Andrea maintains Fly, one of the most popular graphic design blogs on the Web which features a daily mashup of fashion, art and design. I’m happy to have her here on BGLH!
Where are you from and what do you do?
A: I’m originally from Maryland but now call Philadelphia my home. I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and blogger.
Your blog is amazing. Where did you get the idea for it?
A: I discovered blogging back in 2006 and thought it was such an amazing way to share my design inspiration. At the time I couldn’t find too many blogs that spoke to women of color and felt I could help fill that void.
How do you find all this randomly cool stuff?!
A: I find my posts by doing research online, reading magazines and newspapers, and talking to other creatives. A lot of the times I don’t have to look, I get a lot of links and info sent to me which is always great.
I hope that anyone can visit Fly and feel they can find something they love enough to come back for more. But my main target is women of color interested in creative inspiration. After working in creative industries for years I often found that I was the only person of color in the room. We need more diversity in creative fields. Therefore, I hope that Fly can expose those who don’t often see themselves in these roles and help them realize that they can pursue these wonderful, lucrative opportunities of creative expression.
When did you go natural and why did you do it?
A: Unlike many others, I didn’t have too many problems with my permed hair; my hair wasn’t visibly damaged, it looked healthy, and I did it myself so I didn’t spend a lot of money or time at the salon. But who knows what it was doing to my subconscious, so after having a perm for most of my life I felt it was time to allow my hair to do it it’s natural thing. I went natural in 2001 after being tired of wearing the same flat-ironed wrap that I felt made me look like everyone else. After about a year of indecision, I walked into a barbershop and said “I’m ready.” Minutes later I was walking out of there with a low-cut and a sharp shape-up. I just wanted to look and try something different and also be good to myself and my hair.
What’s your regimen?
A: Every week I wash my hair, twist it wet, and wear it like that for a few days before doing my twist out ‘fro. Sometimes I’ll pin-up my twists for a little variation. Quite honestly I need to experiment with new hairdos. I miss when it was short and didn’t have to do much of anything, I might make that move again soon.
Andrea’s fro tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5-7HH7gakE
Do you prefer natural to relaxed?
A: I prefer natural because it’s healthier and more unique. To me, it takes a lot more work and patience to deal with natural hair (especially if it’s long) but it really is worth it because it’s beautiful. AND it’s versatile, I can get it pressed and wear it like that for a while and then go back to the natural (the press only lasts a week for me, after that week I’m always over the hair being in my face). With that said I don’t knock anyone for getting a perm, a hair journey is personal and although I can try to inspire someone to go natural, it’s something they have to decide and feel comfortable enough to do on their own.
Am I first to comment on Andrea’s chic-ness? She is waaay too Fly. I contacted her a few months back and she was soo willing and gave me the conatct for her hairdresser in NY. We( my blog and my hair) wants to be like Andrea when we grow up!!
caribbeanconservationchic.tumblr.com
Andrea is a unique and beautiful woman. It is so inspiring to see our women represent and do a wonderful job at doing so! BGLH, such a great style icon; keep up the good work!
I’ve been following Fly for awhile now. It’s a great blog and Andrea is not only talented but has a great sense of style. Love the prints you posted.
i love her shirts!!!!
very fly
OMG you’re GORGEOUS!!! I LOVED your BC picture. I’ve been without a relaxer for 5 yrs now, but I transitioned with braids and clipped the permed ends. I never had a BIG CHOP. While my natural hair is past my shoulders when stretched, I’ve been itching to chop my hair off. I’ve seen sooooo many beautiful low do’s lately. I loved it when both India Arie and Erykah Badu “cut it all off”. My mom also had a gorgeous fade when she went natural two years agao. LOL, I dunno I’ve always loved black women who rocked very low cuts,… Read more »
Andrea is the reason why I went natural! I discovered her blog back in 2007 and it has been my daily sunshine ever since… I started transitioning in march when I saw one on the posters she made (“The only regret I have with going natural is that I didn’t do it sooner”) and I big chopped last month after I saw the last one (“I went natural for me and my daughter…”). Thank you Andrea, you’re such a beautiful person!
Andrea is the reason why I went natural! I discovered her blog back in 2007 and it has been my daily sunshine ever since… I started transitioning in march when I saw one on the posters she made (“The only regret I have with going natural is that I didn’t do it sooner”) and I big chopped last month after I saw the last one (“I went natural for me and my daughter…”). Thank you Andrea, you’re such a beautiful person!
i love fly! andrea is pure dopeness!
I don’t remember how I first started looking at Fly, but it’s been one of my internet staples for a while now!
Seeing Andrea’s natural hair in all kinds of cute styles definitely made me start thinking of sporting my own natural texture.
Great icon BGLH!
Awesome! I would totally do my hair in a fro if I could it is a favorite hairstyle for me! White girl hair doesn’t really do that…even if my hair IS curly haha 🙂
http://livingembellished.blogspot.com
She’s super dope. Love her style and designs!
Truly digging her s‑t-y-l‑e!!
I just caught up and found her on youtube she is killing that TWA too!!
She is FLY!
She has just become one of my favorite Monday Style Icons
Just Lovely!
Andrea’s blog, Fly, is one of my daily reads! She is so creative and innovative. I always take away something new from her blog every time I visit. She’s doin’ her thang!
http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com
cuuuute hair!
im in the same boat as her, my hair was in great condition in its permed state.. i was just ready for the natural look :]
I just discovered her blog recently and I LOVE it, she’s such a beautiful, creative and talented woman.
Andrea is the best and I love Fly. Her hair is beautiful and glad to see her as Monday Style icon.
I am loving Andrea and her blog…
And she is so right…The “natural journey” is one that is personal and sentimental to whom that woman maybe and what she is going through.….I am loving the recent posts…PLZ keep them coming. I had always seen her blog but now I know who is behind the masterpiece.
purpleskyyys.blogspot.com
hi ladies! thanks so much for all the wonderful comments! And for those of you who visit Fly thank you for the support. Love the feature, thanks BGLH!
Great choice for style icon. I have been following Fly for a couple months now and I love it! There is really nothing out there like it right now. And Andrea seems really cool and down to earth. Keep up the good work 🙂
I love the hair. The fro is fabulous!
She’s fly and please do share the makeup information…her face looks so natural and pretty.
I love the picture of her right after her Big Chop. She makes me want to cut mine off!
WOW I’m so geeked to have found another African American woman in the graphic and web design field like me!!!!!
A PLUS is I’m also natural-so little of us in the field but with networking and sharing this community will grow!
Thanks for sharing BGLH!
-Detroit,MI
Happy Graphic & Web Designer
[img]http://bglhonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1.jpg[/img]
I am loving my NATURAL EMBRACE! Seven months and COUNTING!
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