Pretty! You have a great shoe game. And I love your pops of leopard!
What do you think of Noel?
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 2-6 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 have another British Bombshell this week! Check out Michelle from Leicester, United Kingdom:
She says, “I would describe my style as just exactly that ‘my style’.”
” I believe fashion is individual–it’s what you want to wear and how you wear it.”
” UK fashion is super eclectic. I may not have the money to spend on designer clothes or bags, but I do with what I have and that’s the great thing about my style.”
” I wanted to write about all things African like where to buy African clothes from your favorite designers, how the African continent is an inspiration, and even feature street style.”
Gorgeous smile and great use of color. Two thumbs up!
Your thoughts, Bombshells?
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 2-6 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!
You guys loved our Breaking into Fashion Interview with Teen Vogue Accessories Director Shiona Turini so much, I decided to keep the party going with a profile on celebrity makeup artist extraordinaire, Merrell Hollis.
In addition to painting Wendy Williams to perfection every day for her talk show (how you doin?!?), Hollis has also worked with Naomi Campbell, Mary J Blige, Vivica J Fox, Selita Ebanks, Usher, Alek Wek, Monica, Faith, and Diddy.
He put his brushes down for a spell to tell you hopefuls how you can one day take the plunge into the beauty business, and beat faces with the best of them.
A native of Columbus, Georgia, Merrell gained inspiration as a young kid by watching his mother and aunts getting ready for work. He says, “I used to watch my aunt. Every morning, she would change her fingernail polish to match her outfit. She would paint polka dots, she could paint California Raisins on her nails, she was really talented! At the time I thought I was either going to be a queen or work with women (laughs). I’ve always put women on such a pedestal, that’s why I’ve always just been in awe. I figured the best thing to do would be to work with them.”
After attending American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, Hollis went on to the International School of Skin, Nail Car, and Massage Therapy. He ultimately caught his big break in a bit of an unconventional way. He explains, “One of my friends was a video girl, and told me she went to audition for a video for the R&B group 112. I was a big 112 fan, so I decided to just show up.” After borrowing his mom’s car, he went to CVS, bought a brush kit, and found his way onto the set. He says, “I pretended I was the makeup artist. A production assistant eventually ratted me out, but the main artist on set, Maurice Beaman, needed an assistant.” The stars aligned at the right time, and Beaman, who now works for Tyler Perry, took Hollis under his wing.
Atlanta’s music scene was hot at the time, and Hollis fittingly accompanied Beaman to numerous commercials and video sets. He said, “I used to commute back and forth on the weekends because I was still in high school. I had to graduate in summer school.” When he wasn’t working with Atlanta celebs like 112, Monica, Jagged Edge, Blacque, and Usher, he apprenticed under Beaman at his salon, shampooing, braiding, roller setting, doing brows, and applying makeup.
Merrell’s reputation for hard and fantastic work preceded him. When a friend of a friend found out Wendy Williams was looking for makeup artists for her then new talk show, she threw Merrell’s hat in the ring. He said, “[Wendy] was going to try out different people. We ended up ki-ki-ing on the first day, and I ultimately got the job.” Wendy tapes live, so Merrell’s on call from 7-11am, then leaves in the afternoon for editorial shoots.
I had to ask him about which beauty products he’d recommend! He said, “I love the beauty blender aka the little pink egg. You can get it at Sephora. It’s an anti bacterial sponge that you can rinse out everyday. It lasts forever and is great for the environment. I also love Makeup Forever’s Color Flash Kit. It has 12 colors from pink to gold and you can use it for lips, cheeks, eyes–you can even mix it in with your foundation! I also swear by Laura Mercier transluscent powder, L’Oréal Carven Voluminous mascara, and Du Wop lip stain (it plumps your lips–it’s the bomb!).”
And what about tips for those looking to follow a similar path? He says, “Do it for the love of the job, not for celebrities or red carpets. Assist under someone whose work ethic and work you respect. There are people I truly look up to like Pat McGrath and Sam Fine. Those are the people I’m trying to pattern myself after. Also, stay humble. No matter if you are working with the top person, anything can be taken away from you.”
He added a few pointed tips for those seeking to work with stars: “A celeb is a client, they are not your friend. Don’t drink, smoke, or get loose with your client. They lose respect for you. Lastly, speak when spoken to. Don’t add all your input. Stay out of their personal business. Just do lashes and lipstick, don’t get involved. Be extremely discreet. They hired you to be the makeup artist, not their sister, confidant, or friend.”
Alright!
Keep an eye peeled for Merrell’s forthcoming product line and book! Also, check him out at www.merrellhollis.com and follow him on Twitter @makeupbymerrell.
What do you think of today’s Breaking into Fashion interview?
Today’s Bombshell is Krystal, a Florida native currently kicking it in D.C.:
She says, “My personal style could be described as…”spur-of-the-moment.””
” I get random spurts of inspiration and then include them into an outfit.”
” I definitely dress for my body type–because I’m so short, I can’t wear EVERYTHING that’s popular (i.e. cropped trousers and tea-length skirts).”
” I do like trends, but I’d rather buy something because I actually like it than because it’s currently “in style.” And once I like something, I usually buy it more than once and wear it over and over again!”
” I love reading fashion blogs and magazines and engaging in plain old people-watching for inspiration. It’s amazing how many ideas I get from outfits just by looking at what other people wear!”
Have we been on a Bombshell roll or what? Super cute. See more of Krystal’s looks at www.thefeistyhouse.blogspot.com.
Do you love?
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 2-6 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 adding a bit of British flavor to our Bombshell mix with Paloma from the United Kingdom:
She says, “I believe that being fashion conscious is important for you to define your personal style.”
“…Height, body shape and personality can help you identify the clothing that best suits you.”
“… I would describe my personal style as timeless, classic, and effortless.”
“I choose clothing that is form fitting and elongates and show cases my long legs which I feel are my best asset.”
” I love luxury items and tend to spend money on designer bags and shoes. “
” I live in the UK and noticed most of the people featured live in America…”
“…but I feel fashion is universal.”
“Please check out my blog at www.loloskloset.co.uk (I just started blogging on Friday!!).”
Welcome to the blogging world! Despite appearances, we do feature *lots* of British Bombshells with great style. You’re another example of someone with spectacular UK swag. Love it, especially the black shoes (and check out these similar women’s heels) you wore with that leopard skirt!
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 2-6 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!
She says, “I am a fashion stylist-editor-buyer from Fort Lauderdale, FL, currently residing in Atlanta, GA.”
“..I would describe my style as thespian:”
“I have different style characters that live within me.”
” I dress according to particular style character that surfaces that day.”
” I love to stand out, be fly & comfortable!”
Love that yellow dress! My only humble suggestion: just say no to leggings as pants.
What do you guys 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 2-6 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!
Loving your sneaker game! Cute!
What do you ladies think of today’s Bomber?
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 2-6 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 continuing our fly Bombshell streak with Patience, a Zimbabwe native currently living in West Des Moines, Iowa:
She says, “I am an actuary by profession and also the face behind the fashion blog, www.justpatience.com.”
” My blog documents more of my personal style and little tidbits of my daily life.”
“…I would describe my style as more of classic with a hint of edge.”
” That is not to say I can’t go street style when duty calls for it :).”
” I don’t usually fall into the trendy fads as much, since whenever I am about to buy something, I’d ask myself, would I rock this in 5 years?”
” Note the use of the word rocking instead of wearing.”
” Big difference between the two.”
“I would really be honored to be featured and hear what other readers think of my style.”
I.love.it.all. You better go on and keep it fly in Iowa! And watch out before I jack you for that Céline tote. Hot!
What say you, Bombshells?
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 2-6 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!
80’s style is back again, hence the huge door knockers we’ve seen some of our favorite celebrities wearing. From Beyoncé in her “Party” video to Nicki Minaj out and about in London, earrings are bigger and bolder than ever before and there is one jewelry designer who all of fashion’s most daring are flocking to: Seville Michelle Anastos.
Anastos is a New York City native who began her accessories line in the Fall 0f 2009 after working in the fashion industry as an art director and wardrobe stylist. Her first big break came when she presented her designs at Fresh Faces in Fashion at GEN ART Miami. From there, Alicia Keys called on her to make custom epaulets for her Freedom tour and she also created custom pieces for Prince. Other fans of her designs include Ciara, Keri Hilson, Mary J. Blige and many more.
Check out www.sevillemichelleanastos.com for bold jewelry that will make all your outfits stand out for Fall. You can shop the collection at www.patriciafield.com. Check out some of my favorite styles below.
