Hey hey!
So today we have a Fashion Bomb Exclusive Interview with…
…Brooke Crittendon!
The Harlem Heights spitfire is a certified fashionista who keeps it splashy with an arsenal of hot makeup and fashion finds. A Baltimore native, Brooke is a self described “denim freak” and once spent $5,000 on jeans in one shopping trip! Not one to hold back for style, Brooke took some time to reveal a few of her favorite fashionable things:
She says, “My look is a blend of 80’s, thrift, comfort and convenience. I definitely dig the ‘single of a pair’ movement of the 80’s, one glove, one earring, one legwarmer etc. I don’t wear a lot of heels because I don’t believe in walking around with my feet aching for fashion (or corns for that matter)! I tend to wear a lot of flat boots and gladiator sandals.”
A girl after my own heart!
She continues, “ I don’t like trends, so I shop for pieces at vintage and thrift shops to guarantee that I’m not in a place where someone is wearing what I have on. I keep a funky haircut and take liberties with my makeup, so it makes it easier for me to dress simply and not overdose on being fashionable. My favorite designers are Buddhist Punk, Betsey Johnson, and PINK. I have a lot of black in my wardrobe, because I think black is classic and timeless…and easy when you need to get dressed really quickly!”
She confesses that she stocks everything from hoodies to statement bags in her closet. “I love my “No Autographs Please’ hoodie because the arms are long and skinny…it’s hard for tall girls to find fitted tops where the arms are long enough! I also adore my ripped jeans. I had been looking for a pair ( I have thick thighs so I didn’t want them to fit tight) and found a perfect pair for $49 at an Intermix Warehouse Sale! Another must: my gray booties. I’ve had the same pair of gray suede flat ankle booties for the past 4 years. The sole is worn to pieces (when I wear them in the rain my feet get wet!) but they fit so perfectly, they are worn in to the shape of my foot, and they add a hint of sass to a simple outfit. ”
She goes on, “My cinch belts add swag to a simple shirt and accentuate my small waist and full hips. I love my Louis Vuitton Mahina XL bag– I had been waiting to purchase a classic black leather purse, and when it came out last year I had to have it! It’s a perfect ‘city’ bag–I can dress it up or down and it can fit all my stuff. My gold Swatch big face watch never leaves my arm–it was $150 but looks like a Rolex! I also can’t live without my black leather jacket, gladiator sandals, and my two small cross necklaces. I wear a gold cross and a diamond cross together around my neck. They are very dainty and small, and are cute accents to my tops:”
Brooke brings it with the makeup, so shared a few beauty tips as well, “In my makeup bag, you’ll find Givenchy mascara, Shu Uemura loose finishing powder and liquid eyeliner, Ambi face moisturizer, and Chanel red lipstick. With perfumes, I prefer body sprays from Bath & Body Works or this oil that I get from a guy on 125th street!”
Very cool. Though Brooke definitely has a stronghold on fashion, she admits she still learned a lot from Harlem Heights Stylist (and Fashion Bomb friend) June Ambrose. She says, “June and her team definitely gave me a broader understanding of clothing and putting things together. They taught me how not to be matchy matchy with colors, how not to overdose on trends, and most importantly how to work with my body. I definitely stepped my style game up for Harlem Heights, but also gained an appreciation for laid back casual style when I’m not on camera..after those shoes and clothes I was happy to throw on a hoodie and some Nikes.”
See more of Brooke’s fabulousness on Harlem Heights, tonight at 10pm/9c on BET.
This is why “reality shows” are anything but that. How the heck do they have a stylist? If this is supposed to be showing real people, living real every day lives as young, successful black adults then how is there a stylist? Is there a makeup artist also? I know none of my friends walk around with stylist day to day. Makes me second guess who I think does and doesn’t have style since everyone is being made up by someone other than themselves!
Maybe she was referring to the publicity shoots they did with June Ambrose??
I saw that June Ambrose styled them in the credits and didn’t understand that. The show seems staged already but the fact that they have a stylist made it loose all validity as being reality
Pretty girl. Might have to check out this show.
Great Interview…I don’t expect reality tv to show me reality! I live reality everyday! Stop trippin Anon! Anywho can you interview Bri! I’d love here about her style also.
You mean you want to hear about her stylist style? That’s my whole point..I get that “reality shows” are not reality (I think everyone knows that by now), but how can I give kudos to someone’s personal style when I do not know how much is there style as opposed to the stylist?..that’s all I am saying. At the end of the day I am still getting some new style tips. :)
Who else of sick of the “a blend of the 80s” look???????!!!!!
low budget Rih Rih, i’m just sayin
I guess June Ambrose works with everyone on the show so I’m still going to have to give Brooke credit for always looking the best dressed. When Bridget and Brianna step into a scene I always laugh out loud at their preposterous outfits because its SO overdone. Brooke knows how to wear her clothes instead of the clothes wearing her.
This is sooooo fake, it not reality in no kind of way…..give it up girls.
Brooke is the best dressed. So if she has help, they are sure givng her the best stuff. But then again Brooke is a fashion designer right? So wouldnt she be the one with the most distinct style. Then again if I was the fashion designer of the show and they were looking for a stylist, I would be all over that job. It would create publicity for my company and but shine on my skills. Im just saying… :)
It’s scripted reality.
Entertainment.
Sit back, enjoy and be
inspired by the fashion
and beauty! or turn off
the T.V. altogether
and listen to NPR.
That’s real :-)
a stylist?! for a minute i was lost when she said that! if she really had a stylist for this show imma be really bummed out because i liked brookes style. no i would be really bummed if someone told me lauren conrad had a stylist. lol
Yeah I agree w/ Anon 10:05. But most “reality” shows are scripted…I think the only one that may not be is the Real World. I saw Christian a few weeks ago and I definitely noticed a difference btwn how they really dress and how June dresses them. He wasn’t looking good at all (clothing wise, cause I still think he’s a cutie,lol). But I like Brooke for some reason, and they definitely hooked her up for the show. Even the outfit above w/ the mustard colored leather and the full mini skirt is cute. I’m not really sure why Bri is labeled the “fashionista” on the show ’cause she always looks ridiculous IMO.
I agree with most of the comments, I’m a make-up junkie and when I saw in the credits that there is an artist on set, I’m like oh yeah? The show is GAR-BAAAGE with a French accent and I am most annoyed by Bri and the girl with the short hair who threw the dinner party. Her name escapes me at the present, must not be that important, but honey chile, her voice! That chick is definitely putting on for her city and I love the way she switches to Ebonics when she had lunch with that guy. Bri, or the one who makes the bags, I think it’s Bri, you look like you came out with Motown. SAT DOWN, I refuse to believe that you are an up and coming 20-something designer, I’m waiting on your lovechild to surface a la Sheree Whitfield from RHOA. I’mma get back to the other foolishness, the best thing going on the show is sexy Jason and his daughter, now she is the definition of keeping it real.
BTW, the perpetrator is Bridget, courtesy of Goolgle.
She seems sooo cool and down to earth. I love the show. I tivo it every week. I like the whole cast. Rather it real or scripted, I watch for entertainment.
I LOVE LOVE this girl she is swagged out fo real and it doesnt seem like she is trying to hard. Why not be a pretty girl and flaunt it. I watch Harlem hieghts faithfully and I love that they have a stylist so the show doesnt look thrown together like college hill. Brooke is that girl
I agree with all the comments. I was disappointed after I peeped the credits and saw June Ambrose as a stylist. I do look at the show for the fashion, make up and Harlem hot spots. It is very contrived and fake. Sad because a friend of mine knows Brooke and says she is way cool and down to earth, nothing like how she is protrayed on the show. Talia Diva, gyal I am so with you on Bri. Jason is the best thing on the show. Splashy and wavy. I so like his vibe. Seems like the realest one on there. But ladies, I will be watching again for the fashion. Also I am curious what is going to happen in the coming episodes.
June is there Stylist? Stop! No wonder they look a HOT ASS MESS! I am old enough that I am repeating the 80’s. But these new kids are Rocking it Wack. They are striving for an eclectic look. Even with an eclectic look there should have some sort of cohesion.
I think that Brooke is the prettiest girl that I’ve seen in a long time. Brooke is always super splashy you can’t help but respect it. Wether it’s her own sense of style or a stylist hooking her up the chick stays splashy…
I think Brooke is like super trendy but finding that she has a stylist and shit, puts me off, I thought she was ORIGINAL, but i still like her swagger….