ISMSK PRESENTS, “I AM LIGHT”
I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying, “I’m my sister’s keeper”, but you may have never seen it presented through fashion form. We are still on a high from the amazing event that happened Mother’s Day weekend!! We can all probably say we have been starved from our usual connections in the industry due to Covid, so this outdoor Mother’s Day tribute was a very special way to dip our toes back into the fashion event scene.
I’m Still My Sister’s Keeper was created and spearheaded by none other than the amazing LaTonya Baker, founder/producer and owner of #ISMSK and also CEO of Tyresia’s Boutique Too.
How did “I’m Still My Sister’s Keeper”, come to be? Latonya Baker took a really rough time in her life and channeled her depression, eventually turning her pain into her passion. She has always had a love for fashion, but after her mom’s untimely passing, she and her sister creating Tyresia’s Boutique in their mother’s honor. LaTonya was later inspired to create Tyresia’s Boutique Too. It was befitting for a fashion show to launch her new boutique. “Sister’s Keeper” introduced the Boutique to the world in Memphis that year. The following year LaTonya decided to have another go at her new found passion after having much success the first show. With the help of loved ones and her right-hand woman, Shaterri Dotson, LaTonya moved and brought part two, “I’m Still My Sister’s Keeper” #ISMSK, to Atlanta for a sold-out show. This year the theme was bringing Awareness to Depression and women’s struggles with things like self-love, and low self-esteem. After two very successful events, LaTonya decided to make this an annual affair.
This year’s theme was “I Am Light”, and super appropriate for the occasion. Year five represents the start of something new for LaTonya and #ISMSK. LaTonya’s first few years were very different as she started with little to nothing. Since year one, generational struggles have been broken. Financial strains are gone, weight-loss surgery helped her gain control of her health, she learned to love herself completely, and worked to become an example for empowering women by promoting a true positive sisterhood. This year LaTonya was able to build an amazing team to assist her in bringing her vision to light. The #ISMSK team shined brightly this weekend and definitely made their Mother proud. If you were not present, you missed a real treat. You can definitely count on #QueenSizeMagazine to keep you in the loop.
Latonya Baker and the entire #ISMSK team, made it possible for us to experience an amazing event with non-stop entertainment, empowerment, and accolades given to honor those making an impact within the community. From a show-stopping host, jamming DJ, talented entertainment, impactful honorees, great food and drinks, on trend vendors, to worthwhile giveaways, we absolutely couldn’t have asked for more.
Host:
Event Hosted and Co-produced by: The Beautiful MSNICKEE #MsNickeeTheBrand all one word, no spaces no period, brought the house down with her full of life commentary, wit and charm, and her ability to keep us all engaged at all times. Her spot-on sense of humor and lively personality had us all locked in no doubt!! She fancied attendees with her amazing presence and carefully thought-out presentation. Her skill to command a stage while working a crowd was wonderful to watch. She was definitely on point ensuring a smooth flow for the evening. Also, in the roles of co producer and model coordinator, MSNICKEE truly outdid herself with a production that flowed like wine. MSNICKEE is also the owner of @divadayinternational and @youseeitneyeware, as if she doesn’t already wear many hats. Make sure to check out all she has to offer when you leave here.
Entertainment:
For entertainment we had a vocal tribute of I Am Light”, by India Arie which was part of the inspiration for the theme of this year’s event.
We also had a very heartfelt poem recited to exemplify the importance of true sisterhood. A finale closed the show with presentations of the gorgeous models draped in garments fit for queens, and Queens the absolutely were.
Models:
How can I describe the #ISMSK models without sounding down right bias? Oh, what the heck!! They were ALL amazingly awesome! How often can you get that many different diva personalities larger than life together and it flow as perfect as it did? I'll tell you how!! MSNICKEE of @divadayinternational. The team did a superb job in casting and getting this crew prepared. The level of professionalism and class was unparalleled!!! All models came ready to work and slayed the runway like it was just another walk in the park!!!!
Designers:
There is no great fashion show without new and fresh designs. The designers for the evening were unparalleled. This group of designers included TMC the @TheresaMarieCollection, CXS Fashion by Natasha Caira @cxsfashiongroup1973, The Gayla Rogers Collection @gaylarogerscollection, House of JDijon by Cynthia Adams @jdijon_inv, Livirae Lingerie @liviraebras1, and last but certainly not least, Tyresia’s Boutique Too @tyresiasboutiquetoo for the finale. These names lit up the runway with their unique and inspiring designs from casual wear to evening dresses on to lingerie, quenching every individual’s thirst for a variety of fashion and style. Our senses were literally heightened each and every time a design took the top of the runway and posed in that frame. If you ask me for my favorite designer of the evening, I could not choose just one, which speaks volumes for this amazing lineup.
Vendors/Sponsors: Without vendors and sponsors it is pretty difficult to put on a great event. Successful events are never a one man or woman’s show!!! ORS Atlanta www.orshaircare.com, made sure each bag was fit for VIP. There will definitely be some happy hair after attending. Vendors consisted of House of JDijon @jdijon_inv, My Sistas Keep-her @mysistaskeepher, You See It Eyewear @youseeiteyewear, Tyresia’s Boutique Too @tyresiasboutiquetoo with The Vanity Veagan, Bailey’s Bartending, Snap 360 Studio @snap360.studio, and Herbal Life Please check out these amazing brands when you have time and are looking for a little something for yourselves or others.
Honorees:
The amazing honorees were women with totally different stories and journeys yet every one of them are all working toward some of the same goals. Each recipient that graced the stage was deserving in their own right. Among the honorees were Designer extraordinaire Bev Wilson, Molly Hopkins of Livirae Lingerie, Pastor Sequanna Taylor, and Smiley. Their body of works proved them to be at the top of their game in their respected area and industry. It was a perfect mixture of beauty, class, style, passion, and drive, that graced the stage so kudos to them for all that they do for others and their communities.
The show was an absolute success!!! It could not have been done without the entire team and crew behind and in front of the scenes. All of the hours and hours put in to make this event a success definitely does not go without notice. Covid19 may have delayed some things, but definitely did not stop the light. LaTonya and the #ISMSK team outdid themselves no doubt. The location was perfect for the event and still allowed for social distancing while we enjoyed everything the event had to offer. So, what is next on the horizon for #ISMSK? Pack your bags because #ISMSK is going on tour!!! There will be three stops, Milwaukee, Memphis, and ending in Atlanta. A Designer will be chosen from each city as a winner to then compete for a grand prize in Atlanta. These will be two-to-three-day events with vendor shopping, panel discussions, and ending with an amazing fashion show to close the event. After five years takeaways for LaTonya are an amazing team and support system to help keep things on track and the ability to delegate. Looking forward to year six!!
QSM: Congratulations on an amazing event! How did the names Sister’s Keeper and I’m Still My Sister’s Keeper come to be?
LaTonya: Thank you so much, the name came from me originally doing my first show in Memphis TN back in 2015 with just myself and my sister “Sister’s Keeper”. The show was so amazing that I decided to put on another show “I’m Still My Sister’s Keeper.
QSM: Let’s get into this location! A whole Mansion? What made you want to host in a mansion?
LaTonya: The idea to host the show in a Mansion my host/sister’s MsNickee suggestion. I had mentioned to her that I wanted to do something different and intimate. The Mansion was just that!
QSM: The ambiance, the talent… Everything was perfect to anyone looking from the outside in. Was it though? Lol
LaTonya: The show and the activities leading up to the show from the healing retreat, pre party, fashion show and Mother’s Day Brunch was everything I imagined and more! I was beyond proud of the outcome! lol
QSM: Let’s talk about the talent for a minute. You had some great models that hit that runway. Were they handpicked or did you go through an intense casting?
LaTonya: Right! The models did an amazing job! We conducted a virtual model call and picked from the videos and pictures they submitted.
QSM: Your theme this year was about bringing Awareness to Depression. Can you tell us about your personal connection with depression?
LaTonya: Yes, and sure. This whole journey started when my mom passed unexpected Feb 28, 2012. I was hurt, depressed, distraught and all the above. I didn’t understand why this had happened but the more I asked about my mom’s upbringing, her parents and childhood. I learned that my mother, grandmother and great grandmother all passed in their sleep from hypertension, obesity and clogged arteries between the ages of 50-55. I knew then that I had to break that ugly cycle and get my life together, mentally, emotionally and physically. I grew up in a household where I saw my mom struggle financially and go through life putting everyone else before herself, not even doing what she was passionate about, but doing what other’s felt like she should do and I could no longer live that way (I was exactly like my mom). It took me years to unlearn that and understand why losing her when we did, was a part of the process and it made me who I am today!
QSM: How do you go about the process of choosing your honorees? You had an amazing group.
LaTonya: I ask others who they feel we should choose, I follow their social media pages, and I speak with them directly to get an understanding of the work they do in the community and/or within their organizations. I love transparency and I love to see people take their pain and turn it into their passion.
QSM: Can you tell us a little bit about your mother?
LaTonya: My mother was the most giving person I have known my entire life. She had a huge heart and loved her family sooooo much. My mother was the glue of the family, she was the 3rd oldest out of 14 children. She grew up in Mississippi and from what I understand, experienced a lot of poverty. My grandmother (her mother) passed when my mother was 17 and pregnant with me. Per her journal, my mother didn’t have much of a childhood because she had to look after her siblings. My mother had a daycare and took such good care of the children, I also learned (from her journal) that she opened a daycare because this is what she knew how to do, take care of people. But this is not what she was passionate about. Two days after my mother passed, I found a letter on her laptop, addressed to The Department of Human Services, stating that she would be closing her daycare, as of Feb 28, 2012, my mother never sent the letter off and passed the morning of Feb 28, 2012.
QSM: God bless her. I don’t know that pain and my whole heart goes out to you. Before we both start tearing up, let’s get back to business lol! Does your boutique cater to only plus size?
LaTonya: No, my boutique caters to all sizes.
QSM: You also have another business that you run. Can you tell us about it?
LaTonya: Sure, I also have a Prenatal Care Agency, Generation of Excellent Trendsetters, we assist women who are pregnant and/or who has children (recently delivered or under 2 months to qualify) up until 7yrs old. We provide personal and moral support. Job training skills, housing resources, focus group sessions, household items and/or clothing for the clients and their families. The services are covered by the state Medicaid. I also own a transitional living home called GOE House of Purpose. I love it! We believe in Building Better Tomorrow’s Today!
QSM: You like to stay busy I see. Do you have children or are your businesses your children?
LaTonya: Lol yes I do. I have 2 biological sons, 3 stepchildren from a previous marriage and 4 grandchildren. I try my best to make time for family they are my biggest supporters.
QSM: What’s next for you?
LaTonya: I’m currently working on a 4-city fashion show tour and I’d like to plan another healing retreat to Africa and somewhere tropical.
QSM: BUSY BUSY BUSY! Please do keep us posted and congrats with EVERYTHING!!! I can’t tank you enough for your hospitality and for an amazing & meaningful show. I thank you for your time because I know how valuable it is!. But most importantly thank you for being your sister’s keeper.
LaTonya: You’re very welcome. I’m excited about the future plans of the show and the movement and I’m very interested in working with more designers and models all over the world. My goal is to impact others and provide more than a show, but more of an experience. The tour will be a challenge but I’m definitely up for it!
all images shot by Philip Drew @pdrewphotography
