In our last issue, we presented our readers with our very first fashion spread-it was an ode to Sex and the City, and I will admit it was one of the most stressful ordeals I have ever faced as a journalist. It was stressful because it wasn’t simply enough to step into my fashion journalist shoes, but I had to really step into the shoes of Editor-in-Chief.
Luckily, I was blessed to have an awesome girlfriend and Creative Director to inspire me and keep me sane when I was on the brinks of complete insanity. Sure, I did love running around the city finding garments of the likes of Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda, and Carrie; but it can be difficult to deal with Mother Nature in the form of one really awful rainy day weekend, and a tight schedule that doesn’t leave much room for error. I am pleased to say the final product was fabulous. I am proud to say that we were the first urban magazine to have enough courage to use four beautiful black women of all shapes and sizes to emulate a cult phenomenon based off the friendships of four Caucasian women. When I saw our lovely models dressed in the pieces we selected and stressed over, I realized then that I am one of the luckiest women ever to be part of a magazine that knows no boundaries and no limits.
And how ironic was it that the same week the movie was released, I was able to realize how incredibly blessed I am to have real girlfriends in my life that would duke out mother nature with me and keep me calm, and most importantly be significant in the dream I have had since I picked up a magazine for the very first time. It’s not easy to do what we do every day, but our friendships and love for the magazine itself keep Urban Belle Magazine a reality, and not simply a childhood dream.
We have so much in store for our future, and we plan to get more innovative, daring, and adventurous in our fashion spreads. And we will always use models that represent the true scope of the beautiful diversity of African American women.
My favorite piece from the photo shoot is the gorgeous Zac Posen dress that we selected for our take on Carrie Bradshaw. The London Times dress that we used in the Charlotte York photos is another favorite, while the Candie’s floral statement necklace is a piece that I could not find myself able to part from.
I am ashamed to say that it looks quite lovely in my jewelry stash.
I have also managed to find a little time to myself to enjoy my love for reading great novels. I am currently reading Commencement, and it’s a read that I can barely find the strength to put down.
I have to be thankful of my Mother for reminding me that even an Editor-in-Chief deserves a break and day to do nothing but the things she enjoys that don’t pertain to work. I’m thankful I took heed to her advice because my weekend was beyond fabulous.
In addition, our Summer Internship program is growing near and we are excited about having the opportunity to select the brightest and sharpest individuals with so much to offer media.
I’m pretty sure our new interns will be a wonderful addition to our already incredible staff.
Cheers to you,
Amanda Anderson
Editor-in-Chief