Entertainment
Bigger Than Sneakers Academy teams up with design legend Aaron Cooper to create a new sneaker – Andscape
Bigger Than Tennis is all about culture.
Its co-founder Matt Tomamichel recently began cooperation with a footwear and clothing brand EQLZ in the colours of the new Bigger Than Tennis x EQLZ 247 “North Star” basketball shoes. Unlike last yr’s collaboration with Jordan Brand, the sneakers were designed by academy students.
There are sneakers sold online at Corporate Got Em for $180 and a part of the proceeds will go to BTS Academy.
The BTS Academy is a free, three-week summer session for 14 highschool students. They receive roughly 60 hours of programming. This yr’s session focused on branding, marketing, materials, apparel and footwear design. As a part of the ultimate project, students collaborated to create their very own brands. Each day they focused on different topics and listened to guest lecturers who work in the sector.
Founded in 2018, EQLZ has established itself within the performance footwear segment. When creating the most recent 247 model, the corporate wanted to create basketball shoes that will be an extension of the human foot. In particular, the design team includes several industry veterans Aaron Cooperwho, during his 25 years at Nike, designed distinctive basketball shoes for basketball stars LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett and others.
Tomamichel first connected with Cooper on Instagram a few years ago. “I showed him respect and told him what I was doing here, and he really liked it,” Tomamichel said. “(Cooper) basically gave us every chance. He said, “I believe in you, I trust you, where you are going.” The design legend spent a while in Cincinnati before asking Tomamichel if the academy wanted to produce the shoe.
“Of course I do,” Tomamichel said. “We didn’t plan it (this way), but yes, let’s do it.”
In an email to Andscape, Cooper said programs like Bigger Than Tennis are “extremely important” to the following generation of footwear professionals. He believes that children need more equal opportunities and tries to help wherever he can.
In June, the designer brought a white version of the sneakers to the academy. After the lecture, he tasked the scholars with creating a story and color scheme. “It was a hands-on job for Cooper,” Tomamichel said. “He came in, taught it, and the kids just took it in.”
Cooper said multiple teams of scholars worked together to present their ideas, and at the tip everyone voted on the one they felt most spoke to their needs.
As a part of the design process, students also had to persuade all the class that their design was possible. “If they still had any questions or needed help after a thorough Google search, I was there to help them and provide answers,” Cooper said. Because he mentioned the “North Star” several times during his presentation, students expanded on this concept, identifying the shoe’s name as a tenet to help align with what “really matters to you.”
The Bigger Than Tennis x EQLZ 247s “North Star” is black with shades of purple to represent the night sky. Sparkles on the shoe’s outsole symbolize stars, while blue and pink were added to represent gases within the sky.
When the scholars showed Tomamichel what they’d, he was impressed. After the pitch, Cooper began his development phase. “He basically designs everything in the shoe,” Tomamichel said. “He knew what would work and what wouldn’t work, and then he put it together.”
Quinn Smith, a student on the academy, said selecting colours to convey the message was a difficult a part of the design process. “(We wanted) to make sure that the message could be interpreted without having to say too much or that there wasn’t too much to say,” she said.
Another student, Chase Harpold, shares her sentiment. “It was difficult to translate everyone’s ideas into sneakers and create an easy-to-wear and cohesive color that clearly represented our story.” Harpold said he knew the project was complete when “everyone agreed it was the best final product we could design.”
Samiya Oyeyemi, who worked with Smith and Harpold, found the colour palette easy. The real challenge was constructing the shoe. “We had so many different ideas and inspirations and we all wanted to put an aspect of our beliefs into the shoe,” she said.
All three agreed that the ultimate product closely reflected their initial design goals. Smith said their success is just not just a victory for the academy, “but for people all over the world.” Oyeyemi found that the efforts of designing a shoe paled as compared to working with her peers. “Even when we had moments where we struggled to come up with the concept of the shoe, we had a great time working as a team and designing it,” she said.
Cooper understands the ability of sneaker design. “I was inspired to become Nike’s first intern in 1994 because I also believe it is bigger than sneakers,” he said. “I have seen how shoes inspire communities to come together, share stories and break down barriers.”
The feedback from students and the opportunities it has created are a large a part of why Tomamichel founded Bigger Than Tennis. As an adopted person, he considers himself very lucky to have family and friends. His tenet is to support others and provides back to society.
“I want people to feel that their dreams can come true,” he said. “They haven’t got to live within the shadows and say, ‘Man, I’ve all the time wanted to do that, but I’ve never done it.’ I prefer to encourage quite than tell someone they shouldn’t do something. I’ve heard way an excessive amount of about it.”
@shotbydubs/Kevin Watkins
Executive director Natalie Morean said each student can only attend the academy once, but she supports children after they complete this system. Former students return as peer mentors for current students, and the academy provides other volunteer opportunities all year long.
“We don’t want to spend three weeks with you and then push you out the door,” Morean said. “We want to consciously decide how we create relationships with students.”
Bigger Than Tennis is a nonprofit organization that relies on fundraising, corporate sponsorships and grants. Morean said the cash goes primarily to students. The organization feeds them on daily basis, takes them on field trips and offers them an iPad that they will keep after the three-week session.
The BTS Academy is positioned in Cincinnati, with plans to expand to Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio. Tomamichela The corporation has themfootwear and clothing boutique, has locations in all three cities.
Morean wants “sustainable and intentional growth,” but believes they’ll proceed to limit the number of scholars to about 14. “I think it’s a really good choice,” she said. “It’s still a small enough place where you can get to know all the students individually… but as we continue to grow, I definitely think the capacity should expand as well.”
Tomamichel praised Morean for Bigger Than Tennis’ progress. “In 2020, I felt like people needed something positive. I started praying that Bigger Than Tennis would have a better structure to make everything work,” he said. “The next week I met Natalie and within two months she was a director.”
Morean, who earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and leadership from the University of Georgia, has worked with students and youth programs for years. She shared her inspirations with laughter.
“I grew up as the oldest of four children and was always around my younger siblings,” she said. “I just really enjoyed being a big sister, maybe it will make me have a career.”
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
India Shawn
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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