Last month I did the first part of the review of m4music festival 2024. This month I will continue with the review of m4music festival and share two more artists who were part of my exploration of the "female factor" of the festival. In tonight's show, I will keep my focus on the Swiss music scene, covering the fascinatingly cool band and music lab…

Since 1998, m4music festival takes place every March here in Switzerland: two days in Zurich and one day in Lausanne. This festival is a project from Migros Culture Percentage. This is a flawlessly organised festival at one of the coolest locations in Zürich: Schiffbau; with many concerts happening on the seven (+1) stages, at or close to the main …

In October's and December's Gimme a Beat, I reviewed the 19th edition of Zurich Film Festival. I have been exploring the female factor of the Zurich Film Festival for several years now. But this year, I had a chance to get together with so many female filmmakers and actresses that I decided to breakdown my review of the ZFF into several shows. Whil…

In this special Black History Month episode, Taniqua speaks with Linda Ann Dixon about the legacy of her great grandmother Ann Lowe.Oleh Black Fashion History

Last year, sometime in June I got an email from the 57th Montreux Jazz Festival about new names on their programme. The email included Swiss singer-songwriter NNAVY. She was already well-known to Montreux Jazz Festival audiences, as she performed there earlier. In addition to this, in 2022, she was the first Swiss artist ever to play one of the COL…

In my previous Gimme a Beat, I reviewed the 19th edition of Zurich Film Festival. I have been exploring the female factor of the Zurich Film Festival for several years now. But this year, I had a chance to get together with so many female filmmakers and actresses that I decided to breakdown my review of the ZFF into several shows. While I've seen 3…

2023 was another successful year for Zurich Film Festival. The 19th edition of Zurich Film Festival attracted 130’000 visitors (slightly less than the previous year). A total of 150 films were screened, 52 of them as World or European premieres – more than ever before. First held in 2005, Zurich Film Festival established itself very quickly on the …

The first time I heard Little Dragon was back in 2007, just after they released their debut album. From that moment on, I was completely captivated by their unique sound. A few years later, seeing them live for the first time only confirmed their talent and deepened my interest. Over the years, I followed their work and saw them live many times, an…

Dorothea Towles Church spent over five years in Europe during the 1950s, modeling for designers like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Robert Piguet, Jacques Fath, Pierre Balmain and more. As the first Black woman to model for major European fashion houses, Church used her gifts and access to help othe black women learn about the fashion industry …

Donyale Luna is the first Black supermodel to appear on a Vogue magazine cover, yet not much is known about her as a barrier breaking model. Taniqua recaps the recent HBO documentary on the life of Donyale Luna. Share you thoughts here. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudellOleh Taniqua Martin

In 1966, Rosemary E. Reed-Miller followed her interest in fashion and opened Toast and Strawberries,a boutique overlooking Dupont Circle. When Toast and Strawberries opened, she was the only Black woman boutique owner in DC at the time. In this episode, Taniqua dives into her life and career in fashion. Black Fashion Spotlight: Project Runway Winne…

Audrey Weaver is a designer that creates hand-crafted artisan scarves and hats & accessories located in the New York City area. Over the past years, she has received editorial credits for her designs in publications such as The New York Times, Essence Magazine, Glamour, and Women’s Wear Daily as well as being featured in The Oprah Winfrey Show, Cra…

Fashion shows have a deep rooted history in Black American culture. While we didn’t invent fashion shows, we have surely used them to celebrate our beauty, support our causes, make political statements and so much more. In this episode, Taniqua shares a brief overview of the history of these shows in Black communities and how it's impacted the cult…

Many people know Ann Lowe as the designer of gowns for America's most prominent society women, including Jacqueline Kennedy. Winterthur Museum is marking the legacy of Ann Lowe with the largest exhibition of her work to date, featuring 40 iconic gowns, many that have never been on public display. The exhibition will also feature the work of contemp…

Primavera Sound (or simply Primavera) is an annual music festival held in Parc del Fòrum, a park situated directly at the Mediterranean seafront in Barcelona, Spain. The festival takes place between the end of May and the beginning of June, every year since 2001. In addition to the best-known edition in Barcelona, Primavera Sound expanded to other …

Gettin’ Free! : A Juneteenth Collaboration brought to you by Sistas Who Kill: A True Crime Podcast. We know that history is told from the side of the victors, but that leaves room for misinformation and false narratives. We are on a mission to change that. 11 Black podcasts have come together to reclaim our history and tell it our way - flavor and …

NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts were always one of my favourite things to listen to, but with the pandemic, my interest turned into an obsession. In 2020, I did two shows dedicated to them: Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2020 Part I and Part II, in 2021 I did one more and in 2022 another one. So what is it about NPR Tiny Desk Concert series that I love? It…

I discovered Arooj Aftab, like many others, through her Mohabbat song. After hearing this song, I listened to her's Vulture Prince album and fell in love with it. Then I heard her NPR tiny desk session and loved it so much (I was literally obsessed with it) that I included it in my (latest) *Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2022* Gimme a Beat. From that mom…

Sophie Taeuber-Arp is one of the most important representatives of Classical Modernism and is considered a pioneer of abstraction.

Not many people can claim being one of the great artists of the Harlen Renaissance, personal jeweler of Billie Holiday and the first Black woman to take over the jewelery and art industry in America. Taniqua digs into the life and career of Winifred Mason Chenet, the first Black commercial jewleler in the US and the mentor of many anazing artisans,…

With 2023 being the 50th anniversary year for hip hop, it was only right to begin the year with an appreciation for hip hop fashion. Taniqua highlights three streetwear brands that shaped hip hop culture in the late 80s and 90s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Epsiode Sources/Further Reading: www.blackfashionhistory.com/…

Yaaay, it's Xmas time again 🎄🎅🎄! Xmas time is definitely one of my favourite times of the year when people get more friendly and pleasant, and everywhere you go it smells like glühwein and Xmas cookies. In tonight’s Gimme a Beat (19.12.2022), I will be focusing on Xmas and playing an eclectic playlist of Xmas songs sung by female artists. Check als…

First held in 2005, Zurich Film Festival established itself very quickly on the national and international film festival scene. The formula for its success it's probably a mix of an attractive location: an international but small city of Zurich a great selection of movies and different programs/events. The best way to explain Zurich Film Festival's…

I had the pleasure of attending and reviewing Flow Festival (commonly known as Flow) this summer. You can find more details about the festival, my impressions, interviews with Marcia and Helena and selected DJ mixes in Part I: Marcia Carr and Helena Star at Flow Festival 2022. You can also check my reviews for each day of Flow Festival 2022: day 1,…

In this episode, Taniqua delves a little further into Atlanta Fashion History sharing the career of designer and couturier Ann Jewel Moore and her famous Ubiquisix garment. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode Sources/Further Reading: https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/episodes/52-how-fashion-designer-ann-moore-built…

Flow Festival (commonly known as Flow) is an urban music and arts festival in Helsinki, Finland. It was created by the Finnish music producer Tuomas Kallio and his friends from the Helsinki-based music collective Nuspirit Helsinki. Since 2004, the festival has been organized annually. Over the years the festival grew from 4000 visitors to 90'000. I…

In this episode, Taniqua delves into Atlanta Fashion History and shares the lives and careers of Lilian B. Head and Mae Reeves, two Georgia-born Black women who created couture headwear beginning in the 1940s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode Sources/Further Reading: https://www.blackfashionhistory.com/episodes/51…

Dandyism or the dandy style is defined as a man who pays great attention to fashion and overall appearance. The modern practice of this style first appeared in the 1970s in London and Paris. However, Black communities around the world, like the Sapeurs and sapeuse of the Congo and the rude boys of Jamaica, adopted this style and made it what it is …

Models like Donyale Luna, Pat Cleveland, Beverly Johnson and more paved the way for models today. In episode 49 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses Black models accomplished many "firsts" and changed the fashion industry. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to r…

My personal experience with music in the movies is that if chosen correctly, hearing the music when watching the scene will make it more intense and therefore memorable. My rationale behind this is simple: there is an emotion that music triggers in us because of the music itself or/and the lyrics of the song. For me and I can imagine that this is t…

I love this part of the year!That time of the year when we are almost in summer, but not fully there yet. The mornings are still cool and refreshing, days are warm and sunny and evenings are warm enough to hang outside but still with enough breeze to make the night cosy and pleasurable.This kind of weather reflects my mood, it makes me happy, hopef…

Liberian model Yahne Sangare covered the June 1967 issue of Jet magazine where she was named "Africa's Famous Model." In episode 48 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses how Liberian journalist, model, designer and UN correspondent broke into fashion and the influence of African models on the industry. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodc…

In episode 47 of #BlackFashionHistory, Taniqua discusses the Basic Black fashion show of 1969 and its impact on fashion history. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell Episode sponsor: Visit ofuure.com and use code BLACKFASHIONHISTORY for 10% off And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the sh…

NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts were always one of my favourite things to listen to, but with the pandemic, my interest turned into an obsession. In 2020, I did two shows dedicated to them: Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2020 Part I and Part II, and in 2021 I did another one.So what is it about NPR Tiny Desk Concert series that I love?It is very simple, th…

Originally from Boston, MA where she got her start in fashion, Therez started designing clothes at the age of 12 and sold her first dress on the famed Newbury Street at the age of 15. This was quite an accomplishment at that age as Newbury Street was home to Giorgio Armani, Chanel, and Diane Von Furstenberg, just to name a few. Therez moved to New …

Roadtrips are my favourite type of travelling. My favourite roadtrips are the ones where I travel alone. There is no better feeling than driving in the car by yourself for miles, on, if lucky, empty roads, enjoying your music or only your thoughts in your mind in silence, while soaking up the nature around you. Every year I do at least one road tri…

Cassandra Bromfield began her fashion career in the 1980’s. Simultaneously working for herself, Ms. Bromfield also worked freelance for a number of years with Audrey Smaltz and the Ground Crew. That company did backstage management for fashion shows which included 7th on 6th, Fashion Week, MTV and more. Her signature style includes patchworked fabr…

Shaka King has made a strong impression in the fashion industry since 1991. He's designed for countless athletes, artists and more. He has been praised by both national and international press. Fairchild Publications-Daily News Record, the New York Times, VIBE, Essence and E! are just a few of the media outlets that have hailed King as a pioneer of…

Sónar CCCB 2021 is/was a 2 day festival of music, debate, experimentation and inspiration, with more than 60 activities spread over 5 spaces, with 40 concerts and DJ sets and an extensive program of lectures, debates, presentations, workshops and an exhibition space with local and international projects. This festival and its program was set in pla…

Lisa McFadden is a New York City designer with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She was critiqued by French couturier Pierre Cardin who, upon seeing her student work, said she was a designer who 'knows her job'. Her headpieces entitled ‘Golden Child’ and ‘Bird of Paradise’ have been displayed with the group at the Metropolitan M…

With over two decades of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, New Jersey native Douglas Says is often referred to as "one of the most important, yet under-exposed designers around.” Listen to his story. Follow us: @blackfashionhistorypodcast And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hear…

Tainqua discusses four (4) vintage Black magazines that provided fashion and style inspiration from the 1950’s to the 2000s. Follow us on IG: @blackfashionhistorypodcast @taniquarudell And if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to rate and review the show. We love hearing your feedback! #BlackFashionHistory…

First held in 2005, Zurich Film Festival established itself very quickly on the national and international film festival scene. The formula for its success it's probably a mix of an attractive location: international but small city of Zurich; great selection of movies and different programs/events like ZFF Masters, ZFF Talks, Zurich Summit, ZFF for…

Professor Adrienne Jones holds the honor of being the first Black woman to achieve tenured professor status at Pratt Institute. Jones has taught in the Fashion Design department at Pratt for over 25 years. In 2014, Professor Jones conceived and co-curated the landmark exhibition Black Dress, which honors Black designers and addresses the lack of di…

NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts were always one of my favorite things to listen to, but with pandemic my interest turned into an obsession. Last year I did two shows dedicated to them: Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2020 Part I and Part II. So what is it about Tiny Desk Concert series that I love?It is very simple, this series brings an intimate concert vi…

Tony Dennis, co-founder of Tote&Carry, is affectionately known as “The Stitch Doctor” or “Stitch” for his decades-long career “stitching” custom, quality fashion pieces for high profile clients. The popular designer, who stitched his first items using a worn-out sewing machine in his basement in 1992, has amassed nearly 30 years of experience. With…

Carol Collins Miles is a supermodel, musician and restaurateur. She is one of the original members of Hubert de Givenchy’s all Black Cabine in the 1970s, the collection of Black models that ushered in an era of diversity and the first time a French couturier had this many Black models in its mainstay. She’s also modeled for other designers like The…

Last weekend, I was reorganising my vinyl collection and reminiscing about the good times, before the pandemic. The time when nights were never ending and standing closer to the people meant that you were having good times. Frankly speaking, I already stopped going out to the clubs regularly long before the pandemic. As a matter of fact, I stopped …

Beau McCall is a creative artist most known for his use of buttons. Drawing inspiration from the vast button collection of his mother and aunts, he crafts wearable and visual art images combining various types of buttons. McCall uses his art to communicate themes from pop culture to social justice. Taniqua speaks with Beau McCall about some of his …