Today’s Style File shines on fellow ATL fashionista…

…Ciara!
Since she burst on the scene in 2004 with her anthem ‘No Goodies,’ she has been quietly yet consistently stepped up her style game in form fitting slinky fits that suit her slim frame:
For red carpet moments, you’ll find Ciara in neutral colors, favoring grayish tones offset with sequins, embellishments, and wide leather belts…
…thigh grazing black dresses in slick satin or jersey fabrics with eye catching cutout details…
…or simple black and white, whether she’s wearing a floor length gown…
Or a chic jacket dress combo with hot gray and black stilettos:
Never too predictable, she takes a step away on occasion in cute club dresses in colorful hues like pink and purple….
…all the while maintaining edge with unexpected details like exposed zippers.
For casual commitments, you’ll find Cici in anything from liquid black skinnies with matching black or white tops:
…to leather jackets paired with button downs or dark washed jeans…
….always with a black pump to accentuate her height.
For a Ciara red carpet look, go with these certified club bangers:
1. Forever 21 Cheetah Burnout Dress, $42. 2. Arden B Belted Pocket Dress, $98. 3.Democracy Stretch Satin Dress with Contrast Straps and Waist, $120. 4. Sequin Shift Dress, $33. 5. A.B.S Silver Satin Peep Toe Pumps, $72. 6. Kors Michael Kors Wicked Patent Slingback Sandals, $175. 7. Georgina Goodman Women’s Libby Platform Pump, $770. 8. Pour La Victoire Women’s Babette Pump, $105.
For Casual Ciara, choose these:

1. Max Studio Asymmetrical Shell, $128. 2. Silence & Noise Night Owl Open Jacket, $108. 3. J Brand Pencil Leg Jean in Dark Vintage, $168. 4. Christian Louboutin Decollette Leather Pumps, $575.
Bisous!

The LBD was in full effect last night as both Beyoncé and Jordin Sparks rocked two Hot or Hmm worthy frocks.

First, Bee rocked this waist-accentuating, cut-out shoulder sheath to the debut of the new House of Deréon Collection at Bloomingdale’s in NYC. I’m going for mostly Hot on this one: I’m not crazy about the hair but I love the dress’s shape (and check out some of the accessories up close)!

Jordin Sparks rocked her LBD to the Avon Foundation Hope Honors event (also in NYC):

I usually like Jordin’s style because she wears things that suit her fresh, young personality but not quite sure about this dress. But I do love her makeup and skin–like she’s glowing from the inside out!

So, Fashion Bombers: Hot or Hmm??

~Adri

Hey Guys!
So I think my first week in Paris must’ve been an anomaly because I stepped out yesterday and caught many instances of Real Style!
I saw this young lady near the Musee de la Mode (Museum of Fashion):

I’d been been trying to go to the Musee since I touched down, and finally made it there only to find it’s closed until November 20th!!?!?! So while kicking rocks outside, I caught sight of this young lady who was running late and trying to catch a cab. I liked her laid back chic style, which was offset by her designer dress, boots, bright red lipstick, and stylish Ray Bans (I’m pretty sure she’s wearing this D&G Dolce & Gabbana Plaid Shirt Dress. I LOVE IT!)
After making my pitch in French, I realized she spoke English. When asked what she was doing in Paris, she said, “Just living life, being inspired by art, beauty, nature.” Sounds like me!
What do you think of her style?
Bisous!

Hey Fashion Bombers!
Adriana here with a Breaking into Fashion post on writer, celebrity style consultant, television personality, and founder of the Dinner with Bevy enterprise…

…Beverly Smith!
As one of Fashion’s presiding Renaissance women, there are few areas of style, media, and culture Beverly Smith hasn’t touched:

Starting as a receptionist at an advertising agency, Beverly climbed the ranks with her razor sharp chic barometer, holding posts as Fashion Advertising Director and Fashion Editor at Large of Vibe Magazine, Senior Fashion Director of Rolling Stone, Contributing Editor of Latina Magazine, freelance writer for Paper Mag and Interview, and TV personality on BET, E, Oxygen, and VH1.
I sat down recently with Bevy (as we call her) at Melba’s in Harlem to get the 411 on her experiences in fashion, advice for breaking in to the field, and some of her Favorite Things!

On Breaking into the industry, Bevy says, “Study the art, craft, and business of fashion and you will go much farther than someone who just looks the part. Knowledge gives you the freedom to explore many facets of the business! We don’t need any more fly young people carrying Goyard, wearing Lanvin but can’t tell you who Madame Grès, Charles James, or Patrick Kelly are.“

Bevy, whose favorite fashion memories include her first Vivienne Westwood Parisian show and Tom Ford’s after party for the Met Costume Ball (in the Gucci era), contends that the key to maintaining confidence in the cutthroat world of couture is to, “Find something beyond fashion to believe in: look to family, friends, spirituality. Don’t be afraid to be unique; in fact, celebrate what makes you different! “

Bevy’s golden rule for success? “Be confident in who you are and what you bring to any situation. Also, know your worth: having worked in fashion for 20 years, I’ve built up quite a wealth of knowledge and contacts, which makes me unafraid to enter any domain.“

Snaps!
Of course I had to ask this fashion maven about a few of her favorite things! She says, “I love my Gucci bandage dress from Tom Ford’s third season, and my Dior “Frankenstein” platforms that I was photographed in by the New York Times. My two best assets are my cheeks and lips, so I love blush by Nars (Orgasm and Taj Mahal). Lips must be bright and shiny so a combo of a bright M.A.C. lipstick and a Wet ‘n Wild gloss in gold does the trick!“
Try a Bevy essence with the following:
Herve Leger Zip Front Reversible Bandage Dress, $1,390. Nars Blush in Orgasm, $25. Dior Couture Suede Cutout Sandals, $925. Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss, $2. M·A·C Lipstick, $14.
The divine Miss Smith has spoken!
Learn more about Bevy at www.dinnerwithbevy.com!
~Adriana