THE POLISHED GROUP
Bios
Sherie Yvette
Sherie Yvette- Professional Model and “Whitney Houston” look-a-like-Tribute Artist completed professional model training at the only black-owned and operated Modeling/Charm school in the Chatham area, Cleo Johnson Modeling School. Since 1993, the magic begins the moment Sherie steps on the stage. In full makeup, wig, & costume, her ensemble is unique; the transformation is complete. The illusion is awesome. As a professional model, Sherie thought it would be interesting to add a twist to her entertainment creativity & decided to train in interpretive dance/pantomime & transform herself into “Whitney” Titles Won: Miss Windy City 1991 & MS. Windy City 1999 TV/Commercials: Andriana Furs, Saxon Paint, (hand model) for Wrigley Gum, Room Place furniture. Publications/Print: Billboard for Namaste/Organic Root Stimulator hair company, Leisure Curl Hair Ad, CoCa-Cola, American Girl, Ebony Magazine, Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Y.K. International wig catalog, Ladies Home Journal, L’Amour Bridal, N’Digo, ORS (Organic Root Stimulator, Soft Sheen, etc. Trade Shows Proud Lady Beauty Show & Midwest Beauty Show (Chicago). Bronner Bros. Hair Show (Atlanta), Orlando Premier Hair show (Orlando, Fl): Namaste/Organic Root Stimulator, Revlon, Avlon, Soft Sheen, Johnsons, Elente and Mizani, Black Expo & Today’s Black Woman Expo, N’DIGO GALA, Night of 100 Stars, Chicago Auto Show, etc. Runway: BET fashion show, Essence Magazine Mall Celebrity fashion show, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), National Cosmetology Association, Bridal Expo Shows, Cook County Bar association, Sorority/Fraternity Convention events, Empress/ Majestic Star/Trump Casino corporate events, Carsons/Macy’ /BeBe/Talbots fashion shows.
Lenny Shaw
Lenny Shaw is the master mind behind Henry Leonard Hat Collection. This gifted and talented Chicago based milliners founded the company January 2016 in Chicago Illinois. Inspired by watching his godmother walk into church with some of the most extraordinary hats in all shapes, sizes and colors. Mr. Shaw was motivated and decided instead of buying the hats decided to design them. After a year’s worth of doing the research and the homework. Mr. Shaw being Henry Leonard Shaw Jr. was inspired to pay tribute to his father the late Henry Leonard Shaw Sr.
Thus, being born, The Henry Leonard Hat Collection. Mr. Shaw continues to impact and leave an indelible mark with each new design. Because of his unrelenting creativity, each hat can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days to handcrafted and individualized with its own copyright. Attention to detail and eye for elegance are evident as he uses the finest quality of embellishments that complement each vision as it unfolds. If you are ready to be crowned with sophistication and beauty. Prepare to receive a myriad of compliments that will inevitably rise to salute you when you wear Henry Leonard Hats.
Prophetess Karen “Mickey” Evans
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Prophetess Karen “Mickey” Evans a native of Chicago, born and raised on the Westside of the city is a living testament of the life changing power of God and his ability to transform the old man into the new (2 Corinthians 5 :17).
Prophetess Mickey accepted her call to ministry in 2002. In January 2005 she was licensed by Bishop Larry Trotter the Senior Pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago as a Minister in the Lord’s church. In 2006 she was appointed as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Bishop and on September 14, 2008 she was ordained an Elder and elevated to serve as the First Assistant. Currently Prophetess serves her Sweet Holy Spirit Church family in various capacities as an Ordained Elder, Praise and Worship Leader / Team Member and Combined Choir Member.
Prophetess Mickey is the visionary of PTW/Preparing the World Ministries which began in 2006. A ministry where Prophetic Revelation Meets Reality. God has charged her too use this global ministry to Elevate, Enlighten and Encourage the believer and the unbeliever. The mission of PTW is to Prepare The WOMB (women of many backgrounds), Prepare The Warriors (men), Prepare The Weak (healing & deliverance) and Prepare The Worshiper (praise & worship). Prophetess Mickey is passionate about the integrity of the church and how it is portrayed in this era. She understands that it takes submission, humility, discipline, and integrity to lead and prepare God’s people for his return.
Faira Hartman
Faira Hartman a Chicago based Formal Wear Designer owner of Faira Sgnature Designs has been designing and servicing the community for over 25 years. Creating custom wedding gowns, prom and special occassion dresses. Faira found niche in the fashion world by following in the footsteps of her grandmother. Faira knew at an early age she wanted to design and make garments. Continuing to perfect her craft as a upcoming designer. Faira attended Columbia College and International Academy of Design & Technology downtown Chicago earning an AA degree in Merchandising and a BFA degree in Fashion Design.
During this time Faira started an internship with Johnson Publishing Company assisting the late Mrs, Eunice Johnson with coordinating and eventually being promoted to wardrobe supervisor for the Infamous Ebony Fashion Fair Show. This afforded Faira the opportunity to travel to 180 cities all over the United States, Caribbean Island and Canada. It was during this time Faira developed a love for working with couture gowns which lead to her employment at David's Bridal serving as Regional Alterations Manager.
Gaining 10 years of experience with David's Bridal, Faira decided to launch Faira's Signature Designs LTD. Servicing the Pilsen and South Loop area, allowed her to work with other designers in the area like JerMekko, Sharon Boucher, and currently working as freelance designer for Barbara Bates of Bates Designs Inc. Now Faira continues her career as a custome designer catering to the needs of the community through fashion.
Hosanna Morris-Smith
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Passion is what drew me, discipline is what guided me, and experts are who taught me. My name is Hosanna Morris-Smith. I am a planner, project manager and visionary with more than 23 years of experience. As a seasoned professional across multiple industries, I have built a proven record of defining vision, developing strategy, and executing action plans.
Creating and planning is not what I do, it’s who I am. I lean on my successes and learn from my past to produce amazing memories for each client. My experience includes exclusive management of international and domestic meetings, events, and conferences for corporate, association, social and religious clients.
My programs have ranged from 25 – 4,500 participants with budgets up to and exceeding $7 million. There isn’t a project that my team and I can’t handle to perfection. I am so honored to bring my vision and experience to the Polished Group. The smell of 1 success rests on a team of collaborators and we’re it!
Kevin Omari Murphy
Creative, innovative, and determined to succeed, Kevin Omari Murphy is a fashion designer and consultant of the highest order. The CEO of Omari Closet Designs, he started his own phenomenal brand in 2017. Using his dreams as inspirations, OCD is Omari’s brainchild his dreams into reality. He created OCD as a fearfully and wonderfully made to inspire awe and empower people to embrace themselves as they truly are. A great fashion sense does not discriminate, and neither does Omari. OCD is a testament to his devotion to the craft regardless of race, gender, sex, ethnicity, or background. Omari makes his designs keeping everyone in mind from all walks of life. Whether you’re a business professional, teacher, preacher, laid back player or entertainer, he will create a truly inspired work of art designed to bring out the best in you.
Brave, bold, courageous, and adventurous, Kevin Omari Murphy is never afraid to step outside the box and create inspiring designs that people simply cannot get enough of. OCD designs are a work of genius inspired by the deepest and most creative recesses of his mind. Several famous celebrities have had the pleasure of being styled by Omari and the honor of wearing the famous OCD line created by the genius Omari himself. Frank Gatson, June's Diary, Bow Wow, Rickey Smiley, Raz B, Pastor John Hannah, and Irvin Randall are just a few of the endless list of celebrities who work with Omari for his mesmerizing designs. Obsessed with creating unique designs tailored to each client’s specific needs and desires, Omari has always wanted to create designs that make them feel like they can’t stop wearing what he’s created for them. That’s also where the inspiration for the name came from. Omari wanted to create a brand that would captivate attention.
Obsession and compulsion are two inherent qualities associated with OCD, and he has successfully created a fashion line that has people obsessed with what he has to offer, and they are compelled to seek every opportunity to be embraced by his genius designs.
Elysia Ganier
With over 35 years in the fashion industry, Elysia Ganier has partnered with the Better Boys Foundation and After School Matters. With a continued commitment to inspire, uplift, and equip high school teens with the technical skills and business aptitude she has learned as she continues to expand her brand.
Lady Royalty
“Whether preaching, ministering, singing, modeling, acting, in front of “lights, camera and action”, styling clients or volunteering in the community, my assignment in serving others is not about me” says Lady Royalty.
The 6’ 2” Chicago native knows a few things about the modeling industry, an accomplished model, creative designer and stylist with 35+ years of wisdom and experience girded around her tiny waistline, Royalty appeared on numerous local and national televised shows for top hair and designer apparel events for major productions and designers such as Lebolhs Fashions International (Chicago), The Bobby Jones Gospel Presents of (Nashville) Panzai Fashions (New York Fashion Week), New Beginnings Fashion Circle, Woman to Woman “The Confident Woman” of (Phoenix) and TRIBE! Model Management (Chicago) to name a few; and have modeled for local Trade Shows, Corporate Events and Today’s Black Woman Expos and Henry Leonard Hat Collection as a Spokesmodel. Her signature style on the cat-walk imposes the essence of beauty, elegance, grace and class in any event.
Lady Royalty exudes intelligences, wisdom and smarts! She’s traveled the world abroad (Paris, Italy, Germany, Spain, Morocco) spreading the Gospel and she holds a Doctor of Theology in Biblical Studies, Doctor of Theology in Music, an Honorary Doctoral Degree and an Associated in Theologian Studies. She understands her assignment as she stays ready, focused and positioned for the mission.