 Since 2002, Donellia Chives, via her brand Ngome Lifestyle (based in Beaufort, SC), has celebrated Afropolitan fashion and culture through her boutique and cultural events. Africa Fashion Week Lowcountry is among the grand fashion occasions presented by Ngome Lifestyle. I had the honor of finally meeting Donellia, after following her for a time on social media, when I modeled at the annual event in 2016. At times in life we come across people who leave us wanting to know more…about them…about their journey. Donellia Chives is one of those people. She beams with pride about her lowcountry South Carolina heritage. Her style is regal. She inspires you with her knowledge of and passion for African culture. Get to know Donellia Chives and Ngome Lifestyle. Read on!  Donellia Chives, Ngome Lifestyle Who Is Donellia Chives? Afropolitan. LocQueen. WrapQueen. Vegetarian. Mother of 3. Humanist. Lover of all that is possible. Creative. Curator of Ngome Lifestyle and visionary of Africa Fashion Week Lowcountry. I am passionate about mental wellness. Regardless of how we look on the outside, my question is always going to be "how are you doing on the inside?" The Genesis of a Fashion Brand Fashion is in my blood. I obtained an associates in fashion design in 1999 at American InterContinental University in Atlanta, Ga. My mother and grandmothers inspired me with New York style and my grandmother and aunts from Georgia influenced me with their southern style and soulful church wear. I would organize my grandmother’s closet and she always had tons of fun accessories from her era of when women wore gloves, pearls, hats, and dressed very chic and cosmopolitan. This ignited a fire in me at an early age. I love fashion but what’s more important to me is how well dressed are we on the inside. About Ngome Lifestyle Ngome Lifestyle is the quintessential lifestyle boutique for Royals, specializing in exclusive Africa and global inspired clothing and accessories. We offer a variety of customized style services including custom made garments. My greatest accomplishment, outside of my children, is being able to collaborate with brilliant artists, models, patrons, designers, and founding partners for Africa Fashion Week Lowcountry. Donellia’s Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs Do all your homework, research, projections, and examine your profit margins well to be able to make a profit. Remain authentic to your brand. Pray fervently. Stay positively humble and in gratitude. Even when you make mistakes, learn from them, own up to it, and keep going. Find a mentor. What’s on the Horizon for Ngome Lifestyle? My goal with Ngome Lifestyle is to become a global brand, expanding into all territories within the Diaspora. We will aim to empower our communities and others to engage in international trade opportunities to bring the best of Africa to everyone, everywhere. I wish to give back every step of the way. What's up next for Ngome? Yes! (insert big smile emoji) Ngome Lifestyle is opening its first standalone store in August 2018: a fusion of Afropolitan, urban, and lowcountry vibes-a hub for feeling and looking good! Ngome Lifestyle is an impressive combination of culture and fashion, and it is clearly a reflection of its illustrious owner, Donellia Chives. Friends, tell your circle about this year’s Africa Fashion Week LowCountry and stay tuned to Ngome Lifestyle on the web for announcements about the grand opening of the brand’s standalone boutique! Comment to give Donellia a pre-congrats on this amazing achievement! Connect with Ngome Lifestyle! Website: www.ngomelifestyle.com IG: Instagram.com/ngomelifestyle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ngomelifestyle  Don't miss a Charmed Life Fashion moment!  Become a part of the most stylish tribe in town! Join the Charmed Life VIP Tribe! Simply text the code CharmedLife to 31996.
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 When you see beautiful models as you flip through your favorite magazines or in beauty campaigns by various brands, there is likely to be a management company working behind the scenes on the ins and outs of the model’s career moves. M-WAM (Modeling With A Message) is one such agency that works to refine and promote talent. I had the opportunity to work with Kelli R. Williams, CEO of M-WAM last summer when she served as a panelist at the Sassy Summer Fashion Meet-Up. Upon meeting her, it was clearly evident that Kelli is very knowledgeable and passionate about fashion. The unique thing about M-WAM is that it focuses not only on the logistics of the fashion and entertainment industries, but the agency is also dedicated to personal development and women’s empowerment. Read on to get to know Kelli R. Williams, Agent|Author|Public Speaker|Consultant|CEO, and her company M-WAM.  Tidbits: Kelli R. Williams, Owner of M-WAM I am Kelli R. Williams, a native of Mullins, SC. I began pursuing a modeling career in college because I had always been inspired by the fashion industry as a whole…the art…the feel…the passion behind it all. I decided to expand my involvement in the industry and started my company, Modeling With A Message (M-WAM). I made sure to include my passion for helping others in my business model, so M-WAM also focuses on community service and philanthropy. I am also a published author. My book, The Journey To Enlightenment: A Guide to You, was published in 2017. In the book, I aim to encourage others by revealing the truth of my own personal trials and triumphs. The Launch of M-WAM Established in 2015, M-WAM, fosters careers in modeling, acting, and artistry while motivating others via mentorship and motivational speaking. I have a powerful team behind me who helps to bring M-WAM’s mission to life. Our clients are passionate about their platforms and thrive within the modeling, arts, and entertainment industries.  Kelli and M-WAM models working on a campaign for client, TR(US)T Apparel The Company’s Cause One of my greatest passions is women’s empowerment. M-WAM is a platform for promoting growth and success among the young ladies in my community. I host empowerment retreats and photo campaigns featuring models signed to M-WAM. The M-WAM University of Scholars and Fine Arts Academy works with schools across the state of SC to equip young ladies with the academic knowledge, social skills, empowerment, and character development that will allow them to break down the barriers they may face on a daily basis. M-WAM: Making Its Mark We have made great strides over the past three years, including 11 magazine publications and M-WAM clients participating in highly visible fashion events. M-WAM clients have been featured in Paris Fashion Week (2017), Los Angeles Fashion Week (2017), and New York Fashion Week (2017; 2018). My advice to anyone wishing to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, or anyone making moves in their chosen career, is to trust the process. Nothing comes overnight. And…NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK!  M-WAM on the move in NYC during NYFW (2018). What’s Up Next? We are currently preparing for many fashion weeks in 2018. Overall, we are continuing to grow the M-WAM brand and becoming more global. We strive for excellence in all that we do. We would like for readers to know that M-WAM is currently accepting new talent. Anyone interested in the services that we offer should email [email protected] or visit our website www.modelingwithamessage.net. We are also hiring talent scouts, photographers, and hair and makeup professionals. Connect With MWAM www.modelingwithamessage.net www.Facebook.com/mwammanagement www.Instagram.com/modelingwithamessage www.Twitter.com/mwam_management I am always excited to see others making their own lane and striving toward their life’s goals. Congratulations to Kelli R. Williams for her accomplishments with M-WAM, and I am certain that so much more is in store for M-WAM. Have you ever been interested in a career in fashion? Comment and let us know about your fashion industry goals (or accomplishments if you are already making moves in the fashion industry).  ICYMI! Catch up on recent Charmed Life Fashion Features! Styled by Mea BJ Johnson Fashion Group Charmed Life Sunnies Be a part of the most stylish tribe in town! Join the Charmed Life VIP Tribe! Simply text the code CharmedLife to 31996.
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 “Creativity never goes out of style!” This quote (author unknown) hints at the connection between art and fashion, and I have always believed that creativity is a crucial element in making fashion fun. In the fashion industry, there are people who are driven by the opportunity to birth new ideas, new fashion pieces, new experiences, and it is a delightful process to witness. Fashionista, Mea Davis-Felder, is a great example of the fascinating things that come to life when a creative mind meets a passion for fashion. She gives the runway no mercy as a fashion model. As a creative director, she brings unique and fashion forward concepts to life. Read on to learn more about Mea Davis-Felder: model, creative director, wardrobe stylist, and designer.  Image from a recent Styled By Mea editorial shoot Photographer: K. Felder Photography About Mea Hello! I am Mea Davis-Felder, a girl with a deep passion for all things fashion. My interest in this industry began when I traveled with my family over the years as a military dependent, and having the opportunity to meet different people and experience diverse cultures. I have experience as a model and I branched out into other arenas of the fashion world, including wardrobe styling, personal styling, and motivational speaking. My business, Styled by Mea, includes all of these services and more. The Launch of Styled by Mea In 2013, I started Styled by Mea with the passion to encourage confidence in plus-size and all women. My services include modeling, mentoring, one-on-one personal styling and shopping, designing, wedding styling, and closet revamping. My greatest accomplishment so far has been the ability to influence other women to look good, feel good, and start business ventures of their own. Styled By Mea: Making Moves My photoshoots aren’t just photoshoots. They are about empowerment. My past projects have included an Afropunk themed shoot (2015) featuring plus-size models wearing thrifted pieces restyled by me. In the summer of 2015, I also created and styled a full-figured swimwear shoot, Beauties by the Water and the Bad Gals Unite shoot in the fall of 2016. I have also began designing my own pieces and debuted my fashion line, Davis Me A, at the Emerging Fashion Runway Show. Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs I have no problem offering advice to others who are starting careers in fashion because it’s not about competition. We should be able to support each other. One major piece of advice that I always give is to make sure that you know your target audience. What’s Up Next? Styled by Mea will be coordinating an Arabian themed photoshoot soon!! Stay tuned! Connect with Styled by Mea Styled by Mea is always accepting new clients!! Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/styledbyMea33/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styledbymea36/  It’s a beautiful thing when one’s passion and purpose come together. I am excited for Mea and all that she has accomplished, and for all of the great endeavors for Styled by Mea that will surely come. Be sure to visit Styled by Mea across the web and enjoy her captivating fashion images. Do you think that fashion and creativity go hand-in-hand? Comment and let us know your thoughts! ICYMI! Tap on the links below to catch up on other Charmed Life Fashion Features! Charmed Life Fashion Feature: BJ Johnson Fashion Group Charmed Life Fashion Feature: Fashionably Correct Be a part of the most stylish tribe in town! Join the Charmed Life VIP Tribe! Simply text the code CharmedLife to 31996.
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AuthorThe creator of Truly Charmed Life, Antoinette Cain, delights in all things fashion, all things fostering empowerment, and all things that inspire ambition. Antoinette started this fashion and lifestyle blog to celebrate those who are living their Charmed Lives and to empower those who haven't yet realized that life may be imperfect, but in every day there is a Charmed moment. Archives
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