#INDUSTRYTALK: AMERICAN IN PARIS
”It was that moment where my life flashed by and I knew that I was living my dreams.”
We sat outside a cafe on a sunny Parisian day enjoying tea while discussing a few of our future goals. At that moment I had to marvel at where we were. I’d kill for the real estate in that neighborhood. It oozed everything I wanted out of Paris- history, refinement, and views. It was definitely what anyone would call goals. Who knew that I would be conversing in Paris over tea with a photographer whose work I discovered a few years before? It was that moment where my life flashed by and I knew that I was living my dreams. I am an actor, an artist, a creative. I marveled at the photos of legends such as Diahann Carroll and Harry Belafonte overseas in Europe looking effortlessly regal in black and white photos. Now it was my turn- the lense was on me. I wanted to deliver the professionalism and poise I learned reading about these iconic black artist. This was my moment.
We later found ourselves in the shopping district renowned for its celebrity sightings, Chanel and Dior just a few of the many boutiques along the strip. Our simple outdoors shoot turned into what looked like a high fashion campaign. I was extremely excited because all of my wardrobe excluding my blazer was purchased from young up and coming black american designers. I will link their info below- with my robe set I will say to get it tailored as it runs large, and for the men’s lace underwear by Menagerie I would email to confirm the size as the designer shipped the wrong size, and the back and forth just made me give up on trying to obtain the correct size. With newer designers these things can be expected but it was well worth the troubles as the photos look amazing and representation is very important.
Finally we climbed the stairs at Trocadéro. I saw Adrienne Bailon's wedding pictures on those stairs, the Eiffel Tower her backdrop. I wanted to tell a story, to live in a moment and to keep it. I’m glad I was able to have exactly that. Even if it meant a bunch of strangers were taking pictures of me in my underwear. Including the security guards. Let’s hope they discover this blog and at least tag me- oh and that I am not looking too crazy. It was definitely a shocked paparazzi moment I was having when the tourists started flashing.
To Paris… je t’aime!
“...the Eiffel Tower her backdrop. I wanted to tell a story, to live in a moment and to keep it.”
Credits:
Location: Paris, France
PHOTOGRAPHER: JDF PICTURES
HAIR STYLIST: URIEL BEN-LEVI
EYEBROWS: CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ
TURBANS: EHUTTY
LACE UNDERWEAR: MENAGERIE
BLAZER: THE TVKEOVER CLOTHING
ROBE SET: M. DIGGS
SHOES: PIERGITAR SHOES