Designer Spotlight: Leon Curry for Ellie Owen

Hey!
So before Fashion Week begins and we get lost in the chaos of established designers, I wanted to put you on to up-and-comer Leon Curry

ellieowen

… 22 year old designer and creator of the Ellie Owen line:
A political science major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Leon taught himself to sew at the age of 15, and quickly began making his collection of sophisticated yet sexy dresses and separates for the saucy set….
…inspired by his mother, who he says is, “…Always well put together and doesn’t follow the trends,” Leon describes the Ellie Owen women as someone dynamic, multifaceted, and fresh…
Leon’s just getting started, but he says, “Upon graduation this year I intend to move to New York to expand my line. My goal is to show in Mercedes Benz fashion week in New York and sell my clothes in retailers’ world wide.” His dream also includes diffusion lines, fragrances, and bags. We’ll keep an eye out!
Seems Aubrey is a fan!
Contact Leon and see more of his fabulous creations at www.myspace.com/ldc86 .
Smootches!

Black Fashion Trivia

*I love to keep things exciting, and today is no exception!
Whoever can tell me the name of the young lady below and the significance of this cover…
…will win these Love Circle Earrings from Fashion Bomb contest sponsor Pink Cherie
…get to googling!
E-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com with the most detailed answer you can provide.
We have a winner!
Jill from Atlanta, GA (holla!) correctly answered, “This 1968 issue of Glamour model Katiti Kirondi II on the cover features the Best Dressed College Girls. This marked the first time an African-American woman appeared on the cover of a national womens monthly magazine. This issue featured the 10 best-dressed college girls and 100 great fall looks, which included mini-skirts and psychedelic colors.”
You are correct! Enjoy your earrings:)
And to those who sent in answers, no worries, we have giveaways all the time:)

New Look + Real Style: Chatelet Les Halles

Hey Fashion Bombers!
So I told you that my 2nd Anniversary would be full of surprises….

What do you think??

I just wanted to add a bit of color, streamline, and give the Fashion Bomb a fresh new face for its 2nd birthday.
Cute, huh?
Anyway, while I was in Paris, I knew I had to capture some Real Style.
I went to Chatelet les Halles…

chatelet

…a shopping destination where Paris’ finest come out to strut their fashionable stuff.
I caught sight of this group of young men, who looked street chic in hats, graphic t’s, and sunglasses….
…they protested a bit, but after a while, they complied. And think not looking at the camera is another trend…
But what do you think?
Do Parisians have Real Style?
Smootches!

Who Wore it Best + ThreeAsFour Swimsuits

*The Pierre Hardy Metallic Strappy Shoes we uncovered a few weeks ago in Mail Bombs have been popping up quite a bit on Tinseltown’s finest. Who wore it best?
From left: Cassie, Rihanna, Angela Simmons, Lala
*ThreeasFour will debut a new swimsuit line at their Fashion Week Show Saturday Night…
Fashionista says, “[The line] will wholesale between $100 and $250 alongside a line of bodysuits and leggings.” Super cute!
*Shout out to Parisian Fashion Bomb reader Aïssata…
…who took me around Paris a bit during my stay! We’ll have to hang again!

Mail Bombs: Celebrity Looks for Less

Hey,
So I’m in Paris, eating WAY too many crepes and drinking Orangina! I caught a bit of Real Style for ya (stay tuned next week!), but we all know what Fridays are for…
…let’s do it!
First, Kendall asks, “There’s a recent picture of Beyoncé wearing a feminine men’s cut tuxedo suit.
I know those are IN this season. Where, oh, where can I find some? To make matters tricky, I need the pants in a tall length! But I guess I can do that research if you point your readers and me in the right direction???
Beyonce’s wearing a modern version of ‘Le Smoking’ a menswear inspired pantsuit created by Yves Saint Laurent. I wrote about the style in a tribute to YSL here.
To get a similar look, Adriana found these items:
1. Diane von Furstenberg Desi Jacket, $445. 2. Forever 21 Velvet Pinstripe Blazer, $27.80. 3. Diane von Furstenberg Cece Pant, $275. 4. L.A.M.B Classic Tuxedo Pant, $185.
Next Nekaria says, “I Love the Simmons Sisters, they’re hot!
“… I was wondering if you can help me find the shoes they’re wearing in this picture.”
It seems that the fly sisters are wearing the following styles:
1.Yves Saint Laurent Black Tribute Sandal, $760. 2. Gucci Babouska Studded Bootie, $995.
Quite a lot for some stilettos! If your money’s more ‘Pastry’ than “Gucci”, get similar looks with these lower priced options:
1. Report Signature Beatrix Platform Sandals, $108. 2. Colin Stuart Studded Bootie, $98.
Nicole from Indianapolis says, “Can you please tell me where I can find the swimsuit Rihanna wore to Barbados with Chris Brown?
Many cynics think it’s ugly because it’s too mis-matchy, but I think it really shows that rock-glam look she is always trying to achieve. PLEASE help me out!
Adriana says, “My guess is she mixed-and-matched pieces from separate bikinis to achieve her look. Try the mix and match bikini options that American Apparel, Victoria’s Secret, and Old Navy Offer.
Tap American Apparel, where you can buy the following items for a similar style:
1. Nylon Tricot Zebra Print Triangle Bikini, $28. 2. Nylon Tricot Flat Bikini Bottom, $25.
Leanne fell in love with Aubrey’s TRL dress:
She says, “Can you tell me who made it? And where can I find something similar for cheaper?”
Aubrey is wearing this Marc Jacobs creation…
you can buy it now for $460 at www.net-a-porter.com.
If you want a similar off the shoulder look, go with these:
1. Cynthia Steffe Boardwalk Dress, $137. 2. Tibi Twiga Square Neck Dress, $174. 3. Puella Off the Shoulder Mini Dress in Noir, $149.
Erica says, ” I wanted to know if you could tell me where Ashanti found her belt.
If not that one, could you show me an alternative?
Get the look with the following:
1. Rose Embellished Belt , $29. 2. Versatile Patent Belt, $49.
That does it!
Just a few more days in Gay Paris before making it home in time for Labor Day! Monday is a holiday so I won’t be updating, but be sure to log on on Tuesday for a few “Anniversary” surprises!!!
Smootches!

The Fashion Bomb’s 2nd Anniversary Party!!!

*So for my 2nd Anniversary, I’m throwing yet another Fashion Week Party in NYC!!!!
I’m joining forces with Fashion Indie and JI Group for a Fashion Week Blowout!!!
Come to Aspen (30 West 22nd Street bet. 5th and 6th) at 10pm on Friday September 5th to celebrate Black Fashion!!!
RSVP by clicking here.

You Should Know: Colures Magazine

Hey!
So while I’m here, I’m trying to get a full view of everything fashionable in Europe. A friend turned me on to a magazine called Colures

cover-4

…a UK publication that focuses exclusively on black fashion.
I know! While we’re still hurting over the loss of Suede, magazines like Colures produce smart fashionable shots and shoots featuring women of color.
In addition to top notch fashion…
The magazine has intriguing articles…
And scintillating accessories spreads…
Chic!
Who needs Italian Vogue when Colures represents us all the time???
To read more about Colures, visit the site at www.coluresmagazine.com.
Take a peak at back issues, and subscribe for about $120 a year by clicking here.
Smootches!
PS Check out an interview with Colures Editor Leonie Brown here.

I’m in the Wall Street Journal!!!

*I’m quoted today in an article on Dress Codes in the Wall Street Journal!!!
Ahem. “…For Claire Sulmers, a 27-year-old fashion blogger in New York, the stumper was an “international” dress code. She thought she was playing it safe with a classic look — a wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg in muted colors. But when she arrived, she felt “slightly under-dressed,” as she mingled with men in European-cut suits and women in celebrated designers’ gowns…” Read the rest here!
*Oh and Happy Birthday Dad…
…Thanks for everything:)

Get her Look: Beyonce

Hey!
So I’m in Paris!

claire-sulmers

If you love beautiful things, then you will instantly fall in LOVE with Paris! Everything from the architecture to the fashion and petits cafés are simply breathtaking.
Though I’m on vacation, it seems The Fashion Bomb train keeps chugging along. I’m going to try to relax for my next few days here, but know that you guys still savor your typical fashionable flair.
The weather’s getting a bit chilly, and Beyonce seemed fall ready in a jeans and blazer ensemble she wore recently:
While Beyonce is obviously balling in this Chanel Resort 2008 Tweed Jacket…
You can go for a Beyonce inspired autumn outfit with the following high and low priced items:
1. Bernard Zins Tweed Jacket, $596. 2. Radiant Melange Necklace, $49. 3. DKNY Seamed Peplum Jacket, $45. 4. Cafe Culture Necklace, $39. 5. Corpus Skinny Jeans in Blue Acid, $165. 6. Ray Ban Wayfarer II Sunglasses, $139. 7. BDG Vintage Crackle Cigarette Jean, $54. 8. Chloe Heloise Python East-West Satchel, $4,495. 9. Steve Madden Ozzy Tan Patent, $140.
I’m off to the Louvre!
Smootches!

Don’t Forget Black Weblog Awards + Fashion Week Fun!!!

*Voting for the Black Weblog Awards ends August 31st!!!
Remember to vote for The Fashion Bomb under “Best Style and Fashion Blog” and “Blog of the Year”!!!!!
Also, show some love to blogs Concrete Loop, What Would Thembi Do?, Young, Black, and Fabulous, and Afrobella (I know she’s my competition, but she’s in multiple categories and a very smart writer).
*Fashion Week in NYC is coming up September 5th-12th…
…and the Fashion Bomb will be in the building capturing Real Style and schmoozing with Fashion’s finest. Fashion Week also coincides with the Fashion Bomb’s TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! Stay tuned for a few cool developments (so excited!) including a NYC Fashion Bomb event!!! Details coming very very soon!
*This is a bit random, but I was tickled to see this on several Parisian Newsstands…
…even the French are saying, “Oui, Nous Pouvons!!!!” (Yes, We Can!)
*Moncler Jackets have done it once again, taking the typical puff jacket to the next fashionable level:
Nitrolicous has pictures of their new Gamme Rouge collection, a collaboration with designer Giambattista Valli. If you don’t know about Moncler coats, you need to ask somebody! In New York especially, ladies who lunch who need the warmth of a puff jacket, but the fashion of a cute coat tap Moncler for their marriage of function with sophisticated shapes. They’ll set you back quite the pretty penny, but look at those! Chic! [Nitrolicous]
*Check out my girl Kelly of Black & White PR and Mari J on their new Fashion Talk Show “Fashionably Yours“…
…Each Monday, starting September 8th, you’ll be able to hear Kelly wax on on all things fashionable. Not in NYC? Download her program here.