Sunday, August 11, I attended the launch of CaLm Apparel NYC, an up-and-coming men's vintage clothing line.

The intimate affair held at Brooklyn Commons in downtown Brooklyn was hosted by the designers Cindy Alcantara and Laquana McNeil.

The ladies who share more than a clothing line are actual friends off-the-books. They attended Syracuse University together and were even college roommates.

The idea of starting a men's clothing line came to them in August 2012, after noticing that women received so much of the attention in fashion.

"Everyone's focusing on women, men need that love too," Laquana said.

It took Cindy and LaQuana a full year to launch CaLm because they wanted to make sure to present the best quality.

Speaking of quality, the hats and shirts are made of 100% embossed ostrich leather.

CaLm is for every age group, but the ladies wouldn't mind if artists like Chris Brown and Kanye West were rocking their stuff.

"We wanted to focus on a men's audience, only because we as women know what we want our men to wear and when you see one, the first thing that comes to you---is their physical appearance," Cindy said.

The year-long road to their official CaLm Apparel Launch was tough for Laquana and Cindy, admitting that they don't always see eye-to-eye on everything.

"Even if we don't sometimes agree, as long as the respect is there and we come with different ideas, we're fine," Laquana said.

Now in its 5th season, EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show positioned an eclectic ensemble of artists and a gathering of celebrities on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 during New York Fashion Week.

The celebs that stopped by to talk with What's The 411's Barbara Bullard were:

• Honoree Mikki Taylor who attended EMERGE! wearing Burberry. She indicated that she is following First Lady Michelle Obama's lead by wearing simple designs that go a long way.

• Actress Regina Taylor has written a play that will debut in September 2013.

• Actress/Comedienne Phyllis Yvonne Stickney developed a company with her brother. She will be going on tour soon and developing a program for youth.

• Glam Fairy Shari Manon from the Style Network indicated she is there to see new talent.

• Ruby Rubero wearing the designs of Hannefah M began her professional music career as the voice of the Bratz TV Cartoon Anthem titled "Se Siente" (Universal, Hip-O Music), which was also one of the highest selling cartoon albums internationally. Ruby is coming out with a new single, Runway, which is scheduled for release on March 12.

• Kim Roxie is the founder of the cosmetic line, Lamik. She is the youngest African American to have a cosmetic line in Macy's. Kim Roxie is honored to be an ongoing sponsor of EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show especially during African American History Month.

The featured designers of EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show's 5th season were:

Bishme Cromartie's collection is edgy sophistication; His well-constructed pieces owned the runway with incredible design elements. His collection was cohesive and yet unafraid to take risks. www.bishmercromartie.com

Parul Aneja's collection adorned the runway vibrant colors inspired by her homeland of New Delhi, the capital of India she specializes in wedding gowns, cocktail dresses, prom and evening wear dresses for women. www.parulaneja.com

Deidre Jefferies, ESPION Atelier - 'ESPION' French for the English word 'spy' Deidre Jefferies defines her design aesthetic as "the future of classic clothing." This strong, yet sexy collection embodied a sleek sophistication combining male and female elements into a luxury line committed to quality. www.espion.us.com

Bernice Morgan, Designersberg is a full line of beautiful African dresses custom made in a variety of materials including cotton prints, damask, lace and linens came down the runway with a fresh take on modern ethnic wear, Africa. www.designersberg.com

Butterfli Tia's swimwear collection 2-A-T came down the runway making a bold statement. Complete with sexy embellishments, highlighting well-crafted pieces and bold color choices.

EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show has become one of the top emerging designer platforms during New York Fashion week and has been consistent in providing a national outlet for emerging designers to showcase their work. Hundreds of designer submissions are reviewed by an elite designer committee, which selects some of the top designers from around the world.

Barbara Bullard contributed to this article.

What's The 411TV correspondent Crystal Henderson spoke with African fashion designers at the Elegance of Africa Fashion Show, which was held at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City.

First up is Okey Onugha, a Nigerian fashion designer specializing in men's fashions. He is followed by Sanemi, a 19 year-old fashion designer and student at the City College of New York, and Sir Charlezzzz of the House of Charlezzzz.

 WATCH VIDEO: ELEGANCE OF AFRICA FASHION SHOW

VIDEO: Beautifully Sustainable Brooklyn Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week displays an upcycled redesign of vintage clothing

What's The 411 TV Correspondent, Crystal L. Henderson, travels to Parks Slope Brooklyn to attend the Beautifully Sustainable Brooklyn Fashion Show.

It's New York Fashion Week and Ashley McAleavy, Founder and Designer, Remedy LLC, takes us on a journey through the redesign of vintage clothing. Everything old becomes new again through McAleavy's process of upcycling vintage clothing, revamping it so that it looks like it came from the hottest boutique. In effect turning what could be trash into real treasures.

Soledad Haren, Founder of Build a Better Planet discusses the need for sustainability strategies.

First-cousins Saffiyah Rodgers and Valerie Morrison grew up lending clothes to their girlfriends. In 2010, they combined their fashion and marketing backgrounds and came up with a closet.

"Our friends admired our style and always wanted to borrow stuff from our closet, so we decided to come up My Girlfriend's Closet."

Rodgers and Morrison spoke with What's The 411 TV's correspondent, Crystal Henderson during New York Fashion Week S/S 2013 at Stitch Lounge, where they celebrated the second anniversary of My Girlfriends Closet Boutique and unveiled their online campaign, My Glamorous Girlfriends.

My Glamorous Girlfriends represents five successful women--daring to be different, while embodying glamour.

The fab women-- Dr. Robi Ludwig (NBC Today Show & Huffington Post), Carissa Rosario (International Model & Model Genius), Angela Yee (Radio Personality on Power 105.1), Tiffany Banks (Plus Size Model & TLC's Big Sexy) and Brianna Colette (Recording Artist).

Dr. Robi Ludwig (so cool and down to earth) also stopped by to speak with us and expressed how thrilled she was to be a part of My Glamorous Girlfriends.

"I was invited to highlight my clothes during a media company (for My Girlfriend's Closet) and we had a great time that day. A bunch of ladies having a lovely time, and it was exactly what it needed to be."

Every girl wants something from her girlfriend's closet; be sure to visit www.gfcboutique.com!

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!

Nature-friendly fashion designer Michael Jerome Francis wants to make his fashion statement LOUD and clear- "Take the material, make beautiful clothes, and turn it into something of value." Francis, a socially- conscious designer with a heavy emphasis on capturing moments around him, tells his story of imagination and childhood through fashion. He uses what's there and recycles into something new, Couture.

Nearly two weeks after DeZign InterventionTM and Creative Director Barbara Bullard hosted and sponsored an event for Michael's signature line, Save The Bees, he's already working on a new project. In a phone interview with What's The 411 reporter, Crystal Henderson, he spills the beans on this latest work, birthplace of Save The Bees and advice to new designers breaking into the world of fashion.

Check out the interview below.

What are some of the current projects you're working now on?

"Right now I'm working on my 'Daddy Queen' collection. It is basically an exploration of my heritage and my relationship with my father. My approach through fashion is always through storytelling. I researched the history of Jamaica and it includes the natives who were the Indians."

"So in celebrating that, I am doing a lot of weaving pieces that will be made into dresses and even jewelry. I want to make beautiful clothes, but it always has to come from a place of intention."

Where did the concept of Save The Bees originate?

"I envisioned a world where gardens were the new mansions. It's so rare that people travel long distances to be in a garden. So, in this place- nature and attention to materials that are around you are more important because there's very little. I created a lot of pieces that could be mixed and matched. All of these women were coming into a place and they were women who just had collected things. They're in this place where they'reforced to wear something they make."

"The idea of flowers were made out of leather remnants. You know how you go into a leather store, and they have those booklets with just leather samples? They were actually made from those samples because actually what happened to those is that- they get disposed after a season. Giving those flowers new life was just really exciting. That was one of the features of Save the Bees that I am most proud."

How do you keep up with the demand to always appeal to the newest and latest trend?

"I feel like it should come to a place where that all slows down. Fashion is more iconic. I want to produce high art. I want to be able to make those pieces that are manufacturable like with 'Save The Bees.' I want to create those timeless pieces that you say to yourself-I don't want to get rid of this jacket!"

"In couture, you have to have intellect. It has to be formed, functioned, and it has to be told through a story. It is the birthplace of ideas in the ecology of fashion."

What do you say to an aspiring fashion designer who has a corporate job, but wants to follow their passion?

"I feel like there has to be a passion for a person's art. If you feel, you need to do it. It may be difficult, but if you really have that passion, you won't be happy until you actually giveit a shot. I always want to be in the game, no matter how successful I am or not, I just always want to be a part of it."

For personal inquiries, please contact Michael Jerome Francis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..