Hi Guys,
So I was walking around Brooklyn a few weekends ago (as per usual), and ran into Michelle and Nene, owners of Seasoned to Perfection, a traveling sale that provides fashion inclined women with sophisticated, one-of-a-kind vintage wear at an affordable price.
Being consummate fashionistas, of course they looked fab, and I had to snap a pic…
I liked how Michelle accented her blue and pink bordered dress with a belt, and adored Nene’s cute printed strapless dress and bold hairstyle. And peep her hot Marc Jacobs bag!! I covet!!!!
Seasoned to Perfection hosts sales several times a month at convenient locations throughout el cite. Lots of very cute vintage wear, hand picked with a discerning eye.
Stay tuned to TFB for deets on their next event!
Smootches!
PS A few people of color made the cut for Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List, including:
Liya Kebede…
Damon Dash and Rachel Roy…
Michelle Obama…
Tiki Barber…
Lenny Kravitz…
And more! To see the spread, pick up their September issue…
…on newsstands tres soon I’m sure.
Happy Monday everyone!
My interns are back this week to represent in a serious way! I’m going on vacay soon, so keep your eyes peeled for ‘tern posts. First up for the week is the ever fierce intern Rachel. Enjoy! Hi everyone, Fashion Bomb intern Rachel checking in!
When you think of fembots – robots of the female persuasion, do you think of fashion? Probably not! You might remember the famous figure from Star Wars:
And the maid from the hilarious flick Spaceballs: Quite possibly, you have seen this high-tech vodka ad: And while it may seem that these futuristic, walking, talking machines have little to do with the world of style, recent showings by A-list stars Victoria Beckham and Beyonce reveal that the fembot is a creative inspiration. This look is characterized by either the presence or combination of metallic shades of gold, black, and silver; sharp, tight angles; or shiny surfaces that give the impression of a rock-hard, solid exterior.
Beyonce’s recent performance on the B.E.T. awards looked like something out of Star Wars. The highlight of the robotic performance was her pair of Balenciaga tights, from their Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Although their website no longer features this collection, these tights were rumored to cost a whopping 100K.
Victoria Beckham, who is known for her fierce, ice-cold, and chilly fashion choices, is the poster child for the fembot look. The ensemble she donned recently showcases the robotic essence. The tube top has sharp, tight lines and stiffly supports Posh’s upper-bod, reminiscent of the knife-sharp edges of a robot’s exterior. The shiny tights she wears have a machine-like gleam.
Another star donning this look is Rihanna. Although some may be experiencing Rihanna overload, there is no denying her trailblazing looks. In the recent (and probably one of the last) issues of Vibe Vixen, Rihanna flaunts metallic outfits that embrace the fembot influence.
Source: www.thatgrapejuice.net
Burberry Prorsum Dress, from the Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Source: www.style.com
Dolce and Gabbana Quilted Metallic Leather Bomber Jacket, $3,995 www.eluxury.com While some of these fall and winter pieces are outrageously priced, they do give a great idea of the metallic flavor coming up in the near season. Look for a post from me in the future about Fall ’07 trends! ~Rachel
OK Rachel! She might’ve gone underground for a while, but when she emerged, she came out blazin!
Smootches!
PS Today’s the last day for Bluefly’s shoe sale…
Go to www.bluefly.com and check it out!
…time for mail bombs! As per usual, I’ve received tons of great requests. I did my best to answer a few for ya. Let’s get to it:
First up reader Keil from New Orleans asks, “There is picture of Eve wearing a pair of high waisted jeans that I love….” “Could you please find out where I can get them?”
Eve’s jeans are widely reported to be by Fetish, her clothingline that went under for a while, but is set to relaunch tres soon. They’re not in stores at the moment, but if you want a similar look, I believe that Diesel makes a great high waisted jean…
…visit www.diesel.com for store locations.
Next reader Angela says, “I LOVE the outfit Rihanna wore to 106th & Park and to lunch at Da Silvano….” “…I want her look. Can you help?”
No problem. You can replicate a Rihanna ‘Goth’ look with the following:
Top Row: Seamless tank, $19.50, www.gap.com ; 7 for all Mankind Lucy Jeans, $150, CoutureCandy Bottom Row: Kenneth Jay Lane Pyramid Bracelets, $98, www.maxandchloe.com; Brumley Ankle Boot, $398, shopbop.com Next up die hard Fashion Bomb fan Penne asks, “I love the cute t-shirt Nichole from the Pussy Cat Dolls is wearing…” “…Do you have any idea where I can find it??”
Well apparently a ton of people are fans of this cute t. You can get it…
…for $23 at www.viktorviktoriashop.com.
Next up, B from Dirty Jerz asks, “I have a beach wedding–in the Bahamas to be exact–coming up in a few weeks. Is it inapropro to wear white? This is my first adult wedding. People in my family and from my High School don’t get married–or don’t invite me. What’s the protocol?”
This is a great question. First, do not wear white to the wedding. Only the bride shall wear white, and you can’t outshine the bride! My suggestion is to pop on a dress in a light fabric…cotton or linen, no straps due to the weather (and sweat stains are not cute!). Given the venue, I’d say go for something in a tropical, vibrant color..tourquoise, yellow, even fuchsia or green. You want to match the FLORA. Add a dressy element with a sparkly shoe or clutch.
Use the following high and low priced frocks as inspirations:
Top Row:
Castle Starr Belted Dress with Beaded Neckline, $485, www.ronherman.com; Kai Dress in Kelly, $143, CoutureCandy Bottom Row: Muse Silk Floral Dress, $178, www.nordstrom.com;
Donna Morgan Empire Waist Sundress, $98, www.nordstrom.com.
Hey, Hey!
So Madame. “Insure my legs” Amerie looked smashing during a recent shopping trip in London…
Source: YBF
A few readers wrote in, needing to know how to get her look for less. Thankfully, I found the solution!
You can get her dress for $69.50 at none other than THE GAP.
Unfortch, it’s not quite as easy to cop her uber-expensive $800 teal Balenciaga Le Dix Bag (similar to this one)…
…from www.ebags.com.
Her nude pumps are tres hot, and if you’re feeling ballerific, you can slip on these $690 Deccollette Zeppa Christian Louboutin pumps…
…only $12.50 at delia*s
Smootches!
PS I haven’t been getting my mags on schedule (moving woes), but I was sincerely delighted when I flipped open my (late) July issue of Elle to find style tributes to two brown divas, Grace Jones…
…and Diana Ross!
Click images to see how to get their looks for an arm and a leg (save a few items).
Happy Wednesday!
So today, instead of looking at trends or talking about fabulous peeps I see on the streets, I decided to do a little tribute to Vibe Vixen Magazine, which recently folded.
I felt it was only only fitting to mourn the death of yet another magazine that spoke to our demographic.
Vibe Vixen had great beauty pages…
Accessories spreads that spoke to us…
Cover subjects that we adored and admired…
And featured the men we love…
I’m really sad to see it go! I feel like young black women need a magazine…but then again after the deaths of Vibe Vixen and Suede, I wonder: did anyone read?
Did you support Vixen?? Or is everyone doing their reading online???
Smootches!
So I spent a lot of time this weekend walking around Williamsburg, BK…
…a charming little neighborhood, full of artists, painters, and the like.
I looked around seemingly *forever* for fashionistas of color, and finally ran into this one young lady…
…I loved her romper and fly hair style. Her bag screams vintage, and her outfit is personal, laid back, and ultimately chic.
Smootches!
News, Sales, and What Nots:
* R.I.P Vibe V!!!
Read the story here. That really, really sucks! Why can’t young black women have a magazine just for us?!?
* Shoulda seen this coming! Not sure how I feel about this, but Rihanna…
…has her own umbrellas available through totes.com. Need an umburella-ella? Click here.
* Trend I love: bold accessories. Check out a few of the hottest top of the line break the bank accents, courtesy of elle.com:
Top Row: Open-toe sandal, Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, $4,175, at Neiman Marcus; Chanel leather bag, $1,275, at Neiman Marcus.
Bottom Row: Jimmy Choo calf-and-suede bag, $1,895, at Jimmy Choo boutique; Tory Burch gold-and-bead necklace, $475, at Tory Burch, L.A.
They’ll help you stand out, even if you just throw em on with a white tee and jeans.
*If you love Pieces, you’ll love their sale even more!
For more info, log onto www.piecesofbklyn.com.
“Me and Paris and the girls are trying to stay single for one year. In March, that’ll be up. I’m a relationship kind of girl, but I think that everyone needs a year in their life to be single.” Kim Kardashian in Complex Magazine
Happy Monday Guys!
She’s been in the news lately, so I decided…why not do a Style File on famous Hollywood harlot…
Kim Kardashian?!?
She might be known as a loosey goosey, but she’s got a sexy swagger than no rapper can deny.
You might be wondering: Who is Kim Kardashian?? Well, she’s the daughter of Robert Kardashian, one of the lawyers for the infamous O.J. Simpson trial.
Another interesting bit of trivia (care of Wikipedia.com)…her stepfather is Bruce Jenner, father of Brody Jenner…who has been on several reality shows including the Hills and Princes of Malibu.
So she was born into Hollywood society, but secured her spot through ties to heiresses like Paris Hilton and reported trysts with hotties like Reggie Bush and oh yeah, Ray J aka ‘Isn’t that Brandy’s brother?”
With her social set, it would make sense that she’d spend a pretty penny on hot ‘fits.
Kim makes her mark in body hugging dresses and short sets characterized by sweet heart and plunging necklines….
…She likes lycra, doesn’t she?
While she dabbles in a bit of color…
…For the most part she keeps it pretty sedate in demure whites, grays, and blacks….
Saucy.
If you want her look, you’ll only need an unlimited supply of ‘Freakum Dresses’:
Top Row: Strapless Sweetheart Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Satin Skort Tube Romper, $118, www.ardenb.com.
Bottom Row: Just Cavalli Fox Print Dress, $625, www.eluxury.com; LaROK Glitterati Dress, $139, shopbop.com Smootches!
PS Read more about Kim Kardashian in her interview today with hot goss site www.bossip.com.
PSS In other news, Nicole Richie might have to turn in her sista card…
Read the story here.
Thanks Pretty Girl!
PSSS Ina, the hot consignment store I wrote about here is having an end of season sale!
70% off Manolo’s, Choos, and Hermes. Check it out this week!
Hey Guys!
So I have another Summer Friday, which means Mail Bombs today…
….will be short and sweet:)
Let’s get to it!
First up, Lindsay asks, “Who makes those dresses that many celebrities such as Rihanna, Solange, Ciara, and Kim Kardashian have been wearing? Ciara has one on in her new video…
“… and I saw a picture of Solange wearing a fuschia one….
“…Rihanna wore a pink one…”
…and Kim has one in like every color of the rainbow…”
Very observative! Intern Elita found that every single one of those dresses is a vintage Herve Leger. Since all these hip hip honies are donning his threads, I’d figure I’d give y’all a bit of history care of a great article by Laird Borrelli on style.com.
Herve Leger rose to prominance in the 80’s and 90’s…
…after working at Fendi working with Karl Lagerfeld, designing for Lanvin Haute Couture, and designing pret-a-porter for Diane von Furstenberg. He started his line in 1985, and launched his signature ‘bandage’ dresses years later.
About his dresses, he said, “One day in a factory I found some bands that were headed for the garbage. They gave me the idea of taking those bands and putting them next to one another as one does making a hat.”
Hollywood hotties have discovered his vintage threads and are now rocking them on every red carpet!
Newer designers have been inspired by his designs, and some, such as Proenza Schouler, borrowed the bandaged look for their Spring 2007 shows…
Rihanna’s a fan!
If you need a Leger in your closet, Elita found that Intermix is the only place online where you can find his pieces (for ridiculous prices)!
This iconic Diamond Halter Dress worn by Lindsay Lohan…
…is a cool $1,485.
Good luck!
Reader HoneySuckle Brown says, “ I love the dress that Hayden Paniettiere is wearing in the attached photograph…”
“Any idea as to who designed this one and where I can get this (or a similar) frock?”
So a few readers wrote in telling me this dress is from Club Monaco…I’m an idiot for not realizing that because I actually own this dress! It’s $99 and comes in red and black. Not sure if it’s still in stores.
If it’s not, you can go with this Ecoganik Bamboo Tube dress in red…
…from www.urbn.com
Lastly reader Melody asks, “I love this off-the-one-shoulder top Posh is rocking, but I’m sure she paid a pretty penny for it…”
“… I was wondering if you could please post up some look-a-likes that don’t break the bank. I really love the off-the-one-shoulder look!”
Elita found that this T-Bags top fit the bill…
So I was walking in Ft. Greene this weekend after a wonderful brunch with my girl, and stumbled upon a super cute boutique called Addy & Ferro:
They carry colorful, unique pieces from designers like Ella Moss, Plenty by Tracy Reese, Nicacelly, as well as a smattering of local designers.
They had a great selection of jeans….
Affordable afrocentric t’s..
…and bold accessories…
I took a look around and quickly found items to put on my long wish list:
This perfect patterned dress was a splurge at $188…
…as was this long flowy silk creation for $198…
…These cute yellow shorts were a more affordable $68…
And these pretty summer ready tops…
…were a cool $88.
For those pinching pennies (like myself), they also had a phat sales section in the back!
You must check it out!
Addy & Ferro is located at 672 Fulton Street between South Eliot and South Portland. Visit their website at www.addyandferro.com or give ’em a ring at 718.246.2900. Tell ’em I sent ya!
Smootches!
PS Love Vintage Wear? Check out Seasoned to Perfection’s Sale this Weekend! Click to enlarge
“When people ask if I have any advice to give about fashion, it’s always the same: Follow your own pace, your own instincts, no matter what. You’ll get it right.”—Andre Leon Talley, “A.L.T. A Memoir”
Happy Rainy Wednesday!
Today’s Style File is almost long overdo! This week’s style spotlight shines on fashion veteran and Editor at Large of Vogue.
…Andre Leon Talley!
As one of the few people of color holding any sort of position at the Bible of Fashion Magazines, Vogue, he needs to be addressed! First a little background…
Andre Leon Talley was raised in Durham, North Carolina by his impeccably stylish, polished, and pressed grandmother Bennie Frances Davis.
After attending North Carolina Central University, he received a Masters in French literature from Brown University.
He was in works to get a PhD in French, but cut his studies short to come to New York and work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he met Diana Vreeland, Vogue’s former Editor in Chief. Vreeland took him under her wing, and the rest is fashion history!
He started as a writer for Women’s Wear Daily, and joined Vogue in 1983 as a fashion news director. He served as Vogue’s creative director from 1988 to 1995, then moved to Paris from 1995-1998 to serve first as W Magazine’s Parisian fashion editor, then Paris Bureau Chief. He returned to Vogue in 1998 as Editor at Large–he’s been at Vogue for about as long as I’ve been alive!
You can now find him styling, traveling to shows (that you can read about in his monthly “Life with Andre” column in Vogue), and sitting front row next to the Queen of Fashion, Anna Wintour.
About his look, he says in his memoir, “As a young man my style became gradually more outrageous, until it has settled into what it is today: an eclectic mix of the bespoke and the extraordinary.”
“I owe much of my ideal of fashion to the late Duke of Windsor’s outlandish plaid suits“
“Manolo Blahnik custom makes shoes for me, and Karl Lagerfeld designs special clothes for me at Chanel and Fendi.”
He continues, “My propensity of showing up wearing fancy robes has to do with two things: my physical size (if you are six feet seven inches tall, you might as well wear a beaded caftan) and my intense love of glamorous things.“
ALT makes his mark in capes of varying lengths, colors, and hues. And make a statement bags and scarves in patent leather and designer prints.
Monsieur Talley is a highly influential, outspoken fashion maven, and has had a hand in styling artists of color like Jennifer Hudson and supporting designers of color like Rachel Roy and Tracy Reese. Maybe one day soon he’ll have a hand in mentoring a few fashion journalists of color? Like me, perhaps?
Smootches!
PS Need to know more? Pick up his Memoir…
here.
PSS If you’re a real fashion sleuth, there’s a great article by Hilton Als from the New Yorker about Mr. Leon Talley. The article is a great narrative about ALT, and shows a more critical view of him. It’s a must read!!! I tried to find it online, but no such luck:(
Bottom Row: 
Next up die hard Fashion Bomb fan Penne asks, 
And her cute specs? You can splurge with this $280 pair of Tom Ford Farrah Sunglasses…
