At last night’s MTV Video Music awards, Beyonce simmered in a ruffled red mini with platform black pumps:

Get a similar look off the red carpet with these options:

Hundreds of eager fashion enthusiasts crammed into the Bryant Park Tents on Friday night to view the This Day/Arise: African Fashion Collective :

Arise is a global magazine dedicated to highlighting achievements in African fashion, music, and culture, and its Spring 2010 fashion show aptly reflected its mission.

Four designers: Jewel by Lisa, Tiffany Amber, Eric Raisina, and David Tlale showcased their skills before a crowd that included fashion notables June Ambrose, Bethann Hardison, Harriete Cole, and Claude Grunitzky as well as celebrities Damon Dash, Amerie, and Keri Hilson.

The first line to show, Jewel by Lisa, stuck to traditional African prints, offering interesting silhouettes like jumpsuits, glitter adorned tops with flouncy skirts, and paillette laced shifts with cut out backs.

Though adequately executed, I think this line could have pushed the envelope just a bit more by making its signature looks more singular and distinct. Many pieces reminded me of other lines–a mix of an African print top and polka dot shorts smacked of Duro Olowu, and short jumpers seemed reminiscent of Boxing Kitten. Is it just me?
Up next was Tiffany Amber, a Nigerian line designed by Folake Folarin-Coker:

Endlessly pretty, this crown jewel of the show comprised long, flowing dresses in yellow, floral, and metallic fabrics. I loved the vibrant colors, the effortless movement of key pieces, and that the dresses were ravishing without the aid of sequins, embellishments, or rosettes.

The cut was king, and Folarin-Coker shut it down. Can’t wait to see more from her.

Eric Raisina stunned the crowd with his shirred, fringed, tassled frocks in statement making reds, blues, and metallics:

While I appreciated his chic singularity, I thought that some of the pieces were a bit overdone.

Sometimes less is more.

David Tale closed out the show in a big way with simple items that flaunted large details like tassled capes, shoulder applique’s, and beaded extended shoulder boleros:

Tlale made a grand effort for his finale spot, but unfortunately everything seemed over the top and overdone. An appearance by Tyson was the succession’s only saving grace:

What do you think?
Source

Fashion Week means tons of events, and our Fashion Bomb celebs have been out on the town!
Let’s take a look at what they wore on and off the red carpet and front rows:

Rihanna showed up for a House of Hype Dinner wearing lace sunglasses, suede heels, and what appears to be a sequined, embellished jumpsuit. We have lots of love for Rih Rih on the Bomb, but this particular look makes me go hmm…the outfit is definitely unique, but we’re not 100% sure it’s the most flattering…

Amber Rose also went for the onesie look for a Persona Magazine event, rocking a silver low cut ‘Kill Bill’ like jumpsuit and what is now becoming her signature albino contact lenses. Frightening eyes aside, Amber knows what works for her in the wardrobe department. That said,  I’d love to see her switch it up a bit with maybe a pair of flowing high waist pants or billowing top.  It doesn’t all have to be skin tight or spandex..hmmm….

Kelly Rowland and Amerie were spotted in Bryant Park wearing age appropriate short dresses with fun heels. Rising style star Amerie looks hot in her floral number, studded belt, and ankle strap sandals, but something about Kelly Rowland’s choice reminds me of She by Sheree hmm…..

Lastly, the Simmons sisters went for vamp at Charlotte Ronson’s show, wearing sophisticated all black outfits accented by strong red lips and cascading necklaces. The sisters are truly growing up beautifully, looking unquestionably hot with each camera flash.
What do you think?
Smootches!
Stay tuned tomorrow for an MTV Video Music Awards red carpet run down and even more show reviews!

Bombshells!
I just got back from the Redbull Space at 40 Thompson Street for She by Sheree’s first Fashion Week presentation!

I ran up to the venue (fashionably late of course), and was met by a crush of people anxiously anticipating the Real Housewife’s New York debut:

The place was packed to the gills with fashionistas, stylists, bloggers, editors, and fans of Sheree and The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Sheree presented the collection in stages, with groups of 3-5 girls showing items for half hour intervals. Take a look:

Sticking to a color palette of gray, black, royal blue, and yellow, Sheree offered viewers slinky dresses with ruched sides and cut out back details, high waisted wide legged pants, and cowl neck tanks worn with tulip pleated shorts.

Using lace, satin, light weight wool, and a bit of leather, she fashioned a line suited for a thirty something who stays on the social circuit, and needs a plethora of interesting outfits for hosting or hitting the town:

While the vision and design aesthetic were sound, Sheree’s collection still suffered from slightly poor construction and questionable fabric choice:

Creasing and tugging across the hips, wrinkles, and awkward draping made some of the items look much cheaper than their reported $200 and up price point. All in all, however, it was a great effort by Sheree, and here’s hoping she continues to refine her craft:

After the show I caught up with some of my fellow attendees.

I said wassup to my blogging buddy Rae Holliday of StuffFlyPeopleLike.com and chatted it up with BET’s Harlem Heights alum and handbag designer Briana.

Caught up with Sheree’s hairstylist Lawrence, who was working it in a pair of knee high black boots and jeweled jacket topped off with an orange Birkin Bag.

Finally met British import and sunglasses designer Stevie Boi (who we wrote about here) who was wearing a pair of his inventive shades with skinny cut offs and boots.

And parlayed with a host of other fashionable folks!

I also had to dip backstage and interview the woman of the hour:

What do you think of She by Sheree’s New York debut?

Hey!

Yesterday the Fashion Bomb was in the building for the ARISE Fashion Show. While the presentation had tons of highlights like Sessilee Lopez, Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa, and Tyson Beckford stomping the runway (review to come), I couldn’t have been more excited than to catch up with Dwight of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Backstage after the show:

He had some fun newsy tidbits for us:

Enjoy!

Hey lovelies,
Adri here, filing my first report from the NYFW scene!
Thursday afternoon I hit up what’s so far been the best show (for me) of the season, model-turned-designer Lois Samuels’ launch of her collection, the Vessel.

The Jamaican-born Lois (above)–who’s modeled for everyone from ESSENCE to Vogue, Banana Republic to Calvin Klein–was inspired by “menswear as well as the uniform” for her Spring 2010 collection.

As Lois told me backstage, “I grew up in a society where having a uniform was so important. I think it gives calm to the chaos, and in a time like this you want to invest in something that’s multi-seasonal, comfortable, sexy, and not the fad–something that’s going to last.”

Indeed, the pieces were well-tailored, timeless, and rife with an understated panache I termed “prefect-chic.” For those of us with ties to the Carribean, especially, the uniform look is very familiar and makes you nostalgic for home!

Aside from the funky edge of the clothes, what I most enjoyed about the show were the models, which reflected the diversity of peoples you find in the West Indies (black, white, Asian, Latino), and just in the world, period. Models of all hues and backgrounds were presented in a gorgeous, inclusive kaleidescope that made you wonder, “Why can’t other designers follow suit?” Hmm…

Aside from chatting up the gracious Lois, I also ran into Stacey McKenzie, model extraordinnaire and a fellow Jamaican compatriot of the designer!

After the Vessel show, I headed uptown to pick up my Zipcar ride and make my way out to Macy’s in the Queens Center Mall, where I was scheduled to cover Anna Wintour’s Fashion’s Night Out event. Unfortunately, I made it about a quarter-mile from the crib before getting into a minor fender bender. Booo!

But as fate would have it, I ended up having a much better FNO than I could have imagined. How many writers can say that their ER doc recognized them right away and turned out to be a die-hard Fashion Bombshell?

That’s me and one of our fabulous readers, Dr. Uché Blackstock, who checked me over and pronounced me fit to return to my NYFW duties. The Fashion Bomb community really takes care of its own. Now that’s truly Hot!
~Adri

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Increasing awareness of a certain product and providing consumers information about it are just two of the tasks promotional models perform.

I was out on the street last night and spied a few fashionable men in hot sneakers:

Turns out they were wearing designs by Alejandro Ingelmo, a Parsons educated and New York based shoes and accessories designer.

I’d actually seen Ingelmo shoes on friend and stylist Darius of YRB Magazine:

And it seems the brand has men’s and women’s shoes that average around $500:

Splurgeworthy, but fab!

Check ’em out at www.alejandroingelmo.com.

Hey!

So yesterday afternoon I went to Milk Studios for the L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani presentation. The brand’s offsite location offered a unique way of viewing the collection. Instead of struggling to see everything at a fast clip, we could all stand as the models displayed the items before us:

Gwen used lots of bias cuts, draping, and ruching in this spring collection, mixing animal print and neutrals with seemingly Caribbean inspired brights of green, yellow, and blue.

Some of my favorite pieces included a tie dye bubble dress, an off shoulder Vivienne Westwood like plaid shirt, and a ruffled jumpsuit with royal blue and citron.

While I liked the collection, I really fell in love with the bright, droolworthy accessories:

Gwen kept the color going in bags and shoes with neon totes, colorful platforms, and razor sharp stilettos.

After the show I asked Gwen for a snapshot, and she happily obliged:

It was a fun time!

Tonight I’m rushing to the tents for the Nicole Miller and Arise Fashion Shows!

Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/thefashionbomb to get the minute- to-minute fashion goss.

Smootches!

So last night I eschewed the hubbub of Manhattan to cover Fashion’s Night Out at my favorite boutique Pieces in Brooklyn:

Owner Latisha Daring was launching her new contemporary line, Ashtyn, and was also exhibiting lots of indie and emerging Brooklyn designers whom I met and chatted with throughout the night:

The first person I discovered was Melissa Carter, owner of Worn Revolution, a women’s line that fuses vintage with contemporary street wear. She maintains that Worn Revolution is for all the recessionistas of the world who love high fashion, but hate high prices. See more at www.wornrevolution.net and www.ebay.com/worn-accessories.

Next I bumped into Gwen Frempong-Boadu of Gwyneth Shoes. Gwen has designed shoes for Sam and Libby, Kenneth Cole, and helped launch Steven by Steve Madden! Her chic designs average around $130 and run up to a size 14! See more at www.gwynethshoes.com.

I had a great time talking to Cherise TrahanMiller, Creative Director of Adha Zelma (www.adhazelma.com), a jewelry line that uses feathers, semi precious jewels, and stones to create one-of-a-kind necklaces, hair pieces, and bracelets.

I chatted it up with Crystal, designer of EllyClay contemporary handbags. Her studded and fringed creations are made for the fashionable working woman and range in price from $250-$595. Check them out at www.ellyclaynyc.com.

And lastly I was delighted to meet Towana Phillip, the designer of To’Sha Knits, an eclectic line of handbags and t-shirts. Towana went to FIT and interned at Laundry by Shelli Segal and Max Studio before launching her own collection. See her fabulous bags at www.toshaknits.com.

After chatting with the resident designers, I took pix of the cutting edge and ever fashionable crowd!

Take a look:

Where to begin? I loved this look! I appreciated the mixture of high and low (Chanel Bag with Sweatshirt), the over the top hair, and the layered Hermes bracelets! This fashionista knew how to bring different elements together into stylish synergy.

These friends looked chic and simple in a black jacket, layered necklaces, and skinny jeans on the left, and a patterned romper on the right.

These two ladies turned it out with unique hairstyles and colorful tones. I found out that diva on the left is Tracy Balan, hairstylist at Imperial Coiff (www.imperialcoiff.com).

And I talked fashion and style to these girls, so much so that I convinced one of them to purchase my MK2K Jersey Dress!

All in all it was a great time!

Check out all the designers’ sites, or simply visit Pieces at 671 Vanderbilt at Park Place in Brooklyn to purchase. Visit their site at www.piecesofbklyn.com to see their new Ashtyn line, scope their blog at www.piecesofbklyn.blogspot.com, and feel free to call them at (718) 857-7211.

They’re the bomb!

Smootches!

Ever since the Gucci Cruise 2009 show, everybody’s been wanting an agate stone cuff. Arden B hits the right note with this Agate Stone Cuff Bracelet:

  The hammered texture gives the cuff a more severe look, so be sure to pair it with something feminine and soft.  You can get it here for $28.
~Vuitton