PRESENTS JANUARY-DECEMBER 2016
AMBA SSADOR Make your outfit stand out
#RATED BOUJIE AWARDS
TIFFENY YOUNG
Founder - Boujie Couture
DEIIR A SMITH-COLL AR D
Founder/Editor- In - Chief- Le Char me Magazine
COVER MODEL Latravia Sigers L AYOUT &DESIGN LeCharme Magazine PHOTOGR APHY Atif Photography MUA MUA SHIVAN NA STUDIOS
Boujie Couture
boujiecoutureboutique.com
Le Char me Magazine
w w w.lecharmemagazine.com
2016
JA N UA RY D EC E M BE R
CONTENTS
8 INTRODUCING MIZZ BOUJIE 15 LATRAVIA SIGERS - THE BRICK 16THICKER SNICKER PHOTOSHOOT 20 BIG GIRLS ROCK 2 24 RATED BOUJIE: EMPOWERMENT FASHION THEATER AND CHARITY
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ELITE HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
27 THE ERA FASHION SHOW 28 DRESS HOUSTON 31 EVOLUTION
jb_photography_timecaptured
into By: DeiIra Smith-Collard
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t’s been said that you can never judge a book by its cover. Indeed it is true that you cannot know someone just by looking at them. Tiffeny Wilson, although small in stature, is a force to be reckoned with. My first meeting with Tiffeny happened via phone. I had no idea the exuberant and excited voice on the other end would be the Le Charme anniversary cover, but the more she spoke the more I felt certain she was the one. It was evident that this woman embodied the our definition of success. Tiffeny Wilson is a driven woman full of passion and fulfilling her purpose everyday. She is the lifeline of her team and a woman who follows her dreams. I was literally blown away as she opened up to me about her life and journey that
led her to where she is today. Admittedly, she will tell you the road has not been easy but it has been worth it. Fashion, she tells me, is in her blood, it fuels her, and inspires her. It’s obvious when she walks into a room that she knows what she’s doing when it comes to wardrobe. You will notice immediately how she gracefully walks, how people fall silent to watch her enter, but what they do not know is the path she has taken to reach for success. Her fashion journey started after she walked away from her career at the Department of Diplomatic Security (yes I just said it, it’s a division of the FBI). It takes insurmountable courage to walk away from a career that guarantees security and step out on faith to do what you have been 9
called to do. But she did just that. Tiffeny holds 3 degrees, graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA in Business & Marketing. She didn’t realize it as she studied to be the greatest in her class, that she would one day use those skills to create her empire. She pushes forward no matter the obstacle to keep persevering. Her brand is recognizable. Tiffeny has been nominated for the Glam Awards 40under40 list for her excellence in fashion. She has built a team of designers, stylist, makeup artist and hair stylist to provide the completely pampered experience to her clients, and she is active in various charities and committed to mentoring young teens. She is a success, and Le Charme had a chance to pick the brain of this achievement driven woman to find out what pushed her to keep climbing the ladder of success. LCM: What drives or motivates you to keep reaching? TW: My children are my biggest motivating factors! I had them very young and I want them to see what chasing their dreams looks like. I want them to see their mother pave the way, so that their ride is a little easier. Next is the stars! I want everything God told me I could have. LCM:A successful woman is a woman of excellence, a woman of purpose, what traits do you believe make a successful woman? 10
TW: For me there are 5 traits a successful woman should have. First, this woman must have a “need to compete”. Successful people basically want to win at their craft. They are always trying to figure out how to out shine the competition. Second, she must have the capacity to let go. When you hold on to things in your past, they simply weigh you down. A successful woman looks forward, and tries to see light and the end of the tunnel. Thirdly, this type of woman doesn’t waiver in a time of crisis. She understands that there will be bumps in the road on this journey, sometimes more bad than good. Only the strong survive. Forth, her passion for improvement must be high. A successful person understands that what their brand is at the beginning, will not be what their brand will be at the end. In the world everything must either adapt or evolve to fit the needs of life. This type of person understands the value specialized in ladies fashion handbags of constructive criticism. Finally, she and accessories. The recession finally took its toll on Always Pink Fashions and must be GRATEFUL! I closed up shop and went to work for LCM: Would you give us some the National Government. During the background on your passions? What next 3 years, my soul was burning for my are your different business and passion, fashion. One day on my back endeavors? porch, my mother and I sat for tea. My TW:I have been in the entertainment mother told me don’t be scared to step business since 2004. My first company, out on faith. Don’t wake up 60 years Mystique outsourcing, was an event old with a long list of should of could of, planning coordinating company and would of (s). My mother could tell I was was founded June of 2004. In March stuck in tug of war game with my need of 2008, 2 other young ladies and I to provide, and my desire for fashion. 1 created the hip hop group The Pink month later, I quit my job and started Stunnaz. Together we launched Doll my dream journey. House Records and Houston’s first LCM: Some people believe you can all-girl car club. This pink movement only do one thing, how do you balance led me to open, Always Pink Fashion, your different roles of leadership and in April of 2008. Always Pink Fashion business?
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TW:Juggling is hard even for the best. It’s a balance that I am still learning to handle. I’m learning the art of prioritizing, understanding I can’t make everything. I have to list things in the order of importance and go from there. LCM: Do you believe there is a formula or pattern for success? TW:Yes, I do believe there is a formula for success. It requires more than just reading about it. It requires strategic actions. LCM: What inspires you the most? TW:Simply put, LOVE! My love for my family, my love for my friends, my for my dreams and the love for my business, is what inspires me. To be loved LCM: Along your journey, have you ever wanted to give up? TW: If you ask any successful person have they wanted to give up and they say no, RUN! They are not the right person to hang around, because it’s clear they are a liar. I want to quit about every 3 months. LOL. LCM: Do you feel you have made sacrifices for your success? TW: Oh the sacrifices are real… I’ve given up my house, cars and most important a steady check. You also sacrifice your home life. When you start a business it requires countless hours. Hours that normally would have spent with your children or your husband. There are huge sacrifices associated with success, and those sacrifices have consequences as well. LCM: Is there any one person you admire and model your business after? TW:There is not one specific person, but rather a community. I take a little from everyone I come in contact with. I model 12
my business off of how I would want to be treated. LCM: What is your definition of success? TW: My definition of success, is happiness! Money doesn’t measure success, but to me happiness does. It’s in that very moment when you sit back and see your brand as a house hold name, all the bills are paid, you are debt free, the children are content, the birds are chirping and you are thankful to be a child of God. That my friends is success to me. LCM: How would you describe Tiffeny the business woman vs Tiffeny the Artist? TW: Oh wow! I guess if I had to use one word to describe the difference it would be, evolved.
Message from Tiffeny
I would like to thank my amazing team during this journey. At Boujie Couture we have an amazing team of designers who will stitch you into a princess. For this cover I am wearing Boujie Couture ft. LB Limited Edition, by designer Lisa Burns. We met at my show, Battle Boujie Royale and I fell in love with her creative style. Bella Monique, owner of The Hive Salon, for whipping this wig into shape. She keeps my hair red carpet ready and doesn’t mind coming to an event to get me ready. Ladies if your edges need a little TLC this is your stylist. My MUA Kamerin Smith, at only 17 years old is a BEAST! He is the winner of Nzuri’s Natural Face MUA Battle 2015. I believe in these people just as much as they believe in me.
You have to enable and empower people to make decisions independent of you. As I’ve learned, each person on a team is an extension of your leadership. If they feel empowered by you, they will magnify your power to lead. --Tom Ridge
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AMBA SSADOR
Latravia Sigers: The Brick In order to go places you have to have people who believe in the movement. This young lady started with Boujie three years ago, and remains the face of Boujie’s brand. We hate to not have her on board for all of our shows, but her demand has grown to an uncharted demand. Our diva stand 5’`1 flat footed, so in heels a six footer... a beast ... Boujie adores Miss Sigers, We don’t know what we would do without her, she is the brick to our brand.
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Photgrapher: Canart Photography, Chanel Taylor MUA: Gorgeous Girls by Gaby Hair: The Hive Salon, Bella Monicue
It was truly a pleasure to work with these beautiful ladies in our first photo shoot of the year! The plus size market is taking the nation by storm. Loving your curves is the new mission. Our first model, Joan Mazzei, flew from Mexico City, Mexico to partake in our shoot. She brought that extra spiciness, our photos so desperately needed. This is one shoot Boujie Couture will never forget. A special thanks to LeCharme Studios for allowing Boujie the opportunity to capture this moment.
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Model : Ahsten Major
Model:
Model:
Stevedra Allen
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Phelisha Costantini
We met Carolyn at another fashion show casting call and she make a lasting impression. She was the crown holder to Zuri’s Fab Over Forty. A lovely fit for the crown. This lady is amazing to say nothing short. She has pushed, and pushed Boujie to stay focused on the prize. Never let anyone steal your joy and Be Boujie Darling!!!! Carolyn has been on the team for two and half years now. No matter how many birthdays this lady has she ages like fine wine, always better with time.
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Our next stop, Big Girls Rock Fashion Show (plus) Boujie was honored to feature its extraordinary plus size collection at this event. Donna Rogers is the mastermind of this event. For two years straight Boujie has witnessed this phenomenal woman put together amazing productions. This year was hosted by comedian Grossman and Miss Bella Brown. DJ Cali Royce was on the beats and the models were confident, cocky, and Boujie! Along the journey we have witnessed some good shows, and most definitely some terrible shows, but shout out to Donna Rogers for a job well done! Your show darling has been rated Boujie.
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The
Doll
Our team of empowered women was missing something, we didn’t know what was missing until we came across realtor and MUA, Yuly Angie. She puts her best foot forward in not only making sure her clients get the best place to stay, but also beating there faces along the way. We are grateful she has joined the Boujie team. She adds that Spanish flavor we needed to our menu. With her coming on board, we are almost staffed to perfection. She is an awesome brand ambassador who puts on for the cameras.
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W
e all know a teen mother, whether it was your mother, a friends mother, a sister, or a cousin. Teen pregnancy effects everyone’s family in one form or another. Its not the end of the world, just the beginning of a different
struggle. In April 2016, Boujie hosted its first charity event raising money to help a local Houston non-profit. God’s Lovely Butterflies; a maternity home to help adolescent parents. -We told a magical story, written by Bella Monecue, owner of The Hive Salon, and acted out by actors of MTM Agency, a valued sponsor of Boujie Couture. MTM Agency actors did an amazing job portraying the emotionally heartfelt journey, Tiffeny Young, owner of Boujie Couture experienced. Coming from a home filled with hate, hurt, pain, and confusion - a home that lacked nurturing stimulants and jammed out with an abundance of poor upbringing. A master copy for destruction, that blossomed into a garden, filled with wonders, beauty, and self achievement. Boujie Coupled this story with fashion from local designers and boutiques. From this event we crowned Best Designer Walk Shot, Best Action Shot, Best Commercial Shot, Best Thicker Snicker Shot, and Best Overall Shot. This Show was hosted by Mizz Boujie and MC CStyles. DJ Sage was in the mix , and a sold out audience was in the building. A special thanks goes out to Jasmeta Signh, backstage production, MUA captains, hair captains, models, volunteers
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Boujie had the privilege of attending what they feel like was the best produced fashion show they’ve attended. Held at the Avya Center on Richmond Avenue. This show had everything a Halloween show should have. Which is wolves, gladiators, trolls, mermaids, the bride of Frankenstein, and ghost and goblins swinging from the ceiling. Jasmeta Signh was the producer behind this show! If you have never been to one of her shows you are missing out! The experience was phenomenal and the stage was perfectly executed. She couldn’t do these amazing shows without her awesome team of backstage producers, photographers, model and more. Again Paul Mitchell was the makeup and hair team behind these amazing looks. 26
Load up the Train! We are journeying across Texas to Dallas For Whitney Davis, The Era Fashion show. This lady is one ball of power packed into a short statue. A larger than life model, who produces well thought fashion extravaganzas. If an element of surprise is what you are looking for, well then visit one of Whitney Davis’s shows. When she invited Boujie out to be featured in her show and then disclosed there will be a spinning runaway. Now this was something BOUJIE had to see! Boujie’s owner, Tiffeny Young, and Boujie’s brand ambassador loaded up the car and off to Dallas they went. If Boujie is what Dallas wanted, Boujie is what we we’re going to give them. The fashion show was held at the Lofty Suites, a beautiful venue in Dallas, hair and makeup was provided by Paul Mitchell. Lights, Camera, Action...and behold a spinning runway!
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American Idol Season 13 Finalist, Vincent Powell, is the driving force behind this show. It happens every year and seems to get better and better. This years venue was best by far. Lighting was on point, and the stage. Now Boujie has been wanting to take part in these shows, but was told for several years that their style was too urban. Well this year ... they decided to let Boujie’s designs on the runway and Boujie did show up and show out! Yes they did! Boujie set out to show the world that Boujie is way more than just Urban, when given time we can fit in anywhere. Our line up consisted of gowns, feathers, and long flowy skirts, Boujie left the audience wanting more, to sum up our emotions about this show in one word, captivated.
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8072 Antebellum Ave Baton Rouge, LA 70820 601-213-8251
Boujie’s biggest evolution transpired in the year 2016. There brand took a whole new look, trying to shed off their version of style and become the style the people wanted. No more placing Boujie in an urban box! Now allowing Boujie to blossom to the garden they saw from the beginning. - A new direction, a new look, a new logo, A NEW BRAND!!! The journey of evolution has not been easy. A lot of money, marketing and promoting had to take place. They moved passed the urban wear and stepped into glam wear! Boujie now bejewels ladies with not only their clothing but an entire new collection of jewelry. They simply grew tired of being labeled as black, ethnic or urban. They want to be worn by all women of color period. Not every journey Boujie has taken has landed them into success in just a short six months time, Boujie had to relocate its store twice. Inconsistency is the demise of a business. People need to know they can access you readily. Moving around keeps people lost for your services. But with Boujie’s new found location they are planning to stay put for several years. Its not always the beginning that sets the tone. Its the events within the journey that makes the brand what it is.
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