that gives customers an original shopping experience.





Every second Thursday of the month the store hosts an Opening Art Exhibit where a different local artist is featured each month. The event is held from 6-9pm and draws a crowd interested in supporting local artists as well as the local fashionistas. Free massages are delved in the candlelit back office space of the boutique. Party dwellers mingle to the sounds of a live DJ sipping on cocktails and picking at appetizers. This month's exhibit features John Andrulis Photography, and his limited edition book Philadelphia and The Jersey Shore are available for purchase.







Denim Society also hosts private parties where the store is shut down for a group of ladies while a personal stylist fits them to the perfect jeans, top, and accessories. The ladies chat with their girlfriends, get a free massage, and sip on cocktails- the ultimate shopping experience.

M-T Appointment Only
W-Sat 12-7
627 N 2nd St Suite A
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215.923.0536
www.denim-society.com

Car Troubles Again

We're back in Philly trying to get into the grind of things again. We have new interns starting that we are tryingt o get organized as well as another Art Exhibit in the beginning of October. We have to cut our day short to go teach our video production class, Lights, Camera, Action. We pack up and get into the car.



It doesn't start. So, we're sitting here unable to get to class.




To update you, last week someone decided to give Liza a gift in the shape of a lovely boulder which was thrown through the passenger window.




Just to note- we are taking these pictures with our computers photobooth because we're too broke to get a digital right now!

Adventures in the Bean

So, we've been saying how we need to document our lives. It's time to make it happen. We're about to get a video camera and digital camera to document our chaotic lives. We have about 5 companies you'll hear about during our adventures.

So Thursday we had an art event at our store, Denim Society. (By the way, we are Liza and Michelle.) We sell premium denim along with t-shirts, funky jewelry, and art in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia. Our site is being reconstructed, but you can check us out at www.denim-society.com. Thursday began our chaotic week. We ran around getting food and drinks and such for the event. We had a great turn out from 6-9pm with food, drinks, music, and free massages.

Next up we head to Bean Town. We (liza michelle and partner Free) leave for Boston after the event at midnight. We get to Boston at 5am and try to get some rest. The plan is to meet with investors for our company, Vintage Blue on Monday and Tuesday. Vintage Blue is a vintage inspired clothing line. We have the rights to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from the movie A League of their Own with Madonna and Tom Hanks. We have samples and a strong team in place- now we're trying to earn some capital to make it happen!

So, our money guy say they set us up with two BIG investor meetings for Monday and Tuesday. After spending days creating a powerpoint the money men said we needed, Sunday night we sit down in the hotel lobby to go over the presentation. To give you guys a little understanding of how we work- we don't do conventional presentations. Everything we do is natural, shows our personality and passion. However, Liza was persuaded by the money men to be formal and write notecards-many many many notecards.
We were all arguing that this is not us and how we work. We spend the entire next day practicing. We go into the meeting- only to find out this is a Hot Seat where they critique your presentation. Halfway through the presentaion the notecards get thrown out and the real passion comes through. Everyone loves it- but no real money people are there- our money men say Tuesday is the big night.

So, we head home and work all night long again. Wake up early and prepare all day long. We set up the meeting room with the magazine we created, vintage candy and luggage, our samples, baseball bats and balls. The room looks fantastic.

No one shows up. Well, one person ends up showing up. So, it would be fantastic to get a lead from this. But, we are pissed that we spent so much time and energy to come to Boston from Philly, practice and put ourselves through so much for these supposedly huge investors- to have one person show up. We had to find someone to work our store and also had to cancel our classes. Oh, that's another thing. We teach a video production class in West Philly through the Beacon program three times a week. Because we aren't busy enough.

So, we hit the road after the meeting and head back to good old Philly. Get in at 5am and wake up at 10am to head to NYC for Coterie- a tradeshow where we just ordered the hottest new denim for the store. We treated ourself to a lovely dinner at Cafeteria for our troubles. We're always learning from our experiences. At the end of the day, life is always good.