Angela from Virginia!
She won in a landslide with 51% of the vote!
Keep sending in those bomb pics for your chance to be Bombshell of the Week;)

Hey Guys!

Last night was very full–I went to a John Legend concert at Madison Square Garden then hit up a fun party afterwards (more on that later!). Even with this crazy city, I still have to make time for Mail Bombs! Let’s go!

First up, Nikki says, “Who makes Rihanna’s leather and floral dress??”

“I love it!“

We did some research and found Rih Rih is rocking this Georgette Sheath by Rag & Bone:

Find more info at www.rag-bone.com.

Whitney was feeling Rihanna’s $670 Katy Rodriguez ruffle leather skirt from later on that same night:

She says, “It looks so fab, but I don’t have that kind of money to spend on a skirt. Can you please find me some less expensive alternatives?”
Try these on for size:

Nahla says, “I heart Solange’s shoes!!“

“…who makes them?”
Solange is wearing a pair of fresh off the runway Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall 2009 lovelies:

Go to www.moschino.it for more information.

Luckie says, “Omg ! Angela’s shoes are sooooo dope!”

” Will you please find out the designer & where they’re available?”
Hey! Fashion Bomb reader Femme Royale maintains that Angela is wearing a pair of Alexander McQueen Peep Toes. McQueens can run you about $1200 (eek!), so get the look fora little less with these:

In another Angela Simmons Mail Bomb, Tiffany says, “I fell in love with these leggings Angela has on!“

“Can you tell me where to find them?”

Sure! It looks as if Angela could be wearing these David Lerner Lace Inset Leggings:

Get ’em for $99 at Shopbop.

Lastly in a Beauty Bomb, Lesley says, “I’m going to an evening wedding on Sunday and I don’t know what type of makeup to wear. I’m wearing a lilac cocktail dress. I don’t wear much makeup, so I was wondering if you could help me out with something light and cute.”
Eileen to the rescue! She says “Since you don’t wear much makeup I would go with fun products that are easy to use!

Face: Apply a foundation in your shade all over your face including the eyelids. CoverGirl Queen Collection has a shade for every woman of color under the sun!

Eyes: Try using Stila’s Talking Eye Shadow Quad in The Bronzes to help create a light smokey eye, which would be perfect for your cocktail dress. It will walk you through all the steps of applying color to the lid, crease, contour and liner. Once you have applied the color finish up with mascara like Rimmel Sexy Curves in Black.

Cheeks & Lips: Dab some of Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal on the apples of your cheeks and work in an upward motion from apples to cheekbones. Apply the same stain to lips and cover with the sheer gloss.

For a glam finish to your look, lightly dust a bronzer like Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact Bronzer to the edges of your hairline, temples and bridge of the nose. “

That does it!
Stay tuned for more fashion, news, and fun pix!
Smootches!

This week was all about the Southern Girls, with Charrise Renee reppin the A, Dianna and Goldie from Florida, and Angela from Virginia:

Left to Right: Angela, Charrise, Goldie, Dianna
Who’s your fave?

Hey!
So after attending John Legend’s concert last night, I sashayed over to night spot Taj to celebrate Brooke Crittendon’s birthday party! I was able to meet and catch up with a few fabulous peeps.
Of course I had to say Happy Birthday to Brooke who looked gorgeous in a tie dye cut out mini dress and poppin pink lipstick:

Turns out Brooke is newly engaged to Harlem Heights hottie Christian. She literally glowed!
I also had to say ‘hey’ to one of my favorite bloggers, Rae Holliday of Stuff Fly People Like:

We chit chatted and just might collaborate on an event later on this year.
The last and biggest surprise of the night was seeing Dwight from the Real Housewives of Atlanta:

I’d actually met him before at Baby Phat’s Fall 2009 show, but every time I see him it’s like a breathe of fresh air! He was working some hot lashes and cascading pearl necklaces ( a la Rihanna). He was so much fun!

I have just a few more days in NYC before I pack up and go back to Paris. But no worries, I’ll be in town again for NY Fashion Week!

Smootches!

See more pix at blog Luxurious Prototype.

Clothing, bags, and shoes aren’t to be outdone when it comes to knockoffs!  Fiona Paxton’s Shona Necklace and Forever 21’s Kuta Tribal Beaded Necklace are strikingly similar with one exception: one is a lot more costly than the other.

With Fiona Paxton’s at $340 and Forever 21’s ringing in at $13, would you rather pay for the name or save to get the very same look?

~Vuitton

Our snapshot from today got me thinking about the portrayals of black women in fashion, and how they’re so typically placed in “Out of Africa” spreads that suggest their closeness to and affinity for animals. I blogged about the Naomi Campbell pictures (photographed by Jean-Paul Goude) for AOL Black Voices, and in my research stumbled upon these pictures of Grace Jones and Amber Rose:

Grace Jones, also photographed by Jean-Paul Goude, was featured on the cover of Goude’s 1981 book Jungle Fever. Amber Rose (who is of Cape Verdean descent) appears in Complex Magazine’s September 2009 issue.

Though the photos were taken decades apart, the message is the same. These women are so wild they must be caged–they’re sultry, snarling sex beasts. No matter how many years pass, it seems as if black women can’t shake the same animalistic image.

Naomi Campbell, Russian Vogue, December 2008

In my AOL post, which suggests this portrayal was offensive, one commenter said, “This is why blacks are so often held back because we spend too much time and effort sweating the small stuff to fight the big fight. There are real issues to be addressed right now but I see those aren’t being touched.” Another said, “This “small stuff” sends a wider message to everyone regardless of color, if the recent events with Gates and even Obama slanders have taught us nothing: that people of color and black people specifically, are so far removed from white or whiteness that they can never be considered human(e), therefore are in fact, the animals their (supposed) ancestors roamed with.“

Iman photographed by Peter Beard, 1985

On what side do you fall in this debate? Is it small stuff? Or are you offended?

Also, what roles do models play in this? Someone like Naomi should have the power to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ No?

Picture Source

Summer’s not done yet! Stay cool in hot tees and accessories by urban designer Marc C.

His fall 09 collection launched last week and features t-shirts that pay homage to fashion icons like Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, and the incomparable Grace Jones…

The collection also boasts cotton creations highlighting hot trends…

And of course has the requisite tributes to Michael Jackson…

In addition to t-shirts, he has quirky necklaces, brooch clips, and hair clips in bowtie silhouettes (perfect for a Gossip Girl Look):

Check out his website here or follow him on Twitter.

I’m feeling those fashion icon and MJ tees.  Which ones are you ready to cop?

~Vuitton

Today Angela from Virginia gives us this cute pic she snapped in her backyard:

She says, “Here’s a pic of me getting ready to meet up with an old friend! The blazer was my mother’s from waaay back in the day lol, now it’s mine!”
You’re definitely giving some Tyra level fierceness in your stare! Your better work!
What do you think?

Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature that showcases the singular style and flair of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, and Fashion Bombshell of the Day Picture to thefashionbomb@gmail.com.

Sneaker brand Pony paired with the Keep A Breast Foundation to raise breast cancer awareness among women. $3 from each pair goes toward breast cancer research:

The shoes are designed by Granadan artist Pepa Preito, who doesn’t skim on color:

They’re perfect for the chick who likes a bit of flavor on her feet. And they won’t break the bank! Get ’em for $50-$75 here.
~Vuitton