Male Model On The Rise: @JGoodtheModel

Jermaine Gooden aka JGoodtheModel is From Brooklyn, NY but is currently residing in North Carolina.

He has been pursuing modeling since he was 26 but he started taking it more seriously in the past year.

His first modeling experience was in 2016. 

Find Him On All Social Media @: JGoodtheModel

Ambition & Determination: Kayla Williams

Article Written By: Jalysa Dalmida

*Wise Advice She Received*

Always have fun with it

Don’t ever do anything you're uncomfortable with 

Model Life: "The Stoop Sessions: Part 1"

Her name is Saliyah Itoka. She was born and raised in Queens, NY but is currently living in Albany, NY.

She's been singing since she was really little. But she didn't start taking her music career seriously until January 2015 when she also started modeling.

She's been writing since she was 11 years old. Her creative passions come from working with other artists, sharing in their positive energy and learning from them. She has collaborated with other singers and rappers on her project and is very excited to hear the results. Her current project is in the works and the name that she's chosen for it is "The Stoop Sessions: Part I". She's inspired by singers from the 90's such as Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Tank, Rihanna, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Drake, and The Weeknd. In full light she wanted to create a project that represented her on all levels. 

 One of her favorite songs on her new project is called "Loving You". It has a Tevin Campbell sample and has that feel good vibe that she loves about R&B. 

She's done 8 shows since she started her music career. But her most memorable experience as an Artist was her very first showcase because it was the first time she had ever performed her original music. She was nervous but it felt good knowing that people really liked what they heard. As a model she performed at the February 2015 Atlantic City Fashion Week. It gave her that boost of confidence that she needed to confirm that she was runway model material.

Future Events of Music and Modeling

Right now, her debut project is in the works. She is working really hard to complete it and make it perfect. In her modeling career, she just finished a show during NYFW and she's just grinding and pushing for the next show and next casting. As far as the future she just wants to continue to pursue what she loves to do and prove her doubters wrong.

For Booking and Features

For both music and modeling contact her at: saliyahitoka@gmail.com 

Facebook and Instagram: Saliyah Itoka and Instagram is: saliyah_itoka. 

Plus Size Modeling In NC

Jonice Cromartie is from Fayetteville NC. She loves her family. They are the ones that inspired her to be serious about her modeling career. She has been in numerous fashion shows. She started as a model performing in hair shows. Yet, the hair shows she enjoyed the most because they were different and exciting! The hairstylists and designers would see her on the runway and ask her to be in their shows. She doesn't just enjoy modeling but she also likes to sing and dance too. 

 

She received a lot of her professional training from John Casablanca, the modeling school in Raleigh NC. But she also believed that modeling has always been a gift that was given to her by God. So, she already knew how to walk and pose long before she went to school. But, while in school she accomplished a lot and received the award for best runway in class. 

In her free time she reflected on her experiences and if asked to share any words of wisdom the advice she would give to any other model is to "never give up on your dreams and go for what you love to do." 

As the fashion industry transforms she also shares her opinion saying that if she could change anything in the fashion world she would change how BBW Models are treated in the industry. If she were ever to be a designer she says she would use plus models more on the runway. 

She has plenty of experiene being on the runway but if she could improve on any area as a model it would be learning how to apply her own makeup for runway and fashion shows.

If she could work with any Supermodel it would be Naomi Campbell she states excitedly! When asked why that particular model she responses with "because she has class, attitude and confidence on the runway like me." 

She can be found and reached at the following: 

Facebook- Jonice Cromartie,  

Instagram- Jonice 22 jonicecromartie@yahoo.com

Handmade Fashions By Elegant Evenings

Michelle Ragland is the owner and founder of the company Elegant Evenings Boutique. She has been in business for four years. In conversation she reflects on when she was a little girl and how she use to dress her dolls up and have "fashion shows" and from there, at the age of nine she discovered fashion was her passion.  


The first design she did was a dress that her cousin wore to a formal event. She showed it to one of her seamstresses that she currently works with; she was so proud of herself, and excited because her cousin looked absolutely gorgeous.

The person who inspired her to start her brand was Monif C, and God. She always prayed and listened to what God was telling her before she took a leap into anything. Her brand caters to all types of audience from bridal, elegant events, pageants, kids, and couture clothing. Her latest fall fashion style are designs with a lot of orange and browns incorporated in her designs. She has attended 20 shows since her brand has been out.

I asked if there were any major setbacks and, yes there where some major setbacks. One of her major setbacks' was trying to get her brand out to the world and while not having enough family and close friends believe in her vision. It was only her mom and herself financing her vision and the cost of getting her brand out to the world was really expensive. But, with the help of God and the determination of herself and her mother, together they made Elegant Evenings come to life. 

During her time as a Fashion Designer, the best advice she was given was: "You must crawl before you walk. She uses that advice to inspire other models and during her selection process. She does have a method of choosing models. She loves to chose models who are passionate and serious about their career. She knows with those models they will be loyal, and will make her designs look more beautiful. She also uses models that are given to her. But, she prefers to do casting calls, and speak with the models.

If she could design for any supermodel it would be a mixture of these amazing models: Kimora Lee Simmons, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Roshumba Williams. She sees these ladies as powerful and independent women. And to represent power If she could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world she would do the shoot in Africa.

She would love to thank everyone who has believed in her and her brand. She would love to thank her mom Josephine Brodie, her son Javon, her auntie and assistant Beatrice Gill, best friend Tracy Andrews, and Antoinne Duane Williams for the amazing networking and shoes they have done together. She would also like to thank Aly Camara, and Alvin AJR Imagery for the amazing photo shoots that they have done together over the years. She would also like to give a thank you all the beautiful and dedicated  models she has met over the years.   

So, Everyone can get in contact with her through facebook Elegant Evenings Boutique. She can also be found on instagram at: it's a couture thing, or on her website at: aelegantevenings.com.

Gospel Knowledge: Six:10 Clothing Brand

The name of her company is called Six:10 Clothing Brand. It's inspired from the book of Ephesians 6:10-20. The Armor of God. And I have been in business for about 3 years now. She discovered fashion was her passion around middle school when she couldn’t really find clothes she wanted that complemented her style.