Ranzeno Frazier on Entourage Modeling Troupe (Part 1)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing a friend of mine who is also an alumni of Livingstone College and a former member of Entourage Modeling Troupe. Ranzeno Frazier served as Mr. Livingstone College from 2007-2008 and was active in Entourage for a majority of his college years. 
Here we go!
When was Entourage started?
Entourage was the Fist modeling troupe on Livingstone college campus dating back to the early 1090's
OK, what are your colors?
The original troupe colors are Red, Black and White.
What do you mean by original?
Have they changed?
Yes they have to become a little more moder with today's fashion I believe the Colors are now a mustard yellow and green but not really sure!
Mustard yellow and green...I've never heard of that before. That's different and quite bold.
Yes it is dare to be different!
LOL. OK, so who were the founders?
I cant recall of the founders but one person that was a major person is Mr.Javen Leach
Oh, when was he in the troupe?
In the early 1990's
Have you seen any footage of the troupe from way back then?
Yes some and they were awesome doing things with fashion that is seen now on the hottest celebs. That was when it was really a fashion troupe, not about a routine and a theme!
Do you think that modeling troupes, as whole, have lost the whole general connection between performance modeling and fashion?
Yes it is now all about the routines and the theme, where is the fashion if everyone is wearing the same thing or sometimes nothing at all!Fashion is all about being innovative, unique and trendy but orginal but in most of today's HBCU troupes you see none of that
OMG! I completely feel you on that! Yeah, it's a complete carbon copy of some other troupe that bested them in some competition, the DC area troupes, and the ballroom scene.
Yes be original and understand that you are to produce fashion
The whole scene was originally influenced by the Ebony Fashion Fair...but not many troupes that came in during the mid-2000's don't even know about that. Ok...back on topic
LOL
What makes Entourage different than others?
Can you say Entourage will shock and entertain the audience you never know what you will see or get!
Ok, so spontaneous! I can dig that.
Yes
What made you want to join the organization over Nexx Leval?
Nexx Leval is a beak off from Entourage which was the best models from entourage that would compete in comps but in the early 2000's it became its own separate troupe. I always go for original and the first!
OK. I assume you saw the two of them perform prior to joining. How did Entourage stick out to you more than the other?
Entourage was more laid back fun.Not saying Nexx level wasn't but i just loved see Entourage
It was the vibe that hooked you. That's wassup. 

Epiphany and Mozik: “One Show” Review (Part 2)

Here's a continuation of the previous post.

Paris (Mozik)

Mozik’s theme was Paris, the birth place of high fashion. What better troupe to tackle this challenge than a troupe whose fashion has been some of the best and most creative in North Carolina on the east coast?

The scene took place in the Louvre, one of the most famous museums on the planet.  Like Epiphany, I couldn’t get much from the voice over to understand the entire premise of the scene. The part I got was Mozik’s (MMT) executive board wondering around and being found by a curator, who then shows them the cultural works housed in the museum.

Evalesco Models: My Style, My Swag, My Show '11

Wasn't too impressed with this show. The routines were intricate, the music was high octane, but it all seemed so similar to what everyone else is doing, and I know EVALESCO can do better. The fashion was passable. However, routines aside, what makes this a unique show? 

Bon Vivant: Domestic Violence Program

The following video is of Bon Vivant Fashion Society, a troupe based at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). I'm putting this clip up on here for two reasons, one, to start as a precursor to a post I'm going to do about exhibition shows vs competitions vs intermissions. The second reason I'm posting this, because their ending runway was cute. I haven't seen anything like it in a long time and it mixed j-sett with performance modeling in a classy way. I was taken back by the beginning at first but the show warmed up on me. The music selection for the intermission show was consistent as well. Good urban glossy RnB from contemporary artists made this a smooth, performance.

Strange…I’ve Seen That Show Before

I remember a time when most modeling troupes looked different, had their own sense of style and presentation. Then, around 2007, the creativity of the performance modeling world began to mutate, and not in manner to survive as organizations. No, this mutation was like that of a living creature exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The radiation, though, was the hive mentality that fueled itself on the rise and winnings of various competitive titans, and their dominance in the consciousness of their rival performers and defeated adversaries. Those who lost, instead of looking at what the judges said about their music, fashion, or lack of energy, instead copied and made replica of those who beat them.

O'Shea Couture ECSU Spring 2010

I'm at a loss for words right now...please forgive me for this speechless moment.
I have a lot to say about this performance. For one, I'll commend the choreographers on the difficulty and creativity of the routines. Good job to the models for pulling off said choreography. This show was good, but it was not GREAT!

For the entire time, the same genre of music played in the background, the same clothing was worn by the models all show long, and the energy was one long bar that didn't go up or down. The first time I saw this I admit to fast forwarding to the end because of this fact, I was bored. It's the same show put on by eastern North Carolina troupes who continue to emulate the DMV modeling style don't rely on their own personal inspirations. Not get me started on props! Yes, NC Triad (Greensboro, High-Point, and Winston-Salem) and Charlotte troupes have spoiled me when it comes to executing good overall staging. If only the rest of the state's groups would discover the magic a good backdrop can help manifest.

Just NAKED!!!

You've gotta love those raw, sensual Florida troupes. Though troupes in more northern regions of the eastern USA seem to have left the army of bikini-clad vixens back in the mid 2000's, such an image has become a staple of this region's shows. As tactless as this clip is, I love it! Is it any wonder this is the region of the nation that mothered the FAMU sex tape?! This brings back memories of Verge's Sean Paul "Temperature" inspired 4 seasons competition piece in 2006, and vintage Mozik/Epiphany.

The Troupes of WSSU: The Vice Versa Productions Story (Part 2)

Vice Versa as M.O.D. attending Epiphany's 2009 spring show

Last month I wrote a piece about the life and death of Vice Versa Productions (VVP), a troupe from WSSU. Now I will finish the tale of this group, summing up what killed the organization and how to not let such a thing happen to yours.

Vike Nu Modeling Troupe Homecoming 2009

I decided to review this show because, well, because I wanted to. Lol.

This one's for the FREEZE POSE!

A friend of mine made a great observation about this video, regarding the dancers and their posing towards the end of the video (2:45 min). It's crisp, dramatic, CLEAN, and performance models need to take note!

Kanye West - Runaway (Video Version) ft. Pusha T

The Troupes of WSSU: Part 1

The 3 troupes of WSSU at the Wal-Mart Fashion Show Competition
September 30th, 2008

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU from here on out) is a liberal arts college and historically black college (HBCU) located in Winston-Salem, NC.  It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by U.S. News & World Report in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South for the last nine years (2001–2009) category. WSSU is a recognized regional institution offering baccalaureate and graduate programs to a diverse student population.

The university is home to both Mozik and Epiphany modeling troupes.  At one time, four troupes existed on the campus, including the two previously mentioned, Vice Versa Productions, and the G.A.M.E. (Generation of Amazing Models and Entertainers).  The latter organizations merged under Vice Versa’s name and leadership, only to dissolve in the spring semester of 2009.