man of the month pg.26
Jan./Feb. 2018
Editor's Note
Dress Kloset Kouture
@Amani_Sams
Happy New Year to all of our followers! We have so much in store for you guys this year. This issue is one of three that feature the cast of WAGS Atlanta. Be sure to read all three. Since this is the new year we have packed this issue full of Girl Boss inspiration and tips. We also have a sneak peek of what is to come in New York Fashion Week. Don't be shy,tweet me and let me know what you think.
Features pg. 17 read all about Kierra Douglas
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Creator/Editor-In-Chief Amani Sams Hair Anna Majew KC Woods Makeup Caress Stokes Interns Sidra Khan Kashia Wells Photographer Shaunelle Murphy
FASHION
Pretty Warm
Spruce up your wardrobe with these Winter essentials
The Facts about the Famous brand's Debacle
The H&M Debacle
Spruce up your winter wardrobe with these awesome statement furs.
9| Aman Magazine Jan./Feb. 2018
Elle Multi Faux Fur Coat Prettylittlething.com, $115
Royal KBoutique.com $60
WRITTEN BY: Kashia Wells
H&M came under fire when they released an image of a young black boy, Liam Mango, in a hoodie with the words “coolest monkey in the jungle” plastered on the front. The advertisement was met with strong reactions from twitter users to celebrities and activists alike. The tweet promoting the hoodie was removed from H&M’s page on January 7th after there was an outcry on the website regarding the racially insensitive ad. Celebrities including The Weeknd, Lebron James, Niecy Nash, Diddy, and many more have made public statements discussing their distaste for the advertisement. The Weeknd, who recently collaborated with the brand last September, went as far as to say that he has cut ties with the company entirely. Some activists have taken a different approach in showing their displeasure with the company. Two H&M stores in South Africa have been vandalized in protest to the advertisement. The group behind this attack is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The EFF is a radical organization seeking the reformation of economic policies in South Africa. Although their main goal is economic reformation, speaking out against racism is another issue that seems to be at the heart of the group. While many have criticized the poor judgment of the company, there have been some differing opinions. In an interview with This Morning, Liam Mango’s mother, Terry Mango stated she has had first hand experiences with racism, even being called a monkey herself on a cruise ship. Mango made it clear that she does not believe one can overreact when it comes to racism and completely understands the passionate reaction over such an important topic. However, she did not find an immediate issue with the image until controversy had erupted. H&M has since removed the article of clothing from the website and issued an apology on January 9th addressing the public’s concerns and taking full ownership for overlooking and mishandling such a delicate topic. They acknowledged that they did in fact make a mistake with his advertisement and stated, “even if unintentional, passive or casual racism needs to be eradicated wherever it exists.
Girl Boss
WITH EVERYONE BEING SO BUSY AND STARTING BUSINESSES, EVERYONE MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME TO READ THE BEST BOOKS. SO WE FOUND THE BEST GIRL BOSSES TO LISTEN TO ON THE GO. YOU CAN ACCESS THESE PODCASTS RIGHT ON YOUR PHONE.
13| Aman Magazine Jan./Feb. 2018
Modern Entrepreneurs with Monica Garrett Brand strategist and entrepreneur Monica Garrett created a podcast that gives listeners a personal look inside the life of a female entrepreneur.
The Classy Career Girl Anna Runyan Offers female entrepreneurs a variety of training sessions and inspiring success stories.
She Means Business Carrie Green A podcast of successful female entrepreneur stories. The topics range from talking blogging to the next level to building a successful jewelry line.p>
With the new year having just begun and New York Fashion Week coming up soon, now is the time that women everywhere are changing up their wardrobes and trying to figure how they can incorporate the new editorial trends into their everyday looks. It is no secret that the way you dress says a lot about you. Your fashion can tell people not only whether you are a business professional or a fashionable college student, but it can also signify a lot about your personality and dictate the type people that you attract. For many women, it is difficult—if not impossible to make ‘catwalk fashion’ workable in their everyday attire. Firstly, the cost of many featured items tends to be a months rent! Not only that, but high-end, editorial fashion is rarely acceptable as office wear. However, no matter your profession or budget, there are certain looks that never go out of style and are easy to do!
Monochromatic Looks:We have all heard that you can never go wrong with black-on-black. It’s sleek, stylish, sophisticated, and makes it look like you put in a lot of effort when you really didn’t. However,it doesn’t have to stop there.If you find all black to be a bit bleak, a monochromatic look in any color has the same stylish appeal with a splash of fun! Wearing one color head to toe is chic and completely on trend. Boss Lady Blazer:A woman wearing a blazer is a woman who gets things done. Adding a blazer to any outfit immediately increases the level of sophistication and ‘bad-assery’ two-fold! Whether in an office setting, a classroom, or on a date, a blazer shows that you are a woman who is about her business and cannot be messed with.Pro-Tip: Add a pair of pumps to kick it up another notch! Tuck It In:Take a basic look and make it stylish simply by tucking your shirt in. Tucking your top in all the way around makes you appear clean cut and put together. Leave some of the shirt hanging out to show that you are comfy, cute, and unbothered.
let your clothes make a statement
Kierra Douglas is more than a pretty face, she’s the ultimate girl boss. At just a young age she’s accomplished so much. She is the wife of Harry Douglas of the Tennessee Titans and mom to one year old Harrison. She is a former Falcons and Hawks cheerleader and was crowned Mrs. Georgia International in 2014. Douglas is currently the owner of Just Dance Studio and performing Arts, and Kloset Kouture Boutique. I recently sat down with the new star of WAGS Atlanta to discuss the show and her new endeavors and this is what she had to say.
Kierra Douglas
Photographs by Shaunelle Murphy
WRITTEN BY: Amani Sams
I love dance, I have been dancing since I was a little girl. I actually opened the business when I was 20. This year was the first year that I wasn’thands on the way I usually am. I was traveling, I also live in Nashville as well. {I hope} to make a difference in youngkid’s lives and spread my love for dance. The boutique is also something that I absolutely love. It is so much fun. It’s more of a peaceful place to get my mind off of the craziness. Every woman loves to shop, so it’s my way to kind of escape from all the craziness but still do something that I love and turn it into a business. I am hoping to be able to take Klose Kouture to the next level and reach new clients to put us on the map and let everyone know what we are all about. Tell us about your annual Holiday Sip & Shop at Kloset Kouture Boutique. It’s something that we do every year around Christmas time. I know the holidays are a crazy time for shopping so we try to provide a holiday shopping experience for our clients and at the same time we usually tie it to an organization so that we are able to give back around the Holiday season to those that are less fortunate. This year we did my husbands foundation which is The Douglsa Brothers Foundation and we were able to collect toys. So people were able to shop and sip and get some good discounts while also making a difference in a kids life.
I think with that scene viewers kind of have to keep an open minded remember that everything that we do on the show has a purpose and it’s all in fun. I know a lot of people were like “What?! I can’t believe Hope came dressed like that and she had those cucumbers at that party” but it was all in fun. Her outfit was really cute even though it may not have fit the setting. At the end of the day I think everything worked together and it was very entertaining and I hope the viewers found it entertaining as well. We’re celebrating Girl Bosses like you in this issue. How do you define the term girl boss and what makes a woman powerful? Girl Boss is pretty much what WAGS Atlanta is. We are full of nothing but modern day girl bosses. I would just say a girl boss is someone who is independent, someone who is a go getter, someone who is pretty much going to get out there and grind and make things work. I feel like we as women are powerful because we can do that. We can balance everything. We’re able to create life for goodness sake and we can balance doing that. Having a family, being a wife, having a career, being an entrepreneur, being a socialite. It is in our genetics. It’s the way that God created us. We are superwomen. So, I think a girl boss is any woman out there trying to make it happen and make a better lives for themselves and impact a generation. Let’s talk about your businesses. What are your goals for “Just Dance Studios” and “Kloset Kouture” this year?As a mom, a wife, and a new tv personality it is a lot you know. So this year my goal is to actually focus on my businesses.The past year has been crazy with being on WAGS Atlanta and being a wife and mom. So I’m hoping this year to really focus and drive those two businesses and take them to the next level. With the studio again THAT THIS MY PASSION.
Wife, Mom, Boss
What are your thoughts about the cucumber scene in the first episode? The party was fun and just to get her mind off of Jay Jay being away. The cucumber scene was funny. I know a lot of people were tooting their nose and was like.. “Why do you have Cucumbers at your house girl? “ It definitely wasn’t my sort of thing, It wasn’t something I would have gone out and organized but it turned out to be absolutely hilarious. They didn’t really show a lot of the funny parts that went on but there was some very very funny commentary and some very very funny visuals that occurred as you can probably imagine.
What was your experience like on the first season of WAGS Atlanta and what can fans expect? OMG, My first experience with WAGS this season has been like a roller coaster honestly. We had a lot of fun doing it , but this was my first [time] being on a reality show. And putting your life out there for the world to see, so it was a little nerve racking but it was a labor of love. A lot of work went into it a lot of sacrifice and putting your schedule on hold to make time to film but at the end of it all I’m so glad I did it and I feel like it is going to open so many doors. This season of WAGS you are going to see a little of everything. It’s really family oriented so you will see a little bit of the family side of things which is different from the other franchises. You’ll get to see the different things we get to go through with couples and relationships, and you’ll get to see the struggles we go through just as women; as far as reaching our goals and achieving our dreams and just trying to balance it all and make life fit. Basically the sisterhood we have as a WAG and in Atlanta what it’s like. And I hope it has a positive impact.
Harrison is adorable on the show. How do you juggle business and motherhood? Any tips for mom entrepreneurs? I’m still trying to figure that out. It is a day to day struggle but I feel like at the end of the day you have to know it’s not easy and sometimes you can’t be superwoman. Some days I feel like I am on top of the world and I can do it all and its easy and some days I just want to sit down and cry because it is so much with trying to be a wife, mom, and balance businesses .and this new venture of tv. It is a lot sometimes but as long as you’re real with yourself.A lot of times you can look on Instagram and social media and you’re seeing these people that are making it look so ridiculously easy and it seems like they have it all. You can be kind of hard on yourself. But you have to realize that everyone is different and their situation is different and you kind of have to sit back and prioritize and it’s okay to ask for help. That was my biggest thing. I thought about trying to get a nanny or putting my child in day care. I wanted to have her at home with me in addition to the billion other things that I did. And I finally got down to the point where I said You know what..it’s okay. She is almost two now. I am not a bad mother because I need a nanny or because I want to put her in day care. We as women have to remember that we can do it all but every day is not a superwoman day and sometimes you need help.
@misskierraa
Describe your style. OMG! I am into a little bit of everything. As a boutique owner of course I have to keep up with whatever the latest trends and styles are but me personally I just like whatever is cute. I like things that are different and that have a contemporary feel to them. Something sleek, elegant, sophisticated, and edgy at the same time but I am a dancer so athletic wear and sweat pants and sneakers are my everyday go to. I love to dress it up from time to time but as a dancer and a studio owner I’m in the studio so much I like to just be comfortable. Just leave the heels at home and put on the sneakers or the slides and just enjoy being free girl. What is your next venture? Ariel and I have a new venture that we are working on. It is called S2. It’s just a brand that involves sisterhood and fitness and lifestyles and life in general. We’re working on our blog right now and a couple of other things that’s connected to our brand up our sleeve but you’ll just have to wait and see.
Wags Atlanta airs Wednesday nights on e!
For all you ladies who want to start your own business, then check out MarieForleo.com. The website gives useful tips and business lessons for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business and be their own boss. In a 2014 study, Americans rated their female employees are more engaged than their male bosses, regardless of the women’s age or whether they have kids. Women are better at leadership but unfortunately, they don’t get paid as well as their counterparts. They don’t even get the positions that they are applying for because they are a woman instead of a man. In a male dominated society, it is very difficult for a woman to show that what she is trying to do is best for the company and that she can be a way better boss than any man. There are a lot of changes that need to be made before men and women can go for the leadership positions. The idea of what a boss looks like needs to be reconsidered because men can’t do everything. There might be some qualities that the company is looking for in their boss that only a woman can do.
Everyone needs tips and advice when they are trying to become a boss of something. A well-known CEO of online and mobile platform, StyleSeat, Melody McCloskey suggests that you should find someone who is on a career path you admire and someone you would like to learn from on a regular basis. When finding a mentor can be helpful because they can help you in your goal in many different ways, and they can even show tremendous insight in helping the person advance in their career path. Another tip from Melody McCloskey is to be a good listener. Now in this time and age, people forget to stop and listen to what is being told to them. A boss has to be able to listen to what the employees have to say because who knows, maybe their suggestions may advance the company for the better.. If you as the boss don’t listen, then the employees would think that you don’t care what they have to say. There are many useful tips and websites out there for women who want to be a boss. If you want to grow your network, then Levo.com is very good. Levo lets women make their own profile to showcase their skills and connect with other women who might be the same career goal.
WRITTEN BY: Sidra Khan
Women are known for being housewives and mothers. If they want to show that they too can be a boss and leader of a company, then society should let them, not criticize them because the working force is mainly for men. Today, more and more women are becoming independent and showing everyone that they are no different than a man. While men are better at managing workplace stress, women outperform male on four out of the five areas of strong leadership; communication, innovation, supportiveness, and goal-setting.
More Power To the woman
Being a female boss at a well-known company or even a small company can be intimidating. When there are male bosses around, then they feel like they have more power or can show their strengths in the workplace. Despite the stereotypes that women are not good at anything and can’t do what men can do, women are breaking those stereotypes and going forward to taking up male roles like being a boss of a very successful company. Women make better bosses than men because they are very intuitive and spontaneous when they have to do something. When women take up male positions like being a boss, they are punished for being as strict and aggressive like men are to their employees. Women are penalized for exhibiting social behaviors that’s perceived outside of the “female norms.”
Bottoms ran a close race with opponent Mary Norwood. However, She was endorsed by many of Atlanta's elite such as T.I., Tiny, Kandi Burruss, Killa Mike, Ludacris, and former mayor Kasim Reed. Tuesday night she gave an amazing victory speech to all her supporters at her watch party. "For all the little girls out there, who need somebody to believe that you're better than your circumstances, I want you all to remember that Black Girl Magic is real," Bottoms said. "And across this city, we got Black Girl Magic, we got Black Boy Magic, we got White Girl Magic, we got White Boy Magic, we have Brown Girl Magic, Brown boy Magic and everything in between. This is a city for all of us and I'm so honored to be your 60th mayor." We here at Aman Magazine can't wait to see all the amazing things that Bottoms contributes to the great city of Atlanta in the future.
Atlanta's Ultimate Girl Boss
Keisha Lance Bottoms
New Year New Mayor
