STUDENT HIGHLIGHT: TSEHAI SMITH

October 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Tsehai SmithTsehai Smith is a student at A Lady Named Pearl’s Leadership Academy. She is 10 years of age, and has started her own fashion line called “Refried Jeans.” She takes old jeans and create new fashions. These photos feature her bow ties as well as her purses.

At our academy we have our students write career development plans. One of Tsehai’s goals is to live in New York after high school, and while attending college, continue to build her fashion empire. One of the things we explain to the students is to be specific with your goals. In her paper, Tsehai, explained exactly what her store would look like, and how she would have a school to assist upcoming designers.

Follow Tsehai’s work on IG: @refriedjeans

Furthermore, come out to our one year anniversary celebration on October 18th, Tsehai will doing a presentation on her fashion line.

Screen shot 2015-10-06 at 9.37.05 AM Tsehai Smith

Filed Under: Beauty, Empowerment, Fashion, Leadership Tagged With: , ,

YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR 1YR ANNIVERSARY!

October 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment

PEARL_ACADEMY_INVITE

This month marks our one year anniversary of the opening of A Lady Named Pearl’s Leadership Academy. We invite you to join us for our celebration, on Sunday, October 18th, 2015 at 3pm at Phillips Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

We will have a fashion show and presentations from various students in our academy. We will also be providing information for those that are interested in attending our academy and giving away two scholarships for our upcoming session. RSVP at info@aladynamedpearl.com.

Like a pearl, leaders are not born, they are cultivated with an intricate balance of pressure, stringent conditions and time for development.

Through our academy, arts, and fashion, our goal is to produce strong, confident, young women.

Modeling and leadership classes begin November 8th, in Atlanta, GA.
Sign up today!

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MISS JAPAN CHALLENGES THE NORM

September 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment

ariana-miyamoto

Ariana Miyamoto, the first half-black Japanese woman to be named Miss Japan!

We at A Lady Named Pearl are very proud of Ms. Ariana Miyamoto. She is defying the odds and facing criticism with grace, intellect and beauty. At times in this world, you will be criticize for being different, but you have to be comfortable with who you are. The universe did not make any mistakes when in created you. Stand in your light, stand in your beauty. Let the world know that you are here, and don’t you do need their acceptance to shine.

– A Lady Named Pearl

 

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MODEL CASTING CALL FOR NATIONAL BRAND

September 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Casting Call

ARE YOU THE ONE?

Model Casting

Wednesday Sept 16
11am-1

Location: 781 Wheeler Street #12, Atlanta Ga 30318
@DNPSTUDIOS

Looking for African American Females ages 16-35 for a MAJOR Beauty Campaign!
GREAT PAY RATE!
LIVE YOUR DREAMS NOW!!!
(Please come presentable and ready to get the job! Must bring image or portfolio)
Be a Real Next Top Model!
See you Wednesday & Good luck! ♡

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LEADERSHIP PROFILE: DREXINA NELSON

August 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment

DREXINA DEFYING THE ODDS

Drexina Nelson

Drexina Nelson

Written by Pearl Fils-Aime
Edited by Denise Sarkor
It is 3pm. I enter her office for our interview.
“Pearl,” says a warm and inviting voice from behind a wall—she must have heard the sound of the door shutting behind me. I follow her voice into a photography studio. There, a sprightly Chihuahua runs up to and greets me. As I look up from the Chihuahua, I recognize a team of people—all seated—having lunch together. Drexina is among them, but rises to welcome me with a beautiful smile and warm hug.
Drexina Nelson is a beauty, fashion and advertising photographer with a remarkable eye. She is defying the odds in the photography industry, being one of few African-American female photographers in the business.

Drexina has captured some of the most beautiful and talented people in the world of entertainment, including Idris Elba, Kanye West, Tracie Ellis Ross, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Ludacris, Kandi Burgess, Cynthia Bailey, and NeNe Leakes to name a few.

 

 

I had the opportunity to shoot with Drexina in December of 2014, and the experience had a profound impact on me. Beyond awe at her accomplishments, I was so greatly impressed by her spirit that I had to acknowledge her in this featured article for the launch of PEARL, the magazine.

Drexina was born in Albany, GA and raised in Atlanta, thecapital—and most densely populated city—of Georgia. As a child she dreamt of being Motown’s pop star, Diana Ross. She loved beauty and fashion, and envisioned a career as a fashion designer. While attending the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, Drexina commenced her studies in Fashion. However, like many college students, she switched her major after realizing it
was not the right path for her. Drexina became an Art major; it was a perfect
fit. After graduating, she immediately pursued her MBA.
“To be completely transparent, Pearl, I did not want to be a starving artist. So, I
got my MBA right after I graduated with my Art degree.”
With an MBA in her toolkit, Drexina served as a global implementation analyst for a major corporation. She worked in this capacity for several years before transitioning into the beauty industry as a full-time, make-up artist.
“I remember taking my portfolio to an agency. They said they loved the make-up,
but the photography wasn’t strong.”
Unafraid of a challenge, Drexina purchased a professional camera and lights, and became the photographer for her make-up work. She began shooting dolls and neighbors as her first subjects. Her competitive drive kept her studying hard, day and night. Soon after, Drexina
became a sought-after photographer.
“My first big shoot was with Akon. Opportunities were coming left and right. Within a
year, I was able to shoot Idris Elba for Vogue.”
How did she separate herself from the rest of the market, and get noticed so quickly? Drexina explains that when she entered the market, many photographers were shooting for magazines such as KING and Black Men, using a style that focused on the assets of women.
“I aimed to capture the beauty of a woman as opposed to the booty of a woman,”
Drexina says with a chuckle.
Next Chapter for Drexina
“Photography is spiritual to me. Recently there has been a shift in my work. I have a life
coach/healer, and she has helped me work through certain blocks in my life;
it’s changing my approach to photography. I used to see things for what I
wanted them to be, now I see them for what they are,” says Drexina.
Drexina is in her 10th year of photography. “I am more authentic. I am
ready to come out the way that I am supposed to with my work. It is about
women’s empowerment. That’s why I started. It’s about making women feel
beautiful, and changing lives.”
The Society Salon
One of Drexina’s newest ventures is The Society Salon. It is a branch of her
beauty empire. The Society Salon is a membership-based salon geared towards empowering women through its network of members.

 

Pearls of Wisdom from Drexina Nelson

“It’s not about the spotlight. It’s not about the fame. It’s about staying true to your
passion and mastering your craft.”
“When building your business, be sure not to be influenced by everyone else. You can
only be you. Stay true to yourself.”
“Don’t expect anybody to give you anything. You have to work for it. No free lunch.”
“I believe in growing like a tree. I don’t want to grow fast, and have no substance. I
want to be a tree that lasts forever.”
For more information on Drexina, visit www.drexina.com.
Filed Under: Beauty, Empowerment, Fashion, Leadership Tagged With: ,

FLAIR CHARITABLE GALA!

August 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A Lady Named Pearl and Keri Hilson

A Lady Named Pearl and Keri Hilson

A Lady Named Pearl and Andrew Young and wife

A Lady Named Pearl with Andrew Young and his wife

A Lady Named Pearl's Leadership Academy

A Lady Named Pearl’s Leadership Academy

A Lady Named Pearl

A Lady Named Pearl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLAIR CHARITABLE WEEKEND
Flair is a 501(c)3 that is composed of former Ebony Fashion Fair Models, Commentators and Designers. On the weekend of August 20th – August 22nd, FLAIR held various events for the benefit to raise funds and provide scholarship for upcoming designers.

Filed Under: Beauty, Empowerment, Events, Fashion, Leadership

PEARL ON CBS46 NEWS!

August 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment

11026186_10152951147716750_119180911285875774_n(1)Former Ebony Fashion Fair Models Pearl Fils-Aime and Princess Filmz, designer Edouard and commentator Carla Fisher on set at CBS46 News with anchor Karyn Greer.

FLAIR, a charitable association comprised of Ebony Fashion models and deisgners will be having an event on August 22nd to raise scholarship funds for students interested in the fashion industry. Clothing and jewelry designs by Edouard. For more info visit www.flairinc.org

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THE TRUTH ABOUT BEAUTY

July 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Pearls….have you read the Dove study on beauty entitled “The Truth About Beauty”?

Here are some statistics:

  • Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful (up from 2% in 2004)
  • Only 11% of girls globally are comfortable describing themselves as ‘beautiful’
  • 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful
  • 80% of women agree that every woman has something about her that is beautiful but do not see their own beauty
  • More than half (54%) of women globally agree that when it comes to how they look, they are their own worst beauty critic

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What are your thoughts on these statistics?

Download the full report below.

19_08_10_The_Truth_About_Beauty-White_Paper_2

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PEARL HOSTS WORLD NATURAL HAIR SHOW!

May 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
World Natural Hair Show

Pearl interviews Bravo’s Reality TV Star of Atlanta Housewives and Married to Medicine.

A Lady Named Pearl

Pearl interviews fashion designer Patrick T Cooper.

A Lady Named Pearl

A Lady Named Pearl serves as host of the Social Circle for 18th Annual World Natural Hair Show.

A Lady Named Pearl

Pearl interviews WeTV Reality TV Star of Cutting It In The Atl, Beautii J.

World Natural Hair Show

World Natural Hair Show

The 18th Annual Taliah Waajid World Natural Hair Show is the largest show globally catered to the natural hair market. It draws thousands of attendees from around the world, seeking knowledge and the best products for natural hair.

From winning the crown as 2013 World Top Natural Hair Model to serving as the host of the Social Circle for the Spring show, it is always a pleasure to come back. I had a great time interviewing some of the most interesting sough-after personalities such as Naturalista blogger Naptural Nicole, to Dwight Eubanks of Bravo’s Atlanta Housewives and Married to Medicine, to International Singing sensation Leela James, and much more!

If you are considering going natural or seeking an event to attend for additional knowledge and products on natural hair and healthy body, this is it! Next show will be in the Spring of 2016!

For more information on this event visit www.naturalhair.org

Filed Under: Beauty, Empowerment, Events, Fashion

MAKE-UP EXPERT SHERILYNN MARILYN VISITS PEARL SCHOOL OF MODELING

April 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Pearl School of Modeling DSC_0256Pearl School of ModelingStudents received great tips on skin care and how to apply make-up for go-sees from make-up expert Sherilynn Marilyn. For more info visit Sherilynn’s pinterest.

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