Here we go again. You’ve had a long day, or are about to have one, and some dude thinks he can worm his way onto your “to do” list. It’s always the same, those one liners that make you think, “How did you really think this little conversation would end up?” These next few stories should have the guys working on their A game…. and ladies, enjoy the laugh.

Pennsylvania native Sayda recounts a failed attempt, “It was sent to me as a myspace message, yeah that’s right, myspace. It was by some dude I didn’t even know and it said ‘Girl, Fidel Castro must have really done you wrong to have brought you here to America and into my presence.’ One I am not Cuban and two, that is so wrong.” Too bad for that guy, his message got deleted and he was blocked. Shame.

Then there are the more… simple minded and less inventive one liners (sounds nicer than plain stupid). College cutie Samanthia has heard it all including, “Is your name Campbells? ‘Cuz your mm mm good!!” Ummm, we’ll just say that relationship didn’t go very far. Though he might have been handy for winter colds, oh well.

And what about the men? One brave soul named Wayne fessed up. “If there was anything I could be I would wanna be your tear so I could be born in your eyes, live on your cheek and die on your lips.” Very Romeo and Juliet… too bad they both died in that book. Not wanting to bruise the male ego you could also go with the pretentious, “I just wanted to notify you that I noticed you noticing me, so I’m letting you know I noticed you too.” Thanks Wayne.

Or if you happen to be in Milan, like I was a few months ago, you just might get it straight up. “Excuse me Miss, do you need a husband?” Thankfully “No!” in English is the same in Italian.

If a diva is the female version of a hustla then Marquita Loving, owner of Beauty MarQ, is one bad chick.  Housed in Baltimore, Beauty MarQ encompasses all aspects of fashion from make up to styling, and recently designing clothing. This self made fashion mogul is “making you pretty from head to toe” as her motto says. 

We met Marquita doing a recent blog for Cut & Sewn called “A Shopper’s Diary” and fell in love. So we caught up with her to find out a little more, here’s what she had to say.

Crystal: How and when did you first get started in the industry?
Marquita: I got started in the beauty/fashion industry by just loving Fashion. I love making people look pretty. I started doing hair professionally in 2005, makeup in 2007 and making clothes for others this year. Nevertheless, before going to school for it all, I always had the passion for it and the drive to become a fashion mogul.

With so many titles, how do you do it all?
It is not hard at all. I kind of juggle them all around. For one event, a client might need me to make them a dress and do their make up and so on. I think that you have to enjoy doing it all to make it work and I absolutely love to do it all, right down to the little details.

What were some obstacles you faced starting your own company?
One of the major obstacles I am facing even now is that I do not drive. It’s really crazy because most people my age drive everywhere I just chose not to. Other than that, everything else kind of flows together because I don’t need help from a financial provider for my business.

How would you personify a Beauty MarQ client?
A Beauty MarQ client is everyone. If you need my service, I am here to help. All ages.

How do you see your career progressing in the future?
In the future, I see my career expanding. Beauty MarQ is not just a business, it’s my brand. This company is everything that I am plus more. I see my clientele growing all over the world.

And finally in keeping with tradition, if you could write anything on a t-shirt, what would it be?
LOVE LIFE (heart) LIVE FASHION

Marquita doing what she does best.

Products of Beauty MarQ.

The streets of New York City don’t tell a tale of economic crisis. Walking through mid town you’d think there’s a fat fed check sitting in your mail box (oooh and maybe the neighbors’ too). Big apple fashion addicts were out shopping for, well, everything. Some laugh in the face of recession while others are clinging to their blue suede shoes in hopes of buying the bag to match. Either way they were out and about finding something to quench their apparel thirst.

This group of Baltimore natives hits the stores at least once or twice a week in search of stand out accessories. They say the item flying off the shelves is sunglasses. I mean, look at theirs, it’s obvious they know where the good ones are.

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Through all the spitting up, pooping, and crying kids somehow remain the beacon of all things adorable. Striving to preserve the “Aww!” and “How precious” responses of a puppy eyed public, moms dress their little ones in equally cute threads. So what message would proud moms plaster on their bundles of joy? Some admit they’ve thought about it before. If nothing else a t-shirt can inspire the sense of humor some mommy’s lose amongst the diapers and baby wipes.

Ashley, mom of Teddy prefers “Poop Happens” a spoof off of a popular adult phrase. Or “I Might Barf” a warning for the rest of the world at her sons’ habit.

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Brought to you by 99 Dollar Music Videos, Cut & Sewn has made their debut in the background of Neil Halstead’s (of Slowdive and Mojave 3) new music video – Elevenses.

Watch our West Coast Reps in their custom cuts!
“I Heart Music,” Sol, White, Medium
“Puta Please,” Sol, Yellow, Medium
Create your own Custom Cut now!

See the exclusive interview with Emma Allison and Makenzie Lynd!

See Neil Halstead’s world premier and featured spotlight video!

Thobias Fäldt, a Swedish photographer lives and works in Gothenburg, Sweden.  He uses flash photography in the most bizarre, yet intriguing way. It’s up to the viewer to interpret what each photograph means to them because he chooses to keep it a mystery.

His brand new book, Year One, is expected to be released in spring of this year.

“None of the pictures from my series, ‘year one,’ are planned or staged—they’re always snapshots—but i try to frame the picture so you don’t know where it’s taken and you don’t get any geographic information; no answers are given.”

Quote borrowed from I heart photography’s interview with the artist.

Cut & Sewn featured in PINK Magazine! On stands now!

Hold or Fold?

“Often what separates entrepreneurs who make it from those who don’t is a sense of personal passion and purpose. We tend to see characteristics like drive, tenacity, passion and creativity. They tie together into the ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to make the venture successful.”

Pink Magazine got up close and personal with the Cut Crew and wanted to know, so we told ‘em.

Click here for the full article.

Pink Magazine, Spring 2009 on stands now!

Or click here!

This past weekend, Less Than Drake threw on their gear and got ready to rock their first show as the premier Less Than Jake cover band. As part of my attendance to this madness, I took some time to talk to their leader, Jason Wall.

Cut & Sewn: Why did you decide to start a Less Than Jake cover band?
Jason Wall: When I was younger, when it was actually popular in the late 90’s, I was a big fan of ska music. Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Goldfinger; I enjoyed it all. At some point, my friend Jon showed me Hello Rockview and changed my whole opinion on playing music. I started watching Less Than Jake videos, reading interviews, basically imitating everything they did in my junior high and high school bands.

One of the biggest things I respect about the band, however, is their live show.

Confetti, dancing, interactions with the crowd, jokes, costumes…every show was different, fun and done to ENTERTAIN. There are too many bands that record a CD, try to just play their songs and try to create a sort of “ambiance” for the crowd. That sucks.
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Our West Coast Cut Crew Reps Emma Allison and Makenzie Lynd came all the way from Santa Barbara to donate some sun to the cold coast. Their first adventure in Brooklyn brought them to Williamsburg’s Nita Nita and the exclusive filming of British music maker Neil Halstead’s (of Slowdive and Mojave 3) music video “Elevenses.” A big thanks to Chris Piazza of Jigsaw Soul for hooking it up.

Cut Crew East: How’s New York treating you?

Emma Allison: There’s no beach around and that’s weird. But I love it. I like the city and change of pace. It’s refreshing. – culture shock is refreshing, anything new is refreshing. It’s a bit nipply but I like it here.

CCE: Rub it in. Brooklyn can be a scary place for new comers. How has it been treating you?

Makenzie Lynd: I feel like it’s more like we’re living here than visiting. We are doing every day sort of stuff. We’re living the Brooklyn life.

CCE: How do you feel about tattoos?

EA: I like them. They are hot.

CCE: So how was the video shoot today with Neil Halstead?

ML: Everyone was really welcoming and really nice. They wanted to get to know us.

EA: It was set in a cute garden, pretty windy. I like how it was supposed to be set in the summer and it was freezing out.

CCE: How was the music?

EA: I loved it. I know every word now.

ML: It was my first time hearing it and now I’m sick of it. But the music was relaxing.

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This week’s playlist is provided by Goldie Jawn, an up and coming rapper out of Philadelphia. With her name growing every week in Philly, we’re were lucky to get her to talk to us for just a minute.

C&S: Pick 10 musicians that influence your music.
Goldie Jawn: JDilla, Carmen McCrae, Black Milk, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Jay Z, Little Brother, Ella Fitzgerald, Jill Scott.

What’s your worst gig?
My absolutely worst gig was the first time I performed. It was at this community center here in Philly. OMG, it was the summer time and it felt like I was in the middle of the Sahara Desert rocking a leather jumpsuit with 3 pairs of socks and a big wig without water. So hot. My throat was soooo mad at me cuz i did 5 songs! The water provided didnt help but I guess thats what you call paying your dues.

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Kosha Dillz is embarking on a journey, he will perform 40 shows in the next few months. Judaism influencing his rhymes along with the world around him, he stopped in to talk to Cut & Sewn.

How and when did you rapping?
I must’ve began in 1999 at Braggin’ Rites NYC at Nuyorican Poets cafe.

How’d you know rap was right for you?
I really didn’t know that ’till recently. I knew I was able to hustle and like it and love it and I can of have a lost love for hustling anything. Music and me, its all great, when I started developing my artist identity, it becomes easier to know that its right for me. I just love hearing myself complete songs that move me and other people.

Who are your influences?
Pop culture. Food. Surroundings. Scenery. Current news. Spirituality. Israel. It can range from a number of things.

Tell me about your writing process.
It usually begins with an urge to write, sort of like caffeine withdrawal but with a pen. I just finished my LP Beverly Dillz in LA with Belief, a lot was done in socks on a couch. Just enjoying to force the creativity which i think it a great skill every artist must acquire. With another producer, someone forces you to write to beats you might not do so by yourself, in the end that can create a great song you might not have ever explored.

Keep reading for more questions and information on upcoming Kosha gigs. (more…)