At this point, I think we can safely say Selena Gomez may be the queen of red dresses this week. From her scintillating Balmain sequined mini dress a few days ago to this $595 Nili Lotan Red Cami Gown, it seems the pop star was on set for a photoshoot in New York City: An alluring Nili Lotan gown with adjustable camisole straps and a soft V neckline was one of the options. This slinky, silk charmeuse number features a raw edge curved hem for a romantic, distressed look. Though the hem of Selena’s gown is a little… hmm… too long for her petite frame, this is a color that compliments her so well. She completed her look with a silver statement cuff, dangling silver earrings and a daytime smokey-eye. And can we talk about her newly lightened locks and fierce blowout? Hot!If you think you can pull this look off like Selena did, you can shop here.
Beyoncé always keeps us on our toes! The superstar took home the Fashion Icon Award at the 2016 CFDAs and naturally did it in style: clad in a striped Givenchy suit and what seems to be her wide-brimmed black hat from the Formation tour. She gave a rousing speech that talked about her family’s history as seamstresses, what the distinction means to her, and more. Read it all here:
“I feel so much love and I feel so proud right now. Thank you guys for this incredible honor. As long as I can remember, fashion has always been a part of my life. Its effect on me actually started before I was born. Most of you guys don’t know this but my grandmother was a seamstress. My grandparents did not have enough money and could not afford my mother’s Catholic school tuition, so my grandmother sewed clothes for the priests and the nuns, and made uniforms for the students in exchange for my mother’s education. She then passed this gift down to my mother and taught her how to sew.”
“When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels didn’t really want to dress four black, country, curvy girls. And we couldn’t afford designer dresses and couture. My mother was rejected from every showroom in New York. But like my grandmother, she used her talent and creativity to giver her children their dreams. My mother and my Uncle Johnny, God bless his soul, designed all of our first costumes and made each piece by hand, individually sewing hundreds of crystals and pearls, putting so much passion and love into ever small detail. When I wore these clothes on stage I felt like Khaleesi. I had an extra suit of armor. It was so much deeper than any brand name.”
“My mother — who’s so fabulous and beautiful and is here tonight, I love you — my grandmother, and my uncle were always with me so I could not fail. My mother actually designed my wedding dress, my prom dress, my first CFDA Awards dress, my first Grammy dress, and the list goes on and on and this to me is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of all of our greatest milestones. So to my mother, my uncle, my grandma, thank y’all. Thank you for showing me that having a presence is far more than the clothes you wear and your physical beauty. Thank you for showing me to never take no for an answer. Thank you for showing me how to take risks, work hard, and live life on my own terms.”
“I want to say thank you to every designer who works tirelessly to make people feel like they can write their own stories. Y’all are fairy godmothers, magicians, sculptors, and sometimes even therapists. I encourage you to not forget this power you have or take it lightly. We have an opportunity to contribute to a society where any girl can look at a billboard or magazine cover and see her own reflection. Soul has no color, no shape, no form. Just like all your work it goes so far beyond what the eyes can see. You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, to show people how to embrace their complications and flaws and see the true beauty that’s inside all of us. Thank you so much for this incredible award I’ll never forget this night. God bless y’all.”
The 2016 CFDA Awards went down last night, with too many stylish women in attendance to count! Beyoncé picked up a major award and overall, the ladies really brought the glamour on the red carpet.
Let’s see what they wore!
Beyoncé accepted the Fashion Icon Award for the evening in a embellished striped Givenchy suit and what seems to be the same hat she sports on her Formation tour. This is one of her most daring looks ever. Brava to the Queen!
Gabrielle Union gave a fresh spin on classic stripes in a black and white Lela Rose gown. Simply gorgeous.
Ciara channeled the blushing bride-to-be she is in a pretty Roberto Cavalli gown in the soft shade. Hot!
Queen Naomi Campbell looked iconic in a black cutout Brandon Maxwell gown. She just keeps getting better…
Tracee Ellis Ross gave her statement-making jacquard, ruffle-adorned Suno gown some flair with a french braid and red lips. I loved this!
Joan Smalls tried on a black bobbed wig for size, with a cutout number that served up Grecian goddess from Eddie Borgo. Werk Joan!
Laverne Cox brought the drama in a cape-inspired dress with cascading sleeves and train and a front slit from Marc Bouwer. She’s becoming one of my red carpet favorites.
A strapless red and black Prabal Gurung gown was Jennifer Hudson’s choice for the evening.
Jonathan Simkhai hopped on the sheer dress train by slipping Jourdan Dunn into a transparent web-inspired dress. Isn’t she stunning?
Banana Republic makes a good gown! Just look at Jamie Chung in a hot pink and red design from the brand. Perhaps they should think about dipping their toes into the red carpet business…
The OITNB women represented for the night, with Samira Wiley in a lovely Milly confection.
Shanina Shaik followed Beyoncé’s lead in a sultry Givenchy number. Hot!
Jasmine Tookes shimmered and sparkled in a black and silver sequin and beaded dress.
Black and white was clearly the go-to for the awards show! America Ferrara wore a black Kate Spade gown with white and crystal stone embellishment. Pretty!
Why bring a model when you look like Vera Wang? Slay Vera!
Rachel Roy smoldered in her very own one-shoulder red gown. So elegant!
Ashley Graham demonstrated the power of simplicity in a black Michael Kors Collection halter gown. She never disappoints on the red carpet!
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was also a Kors girl, in a custom mint beaded georgette godet gown. The woman can do no wrong.
Olivia Palermo looked delightful in a white and pink Carolina Herrera frock.
Very few people could make this Marc Jacobs ensemble look cool. Naturally, the getup came easily to Adriana Lima. All in a day’s work for a supermodel.
Taylor Hill was a breath of fresh Summer air in a floral embroidered Thakoon gown.
Sara Sampaio looks breathtaking in just about everything, but her lace DVF LBD fell a bit short when thinking of the glamour the night demanded.
A simple and chic Jason Wu gown was on the menu for Emily Ratajkowski.
Riley Keough gave her black and white printed Proenza Schouler dress some color with bold, red lips. Hot!
It was all about cutouts for mommy-to-be Olivia Wilde in a green, long-sleeve Rosie Assoulin gown.
Heidi Klum was clad in an artful Roland Mouret gown for the occasion.
A leaf-embroidered piece from Prabal Gurung was on the agenda for Jessica Chastain. I loved the old Hollywood-reminiscent hair here.
Claire Danes’s pleated black Calvin Klein Collection dress was accented with a multicolor gemstone brooch.
Irina Shayk was the lady in red in a very “come hither” Misha Nonoo halter jumpsuit in the fiery shade. You know I always live for a great jumpsuit!
Another Kors girl! Alessandra Ambrosio wore a one-shoulder, purple sequin gown from the brand.
It was a family affair for Mary-Kate and Ashley! They brought their sister and muse Elizabeth along, all clad in black designs from The Row.
Karlie Kloss was white hot in flirty Rosie Assoulin halter dress with a cutout front. Cute!
Michelle Monaghan showed that Off White has some red carpet potential. Let’s see what Virgil Abloh has up his sleeves for the remainder of 2016. Her Schutz sandals were a nice touch.
Last, but certainly not least was Olivia Culpo in a black tuxedo dress with a feather hem from Kate Spade.
Danielle Brooks showed off her fun, flirty side when she attended the 2016 Drama Desk Awards wearing a Nha Khanh $495 S/S 2016 Kenzie Sleeveless Lace Dress:
The sleeveless, lace and tulle dress features asymmetrical peplum detail along with an embroidered lace bodice. The scalloped bateau neckline and a scalloped v-back adds an elegant finishing touch.
Danielle rocked an asymmetrical bomb with a hint of blue in the front and a pair of silver Steve Madden sandals on her feet.
If you’re prepared to splurge, you can purchase her dress here for $495.
Happy Monday, Bombshells!
I’m currently in Trinidad, Cuba, using the last few minutes on my Etesca Wifi Card to write you about my experience thus far in Cuba!
We’ve only been here for a few days, but I am already deep, deep in love.
The country is beautiful, the food is delish, and the history is what really makes Cuba one of the most interesting places I’ve ever visited.
When you touch down, you instantly see loads of 50’s and 60’s era Chevy’s, Buicks, Pontiacs, and more.
The US severed ties with Cuba at that time, and thus ceased trading with the country, whose capital, Havana, was once the epicenter of glamour, gambling, and compulsive excess. What you see now is a country almost frozen in time, with the remnants of a once glittering Empire in disrepair.
Though people in the capital city lack the outside signs of wealth, they seem rich with happiness, pride, music, and culture.
It’s almost impossible to visit Cuba without having a context for history of the country. I’d recommend getting Frommer’s Easy Guide to Cuba, Fodor’s Cuba Travel Guide, and Lonely Planet’s Cuba Travel Guide to get a sense of the history of Havana, and Cuba in general. This is not your typical vacation. Be prepared to learn and experience a different way of life.
With that said…
1. Where to Stay:
My family and I rented a simple AirBNB for about $100 a night. The minuses? No Wifi and pretty simple dwellings. The bonuses? Our host Manuel, who went above and beyond, making reservations for dinner for us for our first night, coordinating a car to drive us around the country, and having his mother, Dina, make us breakfast every morning.
The advantages of staying at a hotel include Wifi, snazzier surroundings i.e. a pool and restaurant. I heard that the Hotel Nacional, is bomb…
…however, it costs about $325 a night. Zoinks! Here’s what I’d suggest: find an Air BNB with Wifi or just get an Air BNB and walk to a local hotel if you need Wifi (which is what we did). It depends on what your priorities are! To save money, go to an Air BNB. If you want to do it up like you’re in Miami, to a hotel you go. Understand that prices are pretty elevated.
2. Where to Eat:
On our first night, our host made reservations at StarBien, a lovely restaurant located in a mansion. You can find sumptuous lobster dinners for less than $20 CUC/USD, so that’s what I’ve been eating every night. My sister got the Ropa Vieja, and my stepmom ordered a Seafood soup. Whatever, you get it will be bomb!
We finished up with the Flan and were very happy for the night.
Day 2, we made reservations at Paladar Vistamar (please note, reservations are pretty much mandatory. Visit a hotel or have your host make a reservation for you). There, I ordered Seafood dinner again and my sister ordered onion soup and pork bruschetta. We were happy with the food, but all agreed that Starbien was better.
A lot of our contacts recommended going to La Guarida. We tried to go there when we landed, but you need to make reservations at least a week in advance to eat there (it’s that good). We’ve made reservations for La Guarida for when we return to Havana at the end of the week. Can’t wait!
A lot of people we spoke to said that food in Havana isn’t very good. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the food. Even the ham and cheese sandwiches we’ve gotten from unassuming rest stops have been tasty. So don’t believe the hype. Eat all the food you want (the seafood is delish), but don’t drink the water. Drink bottled water, or carry a water filtration system (my stepmom bought some from REI).
4. What To Do:
Havana is steeped in history! Take a tour of the city in a convertible Chevy, or just walk around Old Havana, popping into museums and ogling the cars and architecture.
My family and I went to the Museo Nacional des Bellas Artes. I’m not a museum person, but enjoyed the 19th century art and more contemporary paintings. I appreciated how many positive depictions of Africans I saw.
In terms of nightlife, Tropicana Cabaret is really fun. Tickets are expensive (about $100 per person), but in exchange you get snacks, a glass of champagne, and a quarter of a bottle of rum. Because we had 4 in our party, we had a bottle of rum to enjoy the night.
The show is electric and the costumes eye catching. Our show was rained out, but after a group of Argentinians made a fuss, the show went on with fabulous aplomb. It’s definitely a little cheesy and full of tourists, but fun–check it out if you’re ever in Havana.
Special Notes:
*People are so nice. I can’t stress it enough. And apparently it is against the law to carry guns or knives, so everything is quite safe.
*It helps to speak some Spanish. Just enough to get by. We currently have a tour guide who speaks only Spanish, so knowledge of Romance Languages can help at the very least to decipher what is being said.
*Style Notes: Cuba is hot, so don’t stress looking like a fashion plate. Also, our trip has involved lots of walking. So while I did slip on a sparkly dress and heels to go to Tropicana, generally you’re fine with flat sandals and something comfortable.
If you want to add spice, bring an assortment of cool sunglasses.
*Bring more than enough cash to get by. You will not have access to ATMs and you can’t use your credit card or even access your bank online! Have enough cash on you to cover food, drinks, taxis, etc.
*WIFI. OK. There isn’t a lot of Wifi. T Mobile said my phone would work in Cuba. THEY LIED.
You can get a Wifi Card, called an Etesca card, at cellular shops called Teleporto. You will typically see lines to get this card, along with a guard at the door, filtering in the crowd. Once you have the card, you have access to public Wifi, BUT the trick is to find somewhere where you can get a signal. Most public spaces, hotel lobbies, and some parks have access to Etesca Wifi. You’ll know when you’ve found a hotspot when you see crowds of people sitting on the sidewalk or lingering in the street on their smartphones.
That said, Cuba is not the place to go if you have a million things to do. When you come to Cuba, be ready to have fun..sip a Mojito…dance Salsa…and appreciate a slower lifestyle that lends itself to human interaction and connection.
My family is now in Trinidad, Cuba and we went exploring the city today. In Trinidad, you will find lots of live bands playing salsa. And my sister and I were literally swept off of our feet, dancing salsa with complete strangers. But there’s a warmth to everyone. People’s hearts are open. They are happy to see you and happy you are here, experiencing their world, even just for a moment.
These are the memories I will bring home to me from Cuba. It is an experience I will never forget.
More to come from CienFuegos, Trinidad, and more!
Have you been to Cuba? How was your experience?
*Want a different point of view? FBD staffer, Lami, visited Cuba as well. Read her take here.
*Read about how I got to Cuba and my 20 lb packing challenge on TheBombLife.com.
Celebs love Beyoncé as a ton of our fave stars seem to be flocking to her Formation tour. Nicki Minaj is no different as she posed backstage with beau Meek Mill before Queen Bey slayed the stage. The superstar rapper kept it cute for the camera in a $3,273 Balmain Lace-up Stretch-Knit Playsuit while Meek looked fly in a $345 Alexander McQueen Skull Graphic Long-Sleeve T-Shirt. Plunging lace-up necklines are a key silhouette in Balmain’s Resort ’16 collection. This sculpting stretch-knit playsuit is punctuated with gold D-ring embellishments and a belt so you can adjust the shape. Definitely Nicki’s aesthetic with the plunging neckline and gold embellishments, she brought the fierce factor. But at $3,273, is it worth the splurge? Nicki didn’t stop there, pairing her ensemble with Chanel pearl trimmed boots and a vanity bag by the house. Though they’re not available for sale yet, we’re pretty sure they cost a pretty penny.Meek Mill wasn’t too far behind with his Alexander McQueen Skull-Graphic Long-Sleeve T-shirt.This crewneck pullover by McQueen features black and white horizontal stripes and a striking hologram-inspired graphic of a skull emblazoned on the front.
So, Bomb readers. were their ensembles worth the splurge? Well, if you think so and can cough up the coin, you can purchase Nicki’s playsuit here and Meek Mill’s shirt here. Are you feeling their looks?
Sak Pase everyone?! After a very restful weekend, it’s time to get back into showing off our Bombshells! Today, we’ve got Amina from London:
She says, “My name is Amina Habeeb and I’m from London.”
“I’m a fashion blogger, stylist, presenter & content creator.”
“My fashion blog; www.cheapandcheerfulshopper.com focuses primarily on affordable fashion and looking good for less. I believe it’s not always about labels and high end brands, but more about how you wear something as opposed to where you got it from or how expensive it is.”
“I love shopping at thrift stores and charity shops and enjoy putting super cheap items together to make them look amazing!”
“It would be amazing to be featured as a bombshell and share my style with others as well as sharing my blog ethos of looking good for less. “
Okay Amina! Girl, your different hair is giving me fab Lil Kim vibes. I love your style, and as an avid thrifter myself, love when people show how to look fashionable on a budget! Anyway, if you guys want to see more of Amina’s style, check her out on IG: _thisisamina. So what do you think of her style?
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 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.
The rapper-turned-designer has officially released his highly-anticipated Yeezy Season 2 shoe collection which showcases a wide variety of sandals and endless supplies of boots. While retailing between $445 to $995, it’s evident that this release is beyond the point of splurging.
In contrast to the Yeezy 350s and 750s, the Yeezy Season 2 collection was not done in conjunction with Adidas. It turns out that the iconic athletic-wear label will solely handle the release of Ye’s popular Yeezy Boosts. The next collab set to launch are the light grey Yeezy Boost 750 which will drop on June 11.
Yeezy Season 2 highlights include peep-toe thigh-high boots crafted from lucite and suede, lace-up crepe boots and a a few mid-calf stunners. The pricey footwear is now available at key online hot spots including MyTheresa, Holt Renfrew and UNKNWN.
And, let’s not forget how Mrs. Yeezy herself rocked her own pair last week (not once, but twice)!
Sadly, it looks like us frugal fashionistas will have to take an L on this collection. But, I already know of a few retailers who have looks for less – so, stay tuned! 🙂 I got ya’ll!
What do you think of the Yeezy Season 2 collection?
