THE FASHION GUY WITH THE VINTAGE EYE presents The 64th COGIC Women's Convention!

Fashion Review

Of Official Night

The 64th COGIC Women's International Convention and Crusade

            Many of this week have watched the 64th Church Of God In Christ International Women's Convention and Crusade via live stream, which was held in Kentucky "Kentuckiana". The Church Of God In Christ also known as "COGIC" is the largest Pentecostal denomination and the fifth largest Christian denomination in the USA; predominately made of African-Americans and founded by the Great Bishop Charles Harrison Mason in the late 1800s and established in the early 1900s. COGIC is known for the powerful preaching, purposeful praise breaks, oblation outreach, and FASHION FASHION FASHION! From St. John Knits (as we say in NY "Johns") to Shellie Mcdwowell hats, to Manolo Blahnik pumps, the 64th women's convention brought just that. My focus was on Official Night, when the convention center turns into a sea of black with Swarkvoski Crystals everywhere. We can start with COGICs beloved Sainted Mother and General Supervisor Willie Mae Rivers. Mother river usually keeps it very simple and classy, just like a great woman her age and in her position should. Mother Rivers is known for her many simplistic knits and she arrived last night in a beautiful black St.John knit. It was Stoned around the color and in the buttons, with her "legendary" black hat which was stoned on the crown. Mother Rivers definitely blessed the women's convention during her final remarks when the glory from God fell in the place; Mother Rivers danced (a little), spoke in tongues, and quickened under the power of the Holy Ghost! 

        Also the beloved First Lady of the Church Of God In Christ, Lady Mae Blake looked absolutely beautiful during this gathering of Great woman from all over the world. We all know Lady Blake to give us beautiful bouquet floral arrangements and she didn't disappoint last night. She stepped out in a elegant multi colored floral stoned out head band and a beautiful long caped sleeved shirt dress and skirt. She adorned her ensemble with an oversized colorful broach that complimented and brought the whole ensemble together. A funny moment of official night during presentations; Lady Blake was given a beautiful bouquet of 24 karat gold dipped flowers! It was so beautiful and luxurious she didn't want to give it to her "adjutant sister" or the women that presented it to her to put it in the box and prepare to ship it to LA (lol). I love to see people who seem to be unreachable become real and funny. 

            I would be remiss if I didn't mention everyone's favorite Supervisor in the Grand Ole Church Of God In Christ, Mother Sandra Lorraine Taylor! She is such a sweet woman whom is full of wisdom and knowledge. I've known her and adopted her as a mother since I was a young boy, pursuing my education in a school she was a teacher at in Brooklyn, NY. Mother Taylor has always been a dresser; known for her many Shellie McDowell hats! She looked absolutely beautiful every night this week from her White, to pink, to blue and black, to red and black, to a vibrant lime green, and to her beautiful ensemble of black and white last night. The youth and young adults of the church do not just flock to her because she is a "DRESSER" but because of her sweet spirit and always willing to lend a listening ear and a seasoned opinion. Last night she wore a beautiful Lily and Taylor black and white silky twill dress that is belled right above the wrist, from their spring 2014 line. She adorned her dress with beautiful long strands of pearls which are always in order; and topped it off with an original Leonard Clarke black and white hat with cascading stoned flowers in the front and an oversized hat pin in the back. I really just love Supervisor Sandra L Taylor (Momma T as I affectionately call her). 

      There was definitely a trend last night that I saw all over the platform and out in the audience as the cameras panned around the convention center; and that was BOWS!!!!! There were BOWS on suits, BOWS as broaches, BOWS on purses, BOWS on shoes (wonderful Kate Spade "Latrice"pumps, and last but not least BOWS on hats and as fascinators. There was one that stood out to me and that was the piece of none other than Mother Dianne Bogan (second supervisor of the Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan). She is such a powerful woman, it was awesome to see her carry such a dainty piece. It looked as if it was make from mesh and trimmed in velvet. She wore it with a beautiful black and gold suit and looked very stately sitting on the platform right behind Mother Rivers.

       My favorite look of the night came from First Lady Pearl Hill, the wife of Bishop Michael Hill who is the Jurisdictional Prelate of Great Lakes First of Michigan. She looked absolutely stunning and very simple in a dress that was either bought from a boutique or custom made for her. It was layered and laid in ruffles made out of either silk wool or a beautiful taffeta. She wore it will a pill box hat with a large bow on the side made out of satin which made it look simple and elegant. No stones, no crystals, no hat pins, no double platform pumps, just a simple chic dress and a beautiful vintage inspired hat. Lady Hill you definitely get the award for Best Look Of The Night in my book!!!!

     Now we all know who viewed the live stream, who have been to coventions of this great church, who have been to conventions of our own organizations, realize that BLACK is an official color chosen by the heads of our church. It's not bible it's just what is chosen where everyone can be on one accord and in respect to the leader of the church. Now I love me some Karen Clark Sheard, whom has been elevated to General Board Members Wife. I have loved Karen Clark Sheard from "higher Ground" with Ron Winans and Friends to her present material. I love all of her diverse looks that sets her apart from all other Bishops Wives and really all other woman. Her voice is powerful and her anointing tops that; but on last night as the camera went around the platform and I'm looking for certain people such as Mother Louise Patterson, Evangelist Frances Kelly, and others the camera stops on Lady Karen Clark Sheard and I realized she had on every single color in my 6 year olds nephew crayon box except black. Grant it she looked absolutely wonderful and amazing. She is Karen Clark Sheard and not only do we love her voice but we do love her sense of style. All I will do is quote a status I saw on FB concerning her look from last night "Karen Clark Sheard looks great but she is completely out of order".

Remember you can have on a 3500.00 St John Knit, an 800.00 Shellie McDowell hat, a crystal bag, and Dior pumps, but if you don't have the confidence in yourself you will look like everyone else.

The Fashion Guy With The Vintage Eye