*Went out with my buddies last night and who should I run into but songstress…

…Estelle. Check her Chanel pin, cute scarf and clutch! She better work!

If you don’t know, Estelle is the chanteuse behind the smash hit “American Boy” featuring Kanye West.
Still doesn’t ring a bell? Check out her viddy:

Dope! Also visit Concrete Loop for pix of her spread in Bleu Magazine.
*Word on the street: Italian Vogue shot an entire issue chock full of black models…
…hoping that other Vogues will follow suit. I’ll believe it when I see it! [Fashionista]
*In non fashion news, did you hear? This ish is ridiculous…[NYTimes]
*Some of our favorite YBF’s…
…hit up the BAPE store opening.[YBF]
*And, fyi, the hot pink stilettos in the Fashion Bomb’s new spring/summer banner are by Jil Sander. Get ’em for $695, at Jil Sander Boutiques, in NYC and Chicago. Visit www.jilsander.com for locations.

*“Claire’s sensual, confident beauty and her passionate, independent and strong character embodies today’s Gucci woman.“

Who, me?? No! It’s Frida Giannini on Claire Danes’ new role as the face of Gucci’s jewelry ad campaign. Don’t be silly… [WWD]

So the sun has finally started to peak out in NYC, and all I can think of is airing my toesies in some cute summer sandals.
This time is year is perfect for disposable, of the season fashion–you don’t want to spend a ton on something you might not wear next year!
So I’ve compiled some cute summer sandals–all for under $100:
First, flats:

I’m personally stuck in flats for the next 6 months (foot surgery), so these options are apt:
Top Row: Jeffrey Campbell Natural Python Snake Gladiator Sandal, $65, www.lulus.com; Mackenzie Flat Sandals, $88, www.jcrew.com; Haiku Sandals, $90, www.guess.com.
Middle: Jeffrey Campbell Jaya Sandal, $98, www.urbn.com; BCBGirls Sammie Toe Thong, $80, www.endless.com; Klaris Sandal, $60, www.ninewest.com.
Bottom Row: Matisse Women’s Scoop Ankle Open Toe Flat, $85, www.endless.com; Synapse Yellow Leather, $70, www.stevemadden.com; Sam Edelman Gold Snake Gilda Sandal, $78, www.shopkitson.com.
Not all of you are stuck in flat shoe purgatory, so you might want a few well heeled options…
…for a day at the beach:
Top Row: Ollioule, $99, www.guess.com; Michael Kors Pewter Dylan Sandals, $71, www.bluefly.com; Aerosoles Trap Door Sandals, $80, www.endless.com.
Middle Row: Report Women’s Hayden Sandal, $80, www.endless.com; BCBGirls Zandra Sandal, $89, www.macys.com; Tie Leg Sandal, $55, www.asos.com.
Bottom Row: Cameron Suede Espadrilles, $99, www.jcrew.com; Enzo Angiolini Women’s Looker, $99, www.endless.com; AK Anne Klein Mariah, $79, www.piperlime.com.
Now let your feet catch some sun!
Smootches!

Click to Enlarge
…go drink wine and preview her Fall Collection! Tell her I sent ya!
*Guy Trebay of the New York Times on…
…the (short) fashion lifespan of the ‘dress.‘ [NYTimes]
*Check out the Museum at FIT’s Showcase on Women at the Forefront of Fashion.
*Fashiontribes is all about Eco-Chic.

Happy Wednesday!
So when Bossip reported that Alexis Phifer and Kanye were officially over, a part of my fashion heart died.
Sure, their breakup signaled the end of a great duo, but I was more impacted by the death of Hollywood’s best dressed couple. C’mon, who rocked it better than those two???
Kanye is clearly a style czar, and Alexis pulled her weight as well is amazingly flattering ‘fits. Let’s take a look:
Alexis favored head to toe black for everything from red carpet events to Parisian Fashion shows…

…opting for a one shoulder look on occasion…
…worn with exotic skinned clutches and matching stilettos.
When she varied it up, she kept it safe and sophisticated by pairing black with red….
…or black and white…
..providing just a pop on rare occasions whether in outfits of full on color…
…or eye catching jewelry….
…worn with neutral jumpsuits and boots.
Sharp!
Want her look?
Get Alexis’ dress game with the following:
Left to Right: Larsen Gray Bouquet Ruffle Sash Dress, $229, shopbop.com
Abaete Black Gabardine Uptown Shift Dress, $150, www.bluefly.com.
Left to Right: BCBGMax Azria Strapless Beaded Taffeta Dress, $240, www.macys.com; Ruffled Shift Dress, $24.81, www.forever21.com.
For get her accessories steeze, go with these:
Left to Right: Oversized Snake Print Clutch, $26.41, www.asos.com; BA Necklace, $15, www.target.com.
Hopefully she won’t be disappearing from the scene like Brooke. Homegirl’s got style!
Smootches!

*Guess who’s Teen Vogue’s BLOGGER OF THE MOMENT!?!

ME!!!!

Click here to logon to Teenvogue.com. Leave lots and lots of comments!!
*Last night, I went to an event sponsored by Living Measure to support the charity Edeyo, an independent organization dedicated to improving the future of children in Haiti by rebuilding dilapidated schools, supplying students with learning materials and providing them with nutritional support. I’m half Haitian (sak passe!), so I had to make an appearance!
Aside from meeting Fashion Bomber Fabienne, I also met celeb endorser……Nigel Barker. He was the sweetest! And he told me he’d check out The Fashion Bomb! Nigel blogs as well…check him out at www.nigelbarker.tv. He’s totally behind Edeyo. Learn more about the charity at www.edeyo.org.
*Thanks Bsquared!
*For more on how to dress like a Hip Hop Girlfriend, check this post.

Hey!
So my homegirl Bonnita put me on to the Myspace Page of a young lady, Ashley S (www.myspace.com/ashleysdrapes)…

…who is blowing up the scene in the Midwest with her flirty, bold, look at me earrings:
Ashley studied fashion design at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago after studying fine art at Chicago State…
While at the Illinois Institute of Art, she found her true passion: earring design.
She says, “My inspirations are art, life, people who take chances, color, European fashion, old movies, fruit, and different cultures…“
Alright! You can purchase her lovely creations by contacting her on her myspace page, www.myspace.com/ashleysdrapes or if you’re in the Chi, at the Silver Room (1442 North Milwaukee).
Smootches!

*The Independent…
on how to save money on clothes in hard times. [The Independent UK]
*WWD discusses the flowering of Global Fashion. [WWD]
*The Fashion Bomb loves Teyana Taylor, but this…
…has me scratching my head! Publicity stunt? Or fashion affront?

Click to enlarge
…this young self professed model who only admitted to working ‘around the city’ seemed perfect for Real Style because of her rocker chick steeze.
Her outfit triumphed because of her accessories–skull cap, colorful scarf, pink graffiti inspired bag, and subtle jewelry. Her gold jacket, while neutral, is also a nice bold touch, balanced out by black skinny jeans and flat ankle boots.
Snaps!
Off to catch a plane…back to reality!
Smootches!

*Just for fun, reminisce on archived Real Style posts.
*Fashionista reports that Patrick Robinson (Gap’s Executive Vice President for Design)…
…is featured in Vogue along with his Gap designs. Cool! [Fashionista] In case you don’t know who Patrick Robinson is, you can click here to find out.
*Steve Madden does it again!
You can now pre-order lookalike $4,175 Balenciaga Lego Heels…
…at www.stevemadden.com…
…These obvious rip-offs are a steal at $100. But hey, $100 is a lot more affordable than $4,000…Click here to pre-order.
*Anyone catch Life in the Fab Lane last night?

Looks good!

Hello Lovelies!!
I am SO tired from yesterday and am running to catch a plane, but wanted to give y’all the scoop on last night’s event.
Well, what can I say? It was, in a word: FABULOUS!
Though I arrived fashionably late (and we had to leave a bit early), I had a great time meeting, mingling, shopping, and sipping with my New York Fashion Bomb contingent.
A few pictures of the scene at Te Casan:

I got my buddy and professional photographer Casey Noel (www.cnoelphotoandtravel.com) to handle all the pictures. He caught amazing portraits, much better than my handy dandy Canon!  Take a look at some of the fabulous, chic peeps who rolled through:
Beautiful!
Of course I couldn’t help but jump in and snap a few pix myself:
Yours truly with Latisha Daring of Pieces Boutique (www.piecesofbklyn.com), my absolute favorite place to shop in Brooklyn! I got my dress and jewels from Pieces, flats from Te Casan.  You like?
Designer Malcolm Harris (www.malsirrah.com) came thru as well along with his partner Tyson of www.unvogue.com…
Shout out to my cousin Kofi! He’s an aspiring model. Check him out at www.myspace.com/ny8store.
And I had to put my friends to work modeling the new Fashion Bomb t-shirts:
They’re hot! Pick one up today!!!
With that said, it was a great time. I had a lot of fun.

Hey Guys,
So I’ll be honest: I’m pretty crazed preparing for the Meet & Greet tonight! I can’t wait to ‘say hey‘ to all my tri-city Fashion Bombers! Did I mention I’m also flying home to ATL for my lil sister’s bday tomorrow? Yeah…so with that said, I’ll keep this super short–lots to do!

Mary J. Blige looks divine in a floor length ombre gown…

…whose variable brown and tan shades play up her platinum hair.

Beauty Thandie Newton looks like she’s dip dyed in hot pink…
…in a dress that goes from bright to white then black in a snap.
Tia Mowry opts for a more subtle color palette…
…with black fading into stylish steel gray.
And J. Lo adopts the trend, but keeps it safe…
…carrying a bag in lieu of a full on ombre outfit.
To get the look, go with the following dresses:
Left to Right: Jay Godfrey Ombre Tank Dress, $495, www.saks.com; Single Silk Ombre Dress, $290, www.neimanmarcus.com; Ombre Dip Dye Dress, $84, www.asos.com.
For just a splash, slip on these shoes…
Left to Right: AK Anne Klein Women’s Ombre Pump, $89, www.endless.com; Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, $384, www.shopbop.com; Darby Ombre Peep-Toe Pumps, $25, www.target.com.

Left to Right: Shadow Large Frame Bag, $115, www.guess.com; Oasis Padlock and Fob Bag, $77, www.asos.com.
That does it. See some of y’all tonight!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*To Review, deets for tonight’s fiesta:
What: Fashion Bomb Meet & Greet
Where: Te Casan, 382 West Broadway between Broome and Spring.
When: 6 -9pm
Why: Because I love you. No seriously.
See ya there!