C4 ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JANUARY 16 - 22, 2014

St. Louis natives who have jackets to be his specialty). POTPOURRI FASHION showcased their design talents Keith became a staple via reality television – Qristyl on the St. Louis style scene Frazier, Michael Drummond with appearances in St. Continued from C1 Continued from C1 and Santino are just a few of Louis Fashion Week as well the “Project Runway” alums. as having his one-of-a-kind The group headed next was presented with the option “There is some amazing designs available at local to Cape Town’s Waterfront of either waiting for the next talent in St. Louis,” Keith said. boutiques. district, a shopper’s delight season of “Project Runway” “It’s not a massive city, as far “Being self-taught you don’t filled with chic stores, great or being a part of the debut of as being a fashion capital, but have as many doors open to restaurants and grand malls. “Under the Gunn.” it has the potential to be. When you and the exposure isn’t there The journey continued Keith opted to roll the dice we get the opportunity to be and you may not know which as they drove down the with Gunn. exposed, people are going to avenues to go down,” Keith southern coast of Africa “I said I’ll just leave it in gravitate towards us.” said. “So you have to study stopping at Hout Bay Harbor God’s hands and whatever he And Keith is beyond excited twice as hard to figure out and for more shopping. They has for me is for me,” Keith to be next on deck. learn what you need to do.” described breathtaking said. “They called back and “It feels good to represent Now he has faith that the views as they passed along asked if I would do it and I said the city, and you just want to show will create a national the coastline. They stopped yes.” stick to your point of view and platform for Shan Keith for lunch at Cape Point’s 2 He said the name fits the your own personal aesthetic,” Designs – and motivate others. Ocean’s Restaurant where the Marnita Spight and Rita Kirkland at the Ritz-Carlton show. Keith said. “There is some “I hope that through Indian and Atlantic Oceans Lobby Bar “We are literally under the pressure, because not only do ‘Under the Gunn’ I can be cross. The group also explored Gunn,” Keith said. “It’s intense you have your family and your an inspiration for somebody the South African wine and it’s a lot of pressure.” friends, but you have a city who never thought they country. Gunn himself has been riding on your back.” could do something,” Keith They took a boat ride anything but a disappointment. As for his family, his said – “whether it’s design or to Robbin Island to see Ron Riddick, Don Thomas, M.D. (Columbia, SC.), “When I first met him I was grandmother taught him to sew anything.” where Nelson Mandela Cheryl Whalen, Holiday Dave Calloway, Esq., Pam a little intimidated, but once we as a youngster. By his late teens “Under the Gunn” debuts was imprisoned. Once in décor design consultant Jackson D.D.S., Dr. Charles really got to know each other I he was dabbling in making his this Thursday at 8 p.m. on Johannesburg the group Gregory B. Smith (Chicago, Quigless, Paul Randolph, responded to everything he was own pieces. He would later The Lifetime Network. Check stopped at the Lessedi IL.), Mike White, D.D.S. Esq., Bernard C. Randolph saying,” Keith said. “Tim is an flourish into making men’s, local listings and/or visit www. Cultural Village. There they (Baltimore, MD), Randy Jr., M.D., Kathy Smith amazing person.” children’s and women’s wear mylifetime.com. learned about all of the native Randolph, M.D., Billy and , Judi Coleman, Keith He joins a handful of for all occasions (he considers tribes with South African Kathy Kuper Foster (The Williamson,Esq. (Centene), origins. They braved the Big O Liqueur company Richard Banks, Esq. wild on a land safari to see founders) and Earnestine and Larrisa Steel, Sheila wild animals in their natural Benford (Los Angeles, CA.). Banks, Morgan McKenzie habitat. They marveled at Bill and Kathy Foster (Washington, DC.), buffalo, zebra, giraffes and are enjoying the success of Honorable Don McCullin, gazelles. There were many their popular ginger liqueur, Eric Banks, Esq., Jerry said. “We’ve come together for Awesome Girl’s Guide to more exciting memories for The Big O. Earnestine Hunter,Esq., Gabriel Gore, NAACP support and inspiration for one Dating Extraordinary Men, our St. Louisans on this trip. Benford is excited about the Esq., Ollie Dowell, Janet another, and the book is what is still beaming nearly two When you see them, definitely upcoming release of her book Jackson Williams, Nancy has grown from it.” weeks after she was notified take the time to discuss. !Text Hugs! Daily Digital Thompson, Susan and Continued from C1 Since its inception, the that her work with Walton The Honorable Joan K. Inspiration for children, Wayman Smith,Esq., Gina CurlyNikki.com community garnered her first Image Miller hosted a Chili Party teens and young adults. For Cheatham, Stacy Givens, to provide a platform for the has grown to reach millions and Award nomination. last weekend to honor sister a glimpse of Earnestine’s Vern Fuller, Hilliard Hicks, readers – this is for us,” Walton touch 200 countries. Walton had “Every black artist dreams Jane Miller Brown, Esq.’s vision on how to effectively Aaron Fields, Vanita said. “The nomination is for us just returned from meeting with of being nominated for an visit to her home town. communicate with the young Davidson, Les Bond Jr., and if we get the award, it will her “Curlfriends” in Cape Town, NAACP award, so it’s really Jane’s old friends and family people in your life, check out Don Calloway, Esq., John be for us.” South Africa when she received huge,” Carter said. “I was flocked to the lovely CWE www.textahugtoday.com. Shivers, Anisha Morrell and Better Than Good Hair uses word of her nomination. joking to my husband, saying, home to welcome Janie and Mike Claiborne, Marnita Kelley Powell. expert advice, testimonials and “I am grateful and thankful,” ‘I don’t have business cards, visit with old friends. Joan’s Spight and Kymberly Smith Don’t miss “The Meeting,” style tutorials to take readers Walton said. “Writing the book but I want to get them just scrumptious menu included Jackson, Esq. hosted their the story of an imagined from the big chop to their with Ernessa T. Carter – being so I can put ‘NAACP Image an open bar, four-alarm 8th Annual Happy New Year meeting of Malcolm X and happily-ever-after of flowing able to share the experience that Award-Nominated’ on there.” vegetarian and beef chili, chili and Holiday Soiree at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. natural hair. The book is an I’ve had over the years in a way For Walton, the nod is con queso, spicy secret recipe Ritz-Carlton Lobby Bar and at The Black Rep, being extension of the CurlyNikki. that was accessible to everyone further confirmation that she salsa, chocolates, trifle and Lounge in Clayton a couple performed at the Emerson com community that Walton – that in itself was dream come took the right path in creating Miss Hulling’s original cakes. of weeks ago. A good time Performance Center at Harris established as she worked true for me.” CurlyNikki.com community. A few of the guests was had by all, especially Stowe State University through her own natural hair The teamwork that would “It continues to be a enjoying the company and St. Louisans home for the through January 26. Please woes and exploration nearly five ultimately birth Better Than passion of mine,” she said. holiday music selections were holidays. call the box office for your years ago. Good Hair seemed as organic “It was a hobby, and I wanted Denise Dugas, Nina and A few of the mingling tickets at 314-534-3810. “CurlyNikki.com community and natural as the hair style the to help women – to provide Dave Chasnoff, Liz Costello, guests included Rita became what it is because book promotes. inspiration, education, options Jeff and Vivi Costello Wolf, Kirkland (SLPL), Honorable Dana Grace: dgrandolph@ there is such a need – because Carter, who is the author of and versatility with their hair. Sheila Triplett, Beverly and Joan Miller, Audrey Miller live.com. I wasn’t the only one,” Walton the novels 32 Candles and The We’re putting natural hair on the map, and this nomination is just the latest – the latest and greatest.” The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards will air live on Saturday, February 22 at 8 p.m. Check local listings for channels.

FILM

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responsibility for entertaining the crowd in every scene – which is a good thing, because Ice Cube tends to play his character entirely too straight-laced. Cube’s rigid portrayal of James is unconvincing, uncomfortable and boring as he barely cracks a smile. Cube and Hart appear to have showed up to two different movies. Hart is in the throes of a slapstick cop comedy, while Cube obviously believes he’s starring in a crime thriller. Clearly an odd couple, in “Ride Along” the two don’t muster up the chemistry to make their pairing convincing – or funny – until the film is almost over. When Laurence Fishburne enters the film, it becomes apparent that a more commanding cast could have made all of the difference. In his cameo, Fishburne leaves more of an impression than most of the cast – including Sumpter, John Leguizamo, Gary Owen and Bryan Callen. “Ride Along” offers scattered chuckles and a handful of seriously funny moments, but falls short when paired against the likes of its contemporaries in the funny cop movie subgenre. Casting choices and a clever spin on the screenplay could have meant otherwise. The film will be remembered (if at all) as a cute but formulaic comedy – and a stepping stone for Kevin Hart. “Ride Along” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, Jan. 17. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 100 minutes.