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)