Velvet Kisses

Sarah Smith is a freelance makeup artist, aspiring entertainer and close friend/muse to GWG that hails from Hamilton, Ontario. Not only is she amazing at creating fresh and innovative looks for her clients, but she also has a way of getting to know her subjects on a personable level which allows her to highlight their true style and beauty. Sarah has worked on set with various artists such as The Weeknd, up-and-comer R&B artist Kehlani, and 2015 Juno-nominated group Arkells. 

When Sarah isn't beautifying faces or posing on the other side of the camera, you can find her in the middle of the dance floor- putting my 2-step to shame. Recently Sarah and I got together to listen to music and this impromptu photoshoot is what resulted. We were inspired by Tiger Beat magazine spreads, The Spice Girls and our nostalgic suburban childhood. View the rest our shoot with Sarah here. 

FOLLOW her on Instagram @sarahsmithmua 

 

 

BLOODY MARY

gwgshopbloodymarygrid

Its almost that time of year. For some it means stuffed animals, cheap chocolate and flowers. For others it means B-List horror flicks, cheap red wine and your homegirls. For those chicks that looked in their mirror to chant a certain name despite warnings from abuelita this is for you.

We dare you to selfie in this GWG outfit.

Shop the look:

Bloody Mary Exclusive GWG Valentines Day Tee & Crop top available in SHOP.    

GWG High Academy Custom Skirts available in SHOP. 

WCW: BIANCA JAGGER

Bianca Jagger (born Bianca Pérez-Mora Macias, 2 May 1945) is a Nicaraguan-born social and human rights advocate and a former actress. She currently serves as a Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador, Founder and Chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation She has joined the struggle for the rights of children, women and indigenous peoples. She has raised awareness of the dangerous effects of climate change and destruction of rainforest ecosystems. 

Born in Managua, Nicaragua . She received a scholarship to study political science in France at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Here is where she has credits being influenced by Gandhi's non-violent success and the eastern philosophy at large.

After attending a Rolling Stones concert in France, Bianca met Mick Jagger in September 1970. On 12 May 1971, while she was four months pregnant, the couple married in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Saint-Tropez, France, and she became his first wife. Their wedding photos are still known to this date as the ultimate rock wedding. 

While the marriage did not last, Bianca made a name for herself as a human rights advocate and fashion icon. Bianca had the public reputation in the 1970s and early 1980s as a jet-setter, being closely associated with New York City's nightclub Studio 54. She also became known particularly as a friend of close friend of infamous pop artist, Andy Warhol.

Bianca credits her transition into human rights efforts to a time she and her team were stationed in a UN refugee camp in Honduras when 40 refugees were marched away at gunpoint. Armed with nothing but cameras to document the raid, Bianca and the delegation trailed along the squad towards to Honduran-Salvadoran border and shouted to the equipped gunmen, “You will have to kill us all!”.The gunmen destroyed their cameras and let them everyone live. Bianca had later recounted this incident as “a turning point in my life”. 

Currently age 69, Bianca continues to fight for the rights of our planet and human equality and we love that about her. While her fashion choices have been so iconic and timeless, they are nothing in comparison to the great causes that she is still fighting for. 

(Plus no one can rock an all white pantsuit like her!)

BIANCA IS #GWGCERTIFIED #WORLDCHANGINGWOMEN

 

MISSY APPRECIATION MONDAY

In honour of Missy Elliott stealing the show at last night's Super Bowl we have compiled a list of just some of the many times Missy killed it. Here are our top times Missy Elliott smashed a collabo by being one of the ultimate coolest artists in modern music. The rapper, writer, producer and dancer has had hit after hit spanning over several decades so sit back, relax and turn the volume up.

 1.    Missy Elliott and Janet Jackson "Son of A Gun" – As a lifelong Jackson family fan it was magic when Missy teamed up with Miss Jackson for the 2001 release of Son of A Gun. Missy serves up attitude and swag in a way that only matches how fierce Janet is in this remix proving she not only raises the bar but goes above and beyond a simple guest feature. 

2.   Missy Elliott featuring Faith Evans and Freeway – "Burning Up" remix. Leave it to Missy to turn a single into a smash just by featuring a few dope bars. Missy sets the tone for this classic Bad Boy banger. Forever one of our ultimate summer jams just wouldn’t be the same without Missy’s classic lines and energy. “38 D’s yah that’s just baby phat!”


3.    Missy Elliott featuring Nas, Eve and Lil Mo- “Hot Boyz” Mega 90’s banger  will forever go down as one of the heaviest tracks in a rather golden era of Hip Hop. Missy once again tears it up and this time she blends her trademark crooning with her hard hitting raps as the perfect balance. Missy is that wonderful middle ground between ladies anthems and a hype track for dudes to groove to as well. 

4.    Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris and Trina – "One Minute Man" At this point in the game Missy is now in the untouchable realm of the greats (Michael, Janet and Madonna) as far as pushing visual boundaries as an artist goes. Featuring Luda and Trina, Missy comes out swinging in this dirty ditty with a video that is equally as entertaining as the song itself. This time Missy leaves the rapping to Luda and Trina while she soothes from start to finish.

5.    Missy Elliott featuring Angie Martinez, Lil Kim, Da Brat and Left Eye "Ladies Night" - We pity any of the millennium babies that were never really there for what a moment this was in hip hop.  Hip Hop's leading ladies come together for this Grammy Nominated track from the "Nothing To Lose" Soundtrack in 1997 off Tommy Boy Records. Missy adlibs and sings her way through the hooks making this an instant classic. 

6.    Missy Elliott featuring 702 – "Steelo" was and is the type of song that if it does come on at a house party, club or even in the car on the highway it is game over! Missy was featured in this classic 90’s dance track and it still holds its magic decades later thanks to Missy’s production and air tight rhymes.

7.    Missy Elliott featuring Nicole Wray – Make It Hot. Missy knew when to be the show-stopper in the spotlight and when to lend her talent, expertise and skills to a new artist while letting the artist have room to come into their own. Nicole Wray was just one of many artists that Missy introduced us to. While Nicole sets the tone, Missy kills it delivering one of her most iconic verses.Also spotted in the video is Missy’s ultimate posse including Timbaland, Magoo and a young Aaliyah. 

8.    Missy Elliott featuring Timbaland, Magoo and Aaliyah "Up Jumps The Boogie" - Nothing more needs to be said about this all star super squad that teamed up for this classic banger. Press play and see.

9.    Madonna featuring Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera & Missy Elliott "Like A Virgin" – On perhaps what was the most iconic MTV Music Awards show performance of all time, Missy Elliott joined the ranks of pops biggest stars. Donning a tuxedo alongside Madonna after the kiss that was heard around the world, Missy made her mark on the pop world by aligning herself as one of the most talented women in music period. Missy went from being one of hip hops heaviest hitters to one of pops most powerful women without having to change who she was, what she looked like or play to anyone’s rules but her own.

10. J Cole featuring Missy Elliott on Cole’s hit single “Nobody’s Perfect” – After years of working quietly on the sidelines producing and writing for others, Missy made a surprising appearance on Cole’s single. For the first time in too long of time audiences both new and older fans of Elliott were reminded of the simplistic greatness that is Missy Elliott’s magic on a hook. At this point if Missy Elliott does hooks or plays the sidelines we are happy in any dose her brand of dopeness comes in.  


BONUS:

What's your favourite Missy joint? Hit us up on Twitter @girlswithgunz or on Instagram @gwgshop

Modern Muse, Helen

Today we are featuring GWG original member, Helen, in "Modern Muse". While she's our homegirl 'til the end, Helen has been a creative muse for GWG since it's conception as a photography blog on tumblr in 2009.  When Helen isn't sewing our custom GWG clothes, she loves spending time with her man, rolling perfect j's, and chilling with her pet rabbit, Bernice.

Check out Helen's series here. 

Shop the look here. 

#WCW: GLENN CLOSE

Glenn Close, The Hollywood Reporter (2014)

In honour of Bell Canada donating 5 cents to mental health care for every time the hashtag #BellLetsTalk is used today, we wanted to kick off our Women Changing Wednesday feature with actor and advocate, Glenn Close. The six time Academy Award nominated actress has made her mark not only in the film and theatre but for her achievements in the advocacy for mental illness and awareness. 

As the founder of Bring Change 2 Mind, Glenn Close is the founder of the national anti-stigma campaign aimed at removing misconceptions about mental illness. The idea was created between Glenn and  non-for-profit organization Fountain House, where she volunteered to learn more about mental illness that has effected her family directly.

Using her public voice and passion, Glenn is help end the stigma against mental illness. 

Today we salute Glenn Close as a trailblazer both on and off screen. 

To donate to her foundation please visit http://bringchange2mind.org and tweet #BellLetsTalk today to make a difference.

Check out the gallery below for some of our favourite looks from one of our favourite Glenn Close roles as the infamous Cruella De Vil.