“I was fortunate in obtaining work, and in a short time I had acquired something of a reputation as a seamstress and dress-maker. The best ladies in St. Louis were my patrons, and when my reputation was once established I never lacked for orders.”– Elizabeth Keckley, Behind the Scenes

Happy February!
First up for the Fashion Bomb’s Black History Month Designer Series is Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907), seamstress and dressmaker to many, including Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln.

Keckley was born into slavery in Virginia. She used her superior skills as a seamstress and dressmaker to buy her freedom in 1855. As a free woman, she lived in Washington, D.C.

She sewed and tailored dresses for the daughters and ladies of the most prominent families. Her reputation mounting, she came to the attention of Mary Todd Lincoln, and soon became her dressmaker.

Mary Todd Lincoln

Dress for Mrs. Lincoln by Elizabeth Keckley

Cape for Mrs. Lincoln by Elizabeth Keckley
Keckley soon became a confidante to Mary Todd. When Mary Todd fell under financial strain after the assassination of her husband, Keckley helped Mary Todd auction off her clothing in New York. In another attempt to generate funds for Todd as well as her, Keckley published her diaries in 1868: Behind the Scenes or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House (which is a quick read if you’re interested).

Mary Todd hated on her portrayal in the book, to the point where her oldest son had it removed from publication. Because of the controversy, Keckley was ostracized and her business declined. According to the African American registry, “From 1892 to 1893, she left Washington to teach domestic science at Wilberforce University in Ohio. She returned soon after to spend the rest of her days at the Home for Destitute Women and Children in Washington, which she had helped to establish. She died there from a stroke May 26, 1907.”

Stay tuned tomorrow for the Fashion Bomb’s next Black History Month installment.
Smootches!

By Limsan Boulter (@limo_x) for Fashion Bomb Daily

Paris Haute Couture week is well and truly over, but what a week it was. Designers really bought their A-game with notable shows including Elie Saab glittering down the runway, Dior’s circus inspired collection and Viktor & Rolf with their slogan adorning dresses.

For me, Balmain was undoubtedly one of the more captivating. Olivier Rousteing’s designs were futuristic and head turning, using both curved and bold shapes. It was for sure one of the most talked about catwalks of the week but has all the talk been for the right reasons?

This show was Olivier Rousteing’s first couture show as Creative Director of Balmain. Interestingly, for the show he decided to have some of the model’s make up to include body paint. Some models were painted over in white, while others has their skins darkened. And it hasn’t gone down too well with both critics and fans are calling out Balmain for using blackface.

Models such as Italian-Congolese born Cindy Bruna were almost unrecognisable with her face and body covered in a dark shade of makeup.

Ysaunny Brito, who comes from Dominican Republic, was another model that many viewers were outraged to see her naturally caramel complexion darkened.

Even Sudanese-Australian model Duckie Thot appeared to be on the darker side.

The question now is, was it to prove a point about diversity or was it to be artistic? Either way, why didn’t they just hire models that are already the beautiful, rich ebony that they wanted? 

This wouldn’t be the first time that Rousteing has made a statement about the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. During the Cannes film festival, he dressed 16 actresses for a press call and called the project ‘Noire N’est Pas Mon Metier’ meaning ‘Black is not my profession’. Having these actresses speak out about how they have been stereotyped in the industry really showed the discrimination issue that the fashion industries (and other media related industries) has.

Rousteing – who is of mixed ethnicity – has famously said in the past he is ‘just human’ and doesn’t specifically identify with either his black or white background, has previously been praised for his racially diverse #BalmainArmy. In an 2016 interview he says ‘‘I think the fashion industry talks a lot, but they don’t act a lot’ continuing to say “ We have the chance to represent the world and how we want that world to be’.

Unfortunately, a lack of black models on the catwalk is an issue that has been raised over and over again. However, I do think that it has started to change (shoutout to Valentino during their couture show)

No official comment has come from Balmain or Olivier Rousteing as of yet.

What do you think? Has Balmain gone too far or is it just a big misunderstanding? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Friday!

We have a sharp Fashion Bomber of the Week today, who’s known as Israel from New Orleans.

He writes, “I believe my style comes from my grandfather, simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. I take pride in carrying myself as a traditional gentleman.”

View more looks below!

Classy style!

Learn more about this Bomber on Instagram @izzievsizzy..

What do you think?

What do you think of Israel from New Orleans?

HOT! HE’S A BOMBER!

NICE STYLE, BUT NOT QUITE A BOMBER

SOME HITS, SOME MISSES

NOT GOOD, BUT NOT BAD

HMM…NAH!

 

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Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

I just flew back from sunny LA to cold New York! For the almost 5 hour flight, I opted for a chic and comfortable look from House of CB comprised of their Mckenzie Oatmeal Ribbed top and pants and Bear “Blush” faux sherpa coat:

I completed with Gucci oversized frames from Eyechic Philly–it just so happens my Calpak carry on matched my coat, so I got an unassuming man in the middle of a meal and movie in the terminal to snap the above pic and voila.
Because I own a fashion brand, and have run into readers and past/future business partners alike in the airport, I always try to dress the part. In the past, I have worn heels, boots, and all sorts of nonsense, but my feet swell, so I decided that it will always be about sneakers and just something easy.
Of course, we’ve all seen a range of outfit options at the airport, from those who go for super comfort (think pajamas, blankets, bonnets, and pillows):

To stylish…


To looks that strike a nice balance:

Where do you fall when it comes to your airport look? Style? Comfort? Or a little bit of both?

Happy Friday Eve!

Today’s Fashion Bombshell of the day is Regan from NYC.

She writes, “I would describe my style as Casual chic with a hint of Tomboy sexy if you will. I like to let women know it doesn’t have to be tight to be sexy. Don’t get me wrong, I love form fitting clothes as well but I like to change it up.”

View more chic looks below!

Love the classy and minimal looks. We see you!

Learn more about this Bombshell on Instagram @mckenzierose11.

What do you think?

What do you think of Regan from NYC?

HOT! SHE’S A BOMBSHELL!

NICE STYLE, BUT NOT QUITE A BOMBSHELL

SOME HITS, SOME MISSES

NOT GOOD, BUT NOT BAD

HMM…NAH!

 

pollcode.com free polls

Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

Select photos by @mama.photog

Happy Wednesday, folks!
I just got back from a quick but beautiful trip in sunny LA, and on my flight back home, I tuned in to the Tyler Perry comedy Nobody’s Fool, starring Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Amber Riley, and Omari Hardwick.

While the film was amusing, I was most intrigued by the style of Tika Sumpter’s character Danika, a fashionable ad exec. Leaning on a palette of blacks and grays, Tika managed to look corporate and sexy, mixing authority with style. I was lucky to have the chance to chat with Nobody’s Fool Costumer Designer, Crystal Hayslett, to talk about her process of creating the look for Danika’s character (and also how she nabbed such a dope job)!

About her gig, she said, “I started at the bottom. I was a production assistant for Tyler Perry Studios. I was answering phone calls, running errands, going to get breakfast for the designers, doing returns, and basically doing all the grunt work that production assistants do. I started by dressing background characters, and that’s where I really got more of an understanding of how sets work and learned a lot of the fundamentals of being on set. From there I became a key costumer and that’s when I started dressing main cast members. Mr. Perry saw my work ethic. I got a call one summer when we were off and the President of the Studio called and said Mr. Perry asked if I could be their costume designer. That was in 2015 (and I haven’t looked back).”

For those looking to do a similar job, Hayslett offers, “Go to school for fashion, work in retail. I had a background in retail and I was a public relations major. I knew how to talk to people and how to dress people. It’s important to know how to make people comfortable and trust you when it comes to your ideas. Once you have that background, then network. People hit me all the time on Instagram. I’ll give people internships or if I see they have a great background, I’ll give them a job. But really, it’s important to network and know the right people.”

Now, let’s talk about Tika Sumpter in Nobody’s Fool! Hayslett says,“Tika is not a hard actress to dress. For her character, she is dressed in New York. New York is dark, people where dark colors, nothing too bright. I wanted her to be very chic. I wanted nice silhouettes and things that made her look good, still with some type of sex appeal as a working woman.”

She continues, “I try to design for the every day working woman. I want them to look on the screen and say, “I can buy that,’ and know it’s not outrageously priced. Brands we used included Zara, Bloomingdales, Madewell, mixed in with some pieces from Saks and Neiman.”

If you’re looking for the perfect corporate chic look, Hayslett offers,“Every woman needs a nice pencil skirt, good stiletto heels, and a nice turtleneck. A style dresses, sheath dresses, peacoat or overcoat, handbags are the woman’s statement piece. Handbag and shoes are the pieces that make a statement. Jewelry is also something important in bringing it together. Find pieces that go with everything.”

And her favorite look from the film? “A light pink pencil skirt with a big bow by Ted Baker. She wore a pair of Christian Louboutins with it and a fitted turtleneck from Nordstrom. One of my favorites. It was such a statement piece. It has a big bow, but it was still subtle and powerful”

Alright! Be sure to follow Crystal at @LuvCrystalRenee and if you haven’t watched Nobody’s Fool, The DVD is available on digital now and comes out on Blu-Ray February 12th. Check out the trailer below:

What do you think?

Written by: Jennet Jusu (@TheJusuQuench) | Fashion Bomb Intern

Hey Fashion Bombshell and Bombers!

Our Bomb Product of the Day is dangerously enticing, and will seriously cause a riot at any occasion, fitting. Fire engine red and edgy, this House of CB ‘Georgia’ number is conveniently vegan leather, too. Mid-thigh and long sleeved, the upper region is styled as a simple motorcycle jacket with a lengthy zipper that remixes the hip hugging material. You’d be a certified badass in such a bold look that will only cost you $179, Bombers. Find it here!

 

Happy Hump Day!

Today’s Fashion Bombshell of the day and Fashion Bombshell of the Week is Candice from Washington, D.C.

She writes, “In one word I would define my style as being “Unscripted.” I dress according to my mood.”

View more looks below!

Cute! Love the prints!

Learn more about this Bombshell on Instagram @candice_nicole08.

What do you think of Candice from Washington, D.C.?

HOT! SHE’S A BOMBSHELL!

NICE STYLE, BUT NOT QUITE A BOMBSHELL

SOME HITS, SOME MISSES

NOT GOOD, BUT NOT BAD

HMM…NAH!

 

pollcode.com free polls

Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Fashion Bombshell of the Day is Nadia from Atlanta, Georgia.

She writes, “My style is classic with a splash of designer, a dash of sexy and a pinch of trendy.”

View more looks below!

We see you! Love your casually chic looks!

Learn more about this Bombshell on Instagram @nadiad_.

What do you think?

What do you think of Nadia from Atlanta?

HOT! SHE’S A BOMBSHELL!

NICE STYLE, BUT NOT QUITE A BOMBSHELL

SOME HITS, SOME MISSES

NOT GOOD, BUT NOT BAD

HMM…NAH!

 

pollcode.com free polls

 

Fashion Bombshell of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 5-10 clear, unfiltered, head-to-toe pictures of 5-10 different outfits (no collages) to Bombshell@FashionBombDaily.com. Images submitted will be featured on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any of our social media platforms. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game! Please be advised: once published, pictures will not be removed or taken down.

By Limsan Boulter (@limo_x) for Fashion Bomb Daily

The morning after the SAG awards, and what a red carpet it was for its 25th annual ceremony. As always, @FashionBombDaily did not let you down and covered all the best looks by this years top film stars. Black Panther won big, and the cast took home two outstanding awards. While British actress Emily Blunt picked up Best Supporting Actress for A Quiet Place, while Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Green Book. Rami Malek was crowned Best Actor for Bohemian Rhapsody and Glenn Close won Best Actress for her role in The Wife.

Here are the best looks from the event chosen by you.

Mandy Moore in a black Jason Wu gown with embellished neckline to the SAG Awards.

Yara Shahidi wore this glittering Fendi jumpsuit with tulle skirt styled by Jason Bolden.

Living legend Angela Bassett wore a Georges Chakra gown to pick up her award with the rest of the Black Panther cast.

How To Get Away With Murder star Aja Naomi King in a sultry golden yellow one shoulder Ralph and Russo gown.

Aside from the SAG Awards, we also had this who wore it better between Beyonce and Miguel’s longtime partner, model Nazanin Mandi in a red Maria Escote set. Our Instagram stories show that Bee took the title – do you agree?

Who had the best outfit at this year’s SAG awards? Tune in tomorrow for all the best looks over the next 24 hours. In the meantime visit our Instagram page and start hitting that ‘Like’ button and maybe your favorite outfit will feature.