Another huge highlight of this year was the election of Barack Obama for President:
…intelligent, competent, and charismatic, Barack Obama came to symbolize change and progress in American politics. His importance was not lost on the world of fashion, who supported him from retail to runway:
In August 2008, Robin Givhan reported that designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Derek Lam, Zac Posen and Tracy Reese would create t-shirts and tote bags in support of his campaign:
Fashion’s Barack fever traveled to Parisian runways,where designers embroidered his name and likeness into garments for Sonia Rykiel’s Spring 2009 show in October: And then of course the Obama effect trickled down to the masses, with everyone–including Fashion Bomb readers–showing their support for our President elect:
In 2008, politics became fashionable. Let’s hope it wasn’t a passing fad!
Bisous!
Hey!
Check out the New Fashion Bomb colors! You like? I try to keep it fresh for ya:)
One thing that will always stay the same, however, are Friday Mail Bombs!
…Let’s get started!
First of course we have a query about Fashionista of the Year Rihanna! Queenda says, “I‘ll be attending a Christmas Party next week and I already have the skirt I’m going to wear, the only problem is that I don’t have a top. I came across this picture of the ever-fashionable Rihanna and I love what’s she’s wearing!“ “…Can you please find help me find this shirt or another alternative?“
Be the Queen of Chic at your party with these options: 1. Karen Zambos Vintage Couture Layered Ruffle Top, $183. 2. D&G DOLCE & GABBANA Chiffon Layered Babydoll Top, $472.50.
Next Nikki from Chicago loved our post on undercover fashionista Taraji P. Henson, and wanted to know where she could her flutter sleeve black dress: She says, “I am going to a Player’s Ball next month I want to keep it classy and hot at the same time. Please help me out…..“
Taraji is wearing this $345 Black Halo Keyhole Ruffle Sleeved Dress… …get the sophisticated sheath from www.pinkmascara.com.
Fashion Bomb convert Kalifa was browsing over at the YBF and saw this picture of Laila Ali: She says, “I was wondering if you could find these pieces for me.“
Get Laila’s look with the following:
1. Development Black Stretch Jacket, $228. 2. Alexander Wang Butter Crepe Pleated Front Shell, $126. 3. Cheap Monday Tight Skinny Jeans in Black, $65. 4. Steve Madden Cayce Sandals, $77.
Lastly, Tasia liked Ciara’s embellished top and said, “Can you help me find something similar?” Ina favored her pants, saying, “I was wondering where I can find something similar. I have the same build as Ciara (tall, long, and muscular) and the inseam on these pants are superb!“ Adriana and I collabo’d to find this look: 1. Elie Tahari Uma Blouse, $147.50. 2. Victoria’s Secret Pants, $78.
That does it!
I’m flying to the states this Sunday for the holidays. I am sooo excited to be back on my old stomping ground! Can’t wait to spend time with my family and friends:)
I’ll be updating next week from time to time, but will of course leave you enough time to spend with your loved ones (as I spend time with mine).
Bisous!
Fashionista reports that Chanel Iman will be throwing a holiday themed white party this Saturday, with ticket sales benefiting the Gay Men’s Health Crisis:
The event goes down at Santos Party house in New York, and the tickets are $40 at the door or online here.
The actual invite doesn’t have Chanel’s name on it, so we’ll have to take Fashionista’s word for it. If anything, it should be a cute party for a great cause.
No end of the year round up would be complete without mentioning the huge increase in Magazine Diversity in 2008.
The year saw traditional glossies questioning their industry (gently prodded by Bethann Hardison), and turning inward to ask, “Where’s the color?” Perhaps in the Obama era, magazines are seeing that it’s time to get real and reflect the demographics of their country. After a controversial Lebron James cover caused a critical wildfire in cyberspace, Fashion Bible Vogue took their July issue to ask if Fashion was Racist:
After fashionistas answered, “Yes!” Vogue decided to walk the walk with several spreads, even including Arlenis Pena, Oluchi Orlandi and Lakshmi Menon in a story on the industry’s rising stars:
Harper’s Bazaar also jumped on the multicultural bandwagon, with Tyra Banks gracing their September cover and posing as Michelle Obama in a fun multi pager:
And with the Williams sisters rocking couture on the court for Bazaar’s November issue:
American mags did their part, but no one showed more love than the Italians, who plucked style aficionado Diddy as their cover boy for the October Issue of L’Uomo Vogue: …and who knocked everyone out the park withVogue Italia’s All Black July Issue, featuring Naomi Campbell, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, Tyra Banks, Toccara Jones and more:
The issue launched Facebook Groups, started discussions, and caused fashionistas worldwide to scramble for collector’s copies. A Time article by Jeff Israely said, “After the original run of the July issue sold out in the U.S. and U.K. in 72 hours, Vogue Italia has just rushed to reprint 30,000 extra copies for American newsstands, another 10,000 for Britain and 20,000 more in Italy.” Cha Ching! 2008 was THE YEAR for magazine diversity, and we can only hope the Fashion Powers are finally understanding that multiculturalism is not only beautiful, powerful, and profitable, but it’s also the future. As ad pages dwindle, it’s best to be as inclusive as possible-we notice!
Didn’t you?
Bisous!
*Shout to Jezebel for Italian Vogue scans.
*If you’re a mag hag, I highly recommend reading the blog Make Fetch Happen. Brigitte sifts through your favorite glossies with a fine toothed comb, and offers well informed, witty opinions.
I think it’s a tie between Ciara and Rachel Roy for this week’s chic award. What do you think? PS I love the Fresh Prince Reunion at the Seven Pounds premiere!
In Paris life is a lot slower, and I suddenly find I have time to do little things, like paint my nails something other than clear or cream. I’ve fallen into the red zone like Beyonce:
I *never* would have worn a red nail in NYC–no time to repaint! But now that I’ve tried it, I’m a quick convert–nothing screams sexy more than a bright red nail. Now I’m looking for even more shades to indulge in. I’ve got my eye on these: 1. Nars Nailpolish in Chinatown, $16. 2. Essie Nailpolish in Macks, $8. 3. Chanel Vamp Nail Polish, $20.
I’m clearly new to the colored nail thing: What are you fave red polishes?
We at The Fashion Bomb like to think we’re up on almost every fashionista in the game but, of course, there are a few gems we miss. So we’ve intro’d a new category to the annual Best Of roundup, and our first ever Undercover Fashionista Award goes to…
Taraji P. Henson!
Boy, what a difference a few years makes:
Yes, that is indeed the lovely Miss Henson back in 2002 chanelling way more Urban Pocahontas than one should be allowed at the “Undercover Brother” premier. Fast-forward to 2008…
And Taraji’s earned her bonafides as a rising style star!
It’s clear (even from the above ’02 mishap) that Ms. P. Henson has always preferred a sassy, sexy steeze. She’s now found a way to work her natural effervescence into a style that’s both fashionable and personal , which, in this age of celebs and stylists slapping on whatever’s hot (*cough* Herve Leger *cough*), is soooo refreshing.
Given her svelte hourglass figure, it’s no wonder Taraji gravitates towards satin for evening. It’s an unforgiving fabric but with her curves, the effect is elegant and feminine where it might look dowdy or unflattering on others.
Even when wearing basic black, Taraji finds a way to jazz it up using contrasting textures, eye-catching accessories, and pops of color. And speaking of color:
That is one thing this diva is not afraid of! She uses color expertly to add flair to an outfit rather than overwhelm it (those blue shoes are fierceness unto themselves).
Whether keeping it casual (check out the hot pink pedi with the white jumpsuit–loves)…
…or sashaying down the red carpet, Taraji consistently achieves a signature look I’ll call Confident Siren. This undercover fashionista has been found!
Check her out in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and the upcoming “Not Easily Broken.” Taraji P. is one we won’t be sleeping on in ’09!
Ok, I’ll admit, I own a pair of liquid leggings and I love them! They’re supremely comfortable and add a soupcon of edge to long sweaters or tunics. Hollywood hottie Meagan Good also loves her leggings, and seems to wear them to most events:
…but instead of wearing them under a long shirt or skirt, Ms. Good hoists her leggings up, adds a belt, and wears them as pants. I personally think the look is too saucy for the daytime and is even a bit much if dressed up.
But what do you think? Would you wear leggings as pants?
Why?? The rules clearly stated that Rihanna was ineligible. But you made your opinions known, and the power of the people prevailed. Who am I to argue?
It looks like Rihanna is yet again Fashionista of the Year, coming in first place with 44.3% of the Fashion Bomb vote:
How did this Chic Queen manage to prevail for both 2007 AND 2008?? You guys said, “It seems that she stepped her game up even MORE in 2008, so I have to give it to her. I will give honorable mention to Cassie though. But RiRi Reigns.” “Rihanna hands down, she was better than last year and better than all these girls put together, they need to learn a thing or two from her…“
“…I’m not a fan of Rihanna, but props need to be given where props are due…she definitely held it down fashionably in 2008. She is a trendsetter and I can see her holding down the title of fashionista for a while.” “Hands down Rihanna wins. She has so many more hits than misses and everyone is finding themselves “inspired” by her style choices...”
I feel you! This year I wanted to usher in some new fashion royalty, but it was not meant to be. We may not bump her songs, but in the style realm, Rihanna still holds the #1 spot. Whether lunching at Da Silvanos or hitting up a red carpet event, this young popstar exudes style in everything from strapless dresses with accents of animal print to corsets worn with jodhpur pants. It’s obvious–this Caribbean Queen wears fashion down to her fingernails. And we love it! For the men, there wasn’t as much of an upset, and rapper Common took the title home in a landslide with 39.9% of the vote:
Neither of the Fashion Bomb’s two male readers gave any insight as to why, but I’m sure it has everything to do with Common’s cool aesthetic and mean suit game.
So that does it for the Most Fashionable in ’08. Stay tuned for even more end of the year fabulousness!
Bisous!
And then of course the Obama effect trickled down to the masses, with everyone–including Fashion Bomb readers–showing their support for our President elect:
