Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Leightavia from Miami

It’s been a good week for Bombshells, no?
I think Leightavia from Miami falls right in line:

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She says, “I would consider my style very chic with fun elements.”


” I overall love a sleek and polished look.”


” I’m originally from Miami, am currently studying in NYC…”


“… and also currently interning at Jean Paul Gaultier.”


“I know you didn’t ask for that much, but wanted to give a little extra). “


No problem. Just wish you had include a few extra pictures;) But from what I can see, you rocked it. We’re on a roll!
Catch more of Leightavia’s style on Instagram @lattesamuels.
What do you think?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.

Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Melissa from Florida

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Welllll, I’m still reeling from the HIGH of yesterday’s esteemed Bombshell, but life must go on, folks.
Melissa from South Florida is quite fly, however–fly enough to satiate our sartorial senses:

She types, “I’m not trendy but my style definitely lends to vibrance and comfort.”

“I make style on a budget WORK.”


” Most of my pieces are from Target and thrift stores.”


” I have a thrifted piece on in EVERY picture and each purse/ clutch is handmade by me.”


” My style is simple but I feel stylish and comfortable every day.”

You look great! I can honestly say that I was feeling every look. Love that Peter Pilotto for Target skirt;)
See more on Instagram @CLARMELI86. Also, peruse her handbags at www.hardwareclutch.bigcartel.com.
What do you think?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.

Claire’s Life: Chatting With Renae Bluitt of In Her Shoes Blog

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So a few weeks ago, I did a video for In Her Shoes, a blog focused on telling the stories of career oriented women.

I chatted with owner Renae Bluitt about why I started Fashion Bomb Daily, my goals for the site, and how someone can ‘walk in my shoes.‘ Take a look:

Renae Bluitt of In Her Shoes + Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily from Renae Bluitt on Vimeo.

What do you think?
PS My VH1 dream came true! Set your DVR for March 12th, when I’ll be yapping about the Fabulous Life of Nicki Minaj.

Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Lagos

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I’m totally having a fan moment with today’s Bombshell!!
She is none other than Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a celebrated author, speaker, and Fashion Bomb reader! She’s been a reader for years, and I couldn’t be more overjoyed to feature her as Bombshell of the Day:

She writes, “It’s hard to talk about what ‘my style’ is.”

” You know those magazine features that ask you to choose if you’re ‘classic’ or ‘romantic’ or ‘preppy’ or whatever? I often find myself choosing all, and sometimes none. My style is What Makes Me Happy.”


“I have clothes that other people tell me are lovely but I don’t love them.”


” And there are clothes I wear and love, about which my family and friends will say things like, ‘you look like you’re wearing a man’s shirt that isn’t your size.’ Or ‘is that really how that top is supposed to look?’ Or ‘I don’t understand this dress.’”


“And I actually see their point! But what matters in the end is what makes me feel, when I look in the mirror, fully like myself.”


See more here:







Eloquent! Glorious! Flawless!
Excuse my blabberings, I’m just a huge fan (have you read Americanah or listened to Beyoncé’s Flawless?). At any rate, Chimamanda wrote a great article in Elle.com called, “Why Can’t a Smart Woman Love Fashion?” It’s a must read.
What do you think?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.

Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Tionna from Philly

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When I look through Bombshell submissions, I always keep an eye out for people who do their own thing, and don’t follow the status quo. Tionna from Philly pretty much fits the bill!

The blogger for WilsonFashionReport.blogspotcom says, “I would describe my style as fun...”

“…colorful…”


“…playful…”


“… and just like my personality: very outgoing.”


” And a lot of times my style depends on my mood!”


” I grew up in a very fashion forward family, so fashion has always played a big part in my life!”


” I work in the healthcare profession and do not get a chance to express my fashion creativity, so on special occasions and on my days off, I enjoy playing dress up!”


” I LOVE BEING A GIRL!! “


Ok! Not my style, but it works for you! And I love that Theory coat! It looks great.
See more on Instagram @Prettyoungt.
You feeling it?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.

Fashion Bomber of the Day: Rashad from New York

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Happy Friday!
Mail Bombs have been on the back burner for a couple weeks with Fashion Week and Awards season, but our Bombers are always ready to roll!
Rashad from NYC’s friend Tanisha sent in the following pictures for our perusal:

She kept it short, writing, “His style is fashionable but humble.”

He chimed in, saying, “My style comes from within.

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” I usually stick to myself and keep it clean cut and tailored;”

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” Of course living in NYC provides me with loads of inspiration, but I literally come home & brainstorm about what I want to see myself in next.”

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” I’ve recently been inspired by Sherlock Holmes so I’m definitely trying to incorporate that specific style into my wardrobe soon…”

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See more below:

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Work! Very chic and sophisticated.
If you’re inspired, follow Rashad on Instagram @hescockky.
Thoughts?

Fashion Bomber of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of male Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-8 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

Claire’s Life: Essence Magazine’s 7th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, Sponsored by Lincoln Motor Company

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So I flew back from Milan a couple days ago to attend Essence Magazine’s Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in LA. Lincoln Motor Company was kind enough to have me in the building to report on the festivities!

This year was epic. In addition to meeting Lupita Nyong’o (when I told her I’m the editor of Fashion Bomb Daily, she replied, “Oh yeah! Hot! or Hmm…?”)…

…I also met Oprah Winfrey!

Aaaaaah!!!
Of course everyone loves Oprah, but I truly look up to her as a business woman. She’s a game changing media maven who has thrived in an industry full of adversity. Who wouldn’t want to emulate her career path or bask in her glory?

I have similar goals for Fashion Bomb Daily. TV (why not?), and an expansion of the brand. Being in the room with such powerful people made it all seem possible!

I got my outfit together super last minute because I haven’t really had time to shop! Thankfully I purchased a lot of pieces from Demestiks by Reuben Reuel for New York Fashion Week, including his Kait Bias peplum skirt:

I paired it with an on trend crop top from American Apparel, my Gianvito Rossi Leather and Perspex pumps, and my CC Skye Vaulted clutch.

Though Essence Women in Hollywood and the Oscars fall right during Paris Fashion Week, I’m glad I had the opportunity to come back stateside. The event serves to highlight all the fabulous things African-Americans have done and can do in entertainment. It’s sometimes difficult to be encouraged in a fashion industry that claims racism isn’t an issue, yet unapologetically and systematically excludes black women; and when you take issue, they say you have issues instead of the other way around!

At any rate, my soul was fed, and I’ll happily attend every year, should Lincoln and Essence have me.

I hope you’re encouraged, also. Our potential is limitless, just have faith that all things are possible.
See a few of my personal pictures below:


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Tai Beauchamp and Tasha Smith
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Shawn Thompson of Lincoln and Bevy Smith

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Tichina Arnold in an Alpana Neeraj Dress

With Legendary Damon, Essence’s Emil Wilbekin and Bevy Smith

With Garcelle Beauvais and Karen Civil

Joy Bryant

Tatyana Ali

Blogging Buddies Karen Civil, Talking with Tami, Sekou Writes, and Luxe Tips

Photos: My Iphone (fuzzy ones) and Mark Martin (crystal clear ones).

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Lupita Nyong’o Talks Colorism, Beauty, and Self Acceptance at Essence Magazine’s 7th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

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Lupita Nyong'o Talks Colorism, Beauty, and Self Acceptance at Essence Magazine's 7th Annual Women in Hollywood Luncheon, Sponsored by Lincoln Motor Company
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If you follow us on Instagram, you’re very well aware that we were in the building for Essence Magazine’s 7th Annual Women in Hollywood luncheon!

Aside from the palpable star power and beautiful crowd, the speeches truly made the afternoon exceptional.

Lupita Nyong’o, who has wowed onlookers with her acting prowess and undeniable good looks, revealed to the audience that when she was younger, she struggled with accepting her, ‘dark beauty.’

She opened her speech with a letter from a young girl, who was tempted to use Dencia’s skin bleaching cream; thankfully the girl decided against it after seeing pictures of Lupita in magazines and advertisements, and realizing that a dark skin tone wasn’t anything to be ashamed of.

Nyong’o confessed that she, too, used to yearn for lighter skin when she was younger, and never thought she was truly beautiful. She said, “And then, Alek Wek came onto the scene. She was dark as night, she was on all the runways and in every magazine, and everyone was talking about how beautiful she was. Even Oprah called her beautiful. And that made it a fact.”

I couldn’t believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me as beautiful. My complexion had always been an obstacle to overcome. And all of a sudden, Oprah was telling me that it wasn’t. It was perplexing. And I wanted to reject it because I had come to enjoy the seduction of inadequacy.”

She continued, ” But a flower couldn’t help but bloom inside me. When I saw Alek, I inadvertently saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny. Now, I had a spring in my step because I felt more seen, more appreciated by the far away gatekeepers of beauty. [Even though] around me, the preference for light skin prevailed.”


She ended her speech underscoring the importance of appreciating inner beauty. Still, her talk touched on salient issues in our community: those of colorism, feelings of inferiority based on skin tone, and the supreme importance of seeing someone who looks like you embraced by the global arbiters of fashion and beauty.

That someone like Lupita could ever think she wasn’t pretty because of her dark skin tone is preposterous, especially when we gaze upon the gorgeous woman that graces our screens every day. That she had Alek Wek, and that we now have her, is a blessing. Young girls need to see women who look like them, so that they can understand that their black is beautiful.

What do you think of Lupita’s revelation?
And have you ever dealt with feelings of inadequacy because of your skin tone?
*Stay tuned for our full red carpet rundown + a Claire’s Life post from Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, sponsored by Lincoln Motor Company

Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Immacula from Memphis

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Kara from Atlanta was the Bomb, but we must move on.
Immacula from Memphis, Tennessee sent in her flix for today’s Bombshell feature. Take a look:

She says, “My style is very versatile. I can’t stick to one thing. That’s very boring to me.”


” I would consider my style very daring, out there and not afraid to take risks.”


“… I’m big on vintage. The thrift store is my everyday go to spot to shop.”


” I love anything that flows. Like sun dresses and Kimono’s.”


” I love a lot of color in my wardrobe. Paired with basic colors like black, grey and white. High heels/Chunky heels. The more drama the better.”


“I love to make a statement.”


” I’m a quiet reserved person.”

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” So I let my style do the speaking.”

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See more below:

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Cute!
See more of Immacula’s style on Instagram @Immacula__.
What do you think?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.

Fashion Bombshell of the Day: Kara from Atlanta

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You’re going to love today’s Bombshell! Kara from Atlanta was submitted by her friend Xavier:

He wrote, “I am submitting on her behalf because she is much too humble to do so on her own.”


“… I believe that Kara is the epitome of what it means to be a “Fashion Bombshell””


“… anytime she steps out, she OWNS it!”


“… She is a fashion inspiration to tens of thousands on Instagram…”


“…and I see it only being appropriate that she receives the recognition that she so humbly deserves.”


” She is undoubtedly one of the most fashionable women in Atlanta, easily standing in the ranks of Atlanta’s elite (Housewives of Atlanta, Basketball Wives, etc)…”

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“… but she is just a fashion blogger, wife and most importantly a mother.”


” I would describe Kara’s style as LUXURIOUS…”


“… SEXY..”


“…COHESIVE…”


“… and CONFIDENT x 10!”

See more here:

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Whoa! Boom! She’s definitely a Fashion Bombshell. I am inspired and certainly swooning over Kara’s whole closet. Love it.
Be sure to follow Kara on Instagram @chinchilllly.
What do you think?

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 6-8 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 6-8 different outfits to thefashionbomb@gmail.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.