Hey!
So last night I was delighted to attend an event sponsored by Essence and Toyota for a new online series called “If Looks Could Kill.” The night promised a fashion show by Ghita (Alexis Phifer’s line) plus a performance by Keyshia Cole, so you know I was there!
While waiting for everything to get started, I of course had to take pictures of a few fashionable people in the crowd (there were so many!) Kerry from the clothing line Save Your Vanity (www.saveyourvanity.com) was in the house with a cute YSL belt and vintage Fendi clutch. Sometimes accessories can make your outfit! Ayoka, who was blogging for Essence that night, looked stunning in a vintage off the shoulder batwing teal dress. Alanzo of the blog Minority Report (www.theminorityreportnyc.blogspot.com) literally stole my preppy heart in a kelly green big pony polo with madras pants. Love it! His friend worked bold accessories in a fedora, clutch, and wide red belt. And lastly, this self professed Fashion Bomb Fan worked a very saucy strapless orange dress with mustard shoes and a Louis Vuitton bag.
Y’all are so cute!
Eventually I had to settle in for the show. A few Ghita looks: Consisting of jersey cocktail length dresses with grecian draping on the shoulders and bodice, the collection was characterized by a muted color palette of white, blue, and beige, with pops of neon color in belts and straps. The final walk:
Ghita’s collection was simple and understated, yet the ruching and draping of fabric was alluring and sexy. I’d wear an off the shoulder Ghita frock for a night out on the town with sky high stilettos (when I can).
So all in all the event was fun! I had the pleasure of sitting with and chatting up Rocsi from 106 & Park.. I literally ate all the food at her table and she was a great sport.
I also had the chance to meet Alexis backstage….
*I caught a snippet of Keyshia Cole’s performance! See it plus more pictures and commentary from the event at The Fashion Bomb on Facebook. Join the group!
Hey!
So starting today, The Fashion Bomb will debut a new feature called: My Favorite Things. Ever wonder what a stylist demands in their closet? Or even what your fellow readers can’t live without? This feature will tell you just that.
To bless the first installment, I decided: Why not start with me? I’ve already revealed a few of my obsessions—Cole Haan Nike Air shoes, Oh Deer shoes, and Fantasie’s Smoothing Strapless–but my summer wardrobe invites a whole new slew of items:
This isn’t a beauty blog, but I still have my summer makeup picks! A short list: I’m a Caribbean Girl so I like to keep it colorful with pops of unexpected shades like Maybelline’s Blue Royal Great Lash mascara, a neutral eye with a hint of Nars Colored Eyeliner on the lower lid, or even a fun MAC eyeshadow. I favor a neutral lip with lipglass like MAC’s Nymphette, and also keep the sweat and shine at bay with Shue Uemera blotting papers. Gucci Rush’s top notes of Gardenia, Fressia, and Patchouli provide a sensual burst of fragrance. My picks: Gucci Rush Eau de Toilette Spray, $60; Nars Colored Eyeliner in Turquoise Blue, $20; Maybelline Royal Blue Great Lash Mascara, $5; MAC Eyeshadow, $14 each; Shu Uemura Blotting Papers, $12; MAC Lipglass in Nymphette, $14. What are some of your favorite things?
Smootches!
Happy Monday!
Talk about a heat wave!
I was out of town this past weekend, but as always, you readers come through like champs to showcase your Real Style.
This week we have Jemise….
She says, “I’ve taken so many of your fashion tips this past season so I just wanted to show you some results!“
I absolutely *love* your shoes and matching clutch. And navy is the new black.
What do you guys think, though?
Does Jemise have Real Style?
Smootches!
Hey! I’m actually out of town, so I’m going to keep this post super short!!! Thankfully the interns were helpful, so it’ll go quickly! First, King says, “Where can I get this dress?“ According to the hot site Black Style Central, Tracee is wearing this Prada 2008 Spring Collection Dress: Go to www.prada.com for store locations. Next, Shana says, “I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY love this gold linked choker Rihanna is wearing and I have been looking for the same one for quite sometime.“ “... I was wondering if you could find this for me or something similar??” This one was hard to find, though I think I found a few that came close: 1. Kenneth Jay Lane 16 Gold Twist Tube, $102. 2. Dookie Monster Triple Link Chain, $48.  3. Curb Chain Choker, $450. Melody says, “Hey this is a hot outfit Ashanti’s wearing...” “…where could one find this? Thanks!“ Get her cute look by combining the following: 1.  Leo & Sage White Pima Cross Banded Tank, $38. 2. Cotton Gauze Tunic, $24. 3. Sailor Shorts, $135. 4. Adam White Stretch Twill Shorts,$111. If you don’t want to coordinate two pieces, you can go with this Fremont Romper: …get it for $264 at www.revolveclothing.com. In another Ashanti Mail Bomb, Najah says, “I was on cruising the web and saw this amazing dress Ashanti was wearing when she rang the NYSE Opening Bell...” “ I’ve attached the photo to see if you can lock it down or something similar.“ These dresses come close: 1. Juicy Couture Trim Smocked One Shoulder Dress, $228. 2. Tracy Reese One Shoulder Frock, $265.  3. Little Joe by Gail Elliott Schiffer One Shoulder Dress, $315. Lastly Mataya says, “I ADORE Leighton Meester’s wardrobe for Gossip Girl, particularly this AMAZING blue dress...” “…If you could find these dresses or cheaper similarities that would be great! Thanks!” Adriana searched and found that Leighton is wearing this $150 Bettie Page Dress…. Get a similar look with these: 1. China Towner Vintage Sailor Mini Dress, $40. 2. Navy Blue Sailor Betty Dress, $60. I’m off to enjoy my vacay! Have great weekends! Smootches!
Hey!
So today, we’re going to divert a bit from our usual fare with something for the fellas!!!
Believe it or not, the Fashion Bomb has its fair share of male readers…
And if you look at the typical offerings, we’ve been very unfair to our men!
Jordan, an aspiring fashion buyer wrote in recently, saying, “I have seen your pieces on summer wardrobe for the ladies who are working and interning, and they are lovely. However, as a Big-and-Tall male on a budget, I am kind of pressed for options. So I, as a Fashion Bomber, am begging for some advice. What types of outfits should I wear? Where can I get clothes that are fashion-forward yet timeless, urban-sophisticated-chic yet inexpensive, youthful yet professional???“
The interns and I collaborated to you give you men your summer work wardrobe guide.
Enjoy!
The first wardrobe must:
1. A Hot Suit Adriana says, “The dress code for buyers can vary. A big part of the job is frequently meeting with either vendors, executives, or the corporate division of your company, so you want to err on the “business” side of the business casual dress code that’s the standard in most places. When looking for a suit, Barneys, for instance, is a very fashion forward retailer and you can probably find more of a Paul Smith or Prada aesthetic there (skinnier pants, more form-fitting shirts, funky turtlenecks). A middle-market company like Macy’s is likely to be more conservative and corporate, so you can find straight-legged (as opposed to skinny) slacks. Hugo Boss suits fit wonderfully on most big and tall men (the drop of the suit is American as opposed to European, which means it’s roomier but Hugo Boss cuts it so that it doesn’t appear boxy). Also, invest in at least one good one.”
Got that? Try these: 1. Hugo Awe/Holl Two Button Suit, $795. 2. Prada Men’s Suit, $808. 3. Baird McNutt Linen Suit, $250. 4. Emporio Armani Two Button Peak Lapel Suit, $555. 5. David Mayer Suit, $268.
If a full on suit blazer is too much, you can always opt for a…
2. Suit Vest: Suit vests still tread the line of conservative chic and are a lot cooler (temperature wise) than full on blazers. Try these options: 1. Mason Plaid Vest, $44.50. 2. Â Year Solid Suiting Vest, $98. 3. Heritage Herringbone Suit Vest, $129.
Another way to punch it up:
3. Bright Colored Shirt Adriana says, “I have a colleague who dresses mostly very conservatively except that he chooses the most lively dress shirt colors to punch up his outfits. Tangerine, plum, and kelly green are just some of the ones I’ve seen on him. He tends to choose grey or tan trousers and very good quality, simple ties to anchor the outfit so it doesn’t become too garish looking.“
Aramide found these options: 1. Banana Republic Solid Texture Stripe Dress Shirt, $49. 2. Ted Baker MultiStripe Shirt, $75. 3. Hickey Freeman, $96. 4. Gucci Red Striped Point Collar Dress Shirt, $264.
3. Scarves: As Kanye shows, scarves are simple ways to add a personal touch to an otherwise subdued suit or shirt and tie combo. Tie on an expensive Gucci or play it cool with an eye-catching red stole: 1. Gucci Grey Wool Stripe Scarf, $180. 2. Forzieri Solid Silk Scarf, $64. 9.  3. Emporio Armani Bias Cut Plisse Scarf, $88. 4. Louis Vuitton Celeste Scarf, $160.
4. Zip Front Jacket or Anorak: You’ll need a cute, easy jacket for more casual office days (or to keep the chill away late at night): 1. Scotch and Soda Nylon Jacket, $132. 2. Shades of Greige Denim Jacket, $143. 3. Gap Military Jacket, $68.
5. Shoes Adriana says, “You should never skimp on a pair of shoes. With men’s shoes, good ones will last you ages. The best crafters are usually British or Italian. John Lobb (the gold standard of good British men’s shoes), Jeffery-West (a funkier take on the classic British shoe), Bruno Magli, and Bally are all good bets. For affordable, good quality alternatives, try Cole-Haan and Kenneth Cole“: 1. Gucci Lace Up, $595. 2. Kenneth Cole Leather Loafer, $131. 3. Ferragamo Patent Boot, $650. 4. John Lobb Lace Up Oxford, $1,500. 5. Gucci Bamboo Horsebit Mocassins, $316. Â 6. Cole Haan Air Geoffrey Lace Up, $245.
For the final touch, don’t forget…
6. Sunglasses Instantly up the style ante for your outfit outdoors with a pair of dark, sexy frames: 1. Tom Ford Black Andre Sunglasses, $398. 2. Boss Hugo Boss Men’s Metal Top Bar Aviators, $145. 3. D&G Large Uni Lens Sunglasses, $266. 4. Triple Bar Fashion Aviator, $70.
Men, take note! And ladies, kindly show this to the men in your lives:)
Smootches!
Hey!
So for yet another Breaking into Fashion post, I decided to chit chat with Wouri Vice…
…stylist to chanteuse Alicia Keys.
A friend of Ms. Keys since high school, Vice used his spectacular and undeniable flair for fashion to take Alicia from her days of braids and fedoras to the sleek sophistication we see today: Even as he was preparing outfits for Alicia Keys’ next video, he took a moment to talk to The Fashion Bomb on how he got his start. Wouri always had a fashionable eye. “In high school I was the kid with one green sock and one blue sock because I was wearing blue and green.” He went to college for fashion journalism, but after too many boring lectures on Plato and the philosophy of style, he decided to follow his true passion. “I started making clothes for student groups. When I came home during the summer, I worked as an intern at Giorgio Armani.” He followed his Armani internship with several more with prominent stylists. He came to style for Alicia after reconnecting post high school. He says, “I used to tell Alicia that I would be a huge stylist and she would be a big singer. I told her I would be her stylist, and we laughed. But now you see how things came around…“ A typical week for Wouri involves everything from thinking up concepts to going on market appointments. For a video, he says, “I’m given a treatment and a concept, then call Alicia to see what she wants.” After figuring out the colors, fabrics, and silhouettes Ms. Keys favors, Wouri gets to work. He says, “I do research. I see what’s out there in fashion land that suits what is being requested. I set up market appointments, see what’s available, send out requests, then conclude it all with fittings for her.“ If you haven’t noticed, Alicia’s style has done almost a 180 in recent years. What’s changed? “The evolution you see is my growth a stylist, pushing envelopes and being able to do new things. You’re also seeing her evolution as an artist, someone who is willing to let her hair down. She says, ‘Maybe I’ll wear a mini dress or tight jeans today.” It’s gotten down to her saying, ‘If I like it, I like it, I don’t care what critics have to say.’ As time went on, she became more simplistic. Took off the hat and the beads, and the gloves, and just stayed simple, beautiful Alicia.“ For those aspiring for a similar position, Wouri says, “Don’t give up on yourself. Stay in prayer. Follow your dreams. People are gonna try to knock you down. There’s always someone in the background, so be confident in what you can do.” Apt words.
Smootches!
*Don’t have time to read your monthly mags? The website Frisky cuts through all the clutter to tell you the most interesting items. [Frisky]
*It’s that time of year again… …that’s right, the Diane Von Furstenberg sample sale!!! It’s *mayjah*. I dipped in yesterday and cleaned up. You can too! The sale is on until Saturday. Click the flyer for hours and location info. *Thanks Bonnita!!!
…to more grown up fare of Chanel ensembles in black or white…
…or floor or knee length frocks in her signature green…
Ever the individualist, sometimes Ms. Kravitz leaves us scratching our heads in threadbare stockings and dusty boots…
…or by throwing on a racy sheer or bra top (that would get me slapped)!
But all in all, she’s growing up into an elegantly graceful lady, with her own take on trends for the tween set.
Want her low key carpet look? Go with these:
1. Jay Godfrey Sequined Chiffon Dress, $261. 2. ABS Yellow Pleated Floral Cotton Dress, $162. 3. Kay Unger New York Satin Shift Dress, $158.
1. BCBG Max Azria Satin Strapless Dress, $240. 2. Silk Jersey Dress in Forest Green, $268. 3. Autumn Cashmere Sequin Halter Dress, $260.
1. Braided Straw Fedora, $28. 2. Orthodox Orly Tunic in Slate, $184. 3. Buffalo Wedge, $10. 4. Siwy Medium Wash Billy Cut off Shorts, $55.
