Hey Bombshells!
I almost hit the ceiling when I saw a new MIT study on counterfeit bags mentioned on NYMag:

Not only is the study interesting, but the Assistant Professor leading the study, Renee Richardson Gosline, was my tutor in college!

How cool!

In her new working paper, “Rethinking Brand Contamination,” Gosline says that people rely heavily on social cues to tell real bags from fakes. When viewing bags on a shelf, for example, study participants couldn’t discern the real from the counterfeit. However, when looking at people carrying bags, participants judged the bag’s authenticity based on the person’s overall outfit and comportment:

Basically if someone looks wealthy, most people believe their bag is real and if someone looks lower class, they assume the bag was purchased in Chinatown:

Renee also published another study called “The Real Value of Fakes,” where she interviewed hundreds of consumers who knowingly bought fake luxury apparel. She found that within two years, 46 percent of these buyers purchased the authentic version of the same product, ” even though other people could not necessarily tell the difference.”

Sounds super interesting!
You guys might remember my heated run in with fakes from a trip to China I took years ago. After I was shamefully called out for my fake Burberry scarf, I decided to leave the knock offs behind.
How do you feel about fake bags?

Read the study synopsis here.

The stylish were all over the chic map late last week and this weekend, flaunting in everything from figure flattering club dress to inventive LBD’s and ‘Cougar’ fits. How well did they represent?

Rihanna partied like a rockstar for her Rated R Album Release Party at Ultra M2 Lounge in NYC, blowing kisses at the camera in a tight, long sleeved, exotic print dress with claw like cut outs along her bust, ribs, and hips. I’m feeling her smoky eye, blinged out diamond studs, and black nail polish. Her jubilant gesture (on the right) shows that this Bajan Diva is moving past the drama and onto certified platinum status, looking fly at every stop. Hawte!

Meagan Good and Angie Martinez also attended the crowded fete, with Meagan in ripped jeans and a tee, and Angie going for a bit more svelte in all black and a sharp short haircut. While I’m feeling the boots on both belles, hmm, Meagan could’ve stepped it up just a tad for the paparrazzi laden party…

Designer Rachel Roy stays on the New York social scene, so of course didn’t miss a chance to catch the Cinema Society & Tom Ford hosted “A Single Man” Screening at The Museum of Modern Art. She showed how to do the holiday look right in a strapless LBD worn with a heather gray turtleneck, metallic trench, opaque black tights, and cotton candy pink clutch. While Rachel can certainly shine on her own, her chunky locket Louis Vuitton necklace really takes the hot look to a whole new chic level. She better work!

Over in LA Kardashian sisters Kim and Khloe sizzled in body hugging mini dresses and stilettos for the Cracked Xmas 12 Gala. Loving Khloe’s droolworthy Christian Louboutin Pigalle Studs 100 pumps, but am growing a bit bored with the sisters’ predictable short-and-tight steeze…

Vivica A. Fox showed and proved for the mature bombshells as she introduced “Vivica’s Cougar Crunch” At Millions Of Milkshakes in West Hollywood.  Her brown leather ‘Shaft’ jacket, exotic print satin button down, and flowing ‘Farrah’ locks seemed to harken back to 70’s glamour, but Cougar Vivica shows how to make a bygone era look modern, polished, and hot!

Lastly in Santa Monica,  Lisa Raye and Elise Neal attended the party for stylist Joe eXclusive. I’m feeling the ladies black sandals, oversized clutches, and soft makeup, but am hmm’ing quite hard at Mr. eXclusive. Fashion and eccentricity go hand in hand, so I can look past the Gucci mandals and bright pink toes. The bleach blonde ‘woodpecker’ hair, however, is something only Rihanna can pull off–barely. Better luck next time Joe.

What say you, Bombshells?

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If you’re searching to add a bit of affordable quirk to your wardrobe, look no further than shoes by Irregular Choice:

The 10 year old English brand created by design entrepreneur Dan Sullivan provides creative, unique designs for those fashion lovers who eschew conformity. Dan creates 500 pieces per year for guys and girls, along with handbags and sneakers. Shoes range in price from $47-$200:

Do you love?
Read more about the brand at www.irregularchoice.com.

Rihanna performed her single “Hard” on Saturday Night Live this weekend:

She looked fly in a feather adorned jacket and ripped black jeans. The singer definitely has a nice voice and can dress her butt off, but I’m still on the fence with this song.
Do you like it?

Fellas, get your floss on this winter in a pair of Gucci’s $195 Eyeweb Ski Goggles:

The cool unisex specs come in black and white, and feature Gucci’s signature green and red striped bands along with anti fog lenses. I can totally see these in a rap video. Get yours at Gucci stores or www.gucci.com.

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Christian Louboutin pumps are perennial red carpet favorites, so it’s no surprise his $1,054 Pigalle Studs 100 stunners have shown up on some of Hollywood’s hottest starlets:

Ciara wore the versatile stilettos with a little black dress with a sheer sleeve and shoulder panel, and Khloe Kardashian went for a similar look with a black cocktail adorned with sheer back detail:

Both ladies look lovely, but who wore the pumps better?

If you love them, get the original plus a few lower priced alternatives here:

Hey Guys!

So today we had a wardrobe query so good, it merited its own post!

Bombshell Kendahl wrote in, saying, “So, my friend invited me to a 90’s party that she’s having at this club, so I want to make sure that I look extra fly. The only problem is I don’t really remember any key styles that really represent the nineties! So I’m really stuck on what to do! Can you help me find something that sticks with the theme and is cute and affordable?”

You know we can! Read on for some key looks culled from popular 90’s videos. First up:
TLC in Aint’ 2 Proud 2 Beg:

Sidle up to technicolors and oversized separates to mimic the energetic TLC trio from their 1991 hit. Dig up a few extra extra large t-shirts in red, purple, or orange, and don’t forget the colorful jeans or overalls to match! To truly go all the way, pin a few condoms onto your ‘fit, stack on colorful socks, and visit a costume shop for big sunglasses and hats:

Mary J. Blige in Real Love:

To channel around the way Mary J from her 1992 single “Real Love,” look no further than your favorite baseball team. Rock a backwards cap with an oversized jersey, and throw on spandex shorts and black knee pads. Slip on a pair of black sneakers and hoop earrings for extra 90’s flava:

Janet Jackson in That’s the Way Love Goes:

Go for a more sophisticated style with Janet Jackson’s 1993 soulful jam, “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Pair a cropped six pack revealing vest with figure flattering boot cut pants, along with ethnic inspired chokers and bracelets:

Brandy in I Wanna Be Down

Get yourself some box braids, flannel shirts, cropped denim, and chokers to go for a Brandy vibe from her 1995 chart topper “I Wanna be Down.” Hats were huge in the 90’s (remember Blossom?!?) so make sure you get a cute cap to match whatever you’re wearing:

Kriss Kross from Jump Jump:

90’s boy bands had some of the best gimmicks, and Kriss Kross was no exception! Well known for their ‘backwards’ movement, the ATL guys launched arguably the most notable trend of the era. Though it failed to catch on in the mainstream, you’ll definitely look like a 90’s throwback with baggy jeans and sweatshirts worn in reverse. Shave a few lines in your eyebrows and wear thin brads for added effect:

Did we miss any trends?

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Hey Guys!
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! The sun is shining for once in a few days…it’s the perfect time to solve some Mail Bombs!
First, Tiffany says, “I wanted to know more info about this outfit Beyonce has on in her Video Phone video:”

“…particularly the boots. Where can I get them?”
As we wrote here, Beyonce is wearing all Jean Paul Gaultier for that sizzling scene. Get similar boots with these $475 Thigh High Boots by Report Signature:

The suede stunners feature stud and zip details at the ankle and detachable, studded garter straps at the top. While I wouldn’t recommend the no pants look like Beyoncé, you can get away with wearing these with a mini skirt or dress. Get yours here.

Next, Grace loved Keri Hilson’s look from yesterday’s Week in Chic:

She says, “Where can I get her fabulous dress??”
According to several sources, Keri is wearing this Stella McCartney dress from her Fall 2009 Runway show:

To purchase, visit www.stellamccartney.com.

Tawanda says, “I was watching RHOA and wanted to know what kind of belt contraption Kandi is wearing?!

“….me likey!”
Get a similar look with this $54 Madonna Patent Leather Vest by Apple Bottoms:

Purchase here.
Lastly, in a wardrobe query, Latoya says, “I’m over here in Barcelona and thinking about getting a pair of harem pants (probably jeans) but I’m not totally sure of the best way to rock them..can you help?”

Since harem pants are so voluminous on the bottom, your best bet is to go with a close fit, tailored top to balance out the silhouette:

Wear a button town top like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, rock a tank and cropped jacket like Keri, or go for a full on corset a la Rihanna:

Get the look with these tops all under $100:

We have one more wardrobe query, but it’s so good, it needs its own post! Stay tuned for more fashion fun!
Smootches!

With all things embellished, spiked, and suede we seem to be obsessing over this season, wouldn’t it be more than appropriate to highlight a jacket that embodies the afore-mentioned traits?

This Julien Macdonald is that jacket.  This is right up Rih Rih or Ciara’s alley, especially with those astronomical spikes and gems that adorn both shoulders.  And yes, it comes with an astronomical price tag.  Among the ranks of those infamous, overpriced Balmain jackets, this one comes with a price tag of $7,565.  So if you think you can flip the bird at the recession, check it out here.

~Vuitton