Visit + Subscribe to TheStateofFashion.Bulletin.com to read about how celebrities still support Alexander Wang, despite accusations against him of sexual harassment.
Wang promised to amend his behavior, writing, “Now that I know better, I’ll do better.” Of course there is always room for redemption, but do you still rock and support Alexander Wang?
The fashion industry may be glitz and glamor. However, there had been troubles behind the scenes amongst some of their brightest stars. We’ll be taking a look at the top ten leading fashion icons that had struggled with addiction at some point in their life.
If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction, it is important to read some of the stories involving some of the more famous fashion icons that had fought it at one point in their life. If you are seeking help yourself, you can find information on the Ascendant NY official website.
Let’s take a look now at the fashion icons that have fought addiction and whether they survived or lost their lives to it.
Gia Carangi made her way to the fashion scene in the late 1970s. Her addiction to drugs became a story that had made headlines and had been talked about for years. It began when she found out that Wilhelmina Cooper was diagnosed with cancer.
Cooper was Carangi’s mentor and friend and the two shared a special bond. Cooper would soon die from the illness in 1980. In 1983, Carangi was out of the fashion business because the bruises on her hands were considered a problem for her photo shoots.
Three years later, she was diagnosed with AIDS. She eventually died from the disease after a few months. Carangi was played by Angelina Jolie in a 1998 biopic based on her life.
John Galliano was a designer who worked with Dior for over a decade. He was fired in 2011 for his long string of controversies including making various anti-semetic remarks. He was treated for alcohol addiction and was believed to be addicted to other drugs such as sleeping pills and Valium.
He attended rehab and asked people to forgive him for his actions because he lost control. He is believed to be working for Maison Martin Margiela, a Belgian fashion company.
Alexander McQueen is a multiple award winning designer. However, he was also known for his drug addiction. He mixed what appeared to be a lot of medicine and other drugs, which caused him to commit suicide on the day before his mother’s funeral.
According to a forensic report, traces of cocaine and sedatives were found. It was also believed that McQueen was mentally ill and was often depressed or anxious. Even with his fame as a fashion designer, he was battling a number of issues including drug abuse and mental breakdowns.
He was skilled at what he did and was able to design things from sketch to finish. He was a one of a kind talent that will never be duplicated in the fashion world.
Kate Moss was a popular model back in the early 1990s. She was considered the “heroin chic” kind of model. She worked for famous labels such as Gucci, Chanel, Calvin Klein, and others.
She had met Pet Doherty, a musician and tried her best to help battle his addiction to drugs. However, this backfired as she became addicted herself. In 2005, Moss was allegedly caught with cocaine and heroin, which led to her getting fired from two brands.
She would eventually break up with Doherty and begin her road to recovery. Because of the drug scandals, her reputation with the fashion industry took a nosedive. However, the late Alexander McQueen brought a holographic version of her to one of his shows.
Rosie Huntington-Whitely went down the same path as Kate Moss. She quickly rose to popularity early on in her fashion career. However, she started doing drugs, which eventually led her to losing contracts to all brands she had worked for.
She was able to bounce back and make a return to the fashion business. Her and Moss’s firing from the fashion industry served as a painful lesson that drugs are frowned upon amongst the powers to be.
Marc Jacobs was known for dealing with substance issues for much of his professional career. He was more into alcohol than drugs. However, he was in rehab both in 1999 and 2007 for a heroin addiction. When he was drinking, he admitted that he felt ‘taller, funnier, smarter, and cooler”.
He also had dealt with his share of struggles with self-esteem issues. Jacobs is considered to be one of the more familiar names in fashion. However, like many, he had his addiction issues brought to light.
Lara Stone worked for many fashion brands including Versace, Parda, and Calvin Klein among others. In 2010, Stone admitted that she was dealing with an alcohol issue. She stated that she woke up and was shaking and then had Bloody Marys in the morning.
She added that she started feeling pathetic about it. Her alcohol addiction had also made her violent with various people for no reason. She finally checked into a rehab center in South Africa and called it “the best thing she’s ever done”.
Another big name icon, Tom Ford was known for being a “highly functioning alcoholic” when he was working for Gucci for over a decade. However, he has since sobered up. He described that his life was out of control and was depressed all the time.
He said that now that he has quit, his life has since ‘fallen into place’.
Valletta made a name for herself in the 1990s with many European labels. However, she opened up about her drug and alcohol addiction in 2014. She said that when she was a child, she was looking for a way to get high and would sniff markers, fingernail polish, or anything that gave her a buzz.
In her 20s, she had already been addicted to alcohol and cocaine. However, she’s been sober for well over two decades.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Naomi Campbell was a hot name in fashion. However, she was addicted to cocaine and her life was anything but glamorous. In 1999, she checked into rehab for her addictions.
She did an interview in 2005 stating that she never wanted to be in such a place again.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky stepped out together in style on a number of occasions over the past couple of days and we’re here to spill the fashion tea!
The pair was first spotted on a sandy Barbados Beach with Riri wearing a sold out $240 sequined Bikini and $194 skirt cover up by Oséree!
The skirt piece is currently available at here!
They were next spotted over the weekend making their exit from LA restaurant Giorgio Baldi after a cozy dinner together. Rihanna wore a $750 Carhartt WIP x WARDROBE.NYC reversible bomber jacket, $695 Alexander Wang crystal-embellished cuff shirt with their $505 crystal pinstripe shorts, $1,190 Saint Laurent crystal logo bra, $1,135 Alexandre Vauthier crystal ankle strap sandals and a $550” Balenciaga “Hourglass” crystal mini handbag! A$AP’s matching hoodie and jeans were designed by Denim Tears.
What do you think?
Main Image: Backgrid
Happy Monday, Bombers and Bombshells!
This weekend, I was pleased to speak on a Power Panel at Taliah Waajid’s Natural Hair Show. Not familiar with the Natural Hair Show? It’s a weekend long convention geared towards natural hair brands, accessories, and products, interspersed with panels on finance, entrepreneurship, haircare, and more.
My panel was chock full of Boss Bombshells you should know, including @scottiebeam @indigotaughtyou @abeillecreations @goodmoms_badchoices@naturallyphilo and @makhondlovu !
A few take aways I received: step out on faith and say NO to fear! Bet on yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. And find resources in your city if you’re look to fund your business. Sign up for email lists like Hello Alice and I Fund Women to learn of new opportunities in your area.
In addition to learning a ton and meeting new people, it is so refreshing to be back on the speaking circuit ! Outside is truly open again.
For the occasion, I wore a Hanifa runway look from their DC runway show.
I topped my look off with a McKenzie Liautaud pearl necklace available at FashionBombDailyShop.com.
See the look on the runway below:
As I said on the panel, what you wear is a political statement about your values, who you are, and who you aspire to be! I will always represent for Fashion Bomb Daily Shop and for black designers, and look like a boss.
Now that life is somewhat getting back to normal, book me to speak at or host your next event! Email book@clairesulmers.com for details.
What do you think?
Images: Google is Human
Coachella has come to a close and while we’re saddened to see it end so soon, we can’t help but get excited looking back on the most memorable fashion looks that make the festival what it is! Week 1 ain’t got nothing on week 2 as the stars and fans alike came out to finish with a bang. You don’t want to miss this, so Fashion Bomb Daily has summed up the major celebrity style moments to close out the festival this year!
City Girls
The City Girls performed for their second Coachella (or should we say City-chella) appearance in custom outfits created by Michael Ngo with Alligator Jesus jewelry. These ensembles were styled by Zoe Costello with tailoring by Demarvin Fronzel!
Ari Lennox
Ari Lennox wore a custom gold crystal and glass beaded corset by Jolleson for her Coachella performance. Her hair was styled in a slick up-do by Ricky Mota and makeup by Juanice.
Lizzo
Next to bless the Coachella stage in a surprise set with Harry Styles, and looking good while doing it, was Lizzo in Stinson Haus, Gucci and her label Yitty styled by Jason Rembert. For her glam team she called on makeup artist Alexx Mayo, hairstylist Shelby Swain and manicurist Eri Ishizu.
Normani
Normani showed up to show love during her friends’ performances in a Diesel graphic crop top with rhinestones detailing and draped camo skirt! She accessorized the look with a pink Balenciaga “Le Cagole” bag, purple Balenciaga mono sunglasses and pink Femme LA heels.
Paris Hilton
Looks like Paris Hilton also got the ‘pink’ memo wearing an Apatico harness, Dolls Kill dress and a tiara by Crowns by Melissa Loschy. To top it all off she added heart-shaped shades by A-Morir and pink nails done by Naoko Saita.
Tinashe
Spotting in the sea of people was Tinasha sporting a black Marine Serre bodysuit and Phlemuns chaps, a look put together by her stylist Katie Qian.
Vanessa Hudgens
Styled by Rachel Haas, Vanessa Hudgens danced the night away with a group a friends wearing a Dolls Kill butterfly top and Area jean with a crystal embellished butterfly cutout.
Khalid
Khalid rolled up in a number of ensembles, namely this silk paisley print Amiri ensemble styled by Ade Samuel!
What do you think?
Main Image: IG/Reproduction @arilennox, @shaughncooper, @thegr8khalid, @linusandhiscamera, @lizzobeeating, Bonnie Nichoalds
I’m always on the look out for comfortable shoes! So I’m excited to introduce you to Bared Footwear, a line of affordable, comfy sandals with cool details like chains, buckles, and straps!
The Australian brand is beloved by influencers like Alpa Rama, Isabel Tan, and Laura Reynoso.
According to their owner, “As a podiatrist, when it came to footwear recommendations, I would find myself reaching for a brochure full of shoes I would never want to wear myself. There was clearly a gap in the market for great looking shoes that were actually good for you. Thirteen years on, I am proud to say that Bared has filled that gap. We make great looking, super-comfy shoes and we employ only the best human beings to look after our customers. Our shoes really do empower people to #LIVEEVERYSTEP and our cult-like community of passionate Bared addicts inspire us to continue!”
See a few more styles below:
Bomb!
If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, purchase at Bared.com.au. Anywhere else? Get your heels at Baredfootwear.com.
What do you think?
For the third year in a row, Lagos Fashion Week is back with the highly anticipated ‘Woven Thread’ series in partnership with Fashion Revolution & Fashion Open Studio! Launched in 2020, Woven Thread opens the conversation of the fashion economy and ecosystem to those most concerned while simultaneously spotlighting those who are making their own sustainable and social impacts. From April 22nd to 24th, the hybrid showcase incorporated digital presentations with closed panel discussions, a gallery installation and shopping event in Lagos, Nigeria.
Designers, stakeholders and fashion enthusiasts came from around the continent and across the globe to attend the two-and-a-half-day long event. On Friday, an exclusive preview presentation of the exhibit took place, welcoming Africa’s tastemakers in fashion and entertainment alike.
The digital event opened with a video presentation by Rethread, inviting us to discover the sustainable brand’s creative journey, from ideation to completed garment.
Doors opened to the public on Saturday and the day started off with digital showings by sustainable luxury streetwear designer Abigail Ajobi and gender-fluid conscious clothing Lilabare Uruthi followed with an inspirational ‘Behind the Brand’ presentation by Niuku.
The weekend event was closed by Lagos Space Programme through a digital showcase where creative director Adeju Thompson delves into the hand dying technique that is signature to the brand’s DNA. Other designers who showed at the event space on Sunday included TJWHO, previously worn by Burna Boy for the April/May cover of Rolling Stone UK, and Pepper Row.
What do you think?
Main image: IG/Reproduction @lagosspaceprogramme + @niuku_original + @lagosfashionweek
Quick: Think like a thief. If you were to rob anyone, who would it be? Well, there are two kinds of thieves in the world. The first is the smart kind of thief. These are thieves that scope out various houses, usually in high income neighborhoods, and sees who has security and who doesn’t.
But the second is the thrill seeker. The thief that steals not to make money, but to satisfy some emotional craving. This thief is far more dangerous because they are willing to target someone not just despite their security, but because of their security. They can cause a lot of damage.
Somewhere in between the smart thief and the thrill seeker are these ten thieves. They not only plundered the homes of well-known celebrities but got away with it. As a lesson in the importance of security, here is a presentation from Melissa home security by Smith Thompson.
This acting couple had their home broken into while they were sleeping. Their bedroom was located on the first floor, while the thief broke in using a ladder to get to a window on the second floor. This is an interesting situation where the thief knew exactly where to enter to avoid people.
The situation was discovered when their son came home from a night out and saw the glass on the floor, then the broken window. The thief was already gone by the time he discovered it all.
Unfortunately for the Real Housewives starlet, she was actually home when this break-in happened at her home. The thieves were thugs who were not expecting her to be there.
They simply forced a back door in the middle of the day. Most burglaries happen in the middle of the day, in fact, as that is when many people are at work. Being home when a burglar arrives can be one of the worst things that can happen, as it immediately escalates things.
While the intruders did not make it into the house itself, this model had a situation with some intruders attempting to force their way into her house at night. They were trying to do a smash-and-grab, deliberately trying to break into her and her husband’s large bedroom window.
The window was triple-plated glass, thwarting the thieves’ attempts to enter it. But it was one of the few windows in the house that was that secure. Again, we see a classic trait of thieves: They knew exactly where to strike but ran the moment an obstacle presented itself.
Most thieves are not very brave. Actor William Daniels found this out when he woke one night to the sound of strange noises coming from his back door. He turned on his lights and they stopped. Little did he know that the sounds were the product of a thief.
Damage to his backyard gate and discarded tools left little mystery to the situation: A thief was trying to force his back door and ran off when the lights came on. In many ways this is a best-case scenario. Better that a thief be scared off by your presence than see it as a threat.
While most entries on this list are thieves, it is unsurprising that a few of them would be crazed fans. Taylor Swift had a visit from one such fan at her New York apartment, though she was thankfully not home at the time. He actually broke into the apartment on two occasions.
He used her shower and slept in her bed. This is the definition of a thrill seeker type intruder, as he did not even take anything of value. He broken in for the pure thrill of it.
This beauty guru was at home when it happened. There were sounds of banging from multiple windows and doors as the intruder tried to find a weak point. Dawson was able to lock the front door just in time before the intruder go to it.
Since Dawson lived in a gated community, the intruder had to have jumped the gate or fence in order to even get to the house. This is an intruder that did not show up with a plan, however. He prodded the house for weaknesses rather than attacking a specific point.
This actress and model has suffered two incidents. The first was an intruder sighted on her property’s security cameras. He was actually only noticed the day after he had made his intrusion, which is particularly eerie. As a result, his motives for being there are unknown.
The second was resolved due to intervention by police. A man jumped over the fence of her property and began to make his way towards the house. He was noticed before he made it there, however.
Better known as “PewDiePie”, his wife Marzia reports that their home was broken into in 2019. The thief took most of their valuables, from jewelry to collectibles. This was at the height of the couple’s fame, meaning that it was very likely a targeted attacked.
As if to prove that no ivory tower is too high for some fans, a stalker not only jumped the fence into the reality star’s gated community, hiked for miles to get to her house, and then arrived at her front door. He was more interested in meeting her than taking anything though.
Not all break-ins happen in the space of one night. Harry Styles dealt with a homeless man who camped outside his home and trespassed onto his property regularly. Eventually, he had to have a restraining order filed.
Break-ins on celebrity properties are case studies for security experts. They show not just what measures to put in place, but how criminals tend to think. Thankfully, with the right security systems, you can make sure you are safe from such elements.
Macy’s has joined forces with six trailblazing creative visionaries of color to deliver several capsule collections for us to indulge! The collaboration went live on April 21st under their second annual ‘Icons of Style’ campaign, and offers an inclusive variety of product, from handbags and shoes to jewelry accessories, genderless clothing, plus-size clothing and everything in between. Ahead we get to know each icon and the vision behind their respective capsules, with later collections set to release in July and October!
Celebrity Stylist Ade Samuel
Ade Samuel for INC is all about the bold and the beautiful! Ade told Macy’s “I want [people] to feel sexy, bold, empowered, playful, and most importantly, themselves.” With each silhouette and through every print, Samuel’s profound knowledge of design and the influence of her rich Nigerian heritage are palpable.
Shop the collection: $69.50 Ade Samuel for INC Printed Wide-Leg Trousers, Created for Macy’s
Jewelry Designer Areeayl Goodwin
The self-taught jewelry designer brings a unique experience to HOME by Areeayl for INC, and quite frankly we are obsessed! Pulling inspiration from home sweet home, Areeayl wants every earring and necklace to tell a story. The reoccurring picture frame theme in this line allows you to customize pieces with your own images that hit close to home!
Shop the collection: $39.50 Home by Areeayl Gold-Tone Daffodil Frame Linear Drop Earrings, Created for Macy’s
Stylist GooGoo Atkins
GooGoo for Bar III is an all-plus-size collection designed by stylist GooGoo Atkins. With over two decades in the business of dressing women, GooGoo is the one for this job! The garments are created to celebrate each and every curve as opposed to hiding them away.
Shop the collection: $69.50 GooGoo Atkins Plus Size Wide-Leg Pants, Created for Macy’s
Creative Director Jerome Lamaar
Jerome Lamaar is the stylist and creative director of 5:31 hailing from The Bronx! For this year’s Icons of Style collaboration, they designed a menswear collection that can be worn by all genders entitled 5:31 by JÉRÔME LAMAAR for And Now This. gender-neutral
Shop the collection: $129.50 5:31 by Jerome LaMaar Men’s Anorak Jacket
Designer Matthew Harris
Matthew Harris founded Mateo New York in March of 2009. At the time, the accessories line was solely focused on mens jewelry. Today in collaboration with Macy’s, MATEO for INC International Concepts boasts an array of women’s shoes and handbags!
Shop the collection: $99.50 Mateo for INC Victoria Slingback Pumps, Created for Macy’s
Youtubers Stella and Blaise
Our youngest Black Icons of Style are a brother and sister duo, vloggers Stella and Blaise! In their Youtube series following their daily adventures with mom and dad, these two naturalistas love to run and play day in and day out. For this reason, Stella&Blaise for Epic Threads was created for the fun-filled, fashion-loving kid. With Macy’s they shared “Fun & energetic, cool & chill… we want everyone to feel
comfortable when wearing our collection—all day long.”
Shop the collection: $34 Stella&Blaise Big Girls Stella Marble Dress, Created for Macy’s
Which collection is your favourite?
Main Image: Courtesy of Macy’s
So, you’ve found yourself engaged! Congratulations! What an exciting time in your life, whether the first or third engagement; it’s always a blissful time to revel in your ideas of what your “happily ever after” will look like. If your fiance is thrifty like you, they probably did a lot of research when searching for the perfect engagement ring – from the four C’s of diamonds to whether they wanted to go lab-grown or mined for your stone.
After the dust has settled from all the engagement excitement, you’re likely to start dreaming of your ideal wedding. If the time of year you’re looking to wed during the spring, there are some effortless and affordable options to keep your wedding thrifty and beautiful. Let’s take a look at some ways to keep your event gorgeous but also within budget.
Getting Married at Home
For weddings that happen during the cooler months like fall and winter, you’ll likely have a service indoors as well as your reception. These rentals mean serious cash since most of us don’t live in homes large enough to host a wedding and reception the size we want comfortably. By having your wedding at your home, you’re not only saving on venue costs, but you’re in the same spot as your reception as well. You can budget for rental tables and chairs and possibly a backup tent if the weather goes south. But deciding to keep things close to home is ridiculously thrifty.
Flowers are in Season
One great thing about having a spring wedding is that flowers are in season. Virtually any flower, no matter which is your favorite, will be in season during the springtime – which means you’re not paying the exorbitant upcharges for importing flowers from warmer climates or flowers that require more TLC to be grown during the off-season.
If you’re a gardener yourself or you have a close friend or loved one who is, consider asking them to provide the flowers for the event or use the ones you’ve grown yourself. Not only will this add a personal touch to the event, but they’ll also be native blooms fresh off the vine, making their colors extra vibrant and beautiful.
If you know you’re going to have a more extended engagement and want a beautiful floral backdrop for your wedding, you could plan by planting seeds in the appropriate months to yield the flowers you want at your wedding, which will save you a ton in florist fees.
Cottage Chic
The Cottage Chic vibe has shown it has serious staying power, probably because it’s so easy to DIY. If you want to save a lot of money (whether for a downpayment on the house or just to stack in the bank), DIYing a Cottage Chic theme could be your answer. Most people already are fans of the look, even if they don’t choose to decorate their homes this way.
The bohemian feel fits perfectly with the spring weather, and nothing is sweeter than gauzy details for a wedding. Additionally, mason jars are affordable and can be everything from drinking vessels to vases for flowers at tables. The neutrality of the Cottage Chic theme also lets the more essential things – like the bride and groom – stand out.
Spring Break
Another reason that spring weddings are a must is many people have spring break time that allows them to attend your event. This affects the budget for things like officiants, DJs, and caterers. When you utilize your village to help execute your wedding, you want to make sure they’ll all be available when you need them, so if you have a friend who DJs as a side gig, ask them! A loved one who is also a florist? I’m sure they’d oblige. You get the idea. Of course, everyone will be available to see your nuptials, but they can at least help with the planning even if they don’t work the event – and probably show you where you can save some serious money.
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and a massive part of that stress is, you guessed it – money. So, consider the above-mentioned reasons why spring may be your best bet when you want to stay thrifty even with your wedding planning. Many things can be DIY during this season, and it’s a beautiful time of year. Congratulations! And happy planning!
