Issue 2 Vol 2: LALA MILAN

TAKE RISKS FOR THE WIN LIKE LALA

the cred.

Starring: Lala Milan, @LaLaMilan

Photographer & Creative Director: Derek Blanks, @MrDBlanks

Fashion Stylist: Dedrick Thomas, @DedrickHhThomas for @HideokiBespoke

Makeup: Tony Stylez, @Tony_Stylez

Hair: Darius Boone, @Darius_Boone, @Eleven11Extensions

Words: Kelly Plourde, @K.Plourde19

Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele

Production: Chris Paschal, @KPaschal4

IT'S THE LALA VIBE FOR US (continued)

by Kelly Plourde

She recognizes that timing is everything when it comes to business and life in general. “If you don’t jump when that window of opportunity is there you will be stuck wondering what if?” She goes on to say, “Everything I’ve done aligns in some way with what I’m doing now.” Even her degree comes into play in ways she couldn’t have anticipated. “Something I don’t highlight is the fact that I speak Spanish. I love the language, it’s so beautiful to me.” With that knowledge she’s had the opportunity to connect with other cultures much more deeply in her travels, conversing with locals in Guadalajara as easily as youths in London where she traveled for her birthday, taking the piss out of Londoners of all ages, creating content for fans on her various social media platforms.

“I truly believe laughter is medicinal. I love being able to hone it and sharpen it and give it out for free.” (continued in Issue 2, vol 3)

DEREK BLANKS IS A 6-TIME TELLY AWARD WINNER

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – BRONZE WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, BRANDED CONTENT CRAFT – DIRECTING

BABY MAMA – BRANDY

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – BRONZE WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, SOCIAL VIDEO GENERAL – BEAUTY, FASHION & LIFESTYLE

ICY DRIP – MISSY ELLIOTT

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – BRONZE WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, SOCIAL VIDEO GENERAL – BEAUTY, FASHION & LIFESTYLE

CYNTHIA ERIVO: DR. FEELGOOD

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – GOLD WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, BRANDED CONTENT CRAFT – DIRECTING

WHY I STILL LOVE YOU – MISSY ELLIOTT

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – SILVER WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, BRANDED CONTENT CRAFT – DIRECTING

DRIP DEMEANOR – MISSY ELLIOTT

TELLY AWARDS 2021 – SILVER WINNER

DEREK BLANKS, BRANDED CONTENT CRAFT –

USE OF MUSIC

BABY MAMA – BRANDY

Issue 2 Vol 1: LALA MILAN

GET A NATURAL BDL LIKE LALA

the cred.

Starring: Lala Milan, @LaLaMilan

Photographer & Creative Director: Derek Blanks, @MrDBlanks

Fashion Stylist: Dedrick Thomas, @DedrickHhThomas for @HideokiBespoke

Makeup: Tony Stylez, @Tony_Stylez

Hair: Darius Boone, @Darius_Boone, @Eleven11Extensions

Words: Kelly Plourde, @K.Plourde19

Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele

Production: Chris Paschal, @KPaschal4

BTS Video Exclusive: Ian Shelby, @YungShellzSolomon

IT'S THE LALA VIBE FOR US

by Kelly Plourde

We caught a vibe, and it's on LaLa Milan's frequency. This multifaceted Academic received her BA from the U of NC, went on to get her cosmetology license and then jumped into a job in corporate America. This is when she began creating videos for YouTube and TikTok, several going viral and hitting views in the millions, her sense of humor landing her a following of 3.7 million on IG alone. This jump started her career in acting, landing the role of Tia Reid in "Boomerang", ‘Bambi’ in “Claws” with Neicy Nash, Angelica Ross and Karrueche Tran; recently hosting the Billboard Music Awards on NBC and also running her own successful podcast, “The Salon”.

Now adding CEO to her ever growing resume, LaLa is coming up like a rocket and she's helping others feel good along the way with her company, Fit Girl Bod, a Health and Wellness space for women looking to be their own kind of fit and have access to the same at-home workouts and easy meal planning that helped her gain weight, muscle and a natural BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift). We all love big butts…let’s be more like Sir Mix A Lot and not lie about it, LaLa is helping women achieve their own juicy booty without surgery and a little of the hard work that got her to where she is today.

”I created a hub for women who have overall fitness goals. This isn’t just for slim women looking to gain but for women looking to lose and to tone.” (continued in Issue 2, vol 2)

THE VISIONARY

by Kelly Plourde

His resume doesn’t just speak volumes, it shouts, in no uncertain terms, the high level of experience and natural talent that lay in this man’s capable hands. Arguably the most talented photographer of our generation, his widely acclaimed Alter Ego series showcased some of the most famous actors, musicians and sports figures (Brandy, Snoop, Nicki Minaj, Monique and Chaka Khan to name a few), with their ‘alter ego’ brought to life by the incomparable, Mr. Derek Blanks.

Not just an award winning photographer or creative director or producer, he’s a true artist; a master of many mediums, and as LaLa Milan stated, “…a Visionary.” Even before graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in illustration from MICA he was dabbling in the arts. His first passion being oil painting; he could often be found painting portraits in his garage where he grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.

“I used to paint and draw and listen to R&B. I’m an R&B-head; all those artists that I ironically ended up working with, Brandy, Monica, Toni Braxton, have been my soundtrack. I love the storytelling in the music, it’s what I draw a lot of my inspiration from.” Looking through Blank's portfolio, his work tells stories of strength, power, courage and also vulnerability and love. The stories that connect us, stories that inform us, that make us feel and think.

“I like to look at everything in life and in creating art like it’s a blank canvas. It’s totally up to you.” (continued in Issue 2, Volume 3)

BTS Video Exclusive: Ian Shelby, @YungShellzSolomon

Issue 1 Vol 3: LAUREN KETTERING

SERVING HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR

the cred.

Starring: Lauren Kettering, @LaurenKettering

Photographer: Steven Simone, @StevenSimione

Makeup: Jill Powell, @JillPowellGlam

Creative Director & Stylist: Brandon M Garr, @BrandonMGarr

Fashion Stylist: Taylor Orear, @TaylorOrear

Hair: Brandon Thompson, @b_yourstylist

Image Editor: Daniele Iachella, @Daniele.Iachella

Production: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT

Q: WHAT'S one weird thing you always keep in your bag?

“I always keep dog poop bags in my bag! As a dog mom you have to be prepared for it all.” - Lauren Kettering

from the creative team:

“Lauren is a natural in front of the camera. Her years as a dancer made her a natural beauty to photograph and I love when somenoe really knows how to deliver like that."

-STEVEN SIMIONE

(Photographer)

“I love Old Hollywood and referencing pop culture throughout the decades. I saw Lauren and wanted to give her a 60s vibe referencing Veruschka, Twiggy, and current makeup/hair trends while using modern garments and pieces.”

-BRANDON M GARR

(creative director & stylist)

"Modern Mod was the vision for this look-with matte white lids, a cut crease and bottom lash pieces I think we perfectly modernized the classic 60’s beauty trends for Lauren’s look. Lashes were customized using Ardell lashes, cut crease crested with One/Size pencil liner and perfected with Lime Crime liquid liner."

-JILL POWELL

(MAKEUP ARTIST)