Norma Jean

  A holiday gift for my fans! XOXO. This is a sneak peek at Norma Jean's exclusive designs that you will be seeing more of in the upcoming new year. Norma Jean/Shira Benson is currently in the process of launching her unique clothing line. She is honored to have graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Magna Cum Laude, in December of 2012. She is looking forward to a bright future of fulfilling her wildest dreams. [love].     

[the love.]

Sooo.... I agreed to "engage" in a project my friend Victor has been working on for quite sometime now. While chatting with Victor, I was somehow lured into modeling a pair of pretty sweet frames. Victor's backyard is full of bamboo sticks and trees which holds endless possibilities to the frames this artist can create. He makes spectacular wooden and bamboo frames cut, carved, and trimmed neatly by Victor himself. He is in the process of releasing his own unique collection of glasses. I will keep you all posted with the latest information about Vic's frames. In the meantime, check this out!   

styled by: Norma Jean Benson model: Majorr photographer: DeAan Pridgeon http://www.pavonnyc.com/

  doll face.

Mini shoot: [[ on my Nas & Kelis ]]

Lauryn Hill has a new song out entitled, Black Rage , and it's DEEEEEEEEP! As African Americans, we do not acknowledge the reality of what we have become accustomed to. Lauryn Hill has a beautiful voice and uses her talent to educate and uplift African Americans. Before she performs Black Rage , she tells her audience it's not so much about the beauty of her sound; its about the lyrics. Listen up! Here are the lyrics: Black rage is founded who fed us self hatred Lies and abuse while we waited and waited Spiritual treason This grid and it's cages Black rage was founded on these kinds of things Black rage is founded on dreaming and draining Threatening your freedom To stop your complaining Poisoning your water While they say it's raining Then call you mad For complaining, complaining Old time bureaucracy Drugging the youth Black rage is founded on blocking the truth Murder and crime Compromise and distortion Sacrifice, sacrifice Who makes this fort

I'm feeling like it's about that time! First, it was Ebony Magazine and now it's MTV !!! Norma Jean's designs were featured on MTV's website. She will soon be launching her very own collection of designs soon. What better way to promote her clothing line!! Stay updated via Norma Jean's blog for the latest information about her custom made vintage clothing line and its launching. [[ http://fora.mtv.ca/tag/shira-benson/ ]] Model: Majorr

Campbell's released a limited edition of Andy Warhol 's designed Campbell's soup cans. They are only being sold at Target. How yummy are these !

Erin Young : Painter & Aspiring Clothing Designer

Some cool artwork I peeped at the CVA of Greensboro, NC. Pretty dope.

 A starry night... Lake Norman Fashion Tips from Norma Jean_: leather.

I finally had the chance to see the MLK Memorial located in Washington, DC. The scene was very intimate. It was a beautifully sculpted piece! I didn't expect the glorious scene I strolled upon. Dr. King's National Memorial is visually striking and his sculpture is bursting from the stone. A beautiful site I highly recommend seeing a night and during the day. The type of clay artist Lei Yixin used appears as an ashy white during the day then transforms into a deep tan over night. Impressive ;] \

Just some cool street art I peeped while strolling to the Tate Street Art Festival. As much as I despise cats [YUUUUCCCKK] I have to admit, this kitty was kind of cute :)

As many of you know, my biggest obsession is the Jamaican culture. This culture signifies grace, charm, strength, and dignity as shown in the painting below. This piece of work was done by Norma Jean's professor, Ms. Darlene McClinton. Ms. McClinton was mentioned on last weeks' blog for her outstanding achievement in creating an historical mural for the International Civil Rights Museum of Greensboro, NC. Just recently Ms. McClinton created this extravagant piece of work inspired by the E. Gwynn dancers of NC A&T State University. Its vibrant colors, movement, and principle of design are most significant in this piece. Keep up the great work DJ ;]   www.dj mcclint o n.com

 Femi Fatale ...aspiring fashion designer and ink model

Norma Jean is a huge supporter of the Arts especially when the subject is historical.  I had the opportunity to attend an historical event involving one of my professors and great mentors, Ms. Darlene McClinton . DJ McClinton, as some may call her, is an outstanding artist whose career is on the rise! She is now working on her doctorates at the University of Greensboro, NC. She has also traveled abroad to Jamaica and brought along students from NC A&T University to experience the Arts beyond the four walls of her classroom. She has given many students scholarships and mentor advice. August 16th, 2012  was one of most memorable and honorable times in DJ McClinton's life. She was honored for a remarkable mural she designed and painted for the International Civil Rights Museum of Greensboro, NC. The event showed footage from the making of the mural which involved children from the African American Atelier of Greensboro, NC Summer Enrichment Program. The students were