Happy Almost 2013!
Yet another year has flown by before our eyes–really, where did the time go?!? 2012 witnessed magazine features, TV appearances, and the growth of The Fashion Bomb staff.

I have quite a few goals for 2013, but first, let’s take a look at what I wanted to accomplish for 2012!
1. Attend even more fashion weeks

My international travels took me to the British Virgin Islands this past year, but I’d love to diversify even more! Australia, Brazil, and Japan are all on my short list. I’m really going to try to do it up for 2013–hold me to it!

2. Take more fashion risks

I’ve experimented with braids and platinum blond locks, and that’s only the beginning of my style evolution. I’m still working on breaking out of my conservative shell; in 2013 I promise to push the fashionable envelope.

3. Do More TV

In addition to adding more to our Fashion Bomb TV repertoire, I had the fab opportunity to announce on BET’s Rip the Runway and chat with Wendy Williams! I hope to use my celeb style knowledge for even more on air appearances.

4. Launch a Lifestyle Site

Well…TheBombLife.com has launched, but I haven’t made time to add anything to it! Hopefully I’ll be able to update with my favorite restaurants, places to shop, and more next year!
In 2013, I hope to:

1. Make Fashion Bomb TV into a weekly/bi-monthly show.

Instead of occasional episodes, I’d love to have weekly or biweekly episodes with celebrity interviews, boutique spotlights, and event coverage. Upcoming designer? It girl around town? Hit me up!

 
2. Strive for more exclusives and guest posts

You guys loved when Angela Simmons blogged with us for a week. It’s always fun to get an insider view from a star whose style we admire. Who else would you like to see?

3. Commit to snapping more Street Style.

I used to put up Real Style every Monday; I’ve been slacking! I know you guys like to see what’s hot on the streets. I’ll learn how to use my DSLR *cough* and bring it in 2013.

4. Continue to build the Fashion Bomb Team

This blog has benefited greatly from the diverse voices of our staff members. From Jihan’s snarky fashion news tidbits to Cliché and Faith’s celebrity style wizardry, the Fashion Bomb is now an assemblage of smart writers united with a common love of multicultural fashion. We could always use more fashionable perspectives–I’m looking forward to see who submits their candidacy in our next internship contest!

We’ve also been super blessed to have graphics designer Ashley, webmaster Zillz, photographer Marta, and videographer Samuel Centore on our squad!

And this year wouldn’t have been half as special without Fashion Bomb Readers. You make blogging fun–and you give me a reason to wake up and get to work;) Your thoughtful comments and e-mails, good or bad, inspire and motivate me to be a better blogger.
Let’s keep the party going in 2013.
What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

Though you guys are typically very lukewarm with our male reader style submissions, Fashion Bombers showed out and represented like no other this year!

Tailored, sophisticated, and suave, guys from New York to Paris caught your attention. Check out this year’s nominees:

1. Davidson from New York

Few Bombers elicited as much excitement as Davidson from New York.

Clad in tailored suits in a plethora of colors and patterns, Davidson was the definition of dapper.

To say you were swooning would be an understatement! Out of 1,180 votes, he had a 94% approval rating, with comments like, “A true gentleman of style!!! Love!” and “Lawd Have Mercy!- nothing sexier than a well dressed man-and you have perfected that to a tee–You’ve got my vote!”

Reminisce on his entry here.

2. Alain from Paris

Sophisticated Alain caused stylish hearts to palpitate with his punchy pieces and unique ensembles.

Bright pants and patterns were his thing, along with unexpected pops of color via socks and pocket squares.

His Bomber status was cemented with 89% out of 966 votes. Martinique_FR gushed, “BRAVO Alain! Your look is very “classy gentleman with edge”… Love it!”

See his full entry here.

3. Dualleh from the Hague

We had a lot of international Bombers, and Dualleh certainly stood out.

His outfits oozed effortless chic, with ample European influences.

Though you’re typically a tough crowd, you were all in for Dualleh. Siyam wrote, “Perfection!!!” and Yeyo added, “Funky fresh and dressed to impress! Certified fashion bomber!”


Read his original post here.
4. Larry from New Jersey

Larry represented for Dirty Jerz in a series of refined looks uplifted by moments of cool colors.

He didn’t say much in terms of a description, but his clothes said it all: he had an eye for style and a singular swagger.

Ladies loved Larry! Dom wrote, “Handsome and fashionable, a rare combo. His shoe game is sick!”
while Ashleigh wrote, “Absolutely love it. Call me! Hahaha.”

See more here.

5. Tyquan from New Jersey


Who knew Jersey had so many fashionistos? Tyquan also represented for the Garden State with an onslaught of creative ensembles.

The fashion student at the Art Institue of Philadelphia wrote, “ Getting dressed is the most important & my favorite part of the day.”

The daring self described Maniak Manikin displayed his style prowess by way of bright hooded jackets, pop colors, and socks with sandals.

See more in his original entry.
6. Tony from Paris

Paris represented like no other this year! Tony was one of France’s finest features thanks to his simple outfits and designer pieces.

The business man worked a mix of suits and subdued tees.

StilettoHeel approved, saying, “Great style handsome man…”

See all his pix here.
This is a tough one! Who do you think was this year’s most Fashionable Bomber?

Stay tuned for our Bombshell of the Year post!

Before we determine the Bombshell of the Year, I give you Onelia from North Carolina:

The 21-year-old Raleigh gal writes, “My style is pretty much everything.“

” I can go from “tomboyish”…”


“… to girly girl…”


“… or from edgy…”


“to lady of the earth.”


” It all depends on the occasion and my mood.”

” Follow me on Instagram @ neli_P !”

Ok! Picture quality could be better, but your style shines through! You work both tomboy and girl looks–and that Zara beaded bolero is the business!
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 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

Have you submitted your nominations for Bomber and Bombshell of the Year? Today’s your last chance, as we’ll start the voting tomorrow. We’re closing out our 2012 submissions with a Bomber and Bombshell.
First up is Marty from ATL:

He writes, “My STYLE is very versatile.”

” I don’t consider it Fashion, because it never fades.”


” Unlike others they dress off their moods, I dress off of my integrity.”


” I love trying new things and taking risks because that’s when the “inner fashion beast arises”.”


“No matter where I’m going, I’m dressing to see my worst enemy.”


” The biggest worry with people and fashion is they care too much! Let free!”


” Clothes are visual art, and you’re the creator!”


” Make your Picasso worth a billion bucks!:)”


Preach, brother! I love your phrase about dressing to see your worst enemy. Work it out, then!

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!

Have you submitted your nominations for Bomber and Bombshell of the Year? We’ll be having our Bomber and Bombshell of the Year showdowns on Friday, so be sure to let us know who should be in the running!
Perhaps you’ll pick today’s Bombshell, Shea from MIA:

She writes, ” Let me start by saying I am stepping way outside of my comfort zone by submitting my pictures for consideration.”

“… Of course anything that forces you out of your comfort zone has to be worth it right?”


” I would describe my personal style as classic with a trendy mix.”


” I am business professional so the majority of my outfits I post on my blog, Curvesandconfidence.com, are for those ladies that like to look professional and polished without having to be a slave to pants suits.”


” I always try to mix it up on the weekends and show my casual side which usually ends up being whatever is most comfortable for Miami weather at the time.”

” As you can see from my pictures I LOVE dresses and skirts, which work best for my curvy shape.”


” For the longest time I would shy away from anything that displayed my curves and I was always afraid to try new things.”

” Well I threw all that junk out the window and now I wear what what makes me happy.”


” I learned to appreciate what I was blessed with because it surely isn’t going anywhere.”

Cute! I love seeing professional Bombshells who keep it conservative yet stylish.
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 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

Isn’t every year a good year for a working high fashion model? We’ve seen their faces in campaigns and editorials, watched them stomp the runways, and giggled at them goofing off on Twitter. We’ve narrowed it down to *your* top five picks.

Who should take the crown?

1.Joan Smalls

To say Joan Smalls has had a fantastic year would be a gross understatement. In case you couldn’t keep track: The model has appeared in campaigns for Fendi, Gucci, Givenchy, and Chanel— to name a few. Smalls was also ranked the #1 model in the world by models.com, landed a gig hosting MTV’s House of Style, and graced more than ten major magazine covers, (Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar UK,) collecting her Estée Lauder contract coins all the while.

Let’s not forget, Smalls walked the runway for top names like Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Fendi, Jean Paul Gaultier, Missoni, and countless others.

Can’t be mad at that!

 

2.Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan’s proven herself another campaign mainstay this year, with her face plastered on ads for Banana Republic, Burberry, John Galliano, and more. The i-D and Sunday Times Style covergirl also walked in the famed Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first (and hopefully not last!) time, and snagged herself a cooking show on Jay-Z‘s Life and Times YouTube channel.

The model mom was spied on the runways for Burberry, Issa London, Emilio Pucci, Marchesa, Alexander Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, and more designers than you can shake a stick at.



The model is beloved in her native U.K., but I think it’s safe to say that the rest of the world is also digging her!

 

3.Chanel Iman

 

Chanel Iman kept it cute in 2012. As she continued to stockpile cash from her Victoria’s Secret contract, she shot for major retailers like Target and Forever 21.

We saw her on the runway for Kanye West‘s sophomore collection. Aside from work, the model soaked in her  hard-earned notoriety, attending the Met Gala on the arm of Tom Ford, ki-kiing at AmFar Milan with Heidi Klum, and snatching a ticket to Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker‘s uber-exclusive Barack Obama fundraiser.

Sure, she took it a easy this year. But hey–  if you’re going to the Met Gala with Tom, scoring campaigns,  and stacking bread at the same damn time: you’re having a good year…!

 

4.Cara Delevingne

Much like her homegirl Jourdan, Cara cleaned up in 2012.  In her downtime, we know she’s not timid about making a goofy face or two, but she brings it in her modeling work. She’s certainly kept busy this year: she’s appeared in editorials for several iterations of Vogue (UK, US, Italia, and Russia), She landed herself a spot in Chanel’s Resort 2013 campaign, scored covers for Vogue Korea, i-D, and Style.com/Print (amongst others).



She stormed the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Mary Katrantzou, Burberry, and Oscar de la Renta— to name a few.



She’s also made friends with Azealia Banks, Rita Ora, Cassie, and Rihanna this year.



Cara’s been doin’ it, kids!

 

5.Nyasha Matonhodze

Oh, Nyasha! The ethereal Zimbabwean beauty took it a little easy this year (likely to focus on school,) but managed to churn out some major work at the same time. She appeared in editorials for W, Vogue, V, and more, walked for Altuzarra, Burberry, Rodarte, Donna Karan, and several others. And I could only barely manage my schedule in high school!

Did I forget to mention she’s a total sweetheart?

At any rate, who takes the crown for 2012?

(We already you will) let us know in the comments!

~Jihan

Today, we’re taking a look back at the hottest designers of 2012, the brands Fashion Bomb celebs rocked the most and rocked the best:

And the nominees are…

1. Alexander Wang

What a year it’s been for Alexander Wang! With a slew of blockbuster collections under his belt, he’s moving on to bless Balenciaga with a dose of his brilliance.

Not that he needs to join the ranks of a historic Parisian house to claim his place in the industry. His eponymous line does fantastically well, thanks to its mix of sport and sex, which has found fans in everyone from Nicki Minaj to Evelyn Lozada and Rihanna.



Another bonus: Mr. Wang is a champion of diversity in a sometimes whitewashed landscape. From casting Zoe Kravitz in his T campaigns in the past to outfitting and escorting Azealia Banks to the Met Gala, Alexander is cutting edge, bold, daring, and down.

It only gets better from here. Read our buzz about the industry’s wunderkind here.

2. Stella McCartney

Silent, but significant, 2012 British Fashion Awards Designer of the Year Stella McCartney has been a quiet fave of Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Beyonce, and the Kardashian clan.



A few stand out McCartney looks from 2012: Rihanna’s Mandarin Hotel Evening 2012 printed Tuxedo dress, Beyonce’s Nets Game Monogram Embroidered Blouse, Naomie Harris’s Skyfall Embroidered Dress, Solange’s Spring 2012 paisley number, and of course that Colorblock Shift noone could get enough of:

Betcha didn’t realize how good of a year it’s been for Ms. McCartney (and her multiple BFA’s didn’t hurt). Read all about it here.

3. Zara

Sure straight off the runway works for celebs, but Zara is a brand beloved by both stars and everyday people alike.

Zara unapologetically takes cues from the catwalk, then offers its interpretations without breaking the bank.

Good quality, flattering pieces, and affordable prices? You can’t beat that with a bat.

See our coverage of Zara here.
4. Christian Louboutin

Let’s be honest: Christian Louboutin has been slaying the scene for years.

But perhaps this year stood out thanks to his fabulous capsule collections and collaborations. 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of the French shoe designer, which meant an onslaught of lust inducing and drool worthy high heels. Despite their $3,995 price tag, his popular Isolde stompers found homes in the wardrobes of Nene Leakes, Monica, Kim Kardashian, and more:



Not to be overlooked were his Unbout Illusion Pumps, whose clear body and colored tip rendered them endlessly versatile. It seemed absolutely everyone had the shoe in different colors. No matter how they were rocked, the shoes werqed.





There’s simply no stopping Monsieur Louboutin. See his year in review here.

5. Givenchy

Few labels have been more ubiquitous than Givenchy this year.

Both men and women have fallen hard for Riccardo Tisci’s simple yet undeniably eye catching designs, consisting of star addled or rottweiler printed t-shirts and sweatshirts as well as sophisticated shifts and separates.





It seemed men in particular couldn’t go a week without rocking a piece of Givenchy. $300 t-shirts flew off shelves as Kanye West, Wocka Flocka, Pusha T, Carmelo Anthony, Victor Cruz, Swizz Beatz, and more flaunted their wealth and good taste on their backs.







Women got in on it, as well. Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Rita Ora, and more slipped on tees, dresses, you name it. Anything signed Tisci was fair game.




Aside from exuding effortless cool, Tisci is also down for diversity. He counts Ciara as his muse, throws kilts Kanye’s way for performances, and designed Jay-Z and Kanye’s Watch the Throne album artwork.




Most popular certainly goes to Givenchy, but is Riccardo Tisci Designer of the Year?

More 2012 superlatives are on the way!

As we’re nearing our Bombshell of the Year throwdown, I decided to feature another second timer, Marlene from New York City:

She writes, “Ever since I was first featured I’ve been watching and hoping more of my fellow plus size divas would get a chance to shine and show off their individual style without being ripped to shreds by critics.”

” Fashion in my oppion is an extended part of one’s personality with no holds barred…”


“.. without limits, rules, or restraints.”


“A message to all”

“… Wear love as a undergarment and confidence as your best accessory.”


” On my youtube www.youtube.com/SuperbFashionSense , I try my best to motivate all ladies to love themselves entirely.”


What a positively fabulous message! I was a fan of your looks the first go round, and am a fan now.
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 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

We’re only days away from crowning our next Bombshell of the Year, so I decided we’d entertain a few resubmissions. Johnnybell from New York was first a Bombshell in August, but wanted to send in a few pix of her renewed style.

She writes, “I’m a 21-year-old mother from NYC.”

“… I was featured before but feel like in these past months I’ve sharpened up a bit more.”


” Love reading what your readers have to say…”

“… and appreciate all the feedback regarding my style.”


” My style is a cross between young/hip…”


“… and modern/classy.”

You are one hot mamma! Loving all your looks. See more at NYTrendyMoms.com. See Johnnybell’s first submission here.
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 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

Happy Monday!
About a week or so ago, I assembled the Fashion Bomb staff for a holiday themed shoot:

I realized Jihan, Faith, and Cliché’s profile pictures hadn’t been updated since the summer, so decided to make a whole production out of photographing fall/winter shots, with hair and makeup by Julienne Moore and Shalea Walker, and party ready designs plucked from Zaden Row, a new ecommerce site that lets you shop tons of local NYC boutiques.
Take a look at our glamour shots, snapped by Marta McAdams:

Faith gave Mona Lisa fierce in an MM Couture Sequined Shift Dress, gold Parker jacket, and a Black & Grey bib necklace.

Jihan oozed uptown elegance in a sparkling Boundary & Co Zoe Dress, studded skinny belt, faux fur stole, and jewelry by Noir.

Cliché added interest to a Parker dress with a bold statement necklace.

And I went for flapper chic in a black and gold beaded frock, Noir jewelry, and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Fun times!

Many thanks to Nina Zadeh and Keira Duarte of Zaden Row, photographer Marta McAdams, beauty mavens Julienne Moore and Shalea Walker, and to our host Robert Verdi for letting us take over his Luxe Lab.

And if you liked any of our looks, cop ’em at ZadenRow.com. Fashion Bomb Readers get free shipping until Jan 1st by using the code fashionbomb at checkout.
What do you think?