Ciara went for cute and casual for a visit to Capitol FM Studios in London, slipping on a red plaid button down shirt, white tank, and cut off denim shorts.
First Lady Michelle Obama was pretty in pink at the White House 4th of July Celebration in a Michael Kors Collection Spring 2015 Geranium and White Gingham Halter Dress:
So I met some amazing people down in New Orleans during ESSENCE fest (recap of my weekend coming soon!).
While hosting a pop up shop for Meow and Barks Boutique, I ran into Bombshell Dakota Smith, who told me about designer K Mills and her signature bow dress:
Each $250 dress is made to order, and comes in a slew of colors, including Yellow, Purple, Green, White, Coral, Red, Black, Wine, Royal Blue, Winter White, Pink, Teal, and Denim.
The silhouette is simple and saucy, with a detachable bow at the neck and a slimming, knee length pencil skirt.
Though I haven’t tried it as yet, Dakota assured me the fabric is sturdy enough to hold it all in. I can see this working for church or the office.
I’m not sure this particular silhouette would look good on me per se, but I’m sure many of you would look lovely in it! I’m afraid of the mockneck/bodycon combo (seems like a recipe for disaster for me!), though I’m willing to give it a go.
Rihanna and bestie Melissa kicked back over the holiday weekend, lounging poolside in patriotic swimwear. While M Dollas flaunted a navy blue bikini and red shades, Rihanna worked a $550 blue and white colorblock swimsuit by Lisa Marie Fernandez:
The V-Neck One piece has draped panels at the front.
Splurge at Saks.
What do you think? Would you wear it?
As the Essence Music Festival wound down, things in Paris geared up for couture week. Today, Raf Simons offered his latest collection at Dior with billowing shapes and cape-like overcoats. Though only two models of color were a part of the casting, Lupita Nyong’o was front and center for the event, wearing a custom red pleated Dior Couture frock, Dior ‘So Real’ sunglasses, a Dior badge embellished clutch, and sensible heels.
For her front row seat alongside Anna Wintour, the star beamed in the short, simple, fun dress, cinched at the waist as is the style for the founder of the New Look.
With her natural hair in a little fro, she was the embodiment of summer fab.
This weekend was undoubtedly a busy one with a myriad of celebrations going on all over the globe. From fashion show fiestas to 4th of July fetes, and the Essence Festival (somewhere I MUST be next year), stars were everywhere showcasing their designer duds. But who set off fireworks with their looks, and who made the spark die out? Let’s take a look!
First up is supermodel Naomi Campbell. Speid at the Miu Miu resort wear afterparty in Paris, the goddess wore an ethereal, low-cut Alaïa frock for the festivities, uplifting her outfit with beachy waves and a flower in her hair. Hot!
Another top model, Cara Delevingne hit up the red carpet in Australia for the premiere of her new movie Paper Towns. She wore a hunter green mini dress by Dion Lee, with a sexy cut-out back. The color was so rich, and her, new strawberry blond mane was the perfect offset. Striking eyeshadow pulled this hot look together quite nicely.
Singer Estelle was all smiles at the Verizon booth during the Essence Festival in New Orleans this weekend. Wearing a crop top and long, pleated skirt by Milly by Michelle Smith, there’s no denying how fun and picture perfect she was.
June Ambrose and Empire star Bryshere Gray also partook in a few Essence Festival activities. The two posed for a pic, which could’ve almost resulted in a “Who Wore It Better?” showdown. But the two looked as cool as ever in their black and white outfits.
Solange, Kelly Rowland, Missy Elliott, and Beyonce posed it up for a Essence Fest after party. Everyone looks fresh faced and beautiful!
Jourdan Dunn loves experimenting with different looks, and this time, she let her hair do the talking. Before heading to the Wireless Festival, the supermodel snapped a selfie of her newly dyed gray/teal/lavender hair while wearing a Moschino crop top. Very cute look for Miss Dunn.
Nicole Scherzinger was photographed before hitting up the Kathie Lee and Hoda show. She looked every bit the diva in a pair of aviators, a $177 House of CB ‘Katana’ bodycon, bandage dress, and nude Kurt Geiger ‘Britton’ pumps. I loved the color on her, but it does remind me of the countless Herve Leger’s Kim K.W. wore almost every day a few years ago.
Draya Michele loves a good time and a cool ensemble. So she went for something upbeat, fun and festive this 4h of July in a custom Duckie Confetti sequined jersey, denim shorts, sneakers, and a Chanel purse. Love the laid back look.
Naturi Naughton is hitting the Power press tour hard; getting the word out about the upcoming season. She loves making her looks vibrant and fun, which this $200 Finders Keepers ‘Next In Line’ tropical printed mini dress can attest to. Love it!
Tia Mowry-Hardrict is still celebrating her birthday with hubby, Cory. The event was Havana Nights themed, so this Stop Staring printed halter 50’s dress was the perfect fit. Hoop earrings and $398 Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ sandals completed her look while Cory offset a tropical printed shirt with a straw hat. So cute, these two!
The Essence Music Festival is annually one of our high points of the year. With so many players in black culture — and culture at large to be honest — converging in New Orleans for a weekend, it’s definitely a rich experience to be a part of. This year, Usher took his time in the spotlight to make a statement with a screen printed ‘Juneteenth’ t-shirt. You guys were clearly impressed as evidenced by the Instagram interaction when we first posted the look.
For those who don’t know: Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. Celebrated on June 19th, some look at it with as much reverence in the black community as July 4th. Usher seems to be one of those people as his shirt depicts July 4th struck through and Juneteenth prominently beneath it. At a time with race, race politics and racial identity are at the forefront of the national conversation, this was certainly a #STAYWOKE moment.
That tee wasn’t the only symbol as the artist’s leather jacket questioned ‘Have we truly achieved our independence?” It’s an apt question considering that this is still a nation of burning black churches and police brutality.
The fits were designed by Kerby Jean-Raymond of the brand Pyer Moss. It wasn’t Raymond’s first political outing as this was the same designer who created the “They Have Names” tee that was an ode to people of color who had lost their lives to police brutality. We haven’t heard whether or not these pieces will go into production but will keep you updated.