So I had quite the trip yesterday.
My flight was super duper delayed, and I got in to LA about 8 hours after schedule (note, always fly direct, and go with a big carrier)…Anyway I am sooooo tired! Thankfully Bomb interns Adriana and Elita pitched in a bunch this week for Mail Bombs…
….what would I do without them?? Let’s see how they did!
First up, Corinne says, “I saw that Rihanna was on the cover of the month and I was wondering if you could help me find this romper she is wearing…“
“...or something similar? Thanks!”
Intern Adriana couldn’t find the exact designer, but found the following similar looks:
1. Charlotte Ronson Tie Back Romper, $104. 2. American Apparel Tri Blend Halter Romper, $28. 3. Crossover Romper, $12.
Next, Tola says, “I need these glasses Claire!!”
“….Can you find puh leaseeeeeeeeeeee!“
Adriana says, “I’m 100% certain that Amerie’s glasses are by Cazal, a label popular in the 80s. Find similar looks with these:”
1. Cazal 865 Sunglasses, $237. 2. Gold Topped Aviators, $18.
D says, “I would like to know where I could get Teyana’s ice cream sweater for a reasonable price…”
“...Can you help?“
Adriana says, “Unfortunately, you’re not going to get Ice Cream for a reasonable price unless the shirt goes on sale at their store or on their site. If you want affordable alternatives, try these:“
1. Two Scoops Sweatshirt, $36. 2. Akiko Bunny Crewneck, $150.
D was also interested in Lil Mama’s sneakers, shown here:
Adriana found that Lil Ma is wearing these Yo! MTV Raps Puma Sneakers:
Visit www.puma.com for retail locations.
Last but not least, Tracy hits us asking to recreate this vintage Beyonce outfit:
She says, “ I’m going on my honeymoon and I really need this outfit to look fly in Barbados with my hubby. Please help!! “
Elita to the rescue! She found the following similar items:
1. Catherine Malandrino top, $109. 2. Drawstring Linen Short, $17.80. 3. Dolce Vita Abbie Sandals, $40.
Have fun!
As for me, I’m going to try to salvage the remnants of my LA vacay…get some shopping done and get ready for my Meet & Greet tomorrow!
If you have any friends in the area, tell them to swing by tomorrow and say ‘hey.’ Can’t wait to meet ya!
Smootches!

Hey!
So out of all prints, I must admit that one of my favorites is paisley. Psychadelic and swirly, this retro stamp can pop with lots of color, or play more demure with a subtle hue. Worn as a full on ‘fit or an accent, celebrities know how to use the print to a fun, funky effect:
Nicole Richie is cute in a subtle paisley top with black shorts:
Dania Ramirez jumps to the other end of the color spectrum with a bright print top and matching popsicle orange bottoms…
Joy Bryant plays coy in a simple gray patterned dress with tights…
…and English actress Sara Jane Crawford goes for the goal with this black and white shirtdress…
Surprisingly men have taken more to this trend, with rappers like Lil Scrappy donning an all print vest with a more casual paisley bandana…
Fonzworth Bentley throwing on a richly colored scarf with a blazer and t-shirt…
And everyone from JD to Jay-Z wearing it as their accessory of choice with suits…
Official!
Women, get your paisley on with these lovely looks:
1. Tibi Riviera Paisley Mini Dress, $210. 2. Forever 21 Neon Paisley Tunic, $20. 3. J.Crew Coppelle Paisley Alessia Blouse, $20. 4. Milly Marabella Maillot, $225. 5. Oversized Paisley Print Scarf, $69. 6. French Connection Poppin Paisley Maxi Dress, $178.
Guys, keep it simple with a few well plucked paisley accessories:
1. BOSS Black Yellow Paisley Tie, $66.50. 2. Ralph Lauren Paisley Pocket Square, $70. 3. Marina D’este Men’s Large Paisley Twill Long Scarf, $72. 4. Dior Homme Paisley Weekend Tie, $245.
Smootches!

It’s been a little while since we’ve had any fashion fun on the old blog, so today I’m stirring things up!
The first person to tell me who this lady is…
…and what she contributed to fashion history will win this pair of hanging hearts earrings…
…from Fashion Bomb monthly contest sponsor Pink Cherie (www.pinkcherie.com). No hints, and the winner will be at my discretion (so be as detailed as possible). E-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com with the scoop.

So the first person to answer the quiz was Amarja from the Netherlands (people be reading in Europe!)
She says, “It’s Beverly Johnson! She was the first African-American cover model of American Vogue in August 1974.“
That’s what I was looking for! Enjoy your chic pair of earrings from Pink Cherie!
I also had to give props to Ingrid from Cambridge, MA…
…who wrote in seconds later with a mini Beverly Johnson book report!
She wrote, “It’s Beverly Johnson! First hired by Glamour in 1971; First African American model on the cover of American Vogue in 1974; She was also on the “American Woman” Vogue cover in June 1975); She was on the the cover of Glamour six times in 2 years; She was the first black model on the cover of Elle Magazine in 1975; She was booked by Ford Models (by Eileen Ford); Has cut two record albums (Beverly Johnson and Don’t Lose the Feeling); Has a line of skincare products; Author of two books (Beverly Johnson’s Guide to a Life of Beauty and True Beauty); Currently has a line of wigs; Recently appeared on She’s Got the Look as a celebrity judge.” OK!
Ingrid wasn’t first, but she gave tons of great info! She’ll be getting a Fashion Bomb T.
Thanks everyone for participating. Luckily Pink Cherie has offered to sponsor contests every month, so stay tuned for next month’s question!

*Christian Siriano’s line is now available at Bluefly!
Visit his Bluefly Store and get the goods!
*Intern Adriana sent over this very cool article from CNN on Being Black and Shopping in America (this is part of a CNN Black in America special by Soledad O’Brien airing tonight and tomorrow)…
The short piece describes a situation faced by many of us: Being profiled and followed while shopping. It happened to me as recently as this past Saturday when this one guy would not stop following my friends and I around a Sephora in Greenwich, CT. We were dressed fashionably, we didn’t even have big bags! And it happens so often, it doesn’t occur to me to complain about it! Have you been followed around? [CNN]

Our favorite fashion maven, Rihanna, was spotted outside of Fred Segal (in LA!) last week getting her shop on…
…I’m not too sure I’d wear heels to shop, but I would wear this outfit for a day at the office, or with flats to chill with friends.
Get her LA look with the following low and high priced items:
1. Ray Ban Two Tone Wayfarer Sunglasses, $139. 2. Mimi & Coco White Cotton Rib Tank, $29. 3. Fendi Fever Long Necklace, $285. 4. Jeffrey Campbell Maze Sandal, $93. 5. Moschino Polka Dot Skirt, $187. 6. Xhilaration Pyramid Stud Clutch, $15.
If you want Rihanna’s jewelry game, check out this vintage Mail Bombs post, or referance this recent post on studs.
Smootches!
*Fashion Bomb Flash: Get an extra 15% of those Jeffrey Campbell Maze Sandals at Lulus.com by entering coupon code thefashionbomb

*Fashion Bomb affiliate Glam.com has launched a new African-American channel called Black Life (www.blacklife.glam.com). Looks like it’s the next big thing on the web for women like us. And guess whose story is gracing the homepage??
Yup, the number one story is sourced from the Fashion Bomb’s July 8th post on Fedoras. Woot! Read more by visiting Blacklife.glam.com
*Guess who’s America’s Next Top Male Model? My cousin Kofi! Check him getting his work on shooting for a new Sony Ericsson Campaign:
I’m sold! Also, check him at his myspace page, www.myspace.com/ny8store.
*If you’re looking to decorate your home with style, check out www.laidbackhome.com. They offer a funkier approach to home decor, providing Duvet sets, sheets, and dec pillows with an edge. A few products:
Top Row: You Rock Pillow, $60; Ol Play Luxe Pillow.
Bottom Row: Boomin Pillow. She Fly Pillow.
See more at www.laidbackhome.com.

*The Countdown begins for my LA Excursion!!!
Tell all your West Coast Fashion Heads to roll out to Pinky Rose Boutique (5571 W Pico Blvd) for cocktails, shopping, and performances…I can’t wait!
*There’s a huge article on media giant Conde Nast in the New York Times. If you don’t know, Conde Nast owns a lot of the glossy magazines: Glamour, Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and the New Yorker. Speaking of which, I’m sure a lot of you heard the buzz about that controversial Obama cover.
I decided to keep mum on the issue because I’ve gotten a bit tired of complaining. But the NY Times article reveals something interesting about Condé, its owner Si Newhouse, and the company’s decision to use that cover: “More than almost anything else, acquaintances say, Mr. Newhouse delights in the buzz his magazines routinely create. He welcomes controversies, like the recent brouhaha about the Obamas-as-terrorists cover of The New Yorker. What tickles him often challenges convention, often embraces the new or novel, and often sells.”
You see, people, they’re just trying to sell magazines. Times are tough out there for print pubs (blame the internet)…I think the Vogue Lebron cover and the New Yorker cover were purposefully controversial because they just want a little attention. Pay no attention people. Though I must admit, the New Yorker, cover aside, is my absolute favorite magazine. [NYTimes]
*Speaking of magazines using ‘novel’ ideas to sell, yes, it’s true: The Fashion Bomb Shop completely sold out of July Issues of Italian Vogues within 12 hours of posting their arrival….
I know!!! I’m going to check back today to see if I find any more copies, but I’m keeping my expectations low. When I went in (moments after the shipment arrived), I saw another fellow fashionista in there buying 5 copies for herself! But you never know…I will post all progress here. Don’t worry, I got you.
*Wow, that NYTimes article about Conde Nast just keeps getting better! An interesting tidbit that might make you think differently about your purchase of Italian Vogue:
“Almost half of Conde’s revenue last year was generated overseas, according to several executives…The luxury approach has worked even better overseas, where Conde has found untapped markets for versions of Vogue, Vanity Fair and other titles. The Italian Vanity Fair, introduced just five years ago, had more than 6,000 ad pages last year” far more than any magazine published in the United States ” and more than $100 million in revenue, according to Jonathan Newhouse.” Hmmm, I wonder about Italian Vogue? Is Conde Nast using race as a fulcrum to generate sales? This and more to ponder. [NYTimes]

Hey Fashionistas!!
So the moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. You can now order your very own Historical All Black July Issue of Italian Vogue from the Fashion Bomb Shop!!!!
So it seems my Newsstand Guy got it right this time!
I bought as many as I could carry ( a couple dozen). If that’s not enough, I’ll run back and see if there are any more. But you’ve heard the buzz–this issue has been sold out all over the place. So hurry up and get your copy!!!
Click here to purchase.
Smootches!
PS See what all the buzz is about here.