Forever Expressed

VIVA GLAM!!!!!!!!!!

2012-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

After much talked about suspense it is finally HERE and on counters... NICKI AND RICKY for VIVA GLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People around the world have been waiting for the much talked about release of the Nicki Minaj Lip Stick and Ricky Martin Lip conditioner is finally on counter. The images for this campaign were taken by world famous fashion and celebrity photographer David Lachapelle for the M.A.C AIDS Fund. When ever you purchase a Viva Glam product from M.A.C Cosmetics 100% of the selling price (which is $14.50) goes to help men, woman and children around the world living with or affected by HIV and the AIDS epidemic. This campaign started in 1994 and was created to help bring awareness and education through celebrity reinforcement of the importance it is to know your status and protect yourself. The brand chooses artist within the field of music, entertainment and fashion who have triumphed in the respect career fields and have been proven leaders and inspiring role models. Since 2007 M.A.C AIDS Fund (MAF) has donated over $10.6 million through the caribbean and latin american regions.

Nicki (who is a native trinidadian) and Ricky Martian (native of Puerto Rican) always wanted to be apart of this campaign and this are just some of the reasons why.....

-The caribbean is the 2nd most affect region in the WORLD by HIV and AIDS.
-Young people aged 15-24 account for half of all NEW infections in Latin America and the Caribbean.
-Aside from sub-saharan africa the caribbean is the only region where the proportion of women and girls living with HIV (53%) is HIGHER than that of men and boys.
-More than HALF of the latin americans living with HIV reside in the region's four largest countries: Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and Argentina.
- At the end of 2008 2 MILLION people were living with HIV in Latin America... this is more than the US, Canada, Japan and the UK COMBINED.

Giving back to the world through your talents and your courage to face things a normal person CAN'T DO is probably the BEST blessing any person can have. The world we live in needs OUR help, we need to unite against things that affect people who need help, we need to educate, we need to protect, we NEED to be AWARE.

If your living with HIV/AIDS there are solutions and ways to live longer and a healthy life and still do those things you love and if your negative protect yourself and talk to your sexual partners about there status and if there afraid to have those type of conversations then maybe thats not a person you need to have sexual activity with.

Awareness through communication and education is the key to help preventing new infections and to help reduce HIV/AIDS related deaths.

Fight together, love together and live together.

My hat goes off to Nicki and Ricky and I know this campaign is going to ROCK THE HOUSE......

If you have YET to purchase a Viva Glam product please visit your nearest M.A.C counter or visit

http://www.maccosmetics.com/vivaglam2012/collection.html to purchase.

That $14.50.... is saving a life for someone in a place who can't do it alone.....

Stay blessed and for ever express.....

Durell

Adele... the next voice of soul music.

2012-02-09T19:38:00.001-08:00

Best known to her family as Adele Laurie Blue Adkins born in North London on May 5th 1988 and from that day on the world of music would never be the same. Adele's passion for singing began at the very tender age of 4. Her childhood idols where none other than London's very own "Spice Girls" and as a young girl Adele would imitate there performances at family gatherings. She also became very found of R&B artist like Mary J Blide, Aaliyah and Destiny Child. Shortly after graduating from high school adele went on to publish two songs on the forth issue of PlatformsMagzine.com. A song from this website was posted to myspace and the life of adele would change. The great response from audience listening to the track cause XL Recordings to reach out to the young adele and with much hestiation doubted the call was real because the only label she knew of was Virgin.

After many talks and work with Nick Huggett and new manager Jonathan Dickin she was finally signed with XL Records in September 2006. She provided vocals for Jack Penate's song "My Yvonne" for his debut album but Adele's hit was yet to come. Her first song released entitled "Hometown Glory" was released in October 2007. A few short years later she became the first recipent of the BRIT Awards Critics Choice and was titled "number one predicted" breakthrough act of 2008.

Her 1st album "19" (which was the age she was when recording and working on it) hit the British charts at #1. She released her second single "Chasing Pavements" on 14 January 2008, two weeks ahead of her debut album. This song proved people right and reached #2 on the charts and stayed on top for 3 weeks. She was awarded "Best New Jazz" at the Urban Music Awards in 2008 and was nominated for the Mercury Prize Award for "19". In 2008 she signed a record deal with Columbia Records and went on her first tour title "An Evening with Adele." The An Evening with Adele world tour began in May 2008 and ended in June 2009. She later cancelled the 2008 US tour dates to be with a former boyfriend. On an interview with Nylon magazine Adele expressed her relationship issues stating "I was drinking to much because I was with this boy and I couldn't bear to be without him." (can't we all relate to that) She regretted canceling her tour to be with the boy she was in love with "it just seemed so ungrateful to not be with him but i wish i never did it."

"19" was released in June in the US but by October that year it was noticed her attempt to break in to the US hearts of music lovers had failed. She would be the musical guest on the 18 October episode of Saturday Night Live. The episode was hotly anticipated because of an expected appearance by (then US vice-presidential candidate) Sarah Palin. The programme earned its best ratings in 14 years with 17 million viewers. Adele performed "Chasing Pavements" and "Cold Shoulder". The following day, 19 topped the iTunes charts and ranked at number five at Amazon.com while "Chasing Pavements" rose into the top 25. The album reached number 11 on the Billboard 200 as a result, a jump of 35 places over the previous week.The album was certified as gold in February 2009 by the Recording Industry Association of America. By July 2009, the album had sold 2.2 million copies worldwide.

At the 2009 Grammy Awards Adele won awards for "Best New Artist", "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". She was also nominated for "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year". Adele released her second studio album, 21, on 24 January 2011 in the UK and 22 February in the US. The album's sound is described as classic and contemporary roots and country music. The change in sound from her first album was the result of her bus driver playing contemporary Nashville music when she was touring the American South. Adele told Spin Magazine "It was really exciting for me because I never grew up around [that music. The title choice reflects the growth she has experienced in the last two years.

21 hit number 1 in 18 countries, including the United States and in the United Kingdom, it sold 208,000 copies in its first week making it the biggest-selling January release in five years. In mid-February 2011, after a performance at the Brit Awards, the album's track "Someone Like You" went straight to number one on the UK singles chart, while the album 21 also remained at number one. According to the Official Charts Company, Adele is the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top-five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since the Beatles in 1964. It is the first time that one act has held the top-two places in the UK albums chart since The Corrs in 1999. It spent 11 consecutive weeks at number one, before being knocked off the top spot by Wasting Light by the Foo Fighters.

Next week, though, she regained the number one spot and held it for five more weeks in a row and in July, "Someone Like You" set another record, having become the first song to sell over a million copies in the UK this decade. By September, the album had sold over 3 million units in the UK, with Adele becoming the first artist ever to sell three million albums in the UK in one calendar year.In November 2011, Adele became also the first artist to sell more than one million copies of an album on the European iTunes store with 21. As of December 2011, 21 sold over 3.4 million copies in the UK, and became the biggest-selling album of the 21st century, overtaking Amy Winehouse's Back to Black.

Through heart break and life change lessons flourished a talented young woman with a story she needed to share with the world. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards was the platform the young diva would make her come back to live singing after taking a break due to damage on a vocal cord and surgery to repair it. This night Adele proved to fans why she is the next big thing in music history.

"Record of the year"
"Song of the year"
"Best Short Form Music Video"
"Best Pop Solo Performance"
"Best Pop Vocal Album"

A story of a woman, told like no other.... this is Adele.......

Rise and Shine

2010-12-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone

Its been a while and we are here. Dec 14th is the day and brooklyn, new york is the place. I hope everyone has had a great thanksgiving. I recently celebrated my 24th birthday last week and I would like to thank all those who came out to support me and had a blast with everyone.

Just wanted to stop by and let you guys know that we are still here and a lot of things are going to be coming out and published on this blog, INCLUDING some of my poetry. I have been working really hard on a few pieces and my material is at its strongest, so stay tuned for that.

Also i will be posting Decembers artist of the month and discussing a few topics of a serious matter. HIV Awareness and Safe Sex Education- "Why is the black community the most affected?" So please stay tuned with me for that.

Until then.... Stay positive, stay free and stay EXPRESSED...

Durell

Black Girls Rock

2010-11-12T21:31:00.000-08:00

Ledis, Jill Scott, Kelly Price and Marsha Ambrosius remake of Nina Simone's

"Four Black Women"

Ledisi..... Artist of the Month...

2010-11-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

She has been a very true gem to collection of my soulful female singers. Her style, stage presence, vocal range, and over all attitude are just not to be reckoned with OR compared to any other. Four-time Grammy-nominated American recording artist, singer-songwriter, record producer, CEO and actress, this lady is more than just her looks and stylish locs, she is about MUSIC. In 2000, Ledisi released her first album, entitled "Soul-singer: The Revival". Ledisi and her group toured in 2001, performing in various shows. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won her an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards. In 2007, Ledisi signed a major record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album in August of that year, entitled Lost & Found, which sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas. In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose( my favorite album to date) which earned her 2 Grammy nominations.

Her roots come from music. Her father was a drummer and her mother sang in a Louisiana R&B band. Ledisi was sure to follow, at and at the age of 8 performed with New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program and following college in the early 90's started a hip-hop soul group called "Anibade", which she later tried to get signed with a major record label but had no luck. With countless singles, and tracks that will make you really sit and think about everything in life, its her LYRICS that make me love her.

One of my favorite songs of her's is called "Alright" (Lost and Found Album), which is a song were she talks about the confusion and hardships of her life. The same hardships we deal with in life on an every day basis, like not having enough money to buy things you like, (even when their on sale),paying bills, people going in and out of your life, giving up when all else seems to fail, BUT no matter what.... you will be alright. It's messages like this that I think the world needs more of. Music for the movement of the soul and that will motivate the spirit and cause SOCIETY itself to be ALRIGHT and strong. I listen to this song just about every chance I get because it's just so empowering to know, you will be "Alright".

Another one of my favorites song is "Turn Me Loose" (Turn Me Loose Album). When I first heard this song I was currently dealing with someone and things were not seeming to be what they once were and THIS SONG, hit the nail on the head. Ever been in a situation and times are a little rough between you and the person (it happens to all and the BEST of us), but for what ever reason it seems like the person doesn't want to stay? Doesn't want to put work in to make it work? Im pretty sure all of you reading this are agreeing with me, lol Well if thats the case, why not "Turn Me Loose". I could do nothing but smile when I heard it, because i think so many times in relationships we know the TRUTH but we are not trying to deal with it head on. You know when a situation isn't the same anymore YET you put all your time and effort in to saving something that has been lost, so why not pick up your stuff and walk out the door? lol (easier said than done, but once you hear this song you'll never pack so fast in your life, lol).

Another great song off of this album is called "Higher Than This", which is a song she dedicated to the love that we all should have for ourselves and god. Being connected to a higher power, being a person to be able to evovle and see true love for what it is. I myself have gone thru many of things just like the next person. It could be anything, lack of money, not being in love, exc BUT the connection and love you should have with yourself and the man upstairs.... What can be higher than that? lol. At the end of the day (and i tell this to all my friends and loved ones), you go to bed with you and god. No matter what people may say or do to you ALWAYS keep love for yourself and the person god has made you to be. Love is an amazing thing but it starts right from within you and no body is going to love you like the man working the big picture. lol

BUT what made me choice this woman for October's Artist of the month was her live performance on B.E.T's "Black Girl's Rock". Which is a non-profit organization that teamed up with B.E.T to pay tribute to those powerful black women in today's world that simply rock. Black Girl's Rock is dedicated to empowering the self-esteem, self-worth and awareness of young women of color and showing them their greater potential in life. Ledisi performed live with Jill Scott (my favorite), Kelly Price, and Marsha Ambrosius (formally of Floetry) a remake of jazz vocalist Nina's Simone's "Four Women". Before this performance I have never heard this song or even really understand anything about Nina Simone BUT this performance hit a nerve. The song talks about four women of different negro backgrounds and the hardships each one of them deals with (Being biracial, being burden with pain and discrimination, not loving yourself and using prostitution to get by, and having anger for everyone due to the history of the slavery your parents dealt with.). I was speechless while they performed this song, and ran to youtube to watch it again and again and again. If you haven't seen it I will post it but i think EVERYONE should hear this song and this version of it because it speaks a powerful message of the black women of yesterday, present day, and future.

For her style, her passion, her soul of music and wanting to bring back what Jazz music was. This month's artist of the month is no other than the woman we all need to listen to...... LEDISI.

Artist of the Month..... Lady Gaga

2010-10-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta she is better known to the world as the infamous artist we call ra ra ga ga...

LADY GAGA and boy ole boy has she shown us what she is made of....

She started performing in 2003 in the lower east side of New York City and was enrolled in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Her debut album "The Fame" was released August 19th 2008 and reached number one in the UK, Canada, Austria, Germany and Ireland, and reached the top-ten in numerous countries worldwide; in the United States, it peaked at two on the Billboard 200 chart and topped Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Its first two singles, "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" became international number-one hits, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States as well as the charts of other countries. The album later earned a total of six Grammy Award nominations and won awards for Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording. In early 2009 she embarked on her first headlining tour, The Fame Ball Tour. By the fourth quarter of the year, she had released her second studio album The Fame Monster, with the global chart-topping lead single "Bad Romance", as well as having embarked on her second headlining tour of the year, The Monster Ball Tour (which I had the pleasure of seeing in Madison Square Garden in New York City.) As of August 2010, Gaga has sold more than 15 million albums and 51 million singles worldwide. In May 2010, Time magazine included Gaga in its annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. In June 2010, Forbes listed Gaga fourth on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world; she is also ranked as the second most powerful musician in the world to date.

She is known for her music and the jams that keep us moving on the dance for or at counter BUT what she is even more known for is her own style and FASHION. Gaga stated that she looks at the whole performance as art and when creating songs she is thinking of what she is going to wear as she is performing, " It's all about everything altogether—performance art, pop performance art, fashion. For me, it's everything coming together and being a real story that will bring back the super-fan. I want to bring that back. I want the imagery to be so strong that fans will want to eat and taste and lick every part of us.", and this year at the 2010 Video Music Awards we could've licked and ate her dressed if it was grilled. Gaga had me bouncing off the walls not only because she won "Video Of The Year" BUT... the dress and matching purse made out of meat just helped me understand her MORE as an artist and "outcast" the world has come to love and respect.

When I saw her live at Madison Square Garden it was TRULY an amazing experience, it was my first time seeing her live and the sweat was literally running down my arm pits lol. The lights when out and the visual projection she created for the opening was breathe-taking. The lighting, the sound, the music, the makeup, costuming ALL created for this tour produced one of the greatest concert experiences I have EVER attended (minus This Is It cause NO ONE will top what that tour was going to be to all the Michael Jackson fan's out in the world.) One hit after another, one booming visual projection on the wide-screen, one costume change after another Lady Gaga kept the "kids" and fellow "monsters" screaming for more.

But Artist Of The Month goes to this woman not only because of her influence in my life to take risk as an artist and creator, not because of the hits, costuming or the "fame" but because this is a woman who cares about the world and the people in it and the unjust things that happen in our society. For those of you who don't know lady gaga is also a spokesperson and has worked with various charity's of all kinds to help give back to the world and help those who need it most. One of those is M.A.C.

In the Viva Glam Campaign and M.A.C AIDS Fund Lady Gaga (along with Icon Cyndi Lauper) teamed up for our fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic around the world. All proceeds/profits from Viva Glam products go to help people living with the virus around the globe. That simple purchase of $14.50 for that gloss or lipstick (and i do mean ALL of it.) goes to various organizations, charity's, food centers, and health care for those affected and infected with this disease.

Gaga has also partnered with Virgin Mobile on her Monster Ball national tour offering premium VIP tickets to fans who volunteer their time to homeless youth organizations, which raised more than $80,000 in proceeds to support homeless youth, and generated 30,000 hours of community service for hundreds of charities across the country. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, she dug deep and donated all of her proceeds from the January 24 show of her current tour, the Monster Ball (ticket sales, merchandise, etc.), and from her online store; the total amount donated was over $500,000.

“We’ve raised over half a million dollars for Haiti already and we like to work specifically with charities that are based in Haiti itself. I donated all of the proceeds from one show worth of ticket sales as well as all the of the merchandise from that show and for 24 hours we had a ‘Gaga for Haiti’ day where everything that was bought on the Web site… every dollar went to Haiti,” Gaga said. “We’re continuing to work on more projects and we’re supposed to go to Haiti later this year for a show, which is very exciting.”

And today as I sat in my room and just happened to turn my laptop on she does it again. I saw a video of her speaking at a rally to help ban the law against the "Don't ask, Don't tell" law that exist in the american military that does not allow anyone that is openly gay to serve in the armed forces. This speech had me at full attention because the way she breaks down her views really opened my eyes to the type of world we live in. We can fight for one thing and stand for equality BUT that same equality stated in our constitution that is for EVERYONE isn't for a gay service man or woman...... Ever thought of it that way? lol Nah of course you didn't.

Activist, artist, fashion inspiration, story teller, vocalist,... and the list can go on and on but for me... Lady Gaga has proven to herself to be MY.....

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Logo's New hit.. or is it really a miss? The "A-List"

2010-10-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

Whats up everyone. Its been a few months since I posted and boy have things have changed lol.( thats another topic and another posting), including a new gear in reality t.v. Tonight was the first premire for Logo's new show called the "A-List" which is a show about 6 upper class caucasian gay men, living in New York City. Included in this "A" star quality is famous fashion photographer Mikel Ruiz who has been seen on America's Next Top Model and Ru Paul's Drag Race (also one of my favorite photographers.) ,model Austin Armacost (former x-boyfriend of Marc Jacobs.), Amazing Race winner and model Reichen Lehmkuhl (former boyfriend to Nsync's Lance Boss), his model and Brazilian boyfriend Rodiney Santiago, modeling agent Derek Lloyd Saathoff, and salon owner and hair stylist Ryan Nickulas. Showing the life in the fab lane, with exclusive access to parties, clubs and various networking events, this show gives you the behind the scene life as a "A" list gay caucasian male. I sat in my living room and was finishing dinner and laughing at the new series of Housewives of atlanta (Nene is at it AGAIN LOL) and wanted to see just how SIMILAR these two shows are, and in reality.... TWO totally different aspects of the spectrum. Its really funny to me how society praises the moment when people have "MADE" it in their careers and financial establishments BUT we as americans never really pay attention to the process it takes to GET their.

No wonder why we can be so caught up on the fame and glamour of being "SOMEONE" in today's society but the real story is the journey it takes to GET their. So far the reviews I've seen within the past hour of this show being aired haven't been all that great and some gay caucasian men are a little bit upset. Me being African American to sit back and watch some of them live the way they do and feel "higher" or out of reach being that their "A" list is kind of wrong and makes you think twice about the things we praise in life and worship. Not down talking any of them nor their careers because most of them are still working very hard to keep and maintain what they have for themselves but my debate is, where were the camera's when you had nothing? Where were the invites when you knew no one? I love to see successful people still doing their thing and giving back but the journey of getting their and proving yourself to the world would be far more inspiring to me as a gay man (even though I'm black) than me watching you spend $2,000 on a duffle bag yet our economy is still struggling, their is still homelessness in america, poverty, homophobia, cancer, HIV, domestic violence,starvation (and the list can go on and on like Erykah Badu) within our own country and around the world. I find that the entertainment value is pretty normal being that this is the day and age of the reality t.v. drama show and their stories are very inspiring BUT what about the people who are up-n coming? The model who is still working to be booked? That photographer who can't afford to buy equipment? That hairstylist studying for his/her license? What about the untold stories? We all know what success can look like through the ideas and eyes of media but my question tonight is... What is "A" List?....... You know my name, this is my view and you've just been forever informed. Until the next post, peace and blessing and keep expressing..

On Set with Molly Durff

2010-03-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

So recently I had the opportunity to work with an amazing model from Ford Model Agency named Molly. This is behind the scene footage of us on set with Darryl and Douglas in the studio at 3rd Ward. We accomplished three amazing looks and Molly was so on point with everything we had planned for her. So hope you guys enjoy.

MARCH 2010

2010-03-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

With Jan and February being very busy months for me, I just want to post what's new in my life.

So for those of you who don't know, I decieded to leave my position with sephora at the end of january earlier february. With this happening I focused really hard on finding more gigs and networking myself as a makeup artist and shortly after I was hired to be on the M.A.C's free-lance artist team. So with more hard work and busting my chops I was just recently promoted to a permenant position with the company to open a new location (one of three that will be opening in New York.) So in May be prepared for the opening of a new M.A.C free-standing store in Kings Plaza Mall in Brooklyn, New York. The only reason I'm positing is due to the fact that I am off tomorrow, lol so I finally have time to see and express some views and ideas to everyone out their.

Sometimes in life you have to take risk and step outside of your comfort zone and all things are possible with prayer and faith. So with that being said please look forward to my next video posting of me on set with Darryl of art-x photographer for a photo shoot we had with Molly Hurff of Ford Model Mgmt New York City. This footage will give you behind the scene views of me in action and a small interview with Molly as she explains her time in the modeling field (this was happening in between looks so it is very simple at to the point.)

For all of those who have been following me, keep following me....I have just been a little tied up with work but have lots of material I would like to share and release with you guys and keep giving you those great tips and tricks.

So til next time

Durell

IM BACK

2010-03-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

So the month of feb was a little bit much for me, between two jobs and other personal stuff just havent had the time to post anything but within the next week you will be getting all new post and info, so hope all you guys are still their.

See you soon

Durell

OF THE MONTHS

2010-02-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

BRAND OF THE MONTH

January was a month no one really knew what to expect from. It was the first month of the new year and some of us still tend to drag on old habits from the previous year in to the new year. So in my eyes January was all about CHANGE, people and/or brands that help motivate change so here are my of the month selections
MAKEUP ARTIST MAGAZINE
(www.makeupmag.com)

Makeup Artist Magazine is a magazine that I have been following for the past 4-5 months. I was in barnes and noble one day at 14th st union square and came across a magazine with "Ms. Jupiter" from Watchmen on the cover. She was flawless and the picture really grabbed my attention. This magazine is read in over 50 Countries and has been in business since 1996 by Michael Key in order to speak to makeup artist as a group of people and unite. Entitled "Craft News" this magazine actually started off as a two sided FLIER. This magazine has so much education and information on the industry and different brands and schools and is truly my BRAND OF THE MONTH.

For more information and to order back issues or even to subscribe to become a member visit
www.makeupmag.com

We have followed his story, we have followed his life and we have seen his pain, but TODAY we live his legacy and keep his hopes, dreams, and message of world peace and love ALIVE. I personally knew that the first ARTIST OF THE MONTH would be this ICON of entertainment and if you haven't figured it out, I am talking about MICHAEL JACKSON.

I have been a fan of this man since I was a little boy and my very first album was "Dangerous" release November 26, 1991. I have been a firm follower and fan ever since and through him I meet my other idol, baby girl herself Janet Jackson (not in person, least not yet lol). Words really can't express the music, the message, the style, the fashion, the statement and most importantly the CREATIVITY. Not to many people understand the brains and genius it takes to create magical moments in life, and then their are some of us like Michael who are just born with the gift to create and boy did he create. We all know the music and maybe even the dances but the reason why he is ARTIST OF THE MONTH hands down is due to "This Is It" released Jan 26. I went to see the movie when it came out and I was blown away. The detail, the artistry, the COMMAND and most importantly the MAN behind those number one songs that we all love. You get to see GENUIS in work and in the zone and understand creating projects is like giving birth to a child, it TRULY comes from within you and you'll do anything to see your child thrive and survive. Fortunately I was able to attend the releasing of the blu-ray and dvd at Best Buy Union Square with hundreds of other fans just waiting to see the final tour of Michael Jackson. Not only did we get to own a piece of history but we got the chance to meet the men BEHIND Michael, Director of "This Is It" and many of Michael's other projects Kenny Ortega and Head Choreographer Travis Payne. We were speechless because it was almost like we were THAT close to meeting the king but instead god sent us his knights. It was truly an amazing experience and words can't explain the meaning. For her decades of music, motivation, love, style, class and originality. I salute my hat to the KING of POP.....MICHAEL JACKSON....ARTIST OF THE MONTH.....and king of pop FOREVER.

Who is Durell Chanel??????

2010-01-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

In 2004 i was introduced to the ballroom scene at the Khan Ball hosted by the House of Khan at NYU here in New York City by a good friend of mine by the name of Corey Karan (who is now in the house of Balenciaga). This was this first time i have ever been to such an event and was truly excited to see what all the hype was about, and shortly after my arrival I was brought in to another world. The energy, the excitement, the creativity, the voice on the mic and the booming bass in the background. I could've sworn I was going to either go deaf from "The Ha" or catch a heart attack from Pony Blahnik vs Dashaun Evisu or Tyiherry Blahnik vs Prince Milan or Atruo Blahnik vs Maya Karan, like the list can go on and on BUT the memory is still their and shortly after that came the P.O.C.C ball and words can't even express the flare that my eyes had after that one. After attending these balls a group of friends and I decided to see more of the ballroom scene and what it was about, at the time I was in my last year of high school and still trying to figure the world out and its acceptance of me as a gay black young teenager (I was 17 at the time.) who had just came out to his family. So with all these pressures and things causing me stress and me putting a pause on my dance career at the time, I became a participant to the New York subculture of "Ballroom". My friends and I decided to go out more, see more, ask more and dare to be more. We started our on little circle and became the kiki "House of Sequoia"(I was deemed the house princess and walked about four categories-face, runway, performance, old-way.) we didn't do anything major, we just practiced our talents with one another and clubbed a lot and made our own little group of legends so to speak and the House of Sequoia was the very FIRST kiki house( kiki houses are smaller houses normally ran by younger members within the ballroom culture who are either to young or just not ready for bigger ballroom stages). Just about every thursday we would go to these "mini-ball's" in harlem at a club called the "Karate Club" aka "The Clubhouse". I was always so open and glad to attend to see who would come out and what they would be wearing because this really felt like a red-carpet event but for people who look and act just like I did (at the time at least, lol).

Slowly but surely I started to come out and my very first win was at the Tyra Allure Ball and runway was for $100. I remember this night like it was yesterday because little old me was so scared yet so confident and that night not only did I win my first ball but I defeated an entire group of runway walkers from the House of Givenchy and the crowd went crazy and that night Durell Chanel was born. So now every thursday when I entered the club with the beats blasting I was ready for war.

I later joined the House of Khan and was the son of the Legendary Luna Khan Legacy. I later attended and graduated from the Harvey Milk High School and became the "Runway Kid" or "Little Jay Blahnik". Still very new to the ballroom scene and fresh out of high school I began to practice my craft at the after school program at the Hetrick Martin Institute at just about every mini ball on Friday's. Now with a little bit of practice, more exposure, confidence, and gift it was beginning to become clear that I was ready to take control of the floor and show off just a little bit more. With a few more wins at the clubhouse and me dominating Hetrick Martin I was ready for the big stage and my talent was exceeding the house I belonged to and I later joined the House of Revlon. My debut as a revlon was at the House of Icon Ball and later that year I came out again to destroy "Club Escuelita" for Superball Sunday 6, Oct 30, 2005. The theme was a scarecrow effect and boy did I make head spins, everyone thought I was my house brother Anthony Revlon but was surprised to see their was a new face on the big floor and it was me. Didn't win that night but my overall impact alone was enough for me. So I gathered myself, learned from mistakes and came back for more and my next target was P.O.C.C Ball 2006, impact was bigger, alot more noticeable yet still not their for grand prize yet. A few months later I decided to venture to a new plateau of talent, team work and family and joined the House of Chanel. It was May 2006 and this was the biggest effect I had every done "Foreign Country" and we decided to go with JAPAN (one of my favorite cultures after Ancient Egyptian). The ball was packed and I was as nervous as a chicken passing a Perdue Farm. We hit the stage and off the back the crowd went crazy not only for the House of Chanel's induction in to the Ballroom Hall of Fame BUT for the new generation of runway. Legends, Icons, statements all came out to walk this category and we were the newest. Battle after battle I was the lone solider left and the house name was now on my shoulders but this second ball is one for the record book. Durell Chanel vs Ricki Mizhari(Hall of Famer Icon which is the HIGHEST status within the ballroom scene), not only did I battle Ricki but i defeated him all votes and followed his battle by processing two other Mizhari's and grand prize $500 Durell Chanel.

It was clear that the House of Chanel was making a come back and I was the new poster child for what chanel had become. Fearless, creative, trend setting and daring. My reigning year was 2006-2007, walking every where from Atlanta, GA (making it to the last battle against Byron Milan for $1000) to Philly(Revlon Ball for $1000 and Panadora's Box Ball), Virginia( VA Awards Ball for $1000), North Carolina (D-Up Ball for $1000), Boston and the list goes on and on (If I wasn't grand prize I was last battle, but the IMPACT is more to me). My name within a matter of months become NATIONAL and I was now being called out on ball fliers across the nation."Legend Slayer", "Mother Hips", "The Trick Bitch", or simply put just "DURELL CHANEL". Later down the road things within the house became a little rough and members started leaving but what I didn't know was my partner and "Twin Tower" was leaving me and this created my biggest rival to date, Jsun Miyake Mugler. I still dominated tall boys all on my own and was nominated for the ball room award for "Tall Boys Runway Of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009" and was crowned the FIRST "Liberty Awards New York/New Jersey Tall Boys Runway Of the Year 2006-07"(was later nominated for following years as well).

I was still creating moments even after winning my OTY and loosing my runway partner but after doing so much in such a short time span and dealing with life's other issues (college, family, and a really bad break up in Jan 2008), I decided to fall back from the ballroom scene to focus on a person I was loosing contact with, GOD and Durell Morgan. On my break from the ballroom scene I taught myself digital photography and purchased my very first digital SLR camera (which I still use and operate with today) and makeup (which is the reason for this blog and my purpose here in this world) and gained new talents through my imagination which was expanded by the ballroom scene. With so much more to learn and conquer my life was taking a new turn. A few months in to doing makeup I was brought in to do makeup for an episode of "The Maury Show" and the show was one of my favorites "Born a man or a woman", lol. It was a honor to work backstage and I remember running around the green rooms like a few of the woman who found out the guy WAS NOT THE FATHER, lol and one of the guest on the show noticed me as "Durell Chanel" which was hilarious to me. I later was hired to help produce and train models for two college fashion shows at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn and on October 18, 2008 I started my position with SEPHORA (and i am currently still their). I have be apart of many hair show competitions and have been requested to do makeup for quiet a few fashion shows, weddings and special events and local gigs but my drive, passion and skill are still growing and evolving. I later teamed up in 2009 with a photographer named Saliey Williams and worked on projects for Ellie Girl Magazine, Do Denim and Day 26( yes i met Day 26 of Bad Boy Records and painted them like their was no tomorrow and Que is so cute in person, lol) and I also produced, directed and created a fashion show ALONE for La Guardia Community College in May titled "Rebirth: The Influence" (which many of you saw me on Eyewitness News fighting to get the rest of my money lol). I have also been the face of HIV awareness and peer education with my work and ads for GMHC (Gay Men's Health Center) and supporting our world to know their status and get tested and help in the fight against this epidemic (I have appeared on two ad campaigns with the organization.), but my most memorable moment was my small clip on "America's Next Best Dance Crew" when "Vogue Evolution" was introduced on MTV (talk about a phone going crazy, all the models I've ever trained called me, lol)

So from what started as a small flare and a place of expression, has now turned in to my playground, my back yard, my home away from home and NOW through makeup and photography I express myself to the world thru my gifts and thank god each day for the breathe and energy he gives me to face this world head on with no fears and/or doubts.

So to all of those who......DARE to dream? Want to let loose and explore and express? I am a living symbol of creativity and freedom and I thank you all for viewing this blog and I hope my story helps inspire you to live life without limits, to love hard, study harder and grow from all the mistakes you make in this life and love one another because with hope and passion all things are possible. So hope you guys stayed tuned because the videos are on their way, and I have selected what will be "Brand of the Month" for January, so stayed tuned and like we say in Sephora

"OK, now get EXCITED!"

Peace and Blessing Yall

Durell

2010-01-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

2010-01-19T12:47:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone is enjoying their week, just want to give you guys the link to my youtube page to see the videos I have created for all the makeup tips, tricks, and tutorials.

www.youtube.com/user/daprettychanel

2010-01-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

Wassup everybody it is Thursday......and just touching base with all you guys out their who are following me, im actually in the process of doing a shoot and actually had one last week, so stay tuned on those looks that i will be posting and how to get them. Also once I cool down I will be interviewing the man you ALL have been waiting for, Timotheous James Smart. Makeup artist, stylist and creative director, just all around talent, motivation and my dearest and best friend.

Also stay tuned for my posting of the brand i consider to be the brand of jan that I have been keeping my eye on or have been making some noise in the fashion industry. I will also be posting up the artist of the month so someone from a field of creativity that has just rocked-socked this month and the work is truly breathe taking. This is a monthly blog but I will try my best to at least give you guys two looks per week via VIDEO, all written material will be posted on a monthly basis so hang on for the ride cause I have some things in store for you.

And in closing i ask that everyone keep the nation of Hati in their prayers, that earthquake really devasted the nation and we need to keep those people who are lost or those who have lost someone in our hearts, spirits and prayers and hope that the nation recovers as soon as possible.

til next time you guys, peace and blessing

Durell

Fashion in the year 2010

2010-01-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Fashion 2010: What will spring/summer bring to the runways near you?

Costume National

Phi

Fendi

Louis Vuitton

Tim Hamilton

Emanuel Ungaro

Karl Lagerfeld are just SOME of the designers that have caught my attention for spring/summer 2010.

Most of you who know me know I'm a very simple jean and graphic tee-shirt kind of guy but after reviewing what should be expected in fashion this coming spring I may have a wardrobe change really soon. From digital prints from Mary Katrantzov

To sporty street wear from Botteg Veneta , to the classic leather from 3.1 Phillip Lim and the fabulous pastel colors from Fendi and one of my favorite the “military look” which almost every designers has infused some kind of inspiration from. So not only will 2010 start off good and give many of us chances to do thing and reach levels we have not yet reached in the past year(s) but it gives us more opportunity to express ourselves through FASHION…. Here are some of the looks I’d die to have….

Skin Care

2010-01-12T08:55:00.001-08:00

Skin: Moisture 101

What is the one thing we see when we look at the person in the mirror? What protects our organs from external damage and the sun?

THE SKIN…….

Lots people do not know this but the skin is the LARGEST organ of the body and is responsible for 16% of your body weight. Skincare 101 and how to indentify skin type and what category your skin can fall under and the importance of MOISTURIZING.

Built up of 3 layers (Epidermis, Dermis, and Subcutaneous Tissue) the skin is one part of us that needs the most attention.
So I know a lot of you are wondering, well what are some skin types?

There are 4 types of skin. These categories break down how to spot your skin type and what ways you can treat this issue of each one as well as protect.

• Oily skin- Typically has an all over shine to it, has large pores, blemishes and few lines and wrinkles
• Dry skin- dryness all over, tight and flaky areas, very small pore size, prone to redness and visible wrinkles where they are dry.
• Combination skin- Oily OR Dry T-zone, optimal or dry cheeks, visible pores in oily areas, t-zone blemishes
• Optimal Skin- Balanced, Even Complexion, Average Size Pore, few lines and wrinkles.

So once you know your skin TYPE you should be able to better find products that will help with your issues, but no matter what the skin type ALL SKIN NEEDS MOISTURE. Most of us become really dry in changing of the weather and here we are in the heart of winter with wind chill, lack moisture in the air and harsh temperature changes (from being indoors to outside in a matter of minutes).

So the main purpose of moisturizing is to increase water concentration in your skin. Remember the human body is made up of 65% of water, (babies having the MOST percentage of water in their body at about 70%.) so every day we loose moisture and that moisture lost due to climate change, diet, exercise and ever day activities has to be re-filled like a gas tank in a car in order to keep the skin healthy and ready to protect. For every skin type there is a moisturizer (keep in mind what may work for me may not work for you YET we are still be the same skin type.)

So now that you know skin type or can better figure out your own skin type, we will now go over moisturizers each skin type can benefit from.

Optimal-This is the most versatile of skin types and the one that really doesn’t need harsh or strong products so typical go for lotions or creams. For skin that is sensitive stay away from products with fragrance, no matter WHAT the skin type is.

Oily- Even though you may “think” this skin type is hydrated because there is so much oil on it you can deep fry fish it STILL needs to be hydrated. Try and use any moisturizers, which are oil free formulas.

Dry- The skin that I call “desert” in feeling needs the MOST hydration of them all. Creams would be IDEAL for a dry skin type as they penetrate the skin on contact and typically are thicker in feeling so the moisture will last you a lot longer and stay in place.

Combination- Being that this skin is a mixture of both all of the skin types using products that focus on the more problematic of the skin is most important. So if you’re a combo skin with OIL as your main issue stay away from heavy creams, use oil free lotions, and if you’re a DRY combo skin then you want to use a cream to make sure you are hydrated in those “desert” spots.

My personal beauty tip is something I do every night before bed is drink a huge cup of water, and I before I go to bed I re-fill that cup and leave it by my bed side so in the middle of the night when I get thirsty, instead of reaching for a Pepsi I have some nice water waiting for me. (You may want to change the water if your room is hot like mine or you might wake up in the middle of the night and be drinking tea instead, lol). So do not let the $75 dollar face cream make you think that your going to have amazing skin because in the long run its all about… skin type. I myself don’t even use expensive creams to keep my skin in top shape. It’s about choices, education and variety and of course WATER.

*For more skin care questions, tips or to tell me a few of your own tricks email me at: ForeverExpressed@gmail.com*

1-12-2010

2010-01-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

This is the day we have ALL been waiting for

FOREVER EXPRESSED.

Thank you all for following me along my journey and prepare yourself for the ride. This will be a MONTHLY blog, just like an online magazine.This site is a channel for positive dialog for people out their in this world with talents beyond their imagination. Forever Expressed is a community for artist of all creative backgrounds to come and learn and support one another. It’s also a teaching vessel, opening you the viewer’s eyes to various tips and tricks and the world behind creation and the creative process that separates the amateurs from the “Artist”. Highlighting talents in the genre of photography, makeup, clothing design, graphic design, styling, poetry, music and all of the fields that make the simple things in life much better. With everything from instructional video’s, to beauty tips of the week and our “Of The Month” section, dedicated to those people and projects out that their grabbed our attention for that month. So join us, share with us and most importantly “create” and “express” your inner artist, forever expressed

“The vessel without a limit”.

Durell

1-12-2010

2010-01-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

We are just days away from the material that will be released on this site. I have some really good material waiting and typed up ready for you guys to read, so i hope all of you are excited about this, and to let you guys know this is a MONTHLY blog page. So their will be updates, new topics, articles and videos uploaded EVERY month almost like an online magazine. So stay tuned and get ready for the promo video which should be on youtube by the end of the week. Take care everybody.

Durell

"Bombay" 11-29-09

2009-12-25T15:50:00.000-08:00

Two Stone Productions is a production company within New Jersey that produces fashion shows with local Colleges. Very similar to what I have done here in New York a few times. This was one of the most fun shows to be at but more so to be backstage. I was hired to be the head makeup artist and come up with the look for this show, which was one of my favorites, even though some people didn't follow the EXTACT look, the overall performance of the show was amazing and the makeup looked really good. I recently posted a backstage sneak of the video on youtube and the link is as follows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csMJrXe6CTA

I hope you all enjoy and stay tuned for the instructional video on how to get that makeup look created for the show but on a day to day basis.

The work begins

2009-12-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

What's up everyone. The moment has finally come and "Forever Expressed" is up an running. I'd first like to thank you guys for the wait and just stay tuned because I am still working things out and I am ahead of my Jan 12 2010 debut anyways, lol

See you guys soon

Durell