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Editor’s Letter

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Winter 2019 | #YHMGetItDone

I recently came across an Instagram post that read “I need to figure my sh*t out and get back to creating some work I feel excited about.” I instantly felt the need to comment “same.” However, I would be admitting that I’m not so happy with how things are going.

So here it goes. I need a change which I often confuse with “I need a break.” Does that happen to you? There are times when I fall into a creative slump here on YHM. I feel the need to retreat and reflect, but to be honest, I regularly reflect on YHM. I think about what we get right and what we can do better all the time.

As we usher in the new year, I’m going to take all that reflection I did in 2018 and get stuff done. I don’t need a break. I need a change—a change of pace and a change of purpose. That’s why I’m committing to a New Year’s resolution of positive change.

A few weeks ago my church held an interactive Christmas event. I volunteered to help kids build a do-it-yourself Christmas tree ornament. Of course, I had to make one for myself! Inside each ornament was a handwritten prayer for 2019. My prayer asked God to get rid of anything in my life that’s not purposeful: actions, emotions, people, etc.

Out with the old; in with the new. In a nutshell, that’s my New Year’s resolution. I plan to do the same here on YHM. We’ve been sitting on some incredible stories and talents. It’s time to shine a huge light on the people, ideas, and movements shaping our world. Oh, I’m excited about this journey, and I’m even more excited to share it with you.

Until next time,
Yegide Matthews

Ana Laura Gives Us Glam-Casual For Fall Fashion

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Autumn is a complete game-changer in the fashion world. Whether you’re a fashion guru like Ana Laura, the curvaceous plus-size model in our 2018 Influencer Look Book, or you’re a laid back type of gal autumn is all about transition.

We know a thing or two about layering our favorite summer pieces, diving into darker hues, plotting holiday looks, and just leaving the house in the most comfortable pieces in our closet. Our annual look book collection covers just that.

First up in our look book series is Ana. Our girl models a glam yet casual look that can take you right into the holiday season. Ana’s sheer and fringe black top tucks away in a sleek burgundy leather skirt. She finishes off her look with simple black low-heeled boots and a fun “taxi” inspired purse.

We love Ana’s take on fall colors. Mix up your take on her chic pencil skirt with looks from Ann Taylor, Reiss, and Altuzarra. Her fringe top most definitely screams holiday parties. Shein, H & M, and Norma Kamali have a few selections we want to snag.

Join the conversation—show us your fall fashion looks on Instagram using our hashtag #YHMSTYLE.

Editor’s Letter

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Autumn 2018 | #YHM30DaysofThanks

Autumn is undeniably my favorite season. I love the crisp, visual expression of change that it brings here on the northeast. Amber colored hues adorn the city of New York like a perfectly hand-painted portrait.

During the autumn of 2009, I recall hopping into the computer lab located across the hall from my dorm room to start a Facebook page for YHM. I had no idea what was going to happen from that point on, but I’ve loved the journey ever since. That fall was my time for change and transition.

Since starting YHM, I’ve met amazing men and women—professionals and everyday people. I love celebrating the crazy amazing, fun, and empowering things people are doing around the world. From fashion to academics to art to social change, we talk about it because it matters to you.

Although YHM is eight-years-old, I think we’re just scratching the surface with what we can do and show you. While we whip-up some of the dreams and plans we have for you, let’s share delicious holiday and autumn dishes, talk fashion with our favorite new influencers, and share what’s on your hearts with our #YHM30DaysofThanks campaign.

Until next time,
Yegide Matthews
Editor-in-Chief

Editor’s Letter

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Summer 2018 | #YHMTravels

It’s hard to put into words the life-changing experience I had this past spring. I’m always thinking of the next “big thing” for the magazine, but sometimes life happens, and I can’t make the next “big thing” happen. Of course, I face obstacles rising entrepreneurs can nod to such as having a small team or having limited access to much-needed resources.

This past spring it wasn’t about my team or what we lacked; it was about my health. After suffering from on-and-off headaches for a few nights, I decided to look into my issue only to learn I was suffering from cluster headaches. It was a relief to know what was going on, but I was still terrified of the whole situation. Please take a moment to learn more about cluster headaches if you don’t know what they are.

After my diagnostic, I was on the road to “recovery,” that’s when all the next “big things” for YHM came creeping into my relaxing moments of headache-free days, weeks and now months! We didn’t post much—on social media or even on the site. My health came first; sadly my team and you, our readers, paid the price for that. My health scare made me realize more now than ever that I have to take a few duties off my plate.

I’m doing better, and I’m ready to get back into the swing of things. Team YHM is growing, and we’re looking for fresh talents to help us discover even more amazing stories.

Moreover, it’s summer, and I for one, am excited to hear from you. Head on over to our Instagram channel, and tell us about your stylish and adventurous summer vacations using the hashtag #YHMTravels. We’ll take notes, and share your fun-filled days and nights with everyone. Plus check back here for the hottest summer trends and fall fashion inspirations, including our next blogger lookbook collaboration in August.

There is a lot to talk about, so stay tuned.

Until next time,
Yegide Matthews

Editor’s Letter

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Spring 2018 | #YHMInTheMoment

Women are so inspiring! Men are too, but watching my fellow sisters do and achieve amazing things in life is awe-inspiring. I love that we, women, not only work hard to push ourselves forward, but we lift up our families, our best friends, and our communities with every achievement.

In February, I attended a luncheon hosted by Nolcha Shows for Aranyani, an India based luxury handbag company. I was seated at a table with like-minded fashion professionals and hobbyists. While we all came to rave over Aranyani’s fall/winter 2018 collection, our conversation effortlessly drifted to the things we do outside of the fashion world. As some of you know, I work full-time in the publishing industry at a foreign policy focused magazine. At the luncheon, I met college students, television hosts, non-profit entrepreneurs, and employees from the United Nations. These women were doing amazing things—I was kind of jealous! It was just the motivation I needed to make new goals while remaining true to myself.

It’s been officially spring for a few weeks, but here on the Northeast, it hasn’t felt officially like spring. Yet here we are, getting ready to switch things up and prepare for the summer. Spring is an interesting season. Everyone seems to be at the edge of their seat to change their minds, bodies, and life goals. It’s a season of transition and training. I completely agree with healthy changes and ditching bad habits, but I also don’t want to forget to take a moment and enjoy my accomplishments.

I understand that I can’t put a stop to all the “planning ahead” that you’re going to be doing this season, but I can dish up a few stories about the women who inspire the editors of YHM to keep moving forward. So while we await warmer spring to summer days, let’s chat about awe-inspiring women who live in the moment, give back to their communities, rock the best attires, give us #bodygoals vibes, and who simply just kickass.

Until next time,
Yegide Matthews

When You Think of Knitwear, Think of PH5

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PH5 goes beyond the limits of fashion to incorporate the use of technology into their state-of-the-art and year-round knitwear designs. We met up with co-founders Wei Lin and Mijia Zhang at their Autumn/Winter 2018 presentation during New York Fashion Week to talk more about their new collection which highlights the matriarchal system.

Lin and Zhang drew inspiration from The Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture group from the 1980’s. The group’s structural designs and use of bold colors left their customers thinking whether functionality and design can seamlessly coexist.

“People often think that if a design is too dramatic and too colorful it’s not functional anymore,” explains Zhang.

PH5’s leading ladies successfully tackled the challenges of balancing their bold designs and structural frameworks with the elements of comfort and wearability. The A/W18 collection plays with asymmetry, architectural shapes, and Post-modern expressive color similar to that of The Memphis Group’s art deco movement. The graphical and decorative pieces also feature pockets for added comfort which provides the functionality Lin and Zhang aimed for.

PH5 has shown us that there is more than one way to remix the traditional sweater. Rather than reaching for your basic black, white, or beige, cable-knit or chunky sweater, opt for a funkier knit that stands out rather than blends in.

Similar to us, PH5 also aims to connect women across the globe. So it’s no surprise that half of the models in their A/W18 presentation are real women.

Their street casting included Kahlana Barfield Brown, InStyle’s Fashion and Beauty Editor-at-Large; Nowell Boardman, pediatric NICU nurse at Georgetown Hospital; sculptor Dina Satti; De’Ara Balenger of the Hillary Clinton campaign; and two young women from Girls Who Code.

The models come from job titles of varying backgrounds, but share a commonality in strength and diligence. Lin explains that “it’s not about what you do; it’s about how you do it. If you have confidence in what you do, [if] you’re hardworking, and you care about what you do, then you’re our girl.

Every season PH5 refreshes our palettes with new colors and designs. Zhang says that their objective is to be bolder than the previous year and that it starts with a bit of fear. The fear comes from balancing their designs over the thin line of editorial versus commercial.

Nevertheless, they never let that hold them back from adding innovative elements to their garments and testing new designs. From designing on new silhouettes to testing new yarns and stitches, the duo tune out the critics and guidelines to remain faithful to their niche.

By Serée Joseph | Photos: Courtesy of PH5