Uploaded 12/14/10 *Web-only exclusive*Coveted Productions brought the Style Social back to Bijou’s Ultra Lounge of Shreveport Saturday night.
The recent glam bar soiree took the successes of the Port City Style Social, the first fashion fiesta, and elevated the expectations of local fashion lovers, designers and artists.
That event occurred during the first Port City Classic game weekend between Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech.
The ambience of Saturday night was decidedly amiable with makeup artists giving makeovers, hairstylists retouching ‘dos and Black business owners pushing their products.
Independent makeup creators were also in attendance.
House of Beauty Makeup Bar representatives attended.
The bar is owned by LaToya Anderson, an airbrush stylist, who prettied up ladies’ faces.
Hairstylist and makeup artist Damien B. of Vauz’e Hair extension spa perfected ringlets and gave women billowing, livelier looking hair.
LaTasha Henderson of VonRay brought the line’s punchy accessories back to the Social. VonRay designs were showcased in one of the Social’s fashion scenes.
Henderson who has worked with Grambling State University’s premier hip-hop dance troupe Sumthin’ Serious, employed GSU models Kenesha Carter, Lachatsia Robinson and Stacie Thomas.
She also hired GSU break-dancer, “Cheesy” to entertain as the custom accessories were displayed.
The Style Social had something for everyone, said Thomas.
However, the event did not remain at the surface level.
The pretty party incorporated HIV/AIDS awareness that could prove helpful to the event’s mostly young Black female audience.
The rate of new HIV infection in Black women was more than 10 times that of White women and four times as high as Latinas in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
Many women gained knowledge on HIV/AIDs because of the Philadelphia Center’s representatives and literature, said Jaleesa McDowell, one of the event’s organizers.
The Philadelphia Center is a northwest Louisiana resource center for HIV/AIDS.
Representatives passed out safe sex goodie bags and brought a prosthetic penis for participants to practice proper condom placement.
“The second installment of The Style Social was absolutely amazing,” said McDowell. “It was great to see so many women come together to network, be ‘glammed’.”
“There was a lot of creativity in the atmosphere. The vendors, stylists, presentations and models’ walk impressed me,” said GSU alumnus Dasha Fluornoy, a first-time Style Social attendee.
“I would have liked for there have been more people there to witness the experience,” said Fluornoy.
“I wish events like that were held more often,” said graduating mass communication senior and MAC makeup artist Porsche Stillman.
Stillman said that the Social provided a great opportunity for people in the beauty industry to network with each other.
McDowell said that the next Style Social will be in spring, promised new fashion up-and-comers and surprises.
“We will top (the last Social),” she said.