The Fashion Bomb readers are super savvy, talented individuals, and 16-year-old Lovetta Conto is no exception!
A survivor of Liberia’s civil war, this young entrepreneur and finalist for the 2008 International Children’s Peace Prize decided to use her talents in jewelry design to help others. Fashioning necklaces and bracelets out of bullets left behind from the war, Lovetta sells her creations to raise money for the renovation of a war-ravaged hotel in Liberia that will soon be home to other gifted youths from challenging circumstances.
Left to Right: Akawelle Bracelet in Silver, $125;Akawelle Necklace in Leather, $75; Akawelle Necklace in Silver, $125
Turns out Lovetta loves the Fashion Bomb! She became a fan when she moved to the US from a refugee camp in West Africa–the good old TFB was her first bookmarked site and one of the reasons she learned to use the internet! Wow.
The young stylista hopes to create her own teen fashion magazine in Africa. You can do it girl!
Read more about the fabulous Lovetta on her website here, and buy one of her pieces as a holiday gift for a good cause.
Bisous!
When you were young, did you would make Christmas Lists??
Lord knows I did! I’d painstakingly draw the tree with crayons, detailing the ornaments down to the star, then list my most coveted toys below. I was always a dreamer!
Today Adri and I are taking it back, giving you our fashionable Christmas wish lists–a few well edited items we’d love if a recession proof Santa swung by. For me, a coat is the most important item in the winter months: you wear it all the time, and it’s usually the most memorable element of your outfit. I have my eye on a classic Burberry that will help me weather the Parisian chill while staying chic! My old Marc Jacobs black leather tote has taken a beating, so I’d love to upgrade with a Chocolate Guccissima Handbag, then of course replenish my stock of jeans, cashmere, and classic shoes while throwing in a few affordable wildcard items for style:
1. Curb Your Enthusiasm, $16. 2.Absolutely Fabulous Season 5, $19. 3. Family Guy Volume 6, $21. Adriana says, “Claire was definitely more of an artiste–I was the one who’d spend hours looking through catalogs, marking them so my mom would make no mistake about what I wanted!“
“Right now what I’d love more than anything is an oversized, vintage Chanel caviar bag: decadent and classic, yet roomy enough for everything I haul around daily! I also just recently bought myself an early Christmas gift: a Mackage coat (obsessed with them). And, of course, there’s always some pair of shoes or outfit I have on the brain.“
I’m torn between yelling “Baby, slow down! Ya growin’ up tooo fast!” and “OMG, can homegirl teach me that?!” Either way, she and her strut are all types of fierce.
Lord, lord. This is the time of year I wish I were still a train ride away from the best sales in the world! For those of you in NYC, here’s a gift from me to you: A complete rundown of designer Sample Sales this week. Diane, Botkier, Balenciaga, oh my!
Just save, print, and shop!
Don’t hurt yourself:) Thanks Kim!
From her winter white coat to Balenciaga bag and brown riding boots, she emanated chic.
After introducing myself in French, she stopped me and replied, “I’m from New York.” Figures! She’s actually the owner of a handbag, accessory and jewelery line called Kipepeo. Check out a few of her offerings at www.kipepeo74.com, and if you’re in NYC, visit her boutique at 250 Elizabeth Street.
Bisous!
Top Row: Aspen Pendant, $138; Wing Earrings, $98. Bottom Row: Alexandra Earrings, $118; Satine Bangle, $148. Kipepeo is a Kiswahili word meaning butterfly, and the line is influenced by several eclectic elements–East Asian art, 70’s style, and Victorian elements–all anchored by the contemporary sophistication of Paris and New York. Now it all make sense!
It seems lots of celebs are fans:
Congratulations to the new Miss France 2009, Chloe Mortaud:
Saturday night this 19-year-old beauty became the first Miss France to have dual American and French citizenship. Her mother migrated to Paris from Mississippi 25 years ago.
Snaps to France for recognizing beauty of all colors.
Hey Lovelies!
Today you’re in for a treat: an extra special guest blog byBreaking into Fashion subject and diva extraordinaire Bevy Smith!!
Bevy recently joined forces with the Gilt Groupe to throw a dinner bash with some of my hometown’s finest (including a couple of the Real Housewives!!!). Want the scoop? Read below:
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When Gilt Groupe, the exclusive online sample sale site, asked if I would host a “Dinner With Bevy” in Atlanta, I was a bit leery. Folks said “they will either RSVP and not show up, or show up dressed inappropriately, dripping in logos!” The naysayers were wrong: Atlanta truly put on for their city! From David Banner (my heartthrob) beyond dapper in a Polo Ralph Lauren Purple Label suit to model Cynthia Bailey in a vintage Genny suit, this was one gorgeous crowd! Yes, the Atlanta Housewives were there, and Lisa and Sherree represented fabulously. Sherree wasn’t at all the “Diva.” She showed up “gorge†in an aubergine DVF knit dress! Sherree and I bonded and we plan on hanging this Fall at New York Fashion Week. Lisa charmed all the guests with her down to earth spirit (and you already know she was “booed up” with hot hubby, Ed).Lisa and Ed weren’t the only sexy couple there: we also had Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe. Nicole was divine and I couldn’t look at her husband for fear of staring and catching a beat down!!We couldn’t have a fashion dinner in Atlanta without inviting Mychael Knight from “Project Runway“! He was so cute with his patent leather bow-tie! While we were hugging he sniffed my neck and asked what fragrance I was wearing. Chile, I was in such a frenzy I was wearing nothing but anxiety. Mychael gave me a bottle of his new fragrance, Majk, and I received compliments all night, especially from hunky singer/songwriter Sean Garrrett.Sean’s hard at work on his CD for Interscope Records and apologized for not being his usual uber-chic self. Sean, when you have a body like yours, clothes don’t matter!One of the highlights of the night was meeting “It Girl” Keri Hilson! She didn’t disappoint showing up in a Rojas tartan plaid skirt, Envy turtleneck, and a divine Carol Van Wyck vintage belt with Betsey Johnson patent leather boots.Thanks to Alexandra Wilkis Wilson and Alexis Maybank the owners of Gilt Groupe for allowing me to invite my Atlanta friends! I know Claire already invited you to Gilt Groupe, but just in case you missed her invitation, I’m inviting you as well! Log on to www.gilt.com/dinnerwithbevy to peruse a few of their fabulous fashionable items. Bevy
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I can’t believe Bevy and Sherree hit it off! Homegirl did look kind of fly…
And that was fabulous! Did you love our guest blogger?
Bisous!
Read more about the “Dinner with Bevy” series here.
