QU Mag was at it again, back in the streets of the world in search desperately for the next Trend setter for fashion. Coincidentally, this brought us back to the Eastern part of the United States. Not to far from the mecca of Fashion in New York City, Model Dana James fierce style and awe inspiring palette intrigued our judges eye. James hails from the nations capitol, Washington DC, "She brings a different sense of color and edge". James dresses an urban sheek look with a casual sophisticate style. Ready for the night-life however almost simultaneously set to turn heads during a busy lunch hour in the city. James experience in modeling and ability to articulate in words has allowed QU Magazine to relinquish the normal Q&A style interview to give our TrendWatch 2 Winner the space to tell Her side of the story.

Name : Dana James
Hometown : Washington, DC

My style is defined as my energy or how I am feeling. I get inspired through various things such as fashion magazines, what I see going on around me, and a lot of times I am inspired by myself. I have gotten outfits put together within 30 minutes before heading out to go somewhere and friends will think I took hours to put it together. I feel accomplished when they say that. *smile* I am a model for fun but it has taken me many places that I never thought I would have gone. I am also an aspiring stylist/visual merchandiser, which is my ultimate goal in life. I am a blogger as well, so I do it all. I am what you call a triple threat/renaissance woman. I have been into clothes and fashion since I was in elementary school. I would get seventeen magazines and just dream of wearing those clothes when I got old enough. I remember in elementary school when everyone would say what they wanted to be when they grew up and they wdould say a doctor, a librarian and I would be the different student to say I wanted to be a fashion designer which I no longer want to per sue but fashion has been a passion since I can remember. My favorite food is sushi, yum!! I would like to travel to London. I am actually hoping to make that happen sometime this year but we shall see. My sense of fashion is inspired by coincidentally the first QuMag Trendwatch winner, Allan Marco. We are pretty tight and we always trade fashion ideas and inspirations. 

Throughout modeling I have worked with various photographers and some that I still work with every chance I get. I have worked with Ron Marcelo, Lawrencia Taylor, Indya Wright,  and DeAan Pridgeon. I am looking forward to shooting with Barbie Bibiana in the near future, she is another great photographer that never fails to amaze me...seriously. 

Designers works that I like the most are designers that are around my age range because I feel like young talent is amazing. I have seen so many young talented designers, it's crazy and yet inspiring. Some designers that I really like are Imanilia by Imani, Sammy B Designs, Manuel De La Cruz, T Simone, and Allan Marco. These are all talented designers on many different levels that bring different looks to the table. I have personally met four of these designers and spoken to one through email. They are all very humble and people that you could probably go up to and talk to and they would listen and I truly respect that.

Fashion should be something from within. Everyone has different styles which is respectable but some things should be thought out. It makes things look much better in the end. Another thing that I always say is not to follow trends sometimes, buy what you like or rather what looks good on you. Fashion is apart of what we call the recycling system because trends are constantly repeating themselves. Trends don't look good on everyone so wear what looks good on you. 

As CoCo Chanel says, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

Written By: Dana J
Photography by DeAan Pridgeon of
& India of Icy Photography
Art Direction by Casey Renae
Styling by Dana James