Hey!

The second talk, at the New York Public Library…
…was open to the public, and was therefore packed to the brim with about 200 people, including the utterly talented designer Tracy Reese…

…and writer Michaela Angela Davis.
The third, last night, had the biggest showing yet…
…about 275 designers, editors, journalists, models, and model agents packed into the Bowery Hotel to rally for the cause.
The numbers are slowly starting to grow, signaling a real movement. Instead of this issue being talked about then swept under the rug, Bethann is making it a point to mobilize, get answers, and hold people accountable. I can’t tell you how many representatives from modeling agencies, as well as stylists and designers stood up to defend their practices, or promise to do better (The creative director of Ford Models was there, as well as the head of the North American division of Elite, who offered $1,000 to sponsor the next forum).

An interesting note: Andre Leon Talley wrote in from campaigning for Barack in Chicago to say, “This struggle is so important to all of us on so many levels…We must continue to dialogue, as a change we can believe in has to happen.” Andre, whose New Years fashion resolution was to, “order custom Charvet tennis picque shorts and silk kneesocks the color of clotted cream,” is down for the cause (and for Barack)? Really? Well, it’s good to know that he’s behind this. Hopefully he can start rocking the boat a bit with his buddy Anna over at Vogue–but let’s hope he doesn’t fall out!

So the talk got underway, and a few fashion models took the stage…
…to voice their concerns. It seemed as if every model had the same exact story: They have a look and an amazing portfolio, go to modeling agencies seeking work, but are told that the agency already has ‘one black girl’ and they don’t need another.

Damon Dash also rolled through with Jim Jones….
..and talked about the importance of mentoring in the industry (I think he put it as ‘We need to watch each other’s backs‘). Good point. It seemed as if representatives from every facet of the industry were there. If we all made it a point to bestow a bit of knowledge on each other, reach up instead of pulling down, we could move the issue forward at a heightened pace.

While a ‘conclusion’ was not reached, this talk won’t be the last. Bethann promises to continue having these to let people air their grievances (I have a few…), and motivate until something concrete is accomplished (i.e. more ethnic models on catwalks, more designers of color, more editors of color, more diversity in the fashion industry as a whole).

With Fashion Week about a week away, it’s going to be interesting to ONCE AGAIN see if diversity has increased on the catwalks (and in the tents). I’ll keep an eye peeled!

Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*On a related note, Fashion Bomb reader Leigh recently wrote me the following, “I am currently a student in Pennsylvania but I’ll be moving back to NYC in May. Do you know of any modeling agencies that are friendly to African American women? It would be great to get a few modeling jobs to help pay expensive NYC bills. I am not runway thin by any means, but print work or agencies looking for thin and athletic women would be the most helpful. Even if you do not know any agencies I still appreciate your time and effort.” From last night’s talk, Leigh, your prospects are looking quite dim, but reps from Elite and Ford were there, so try knocking on their doors. Anyone else have any pointers?

*Want to recap? Read about the first meeting here, and the second meeting here. Don’t know Bethann? Read my post about her here.

*For the next one, I’ll make sure to post the invite so that every single one of you in New York can come (we can have a Fashion Bomb contingent!).
*Valentino…
…waves goodbye to the Fashion World [Reuters]
*Luxury Labels hit in the Pocketbook [Wall Street Journal–Subscription]
*Cathy Horyn…
…on the Chanel Show. [NYTimes]

…this self described ‘Retro Kid’ reminded me of the good old days when I obsessed over Bobby Brown, the Boyz, and Al B Sure…

He was rocking the slanted high top fade with a blonde streak, a bright colored jacket, patchworked jeans, and Nike high tops (oops, just noticed the Africa medallion!).
The 80’s are coming back, but are we down for it?
Smootches!

*So I was indulgently digging into my February issue of Vogue…

…and who should pop up on one of the very last pages, but one of our favorite black socialites…
…Genevieve Jones!!!
She’s featured in a spread lauding “Three Jewelry Stars on the Rise.” So Madame Jones is now a jewelry designer??? I thought she was an interior decorator…or a muse…or something. Anyway, her pieces–encrusted with topaz, sapphires, and diamonds–retail for $895-$5,000 and are inspired by ethereal, whimsical ideas like “spirals, stars, and UFO’s.” Sure….I guess we all gotta eat, right? Click image to see her creations in all their glory.
*Don’t know Genevieve Jones? Read my Style File on her here.
*Deal of the Day:

…Kate Spade Beige Snake Printed Leather Garden D’orsay Pumps, $137 from $255, www.bluefly.com.

Happy almost Friday!
So so far in the New Year, we’ve had plenty of Real Style, Mail Bombs, and Cool Online Finds, but we haven’t had a Style File!
A great person to start with, I think, is Fashion Icon, Supermodel, and a notorious cell phone chucker…

….Naomi Campbell.
Yeah, she’s got an attitude, but homegirl is consistently fierce, fierce, fierce! So fierce, in fact, that we’ll forgive her foibles.
Let’s look at her style:
For Black Tie Gala’s (of which she attends many), Naomi exclusively wears glamorous couture frocks, accented with fur, feathers, and sequins. While she shines on occasion in figure flattering dresses in neutrals…
…and adorns herself in eye catching silver gowns…
…her absolute red carpet rule calls for nothing but black…
..black…
…black…
…and more black!
…fashion stylist Edward Enninful did say that ‘Black on Black is always chic,” no?
Naomi takes her love of all black off the red carpet to the front rows of fashion shows….
…wearing dark fur with skinny jeans or a simple top with a full skirt. The dark color even pervades her more casual moments, as she typically sports black jackets, boots, dresses, and sunglasses…
…injecting a white jacket in the mix….
…for good measure.
All black can seem a bit morbid (visions of going to a funeral come to mind), but Naomi manages to make it work by mixing fabrics, textures, proportions, and throwing accents like bright bags and scarves into the mix. Another benefit of all black: as long as the color is rich, it manages to always look expensive and put together. And you can guarantee that if you wanted to wear that one black item several times in a week, absolutely noone would notice!
I’m sure you already have lots of black in your wardrobe, but you can channel Naomi Campbell in these super chic items that’ll help you stand out in a crowd:
Top Row: Citizens of Humanity Shrunken Knit Vest, $106, www.nordstrom.com; K Karl Lagerfeld Anja Top, $78, www.net-a-porter.com; Leather Blazer, $350, www.armaniexchange.com.
Middle Row:Hellz Bellz Siouxie Jean in Black, $140, www.revolveclothing.com.

Bottom Row:Sequin Mini Skirt, $50, www.bananarepublic.com; Metallic Empire Bubble Dress, $60, www.bebe.com; Tracy High Waist Skirt, $129, CoutureCandy
You’ll be catwalk ready!

Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*Naomi even looks hot while doing community service! Check out my March ’07 post on her, titled, “Naomi Sweeps Floors with Flair.”
*Want more Naomi? She’s got a whole archive!
*Did you hear, homegirl is rumored to be dating Hugo Chavez…
…I don’t buy it!

Hey!
So one of my friends recently suggested a inject a bit more of my “real life” into the blog. If you were here in the beginning, you might remember that all I did back then was take you shopping with me!

Well, I recently had a situation to which, I think, a lot of you curvy girls can relate: My absolute favorite pair of Seven Jeans (purchased at Saks for $187) had sprouted two gaping frays at the thighs, similar to this:
…it was tragic! No other jeans fit me like my Sevens, and I didn’t really feel like shelling out another $200 for a new, potentially inferior pair!
Granted, I probably shouldn’t have been teaching my little sister a dance to Flo Rida’s “Low” in my jeans, but I still felt that they had a bit of life left in them.
I asked my mom, who is an expert seamstress and dressmaker (and who has worked the stuff out of hems, buttons, and the like), and she delivered a sad verdict, “They can’t be fixed, throw them away!”
Not to be deterred, I went to my local dry cleaner…
…to see if there was any hope.
They looked at the damage, and unfazed, said it could be done in a week for $15.
I returned later to pick them up, and Voila…
…I couldn’t believe it! Minus a slightly lighter color, there was little sign of the prior fray. My friend and I were flabbergasted. I looked and saw they placed a very serious looking patch inside…
Long story short, my jeans were (almost) as good as new!
So if your favorite pair of jeans has been relegated to the”weekend” pile, or if you’ve lost hope, know that there is a solution:
Just throw in a $15 patch and keep it moving!
Hope that helped someone out there…
Smootches!

*I’ve had tailor success before! Click here to read about how my tailor helped fix a puckering jacket.
*Don’t have this problem? Here’s an early mail bomb for ya:
Reader Mataya loved Mel B’s dress in this picture. She says, ” I was wondering where to find the Dress that Mel B is wearing?”
Mel B is wearing this Roberto Cavalli creation…
…from his Spring 2008 collection.

Bottom Row: Carmen Marc Valvo Sequin Keyhole Dress, $514, www.saks.com; Snowball Dress, $230, www.fcuk.com.
*Know a great tailor in your area? Leave a comment and share the wealth!
*No more Isaac Mizrahi for Target.
*Deal of the Day:
…Retro Shawl Collar Stitched Jacket, $78, www.shopplasticland.com.

Sheath Dress: Straight, narrow fitted dress usually with no waistline, but shaped to the body by vertical darts, or with set-in waistline; Tight fitting dress with regular waistline seam or set-in waistline and sheath skirt which is very narrow at hem and slashed at back to facilitate walking.—Fairchild’s Dictionary of Fashion

Hey!
So sheath dresses have been popping up on many the red carpet lately. The supremely classic silhouette works on any body type (belted versions are better as to create an hourglass shape), and the style is an effortless work piece. Let’s take a look at how a few celebs rocked ’em recently:
Elise Neal looks sultry and chic…

…in a tweed dress with tights at a SlimFast Event January 8th.
Gabrielle Union works a hot red sweetheart sheath….
..at the Jimmy Choo Flagship Store Opening in Beverly Hills last Friday.
And Regina Hall…
…dons a strapless beige body skimming option at the First Sunday premiere on January 11th.
Get similar work ready looks with the following:

Top Row: Bianca Nero Pinstriped Dress, $126, www.neimanmarcus.com; INC International Concepts Belted Sheath Dress, $129, www.macys.com; Rick Freeman for Teri Jon Sheath Dress, $95, www.neimanmarcus.com.
Bottom Row: Jones New York Sweetheart Jersey Dress, $134, www.nordstrom.com.

DEPT Dutch Plaid Riding Coat, $150, www.modcloth.com. Bonus: Enter ‘fashionbomb10″ for an extra 10% off.
*This article is a bit old, but here’s another way to get a fashion internship. Very unfair, but you gotta do what you gotta do…

Hey Everyone!

So what do you think?
Does Philly have great style?
Smootches!

*Thanks for alllll the birthday love. You’re the bomb!
*Deal of the Day:
Dolce Vita Moritz Croc Print Ballet Flats, $55, shopbop.com