Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival is officially underway, and I kicked things off in the best way possible: at the C-Suite Luncheon, celebrating legacy and joy in a room full of extraordinary women.
The guest list read like a who’s who of women doing the work, including LeToya Luckett, LaToya S. Evans, Megan Bailey, Joy-Ann Reid, and more. Guests were treated to the wisdom of the incomparable Phylicia Rashad, who spoke on the importance of staying enthusiastic about art and work, a reminder that landed with everyone in the room.
For the occasion, I wore a look combining an Andrea Iyamah short set, Maison Alaïa heels, and 12PM Studios sunglasses.
Stay tuned for more from Martha’s Vineyard Style and continued coverage throughout Martha’s Vineyard.
A special thank you to Femelle Collective and LaToya S. Evans for making sure I had a seat at the table.
Want me to cover your next event? Email book@clairesulmers.com.
Reducing nicotine quickly usually works best when the approach is structured rather than extreme. For adults looking at alternatives while they cut back, alt vapes are presented by alt. as a New Zealand option for adults transitioning away from cigarettes, with a focus on recyclable products and smoking cessation support. That does not remove the need for a plan, but it does show why many people combine product choices with daily habits that make nicotine feel less central to the day.
1. Track exactly how much nicotine you use
The fastest way to cut back is to stop guessing. Write down when you reach for nicotine, how often it happens, and what situation triggered it. Many people discover that stress, boredom, coffee, commutes, or social time create a pattern that feels automatic. Once you can see the pattern clearly, you can make targeted changes instead of relying on vague willpower. That level of awareness alone often reduces intake by interrupting the habit loop.
2. Lower one routine before lowering everything
Trying to change every nicotine habit at once can backfire. A better move is to pick the most predictable routine first. That might be the first use of the morning, the one after lunch, or the one during an evening wind down. When you reduce one dependable moment before tackling the rest, the process feels more manageable and your confidence builds faster. Small wins matter when the goal is speed with consistency.
3. Delay the urge by a set amount of time
A simple delay rule can make a real difference. When the urge hits, wait ten or fifteen minutes before acting on it. Use that gap to drink water, move around, brush your teeth, or focus on a different task. The point is not to suffer through the craving. The point is to prove that it rises and falls without always controlling what you do next. Over time, those short delays can reduce both frequency and dependence.
4. Choose lower intensity moments for reduction
Some cravings feel stronger than others, and the quickest way to make progress is to start with the easier ones. If you know that your midmorning use is less intense than your late night use, reduce there first. Early success keeps the plan realistic. It also helps you learn which coping tools work best before you face the harder moments. Reducing nicotine fast is not only about toughness. It is also about sequencing the challenge well.
5. Keep your hands and mouth busy
Nicotine habits are rarely only about nicotine. They are often tied to movement, comfort, and repetition. Keep easy substitutes nearby such as gum, mints, sliced fruit, a water bottle, or something simple to hold in your hand. These small replacements may seem minor, but they help fill the space the routine leaves behind. When the ritual is weaker, the chemical pull often feels easier to manage as well.
6. Use structured support instead of guesswork
Reliable support can speed up progress. The CDC quit smoking guide points people toward quit plans, quitlines, and tools for handling urges, while the NHS quit smoking guide highlights support, craving management, and practical steps for staying on track. When your goal is to reduce nicotine quickly, outside structure can stop you from drifting back into the same pattern every time stress rises.
7. Set a visible daily ceiling
A clear limit makes your plan real. Decide on a maximum amount for the day and keep it somewhere you can see, such as in your notes app or on a piece of paper. Without a visible ceiling, it is easy to tell yourself you are cutting back while your actual pattern stays the same. A firm limit creates accountability and gives the day a shape. It also makes progress measurable, which is one of the most motivating parts of any reduction plan.
8. Expect discomfort and plan for it
Cutting nicotine fast can feel uncomfortable, especially in the first stretch. That does not mean the plan is failing. It usually means the body and the routine are adjusting. The NHS notes that support and clear steps make quitting easier, and the CDC emphasizes preparation and tools for urges. If you expect a few difficult moments and decide ahead of time how you will handle them, you are much less likely to turn one rough hour into a full setback.
Reducing nicotine fast is rarely about one dramatic decision. It usually comes from a series of smaller choices that make the habit less automatic and less frequent. When you track your use, reduce the easier moments first, create visible limits, and lean on trusted support, the process becomes more practical and much more sustainable.
It’s been a career-defining year for Angel Reese, and she’s only getting started.
From a blockbuster trade to Atlanta to shattering WNBA records, the 24-year-old has cemented her place not just as one of the league’s most dominant players, but as a cultural force whose influence extends far beyond the basketball court.
## A New Chapter in Atlanta
The offseason brought a major change when Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream, and the move proved to be the perfect fit. Atlanta—often called the “Hollywood of the South”—offered Reese the ideal stage for her on-court dominance and her growing business portfolio. She quickly became the face of the franchise, bringing her signature energy, unapologetic persona, and industry connections to a city that embraced her fully.
Reese hit the ground running. She set a new Atlanta Dream record for offensive rebounds in a season, surpassing Brionna Jones, and continues to lead the league in rebounds per game. Her on-court production has been nothing short of elite, averaging a double-double for the third consecutive season with career-high numbers across the board.
## Making History on the Court
Reese has been rewriting the WNBA record books at an unbelievable pace.
In June, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, achieving the milestone in just 79 games—ten games faster than the previous record holder, Tina Charles. She’s also the fastest to reach 70 career double-doubles, a testament to her consistency and relentless work ethic. With 21 double-doubles this season, she leads the league and shows no signs of slowing down.
Image by Reebok in collaboration with Barbie
## Beyond the Court: Collaborations with Victoria’s Secret, Reebok, and Barbie
Reese’s influence has expanded well beyond basketball. She’s become one of the most sought-after faces in fashion and pop culture, landing major collaborations that reflect her unique brand of power and grace.
**Victoria’s Secret**: Reese made history as the first WNBA player to front a global campaign for Victoria’s Secret, starring in “The Season of Strapless” campaign. Shot in Barbados, the campaign spotlights the brand’s summer assortment across lingerie, swimwear, and fragrance. “Partnering with Angel Reese—a true cultural force and boundary pusher who embodies both power and grace—was the perfect way to bring our new campaign to life,” said Adam Selman, Victoria’s Secret’s chief creative officer. The campaign marked a full-circle moment for Reese, who made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut the previous year.
Angel Reese wearing Laquan Smith, Hair by Arrogant Tae, Make up by Latisha Chancey.
**Reebok**: Reese continues to elevate her partnership with Reebok, where she has her own signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1. The shoe blends performance innovation with expressive design, featuring her signature logo, Reebok’s Energy Return System technology, and a molded TPU upper inspired by her elegance and strength. The collaboration recently expanded with the Reebok x Barbie: Angel Reese 1 shoes, a bold pink colorway that fuses Reese’s “Bayou Barbie” nickname with performance basketball design.
**Barbie**: In a true dream come true, Mattel released an official Angel Reese Barbie doll, making her just the second WNBA player—after Sue Bird—to receive the honor. The doll features Reese in her signature pink game-day look, complete with her leg sleeve and headband. “Having my own Barbie doll is a true dream come true for me,” Reese said. “It’s such an incredible honor because it’s about showing girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
## A Platform That Reaches Far Beyond the Court
Reese’s influence extends to the media world as well. She’s used her platform to have meaningful conversations, recently appearing on the IMO podcast with former First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss her journey and the highs and lows of her WNBA career.
Between her podcast appearances, her growing roster of brand partnerships, and her record-breaking performance on the court, Reese has proven that she’s not just a basketball player—she’s a movement.
From Atlanta to the world, Angel Reese is showing the next generation that there are no limits to what they can achieve. And this year, she’s backed it up every step of the way.
The cast of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th brought major glamour to their New York City premiere, with housewives from across the Bravo universe stepping out in showstopping looks ahead of the show’s return.
From sequins to sheer cutouts, the red carpet delivered no shortage of style. Here’s a full breakdown of who wore what.
Wendy Osefo, Porsha Williams, and Cynthia Bailey posed together on the carpet, each bringing their own flair to the evening. Osefo wore a look by MewMews, Williams stepped out in a custom design by Andrej Rose, and Bailey chose a Deme by Gabriella dress — both Williams and Bailey styled by Paris Chea.
From metallics to jewel tones, the Ultimate Girls Trip ladies proved once again that a Bravo premiere is as much a fashion event as it is a television one. Stay tuned for more from the Roaring 20th cast as the season continues to unfold.
Back-to-school season officially kicked off in New York City as the 17th Annual Amazon Kids Back-to-School Fashion Show, presented by Rookie Kids, returned to Iron23 in Chelsea. The star-studded evening, streamed live nationwide on Amazon Live, brought together celebrity families for a night celebrating fashion, family, and fall’s biggest kids’ style trends ahead of the new school year.
Now in its seventeenth year, the Rookie Kids Fashion Show has become one of New York’s most anticipated family fashion events, pairing professional children’s models with the kids of A-list guests on a single runway. This season’s presentation showcased collections from Nike, Levi’s, Lacoste, Converse, and Hurley, offering families an early look at the styles set to define the shopping season. Swipe through to see who popped out.
Ice-T and Coco arrived with their daughter Chanel for a relaxed family moment on set, with Ice-T in a black Supreme jacket and LA cap and Coco in an Ed Hardy dragon-print set. Coco later posed solo, striking a pose in the same black bodysuit and dragon-embroidered leggings.
Angela Simmons brought her son Sutton to the runway show, the two coordinating in shades of blue in front of the event’s step-and-repeat.
DaniLeigh posed with her daughter Velour backstage, the singer in a cream Nike pullover and black denim skirt while her daughter matched in a pink zip-up set and white sneakers.
The evening’s biggest talking point, however, came from Lil’ Kim, who supported her daughter Royal Reign as the twelve-year-old walked the runway. It marked another chapter in a tradition that began when Royal first walked the Rookie Kids runway during New York Fashion Week in 2023. Video of the mother-daughter duo at the event quickly went viral, racking up millions of views online.
Diamond Brown an d
From the front row to backstage, the Amazon Kids Back-to-School Fashion Show once again proved that some of fashion’s most stylish moments happen off the runway entirely, in the quiet, candid moments between famous parents and their kids. With over 5 billion media impressions generated throughout its run, the Rookie Kids show remains a back-to-school staple, and this year’s family-filled lineup made clear why it keeps growing.
July was a month filled with unforgettable fashion moments, from the runways of Paris Haute Couture to concert stages and stylish city streets. After thousands of votes from the Fashion Bomb Daily community, Cardi B claimed the top spot as our Look of the Month winner, thanks to an incredible run of couture looks that cemented her status as one of fashion’s boldest risk-takers.
Throughout Haute Couture Fashion Week, Cardi delivered one jaw-dropping look after another, embracing dramatic silhouettes, intricate embellishments, and impeccable craftsmanship. Among her standout moments were breathtaking creations by Georges Hobeika, archival Mugler, and several other couture houses that made Paris her personal runway. With every appearance, Cardi reminded us why she’s become one of fashion’s most exciting front-row stars.
Coming in second was Beyoncé, proving once again that true style doesn’t always require couture. The superstar captivated fans with a refreshingly understated look while attending a Yankees game, pairing a simple white tee with classic Levi’s jeans and Timberland boots. Effortless, timeless, and undeniably cool, the look resonated with fans who appreciated its authenticity and accessibility.
Zendaya and stylist Law Roach have been bringing the fashion to Zendaya’s summer sweep of press appearances and red carpets, but her Schiaparelli ensemble rose to the top as one of her most liked looks.
Not only was it exquisite, it also famously debuted on the runway in Paris hours before it appeared at the Spiderman: Brandy New Day London premiere. Both Law and Zendaya have shown a commitment to style that is unmatched, and has us all collectively looking forward to the next look.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens brought old Hollywood glamour to the 2026 ESPY Awards, coordinating in rich, complementary tones for the star-studded evening. Biles stunned in a custom gold silk gown from Eman Alajlan, featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline, a draped bodice, and a dramatic high-low skirt with a voluminous train. She completed the look with Le Silla heels and a diamond necklace, keeping the accessories elegant and understated against the gown’s striking metallic sheen.
That does it!
From couture masterpieces to elevated everyday dressing, July reminded us that great style comes in many forms. Whether making headlines in Paris, owning the front row, or keeping it classic courtside, these women delivered some of the month’s most talked-about fashion moments.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has officially announced that the 2027 Met Gala will celebrate the extraordinary career of legendary designer John Galliano. The Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, John Galliano: Horizons, will serve as the inspiration for fashion’s biggest night, making Galliano only the third living designer to receive a solo exhibition from the Costume Institute while still living, following Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017.
Opening on May 9, 2027, the exhibition will trace Galliano’s remarkable career from his groundbreaking graduate collection at Central Saint Martins through his influential tenures at Givenchy, Christian Dior, Maison Margiela, and his own label. Organized into three sections, the exhibition will explore the evolution of one of fashion’s most imaginative designers, highlighting the artistry, craftsmanship, and storytelling that have defined his work for more than four decades.
The exhibition will also examine one of the most controversial moments of Galliano’s career. Rather than overlooking his 2011 dismissal from Dior and his namesake label following antisemitic remarks that resulted in a criminal conviction in France, the exhibition will place those events within the broader context of his career, exploring the intersection of artistic achievement, accountability, and redemption.
In announcing the exhibition, Anna Wintour praised Galliano’s ability to blend scholarship with imagination, describing his work as a fusion of past, present, and future that continues to inspire the fashion industry. From his theatrical runway spectacles to his transformative couture collections, Galliano has left an undeniable mark on modern fashion.
Fashion fans can expect the 2027 Met Gala red carpet to embrace Galliano’s signature aesthetic, with dramatic silhouettes, couture craftsmanship, historical references, lavish embellishments, and theatrical beauty moments. If history is any indication, celebrities and designers alike will interpret the theme through bold, imaginative looks inspired by one of fashion’s greatest visionaries.
John Galliano: Horizons opens to the public on May 9, 2027, and runs through January 9, 2028. As always, the Met Gala will officially launch the exhibition, bringing together fashion’s biggest names for the Costume Institute’s annual fundraising event.
Will John Galliano’s extraordinary legacy inspire one of the most memorable Met Gala red carpets yet? Tell us what you think below.
We’ve got an epic Who Wore it Better showdown between 3 gorgeous ladies!
Olandria made an appearance at last night’s Time 100 Creator’s event, wearing the same Spring 2025 Mugler blazer previously spied on both Beyonce and Ashley Darby.
Beyonce was the first to wear the full runway look, sporting the matching shoes and bag to support her mom’s LA book launch.
Ashley Darby wore the blazer in March 2025 to Bravo Watch What Happens Live, styling it with black pants and shoes.
Olandria wore it just last night, and grabbed a pic with fellow creator Dearra rocking black shoes.
On the runway, the look was presented as a matching two-piece: a structured, corseted jacket with a dramatic plunging neckline and exaggerated peaked lapels, paired with a fitted mini skirt in the same grey tweed. The silhouette leaned into Mugler’s signature body-conscious tailoring, with sharp shoulders and a nipped waist creating a dramatic hourglass shape.
Reader @libby1089, asked, “Hi! Do you know who’s the designer of Kim’s top?” after seeing photos of Lil’ Kim and her daughter, Royal Reign Jones, at the Amazon Kids Back to School runway show by Rookie Kids in New York City.
Kim wore a $72 Universal top from AKIRA, paired with a Hermès Birkin bag and Jimmy Choo x Timberland boots.
The cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunited for their highly anticipated Season 17 reunion, and an emerald green moment dominated the fashion story of the night, with jewel tones and metallics rounding out the rest of the lineup.
Photos: JC Jones
Shamea Morton stepped out in a gold gown by Lena Berisha, paired with a Cartier watch and Rene Caovilla shoes, styled by Shenell Welch.
Kelli Potter wore a black gown by Lena Berisha, accessorized with Chanel jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Sean Cason
Phaedra Parks turned heads in a gown by Zhivago, styled with Gucci shoes, an Oscar Heyman bracelet, Anayah Jewellery earrings, and necklaces by Xiv Karats.
Erick Robinson
Cynthia Bailey wore a custom Zang Toi Couture creation, a nod to her early modeling days as one of the designer’s original muses, paired with Lelet NY jewelry and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Drew Sidora chose a black gown by David Koma via The Ivy Showroom, finished with jewelry from Nadri and Sterling Forever.
Porsha Williams stunned in an emerald green gown by Fjolla Haxhismajli, complete with a matching feather boa and jeweled accents from House of Emmanuele, Styled by Jeremy Haynes.
Bravo TV
Pinky Cole rounded out the green moment in a $1,100 Geisha V-Neck Gown by Bronx Banco, styled with a crystal choker.
Bravo TV
Angela Oakley closed out the night in a custom gold fringe gown by Pajtim Raci.
K Michelle’s look coming soon.
Until then, who had your favorite look from the Reunion?
