#neonv

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and bey still reigns supreme! 

IV: michelle german

health + beauty director

[neonvmag]

celibacy is not just a matter of not having sex. it is a way of admiring a person for their humanity, maybe even for their beauty.

timothy radcliffe

[neonvmag]

flashback to our culture feature in volume II, classic:

issa rae rapped for us and had the most hilarious and insightful interview with journalist issa eugenia. 

here's a peek into their conversation + for more purchase the digital version of volume II here or download the neonV app.

i was honored, to have the opportunity to interview one of america’s sky-rising pillars of comedic brilliance. besides the fact, i, for some peculiar reason find her name to be particularly of great intrigue; it was a treat to curiously folly around and pick the brain behind issa rae productions. a mothership of unforeseen entertainment and comedy. issa rae was gracious enough to give tons of insight, including: what constitutes the now coveted mantle of the “awkward black girl,” how leading character, j’s approach to writing dope rap lyrics fares against the freestyle abilities of the creator-producer-actor herself, what glorious unfoldment led to “abg” being picked up by pharrell williams’ i am other channel hosted by youtube, and more!!! without further adieu, let us, indulge in the brazen brilliance and comedic charm of issa rae—the self-proclaimed “awkward black girl” who has incited us all into an even more peculiar youtube frenzy.

issa eugenia [ie]: the awkward black girl:

what assemblage of characteristics constitutes an “awkward black girl?” are there any vintage “awkward black girls?” if so, who are they and why are they awkward? [respectfully, of course, we have to honor the legends of chronic introspection and self-consciousness.] issa rae [ir]: insecurity. discomfort. a sense of questioned identity. you know, the usual. vintage "awkward black girls" include sinclair from “living single,” freddie from "a different world, angela from "boy meets world," suzy from "rugrats." all of them were awkward in their own right—whether they stood out like a sore thumb in their surrounding environment, or didn't quite fit in with the other blacks. ie: the big chop phenom [the natural hair factor]: what did it mean for you as a woman of color vs. what does it mean for the character, j? ir: it meant everything for me. i have been having hair issues for as long as i can remember. i didn't realize how big of a deal hair was in the black community until i moved to l.a. from maryland, from junior high. the moment i chopped it off, it was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. i just didn't care. i was bald. i didn't have to care about hair issues. i was above them all. for j, it was a sense of stress relief. a hasty decision based off of an emotional break-up. the only thing j and i had in common was probably the haste at which we did it. i had been thinking about it for a couple of weeks, after seeing the raptress from floetry do it. i talked about it to my friends and announced that i was thinking about it on facebook, and most of the comments urged me not to do it…but they were still curious to see what i'd look like. so i made an event of it. "awkward black girl" was officially born when i shaved my head. ie: what say you? “j” vs. issa rae [random questions to both the character, “j” and issa rae to display contrast in personality]: when do you feel normal?

j & issa: when i know i'm around people who “get” me.

ie: which “abg” character have you learned the most from?

j: cece

issa: j

ie: how long does it take you to get ready for work?

j & issa: 10-30 minutes, depending on whether or not i've showered the night before.

ie: what is the best rap lyric you ever wrote?

j: "flow so sick, like patty on her period."

issa: "i hope you wasn't planning on living today bitch, cause i'mma kill you."

ie: what is your favorite natural hair style that you have never tried?

j: everything.

issa: the curly afro. ie: creative entrepreneurs/Intellectual property: why did you want to create your own creative platform, issa rae productions? how did you go about bringing this fearless intention into a reality? ir: because i had something to say. i wanted to tell stories and have an audience, without having to go through a gatekeeper. thanks to youtube, a supportive family and my editing classes, i was able to turn my dreams into a reality.

_______________________________________________________________

+ issa rae is an awkward black girl.

  + issa eugenia is an atypical nerd swimming upstream in a wordy daydream. 

I: tanekeya word

editor•in•chief

art, literature + culture editor

[neonvmag]

tatia pilieva is to thank for the latest viral video to shutdown the inter web

the short features 'strangers' meeting and then kissing for the first time and it all unfolds in front of a camera

regrettably, the cast of folks is comprised of actors, models, and musicians kissing all in the name of love art social experiment advertisement  

insert a re-make featuring more diverse, painfully awkward, and refreshingly realistic folks in 5,4,3,2...

0III: elise peterson

lifestyles journalist + assistant art director

[neonvmag]

"females carry the marks, language, and nuances of their culture more than the male. anything that is desired or despised is always placed on the female body." - wangechi mutu

[neonvmag]

“its just hair, it will grow back” are the words i repeated to myself over and over again after an unwanted haircut traumatized me, shaking my entire life for approximately 24 hours.  you never really know what you are missing until it’s gone and you better believe, while looking at a stylist “trim” my wet curly fro, i quickly realized, my luscious locs would not look the same post styling. the 3-4 inches that were clipped away felt more like 6-10! and now 1 year later,  i still don’t feel like i have reached by starting point. so lately, i have been in search for more knowledge to help me retain growth and found a couple new hair crushes along the way.

here are hair care practices i will be trying to implement over the next  couple of months… and of course, i’ll check back in with you  guys with results:

I. low manipulation/protective styling to help prevent breakage

II. finger detangling and combing

III. deep conditioning  at every wash ( i already do this one)

IV. minimizing heat

V. washing hair in section

and in the meantime, i will be lusting over all of these gorgeous natural hair queens and be inspired!

stay beat boots beautes

IV: michelle german

health + beauty director

pic credits

cipriana

neffyfrofro

afrolengths

[neonvmag]

happy president's day!

while so many are observing the holiday today, i'm sure most of you guys still need something to do. my suggestion: purchase a copy of volume II,  and here are V reasons why:

I. the nudity will warm you up, making you forget about the freezing temps outside. this is undeniably hot!

II. you can quiz yourself in fashion knowledge and try to one up your friends after!

III. get some exercise in and that body together for summer while listening to our summer mix. 

IV. let that inner child have some fun today and play some m.a.s.h. with a friend... i know you guys remember m.a.s.h!

V. stimulate your brain and read a short story... don't worry, it has great pics too! 

*bonus*

you can learn how to throw shade and read by catching up with the queens from queenland!

see, neonV can get you through your lame holiday! now click here to go subscribe!

stay beat boots beautes!

IV: michelle german

health + beauty director

[uniquity3-blog]

The final product. Read the story at syreetacfashion.tumblr.com #fashion #fashiondesign #neonV #photoshoot #dc #style