Afternoon Quickie - JCReport

Hey Y'all (yes Y'all - I was raised in the South),

Well, well, well - great news!!! Cut, Sew and Blog is currently featured in the latest issue of one of my favorite online magazines - The JCReport... Not only was it featured on one of my favorite sites which was started by one of my oldest friends and colleagues Jason Campbell - - - the actual article was written by one of the people I have grown to respect and admire the most in the fashion business, Mr. Imran Amed. Imran also runs one of the most reputable and respected Fashion Industry blogs around - The Business of Fashion Blog... Please check out both...

Mal Sirrah Flash Back - "The Journey of a Dress"

Below is a pictorial journey of the rise - fall - and the immortilization of a single Mal Sirrah dress... This is simply a reminder / lesson to you all - "Hold on to your dreams and the universe will multiply your vision ten fold."

You must watch the entire slideshow in order to understand the entire story... Happy viewing...

Video Interview - Malcolm Harris interviews Eva Pigford:

p.s. I beg of you all not to give up on Eva Pigford - this young lady is destined to be a star!!!


Bonus Video: Black Style Now Exhibition

Sunday Brunch - Designers For Darfur

DESIGNERS FOR DARFUR LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT SERIES DESIGNED BY MALCOLM HARRIS AND LYDIA HEARST (and developed by Studio 23)

Click below to purchase via our Ebay Store:

Afternoon Quick - Andre J - The New York Times

Let's all send a huge congratulations to our very own - Andre J.

Click below to read the entire story online which will be printed in tomorrow's Sunday edition of The New York Times / Style Section and written by the incomparable Guy Trebay.

CONGRATULATIONS ANDRE J!!!

Introducing my friend - "M A S"

I would like to use today’s post to introduce you all to a woman that I absolutely adore.

Mary Alice Stephenson

For many years I have secretly admired stylist and fashion guru Mary Alice Stephenson from a distance. I would often see her front row and/or backstage at fashion shows or commenting on various designers on Fashion Television or Fashion File. I would also have “MAS” sightings as she slid in and out of black Towncars in the garment district or occasionally huddled in the corner of one New York’s hot spots or swank restaurants. But for some reason I was always afraid to introduce myself, smile in her direction and/or simply say hello…

Approximately six months ago I found myself in need of assistance in recruiting top international designers to participate in Designers For Darfur. I immediately knew that I would need to gain the support of a top celebrity stylist /personality in order to engage certain unapproachable designers. Therefore, I decided to start at the very top. Fortunately, I didn’t need to go any further than the first telephone call I placed to Mary Alice Stephenson. Let me tell you all something now – most people in this industry are divided by less than two to three degrees of separation.

Mary Alice Stephenson on the Red Carpet

During our conversation, I was extremely flattered to know that not only had Mary Alice been following my career, but she was also a huge supporter of the efforts of Designers For Darfur. My first telephone conversation with Mary Alice lasted almost two and half hours and this has now become our custom whenever we play “catch-up and chat”.

Recently, I walked into Bungalow 8 after the CFDA Vogue Fund Awards presentation and immediately felt uncomfortable as I passed through the velvet curtains covering the entrance. As most of you perhaps know I have a bit of a reputation for flipping my middle finger to the folks at Vogue as well as the CFDA (but that is a blog of a different color); therefore, when I usually enter a room filled with these “types” you can almost hear a pin drop. As my friends and I walked through and the parting of the Red Sea began, all of a sudden the sound tracked of this moment came to a screeching halt… All I could hear was “Maaaallllccccoooollllmmmm!!!!” There she stood – Mary Alice Stephenson. Mary Alice was wearing a magnificent long pearl toned slinky gown and leaving a booth that included Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Anne Hatheway, and the dashing Mr. Sean Penn. But Mary Alice was making her way towards me with her arms extended and forming a hug made just for me. There was something so wonderful, warm and brilliant in her hug that I almost didn’t want to let her go… There we stood in the middle of the small room which is Bungalow and played “catch-up and chat”. Then MAS suddenly leaned in and whispered, “I believe it’s time for me to make my way back to Brooklyn.” We both giggled and laughed at our inside joke. You see Mary Alice is very much like me in the sense that we both lead dual, almost pscyzophrenic lives - - - we both possess a real world perspective of our position in this fantastical and celebrity driven world of fashion. We are both fashion tourists…

Normal night at Bungalow sans the Egos

As Mary Alice glided out of the door with the train of her gown swaying at least three feet behind her (wrapped in a magnificent tan woodsman shearling – this is what makes her so absolutely brilliant), I knew for a fact that the universe had placed MAS in Bungalow at that particular moment for a reason. Just to give you an idea of how people in this industry tick and behave, editors, designers and fashionistas whom had never spoken to or acknowledge me before all started trying to get my attention and/or chat me up. I immediately knew this had nothing to do with me - - - all of this had to do with the fact that they now knew that Mary Alice and I were friends… In the past, I would have lingered around and sopped up every bit of this momentary infatuation… However, the more enlightened Malcolm Harris was out of the door in less than 5 minutes leaving the fashion fray craving for their pound of Mal Sirrah flesh.


p.s. Mary Alice Stephenson is now hosting a show on VH1 – “America’s Most Smartest Model”. When I first watched this show it left me scratching my head as to why MAS would agree to do this… But now that I have been watching AMSM as my guilty pleasure, I completely understand why!!! She is absolutely brilliant… Just hang-on folks and all will be revealed.

Personal Checklist

Well the past few days I must admit have been rather difficult… I have been faced with making those difficult life decisions that I wish someone else could make for me. I must also admit I am very lucky to be surrounded by people who provide me with sound and inspiring advice, but as we all know the ultimate decisions comes from within.

Recently it was brought to my attention by someone extremely close to me that perhaps I have gone “too far” with my efforts on behalf of Darfur… Can you believe that someone could stare me in the face and say this to me? “You’ve gone too far.” Just those words alone disturb my psyche as well as my ego… Yes, ego… I am constantly fighting against it, but we are all human.

I was furious; so furious that I made myself physically ill. But the person whom had declared this to me is a person I admire and respect more than anything in the world. My rock, my north, my friend… Why would this person say this to me? How could it be possible to go too far when you believe you are saving lives? How? Does the world need another pretty dress at this moment? I am still an amazing designer – right? Who will guard the frontline whilst I am off worrying about the bottom line? Who?

Finally I was forced to revert to a method which has always worked for me during difficult times - “my personal checklist”. I was sure this tried and true self diagnostic would confirm my dear friend must have been out of his mind by saying this to me. “Gone too far…” How dare he!!!

After perhaps the third item on my mental checklist (i.e. happiness, health, relationships, financial stability, etc.), I realized that just maybe there was a problem beginning to reveal itself. Too avoid any personal embarrassment I won’t even begin to go into some of the line items on my personal checklist that revealed that my dear and intuitive friend may have made a valid point.

How could I have let things go so far? At what point did I take this new vow of poverty? Had I become a martyr for the cause? Is it too late to strike a balance? How do move forward?

Just this morning, I looked my dear friend in the eyes and begged his forgiveness. As I stood in the mirror and looked into the forgiving eyes of my dear friend Mal Sirrah I knew that we were back on track…

I beg of you all to say a little holiday prayer for the both of us - - - and the people of Darfur.

Worth A Thousand Words!!!

If "one" picture is worth a thousand words - let's start the word count now!!!

ANDRE J's French Vogue Cover Celebration



























TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING FESTIVITIES SIMPLY CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW: TAKE IT AWAY DJ BLADERUNNER!!!




p.s. Don't forget to check out this Sundays edition of The New York Times Style section - yours truly was able to orchestrate a feature on the amazing Andre J!!!

Rest In Peace - Donda West

As many of you may know, Kanye West and I have become friendly over the past year and therefore I debated whether or not I would post regarding the passing of his mother. However, after a chat yesterday with a mutual friend, I really felt that I would be remissed if I didn't pay my respects by sending positive energy and prayers towards Kanye and his Family during this extremely difficult time. I beg of you all to take one moment out of your busy day to simply send a prayer up for Kanye.

Rest In Peace - Donda West

THE CELEBRATION FOR FRENCH VOGUE COVER MODEL AND MAL SIRRAH COLLABORATOR - ANDRE J - HAS FINALLY ARRIVED

COME CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF
NEW YORK CITY PERFORMANCE ARTIST &
FRENCH VOGUE COVER MODEL

ANDRE J

Friday, NOVEMBER 16th, 2007
Runway

4 east 28th STREET
(between 5th & Madison Avenues)
DOORS OPEN AT 10:00
Rsvp via rsvp@malsirrah.com

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY: JONTE (Beyonce's personal choreographer); mini-INDIE RUNWAY FASHION show (STYLED BY TYSON P)
Designers include: Form, Marco Hall, Telfar, Heatherette, Mal Sirrah, Amongst Strangers, and Jose Duran

Hosted by: MICHAEL MUSTO (Village Voice), Malcolm Harris (Mal Sirrah), Daniel saynt (fashionIndie), DJ Cassidy, Codie Ravioli, Oneal McNight, and De La Vega

Sponsored by: RUNWAY & DESIGNERS FOR DARFUR

Afternoon Quickie

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for coming out last night for our first "Breaking Into Fashion" panel discussion. For those of you who missed last evening's happening check out the photos featured on WireImages. Wireimages means that now our little grassroots forum will be viewed and discussed by millions.

We have now taken the first step - please submit your ideas as to how you believe we can take the next...

JOIN US AT: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BREAKINGINTOFASHION



CLICK BELOW TO VIEW PHOTOS ON WIREIMAGES:

Breaking Into Fashion

Hey gang, had to share this story.

On last Friday evening a young woman from my list of friends on "myspace" showed up at the "Darfur Now" event we were hosting at Socialista. Immediately I could feel this young woman's sense of hopelessness and defeat, both of which were almost palpable. I later learned that she had stood out in the cold for almost an hour (of course wearing her chicest interpretation of fashion) just to ask me one single question which almost broke my heart and forced me into action. This sweet young woman simply asked me the following: "I wanna be in fashion so bad, but I don't know what to do. Can you tell me what to do?"

I immediately grabbed her hand and ushered her into the party and allowed her to chat with folks from Style.com, Vogue, Ford Models, Bergdorf Goodman and of course her idol, Ms. Jay Alexander. I could see this young woman's life force begin to sore. Just as she darted out of the door and before her chariot turned back into a pumpkin, she gave me the biggest bear hug I had ever received. I could feel an electricity and light emanating from this young woman's spirit and soul that I personally cannot begin to describe... I swear I had to run to the bathroom to avoid breaking down in front of my entire jaded fashion tribe.

Therefore as I have taken a vow never to be paralyzed by fear (fear that I won't have enough time, fear that my voice wont be heard, fear that I can't do enough) I knew that I had to rally the support of the people closest to me to make a difference. So of course, I put together the following event in less than a week... Therefore I kindly ask all of you to assist us in spreading the word and look forward to seeing and meeting you all there...

Afternoon Quickie

I like to introduce you all to my new "BFF" Tia Williams - for anyone counting, that BFF #5 (BFF's). BTW, how many BFF's is one allowed???

HALLOWEEN NIGHT - TIA IN HER BEAUTIFUL FLAMENCO COSTUME

Tia and I have been email buddies for the past few months and have been attempting to find a way to meet for lunch, brunch, dinner or drinks. Luckily we are both very busy with jobs that we absolutely love so making time outside of events or business engagements is truly difficult... So of course, in true Mal Sirrah style, when we finally have an opportunity to hang out, I invite Tia to the equivalent of Gay New Year's Eve - Halloween!!! We had an absolute blast - Socialista - Gold Bar and finally the legendary NYC Halloween Extravaganza - MOTHERFUCKER!!! Now that I recall Tia actually skipped out before we moved to the last spot MF - she is such a lady...

Please stay tuned for more of our adventures as times goes on... But in the meantime, check out Tia's amazing bio below and you must check out her amazing website and blog. Tia perhaps get as many hits on her website daily as Style.com. Her following is truly amazing...

TIA'S BIO:

Tia Williams lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband, Adam Cabezas. The 30-year-old Northern Virgina native graduated with a BA in English Lit in 1997, and moved to New York City after landing a plum editorial assistant position at Doubleday Books. After grouchily reading other people’s manuscripts for a year, she realized that she was a frustrated writer. She went on to work her way up the mastheads of YM, Elle, Glamour and Lucky, and in only four years, landed the Beauty Director position at Teen People magazine, the industry’s top selling teen magazine at newsstand.

During her beauty career, Tia has and continues to cover beauty and fashion trends on shows like MTV’s Total Request Live, CNN, and the WB Morning Show—where, in 2002, she enjoyed a year-long stint reviewing award show looks, Joan Rivers-style (but far sweeter!). In 2001, Tia briefly left the magazine industry to teach English in Seville, Spain for six months. While there, she began reflecting on her life in New York City—career, love, life --and ended up writing a manuscript. The novel, THE ACCIDENTAL DIVA, eventually landed her a two-book deal with Putnam Books, and hit bookstores in May 2004. A particularly racy excerpt was excerpted in Cosmopolitan, and the book received glowing press coverage in Marie Claire, Essence, Lucky, Elle, Shape, Allure, Today’s Black Woman, Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times, and The New York Daily News. Tia was also nominated for the African-American Literary Award Show's Breakout Author of the Year!

Tia is an active member of a number of organizations, including Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and National Association of Females in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME). She's also heavily involved in "Set it Off," an empowerment forum for girls ages twelve and up, where she speaks on panels designed to introduce young girls to career choices available to them in the creative fields. Also, she's a recurring panelist at S.T.A.R.S' (Supporting Teens Aspiring to Reach Success) bi-annual "Shades of Beauty" event, where she's discussed such issues as entertainment's beauty myth, self-esteem, and the "definition" of beauty to crowds of over 300 local girls.

In April ’05, Tia left the magazine world to become a full-time author. She co-wrote Iman’s makeup book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR (Putnam, Oct. ’05) and penned a young adult novel, THE IT CHICKS (Hyperion/Disney, April ’07). Currently, she’s working on her second "chick lit" novel, and in August ’06, she wrapped up a co-hosting stint on Cosmo Radio’s morning show, "Wake Up With Cosmo" (Sirius Satellite Radio, channel 111). Tia also enjoys writing her year-old beauty/style blog, "SHAKE YOUR BEAUTY", where she covers the hottest products and trends while offering beauty, fashion and career advice. SYB has become enormously popular, reaching fans in Malaysia, England and Sweden, and landing profiles in Allure and WWD Beauty Biz.

DARFUR NOW / PRAYERS FOR DARFUR EVENT RECAP

On November 2, 2007 in New York City, Designers for Darfur organized a celebration of the release of Don Cheadle’s co-produced documentary "Darfur Now". The event was sponsored by Sabitaga Cachaca Brazil and New York hotspot, Socialista. Throughout this amazing evening a great number of the attendees participated in the launch of the YouTube video documentary "Prayers for Darfur" via a designated filming area sponsored and produced by Ford Models.


Attendees as well as passerbys became inspired and engaged as they witnessed concerned citizens (particularly within the fashion, art and entertainment communities) leave prayers and well wishes to the people of Darfur. Contributors also utilized this opportunity to send messages and issue demands to "the-powers-that-be" to do all things possible to end the genocide currently taking place in Darfur. These video taped prayers will be added to the voices of contributors such as George Clooney, Don Cheadle, U.N. Peace Ambassador Angelina Jolie, Deepak Chopra, politicians, and other citizens of the world. Please take a look at a few our video submissions gathered during our “Darfur Now” release celebration.

To see how you too can become involved with "Prayers for Darfur", please visit www.myspace.com/prayersfordarfur. Please do whatever you can to make a difference on behalf o the people of Darfur.

Afternoon Quickie

I know, I know, I know... But believe me I have a very good reason for not posting lately... We have been hard at work in the Mal Sirrah studios organizing our Designers For Darfur event which took place on Friday evening... I will post photos later...

In the meantime, please enjoy a recently aired episode of VideoFashion featuring the Mal Sirrah Fall/Winter 2007 collection - "Labor of Love". The VideoFashion segment entilted "Art Direction" featured designers which present their collections as art. The episode included Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Chado Ralph Rucci, Giambattista Valli, Anna Sui and last but not least - yours truly... Now come on... You must admit that isn't bad company at all to be lumped in with... Please take a peek at the video below and I look forward to reading your comments. (I am depending on your feedback in order to move forward)...

Halloween's Red Thread - No Words Necessary