In honor of African-American History month, I'd like to salute a pioneer representing African American women in the Arts. Dorothy Dandridge an actress and singer; was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Carmen Jones. She was pretty fabulous inside and out. Who will you slaute on this final day of African-American History month?

I recently read an article in what I believe to be my holy grail, Vanity Fair. The article written by Frank DiGiacomo centers around Ryan Kavanough; CEO and founder of Relativity Media - the fairly new film financing company responsible for silver screen gems such as American Gangster, Burn After Reading, The Tale of Despereaux, 3:10 to Yuma and my personal favorite,The Hangover. Over the past six year that Relativity has been in existence, the super company and it's 35 year-old founder and CEO have financed over 10 billion dollars in movies. If you're into the Hollywood game, movies or just plain money alone, this is a substantial feat - particularly for a company that is still emerging. Anyway, after delving deep into the article, Kavanough reveals part of the method to his madness. Having started his own private hedge fund (that failed) by the age of 22, Kavanough's background is clearly rooted in finance. You're probably wondering how some schmuck that tanked his hedge fund ended up developing one of the film industries most talked about and profitable financing company (they've never lost more than 2M on a film and almost always turn a profit). Well this smart cookie and his crew developed a strategic risk analysis program that takes into account all aspects of a movie (A-list star, creative vs. blockbuster, etc.) they've been given, puts it into this program that spits out a yes or no go on the script. Freaking AMAZING! Honestly, I was reading this article on the NJ Transit and my jaw dropped. Who would have thought to use a program similar to the genius closet in Clueless to decide whether a movie is worth a green light.

As this article began to sink in, I started to think of risk assessment in everyday life. What's the risk of going out tonight even though I have work tomorrow at 8AM? I can go out but not drink and be fine or I can stay home with my dog and watch re runs of Seinfeld. Whatever it may be, my question is, can someone please come up with a risk assessment program for the everyday person? For the girl who's dating a few guys and needs to pick one but just can't figure out who would be the right one. Or what about when you're out shopping and you see that amazing pair of Bally shoes you've been harping over, buy or not buy? What are the exact consequences of buying these beautiful shoes? I know these all seem like silly and vapid questions that don't really require a risk assessment program but for the sake of the whimsical manner of my blog, I won't get into deeper topics. I'm sure you get my drift. I'm just saying, wouldn't it be nice to have an iPhone App that assessed your risk?

You can read the great and informative article here.

Comic courtesy of Professor McGill

Do you ever get the feeling there's something waiting on the other side of the horizon for you? Today while I was coming back from a mini getaway in Philadelphia, I felt just that. As I was strolling through the N,R station at 34th street, I began to feel completely light on my feet. As if something big is going to happen and completely change my life. Whether it was the fairy-tale like, civilian turned movie star article on Ali McGraw I'd just read in this month's Vanity Fair or the possible career changing job I've been slaving over for the past week, there was something in the air.

I'm not one to be into the spiritual energies of the world and all that stuff but I think I have something on my side right now. For some reason I feel like I'm going to be O.K. And you should too.

One thing I can honestly and truthfully lobby for is positive thinking. There was a point in my life where "positive thinking" seemed as feasible as climbing Mt. Everest in a pair of patent leather Louboutins. But once I conquered my fear of not succeeding, I actually started to succeed! And even when I wasn't thriving I was waiting for the next challenge with my boxing gloves in tow.

There isn't enough positive energy in the world anymore, so as you begin your week, try putting a little positive energy out there. Don't worry, come Tuesday you can go right back to being your cynical self. But who knows, maybe you'll enjoy your new rosy disposition.

To quote Tu Pac Shakur, "Keep ya head up." You'll be surprised how much your life will change.

Now please enjoy some shots from a campaign I assistant styled on for an Italian company called Gherardini. You can also find the ad in this month's Vogue Italia!

Have a fantastic week!

Yes, these are mannequins. I named her Victoria, she's a sophisticate!

This was shot in the same suite in the Chelsea Hotel that Madonna wrote "Truth or Dare" in. We all wore hazmat suits!

Notice the fabulous matching doggie accessories!

xoxo

-Z

So I haven't blogged in over week. My life has gotten increasingly crazy by the day. Between turning 25, throwing the party of the century, fashion week, the death of the one and only Alexander McQueen and my first solo major styling job, I have been quite busy.

A while ago I talked about my photo shoot with the lyrical artist that is Dash Speaks for his newest LP Geography. Well the pictures are in! So until I can sit down for moment without thinking about what kind of socks I'm using for my shoot next week, I'll leave you with my five favorite pictures. Location is everything so we had a great time shooting at The New York Public Library, Grand Central Station and Central Park. These were styled and directed by me and photographed by my dear friend Kendra Heisler. Enjoy!

My personal favorite. Look at the illuminating blue!

I'm staring out my window into a white abyss. That's all nice and dandy.

In other news, have you heard of a website called AshleyMadison.com? I learned of this website a couple months back. A late night commercial came on MTV. Two relatively good looking people are having a romp then a rather plump woman comes in the room causing the other women to run away like a wild banshee. Next thing you know, the plump woman is sitting on the man and the commercial prompts a slogan, "Should have used Ashley Madison." Naturally, my curiosity forced me to check out this site. AshleyMadison. com is wait for it....a website that helps people in committed relationships have discreet affairs! Um, what is our world coming to?! Apparantly these commercials frequent on ESPN so we know their target audience.

I understand that people may want to branch out (not something I would EVER do) but a website devoted to helping people cheat! They're blatantly promoting infidelity. Their slogan is "Life is short. Have an affair." I just can't believe it. No, I can believe it. What I can't believe is that this trash is actually advertised on cable. Seems like something for public access. Remember Robin Byrd?! Channel 37 or something. God, that is so 90's.

As of now the commercials have been pulled from ESPN but they're clearly still being aired on other channels. I swear this is robbing Americans of little respect we have left.

One thing I can say, the commercials are pretty entertaining.

O.K. so I'm not one to advocate for music, I'll most likely review it and send you on your way but this, this I must rave about. I present you with the Wu Tang vs. Beatles mixtape; "Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers." This fantastic & mystical piece of work produced by Tom Caruana will take you to a place where O.D.B. and Ringo share a peace pipe while Method Man and Paul McCartney bake brownies.  I have no idea who Tom Caruana is but I'm a believer. I think the sound bites of Beatles fans and Raewkon singing "Love Me Do," are what really make this special. Unlike "The Grey Album," the Magical Mystery Chambers fuse similarities between the two groups. You'd be surprised how much The Wu and The Beatles have in common. It's pretty freaking great! You'll have to join the Tea Sea Records website but it's totally worth it. Let your magical journey begin!

Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers

Last year I had the opportunity to meet George Lois. If you don't know who this man is, you're about to find out. He's pretty remarkable. Not just because when I met him he informed me that Warhol got his soup can idea from him. You're probably thinking, "Yea, O.K.." Believe it or not, he probably did. Even if he didn't, Mr. Lois is a phenomenal man. Being an advertising freak, I look up to him. Since the '50's this he has managed to develop some of the most important advertising/branding ideas of our time. Lois is the man behind Esquire's creative development, creating Robert Kennedy's winning senatorial campaign, saving MTV with the slogan "I Want My MTV," and making Tommy Hilfiger a number one brand with just one ad, we can learn a lot from him.

I find it interesting to look at his style of advertising, he completely engages the consumer, which is something we forget these days. Isn't engagement and developing a relationship with the sonsumer the point of advertising? His influence didn't just sell a product or win an election, it shaped the direction pop culture was destined for. MTV was failing before Lois came in and he used a slogan adapted from one of his previous campaigns for cereal, "I Want My Maypo" (1969). He saw a generation that had grown up and fed off their love of music while still keeping it familiar. The consumers ate it up.

I just don't see this type of consumer engagement anymore, other than Apple, most major companies aren't engaging the consumer. All they're trying to do is sell, sell, sell. BORING. I won't go on an advertising rant because that's not what this is about. This is about honoring a man the New York Times penned for "triggering advertising's Creative Revolution of the 1960's." Talk about Don Draper.

I've chosen some of his work but definitely check out his website because the man has done so much, I couldn't post it all!

George Lois, you're the man!

Ad & logo photos courtesy of George Lois website.

One of my favorite things to do is snap pictures of interesting people on the train with my phone. This lovely couple is my favorite. I love the color play between the two and the fact they were strangers (notice green bow-tie guy reaching for his card in the last photo).

This is the the first of many. Enjoy!

Last night while I was getting on the train, I was walking towards a seat and this guy walked across me and sat in the seat I was going for. If you know me, I of course gave him a scowl that should make him shake in his way too new air force ones. But for some reason, he looked me straight in the eye, grinned and got back to his business. This was rude. Any way you put it, this guy has no manners. Of course a man should always offer his seat to a woman or elderly person. But this was especially rude because he saw me going for the seat. I know you're thinking I'm referring to men vs. women manners. No. I'm talking about us all. No one has manners anymore! I don't expect the whole world to love each other and have one big orgy but the least we can do is be respectful of the people around us.

Here are a few NYC etiquette tips from me (feel free to add your own):

1. Refrain from eating fish or any pungent meal on the train, there's only so much air per car.
2. Don't whistle or holler at women on the street, maybe offer to buy them a cup of coffee instead.
3. Turn down your headphones while in transit, not everyone wants to hear death metal at 8 AM.
4. Don't gab on your phone while on the steps leading into the train.
5. Ride your bike on the street, not on the damn sidewalk!
6. Please, DO NOT test out your ringtones on the train.

I have loved "Love" magazine since they debuted with The Gossip's Beth Ditto on their first cover. Their second covered featured Iggy Pop so I knew their third would be a knockout. If you're a fashion slave like me or just enjoy hot naked ladies, Love's next series of covers will blow your mind. Out February 8th, the U.K. based magazine will release eight different covers featuring top models Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Kristen McMenamy, Amber Valleta, Natalia Vodianova, Daria Werbowy, Janeil Williams and Lara Stone shot by the illustrious duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot of Art Partner. Labeled "Style Icons" by Love, each cover also includes the model's age, measurements, height, shoe size, and place of origin. I must commend Fran Burns (editor in chief) and Katie Grand (stylist extraordinaire) for their concept, putting the ladies' vitals right out in the open. Check out the age of some of theses women, you'll be forced to immediately hit the gym! Wish I'd thought of it first. Enjoy the photos and make sure to pick up a copy of Love on February 8th. With all our iconic magazines fading fast, we need some hope!