Pangea's Garden » dreadlocs

pgp190: RepJA goes Naptually Rude

Kirei Na — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:59:52 +0000

RepJA could not have chosen a better set of models. The ladies and gentlemen of Pangea’s Garden were up early that Sunday morning in June to grace the internationally expressed fashions of RepJA! This vibrant and colorfully cultivated and edgy clothing line blends into its style the language, music, and dances of Jamaica with an American twist. The models were up for the task of showcasing the Pangea’s Garden natural essence, while accentuating RepJA’s Caribbean flair in fashion.

RepJA is young, hip, and up-to-date, yet speaks to the tastes of fashion lovers. Spanning across several countries, RepJA clothing is accessible and affordable. The online store, blogs, photos, and media links with music for download, offers you a colorful collaboration of their style and charisma.

So, just as the sun was beginning to settle in the morning sky over Atlantic Station’s historic Millennium Gate, the Pangea’s Garden models began their RepJA mission. Sporting t-shirts with sayings such as “Original RudeGirl”, “Skip To My Lou”, and “Girls Dem Sugar”, the models laughed, jumped, posed, and danced their way into gaining some great shots that embodied the high energy and vibrant life of the RepJA clothing line and lifestyle.

Atlanta’s Natural Hair Show…

tafakari — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:46:13 +0000

I moved to Atlanta almost three years ago convinced that the Deep South’s biggest “black” city would give me a home with a black cultural pulse unlike any other. She hasn’t disappointed me yet; from historically black orchestras to Sweet Auburn (which is this weekend!) to the newly reinstated Freaknik, Atlanta continually showcases the vibrant creativity we possess. When I heard there was a convention for natural hair lovers, I could only smile. In April, I went to my first World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show, my afro reaching toward the sun, excited to see exactly what went on at a hair show for kinky/curly/nappy haired folk.

As expected, natural-haired women and men were everywhere. I wanted to remix the classic Outkast tune and stroll in singing, “All the naturals came from far and wide/ wearing afros and braids in every single ride.” If you ever imagined a world where natural hair was the norm in our community, this was the place to envision it. A tall, freckled guy with golden brown locks passed me by, then a group of tribal painted women with twists wound fantastically high. I couldn’t wait to get inside.

A large platform stage met me at the entrance, and a blond afro’ed beauty handed me a gift bag with product samples. The convention was set up like any other, with vendor booths and brightly colored signs calling for my attention at every turn. That is, if I could stop staring at all the fros. I got swivel neck looking from around; there was so much to see! If you think there were only hair products/accessories and demonstrations…think again. Anything you could possibly think of–and some you probably wouldn’t–was there. Clothing, jewelry, health supplements, soaps, lotions, sensual enhancements, a live poetry show, singing, and a high-top fade cutting contest all occupied the same area.

The entry fee cost me a teensy$10 bill, which left me all the room I needed to support the entrepreneurial spirit that flowed throughout the hall. During the three hours I spent there, I found: my aunt’s neighbor from Southwest Atlanta; my husband’s old loctician from Tallahassee, FL; my old hairdresser from that same city; a gaggle of fro’d up friends; a sunflower yellow skirt for spring; two hot bangles; a new leave-in conditioner and twisting cream I now swear by; a lovely EarthSista repping Pangea’s Garden with her cute shirt; and plenty of nap-friendly hair salons in Atlanta. My feet hurt from four go-rounds visiting all the shops, but I left the place happy to be nappy, and even more proud of black folk.

If you missed it, you definitely need to gather up some friends and go next year–nappy or no. The show celebrates and uplifts the beauty of natural hair, but healthy hair products are good for everyone who wants healthy hair. (Hopefully, that’s you!) Or, don’t wait until next year: Take a road trip with Pangea’s Garden and meet us at The North Carolina Natural Hair Care Expo in Raleigh! The expo is NC’s very first one for naturals, and it goes down on June 19th.

pgp171: beautiful and kinky…part 2 of 2

kingcliff — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:22:00 +0000

heritage’s mark…

revisiting the beauty of Trinette and the vision of Chi-Rue99.

Trinette and Chi-Rue99 captures continue in this momentary homage to family. Along with the rest of their extraordinary captures Trinette’s form and beauty is the elaborate personal family tree that decorates her back.

A lovely tree made of the linage of generations of Trinette’s family is captured expertly by Chi’s lens, portraying these marks on form artitstically and sensually.

To see more of the works of Chi-Rue99 Photography you can go here and here.

To see more of Trinette, you can go here.

pgp163: Antiquity LaShay

kingcliff — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:31:00 +0000

Antiquity is back on the bridge again. One must realize that although you have burned one bridge doesn’t mean you can’t build another somewhere else. As the sun embraces her, she recognizes that her possibilities are endless. Her future is as beautiful as the 5 o’ clock sun and she must embrace it. She stands beautifully exuberating strength and prosperity. She knows that God has her best interest at heart and would never give her more than she can bear. With humility, strength, confidence, and faith she sets foot on the bridge again toward success.

Antiquity: normally used to describe something ancient, but in Keyona’s case she is something of sentimental and great value.

A beauiful contribution to this world.

Antiquity LaShay is styled in the original works of Tara Baker of Hands Create Texture. You can see more of her works here. Antiquity is a creative spirit of many talents. Check here for more creations.

pgp162: beautiful and kinky…part 1 of 2

kingcliff — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:06:00 +0000

“a moment with the uniquely beautiful and terribly kinky…”

That’s the mantra behind the works created by Chi-Rue99 Photography and Trinette the model. This set of images is the first of a two part set.

To see more of the works of Chi-Rue99 Photography you can go here and here.

To see more of Trinette, you can go here.

pgp157: a pictorial moment with Nerissa…

kingcliff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:08:00 +0000

the words of the Imperial Goddess…

“My main goal is to live life to my best ability, just to be happy, and feel happy about what I become in the future.”

“I let Got take my life in his hands… Whatever he has in store for me, thats what I will become. I don’t set goals, because you live your life trying to fulfill those goals and by doing that you let so many opportunities pass you by.”

“Don’t be afraid to change coarse, do it passionately and you’ll find your way.”

“I display my natural crown for all to see.”

Nerissa images are ubiquitous. Her lovely LONG locs and beautiful almond eyes have graced the pages of Playboy and she has landed small acting roles. For more images and insight into the Imperial Goddess check out her MySpace Page. It is a work of art.

pgp153: Late Night Photos

kingcliff — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:24:00 +0000

I took these pics late one night after a shoot with my friend Kelechi. We collaborated on a shoot and afterwards he took a few shots of me. I was so tired. It was nearly midnight!

He still managed to work his photoshop genius on some of them.

All photos were taken by Kelechi Anusiem!

pgp152: We have been busy!!!!

kingcliff — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

So it seemed like the right time to relax a little and have our very first offline gathering…

A bunch of us checking out the our creations on the web!

Every time I meet with someone about the Project there’s never more than 4 people in room. Even though there have been so many who have expressed interests, provided provocative commentary, striking images and beautiful poetry, still we’ve always congregated in small groups here and there…

Tamara Natalie Madden – Artist and Photographer

Shay – A Potential EarthSista for the Garden

Clockwise from top left – Marlo-PG’s Model Coordinator, Tamara, Grace-Photographer and Painter, PrettyBlak-EarthSista in the Garden

Its my fault really. I am a shy person by nature (even though nobody believes it) and this started out as me wanting to create images and share thoughts on women of colour and their natural beauty. I like to talk a lot (which is why nobody thinks I am shy) so I really enjoyed finding out other thoughts, visions and perceptions on the subject. And while I know nearly everyone who has contributed thought and vision to the Project, it was still very exciting having so many of us in the same room.

Thrasher – Animator and Model, we tossed around a few ideas about an upcoming project in the Garden

Coco – an Upcoming EarthSista in the Garden

LeiCole – Poet and Editorial Contributor

I hope to do it again soon. I hope we can host or sponsor events that exalt Afrocentric beauty and sensuality offline the same we do it online: in the form celebration. I hope we get the chance to participate in offline events all over the country. Most of all, I hope we get the chance to have as much fun together offline as we do online.

John Washington Jr & friend – John is a talented photographer who provided his studio for the event

L-to-R: LeiCole, Nobella and Amber, tossing around ideas

Ernest McClendon, cartoonist working on a project for the Garden

Nobella and Amber

Andre and Omar-RepJA in the House!

Great fun was had by all!

Personally, I’d love to meet each and every one of you.

Peace.

-Vincent

pgp151: A day in the past

kingcliff — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:27:00 +0000

Some older pics with model Sankan. She was doing her thing!:)

Check out some of my paintings on my website and some more photography here.

-Tamara Natalie Madden

pgp148: a moment on the bridge with Keyona…

kingcliff — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

captures on a bridge…

This young poet, hip hop rapper and student is on that path of self discovery. She is on the bridge. Searching for truths in balance, responsibility and creativity, Keyona studies marketing during the day, makes money as a loctician when she can and spits verse to music when she’s free. Raised on the west side of Baltimore, she, now, attends college at ClarkAtlanta.

Keyona is hardworking, innovative and creative. In her eyes you see her searching, doing what it takes to get to what’s next. Her future, though not sure, is filled to the brim with promise. Keyona is the one you don’t worry about. She’s the one who always steps up. Keyona is the one who is never afraid to cross the bridge.

Keyona inspires.

Keyona rap is fierce, belying her gentle nature. Check it out on her MySpace page.

-Vincent