For Dominican-Americans growing up in Philadelphia, the Dominican Parade and Festival has always been the one day we truly had to represent and celebrate our beautiful flag, music, and culture. For the past 18 years, I witnessed how my community flourished in numbers and businesses. Each year an element to this festive day was added,…
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I met Gabrielle Mandel while she was doing her residency as a designer in the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator four years ago. Gabrielle was one of five designers creating their collection at the time. I admired her line Supra Endura, from the very first time I got a glimpse of the samples and mood board. While I…
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As a first-generation Dominican-American, the American Dream means different things to me. Back in the Dominican Republic, many believe that we live luxuriously and that money, as well as the material things, are easily accessible; disregarding the fact that it took two generations of hard-working people to build what my family has today. The…
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I love looking back at my high school days. Not because I was a drinker and had hundreds of friends, but because I recall moments of discrimination or stereotyping that at that moment didn’t feel like it. Story Of The Day To the Hubert girls that had a “ghetto” themed night at their shore house, this…
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unconventional. A word I wish I thought of more often, along with authentic, organic and UNIQUE. Nowadays fashion influencers seem like they all belong in a GUCCI ad or in a KUWTK episode (mini Jenners.) This post and project are in no way, shape or form coming at those who love these styles. It’s to…
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Sitting by a garden in the Dominican Republic, Sofia Reyes explains beauty to a little girl in a poetic analogy. The little girl tells Sofia to straighten her hair so that she can be “beautiful.” Pointing at the garden Sofia asks the little girl “Which one of those flowers is your favorite?” The girl responds,…
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With a petite frame and a full head of curls, Darlene Duran has made a name for herself in the local photography community. Her Instagram, an aesthetical grid of inspiring quotes and selfies, sends out an important message: influencers need to do just that – influence. Her daily positive messages are accompanied by artistic collaborations and…
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