https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook daily 1.0 2020-12-04 https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/2020/12/3/superhero-movies-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230866555-UVWQTXBV011H89JXUIUJ/MIGHTY-HEALTHY-BLOG-POSTER.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY Pythagore Hemingway stars in…….MIGHTY HEALTHY the Movie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607227460279-UG5UIJWG3KQ08GV2XYE5/PYTH+MIGHTY+HEALTHY+2.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230555152-VUFBQ2VN7PXLI6ZP4UYI/SUPERHERO-MOVIES-1.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230600096-9KAO1QZ5BTFKMP67CXPQ/PYTH+MIGHTY+HEALTHY+1.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230635893-N6U3DD6V2IZMACUBMNG9/SUPERHERO-MOVIES-2.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230675470-RM84TIRT329EWDUYVWY7/PYTH+MIGHTY+HEALTHY+3.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230727001-U4EY6V9I6F55AK6SE47B/SUPERHERO-MOVIES-3.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230766601-VH855VUHV2314LEE3811/PYTH+MIGHTY+HEALTHY+4.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230792058-PP49O3IZBJ2NUS86W6SZ/SUPERHERO-MOVIE-4.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607230816656-EMN6IOPVIR5Q1ZJN0G6K/PYTH+MIGHTY+HEALTHY+5.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1607235776290-O2SMHS4NSJNE2MCNARWS/SUPERHERO-MOVIE-5.jpg Feelbook - SUPERHERO MOVIES 2020/MIGHTY HEALTHY Creative Direction and Photography: Marc Williamson for FlameKeepers Hat Club Model Pythagore Hemingway is wearing the FKHC MIGHTY HEALTHY Follow Pythagore Hemingway on Instagram https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/2020/8/23/business-of-fashion-fkhc-street-life-volume-i monthly 0.5 2020-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598235893812-91PKQUSV70K1J5V6NJN0/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-PIC-1.jpg Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE I didn't know Parsons (Parsons School of Design) existed until my freshman year in high school after speaking with my art teacher. She said "If you're into fashion then Parsons is the place for you". Before that I only knew I liked drawing art and making clothes. My aunt made my dads prom suit at the age of 16. Also my dad as well as my uncles are self taught illustrators as a hobby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598235945431-UXRY8LZ7EWHOMSTTQII8/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-PIC-3.jpg Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598235996660-KIFVBXW7PFO7KHAP7QT5/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-PIC-2.jpg Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE I always had this passion in me. I remember at 5 yrs old making my father a vest out of paper for Father's Day. Then I begged to have a sewing machine for Christmas at age 10. Between my aunt and the local fabric store I took sewing classes during the summer. As well as taking fashion illustration classes at the College of Creatice Studies youth program before high school. But I always had sketch pads and if you look at my old church notebooks you see drawings of clothes all around the margin. There wasn't a specific moment that I wanted to leave Detroit, I just knew I needed to leave in order to have the best exposure to the fashion industry. Plus I was in contact with Aaron Potts who went to my high school 18 years prior then graduated from Parsons also. He now has his own men/women's brand A.Potts I also remember the city sponsoring an Enriching the Arts day. My art teacher took us to the Fox Theater downtown then we attended many classes. Afterwards Tracey Reese and Ana Sui spoke about their careers. They are both Detroit natives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598236069083-8HRPWGGN8AC2NUZBJXLG/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-PIC-4.jpg Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598236901402-IDUU3NH3AYWKMVALG3JP/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-MERCH-PIC.JPG Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE Post graduation in 2012, with a few internship experiences and a couple looks in NYFW I freelanced until I landed a full-time job almost a year later. After 4 years of designing for corporate private brands, I quit my job as the associate sweater designer to launch the Marquise Sarah menswear collection. We carried 4 different styles of button-ups with an array of colors and patterns. All sales were e-commerce or in person events plus bespoke items. My past experiences perfected my ability to manage the life cycle of a product, design in various budgets, also how to work with local and international manufacturers. It did not prepare me for a stylist never returning my samples or the back end of managing an actual business. The learning curve continues with earning the trust of your new clientele, conveying the quality and justifying your price because you are a black owned brand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1598236037721-7THHYFL1B8528HMDDBJW/MARQUIS-SARAH-FEELBOOK-+PIC-5.jpg Feelbook - THE BUSINESS OF FASHION/FKHC STREET LIFE: MARQUISE https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/2020/7/5/inspiration-twisting-lemons-with-pythagore-hemingway monthly 0.5 2020-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1593997025678-C3NIAHYEUF17HML6H72R/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-1.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “Years from now (if I’m destined to) I hope to tell my kids that, this was the time in history when humans finally realized the disparity between those who’ve lived with basic struggle (human experience) and those who struggle while experiencing the basics of the human struggle according to race. This was a time where we felt nervous around one another because we realize we didn’t know much about the folks we called our friends, co-workers and partners.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1593997063671-889D5QJYO7NSLX87BQ9U/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-2.5.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “Things get better as we get better. Before we gather the thought of service (helping others) one must first align his/herself. In order to save someone who’s falling off a cliff, one must secure stable ground while putting his/her core to work.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1593997142414-CLV6IULU72QC7B3W0IFI/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-4.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “Style is twisting the lemons…just a little harder.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1593997193686-MFKU6EE44RDCEOKYBVBP/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-5.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “My advice to you is to make sure you stare at the person in the mirror as long as you can until you’ve become comfortable enough to face ‘em when need be.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1593997228195-YWR349MVM9ZCP7TS47Z8/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-6.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “Being true to yourself and what you believe in is one of the most important things to master in life. Being yourself is the plug.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1594010402953-K9OKZG87DCZX5WG5W3TM/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-7.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “The goal is to defeat your old self. Go ‘head, challenge your stagnant self to a 1 on 1. Show ‘em the new moves you’ve learned. He’ll know he’s no match. Then keep going.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1594010509944-GU8WK3BX6D7GQ38DZQQC/YELLOW-SAILS-PYTH-2.jpg Feelbook - INSPIRATION: TWISTING LEMONS WITH PYTHAGORE HEMINGWAY INSPIRATION: “Live hard, play hard. Get tired. Rest. Then do it again until you absolutely can’t anymore. Accept this and winning will be the norm.” https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/2018/7/21/dusky-verdejo monthly 0.5 2020-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1532576510467-JKRVLLB65KWZYAWEXAHM/DUSKY+VERDEJO+1+SMART+SHARPEN.jpg Feelbook - DUSKY VERDEJO AND THE BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW The sun was setting and I was about to embark on an impromptu photo shoot with my friend Desiree Verdejo. My friends are always gracious when I ask them to allow me to snap some quick pictures of them and this time was no different. I wanted to make this a fast session because Desiree had been quite busy starting with her professional transition from practicing law to opening a well received beauty boutique in Harlem, and then pivoting to create her own cosmetic brand (Hyper!Skin) from scratch. We were losing light fast and dusk rushed in as we were shooting. When we finished the shoot and I reviewed the images, they felt like the end of a summer day leading into a warm Harlem evening that made the thought of tomorrow feel beautiful. Presenting Dusky Verdejo and the Beautiful Tomorrow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1533442365280-VY0Z7ZGE321OX9N4AN82/DUSKYVERDEJO3.jpg Feelbook - DUSKY VERDEJO AND THE BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW FKHC: You’ve been focused on creating beautiful tomorrows for yourself and others for a while now. Are you an optimist that subscribes to some level of positive thinking or were you always working towards a “greater independence”? DV: I launched my first business in 2015, a beauty boutique in NYC called Vivrant Beauty. I can't say that I was chasing independence at the time but I was definitely chasing passion. I was so excited by the brands that I saw popping up in the beauty industry to cater to Black women - at the time they were mainly in the natural hair space. While running that boutique, I was inspired to fill the unfortunate void of skincare options catering to women of color and the seeds for Hyper Skin were planted. There's a big myth about how much freedom entrepreneurs have - I probably work harder than ever and worry more than I ever would for anyone else's operation. But I've found that I'm much more in control of my lifestyle and that has way more value than I ever realized. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1533442456888-GG4LT719PB5TIMOW1LUE/DUSKYVERDEJO4.jpg Feelbook - DUSKY VERDEJO AND THE BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW FKHC: In its own way your product is providing some semblance of a beautiful tomorrow to its users. It feels like there would be a sense of optimism/hope attached to selecting and actually purchasing a beauty product. Do you ever find this to be true? DV: I've never thought about it but yes there's a lot of optimism built into buying a beauty product. There are a lot of emotions wrapped up into the process of selecting a beauty product - curiosity, hope, connection and yes, often optimism. I created Hyper Skin's first product, Hyper Clear after being pregnant with my daughter and struggling with hormonal acne and the hyperpigmentation, or dark marks that follow. The formula brought my skin back to life and my friends and colleagues gave me amazing feedback on how glowy and clear their skin was after using it for weeks. I recall struggling with the story that I would tell for Hyper Skin - would we share pretty pictures of citrus and smiling faces or would we get real and talk about the issues that so many of us struggle with, especially women of color. I decided on the latter because that's what's missing from the beauty conversation. But of course, that puts a lot of pressure on us as a brand for the products to deliver. The expectations for our products to perform are high but, yes, so is the sense of optimism surrounding them. FKHC: About 3 years ago you embarked on what some might call the “eternal” tomorrow when you had a baby girl and have since had a beautiful son. How do you balance the rigors of entrepreneurship and motherhood? Also how do you feel about what tomorrow holds for your children? DV: Well, this time, in the midst of a global pandemic, might be one of the strangest times to think about what tomorrow holds for my two young kids. The near future is weird and uncertain but I am still incredibly optimistic about the long-term. In my eyes, I'm giving them the tools to live full, happy lives - so every decision that I make is rooted in optimism. I feel so fortunate to be both a mother and an entrepreneur - it's the life I manifested but it's far from balanced. The two roles are both incredibly consuming and you never feel like you're doing enough with either. My main goal during normal circumstances is to try to do one at a time instead of doing both half-heartedly. Of course that advice doesn't work well when we're safe at home caring for kids and growing a business without our usual communities of help. I've got absolutely no advice for winning during this unique period - I'm just trying to get past it. Lol. FKHC: What is a “Beauty Junkie”? DV: A beauty junkie is someone that’s always on the hunt for new beauty products. I prefer the term beauty enthusiast because customers are making incredibly informed and emotional decisions when purchasing beauty products and not just buying anything in sight. There are so many brilliant innovations, newly discovered ingredients and intriguing founder stories in the beauty market that make it very exciting to explore new products and brands. From our customer base, as a brand that offers results-oriented products we also see a unique consumer that might at first glance be categorized as a “beauty junkie” but is really a consumer on the hunt for a solution. I get emails daily from customers and prospective customers that detail how long they’ve been looking for products to heal their hyperpigmentation and the list of products that they’ve tried before they found us. What I’ve learned is that no one is thoughtlessly buying beauty products. Beauty purchases are usually a result of a great deal of research and connection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1533442534800-EHQLDM0JTCT8ZFE3HW62/DUSKYVERDEJO5.jpg Feelbook - DUSKY VERDEJO AND THE BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW FKHC: In terms of the beauty industry -as a maker and a consumer- do you feel that there are any conversations that need to be initiated? Is there something that you would like to see being done differently in this space five years from now that isn’t in effect presently? DV: You hit a nerve with this question. Perhaps it’s the current political environment, but I am so over conversations. The beauty industry loves a panel, an article, a report, a conference but like many multi-billion dollar industries it is slow to initiate action. I’m excited that there is currently a lot of attention being paid to diversity and inclusion on all levels from product offerings and shelf-space for person-of-color owner brands, to who is in the C- suite at major brands and media companies. We’re past the conversation stage though. It’s time for setting measurable goals and deadlines. https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/2018/7/26/percy-duo monthly 0.5 2018-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1532658916828-LNF0D5ZBGP5ZZ8HAF3WX/PERCY+DUO+BLK1.jpg Feelbook - STAND FOR SOMETHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1532661799954-AVPJM9XAN52K76IMRPVR/PERCY+DUO+2.jpg Feelbook - STAND FOR SOMETHING Take time to decompress. Analyze your life and your surroundings.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1533190461620-FWE5ZWH1WGDU0M6J0LES/PERCCHAIR2.jpg Feelbook - STAND FOR SOMETHING Look around and see what could be affected through positive change. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54d50db4e4b0ed70510541b4/1533190544483-TXW454H8T1TUQPYGXAPJ/PERCY3SNEAKERS.jpg Feelbook - STAND FOR SOMETHING Take a stand. Percy is wearing the DUO/C&C   https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/tag/Boater monthly 0.5 https://www.flamekeepershatclub-feelbook.com/feelbook/tag/Gondolier monthly 0.5