Alessandro Michele has been showing men’s and women’s pieces on each Gucci runway since he was named as the brands creative director in 2015. Now, the designer has announced beginning in 2017, the Italian label will officially combine their shows and only host one runway presentation per season.

  
“It seems only natural to me to present my men’s and women’s collections together. It’s the way I see the world today,” Alessandro Michele said in a statement. “It will not necessarily be an easy path and will certainly present some challenges, but I believe it will give me the chance to move towards a different kind of approach to my story telling.“The news isn’t novel: earlier this year Burberry and Vetements made similar announcements. Michele’s move parts from theirs in that Gucci will not be adopting the “see now, buy now,” format that his contemporaries are moving towards.

   
 The decision to continue showing six months ahead of pieces going in stores keeps Gucci in step with the consensus of the Italian and French fashion industries. While New York brands are forcing immediacy, international fashion weeks disagree. “New York has always been the land of branding and marketing. We and France, we are more the area of creativity and manufacturing,” honorary chairman of the Italian fashion chamber Mario Boselli said in a statement to the Associated Press. “I think the logic is different. They follow their interest, we follow ours.”

Even stateside some designers have shown dissent from the straight to consumer model. CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund 2015 nominee Chris Gelinas posed some poignant questions at his most recent show. “Why?! I haven’t had a reaction yet; I haven’t seen what people think,” he told the Observer about possibly switching formats “My clients haven’t said ‘I love this, maybe that’s not for me.’ You know, [the whole collection] can’t all be hits, you’re lucky if in one season you have a couple pieces that clients go crazy for.”

  
The points were valid in that the six month waiting period typically serves as a time for editing and incubation of the collection’s ideas. Without that designers could make the wrong decisions about which designs to produce for mass consumption.

  
What do you think? Should more labels put their collections available for purchase right after showing? And is it relevant any longer for brands to separate their ranges for women and men.

Uzo Aduba was the lady in red at The Olivier Awards, donning an Elizabeth Kennedy Pre-Spring 2015 Red One Shoulder Gown:

Her Siren gown hails from the Pre-Spring 2015 collection. Uzo stuck to the assortment’s simple styling of the number.

And here’s the back.

Radiant!

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

Mindy Kaling was a breath of fresh Spring air at the 2016 NBCUniversal Summer Press Day—clad in a Dolce & Gabbana Rose Print Drop Waist Dress and $856 Valentino Rockstud Caged Pumps:

Here’s the cotton flare version of her dress. Mindy’s is crafted from brocade and boasts a drop-waist and higher neckline.

We’ve seen her black patent and blush pink leather pumps numerous times: they’re practically a classic at this point! They feature the iconic Italian fashion house’s signature studded detailing, 4″ heels, a pointed-toe silhouette, and adjustable ankle straps.

Cute!

If you’re up for the splurge, get a similar version of Mindy’s frock here and her pumps here.

Thoughts?

Naomi Campbell looked every bit the model at the Gala Spa Awards in a 1989 Pierre Cardin Couture Black Ruffle Lace and Velvet Slit Gown:

Here’s a model posing in her gown in what looks like a vintage magazine spread.

Hot!

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

I think nobody can deny that 2016 has been a very good year for Black women in the editorial spectrum of landing magazine covers. While we’ve seen the gamut from Lupita to Viola Davis to Audra McDonald to even getting a plus-size edition for Women’s Month, there seems to be a constant undermining presence for Black representation if we look a certain way. Should we still rejoice when we see a Black woman on the cover, but she’s been photoshopped to the max?

Case and point, the most recent photo of Kerry Washington for Adweek, where it is clearly evident that Kerry’s been changed, altered, and photoshopped.

As a very ‘in the moment’ woman in the public eye, it seemed peculiar that Kerry’s looks would have been changed so drastically for a magazine that doesn’t even primarily focus on beauty and fashion.

Many of you took to Instagram, claiming that something was ‘off’ or that Kerry didn’t look like herself. Others expressed frustration in the constant demarcation of Black skin for magazine covers, or how the media enjoys us as long as our tones match a certain look or aesthetic.Not to mention this is not nearly the first time we’ve seen this before…

Or even in other magazine covers with notable stars…While many of us were saying “Yaaaaasss” that Willow Smith and Zendaya were gracing the covers of a magazine, others of us (self included) were wondering why they looked so lightened. It begs the question, are my looks only acceptable after Photoshop? Why is the media so fascinated with black beauty, yet still ‘fixes’ our beauty to a degree of someone else’s pleasing? What’s the point?

However, despite debate that occurred on Instagram and Twitter, Adweek says it did not retouch Washington’s features or skin tone.

“We’ve seen some of the questions from readers and want to ensure them that the cover photo is an accurate representation of how Kerry Washington appeared on set with the lighting used in the photo shoot. We stand by that 100%,” said James Cooper, editorial director at Adweek, in an email. “This issue was addressed well before publishing and the editorial decision was to not alter her features or darken/or lighten any of her skins tones whatsoever.” Hmm…

 Though we know that photoshopping happens every single day (and might just be an inevitability since we live in an image-driven world), the larger question, to me at least, is “Is this really sending a positive example to our next generation?” Yes, she may see a woman of color on the cover, but what message is it sending when she sees her skin has been lightened, hair has been groomed or that her nose has been over contoured for her to be on this cover? It may not be all the time, but the fact this even continues to happen begs the discussion. Plus, Kerry Washington is beautiful untouched, so, why not keep her (and all women of color) that way?

Are we being too sensitive and should just celebrate the victories of landing magazine covers, endorsements, and prestige? Or does the community need to speak up and demand that photos be non-altered (or less altered) to reflect the true natural beauty of our people? Is the changing of our skin a clear reflection of society’s distortion or omission of black beauty? Does any of the responsibility lie within the celebrity at hand?

Since the publication of this article, Kerry Washington has taken to her Instagram, where she does make a statement on the alterations that were made (in more ways than one!). Check it out:

Thoughts?

Despite the clothing choices we all make, most can agree it’s the accessories that make an outfit. With the 90s style resurfacing in various phases, we couldn’t help but see chokers manifested in various sizes, shapes, colors, textures and different brands on runways (and celebrities)!

You may be wondering how you can rock this trend into the Spring, and the easiest reply is :however you want! As stylish stars have shown us, you can rock the choker trend with strapless tops, dresses, off the shoulder concepts or even regular attire!

However you want to rock it, the sky is the limit. Stars such as Rihanna have been rocking chokers for years, but other celebrities such as Zendaya, Amber Rose and even Karrueche have shown us variations of how the trend can be worn.

The trend may appear tricky, but you can access your inner 90s and let ’em shine. Let’s see how celebrities have rocked the trend so you can get some style inspiration for the Spring!

How do you wear the choker trend? Send your submissions to submissions@fashionbombdaily.com to possibly be featured in our fabulous and popular round-up Friday!

Another day, another Bombshell. Let’s welcome Danielle hailing from Baltimore:

She said, “My name is Danielle Ferguson and I live in Baltimore, MD.”

“I would describe my style as versatile, trendy and fun.”Check out more photos she submitted:

Okay Danielle! You march to the beat of your own drum and I like it! Y’all can stay up to date on Danielle’s look on IG: @dreamsbydanielle. Thoughts on Danielle’s 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.

Anika Noni Rose showed out at the Cannes Film Festival with her castmates rocking a $895 Floral Jacquard Dress by Sachin & Babi Noir:

The dress features short-sleeves, sequined floral applique going down the side, and a fitted bodice with a flare skirt.I absolutely love this dress and can see someone like First Lady Michelle Obama rocking this for Spring!

If you’re willing to drop the bread, you can pick up her dress here.

Thoughts on the dress?