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

It’s mighty cold in Paris, but Mail Bombs are always hot!

Let’s get it poppin!
First Ayo says, “I’m hoping you can help me find the designer of these shoes Meagan Good has on...”
“…I covet them!“
I must agree, that look is hot! Adriana found that Meagan is wearing these Jimmy Choo Glenys Sandals…
…Get ’em for $960 at www.jimmychoo.com.
Next, Melody asks, “Can you tell me who designed Bey’s dress…“
“...and where I can get it or something similar? It looks kind of House of Dereon-ish, but not sure.”
Hot it is, but House of Dereon it is not! Bey is rocking this Gucci dress from their Resort 2009 Collection:
For a similar look, Adriana found this $220 BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Lurex Shadow Bloom Print Halter Gown:
Good luck!
Margery from Brooklyn says, “I was just wondering where I can find Keyshia Cole’s dress …“
“…I have a party coming up and I just love the details!“
Keyshia is wearing this Herve Leger dress from his Fall 2008 Ready to Wear collection:
Adriana found that it retails for $1,590 at www.herveleger.com. Splurge, or just wait for Bebe to come out with something similar!
Next, reader Dania has a question about a Mail Bombs newcomer, Keisha Knight Pulliam:
She says, “Can you tell me who designs the brown suede boots Keisha is rocking in this photo??“
It seems Rudy is wearing these $579 Belle by Sigerson Morrison Boots:
…get ’em at zappos.com
Now for a few wardrobe queries!
Prisca says, “I want to know where I can find a set like this…“
“...I have an event that needs me to wear a vest, and this was a creative way of doing so. Please help!“
I searched and found this event appropriate Wayne Vest Shorts Jumpsuit in Black:
Get it for $275 at www.revolveclothing.com.
Lastly, Leslie says, “Here’s a picture of the dress that I bought for my 21st birthday party:“
“I was wondering what color shoes I should get?? Initially, I figured I should get black pumps however, I wanted to do something a little more creative? Any ideas???”
Hey Leslie! Boo on black! I am a strong advocate of wearing metallic shoes in almost all dressy circumstances. They’re saucy, sophisticated, and neutral, so they can match virtually anything! If you want to stay safe, go with these options:
Left to Right: Charles David Gold Metallic Leather ‘Kailey’ sandals, $135; Guess by Marciano Okanarra Sandal, $99; Anne Klein New York Women’s Afina Slide, $295.
If you, however, really want to be adventurous and ‘shut it down‘ as Rachel Zoe would say, play with patterns or colors. A leopard or exotic print can also be pretty neutral, and a multi-tone shoe plays off the color of your dress without being too matchy matchy:
1. Jessica Simpson Women’s Jinkx T-Strap Pump, $49. 2.Betsey Johnson Women’s Felicia Pump, $150. 3.Report Pink Snakeprint Pumps, $55.50 4. Christian Louboutin Gold Leather Graffiti Detail ‘Pigalle’ pumps, $540.
Have fun and have great weekends!
I’m going to dip into a Louis Vuitton exhibit and also try to find some Parisian style.
Until then…
Bisous!
*** Today’s the last day to purchase your Fashion Bomb T-Shirt before the Shop Shuts Down. And FYI: The site is NOT shutting down! Just the Shop! Hurry up and buy! Bye!