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Seattle’s Adventures in Bougie: Vol. 1
As I’ve gotten older and more mature (I think), I’ve gotten opportunities to indulge in cultured events or, as they’re sometimes dubbed, bougie s**t. Like drinking pomegranate juice, going to roofdeck parties and, recently, attending a fashion show. What made this show different from the ones I attended in college held by countless African American orgs or the ones for some new “clothing line” that’s held at the Knights of Columbus? A certain je ne sais quoi, son. Now it wasn’t Fashion Week, but this was a real fashion show. With real designers. And it cost real money.
Why did I go to this event with the effects of the recession weighing down on me like an overweight cheerleader at the top of a human pyramid? To check out the reputable TyJuana Flores and her latest collection. That and to keep my boy Ainz from SH Collective company while he was surrounded by countless women and down low as well as up high dudes. See, it was a true fashion show.
So with a Grand Marnier on the rocks in my hand and my Vans grazing the edge of the runway, I checked out the scene and in turn was checked out. Have to say, the show was a great look.
The show, The Beast of Fashion, was an exhibition featuring eight rising fashion designers. The work ranged from fantastical sheer sleepwear to conservative evening gowns to goth-like leather dresses with handcuffs to Asian inspired dresses to innovative urban clothing. As you can tell, most of what I saw that day had me in awe. And I’m not just saying that because the first line was lingerie, though it helped. It actually was cool.
After the immediate effects of scantly dressed women walking around wore off, I began to notice the intricate designs, meticulous craftsmanship and eyes for fabric that were unmatched by even those on Project Runway. Or so I hear. I couldn’t take a lot of photos, for fear of looking like a pervert, so I just took some photos of TyJuana’s line. Then again, that was the only line that really deserved the attention.
I’m not a huge fashion head. I know what looks cool, but not what’s “in season”. So I’d like your opinion. Keep in mind, the pictures are from the iPhone, so the quality isn’t all that. To get a better look at TyJuana’s work and see some actual professional photographs, visit http://www.tyjuanaflores.com/
Until the next bougie adventure,
Seattle – Yeah, I Drink Pomegranate Juice on My Deck - Washington
37 Responses to “Seattle’s Adventures in Bougie: Vol. 1”
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Thanks homie, we here at SH Collective and TyJuana Flores Collection appreciate the love.
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i love fashion shows… need to holla at one soon.
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I’m all for fashion shows.
Any excuse to look at pretty women, fam.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I concur. Think that’s in the Man Laws somewhere…
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I love going to fashion shows…have only been to a few though. I can’t afford the high-priced clothes but they are interesting to look at and to see what I can find out the store that’s similiar.
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I’ve never been to a real fashion show (the church ones and the ones I’ve been in for an “agency” DO NOT COUNT. LOL) but I’d love to go once in life.
I’m feeling her collection. Those items I could actually wear in real life, unlike some of the designers.
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ohhh… i LOVE fashion and designs and all that…
her stuff looks pretty hot too!
congrats on stepping out of the hood box and on into the bougie one! lol
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
While I may drink pomegranate juice on my deck, a B&M may also be in my hand as I wave to my neighbors.
Meaning even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could dive all the way into that bougie box. Not sure if I want to stop doing ignorant ish. Think I’ll keep one foot in each and see how long that lasts.
Hmm… that gives have an idea…
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Southern Belle Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
“congrats on stepping out of the hood box and on into the bougie one!”
I’m going to step in to the ig’nant box for a second and laugh…
Ok, now back to the world of being politically correct and sensitive to prejudice.
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LOVE LOVE LOVE the line, especially the look of the texture, and thank God for ‘empire waist’ anything–it’s classy and makes girl’s look thin.
I also love how you’re raving about women’s fashion, the only men I’ve ever seen at women’s fashion shows are…pretty? Oh and the pervert looking ones who, by their subtle facial expressions, think they’re at a coy Catholic schoolgirl strip club.
SmoothPhi, I think you’re going to feel right at home with Mr. Washington here, pretty men unite!
Oh jokes, love the clothes, love that it’s thursday, and I’d love a fashion show of pretty men…
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Hey, I have to give respect where respect is due. TyJuana did the damn thing. It’s too bad you only see two types of dudes at shows like this, from your posts I always thought you were more thorough.
Oh and I’m a firm believer that no man should refer to himself as “pretty”. Though I’ve heard that I am pretty handsome.
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Ainz Neal Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 11:54 am
“SmoothPhi, I think you’re going to feel right at home with Mr. Washington here, pretty men unite!”
There is nothing wrong with being well groomed..lol
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I’ve gotten a few manicures in my life time…women like. It’s an interesting contrast to see a man with a scruffy beard sitting at a nail salon gettin a manicure. I can usually see the question marks over the heads of those in there lookin at me.
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Southern Belle Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
You’re absolutely right, well groomed is an essential. However, going to a woman’s fashion show isn’t part of the criteria to be well groomed. I guess we’ll save the well groomed vs. pretty (ie. metro) conversation for another day.
“Oh and I’m a firm believer that no man should refer to himself as ‘pretty’. Though I’ve heard that I am pretty handsome.”
That comment warrants a shimmy!
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SmoothPhiNuPi Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Imitation is the best form of flattery. You’re a cute one, Belle.
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Ainz Neal Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
It isn’t part of the criteria to attend your right about that. Being involved with the industry i do attend many of them. Which Seattle and i were probably two of a handfull of straight men in attendance that night.
Yea i have had very heated debates about that topic we can save that one for another time.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Maybe Slim was wrong about the couple situation.
I’m sensing Southern Belle might be a Diamond Girl. Good luck Mr. Leslie!
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Southern Belle Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Low blow, exercising the art of retreat.
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Gotta show love for the pomegranate juice! Love the variations like blueberry pomegranate. Especially ice cold! The name of the fruit alone sounds bougie, but it’s quickly becoming very popular everywhere! It’s probably Oprah’s doing.
In LOVE with that line. Very classy and chic. TyJuana has mad talent. I’ve never been to a fashion show but I’ve always wanted to go to one. Ah, some day…
I want some pomegranate juice now. With extra bougie on top.
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Try that Minute Maid Pomegranate and Lemonade joint. Fire.
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Tonja Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Already up on that one. I tried it this past summer and fell in lust. One of my favorites.
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CVal Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Damn, I never realized pomegranate juice was bougie, I thought I would be healthy for once and try something new…And the sh*t was great!.
I done left the hood behind without even noticing *smh*
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I have to co-sign the POM. I love pomegranate juice!! I also love pomegranate martinis, pommaritas (so yummy), and my fave is my own concoction of POM, Cruzan Pineapple, sweet & sour, and a splash of strawberry syrup.
I would suggest stepping up your bougie and getting some actual pomegranates since they’re in season right now. I’ve been sick all week and wanted a vitamin C boost. I went in Giant looking for blood oranges (another bougie favorite of mine) but they didn’t have any so I picked up a few pomegranates.
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InsomniaPoet Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Be careful though b/c pomegranate seeds will quickly stain some bougie clothes
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ife1love Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Tell me about it… I actually put on a big, red, not-so-bougie house coat before I plopped on the couch and broke it open
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Tonja Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Oh, yeah, pomegranate martinis and pommaritas! LOVE!
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Seattle Washington Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Picking your own pomegranates? Wow. I need to go on more adventures. There’s obviously a lot more bougie out there to discover.
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Just saw the collection on her website, those girls are oooo weeee gorgeous. Especialy the one in most the pics, latina women are one of a kind.
so are black women, just to put it out there!
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Slim Jackson Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I love me some hairy Scandinavian women.
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Ainz Neal Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
umm Slim..you sure?
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Tonja Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’m guessing they keep him warm at night?
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Southern Belle Reply:
December 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
You guys can sit and braid beards together!
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Here is a link of some more pics so you can take a better look.
http://www.shcollective.com/2008/12/ty-juana-flores-in-beast-of-fashion.html
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Such a fan of some good Pom (and Liq) and a good fashion show. Fabulous.
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whoot whoot!! Grand marnier on the rocks & Vans
sounds like my kind of party!
POM- it may just be me, but the last time i checked long life was in this season
Big up to Tyjuana Flores..the line is beautiful and very feminine…
Nice to see the change in topic today…can’t we just all get along!!??
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1. I implore you to add an “r” to your spelling of “bourgie.” It just flows better from the original Bourgeoisie.
2. Copyright infringement for use of the term “bourgie adventure” JK. Kinda.
3. I came here to reply to your Why Do I Have to Choose post which came up on my google reader, but wasn’t here when I got here. Must be updating it. I dunno. Either way, you don’t have to choose. Like me, you could have a so-called “hood” upbringing and, through life’s experiences, you begin to exhibit bourgie tendencies. Nothing wrong with that. That’s growth. Bourgie doesn’t have to be a bad word.
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