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:

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

Quite a few Hot or Hmms this Thursday morning:

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

Wearing slouchy, patent leather platform boots and a strapless black catsuit with a tutu-like beaded skirt, Mrs. Knowles-Carter looks both sexy and cute in an outfit that made me go a little “Hmm…” at first but the more I look at it, the more I think “Hot!”
Agree or disagree?
Adriana

Hey Lovelies!
So I’m off to Paris tomorrow morning!
While the thought of going abroad with nothing but a dream is pretty terrifying, what’s really nutso is the thought of packing up all my stuff! All my shoes, coats, bags, and dresses can’t go with me..blame New York!
New York has some of the best shopping in the world, and I’m going to miss my 4 favorite must stop shops:
1. Barney’s Co-Op:

Barney’s is far from cheap, but I go there regularly to be inspired by cutting edge designs by Marc by Marc Jacobs, 3.1. Phillip Lim, Opening Ceremony, Madison Marcus, Alexander Wang and more. I dip in to drool over the displays, but stay shopping on that sale rack! It’s gotten so bad, I even made up a system to remember the cross streets (187 for 18th and 7th ave!).Check it out at 236 West 18th Street. 212-716-8816.
2. Fisch for the Hip:
Right down the street from Barney’s Coop, you’ll find Fisch for the Hip, the only consignment store in New York you need to know. Why? They exclusively carry current season high end designs from Balengiaga, Bottega Veneta , Cavalli, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabanna, Gucci, Hermes and more. And they make it clear: no pleats, no double breasted jackets, or sweaters that aren’t the softest cashmere! Ladies listen: this is where you go to buy your Louboutins for less. You’ll still pay a pretty penny, but know you’re getting quality. Guys, you’re covered too. 153 W 18th St. (212) 633-9053
3. Pieces:

If you’re in Brooklyn y’all should know by now that Pieces is the only place you have to go! From flirty dresses to more buttoned up fashion week looks, Pieces has everything you need, with prices that go from affordable ($140 for a dress) to pearl clutching ($500 for a see through sheer shirt). No matter what, though, Pieces is the bomb. And trust: I’m taking everything I bought from Pieces with me! 671 Vanderbilt, Brooklyn. www.piecesofbklyn.com.
4. Lounge
Anytime I need that fire pair of boots, or a cute pair of unique sandals, I only go to Lounge in Soho. Bypass the blaring music on the first floor, and go straight to the basement, where you’ll find a well edited selection of shoes by United Bamboo, Miss Sixty, Anna Sui, and Report Signature. 593 Broadway. 212-519-5618.
What are you favorite shops in NYC?
Smootches!
*Did I mention how much I’m gonna miss it????
**Check out more New York Shopping here.

Style and music naturally go together, and few places is that synergy at work more than in an artist’s album cover. Like videos, album covers are used to express the artist’s visual interpretation of their work.
Here, for your consideration, are some all-time stylish classics in the album cover game:

Guy, The Future (1990): No group personified New Jack Swing more than Guy since they effectively created the genre. With hits like “Teddy’s Jam 2,” “Let’s Chill,” and “Wanna Get With You,” the gentlemen’s butter-soft leathers (a ’90s must-have), shades, and hi-top fades were an emblem of their signature hip-hop meets R&B style. Classic.

Mary J. Blige, My Life (1994): While What’s the 411? introduced her to the world, My Life was the first glimpse into the personal Mary we would all come to know and grow with for the next almost fifteen years. Instead of her trademark sunglasses, Mary’s eyes are shaded by a then-trendy leather newsboy cap and it, along with her big hoop earrings, blond braids, and the moody black & white photography set the tone for the album’s personal and emotional journey.

Michael Jackson, Thriller (1984): Seven top ten hits. Over 40 million records sold. Videos that revolutionized the music video genre (and sparked the craziest red leather jacket trend we’ve ever seen). In fact, most people assume that MJ wore his infamous red leather jacket on the album cover when in fact he sports this casual white suit and black silk shirt. Thriller was made especially to catapult MJ into superstar status, and the cover’s image of a star reclining and at ease with his swagger was intended to convey just that.

Outkast, ATLiens (1996): Consistently ranked on top album covers of all time lists, ATLiens‘s distinctive, comic book-like cover gives you a glimpse into the futuristic, p-funk-inspired turn that Outkast’s music and image took with this album. I love how detailed it is, especially the little things: the bunching of Big Boi’s varsity jacket, the folds in Andre 3000’s turban, and how it simultaneously manages to express both their individual styles and vision as a group.

Diana Ross, Silk Electric (1982): More modern art than album cover, Miss Ross’s signature mane and sultry, confident gaze are rendered in a portrait by Andy Warhol that captures the energy and style of the early 1980s (and it’s the album with “I want muscles!”).

Do I even need to break it down for this one?
There are TONS I couldn’t include (Beyonce’s Dangerously In Love, LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out, and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, for starters). Send in your favorites (or any you think I missed) and why to thefashionbombintern@gmail.com and I’ll post some on Friday!
Adriana