Marley Dias - Fashion Spotlight

                                                                  

If we want to see a change in the world we have to step up and do our part, like Marley Dias the 11yr old girl from New Jersey who wanted to see a change in the books she was given to read by her school, books that predominately featured young white males as the main characters, so last fall Marley had the bright idea to collect #1000BlackGirlBooks, "It was the desire to see black girls and our experiences in the books that I was given to read at school that forced me to speak my truth"

#1000BlackGirlBooks is a book drive to collect books where girls/women of color are the main characters. It took a little while to take off but Marley has started a movement! collecting over 4,000 books and counting, appearances on major network talk shows and interviews by some of our favorite magazines including ELLE magazine, which is one of my personal favorites. This movement has lead Elle magazine to team up with Marley and give her another platform, a Zine geared toward black girls called Marley Mag  

           

          " I always knew I want to be the kind of grownup who makes people's lives better"

 We all have thoughts on how we would like things to be, but very few of us take the action to see our thoughts through and while its easy to complain and wait for "Change" it takes real courage to be the CHANGE. folliclesandFASHION salutes Marley Dias for stepping up and stepping out with this movement, it is much needed in our community and will help so many black girls read stories they can relate to, be inspired and motivated by. I have been an avid book reader since 2nd grade and a network like this, could have had a major impact on me, as a girl growing up in Harlem in one of the roughest neighborhoods. Most of the books I read when I was younger served as an escape from my reality and opened my eyes to new people, places and things both good and bad but I cannot remember reading many books that featured black people in general, let alone black girls in a positive upbeat and inspiring way, so I encourage you to share this information because there are so many #Blackgirls doing amazing things and we need to applaud and support them. 

                                                                Knowledge is Power

                                                                      Inspiration

Fiction - Age Level - Grades 3-5

Historical Fiction Classic - Age Level - Grades 5-8 

Autobiography - Age Level - Grades 6-8

Marley saw something that she wanted to change and figured out a way to do it, now you can help and support this movement by clicking the link and sharing it.  

 http://grassrootscommunityfoundation.org/1000-black-girl-books-resource-guide/  

http://www.elle.com/marleymag/

Accessory Addict

iLuv a good hair accessory! especially headbands and barrettes when they have  some edge to them, Ive never been the flowered headband type of girl, that is  unless it has black jewel encrusted flowers on it. I'm obsessed with these barrettes from http://www.luvaj.com/

iLuv the studded detail

 Sleek studded sophistication

 Usually I say do one studded item at a time so you don't look like you belong in a 1980's rock band but this combo works! Simple stud bobby pins give the hair some edge, but doesn't compete with this Ahmazing  studded leather jacket that I'm drooling over.....iLUV

Gabrielle Corney - Follicles Spotlight

 Gabrielle Corney, Hairstylist to the stars is in the  "SPOTLIGHT" with folliclesandFASHION

With over 20 years in the industry, Gabrielle Corney is the go to stylist for  some of the hottest celebrities on reality TV, she is also part of a creative team for brands such as, Indique and Carols Daughter while maintaining a successful clientele in her midtown suite.

This Queens girl and lover of the arts fell head over heels at an early age, but started her haircare journey as a receptionist at Vidal Sassoon in the late 90’s  when it was the iconic Apple building on 60th and Fifth avenue. Gabrielle soon took her skills, passion and exceptional customer service into the world of freelance where she landed a job for G units songbird Olivia, with whom she traveled the world beautifying. 

Since the early days of her career Gabrielle has been featured in numerous publications from Vibe to InStyle and her work has graced the screens of networks like VH1, MTV and BET. 

I caught up with Gabrielle (Gabbi) for coffee and conversation about her favorite products, hair care tips, building a brand and of course what it's like to be a MELANIN girl in the folliclesandFASHION world.

folliclesandFASHION: Gabbi, I know you have done plenty of interviews and most likely get asked the same questions, so for this one I would like to do some candid questions is that ok?

Gabbi: Of course! I'm always down for a little fun

folliclesandFASHION: OK, here we go - CURLY of STRAIGHT HAIR?

Gabbi: Ummm CURLY... then again STRAIGHT... (laughing) listen sometimes a girl wants to be curly and sometimes she wants it straight (referring to herself)

folliclesandFASHION: I completely understand that... now TOPKNOT or PONYTAIL?

Gabbi: PONYTAIL... I just did a textured ponytail on Kandi that was super cute and recently gave June Ambrose a topknot with a full bang that was super cute as well lol.

Kandi Burruss

June Ambrose

folliclesandFASHION: Yes, yes and yes! I saw that, and iLuved them both you're such a versatile stylist, at first glance I thought you only did natural hair but that's totally not it.

Gabbi: Yeah Im a lover of hair, natural or relaxed... as long as its healthy but if its not I can help get it there. 

folliclesandFASHION: BLONDE OR BRUNETTE?

Gabbi: BOTH, Blondes have more fun, but Dark is lovely.

folliclesandFASHION: iLuv that! CHOPPY or BLUNT? 

Gabbi: Choppy

folliclesandFASHION: Bad hair day go to SCARF or HAT?

Gabbi: SCARF, but that's only once in a while....you can do so much with it! like make it into a headband, tie it into a bow or wear it as a turban. 

folliclesandFASHION: OK, lets switch it up, Ill start the sentence and you finish it with whatever comes to mind. Its ok to...

Gabbi: Be a masterpiece while under construction

folliclesandFASHION: iLUV when....

Gabbi: People are authentically who they are... (and also when my coffee is light and sweet, just like me) laughing

folliclesandFASHION: After a long day...

Gabbi: I unplug, unwind, replay and recharge.

folliclesandFASHION: iLUV ... (I may need to follow that) :-) I wake up and....

Gabbi: PRAY.....and then I put the coffee on.

folliclesandFASHION: When I drink coffee...

Gabbi: It brings back memories of time spent with my granny the act of brewing it.. the smell of it.... makes me smile, #itsDeeperthantaste

folliclesandFASHION: I love traditions big or small... these are the things that keep us forever connected to family. Now lets talk haircare, what are some of your go to products.

Gabbi; There are so many good products on the market, but Im going to give you my staples and these products never change for me.

 Aloe

Coconut oil

Liquid Vitamin E

Olive Oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc5OKZvAg8g

folliclesandFASHION: Great, now can you give us a Haircare tip?

Gabbi: You should wash your hair ties or bonnets as often as you shampoo your hair.

folliclesandFASHION: Advice you want to share on building a brand?

 Gabbi: LOVE what you do, because it takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

 The same way it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team or network to build a brand  Your brand is a representation of you.

 Also play nice in the sandbox, the world is a small town

folliclesandFASHION: Any input on the being a Melanin girl in this industry?

                                       Gabbi; Know that your Melanin is ahmazing!!!!!

To stay connected to Gabbi click the link below

http://www.gabriellecorney.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gabriellecorney/?hl=en

Braids

When I see an adult male in braids I tend to roll my eyes, however these braids made me do a double take....in a good way.