Stars come out for Opening of Catherine Malandrino Boutique in LA

Ladies who love fashion popped into Catherine Malandrino’s store opening in Los Angeles:
Keisha Whitaker represented in a draped black number, while Mary J donned a signature fur jacket, pencil skirt, and lace up black pumps. I’m looking for a new ‘pump’ look and am totally coveting Mary’s steeze!
Also loving Sanaa’s open toe shoe boots paired with a simple celery flowing dress, and Garcelle Beauvais Nilon ‘s comfy black maxi dress with colorful neck details.
Whose look do you love?

Claire Style: Paris

Hey Guys!
So I’m in Paris!

claire_paris

My Dad and I flew in on Saturday, and I’m getting busy making sure all my particulars are in order.
It’s actually pretty cold here, so I popped on a soft cashmere sweater with matching wine colored boots, and topped it all off with a classic French trench.
What do you think?
Paris is going to be a struggle at first, but hey, if I can handle New York, Paris should (hopefully) be a piece of cake!
Bisous!
*Si tu es a Paris, envoie-moi un e-mail a thefashionbomb@gmail.com!

Hot! or Hmm…: The 2008 BET Awards

Hey!
So plenty of fashion notables made their way to my hometown of the A for the BET Hip Hop Awards.
For awards shows, you can always count on people flaunting their best. But you tell me: Are they Hot! or Hmmm…
Kerry Washington represented in a thigh skimming cap sleeved number with baroque details and minimalist silver jewelry…

kerry-washington

…a sleek look, though not a knock out for consistent style czar Kerry Washington. Even she looks like she’s going “Hmm…
Keri Hilson rocked it out in a leopard patterned sweetheart strapless dress accented with a chunky necklace, big earrings, and stacked bracelets…
Hot! for stepping out the box with the outfit, but the ankle boots make me go hmmm…
A few hip hop greats represented…
…Fifty gets his grown man on in a plaid jacket and vest, and Russell rocking Obama is definitely hot!
And lastly, Pharrell and Ciara popped up…
Pharrell can do no wrong, and his throwback Michael Jackson esque jacket is definitely hot, as is Ciara’s sleek, svelte, black zippered number with knee high boots.
But what do you think?
Bisous!

Stylish Album Covers: Your Picks!

After our piece on classic stylish album covers last week, we asked you all to send in your suggestions. Here’s what you gave us!

Fashion Bomber Erica, who sent in the Grace Jones Island Life cover, adds, “The cover definitely was something that was never seen before. Holding such a statuesque posture and her glowing skin…beautiful! She took fashion to a whole new level and most of all she didn’t follow anyone which makes her so original and oh so amazing!” I couldn’t have put it better!
Adriana

Brand Spankin New Prada Phone

After selling one million units of its first phone, Prada has teamed with LG to create a hot black slide phone with a hidden keyboard:
If absolutely everything in your cipher must be uber fashionable, then this phone is your perfect piece. For $817 you’ll spend a pretty penny, but can you put a price on fashion? [WWD]

Mail Bombs: Tyra’s Top, Chic Raincoats, Raven’s Boots, Baby Shower Style

Cheries,
I’m piloting just for today as Mademoiselle Sulmers makes her debut in Paris. She sends virtual “Smootches!” along with a few Mail Bombs, below. Let’s get to it!

Fashion Bomber Tonia asks, “I must cop this top Tyra is wearing. Can you tell me who makes it?

Claire investigated and found that Tyra is actually wearing this modified Mara Hoffman dress from the designer’s Fall 2008 line:

Next, reader India writes, “How can I find a dress like Kelis’s???”

Claire recommends any one of these options:

1. Chaiken Mini Dress, $130 2. Tibi Shift Dress, $200 3. Taylor Eyelet Shift, $55
From Tolu we have: “I’m a college student looking for a rain coat (preferably hooded) that’s cute and inexpensive. Any suggestions?
Fall’s a good time to get your rain gear on point. Here are a few ideas that hopefully fit your budget:

1. Andrew Marc Silver Hooded Rain Jacket, $135, 2. Aqua Cropped Waterproof Jacket (with hood), $42 3. Hilary Radley Belted Rain Coat, $90,
FB’er Tyi e-mails, “I would kill for the boots Raven is rocking! It’s harder to find knee and thigh boots for thick chicks. Can you please help me out?!

One of the go-to places online to find stylish specialty shoes is Zappos. Not only can you search by size, style, width, and color (all at once), but their inventory is endless and shipping is free (even if you decide to return your shoes). Check out these fabulous boot selections that accommodate fuller legs:

1. Bouquets Wide Calf Boots, $94 2. Stuart Weitzman Best Boots, $263 3. RSVP Elana Boot, $154
FB Mom-to-be Cleona writes, “My baby shower is in November and I have nothing to wear. I want a look that’s cute and sexy that will still compliment my growing belly and figure. Any ideas?”
Congrats! As for baby shower outfits, I really like these pieces from Liz Lange Maternity for Target and Gap Maternity:

1. Gap Tie-Front Dress, $58 2. Liz Lange for Target Ribbed Empire Dress, $30 3. Liz Lange for Target 3/4 Sleeve Wrap Dress, $30 4. Gap Ruffle-Neck Dress, $78
Finally, Nicole asks, “I want to inquire about the sunglasses that Will Smith wore to the Secret Life of Bees premiere. I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find out who makes them.

We couldn’t find the designer, either, but here are some shades similar to the ones Will sported:

1. Yves Saint Laurent 2218S Sunglasses, $205 2.D&G 6016 Sunglasses, $139
That’s a wrap for Mail Bombs!
bon weekend,
Adriana

NYScene: Levi’s Fall/Holiday Preview

Last night, after an incredible talk by frequent New York Times Style section contributor Caroline Weber on her Marie Antoinette book, Queen of Fashion (a must-read for fashion history lovers), at designer Charles Nolan’s studio, I headed over to the Levi’s Fall/Holiday Preview at the Levi’s store near Union Square:

levis-mannequin

Hosted by Fashion Bomb sponsor Glam Media, The Fashion Bomb and some of your other favorite style bloggers got an opportunity to try on Levi’s new fall styles amidst decadent champagne and cupcakes:

My favorite jeans hands down were Levi’s Reissued 1966 Skinny Jeans from their Orange Tab line. Made from incredibly soft Italian denim, and with a slight high-waisted fit, they had that broken-in feeling that normally takes jeans about 4-5 washes to achieve. I copped a pair on the spot. I came thisclose to another purchase:

But then gave myself my own Hmm…check in the end!
I also got to chat with fellow fashion bloggers Ehmonie (from What’s Haute), and Tracy and Tatiana from Lavish Magazine:
Premium denim, champagne, and fashion talk…not a bad night out!
Adriana

Hot! or Hmm..: Keyshia Cole, Mel. B., The Simmons Sisters

Quite a few Hot or Hmms this Thursday morning:

keyshia-cole-bday

Keyshia Cole celebrated her birthday the other night in this zippered, cap-sleeved, pink Herve Leger mini-dress. Crystal studded jewelry and a sleek hairdo set off her sexy, feminine look. But not sure about that peek-a-boo bra, hmm…

Over at Tuesday night’s MOBO (Music of Black Origins) awards in London, Mel B. and Estelle rocked two eye-catching looks. Mel B. rocks a futuristic pink silk dress with crystal accents and silver pumps, while Estelle sports a strapless, bubble-hem frock from Giles’s Spring 2009 collection with black ankle boots. There are some elements of Hot but quite a bit of Hmm going on here. I do like that both these ladies frequently take fashion risks, though.

And Vanessa and Angela Simmons, seen here attending Crispin & Basilo’s Spring 2009 runway show in L.A. earlier this week, are rep’ing their usual casual-chic style: Angela in a red satin number with a sweetheart bustline and a tutu skirt, Vanessa in simple leggings with a white tunic and cinched black leather belt. I feel more Hot than Hmm here but maybe I’m biased because I usually enjoy the Simmons sisters’s young and fresh style.
Thoughts, FB’ers?
P.S. For those of you who asked which designer yesterday’s Hot or Hmm (Beyoncé) was wearing, we’re pleased to report that La Knowles-Carter was wearing a bodysuit from Etro’s Fall 2008 RTW line.
~A