Last week, I walked from my apartment in the East Village to Milk Studios in the Meatpacking District, wearing Hudson Army pants and a Steven Alan button-down shirt to shoot the look book for Mauvais Garcons, a chic, new bow tie line started by Paul Johnson Calderon. Photographer Julian Ungano, who happens to have a photo exhibit opening April 13 at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, was in charge of shooting me and the other models including Fat Jew, Becka Diamond and Gabe Saporta. Tra la la...
After the shoot, I headed uptown to read for a part in a movie. I am in no way an actress. When I was 11, I was once in a commercial with Spike Lee for Black History Month. When I got the call from the director asking me to come in and read for the part of Mia, a tattooed hipster DJ, I thought, Hey, minus the tats, I do that anyway. So there we went, take one, take two. I was having a good time with it, and hope that my enthusiasm translated on screen. It did! I found out later that I got the part.
I rushed downtown because I was late for my boxing trainer. That's right, boxing. I never imagined hitting anyone-except maybe my brothers-but it really does feel amazing. I can throw jabs and hooks and I'd say my jump-roping skills are at an eight, on a scale from one to 10. I'm really embracing my inner Laila Ali. Boxing has seriously given me a new sense of confidence, and I highly recommend trying it. I've always had some spunk in my step, but now I really feel like I can deal with whatever these New York winds blow my way.
Showered and polished, I slipped into my red Louboutin's, adding a pop of color to my black ensemble, and went to the Hudson Hotel where PAPER magazine held their annual Beautiful People Party. Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari hosted and Duran Duran was the musical entertainment. There certainly were beautiful people everywhere including Sally Singer from 'T Magazine,' hot, young designers Mandy Coon and Erin Fetherston, Moby and cute male models from Next modeling agency. My friend was bartending so I got the hook up with some Absolute Wild Tea concoction they were serving, and drank up while Duran Duran killed it.
Later my two male besties, known as "The Serve," picked me up and we went to Chinatown. There is a new party there on Wednesdays with DJ Mia Moretti. I danced up a storm and my tootsies were killing me after.
I woke up the next morning with a text message from my friend Max Winkler, reminding me about the premiere of his movie 'Ceremony,' starring Uma Thurman. I love film! I was thrilled when my friend recently informed me about the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), a multi-venue, two-month celebration of African Arts and culture, taking place from April 2 through May 31. I can't wait to see all the films, which I am sure will shed all kinds of new light on African culture.