Hey!
So months after moving in, I’m finally getting my magazines in on time! I was giddy (as per usual) to receive my December issue of Elle the other day…
..and was delighted to flip and find a small spread on Bonnie Morrison… …New York socialite, fashion maven, and publicity director of PR firm KCD. If you don’t know, KCD is a huge firm in New York city and represents high end fashion houses such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Marc Jacobs.
The Elle spread showcases what Ms. Morrison would wear in a typical week–everything from tailored shift dresses by Richard Chai to smart wool Givenchy jackets paired with Earnest Sewn jeans or Yves Saint Laurent skirts, topped off with (of course) a pair of Louboutins.
About her style philosophy, she says, “I feel strongly about being dressed at all times…You never know where the day will take you…” I couldn’t agree more!
Kudos to Bonnie for climbing to the top of the heap in her field, and double snaps to Elle for profiling a woman of color doing her thing! And of course, for being aware of including….
…a dash of diversity.
Smootches!
PSPS The Seventh on Sale Sale starts today on Ebay!
Don’t know what it is? Top designers such as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta have donated items for sale on ebay. You bid, and 100% of the proceeds go towards providing care, housing, and services to those with HIV/AIDS. Check out the sale (and start bidding) at stores.ebay.com/7th-on-Sale-2007. In NYC? You can shop in person! Buy $20 tickets at stores.ebay.com/7th-on-Sale-2007. The actual sale is this weekend at 69th Regiment Armory, 68 Lexington Ave., at 26th St.
Hey, So strapless dresses have been popping up quite a lot lately, in lovely, skin flattering jewel tones… And cute embroidery… I personally love the strapless look, but for years struggled to rock it because I totally lacked sufficient support! While those with a little less can get away with wearing virtually nothing under those cute dresses, I for one just can’t! I’ve tried every support system: rib poking corsets, uncomfortable body suits–even going one size smaller with regular strapless bras (don’t try it!). Nothing has worked for me as well as Fantasie’s Smooth Slimming Strapless Bra: For an investment of $69, I can jump up and down, two step, and crank dat without fear of wardrobe malfunctions. It comes in sizes B to G, so absolutely everyone…. …and I mean everyone can benefit. Smootches! PS I know you want the looks above:) Try the following: Top Row: Jennifer Dress, $98, www.guess.com; Sexy Strapless Dress, $139, www.bebe.com. Bottom Row: Laundry by Design Strapless Metallic Bubble Dress, $295, www.bloomingdales.com; www.macys.com; Milly Twist Top Mini Dress, $190, www.saks.com. PSS You can also find the bra here and here. Fashion News and What Nots: *Project Runway Debuts tonight! Watch Tim and Heidi ‘Make it Work’ at 10pm on Bravo. *Erin Fetherston’s whimsical line hits Target stores this Sunday. *Viktor & Rolf launches a new line of handbags. Check ‘em out at www.viktor-rolf.com *Patricia Field tapped to style Barbie.
Hey Bellas!
Happy Monday!
So yesterday I was delighted to attend my buddy Malcolm’s Forum on Breaking into Fashion.
Around 5pm, I made my way over to Runway at 4 East 28th street, and took a seat amongst the crowd…
…the room was filled with aspiring and established models, designers, bloggers, and writers of color.
After Malcolm introduced the panel (and everyone introduced themselves), we got down to advice hour. Want to know how to break in?
The following tips:
For Models/Actors: Be prepared to specifically talk about who you are and what you want to do. Be able to sell yourself in 30,60, 90, or 120 seconds. Practice! For models, have your portfolio ready–your portfolio should have 5 good pictures and 10 wonderful pictures. Also always have it on you: you’ll never know who you could run into! Ms. Jay and Malcolm stressed that portfolio pictures must be professional–no back shots from the club or pictures from your sister’s wedding! Also, models, Ms. Jay stressed to show up to castings with clean hair, clean makeup, a nice wax, and nails and toes done. Got it?
For writers: Intern, intern, intern at magazines you love. If you can’t work for free, find ones that pay (I know of a few, e-mail me if you want details). Also network your booty off (this goes for everyone), because most times it’s not what you know, but who you know.
For Designers: To get your line going, don’t wait for a golden egg: get your products out there! Malcolm started his line with $500! Make what you can, then go online and sell them on myspace; make your friends cart them around; create a buzz and get blogs to write about it. E-mail me!
Great advice, no?
After the forum, I went around to meet and greet:
These two Fashion Bombers readers, Ashley and Alanna… …are currently in school for Journalism and Fashion Marketing respectively. They came to network, network, network.
Lakisha and Fatiya… …are aspiring models, and came for advice on portfolios and presentation.
Julia… …is also a model and muse to Malcolm. Check her out in Malcolm’s Spring/Summer Collection video on his blog www.cutsewandblog.com.
Diana.. …is an aspiring stylist (and Fashion Bomb Reader)!
Jewrel (left) and Marco Hall… …are just fabulous, no? Love the colors and decolletage! Anyway Marco (www.myspace.com/marcofh) designs all of Andre J’s clothes, and Jewrel is a Makeup Artist.
This aspiring designer, Nia, calls herself Suppamodel…. …She works for Blackplanet.com (and is apparently featured on the homepage). She’s also in the works to create a line called Suppamodel for women sizes 14-34. Check her out on blackplanet.com…I’ll keep an eye out!
Last but not least, I ran into Yannize and Lauren… ….bloggers from the hot blog Style Ammo! Always great to meet fellow bloggers in person.
I, of course, had to take pictures with a few of the Fashion glitterati:
I caught Andre J in all his fabulousness… ….I loved his coat, turban, and infectious energy! One thing he said that stuck with me, “Live your life. It’s yours, noone elses.”
Also, had to take a picture with Ms. Jay…. ….who had so much to say about the industry. I learned that he lived in Paris for 20 years, and Japan for 3. He also speaks four languages outside of English. He’s a fashion veteran…I’d love to pick his brain one day. He’s a super smart dude, and I was honestly in awe.
Ran into Memsor Kamarake, Fashion Director at Vibe… …who promised to read the blog today! Turns out he started off as a fashion assistant at Vibe and just worked his way up! That’s the way to do it.
And of course couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to buddy Malcolm… …who put it all together!
It was a great event, and won’t be the last. To sign up for updates, visit the forum’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/breakingintofashion. Post ideas, ask for advice, and stay apprised of upcoming panels. Also, of course, continue to read the Fashion Bomb…I’ll keep you posted. A group shop of the illustrious panel members. From left: Malcolm Harris, Memsor Kamarake, Tia Williams, Tyson, model Jaizen. In back: Andre J. Image care of Tia’s Blog Shake your Beauty
Smootches!
*The event’s proceeds went to the organization Save Darfur. If you don’t know what’s going on over there, google Darfur and give/do all you can to alleviate the situation over there. Also, I read a great book that delivers the story in a gripping, searing way…. ….What is the What by Dave Eggers. It’s a must read…and now it’s in paperback, so there’s no excuse! Get it for $11 at www.amazon.com. It tells the story of refugee Valentino Achak Deng; how he lost his family, joined thousands of other orphaned children in refugee camps, and moved to America. Great reading!
*RIP Donda West
Story and image via Style Ammo
It’s Friday! I had a late night last night, but woke up a lil early to see what I could do…. Let’s get to it! Reader Subi says, ” I am LOVING this floor length gown Jennifer is wearing in Miami!“ “Where can I get it??? I am 5’10 and can’t seem to find floor-length casual dresses…” To get a JLo floor length casual look, look no further than shopbop.com Left to Right: Rachel Pally Long Smocked Camisole Dress, $211; Yaya Aflalo Majestic Dress, $277; Susana Monaco V Halter Dress, $319. All at shopbop.com We’ve got lots of JLo love this week (could it be her baby announcement?), but reader Nakaya says, “I love J Lo’s look in this picture…” “How can I get it??“ Sure. To get this look you only need a cute cape: Left to Right: Mackage Cape, $495, www.bloomingdales.com; Andrew Marc-Mode Felted Wool Cape, $276, www.saks.com; Suede Cape, $35, www.newport-news.com Shiny Leggings… Left to Right: NM Exclusive Leggings, $175, www.neimanmarcus.com; By Malene Birger Metallic Flecked Leggings, $67.50, www.net-a-porter.com And a cute black sandal: Left to Right: Jessica Simpson Lotus Sandal, $92, zappos.com Guess Platon Sandal, $100, zappos.com You’re set! Next up reader Joi says, “Can you please tell me where I can find this outfit that Raven Symone has on?” Lol at this picture. Anyway, you can get her shockingly hot look by pairing a ruffled black top… Left to Right: Amelia Shirt, $28, www.forever21.com; D&G Dolce & Gabbana Ruffle Front Blouse, $175, www.net-a-porter.com; BCBG Stretch Cotton Blouse, $118, www.saks.com. With a large black belt… Left to Right: Double Prong Wide Patent Belt, $48, Streamline Belt, $68, www.kennethcole.com. And a shiny stretch pencil skirt…. Left to Right: Satin Tuxedo Pencil Skirt, $89, www.lizclaiborne.com; Glamour Satin Double Vent Pencil Skirt, $98, www.bebe.com. It’s a good look! Lastly, Reader Nori says, “‘I’m hoping you can help me. I’m trying to find out who makes the T-shirt Beyonce is wearing in the attached photos.” ” It’s casual and chic at the same time.” Hey! Apparently Beyonce’s wearing a purple version of this t-shirt… …you can make it in any size or color at the website www.amorphia-apparel.com. Get the tee for $25. The site’s actually really cool! That does it for this week… I’ll try my best to get to more next time around:) Smootches! PS Make sure to come to the “Breaking into Fashion” Panel this Sunday! It from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at Runway, 4 East 28th Street (between 5th and Madison Aves). Roll out!
Hey, hey! So I’m back, unscathed, from Roberto Cavalli. No fights a la Viktor & Rolf (thankfully), but I didn’t cop anything! Why? I’m a bum and totally didn’t wake up early enough to get a respectable place in line. I power walked over to H&M at 51st and 5th this morning at 9:50 (read 10 minutes before H&M opened), and quel surprise! …the line was dumb long. Perhaps the longest I’ve ever seen it? I wanted to get a few quick pix of Fashion Bomb-esque readers before the floodgates opened, so I headed straight to the front wondering: How long have you been waiting? Janet, Darvin, Tatiana, and Xander…. ….said that they’d been waiting in line since 6:30. They came for the clothes, clothes, clothes…I absolutely love that Xander was still able pose while on the phone. And shout out to Tatiana who’s a fan of the Fashion Bomb! Mike, John, and Keisha… …had been waiting since 7:30 with coffee in hand. They said they’d had a late night and just decided to go home, change, and walk over to H&M. Talk about dedication! This fabulously stylish group… ….had been waiting 2 hours. Can you believe they initially didn’t want to get snapped (citing head scarves)?? I thought they looked wonderful! Last but not least, Fama, Alex, and Lindsay… ….held it down for a respectable hour. With a line this long…. …I figured I wasn’t destined to own any of Cavalli’s H&M issue exotic print dresses. But I hopped on the end anyway just to see if I could get lucky. The queue moved pretty quickly, and once I got in…. ….of course, total mayhem! Unlike Viktor & Rolf and Madonna, the racks and tables were literally wiped clean…. ….nothing, and I mean nothing was left by 10:15! Roberto Cavalli himself was in the house taking pictures and watching the girls go mad… ….this group… …was actually screaming for him like he was a rockstar. Though I couldn’t find even a scrap of leopard print chiffon, not everyone suffered the same sad fate…. ….some were very, very lucky. Look out for those dresses on Ebay! I must admit: these designer sales are exhausting. And almost insane. I think third time’s a charm for me… So. Did y’all go to H&M this morning? How was it round your neck of the woods? Smootches! * Seems it was just as crazy in London.
Hey hey!
So as you’re reading this I’m probably braving the crowds at Roberto Cavalli for H&M. I’ll give you the scoop later, but wanted to tell you about a brand of shoes I’m currently gaga over….
Oh…Deer!
5 reasons why I love them:
1. They’re cute.
2. They’re comfortable. And this means a lot considering my foot issues…
3. They’re sky high, perfect for a night out.
4. They’re affordable enough (i.e. not $500 or even close!)
5. They give off an “air of Louboutin” with their soupcon of a red heel.
Hi Guys, The results are in! The results are in! The results are in! After a total of a whopping 400 votes, we have winners! So our first place winner, with 36.93% of the vote, is none other than…. …Joy from London! The Most Fashionable Fashion Bomber says, “Thank you to all those who voted and big-ups to my competitors. I must also thank Claire, the original Fashion Bomber, for having this site because I feel it’s what keeps me current tho’ I’m miles and miles away from home. I’m glad that my Philly roots have brandished me with this soulful fashion vibe that melds well with the new Euro flair that I’ve acquired in London. And to all my fellow Fashion Bombers, in the words of Kimora Lee Simmons, ‘Go in Peace and Serve Fashion!'” Hot! Love it! In second place, with 26.8% of the vote, is our aspiring boutique owner and designer… …Chiriga! She didn’t have any concluding words–perhaps she’s speechless with joy? [Update! We have word from Chiriga! She says, “I am so excited to hear that I am one of the Winners. I had so much fun reading people’s comments. I thought everyone was very brave and VERY FABULOUS!!! Kudos to ALL the ladies- they are all FASHION BOMBS!!!! Everyone looked Dope and had very different styles…. This is what fashion is all about…taking pieces you like and dressing it up around “your” style. I love to see other people in fabulous clothes and this contest did it for me… I got to see styles from different areas of the country and even over seas…. I am inspired…Lots of inspiration!!! I need it….Please look out for Peace & Glam…. It’s going to ROCK!!!”] We’re sure it will! And lastly, in third place, with 23.5% of the vote is… …Sade from Brooklyn! She says, “My style can be described as fun, chic yet conservative; I hope that this is what all of the Fashion Bomb readers saw when they viewed my pics. This was a great experience because I got a chance to see what people actually thought about my style. Thanxxx so much!” That does it for the contest! I hope that you ladies enjoy your James Jeans, Shop & Mingle tote, and $50 Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Gift Certificate, respectively. This was so much fun! I need to do this more often, no? Now back to my regularly scheduled programming… Smootches! *Shout out to Charle, The Fashion Bomb’s newest intern! *I’m totally going to Roberto Cavalli at H&M tomorrow! I’m broke as a joke, but going with a friend. Guess I’ll be blogging vicariously through her! H&M designer sales are always so much fun. Don’t remember? Check my posts under the ‘HM Designer Sale’ topic. Memories…
Hey,
Voting is go sooo well for the Contest! I love how the poll gives results right after you vote; and how the system’s set up so overzealous supporters can’t vote more than once. Genius! Voting ends tomorrow morning!
Until then, I’m gonna take a quick break from ‘Real Style’ to talk about a hot red carpet trend: embellishments.
Stars have truly been shining lately, donning frocks and tops decorated with stones, sequins, gromments, and crystals. Let’s take a look:
Ciara…
Happy Monday! So after receiving over 100 votes and comments, the interns and I have whittled down our contestants. Below, the top four. Vote again today; Instead of leaving comments, just vote using the handy dandy poll below. We’ll announce the winners very soon!
Smootches!! PS Special thanks to EVERYONE who participated! You’re the bomb! Sales, Coupons, What Nots * For my Beauty Bombers… 20% off at Sephora.com until November 21st. * For my Model Bombers (From the good people over at Frenzy)…
Are you America’s Next Top Model material but just never went to the casting? We’re looking for you! Come to our model casting Wednesday November 7th. Details: You must be 21 years old or older with valid ID!!!! You must bring swimwear or wear it underneath your clothing. Ladies, bring shoes. You must be available on December 19th 2007. If you think you have what it takes come down to: M1-5 Lounge. Located on 52 Walker Street (take the A, C, N, R or Q train to Canal Street and walk to Walker Street) Wednesday, Novemeber 7th, 2007. Casting will begin at 4:30pm. Don’t be late! Show up prepared with your portfolio. Please email thefrenzytv@yahoo.com if interested.
…New York socialite, fashion maven, and publicity director of PR firm KCD. If you don’t know, KCD is a huge firm in New York city and represents high end fashion houses such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Marc Jacobs.
About her style philosophy, she says, “I feel strongly about being dressed at all times…You never know where the day will take you…”
I couldn’t agree more!
Guess Platon Sandal, $100, 
