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

Hey Guys!
So I’ll be honest: I’ve been searching and searching for Real Style in Paris, and I just haven’t found it! I’m not sure if I’m looking in the wrong places or what! You Parisian bombers help me out!
Until then, we’ve got plenty of Real Style stored up. Today we have Nike from New Jersey!
She says, “I’m a die hard reader and I just love the posts that you have of the beautiful girls who read Fashion Bomb and get featured for their flawless style. Well I think I should be one of them!!! Check me out:“

“Sisi Nike representin Jerzeeeeeeeee!!!!“
Oh, America, how I miss ye.
What do you think of Nike’s style?
Bisous!
PS E-mail me your Real Style at thefashionbomb@gmail.com.

Adriana here!
So last week, I popped into a fantastic event for Shine, a hot new African-American and Latino beauty news and lifestyle magazine:

Co-hosted by Shine‘s current cover model, “106 & Park”‘s Rocsi, the reception was part social networking, part celebration, as beauty professionals, press, and socialistas mingled and buzzed about. Even the Retro Kids got in on the fun.

What I immediately loved about Shine is that it speaks to the beauty experience of women of color by focusing on salons that cater to us, and including tips that speak to our unique hair experience:

I grabbed a few minutes with founder and Editor-In-Chief Phylencia Taylor (above, right) to talk about the magazine’s creation:
“A couple of years ago, while working and managing a college tour for Wella, I was getting my hair, nails, etc., done in a new city every week, which was grueling. I then wanted to connect my experiences and the countless referrals I received, as well as apply my understanding of how important the beauty regimen is for women of color.“

Visit Shine‘s site or e-mail info@shineexpo.com to sign up and tell ’em you heard about in on The Fashion Bomb.
~Adriana