EDITOR’S DIARY: ISLAND PEOPLE

I am featured on the Caribbean Fashion Style Journal website in a new segment called,  “Island People Makin’ It Happen”. It’s a beautifully written article by the Editor Darcel de Vlugt which profiles  Caribbean people behind the scenes offering stories and advice for those wishing to pave their own way in the various fashion professions.

‘Kered Clement, is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Complexd magazine – an online bi-monthly magazine aimed at multicultural women whose beliefs, backgrounds, upbringing and ethnicities not only cross, but also blur, the lines of categorization. Complexd magazine is not for a specific minority, unlike so many others aimed at a particular ethnic group. This magazine brings all ‘minorities’ together with a range of topics that relate to each and every woman who identifies with more than one racial, ethnic group or culture due to her genetics or even due to her lifestyle, thereby making the minorities into a majority’.

‘Though raised, educated and currently residing in the UK, Kered – who returns to Grenada yearly – feels embraced by the Caribbean fashion industry for giving her the opportunity to build her network and show her skills as a professional and not ‘just another London art/fashion graduate’. What makes this venture even more admirable is that Kered has not pigeon-holed herself to represent the racial and cultural mix of the Caribbean alone. Complexd magazine, in the space of just one year, has gone truly global’.

Read the full length feature here

 

Images by Frederique Rapier – www.frederiquerapier.com

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EDITOR’S DIARY: SMALL VISUAL WORLD

I am a visual person who finds the images before the theme or concept. I have collected thousands of tearsheets over the years and as the Complexd team were about to publish our  blog post today I spotted an image which I remember filing  7 years ago. The image is a photograph of Complexd Woman: Isamar Gonzalez, It was the cardboard case for a CD that came free with a newspaper. I adored that image, it was the model’s blossoming afro adorned with flowers and her expression of peace and tranquility that has stayed in my visual psyche for some time. Now I am able to put a name to the face, I wonder, who would have thought that years later I would be featuring that same model as a Complexd Woman. It’s such a small visual world! Read more about Isamar here

Image By Marko Macpherson

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COMPLEXD WOMAN: ISAMAR GONZALEZ

Image by Tarrice Love – Necklace by Isamar Gonzalez

‘After the birth of my daughter  my body didn’t change that much apart from my pear-shaped boobies which used to be perky mangoes’

I was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and raised in the South Bronx with my twin sister, older brother and single mother. I’m a self-employed model; jewellery designer; waitress; mother and student living in Brooklyn, New York. I start my day around 7am when I rise to meet the sun. I have my favourite fruits mango and avocado and I dress very urban bohemian. I like my long halter dresses, but I also love rocking my army pants with a delicate blouse and Pumas. Once I’ve dropped my daughter to school I go to the gym, run around on castings, design my jewellery, then pick my daughter up, cook, eat, paint and hula hoop.

The birth of my daughter was my most unforgettable experience. Feeling her grow inside of me was so amazing, I actually miss it. After her birth my body didn’t change that much apart from my pear-shaped boobies which used to be perky mangoes. But I love my body more than I used too, I feel like a woman and I am more in tune with how my body works.

As a model I noticed that work was definitely slower but I was so focused on being a mom that it wasn’t a bad thing. I was able to discover my real passion which is keeping creativity in my life and finding new ways to become a better person, mother, jewellery designer, friend, lover, daughter and sister. Everything falls into place when you live out your passion. I hope that one day I can have my own jewellery store with one-of-a-kind pieces for women who strive to be unique.

A bit more about me…

When I was a child I wanted to be an…astronaut and a singer.

A film/book/song that changed me was…Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday and Feeling Good by Nina Simone. These women sang their stories with their strong powerful voices.

My favourite quote/proverb is…”be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – John Wooden.

If I was invisible for a day I would… sing to the whole world and leave them with a feeling that there is a GOD.

Love is…I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. So love freely today and every day.

The 4 words that describe my life…unpredictable, confident, blessings and fragile.

If you could have one wish granted it would be…to always be surrounded by love, family and friends. Without them everything else means nothing.

I am a Complexd…spirit! I think my enthusiasm and my optimism are my strongest traits, and I am a little feisty…OK, maybe a lot feisty!

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COMPLEXD WOMAN: ARELY MORALES

‘I model part-time – my modelling career has just kicked off because having Tabitha has changed my body for the better, it has given me more lovely curves’.

I am a full-time mother and part-time model. I live in Virginia USA, with my boyfriend and daughter. My family is from Bolivia where I was born and raised. I come from a humble background and my life as a little girl was pretty normal until my parents separated. I grew up with my mom and she moved me, my brothers and sisters to the United States so we could have a better future.  My mother inspires me because she raised five children on her own. She is a hard working woman who has never depended on anyone.

On an average day, I wake up around 7am to make breakfast. I always wear something comfortable like shorts and a tank top, so I can run around chasing my very active daughter Tabitha.

I love the unconditional love I get from Tabi, the hugs and kisses keep a smile on my face when I am having a difficult day. That’s why my most unforgettable moment was the day I gave birth to her. Becoming a mother changed my life in many ways. I have learned to be appreciative, fearless and strong in times of adversity. I have matured as a person and I have more dreams and goals for myself and my daughter.  I will do everything for her; that’s why I put my heart and soul into being the best mom I can be.

A bit more about me…

When I was a child I wanted to be a… Veterinary surgeon.

A film/book/song that changed me was…Eli because he never lost his faith.

My favourite quote/proverb is… “Even if an army came against me with its tents, my heart would have no fear: if war was made on me, my faith would not be moved” Salmos; 27:3 because I believe in the word of God, I live with his faith.

If I was invisible for a day…I would walk around naked because that’s when I am at my most comfortable.

Love is…”patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.  Corinthians 13:4-7

The 4 words that describe my life are…fearless, selfless, motivated and loving.

If you could have one wish granted what it would be…That all the bad people in this world would disappear.

I am Complexd…because I have a strong personality. I am very passionate, outgoing and sometimes goofy.

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COMPLEXD FASHION: UNIVERSAL WRAP

The head wrap (as seen in our 1st Anniversary issue on pages 10-17) is universal. Worn for religious or fashion purposes it is wrapped in various ways on the heads of various types of women.

Fashion Tip: There is no right or wrong way to wear a head wrap. It  is one of those experimental processes where you can be creative . The skill is in fastening the fabric. Once you get to grips with the tucking and pinning, think of ways in which you can bend and twist the fabric to make interesting shapes.

Here are some style ideas below…

Style Inspiration from Complexd Women…

Here are more ways to wear a scarf…

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