Monday Style Icon: Andrea of Fly (with tutorial)

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.

Some of Andrea's designs




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.