Ashley Stewart Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Daily Venus Diva announced today that retailer, Ashley Stewart, is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. I'm not surprised by this announcement from the Ashley Stewart camp.

I worked for Ashley Stewart for many years as a part time sales associate. I wanted to move into management and started the transition, but decided to concentrate on school instead. While I was employed with them, I saw many problems with the corporation, the quality of clothing and its customers.

The customers that Ashley Stewart cater to is primarily African American women. I love my sistas, but a lot of us only buy clothes when there is a special occasion. Some of our customers would only come in during tax time, the first of the month, Indiana Expo weekend, Circle City Classic weekend and Mother's day. It's not being sterotypical, it's true. That was our prime shopping days. If it weren't for those days, Ashley Stewart would barely make their numbers. The returns are also abundant after those events; consumers would buy and return on a regular basis. Can't make any money like that.

The quality of Ashley Stewart clothing is sub par. When Ashley Stewart first opened in the Indy market, they carried well made clothing. I don't know if the distributor changed or if decline in profits affected their construction and material, but I stopped shopping there because of loose hems and shoddy craftsmanship. I would buy a bra and wash it once and it would crumble. Even if I hand washed the items, the clothes wouldn't rebound from the wash. 

Ashley Stewart needs a better marketing strategy. Many retailers like Lane Bryant and Torrid almost perfected their market penetration. Outlet stores, online sales and coupons help tremendously. Ashley Stewart just opened up its website to online sales recently. Most of Ashley Stewart's in store merchandise cannot be found online and their online products are dismal and lack luster. Ashley Stewart's parent company, Urban Brands, just wanted to market to urban females. There are a plethora of plus size women of all different ethnicity, races and don't live in urban communities. They put all their eggs in one basket, and it didn't pay off.

Now the company is in jeopardy. Hopefully the company finds their mistakes and work on fixing them. I would love to shop at Ashley Stewart again. I want them to rise out of bankruptcy, not only for my own benefit but I have a lot of friends that still work for the company that would lose their jobs if profits don't increase.

Do you shop at Ashley Stewart? What are your likes/dislikes?

~Janelle

Pretty In Red

I always loved the movie "Pretty In Pink". I didn't enjoy it for the actual plot, though poor girl and rich boy falling in love with each other through adversity and the disapproval of others, is a picture perfect story. I loved the movie for its wardrobe.  The costume pieces in this movie inspired the real life street couture of the 80's. Molly Ringwald's character, Andie, constructed her own clothes. I will always remember Iona's, Annie Pott's larger than life character, Asian/Warhol inspired frock. I was a kid lusting for their sense of style. 

(Scenes of Iona and Andie - From retrochick.co.uk)

Being a compulsive eater, I decided to start using my boredom and hunger to channel my creativity. My new project is to make clothes. God knows, I'm not a fashion designer, but I figured it would be a fun task. My first project was to complete a tu tu. I executed my first project perfectly. I'm proud of myself that I finished. Thanks to blogger Amelia Pontes (ameliapontes.blogspot.com) and her resurrection of her closeted tu tu, I wanted to free my tu tu this weekend. I must admit it was fun gallivanting around Indy in my masterpiece. I got a few stares, some great comments and even embarrassed my boyfriend by displaying my ballet positions in the middle of the Castleton Square parking lot!

(Blk tank-Old Navy, Red tank-Torrid, Tu tu-Janelle, Deconstructed legging-Torrid)

(Probably going to be the last hot weekend of the year!)

Janelle

Proenza Schouler's Act Da Fool

Fashion house Proenza Schouler's new line debuts in a short film, directed by Harmony Korine (director of the movie Kids), called Act Da Fool. I really love the pieces displayed in the film and as much as I love black women being promoted in fashion and film, this video makes me a bit uncomfortable. 

The film shows a day in the life scenario of a young poor black woman wearing the Proenza Schouler brand. The visual is embraced by a poem spoken in the main character's point of view. The viewer follows the woman in her daily routine which consist of drinking 40s and destruction of property with her friends while looking fabulous in Proenza Schouler. This video in my opinion promotes the stereotypical life of a young black woman in the ghetto. I understand the grit and the realism the designers tried to display, but I feel it was at the expense of black women. In my opinion, we are starting to go back to the time where black women would only be portrayed as cooks and mammies. Now in the media, black women are portrayed as ghetto hoodrats delinquents with no education or class. I will admit toward the end of the film the woman shows she's a dreamer; this is the life she doesn't want to live. Unfortunately for her, if she continues down the road the character travels, she will be destined to stay in the world created for her.  

There are some black women that lead a hard life, but there are others that can't relate to this stereotype. Again, I love the promotion of black women in fashion and film, but let's try to promote the full spectrum of black women.

What do you think about Proenza Schouler's short film?

Proenza Schouler's Interview about their short film "Act Da Fool".

Reflection: Commitment

It's October! October is such a busy month; school has started, the holiday season is about to begin and it's my anniversary. My boyfriend and I have been together four years, October 19th. It's the longest relationship I've ever been in. I've wondered why this one lasted? What makes us tick? I thank God that we've been together this long and hope we will see many more years together.

(Jason and I Vegas 2009)

Today's question of the day derived from a television show I watched with my boyfriend. I don't remember what show or even who it featured, but a woman talked about her past relationship and why it ended. She used the phrase, "she fell out of love". So my boyfriend puts on his OMG face and says, "what does that even mean?"  Then a question sparked my interest, if it's so easy to fall out of love with someone, were you ever in love to begin with?

We are a generation that moves at a fast pace. Everything, objects and even people are easily disposable and replaceable; and our love lives are suffering. We want to try new things. We get easily distracted. As human beings, we long for companionship; even if it's fleeting. My friend is in the dating scene right now. I'm surprised at how many men she encounters that tell her, openly and without remorse, they have a girlfriend/wife at home. Their significant other is at home trying to establish a life with this person, while their man is out courting other women/men. Most of these men are shocked that she (my friend) disagrees with their infidelity. And women, you're not excluded, you are just as trifling... if not more.

There is a lack of commitment in our relationships. We fall out of love because there wasn't a foundation of love in the relationship. Relationships are a lot of work. It's not easy to be with someone through the good times and bad. We give up easily and we search for something or someone that is not there; not real. Don't start something that you can't finish. Don't get into a relationship with anyone unless it's real and you build your foundation with love. Not fleeting love or lust, but true love.

RL's First Luncheon

Next Saturday, October 16th is Ruby Leonne's first luncheon. I'm a little dismayed. We've had a lot of people say they're attending, but no one purchased a ticket yet. If you plan to attend the luncheon, email us at rubyleonne@gmail.com and we can reserve your ticket and get your name on the list. Please contact us as soon as possible. Bravo's will need a head count to prepare our meal. I'm going to be out and about this weekend. I will post where I will be so if anyone wants to meet to buy tickets we can do that. Come, network and meet others while having a great meal. Calling Anjie and Koko tonight and I'm sure they have something in store for us. Remember email us at rubyleonne@gmail.com and leave your contact information. We will give you a call shortly.

~ Janelle

In God We Trust

In recent days, there is a scandal rocking the church community. The alleged discretion of Bishop Eddie Long is causing strife and discontentment within the religious community and rocking what many Christians believe in. Everyone is voicing their opinions on if the minister is innocent or guilty. Lots of people are condemning him for his actions. Other people are condemning the people who are even talking about it. Even on Facebook a women stated all who talked about the allegations shouldn't speak on them and warned these people will "wake up dead" tomorrow because they are speaking against an "anointed" man.

Religion is always a touchy topic. Whether it is opening an Islamic center at Ground Zero or a minister allegedly using his clout to persuade young men to have sex with him, religion is one of the top sources for today's news.

We have to remember as people, if you're lucky enough to believe in a higher power, you have to make sure that we don't put your trust and faith into mere men. We have to stop putting people, ministers and celebrites on this pedestal and follow what we truly believe in. We have to stop judging others and loving our higher power and ourselves. At the end of the day, that's all you got.

I Heart Weddings

My friend Jessica from college is getting married this weekend. So I'm going to her wedding this weekend. This is the last wedding of the year and I'm kinda upset. I love weddings. I love the idea of two people starting a new life together and sharing something bigger than themselves. It excites me. But most of all....I LOVE THE WEDDING ITSELF!! (Yes I'm screaming!) I love everything...the dress, the ceremony, ribbons, cake, chair covers...EVERYTHING! My friend Angela and I, gather around the computer constantly and search wedding websites dreaming of our day we say I do to the ones we love. 

Because I hope to be planning a wedding shortly (Hint hint),  here are some of the things that has caught my eye lately.

theknot.com

My friend Angela LOVE polka dots. This cake is fun yet sophisticated. A bit of Dr. Seuss but a smidgen of Martha Stewart.

theknot.com

 I already have my colors. I've had them since I was like 10! Black, red and white...very simple and elegant. I love black roses, orchids and calla lilies; meaning love, seduction and beauty.

Igigi.com

 

I'm not traditional. I love to play with lengths, shapes and maybe some color in a wedding dress. I want something knee to tea length (maybe a little longer). No veil...and definately no train.

 

I will post pics of my friend's wedding when I get back. I bought this dress from Igigi last week I can't wait to wear.

 

~ Janelle

Congrats Shawntel!

Shawntel Adams-Echoles won Ruby Leonne's first contest! She won a $50 gift certificate for Lane Bryant. We are excited that we can bring you contest and other events. Look for more contest in the future. Remember to check back on the blog or on our Facebook page for updates.