By Hadasah Ingrid and Photographs By Diane Allford
Harlem’s rapid evolution of its renowned landscape is giving birth to a new renaissance of culture. Thanks to gentrification and its many caveats, the silver lining to the ever changing black mecca is the burgeoning explosion of nouveau art, cuisine and fashion.
Enter Nneka Ingram and her novel descent on Harlem’s cornerstone. Right at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, Celebrities Mobile Boutique is Ingram’s contribution to the iconic locale’s upgrade and preservation of traditional style. However what’s unusual about Ingram upon your first encounter is her welcoming charm encompassed by a strategic introduction into the boutique. Surprisingly, it’s fashion on wheels – Celebrities Mobile Boutique is a mobile truck of clothing, jewelry and other accessories.
The young fashionista provides her customers with the experience of transformation. One enters through the back of the truck stepping up into an oasis of eclectic pieces of jewelry, eye-wear, and hats amongst other niceties. Immediately there’s the surrounding atmosphere of the VIP dressing room privy only to the stars…. but it’s YOU getting the personalized treatment. For Instance, you may pick out a skirt never before seen anywhere – with Nneka’s styling assistance you are transformed into a conversation piece of art from head to toe. It’s like having a personal stylist! As you make your way to the front entrance of the boutique where final touches are applied with all the accompanied pampering; you emerge from this magical truck a star stepping down onto a personally provided red carpet flanked with velvet rope all paparazzi ready.
And that’s the experience Harlem has never had before amidst its mainstay of bustling shops along 125th street. Ingram quickly points out that her fashions are not couture but fashion forward with a neo-retro feel anchored by classic pieces. The seasoning of the Ingram style is accented with eclectic intent.
Although mobile business trucks have been a growing trend for food entrepreneurs – mainly as a cost effective alternative to store front properties, Nneka confirms that “brick and mortar rent is simply too high.” So the birth of her mobile boutique idea springs forth. The discovery of this concept came while visiting Los Angeles as she stumbled upon a “designer shoe” truck there. Meticulous research revealed that no one else was executing this mobile boutique idea anywhere in New York so she decided to get there first coveting a much valued spot right on Lenox at the 125th subway hub harboring past present and future Harlem.
Hailing from Queens, New York, Nneka was always the fashion guru with the natural flare for style. Picture the little girl playing in her mama’s pearls or playing dress up and fashion runway only she puts everything together so with extra panache beyond her youthful puncture. Fast forward throughout the years and she becomes the go-to girl to help get your look rightly fierce. It became happen stance-to-habit-into a full blown life style that Ingram has parlayed into a business since 2011. It’s next to impossible not to be inspired in the presence of this maven with flair herself.
Her personal style pierces you with effortless splendor. On any given day this former U.S. Veteran embraces life through her God-given talent to make others shine like stars. Nneka’s main fashion tips are:
- “Always have a primary article of clothing that serves as your ‘statement piece.’
- “Be sure to wear something that makes your outfit POP with vivid color.”
Big Ang from the reality show “Mob Wives” and Sasha Allen, former contestant on NBC’s The Voice should know as they are former clients of the Celebrities Mobile Boutique.
For more information, fashion tips, and great pics go to Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/CelebritiesMobileBoutique?fref=ts
Twitter @ SHOPCELEBRITIES
Instagram @ CELEBRITIESMOBILEBOUTIQUE
Website http://www.celebritiesboutique.com/
Nneka is also a certified make-up artist, licensed beautician in addition to providing private styling services. So get to 125th Street and Lenox Avenue for our next fashion makeover
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