Calling all recessionistas!
Former Aldo managers Jennifer Richardson and Nina Gonzalez came together in June 2011 to create www.recessionistascloset.com, an e-boutique overflowing with lovely looks starting at $7 and topping off at $80:
Saying, “We believe in smart consumption and not having to spend a fortune to look fabulous,” Richardson and Gonzalez offer tops, dresses, tunics, accessories, shoes, and more at super affordable prices:
I’ve never shopped their closet, but with $10 tops and $25 trench coats, you won’t risk much giving it a try!
• Esperanza Spalding, the woman whose Grammy win incited angry shrieks from a billion indignant teenage girls, covers this month’s T magazine. Catch the issue this weekend in the New York Times Sunday edition. (WWD)
• What’s up with these mega-retailers’ suppliers? If you thought Forever 21‘s ripoff-happy suppliers were bad, they don’t hold a candle to Zara‘s! The “designer-inspired” fast fashion chain has been charged with 52 violations by Brazil’s Ministry of Labor and Employment after discovering the terrible working conditions at their suppliers’ factory. Investigations found employees forced to work 16-hour shifts for significantly less than minimum wage, as well as “15 foreign workers from Bolivia and Peru, including a 14-year-old girl, working under slave-like conditions”. Workers were forbidden to leave the factory. The investigation does not end there, as the Ministry of Labor suspects 30 more factories operate under similar conditions! (Coco Perez)
• Here’s Beyoncé‘s commercial for her newest fragrance, Pulse. In it, she instructs us to “feel the power,” like we don’t already. That slinky, high heeled, heavy-footed stride is enough instruction, thank you very much! (Beauty is Diverse)
• Stylelist takes us behind the scenes of W Magazine‘s highly anticipated September issue, styled by editor-at-large Lori Goldstein. I suppose this is meant to hold me over as I impatiently wait for the issue to arrive in my mailbox. (Stylelist)
• Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War, A new book on the life of Coco Chanel by Hal Vaughan, claims she was extremely anti-semitic and acted as a Nazi spy during World War II. The design house holding her namesake, Chanel, says these accusations are erroneous: “Such insinuations cannot go unchallenged. She would hardly have formed a relationship with the family of the owners or counted Jewish people among her close friends and professional partners such as the Rothschild family, the photographer Irving Penn or the well-known French writer Joseph Kessel had these really been her views. It is unlikely. We also know that she and Churchill were close friends for a long time. She apparently approached him about acting as an intermediary between the Allies and the Germans for a peace settlement known as Operation Modelhut. No one knows for sure exactly what happened or what her role was to be.” And there’s the phrase that pays, right before our eyes: “No one knows for sure exactly what happened.” At this point, do you think it would matter if she were indeed a Nazi sympathizer? (Vogue UK)
We’re seeing stars! Lala Vazquez-Anthony slipped on a floor length star printed maxi dress from Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall 2011 collection for the Los Angeles premiere of her reality show, Lala’s Full Court Life:
The slightly sheer dress does quite enough on its own, so Lala simply accessorized with a white clutch and pointy black pumps.
The long sleeve black frock features the signature print from Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall 2011 collection, and was originally modeled on the runway with a patterned bag, printed pumps, and low black socks.
I definitely prefer Lala’s accents, but…that’s a lot of print! And for a long sleeve dress? Hmmm….Dolce actually showed shorter versions of the dress that I think I prefer.
What say you?
The New York Times has finally caught on to the flyness that is Street Etiquette, dubbing founders Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi online mavericks of black style:
Author Jon Caramica writes, “The posts on Street Etiquette straddle the modern and the historical. Mr. Gumbs and Mr. Kissi, both 22, highlight specific themes — floral prints, the saddle shoe and so on — modeling them and detailing their history. They are careful caretakers, respectful students, tailoring loyalists and handsome models. And they have become Internet-age fashion polymaths: stylists and models, but also writers, preservationists, photographers and editors — and soon, designers and retailers.” Basically they’re dope!
Congrats to the homies Trav and Josh. Read more about them here.
Check out our vintage posts about two of the flyest guys online here, here, here, and here.
*Whew* what a week! If it were acceptable to sleep from now until Monday morning, I totally would. Did you ladies make it through the work week okay?
Anyway, it’s Friday and all I can think of is smudged liner. It’s such an easy, yet sexy way to play up the eyes. Simply grab your eye pencil of choice (deep plum, royal blue, and teal green are great alternatives to black), line your eyes, then smudge with a densely packed brush or makeup wedge. Finish it off with loads of mascara (and if you really want to knock ‘em dead, try a colored one like the new shades of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Couleur).
Hey Bombshells!
So in addition to twirling in the pages of Essence’s September 2011 issue, I’m also featured in a behind-the-scenes video on Essence.com documenting the many personalities and fashionistas present during the shoot:
Check out interviews with creative director and Essence.com Managing Editor Emil Wilbekin, social maven Bevy Smith, stylist June Ambrose, DJ Kiss, designer Tracy Reese, style expert Tai Beauchamp, and yours truly:
See more pictures here:
Can I just testify real quick: Years ago, while working in the research department of a national magazine, I got business cards printed with the title, “Claire Sulmers, Fashion Journalist.” No, I wasn’t getting invites to shows, and I wasn’t even in the fashion department of my magazine (though I was allowed to write occasional fashion articles). I just printed my title, handed my card out to everyone I encountered, blogged my butt off, and truly believed I could one day live my dream. I am so amazed to see my name next to the title of Fashion Journalist, now, almost five years after I initially printed those cards. I guess it’s simply a testament to believing strongly in yourself, even when others don’t. Sorry to get all sappy, but I’m truly touched.
xoxo
As soon as pictures from last night’s INC for Macy’s Anna Dello Russo event hit the web, we started receiving requests for Solange’s look! Jiha says, “I am IN LOVE with Solange’s whole look at this Macy’s I.N.C. event! I’m pretty sure I can get the pants, but do you know what top that is? “
Of course for an INC event, Solange wore a version of the brand’s $59.50 colorblocked sweater: She topped the look off with J.Crew yellow stovepipe trousers, Dannijo jewelry, and Yves Saint Laurent leopard spotted Mary Janes.
Cute look, right? I might have to do something inspired. If you want to, too, get the look with these:
Today’s Bombshell is the vivacious Charlotte from San Francisco, California:
She says, “ I would describe my style as colorful, spontaneous, and confident!” ” It is always different day-to-day depending on my mood.”
“… I shop everywhere and always love finding bargains and hidden treasures.” “… My favorite pieces are from Goodwill and the Salvation Army, mixed in with new and old items I have collected throughout the years.” ” I pretty much have no limits when it comes to dressing myself and love experimenting with colors, prints and textures.” ” I am also a big fan of accessories!!” ” Most of my clothes are basics, but it is the accessories that make the outfit! “
Ah, Charlotte! If only I had half as much courage to rock accessories like you! You better work! See more of Charlotte on her blog, www.sffashionistachacha.blogspot.com.
Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and your picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com.
Contact Claire for interviews, appearances, collaborations and inquiries.
On engagement rings James Allen you will find amazing selection of diamond studs, each more breathtaking than the last. Each pair of diamond stud earrings is tailor-made to your specifications.
Saying, “We believe in smart consumption and not having to spend a fortune to look fabulous,” Richardson and Gonzalez offer tops, dresses, tunics, accessories, shoes, and more at super affordable prices:
