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aura

Shimika Kennison

Upcoming events

Rasheeda Buckner: Boss Chic Movement

Face behind the Face:

Meet Aura LLC Owner Nychia De'Lynn

Trendsetter Alert

Branden Cooper and Quincy Crutchfield

ILM Shoes

www.auraboutiquekc.com

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Shimika Kennison “The successful woman has many irons in the fire.”

While some people wait for their happily ever after’s, others fight, pray, work hard,

and fight a little more to attain theirs. It is now that women are not only successful

wives, and mothers they are successful business women! Just like Shimika Kennison

wife of KC Chief Eddie Kennison, she is now making big plays of her own. A wife,

mother, businesswoman, motivational speaker, Kansas State Board of

Cosmetology board member, educator Mrs. Kennison has several irons in the fire.

The proud owner of Entourage Beauty Institute, EmpowerMe Inc., and Quick Start

“The Eddie Kennison Foundation”. How does she make time for everything? What

drives her passions? What is EmpowerMe? Make up tips, and more we got up

close and personal with this young business mogul. Check out our conversation

with Shimika. “I’m inspired by the success of those I was able to help”, the 10 year

beauty veteran goes on to say she decided to start her business because, “I

needed something I can believe in and take responsibility for. There are so many

great products that I like, but why build someone else’s dream when I have the

God given ability to build my own.”

In 2011 Shimika a self proclaimed “serial entrepreneur” launched her skincare line,

EmpowerMe. Paraben free, moisturizing, natural products, that are complimentary to make up. Not only does Shimika’s

10 years of experience set her apart from other artist or her extensive education and resume but simply put she is an artist

that has the knowledge and heart for healthy skin promotion. She is a strong believer in education,

both beauty and other wise.

Shimika shared a few tips on how busy women like her can look her best at all times:

• Have 2 to 3 easy hair styles ready for a bad hair day! A bun, a hat, side pony, if all else fails, find a

cute wig!

• For makeup, mascara and lips will do the trick. A pop of color always makes me feel like I have it

all together, even if I don’t!

• Don’t try to copy a picture from an editorial shoot you saw in Vogue and wear it to work. If you

are not a makeup artist, I would leave that to the pros. Play with these ideas at home first, where

it’s just between you and your bathroom mirror. Once mastered, then try it out and ask a friend

what they think.

• Less is more, Eyes or lips, not both.

Connect with Shimika Kennison

• Blog/website: shimikakennison.com

• Fb: Shimika Kennison Beauty

• Instagram: shimikakennisonbeauty

•Twitter @shimika

Events

• November 1st Thursday 5:30-8 Special Appearance @Voga Salon in Overland Park for Ladies

Night Out to raise $ for Lupus Research- skin analysis and color consultations\

• November 3 Walk for Lupus go to www.eddiekennisonfoundation.com

• November 11th & 12th Dinair Airbrush Makeup Certification Workshop@ Entourage Institute

Where can we find EmpowerMe Products?

Entourage Institute of Beauty 12004 W. 95th Street Lenexa, KS 66215 or

www.shimikakennison.com

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ILM shoes

V

“fashion is what you want it to be”

nychia de'lynn

“fashion is what you want it to be”

Nychia Delynn

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Rasheeda Buckner

“Boss Chick Movement”

We caught up with the boss chick herself,

to talk about fashion, upcoming projects,

and of course Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.

Rasheeda, Rapper, Entertainer, and now

Fashion Designer, launched her online

boutique imbossy.com in 2011. A self-

proclaimed boss chick Rasheeda has

always been in to fashion. Deemed

herself ready to “stop talking about it, and

just being about it.” The online store

started with accessories, rings, necklaces,

bracelets etc. now it has evolved to a full

blown online fashion outlet. “I started with

accessories because that’s what sets the

outfit off, but then branched out to

apparel”. A veteran in the music industry

but new to the fashion speaking with

Rasheeda was varying empowering!

.

On Love and Hip Hop last season we saw the fight in Rasheeda, while trying to finish her new

album on a private

label, drama, drama

and more drama.

Rasheeda is on to

more positive things.

“Be on the lookout for

my new t-shirts, check

out the new album,

several concerts

nationwide and new

hair line,” says

Rasheeda. Love and

Hip Hop is said to

resurfaces this fall.

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Connect with Rasheeda:

FB: Rasheeda Buckner

Instagram: rasheedadabosschick

Twitter: rasheeda

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Designers Choice Fashion Show 2012

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Nychia De’Lynn “I have a passion for fashion, perfectly imperfect and loving every bit of it.”

April 16 2011 Designer Nychia De’Lynn branded Aura LLC. Starting with Aura Boutique, Aura LLC

quickly evolved into an emerging empire.

Aura now embodies, Aura Boutique, Fashion

Camp KC, Aura Magazine, Real Women of

Kansas City, and Show Me Castings. With

more projects on the horizon how did she get

started? What inspires Nychia?.

How it all started July 2010 Nychia had a

rude awakening by the passing of her

mother that time does not last forever. All the

“maybe one day I should,” “I don’t know

what I want to do with my life”, professional

confusion was over. In a magazine interview

she said, “When my mother died, I needed to

put my emotions into something, and I chose

to put it into my passion. I had to find a

positive way deal with it. I literally worked 80

hours a week to open my store. I dabbled

with designing women’s clothing for years; I

just had never put those ideas to work.”

Opening Aura Boutique was the first of many

stepping stones. To her this meant putting

herself on the line, after all no one knew her

name in the fashion industry. “At times it’s still difficult for me. It’s always hard being continually

judged on your performance good or bad. You’re dealing with people from several

backgrounds can be less than comfortable; different moral standards etc. Also, I’m pretty laid

back in stressful situations and I attribute that to all the things I’ve been through. You’ll hear more

about that on Passion for Fashion, but my immediate thought is always what now, how do we

solve the problem? Many Fashioners don’t see the beyond what’s on the agenda which causes

unnecessary stress and bickering. Behind the scenes of a fashion show is more dangerous than a

boxing ring, and something ALWAYS goes wrong”

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“Being that I didn’t know many people it was

very difficult to get in the fashion industry, in

the beginning there were more rejections than

bookings. Kansas City’s fashion industry is like a

small knit community/family. It’s not that

people are against you they just stick with who

they know, and that’s one of the differences

between me and others. I love to work with

new people, I try to find new designers,

models, MUA’s, photographers, etc. to work

with for every show that I do. The Love for

creating opportunities is how Show Me

Castings and Real Women of Kansas City

came to life.”

Show Me Castings, is an online casting group,

organized for designers, photographer,

coordinators, models to find and list industry

related jobs. “I go to several fashion shows just

to show support, and was tired of seeing the

same designs on the same models. I just knew

that new or unexposed talent in existed

Kansas City, and sure enough there always is.”

Show me castings grew from 5 subscribers to

500 in just a couple months. Still growing you

can join the movement by visiting

facebook.com/showmecastings

Real Women of Kansas City is an online

networking group for business women. Love,

Live, Network RWOKC provides support,

business listings, networking luncheons,

basically an outside support system.

Aura Magazine, a fashion based

entertainment magazine launched

September 2011. A free nationwide

publication that is vastly growing. “I launched Aura Magazine because I saw a need for a

publication that exposed upcoming designers, new businesses, entertainers, non –profits, and to

bring awareness to all things fashion.” Aura Magazine releases bimonthly, subscribe today at

www.aurafashionmagazined.com. One key difference between and other magazines we focus

on positive and inspiring stories.

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Inspiration. “My inspirations come from inspiring others. I have been blessed to be one

of those people who can look at any situation and I can tell you how to enhance that

situation. I’m constantly coming up with ideas, I have so many ideas, and I’m looking

forward to seeing them unfold.” Nychia goes on “Achieving my goals are very

important to me, I sleep a little less than most. Please be on the lookout for my

documentary Passion Behind the Fashion, fashion shows, and Co-Partnership in AuEn

Modeling Agency”

There are so many pages to turn in the book of Nychia De’Lynn stay tuned for the

documentary series “Passion Being the Fashion” February 2013.

Upcoming Projects:

Winter Wonderland Fashion Show and Toy Drive; December 1st 2012 at Club 7Hundred

700 SW BLVD Kansas City MO

February

Passion Behind the Fashion Release

Aura Magazine Fashion Night Out

March

RWOKC Networking Luncheon

For more information on any of the events connect

with Nychia De'lynn

FB: Aura Fashions

Twitter: auraboutiq

Instagram: auramagazine

www.auraboutiquekc.com

www.aurafashionmagazine.com

Photographer Gene Starr Makeup Artist Cassie J Designer Nychia De’Lynn

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Bridget Julia Couture facebook.com/bridgetmahony1 Photo by: Jeremy Martin j-martin-

photo.com Hair and Make up: Pete Meaole inspirationsbypete.com Luis Brayan Styling

816-739-4600 Model: Diana Hernandez

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Ad Space Available

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Atherton Photography

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www.athertonphotography.net

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An ideal location to host your next wedding, reception, rehearsal

dinner, high school formal, business meeting, fashion show,

conference or office party.

New Life Event Space | 1828 Walnut, 4th Floor | Kansas City,

MO | 816.668.9611 |kceventspace@gmail.com

www.NewLifeEventSpace.com

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Contributors

I’d like to thank each and every person that contributed to Aura Magazine Volume 2.

As we move forward we couldn’t exists without our generous contributors.

Andrea Newton (graphic designer)

Rasheeda Buckner

Shimika Kennison

Jason Atherton of Atherton Photography

Gene Starr Photography

Luis Brayan Styling

Models: Enilse Ramirez, Jordan Marie, and Diana Hernandez

Make Up artist: Cassandra James

Aniah Janae

Host of photographers, designers, and models that participated in “Designers Choice

2012”

The picture to the right was drawn by Aniah

Janae, a 5 year old who would like to become a

fashion designer and model. When asked, Aniah

explained that this a “sketch of designs for the

runway.” I believe this is a sketch to her future.

This issue is dedicated to “Dreams.” If we’re honest we

all have dreams and aspirations. Your dreams

naturally begin with the inner you; it’s typically

something that has been brewing since our youthful

days. Rather or not you’re on that path now it’s never

too late to soar and become that “blank.” Your

dreams are something that only you can bring to life it

takes strength, endurance, and courage. You try, fail,

and try some more; success is in truly trying. Tap into to

the inner you and never give up.

~Aura

Aniah

Janae

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Trendsetter Alert

Designer Attack

For Volume 2, we decieded to highlight a few designers who are on the move; for this we enlisted the help Quincy

Crutchfield, Branden Cooper, and Nychia DeLynn (pg 9).

All from several backgrounds, different styles, but the same passion, how did this trio start their business? What makes

them different? What inspires their passion? How can you support?

Branden and Brian Cooper

Lord & Barrel was founded in winter 2009 by brothers Branden and Brian Cooper. The brand was introduced in spring-

summer 2010 with a collection of graphic tee shirts with clean minimalist designs. The idea behind the brand was to give

men a tee shirt that was simple and mature, as apposed to the multitude of brands that feature ironic or over the top

designs. The summer 2011 collection was slightly more edgy but still followed the minimalist format. The fall 2012

collection will feature a collection of knitted garments and hoodies as well as samples form the summer 2011 tee shirt

collection which was very popular.

Connect with Lord & Barrel www.brandencooper.com

Quincy Crutchfield

What made you decide to start designing Sins&Virtues?It began as a “hmm let me see if…”. I had a rosary that I really

liked when I was younger, and I lost it. So, one day I thought I could probably make one. I had a friend text me the

pieces I needed while I wandered through Hobby Lobby and Michaels….found the pieces and went home and got to

work, and the fascination with designing jewelry began! Now however all of my pieces are made from a combination

of vintage pieces I find and new materials.

Sins&Virtues seems like a pretty loaded name; what's behind it? The core meaning is simple and one of the mottos for the

line… we are good, we are bad, we are human. No one is perfect but yet we try to achieve some form of perfection.

Also it just articulates the fight between good and evil, and which side we allow to be most evident in our lives. Digging

deeper into why I named my line Sins&Virtues, I would say it is because all of my designs have duality to them. Especially

my clothing designs. There’s the actual meaning as you see it, and also the double entendre of what statement is the

piece actually saying. I view creativity as a gift and a curse as well because I love painting, drawing, designing, so much

while I’m doing it but once it’s done there is a constant struggle to duplicate the beauty of the creation or to make the

creation better.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Literally everything! It could be my environment at the moment, music, art,

television, random lyrics from poetry, or anything in between. It’s weird sometimes because I will be in the middle of

something and then all of a sudden I get an idea and I have to put it on paper right then. Even when I sleep I will get

ideas and have to get up and go sketch them. My friends think I’m crazy sometimes because I’ll totally zone out when I

get new ideas but talk about them out loud.

What kind of woman wears your jewelry line? I don’t really design for a specific demographic because my pieces are

more like art. I just design and create them with a vision in mind. Also I don’t just design jewelry for women, I also have

pieces for men. Women’s jewelry is just more fun. I’ve designed jewelry for females anywhere from the age of 2 all the

way 80+ yrs old. Each piece is designed to the client, I do some research on things they like and don’t like and then let

the creative process take over.

What's in store next for fans of Sins&Virtues Lifestyle? CLOTHING! I already have some t-shirts, scarves, sweatshirts and

hoodies floating around but I look to fully launch my website and clothing line. So add me on Facebook, and you will

always be current on what is going on with that. Sins&Virtues started solely as a clothing line, the jewelry was a

byproduct. There is a TON of stuff in store for fans of Sins&Virtues, but I can’t let the cat out of the bag just yet on some

things. I have to keep you guessing.

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Aura Boutique

4126 Pennsylvania Kansas City MO