#IHSBeautiesBrains Marketplace

We’re just a few days away from “In Her Shoes and ESSENCE Magazine Present The Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands II”! As we prepare for this magical day, I’m particularly excited about hosting the first ever In Her Shoes Marketplace. I’ve hand-picked a few of my favorite brands to bring the mission of In Her Shoes and its support of entrepreneurial spirits to life. Following is a quick glimpse of the brands we’ll be showing love to on Sunday, April 6 at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn. Come out ready to SHOP and be inspired!

Hair Rules

Founded by stylist Anthony Dickey and former model Kara Young Georgiopolous, Hair Rules products cater to the 60 percent of the population with textured, wavy, kinky or curly locks. With over 20 years of salon experience, Dickey created styles for famous curlies including Sarah Jessica Parker, Minnie Driver and Kelis. Hair Rules hair care and styling solutions include ultra-hydrating cleaners, conditioners, mousse and creams to keep your locks healthy and shiny.

Mama Glow

In Mama Glow, maternity lifestyle maven Latham Thomas shares the tips and techniques to support a blissful journey to motherhood. She shows you how to make room for your pregnancy, assess your current diet, banish toxic habits, and incorporate yoga to keep your mind, body, and spirit in balance. Throughout, you’ll get tips to help reduce stress; alleviate common discomforts; demystify birth plans, labor coaches, and midwives; whip up pampering treats like homemade shea butter and coffee sugar scrub; and indulge in over 50 delicious, nutrient-rich recipes to nourish both you and your new bundle of joy. Mama Glow also features a post-partum wellness plan to guide you back to your pre-baby body, troubleshoot breastfeeding problems, and embrace your abundant new life.

Ashaka Givens 

Women’s Wear Daily wrote it best when describing the Ashaka Givens collection as “slinky and seventies a la Halston with a dash of bohemia.” The fashion trade magazine subsequently bestowed on Givens a “most promising designer” nod at her last Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway show for her sleek red carpet-ready looks, placing the Rochester, New York native on their “Ones to Watch” list. And a wide cross-section of tastemakers took note: The Roots’ funky drummer ?uestlove; singer Raphael Saadiq; rapper/actor Common, and Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu have commissioned one-of-a-kind pieces from Givens. Givens’ celebrity clientele has grown to include Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, TLC, Floetry, actress Annabella Sciorra, Les Nubians, and many more. In 2006 Givens expanded her women’s ready-to-wear line to include bridal and special occasion dressing.

Cousin & Co.

Cousin & Co Inc. is a contemporary fashion handbag company founded by cousins and best friends Undra Duncan and Shekima François. The brand is defined as Brooklyn’s new modern sophistication – a classic twist to Brooklyn’s trendsetting style. The aesthetic is founded on great quality leather, hardware, functional details, trending colors and textures – all at an affordable price.

In 2010 the founders were selected as mentees of the Tory Burch Foundation. Through the relationship with the highly coveted designer, they have received guidance on branding, production, line critique, pricing strategy and more. In 2012 the founders completed the renowned Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses program and received a blueprint on how to take their business to the next level. Cousin & Co. has been featured in national media, including Lucky and the CBS special Fashion Forward: Making It in Fashion. 

Lorraine West

Lorraine West is an illustrator-turne-jewelry designer, new mother and lover of beautiful things. She’s been hand crafting statement, fine, designer and fashion jewelry pieces professionally for over 12 years. The talented creative is best known for her custom arm cuffs and pendant necklaces made for Grammy award-winning artist, Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq and Common. She crafts every piece with a purpose, eagle eye attention to detail and love. Her mission is to empower and make her clients look and feel extraordinary!

EDEN BodyWorks

Founded in 2004 by Jasmine Lawrence, EDEN BodyWorks™ provides natural products that integrate wellness and beauty inspired by nature to restore and maintain the hair and body’s original design.  With no petroleum, mineral oils or sodium sulfates, EDEN BodyWorks’ product lines strengthen and repair all hair textures – whether relaxed, natural, or somewhere in between. Discover softer, stronger, healthier hair. Discover EDEN for yourself.

 A Belle in Brooklyn

Demetria Lucas is a relationship guru to millions of young women with plenty of simple, direct advice. According to Lucas, most women are too focused (and stressed) on the difficulties of meeting Mr. Right to enjoy the experience. A Belle in Brooklyn celebrates the joys of singlehood, encourages personal development, and offers tools to help women increase their odds of finding a suitable mate when they are ready for one. With advice garnered from personal revelations, expert interviews with other relationship and dating gurus, and hundreds of interviews with her Male MindSquad—a committee of thirty men from varying backgrounds who answers the tough questions about sex, dating, and relationships—Lucas helps women enjoy the single life…with or without the perfect guy.

If you’re unable to join us for “The Beauties & Brains Behind the Brands II” please follow the hashtag (#IHSBeautiesBrains) for updates on Instagram and Twitter. If you snagged your ticket before the event sold out, see you on April 6th!