Wednesday, October 30, 2013

WHITLEY GILBERT: Student, Sorority Sister, Wife, Daughter, Girlfriend,Friend, Inspiration to Young Women of ALL ages, College Graduate,Teacher, Mentor!

Today on Edwina LaShan Fashion Blog, We pay tribute to Our Fashion Icon, Whitley Gilbert! 




Who is Whitley Gilbert? 




Whitley Gilbert is Hillman College's ultimate diva and southern belle! 




"Whitley Gilbert, did more than expound upon her infinite wisdom of the finer things in life during her four years. This style and beauty maven was one of the first during the ’80s and ’90s to flaunt expensive “Chanel chic” designer labels and ritzy accessories. Whitley Gilbert epitomized dressing to the nines with an unapologetic elegance. No matter if she was going to “The Pitt” to catch up with friends or out with her boo Dwayne, Ms. Relax, Relate, Release was always impeccably dressed.  A true icon, fashion was who she was." -Style Blazer




"I liked the evolution of her character. It seemed as if she was one that really benefited from the exposure that Hillman College afforded her. When she came to Hillman, she was a self-centered snob from an affluent Virginia family. Because of her peers and experiences (the Apartheid protest, Kim's pregnancy, Resident Director, and her ups and downs of dating and relating), she became a well-rounded and sincere person. Her world was different after her four years of Hillman..and was forever shocked when Dwayne proposed to her right in the middle of her wedding to the Senator." - Nikki25 Greek Chat



At the beginning of the show, Whitley Gilbert started off as a Sophomore Art and French Major.




Whitley was a Member of Hillman Debate Society; Chair of Hillman College Arts Council; Dean of Pledges of Alpha Delta Rho sorority; Intern at E.H. Wright Industries; Dorm Director of Height Hall; Assistant Art Buyer for E.H. Wright Industries, a Waitress, and a Substitute teacher.



Whitley was a native of Richmond, Virginia. Whitley is the daughter of Hillman alumni Mercer and Marion Gilbert, cousin of Liza and Courtney, stepdaughter of Monica Gilbert, befriended by Millie (and eventually Denise and Dwayne), unsuccessfully ran for the title of "Miss Hillman", pledged Alpha Delta Rho Sorority and successfully "crossed over", roommate (and best friend) of Kimberly during third and fourth years at Hillman. 




She was temporarily employed by Mr. Gaines at The Pit to pay for damages to his car. Whitley was involved in a serious relationship with Julian Day (to Dwayne's dismay), involved in an on-again-off-again relationship with Dwayne for years, voluntarily remained at Hillman for a fifth year to take additional courses in business, off-campus roommate of Jaleesa during fifth year at Hillman, undermined and successfully ruined Dwayne's relationship with Kinu Owens, graduated (Class of 1991), engaged to Dwayne, lost virginity to Dwayne. 





Whitley worked as a summer intern with E.H. Wright Industries. She also was the dorm director of Height Hall. She was employed as an assistant art buyer for E.H. Wright Industries (where she was a victim of sexual harassment), and was horrified to learn that some of her African-American ancestors were slave owners. 




The engagement between her and Dwayne was broken (after Dwayne almost cheats on her), and she later entered into a serious relationship with Virginia state senatorial candidate Byron Douglas III. She cheated on Byron with Dwayne (for which Byron forgives her), she got engaged to Byron, but later rejected Byron during the wedding ceremony and married Dwayne immediately thereafter. 




Whitley is the daughter-in-law of Woodson and Adele Wayne. The couple  honeymoon in Los Angeles coincided with the 1993 riots following the verdict in the Rodney King trial. Whitley downsized from art buyer position, and was employed as a waitress, and a substitute teacher. At the end of the program, she got pregnant with her first child, and moved to Japan (with Dwayne).




What we loved most of all about Whitley's Fashion Style was the fact that she knew her fashion and it's worth! Whitley came from money and she only rocked the best of the best! From all the latest designers and trends! 




Whitley was very high maintenance! Whitley could be caught wearing her cashmere sweaters, turtlenecks, pearls, diamonds, or silk blouses. She could rock a pair of trouser tailored pants like no other. Whitley was best known for her collection of business suits! That she wore to class with stockings and pumps! 



Even when Whitley was dressed down in her pajamas she wore the best of the best silk pajamas! Whitley was always so sophisticated even when holding her mirror, to apply powder.



Whitley inspired so many girls at a young age to go to college, be sophisticated, and achieve whatever it is that they may set out to do! Her character proves that it's ok, to be yourself whether you are witty, bubbly, and smart like Whitley, or have personalities like some of the other characters in the show! When it's all said and done just be you and grow into a better you! 

Introducing... Our Style Icon, Whitley Gilbert... Ladies and Gentlemen! 



Creds:StyleBlazer,GreekChat, Wilkapedia

Monday, October 28, 2013

TSU HOMECOMING 2013 and Edwina's 30th Birthday Extravaganza!



Saturday, Oct 19, 2013: 

Burlesque Show Themed Birthday Event with Friends at Music Works

My Crew and Daria and her crew! Lol Costume Contest! 



After Party at City Lounge Downtown Nashville






Sunday, October 20, 2013:
Night out For Desert and Drinks Bar Louie Downtown Nashville




Tuesday, October 22, 2013:

Edwina's 30th Birthday Dinner with Friends PF Changs West End














Desert: Ice Cream Party 



Thursday, October 24, 2013:

Kappa Alpha Psi Happy Hour at The Cave
Alpha Phi Alpha Party at Lucy Blue 








FRIDAY, October 25, 2013:
TSU PEP RALLY in The Hole





Saturday, October 26, 2013 

TSU TAILGATE LP FIELD 





Monday, October 21, 2013

Reflections... Of my 20s!





Woo!!! Say it ain't so... But it is SOO... God is Good!!! I am FOREVER GRATEFUL to say that God has allowed me to be apart of His beautiful creation of earth for 30 years!!! 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Today We Pay Tribute to Our Fashion Icon Phylicia Rashad BKA Clair Huxtable: Mother, Wife, Sister, 80s Tv Mom, Motivational Speaker, Actress, Singer...

Today on Edwina LaShan Fashion Blog we pay tribute to Our Fashion Icon Phylicia Rashad.


Best known for her role on the 80s Family Sitcom, "The Cosby Show", which she starred as the wife of Cliff Huxtable and mother of 5 well rounded children, in her tv role as Clair Huxtable. 



Clair Huxtable was a successful, educated, attorney alongside her husband Cliff Huxtable played by Bill Cosby, who was a respected labor doctor. While keeping a healthy loving marriage, and sucessful careers, they focused on their life with their five children. They taught the children right from wrong, while nourishing them, and introducing them to the real world! All while, leaving an open door to their home, whenever their kids needed to come back! 



Clair's Fashion style and Sense was remarkable! Probably the best dressed Tv Sitcom Mother in Fashion and tv history! 



Clair was always known to wear a body wrap/ rollar wrap hairstyle hair style! 
She would add beautiful big, bold, stud  earrings to compliment hair big hair! 


Clair was mainly known for wearing neutral colors but every now and then she would add pop of electric colors! 



She could rock a business suit like no other, but could turn around and wear a jazzy cocktail dress! 



Some of Clair's best looks included beautiful silk blouses, color block sweaters, pencil skirts, and jumpsuits! 




Clair wore Color Block sweatsuits, chunky necklaces, and bold shoulder pads! 



She also wore elegant gowns and diamond accessories! 



Clair even went to bed looking good in silk pajamas, smokey eye makeup and dark lipstick! 



This woman could just about do any fashion forward look they gave her, and still possess her lady like composure! 



Clair made the educated librarian sexy! The sassy lawyer sexy! And the hardworking teacher sexy! 



She pretty much opened the door for every professional hard working lady to be respected in her craft but to also capture her beauty and sensual side! 



Let's learn more about this marvelous woman!


Phylicia Rashad was born in Houston, Texas on June 19, 1948. Her mother was Vivian Ayers, a Pulitzer-prize nominated artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher. Her father, Andrew Arthur Allen was an orthodontist.


She has 2 brothers and 1 sister. Her brother Tex (Andrew Arthur Allen, Jr., born 1945) is a jazz musician, Her famous sister Debbie Allen (1950), is an actress, choreographer, and her brother Hugh Allen is a real estate banker in North Carolina. 



Phylicia is an American Tony Award Winning actress, singer and stage director. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her part as Clair Huxtable in 1985 and 1986.





In 2004, Rashād became the first African American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, which she won for her role in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun. She resumed the role in the 2008 television adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun, which earned her the 2009 NAACP Image Award for Outstandin Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. Rashād was dubbed "The Mother" of the African American community at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards. 



Truly a gem indeed! 



Phylicia was married three different times. Her first marriage was to a dentist named William Lancelot Bowles, Jr, in 1972. They had one son, William Lancelot Bowles III, who was born the following year. The marriage ended in 1975. 


Then she married Victor Willis the original lead singer of the Village People in 1978. Their divorce was finalized in 1982.


Lastly she married NFL wide receiver and sportscaster Ahmad Rashād on December 14, 1985. It was a third marriage for both of them and she took his last name. 


The couple was married after he proposed to her during a pregame show for a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game between the New York Nets and the Detriot Lions on November 28, 1985. Their daughter, Condola Phyleia Rashād, was born on December 11, 1986 in New York. They divorced in early 2001.


Introducing Our style icon the Stunning, and Educated Phylicia Rashad...