Fashion Forward, Vol. 1 is here!

Hooray!!! Fashion Forward Vol. 1 is now available for purchase!

Own your own paperback copy today (digital Barnes & Noble version coming soon).

http://www.gofashionforward.com/book-volume-1

Fashion Forward: Volume One to Debut in 2013

We're excited to announce the release of the first volume of Fashion Forward!

Volume 1 of the Fashion Forward series introduces assistant designer, Samantha Tate, and her New York adventures as she begins a journey that takes her further ahead in the competitive world of couture than she ever imagined.

(Genre: Sci Fi, Comedy)

Fashion Forward Comic Featured in Twins Magazine

Our new webcomic, Fashion Forward, is featured in the latest edition of Twins magazine. Read the article below!

Twin Sisters Launch Fashion Forward: Webcomic
(Twins Magazine, June / July 2012)

Comics and Fashion have had very long and very separate histories in the art world, but this summer, a pair of Los Angeles based writers and twin sisters are bridging them together for a first: a fashion based webcomic. Not since Marvel's Millie The Model (which began in the 1940's and ran for a record 28 years) has there been such a bold attempt.  

Debuting on Friday June 1st, the webcomic, Fashion Forward, follows the incredible adventures of New York Fashion Assistant Sam Tate, as she navigates the cutthroat world of couture and the ever-changing landscape of technological innovation.

Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs created the series out of a desire to see more fun, adventure-driven female stories in comics. The sisters, who make a living in television, tapped their own backgrounds as inspiration for Fashion Forward. Shawnelle used her fashion expertise as a producer for shows such as the Emmy Winning Project Runway and NBC's new hit Fashion Star. Shawnee, who's worked on Disney's Emmy Award winning Wizards of Waverly Place, put her background to work with her sister to help shape a compelling story for audiences of all ages.

The sisters paired with Linda Chung, a talented young San Francisco-based artist to illustrate the story. Linda's bold and vivid illustrations help New York City and its occupants come alive in a striking way.

Fashion Forward: A Webcomic premiered Friday, June 1st at http://www.gofashionforward.com/ and updates every Friday.

Article link at: http://www.twinsmagazine.com/html/JU-JY12twinsfinal.html

Fashion Forward the Comic is live!

http://www.gofashionforward.com

"Fashion Forward" Webcomic Premieres June 1st

"Fashion Forward" is a project conceived about two years ago, and has taken several forms in its short life span.

Shawnelle and I initially wrote the story as a screenplay. The screenplay was so visual and so much fun we knew it would make an excellent graphic novel. We set about adapting the screenplay pages to a comic book script and began a search for artists.

The stars aligned and we found our illustrator, Linda Chung, a sensational artist from Southern Cali who's artwork was absolutely perfect for the story.

Earlier this year, we realized "Fashion Forward" could also be pretty darn cool as a webcomic. Readers could discover what's been keeping us busy (and cracking us up) this last past year and receive regular updates every Friday.

And thus, the idea of the webcomic was born...and now it has a birthdate: June 1st, 2012.

So, we invite you to read about the funny and fascinating 7th Avenue adventures of Sam Tate, an assistant fashion designer who ends up further ahead of the trends than she ever imagined.

Stay Connected with Fashion Forward:

Fashion Forward Facebook Fan Page

Fashion Forward on Twitter (@gofashion4ward).

Black Victorians: African Americans in Steampunk and Historical Fiction

African Americans in victorian era America were a fascinating group. So fascinating, in fact, that Shawnelle and I have spent the better half of a year researching the people and period. Their stories and images reveal stoicism, impeccable style and a determination to move beyond the atrocities of their parents' generation and build a better world for their children.



Young Black Victorians in late 19th Century America were optimistic, and hungry for culture and education. Manners ruled the day (and manners ruled with an iron fist). It was an era where ladies were ladies, men were gentlemen and corsets were worn tight.



The Gilded Age of the 19th Century remains one of the greatest ages of invention, romanticism and excess, a period in America that has since been romanticized by the art, literature and fashion of steampunk. Though African Americans played a prominent and important role in 19th century American history, our place in the speculative fiction world of steampunk and historical fiction still has many stories yet to be told.



(The most recognized black figure in steampunk is inarguably Will Smith's 'James West' from the 1999 Warner Brothers film Wild Wild West over a decade ago.)

Since 1999, there have been a growing number of steampunk works about African Americans (including Balogun's The Chronicles of Harriet and the amazing Afro-Steampunk fashion of Yinka Shonibare) and there remains many stories to be written. The exploitations of Barack Obama the time traveller, for instance, may be a tale worth investigating for yours two-ly. During our research, we discovered this photo, circa 1900, of a man who bares a striking resemblance to the 44th president of the United States. Take a look and see if you agree:



But before "Barack Obama: Rockstar Time Traveller!," ever sees the light of day, we are excited to share "The Invention of E. J. Whitaker," a story that has waited over a century to be told. Inspired by the women and men who defined the generation: Booker T Washington; the love story of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Ruth Moore; the countless educators and inventors of the era; and those dashingly fashionable figures in miscellaneous photos and cabinet cards who's names we will never know.



(star-crossed literary lovers Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Ruth Moore)



"The Invention of E. J Whitaker" is our love letter to the era. Led by Ada, our female heroine, and featuring a cast of characters inspired by the pages of history and our boundless imaginations, we're looking forward to sharing images from this mini graphic novel adventure (with gorgeous illustrations by Chul Kim) in the coming weeks.



With historical fiction experiencing a revitalization in popular culture with films such as Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter and lavish period pieces like HBO's Game of Thrones, we believe the story of E. J. Whitaker, one of fantasy, romance and enterprise during America's greatest age of Invention is timely and a tale long overdue.

Stay tuned! Shawnee'

Sneak Peek: Mini Graphic Novel This Summer

(A concept page from our latest steampunk comic project)

We're busy at work on two comic book projects which will make their debut this spring / summer 2012.

We're excited to show the above concept art page from our mini graphic novel project illustrated by the sensational illustrator, Chul K.

Part sci-fi adventure, part historical fiction, our story is set in the early part of the 20th Century and affords us the opportunity to blend African American history with steampunk and gaslamp elements for an experience that we're hoping will delight our readers.

Shawnelle and I are pretty imaginative by default, but writing the mini book really gives us creative license to go wild imagining American life during the Victorian Age, yet rewriting history with a science fiction twist.

We look forward to sharing so much more from both projects soon!

~Nee

Sneak Peek: Graphic Novel Art Page

We're staying busy on the feature graphic novel and a few illustrated endeavors this year. Here's a look at a page of art from the project.

Our illustrator, Linda, never ceases to amaze us and the project keeps us in stitches as the crazy world we've created unfolds. A mash up of sci-fi and comedy, our first feature graphic novel title will be released later this year by BopSee Books.

Stay tuned.

~Nee

First Look: New Graphic Novel

Here's a first look at our current project, a really fun graphic novel in the works for next year.

We'll continue to update with progress and artwork from our wonderful illustrator, Linda, as the weeks go by.

We had a great time writing this story and are having even more of a blast planning things for the book. Can't wait to share more soon!

Nee'

Face Painting in MacArthur Park

This past weekend, I was able to celebrate Halloween in a new and interesting way--with the kids of MacArthur Park, a beautiful strip of green surrounding a small lake near Downtown LA.

MacArthur Park was a not-so-nice place in the 1990's, but thanks to the city's revitalization efforts, it's a safer place for kids and family these days.

I helped decorate pumpkins, distribute candy--and most fun of all--decorate faces of the neighborhood kids.

What a joy!

-Nelle

The 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival

I attended two screenings of 'Sule' this week at the 28th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival for two enthusiastic groups of elementary students.

It was loads of fun to see the film screen for the audience it was created for.

Our youngest group of children, a packed theater full of 1st to 3rd graders danced, clapped and sang the Sule theme, "Mighty Good Day" as the credits rolled. What fun!

In addition to enjoying a host of wonderful films from around the world (India, the Netherlands, Brazil and Australia just to name a few), the children were able to ask filmmakers questions about the films and filmmaking process.

The festival was a ball and the organizers and audiences are a great reflection of why, after 28 years, this festival continues to deliver.

-- Nee'

Sule wins 'Best Animation' in Montreal

Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks was awarded Best Animation at the Montreal International Black Film Festival this past weekend.

The festival jury had this to say about Sule:

“The story of this film is as magnificent as it is inspiring. Proof that a small short can depict huge and beautiful moments.”

A magnificent story is the vessel of a magnificent storyteller, and Sule's writer, Rene Rawls, handcrafted a beautiful and infectious tale.

We're super excited about the Best Animation award and thank our talented cast and crew for helping to make it possible.

And an additional thanks to our friend, and fellow animator, Kwesi Davis!

Woohoo!