Q&A with Cora Harrington from the The Lingerie Addict

 

 Photo credit: Nomi Ellenson

                                           

Cora Harrington is the Founder and Editor in Chief of The Lingerie Addict, the world's largest lingerie blog. With millions of visitors per year, and a social media following over 300,000 strong, The Lingerie Addict is a destination for lingerie fans around the world. Cora Harrington has been featured as a lingerie expert on The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Teen Vogue, Racked, CNN and Forbes. Ms. Harrington currently resides in NYC with her husband and too many boxes of tea.

1. Tell us a bit about your journey to the lingerie addict.

I started my site on a lark in 2008. I didn't have any plans. It wasn't a serious thing. This is before there were brand pages on Facebook and still in the very, very early days of Twitter. So my site was just a hobby. I started by sharing pieces I found online that I thought were cool, and things grew very gradually from there. As I discovered more, I shared more. I began writing reviews, doing more research, attending tradeshows, and so on. After a few years, I decided to try and make my blog a full-time job, and that's what I've been doing ever since.

 

Photo credit: Jessica Eisner

2. You say lingerie is a way to express your personal identity and sense of self. I know what you mean and agree. Can you please explain it for readers who might not?

My feeling is that lingerie is intimate apparel, in that it is intimate for the wearer, not an observer. Lingerie allows you to be who you really are. No matter what you may have to wear on the outside, you can always choose undergarments that represent who you are inside.

Photo credit: Playful Promises

3. How does lingerie empower women?

First, lingerie isn't just for women. It's for anyone who wants to wear it. Second, the word "empower" gets used a lot today, to the point that I'm not even sure what most people mean when they say it. Lingerie can be empowering, I believe that empowerment can come from what I referenced earlier - expressing your true sense of self. But lingerie isn't innately empowering, no more than a pair of shoes or a handbag.

 

4. What is your favourite lingerie luxury?

If you're asking about my favorite item of lingerie, I love a good caftan, especially when it's made from silk. Drapey, soft, flowy...what is there to dislike?

If you're asking about my favorite luxury brand, currently that's Christine Lingerie. Unsurprisingly, they work in silk and always have beautiful prints every season.

 

5. Let’s talk about your book ´In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie’ what led you to write this book?

I was actually invited by my publisher, Ten Speed Press, to write it! I felt like I had something to say about intimate apparel which hadn't yet been put in book form. I wanted to share not just my perspective on intimates, but also the knowledge I'd accrued over more than a decade, so people could feel prepared to find the lingerie of their dreams.

6. What can readers hope to learn from ‘In Intimate Detail’?

In Intimate Detail is a very much a Lingerie 101 guide. You'll absolutely get something out of it even if you're already familiar with intimate apparel, but it's written with new people in mind. There are seven chapters: bras, underwear, shapewear, hosiery, loungewear, shopping, and care & storage as well as several appendices covering special bra fitting and underwear concerns and sample lingerie wardrobes. Finally, the book ends with two bra size conversion charts as well as a list of books for further reading. It really is everything I learned in a decade of writing about lingerie condensed into book format, and it's meant to have a little something for everyone within its pages.

 

7. You've said that this book has been a true labor of love, what does this mean?

It took an entire year of my life to write, and writing a book isn't easy! You don't write a book - especially a book about lingerie - for money or fame. You do it because you really love the topic and want to share it with other people.

 

8. Where can we buy ´In Intimate Detail´?

If you live in the US, you can buy it from most any bookstore, including Amazon. I also sell signed copies directly from my website. Outside the US, you'll want to check with local booksellers to see if they carry it.

 

Get in touch

https://www.facebook.com/TLAfans 

https://www.instagram.com/thelingerieaddict/ 

https://twitter.com/lingerie_addict 

https://www.thelingerieaddict.com/

 

Vanity Afro, 09/09/2020

 

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Sherene Headley, Founder of Mokkah

Mokkah, an affordable luxury footwear brand for fashion-conscious women who wear larger sized shoes (UK8-12). They are actively crowdfunding to launch their first collection, the Noir Collection.

1. Where were you born and currently live?

I was born and raised in London, England and still reside here.

2. What does Mokkah stand for?

The name Mokkah came from me brainstorming abstract names for my brand. I started thinking of brands like Apple and Orange mobile and realised that the brand is what I make it. Mocha is a colour – can be a mixture of brown, cream, nude in appearance, a colour I find aesthetically pleasing and a go when choosing interior design combinations – even my nails at the nail shop!

Mocha is my got to and felt it was a nice extension of myself subtly incorporated into the brand. To remove connotations of coffee and the colour, I reworked the spelling.

3. What were you doing before you founded Mokkah?

I have a housing background. In the past I worked at a Housing Association in Customer Service, at a University within their Accommodation team and now at a London Council, within property acquisitions where I rehouse homeless families.

4. Where are your shoes produced and why?

My shoes will be produced in Portugal. Portugal is one of the most respected countries for shoe production, alongside Spain and the UK. I chose this particular manufacturer as they were able to work with me on the small scale (a lot of factories have restrictions of how low a quantity they will produce) and when I met them, our personalities worked well together.

5. I think it’s a fantastic idea that you created fashionable shoes for large feet. I am size 8 (Eu 41) and find it a challenge to find stylish shoes that fit. Is there a reason that shoes brands do not want to make large size shoes?

Thank you – it has been a struggle for far too long! I think it’s an accompaniment of a few things, but I feel the major one is a lack of understanding. Slowly but surely brands are creating larger shoes but I do not think they realise how much it’s needed! Also, it costs more to produce larger shoes due to the materials and development cost – they don’t need to worry about this, when making standard sizes.

6. Can you describe your inspirations for the Noir collection?

As the Noir Collection was the first, I very much wanted to create designs that were ‘safe’ – one for every type of occasion and the universal colourof acceptance is black. I have an occasion heel, a party heel, and a work heel as well as a work loafer and casual dress down loafer.

These designs were based on my own sense of style, what type of styles and designs I wish I had more access to, along with popular shapes and styles in the market.

7. What constitutes a great shoe?

A great shoe is long lasting and comfortable. A great design are both those things but also meets current trends. Style, Fit and Quality are the pillars of our brand mission and it was clear by the response to the surveys we carried out, that women within this cohort are seeking all three.

8. How have you been adapting your business during the coronavirus lockdown?

One of the biggest adaptions I made during this period, was my way of thinking. As I’m not trading yet there weren’t many changes to my way of working however the lockdown did mean a delay to my samples!

We all hear the saying “don’t put your eggs in one basket” but when it comes to business, you have to live by this saying. When you are just starting up, you do not have much capital so you can falsely think you have no choice but to – there’s always a choice. As I’m working with a manufacturer in Portugal, I wondered what would happen if there was a second spike there or if they couldn’t reopen, through brainstorming and building connections I came across a small workshop in the UK that could accommodate (should I need to change production).

9. Who is the woman you imagine wearing Mokkah?

Our target customers are women between the ages of 25 and 40 who love to keep up with current trends. They like to dress smart casual, the shoes being the staple with a complimentary bag.

10. Who are your favourite designers from the footwear industry?

My favourite designers are Tamara Mellon and Sandra Choi – LOVE their work!

Stay connected

https://www.instagram.com/mokkahshoes

https://www.facebook.com/Mokkahshoes

 https://twitter.com/mokkahshoes

To follow the Mokkah Crowdfund please visit:

https://natwestbackherbusiness.co.uk/mokkah-shoes-for-women-who-wear-larger-

sizes

 Vanity Afro, 10/06/2020

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Aaron Wallace | Natural Hair & Beard Grooming

This month I am excited to be featuring a top-notch black owned men’s grooming and beard company, Aaron Wallace. Trustworthy company, great product and friendly team! 
If you tired of using your girlfriend or wife's product, and is looking for the best in men beard, skin and hair care, bon ben voilá, look no further! 

1. Aaron Wallace is a great company name. What is the backstory behind it? 

We initially launched as Shear & Shine Grooming but after getting a £100k investment decided that with the new direction, a new name was needed. We went back and forth for months trying to find a name that we felt was right. After spending countless long but fun days brainstorming with the team in various London meeting rooms, we suddenly all reached the same ‘aha’ moment. 

We had to be called (by) Aaron Wallace! 

Why? Aaron Wallace is not just one of the founders, he is the embodiment of the very black men we want to champion. He grew up in South London and faced many of the same issues mirrored by our customers. He came up against many of the same challenges and sought to overcome many of the same obstacles. This mission is personal not just to him, but to all of us on the team. Therefore, the brand name had to be a direct reflection of the journey: past, present and future.

2. It would be great to see Aaron Wallace in a supermarket or local pharmacy as I don't think I’ve ever seen black male grooming products in there? What are your thoughts on this? 

 You are absolutely right! There are not many, if any black male grooming products readily available on shop shelves and we are determined to change that. If you look at black women, who, for the most part, can walk into a local Boots or Superdrug shop and find well known black hair brands like Cantu, Shea Moisture and ORS, which is fantastic. However, this is not the case when it comes to black men. There are already limited options available to them when it comes to products that will help them take better care of their hair and skin. This is made even more challenging by accessibility; they have to search harder to find those products. Why should they not be able to walk into their local supermarket or pharmacy and be able to find products that work for their hair and skin types?

Therefore, we are actively approaching retailers to make that happen.

3. You use black seed oil and mango butter which are great natural ingredients and perfect for Afro hair. Do you ever test on animals or have alternative non-animal methods to test the safety of your products?  

Absolutely not! We do not and will never test on animals. We use ethical methods to test the safety of our products and we do so in a controlled environment with formulation and lab experts who have the experience and the means to ensure we meet all the regulatory standards.

4. What are your Beard Collection's key ingredients and scent profile?

Our key ingredients are Mango Butter and Black Seed Oil. You will find this in all our products. The scent is a unique one developed specifically for our brand. This process was incredibly fun. We wanted something unique to us, something that would set our products apart and we worked with our brand ambassadors, formulation expert and the entire AW team to play around with different smells. 

5. What's a good moisturiser for men and when should they apply it? 

 Ours! I am not just saying this with bias but because it is true. We especially sourced ingredients that are good for Afro haired men to help reduce dryness which is the leading cause of breakages. Adding to that, we made the conscious decision of using a water base for our products so that much needed hydration is reintroduced to the hair, black hair requires a lot of hydration to keep it healthy. Moisturising daily is ideal, whether you choose to do so in the morning or in the evening is entirely up to everyone. As long as you remain consistent.

6. Any tips to black men for managing hair and beard during lockdown? 

Do not drop the ball on your hair and beard care. Make sure you continue to wash and condition at least 1x per week, ideally 2x per week, and make sure you moisturise daily. The barbershops may be shut but this is no excuse to stop taking care of your hair and beards. In fact, this can offer a welcome break to focus on getting your hair and beard nice and healthy. Manage your stress levels and mental well-being too, as this all impacts your hair and beards too, make sure you are eating healthy, exercising and finding ways to relax.

7. How important is it for guys to take pride in their appearance and overall presentation? 

 I would say especially important. Taking pride in your appearance and overall presentation also helps with confidence. When you look your best, you feel your best and all of this will radiate to the outside world. People gravitate towards those who are confident and who take good care of themselves.

9. Should a man’s approach to grooming change as he gets older?

Only slightly. In the main you will still want to ensure a consistent care routine is adopted but the manner in which you take care of your hair and beard may change as you may decide to rock a bald head for example, which requires a different approach vs. someone will a full head of hair. Grey hair tends to be dryer and tougher and as such will need even more moisture so you will want to increase the frequency with which you moisturise your hair.

10. For those who are looking for great Father’s Day gift ideas; do you have a beard grooming kit available? 

Our 3-step- system is extremely popular and it makes for the perfect gift for Father’s Day, as it contains all the essentials needed for proper hair and beard care. In it you will find our Hydrating Hair & Beard Shampoo, our Mango Butter + Black Seed Conditioner and our Hair & Beard Moisturiser with Mango Butter + Blackseed Oil.
                                   

11. If you could be featured in a magazine, which one would it be and why? 

We are always happy when magazines choose to feature our brand. Publications like yours are the reason why people find out about our brand. We recently got into GQ which was great as it is the pinnacle of men's style/fashion magazine. It is hard to pick one because as I said, any feature is always great.

12. What makes Aaron Wallace different from other black owned men’s grooming retailers?

 Our products are natural and free from toxic ingredients. We are not just black owned; we are also dedicated to developing products specifically for black men. We are awfully specific and very intentional about our mission to help black men take better care of their hair and skin.

13. What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

 Never give up on what you are genuinely passionate about, the rest will fall into place.

14. Tell us about what you have planned for 2021. 

To increase accessibility and get our products into local retailers so that more black men can find the right products for them.

Get in touch 

https://www.facebook.com/byaaronwallace

https://www.instagram.com/byaaronwallace/

https://twitter.com/byaaronwallace

https://byaaronwallace.com/

Vanity Afro, 15/05/2020

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Dami

Meet Dami a beautiful and young inspirational entrepreneur based in London. Dami is the founder of Damihow, a fashionable and functional active wear, catering all sizes. Who does not feel more motivated to go to the gym with a cute outfit? Looking good and feeling good with a breathable, comfy outfit, will give you mental & physical confidence leading to better workouts results. So, what are we waiting for? :)

1. Please can you introduce your work? 

DAMIHOW is an active wear brand founded in 2018, aimed to motivate individuals to feel confident in fitness. 

The brand is dedicated to providing quality activewear that makes you feel comfortable, without having to compromise on style. 

2. What inspired you to create Damihow? 

I was really into fitness and training, and loved wearing nice gym clothes because it motivated me to go to the gym and made me feel more confident. I've always wanted to have a clothing brand from a young age, but couldn't figure out what type of clothing I wanted to build a brand on. I grew a passion for fitness, which is what inspired me to start an active wear brand. I wanted to create something that was stylish and comfortable, and at the same time use the opportunity to motivate people to feel confident in fitness. 

3. What makes Damihow stand out above the rest? What is its USP? 

The branding(messaging) and the quality. It's not just a clothing brand, it's a brand with a purpose to influence the community.

4. What successful entrepreneur has had the most influence on you? 

Conna Walker

5. What is your more popular collection? 

Between Essentials, Synergy,Track Collection and Flex Collection? The Track Collection is the best seller, however all the other collections come right after this. All the collections are doing pretty well at the same level.

6. What is your advice for young people trying to start a business? 

Go for it! You'll have your ups and downs, you'll learn a lot.  Be passionate about your business, have a purpose. Explore your options, do you research and be confident about your brand. Don't allow you main motivation to come from others, of course there are people/brands that'll inspire/motivate you but don't let this be what you rely on. Let your motivation come from within.

7. What is your favourite workout at the moment? 

Deadlifts 

8. What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax? 

I don't think I have any hobbies at the moment(still trying to search for this). I mainly like to relax in my own space at home. Spa days are also a win.

9. What are your future plans for your business? 

One of the plans is to expand the Men's wear range and grow the male following

10. Where can we buy/find out more in UK?

 www.damihow.com and instagram.com/damihow

Connect with Dami to stay active in style

Instagram: @damihow

www.damihow.com

Vanity Afro, 12/03/2020

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Amber Lucas

Meet stunner Amber Lucas! Blogger and Fashion stylist, Amber give you great style advice, inspiration within the creative world, as well as interesting content fashion and real life stories.

America's sweetheart but Parisian by Heart.

1. Where were you born and currently live now?

I was born in Washington, DC, the capital of the United States. Fun Fact: Washington, District of Columbia is not a state, but a “federal district”.

2. How did your career within the fashion industry get started?

It started in college, at the end of my third year of University; I became the director of the REVO fashion show and landed an internship in fashion merchandising and public relations. I was hooked!

3. What’s the best piece of advice you have about developing a personal style?

Try everything. Try everything that interests you, even if it’s not your “style”. I feel that people can sometimes get stuck in a style rut (myself included) and for me it usually happens when I try to stick with a prefabricated idea of a style formula. Whenever I feel that I am in a style rut, I look for styles and silhouettes that excite me and then adapt them from there. Wear what you can move in, what makes you excited to get dressed, and what you can afford.

4. What’s the number one thing a stylish woman should have in her closet?

Something that she knows makes her happy to wear. It can truly be anything; it can be a trendy piece, or something that was passed down from a family member. It doesn’t have to be top-notch designer, or couture - just something that she is happy and excited to wear.

5. How would you describe your style?

This is a hard question for me to answer - because the short answer is, I don’t know how to describe my style. I feel as though I can do so many things, and dress in so many ways...But I also know what makes me happy, and sometimes what makes me happy changes from one month to the next. I like to have a formula for my wardrobe, especially for the fall and winter months; I like sticking to a specific colour palette which is mostly neutral, with a “highlight” colour or two. I love menswear inspired pieces, especially shoes. I tend to dress in oversize pieces, and because of that, I gravitate towards structured purses. In the spring and summer, I love colour - I love puffy sleeves, and cropped tops to show a bit of skin, and I love funky, playful prints. I love having an element of the “unexpected” such as a horse Paddington blouse, or cicada-bug earrings. I really love classic pieces too...so as you can see, it’s a little hard for me to describe my style! But others seem to be able to define it well for me, which I appreciate.

      

                                     

6. Who are your style muses?

Jane Aldridge, from Sea of Shoes: I love her style so much! It’s funky and quirky, and she is so well educated on true personal style.

7. If Brands send you clothes that you do not particularly like, what do you do?

I work very hard with brands to make sure I will like the items that are gifted to me. Should the unfortunate event happen where I do not like the clothing, I will try to work with it. If I feel that I cannot work with what was sent to me, I will reach out to the brand and politely ask if we can come to an agreement. If not, I will donate the item. 

8. What is your job or hobbies other than blogging?

I work full time as a Marketing Manager - with a strong focus on digital marketing and strategy.

9.What is your favourite city and why?

Paris. I know it’s cliché, but I truly adore Paris. I very much consider it my home. I have friends and friendships that I hold very dear, in Paris. I have shopkeepers that I visit, and waiters at restaurants that I stop by and say hello to, and favourite neighborhood. I love Paris because it feels like dreaming wide awake.

10. What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I really, really love peas. I could eat a bowl of them for dinner - I have eaten a bowl of them for dinner!

11. What are you grateful for?

Friendship and love. The two humble me continuously, and I am all the better for it. I am so grateful for the love of others, and for others loving me...the friendships I have made in this life are the ones that I truly treasure.

Get in touch with Amber Lucas

Fashion + Lifestyle in Sonoma County

Instagram: @amusedblog

www.amusedblog.com

A Mused

Vanity Afro, 28/02/2020

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Omolara Cole Chiori

Meet Omolara, a successful Nigerian business woman, loving wife and devoted mother. 

1.Please can you introduce yourself, your work and share a little about your background?
My name is Omolara Cole Chiori I was Born May 1, 1987, A Nigerian businesswoman and the CEO/Founder of ElanRed Store (A Unisex departmental Store and Amarelis Atelier (A fashion designing brand).
I attended the University of Lagos, where I bagged a BSC in Biology Education; and later proceeded to study Fashion & Merchandising at the FIT (Fashion Institute), New York in a bid to pursue my passion in fashion.
After my Studies, I moved back to Nigeria, set up my brands and has since then launched Fabulous pieces, Hosted Pop up Sales, worked with the Crème de la crème in the industry and created a market for local designers to sell & advertise their products.
I am happily married to Peter Cole Chiori & blessed with Three children.

Amarelis is a fashion brand which I initiated in the year 2012 while Elanred was initiated in the year 2014. Amarelis design is an indigenous lifestyle brand which was launched in 2012. It embodies my personal style and sensibility. Its collections are known for colour, print & eclectic details, which includes ready to wear, couture, shoes, handbags, accessories, beauty & home.

 2. Does your Brand name, Amarelis, has a meaning? 
Yes it has a meaning. Amarelis was derived from Amaryllis and Atelier means studio.
You know how Flowers are precious goods surrounded by exciting stories and are praised for their symbolic meaning for centuries? 
So are most of my collections: each collection are surrounded by exciting stories in a studio where my collections can be displayed. This was what inspired the name Amarelis Atelier


3. Please tell us about your latest collection. 
“SHE BORN” is a collection featuring elusive details and vibrant colours which is a pristine blend of this present time femininity and urban allure. it’s basically a mix of elegance and functionality.This was inspired by each facets of a woman’s life, there were times when a woman would just pull looks together to look lady-like meanwhile, there are times she would want to look classy and stylish. “SHE BORN “is about giving women a perfect blend of class, simplicity and elegance.

4. Do you strictly use fabrics from Nigeria or source elsewhere? 
Hmm I won’t say I use fabrics strictly from Nigeria, but rather I would say I often use fabrics from Nigeria, and few times I source from elsewhere, it all depends on the story am trying to create as a stylist.

 5. Amarelis is stylish & elegant clothing, as well as being eco-friendly and socially responsible. How do you do it? 
I would just say I do me; that makes it easier to keep up. Also, I try not to get distracted.

6. What would you say to someone looking to start a sustainable Brand?
It’s not going to be easy at first so many things would come up but hey, don’t stop being you, in other words, don’t stop being you, continue doing what you love and surely your passion would take you far.

7.How do you balance being a Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur with motherhood? 
Its basically  time management. When I am at my studio I forcus on my designs and all I have to do making sure I use up all the time I allocated for work effectively and while at home try not miss business with family , this is very important in achieving productivity .

8.What are your personal values? 
Consistence
Since people pay attention to my brands, credibility is critical, and I have a lot to live up to. Therefore, this core value reminds me to integrate humor, the Awesome Experience, and all my other lessons into my life and work, every single day.
Creativity
I do remind myself that I need to take that extra step to make my collections compelling so I can intrigue and connect with my audience.
Impact
Like most entrepreneurs, I see potential everywhere. This value reminds me to disregard when my brain is saying: "I can do that!" and instead ask the question: "Should I do that.”
Some of my personal traits like passion, integrity, and energy don't qualify in my mind as core values because I follow these instinctively without consideration. They are unnecessary in my decision-making process. 

 8. Some international brands are being called out for cultural appropriation. What is your opinion regarding this topic?
This is a sensitive topic I really don’t like the word cultural appropriation because different tribes and races influence me as a designer so I would rather say they are drawn to our rich African culture and they use this inspiration in their works.

9. How would you define your Fashion Workshop? 
My fashion workshop is more like a space where every detailed processing starting from the sketches, through the choice of the suitable fabric and the modeling stage, to the proper sewing of the piece is done.

Get in touch with Omorola

Website: https://amarelis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmarelisAtelier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amarelisatelier

Vanity Afro, 13/09/2019

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X