At the tender age of 31, Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges has lived more of his dreams than most people experience in a lifetime. His popularity is at an all time high. He’s earned industry acclaim. He’s traveled the globe. By all accounts he’s a legitimate actor, as his acting career is off to a fine start. He’s a successful entrepreneur. He’s established himself as a philanthropist. And to top it all off… are you ready for this? He actually maintains a normal relationship with his family (i.e. not the crazy Hollywood-type relationships that seem to dominate the headlines) to whom by the way he gives all the credit for keeping him grounded.

Ludacris is a young man with personal style that has as much to do with his deliberate choices as it does with designer labels. He is well dressed and has a penchant for well-made, couture gear. (He jokingly threatened to abscond with a pair of Prada sneakers he rocked in the photo shoot.) Still, when asked what he considers his best accessory, his response had nothing to do with clothes. He reflected momentarily, before saying, “My intuition and my heart. I care, and I have the ability to understand people’s needs and meet them.”

In 2001, The Ludacris Foundation was organized because Chris Bridges recognized that there are many youth in the Atlanta area in need of guidance to build a brighter future. The self-assured Ludacris, who began doing community outreach years ago during his stint as a disc jockey at a local radio station, admits that his initial involvement in community service was just about fulfilling a requirement. Over time however he grew to love the work. “I could see the impact,” he recalled.

Since starting the foundation, which consists of a team of 11, Ludacris has enlisted the... Read More →

If you missed it I’m here to put it in print, THERE IS A MICHAEL KORS BOUTIQUE IN LENOX MALL! Last year Lenox Square Mall welcomed Michael Kors into its family.  There is a great energy when simply walking by the store.  I have yet to realize if it’s the yummy colored accessories or the sweet sales people inside the shop that encourages one to enter.

Kors is known to many as the former Creative Director of the house of Celine, during his time with the French fashion house he revolutionized its accessory line and created amazing collections for them.  To others he is famous for being one of the judges on Emmy nominated reality show Project Runway, and there he is always armed with a witty comment waiting on the aspiring designers.  To fashionistas all over he is known as the man who gave us luxury sportswear. Entering the world of fashion at the young age of 19, Kors proved to be a force to be reckoned with.  In 1981 he launched his first women’s wear collection under his own label and has been working ever since.  In an industry where longevity is not a guarantee and a somewhat unrealistic goal Michael Kors has been able to consistently bring us fashion that counts.  He is showing us how to be a lot without being too much and over the top.  Although there is something fundamentally “New York” about Michael Kors, he is a designer that fits in every scenario and every location, even here in the Atl.  There is a piece for everyone in his collections and the sense of freshness and ease that comes with his clothes is undisputable.

In grad school I was once told that marketing was a brands external face and for that reason a solid marketing plan was imperative for the success and future of an entire organization.  The art of communication is not... Read More →