US Weekly toasted to the Most Stylish New Yorkers with our favorite TV hosts, actresses, models, and singers making the list. Sheer dresses were one of the night’s biggest trends, though strapless silhouettes, bold patterns, and embroidery were also on the menu.
Let’s get into their looks!
Tamron Hall skewed sultry in a sheer animal print top and high-waist printed skirt with a front slit from Sophie Theallet. Hot!
Jamie Chung followed Tamron’s lead in a sheer knit Tome sweater and sheer, embroidered pencil skirt from the brand. I live for her style and this is why.
A simple LBD and red lips were all beauty Precious Lee needed for the night. She’s stunning!
Christina Milian was ready for Fall in a strapless, moto-inspired leather jumpsuit. This was fab.
More see-through frocks! Padma Lakshmi combined the classic black and gold combo in a long-sleeve Monique Lhuillier gown with dot embroidery. Gorgeous!
Maxwell was easily the best dressed man of the evening in a double-breasted, blue plaid suit.
The Real Housewives of NYC stars Carol Radziwill and Bethenny Frankel were in attendance. They always bring it in the fashion department.
As has been the case for many New York Fashion Weeks of yore, everyone waits with baited breath to see how Marc Jacobs will culminate said week with his oft anticipated collections. Known for pushing the envelope every now and again, Jacobs did just that with his Spring 2017 assortment. Once again, he joins the roster of designers who really want onlookers to not be overwhelmed by what seems to be an overall pessimistic view of the world today.
Overwrought with scores of color and eye-catching patterns, Jacobs drew obvious references from rave culture and Harajuku girls. Think Burning Man meets Gothic Lolita. Mutton shoulders were slightly reminiscent of his fall 2009 collection, but this time, they were paired with short shorts and the tallest of platforms that gave a nod to his shoes from fall 2016. The clothes, though a bit off kilter, were nothing short of beautiful and a joy to look at. Low hanging lightbulbs flickered vehemently above models as they stomped. It was a wonder to behold as all Marc Jacobs shows are. But there was an aspect of the show that left quite a few people unnerved.
In a collection boasting a very high percentage of white models (83% if we’re really talking numbers), their heads were adorned in very colorful faux dreadlocks, and many didn’t hesitate to express their distaste.
On Instagram, @caesartalks commented, “HMMM as hell! It’s called CULTURAL APPROPRIATION AND MARC JACOBS CONTINUES TO DO IT“
@likklemshawny also chimed in on the issue stating, “…WE are talking about BLACK STYLES (viewed ghetto on us) that white people take on and then it becomes fashion ON THEM!“
On Twitter, some didn’t remain silent on the issue either. @KiaraRMills quipped, “don’t know about those dreads tho….“
On the other hand, some came to Marc Jacobs’s defense on the issue. @itsAllAlly tried to come to his rescue by reiterating that Marc Jacobs “…stated when ppl of color get their hair straight[end] it’s no backlash“
@ISLANDCHULA28 gave her thoughts on the issue. “…Who cares if #MarcJacobs had white girls in pastel dreads? Dreads actually originated from India not Africa.“
To all of this, Jacobs himself responded by saying,
“And all who cry ‘cultural appropriation’ or whatever nonsense about any race or skin color wearing their hair in any particular style or manner – funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair. I respect and am inspired by people and how they look. I don’t see color or race – I see people. I’m sorry to read that so many people are so narrow minded… Love is the answer. Appreciation of all and inspiration from anywhere is a beautiful thing. Think about it.“
It’s important to note that before any of us roamed the earth, dreadlocks have been worn by people from various backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Greek men from 1600-1500 BCE have all sported this hairstyle as a way to symbolize strength and to intimidate opposing forces. Men from Senegal during the late 1800’s saw their dreadlocks as a means to delineate their spiritual connections to their respective deities, as did Indian men centuries before the Greeks.
The Himba tribeswomen of Namibia have been doing it for centuries by mixing butter with ground red rocks for striking results.It’s just that in modern times, especially with the rise of Rastafarianism (which originated in Ethiopia and not Jamaica as many would assume), black people have developed and innovated ways to maintain and beautifully style their locs, pretty much upping the ante on what we can do with all this melanin. I mean, have you seen our Editor-In-Chic?
In this respect, I can’t completely fault Marc Jacobs’s choice.
However, I can not drive the point home hard enough that a white man can not and should not be the sounding board for black hair. Not then. Not now. Not ever. Telling black women that they shouldn’t be upset because they’re not criticized for straightening their hair only adds insult to injury.
Standards of European beauty have managed to pervade the entire globe without batting an eyelash to the many dilemmas women of color have had to endure. Their wide set noses, voluptuous lips and hips, and most notably their natural hair are still heavily criticized to this day. And it pains me even more that some of the criticism stems from other black women who’ve been told themselves how visually unappealing they are because of features that don’t seem to meet white/European standards. And the waters become even murkier when those same white people who try to police black beauty standards are the ones plumping their lips, injecting their hips and sporting bantu knots as models did during Marc Jacobs’s 2015 show. To note, Mane Addicts ignorantly referred to them as “twisted mini buns”, further exacerbating the erasure of black culture today.
As we all know, Zendaya was publicly humiliated by Giuliana Rancic of E!’s Fashion Police for her faux locs during the 2015 Oscars and had to (intelligently) defend her choice of hairstyle when she, as a beautiful young woman of color, shouldn’t have to. Young black girls in Pretoria, South Africa and in Nassau, The Bahamas have been either threatened with suspension or outright reprimanded if they didn’t straighten the hair that naturally grows from their roots because white/European influences tell these girls their hair is unkempt, dirty, and unprofessional. The problem lies in the policing of natural traits when the main concern is ensuring these female students are dressed appropriately and go to school to broaden their horizons and maximize their potential in a world that often says to them “you’re not good enough.”
In short, I personally didn’t have a problem with the hair used in the show because I understood the aesthetic Jacobs was going for. However, black people should never be vilified for their hairstyles while white people are praised for the same on the other end of the beauty spectrum.
And for the sake of taking the conversation a little deeper and inciting a bit of controversy, here’s a video of a white male student from San Francisco State University being accosted by a black female staff member accusing him of cultural appropriation on his decision to sport dreadlocks.
What do you think about Marc Jacobs’s decision and his response? What are your thoughts on cultural appropriation versus appreciation?
Its Bomber Friday! Today’s fly guy comes to us from Philadelphia. Say hello to Ian:
“I’m a fashion designer, so I make all of my own pieces, which I’m wearing in the pictures.”
“I would describe my style as ‘cultured street glam’. I love street wear combined with glamour with a touch of culture.”
“I started out as a portrait artist. That foundation in fine art was my gateway to discovering a life in fashion.”
” I cater to the sophisticated street individual with a appreciation of the arts”
“I believe fashion and Art has no boundaries, so a lot of my pieces are unisex.”
Ian’s style is fashionably daring. See more on Instagram at @IanAlexander_.
What do you guys think of this week feature? Leave your feedback below!
Fashion Bomber of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of male 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.
Since Kimora Lee Simmons’s last KLS collection release back in June for Resort, both Jessica Alba and Julia Stiles have been spotted in her designs. And there’s a whole roster of names who have worn the brand over the past year—not too bad for a line that debuted with Pre-Fall 2015. For the Spring 2017 season, the mogul was inspired by her Midwestern, St. Louis roots. Absolutely not the thing you’d expect from a former Chanel supermodel, but it all came together swimmingly.
Prints were a big focus in the collection, from plaid to railroad stripes. An asymmetric, ruffle-hem dress would work for a number of shapes and sizes, while a short-sleeve blazer felt accessible for both work and play.
Colorblocking felt modern and fresh—in the form of a ruffle-accented sheath in blue and white, a navy and black silky top, a tiered frock in the aforementioned classic combination, and a black and white dress that hugged every curve.
Dresses were the name of the game here, though a couple of trouser options were shown. But let’s get back to the former. Knot detailing, raised floral embroidery, a strapless LBD with an embellished, bustier-inspired bodice, and a peekaboo cutout were all on the menu.
Kimora’s entire vibe for the season was sexiness without overdoing it. She achieved that in pieces that boasted sheer stripes, figure-clinging pencil skirts, and low-cut necklines.
The collection was presented in an intimate format with timed runway-style presentations, so there weren’t any front row spottings of KLS’s slew of celebrity fans. But we’re certain that the diverse range of women who have already worn the brand—Kylie Jenner and Mary J. Blige alike—will gravitate toward the expertly-tailored suit, an obi belt-accented dress, colorblock midi dresses, and a simple, yet chic shirt dress with contrast trim and cutout shoulders.
Traveling to New York Fashion Week, three years ago, as a budding fashion stylist was inspiring but very disappointing. I had a grandiose vision of attending several fashion shows that catered to plus size fashion and I was sure that I would leave New York City with new contacts in the growing industry, new vendors, and style inspiration that would make my new career choice a breeze. I quickly learned that, much to my demise, the deficit of plus fashion that I felt when I was shopping online or in my local shopping malls was a hard-hitting issue everywhere.
Besides the infamous 34th Street Macy’s entire floor of plus-sized shopping, there wasn’t a single NYFW event that catered to extended or plus sizes. How was this possible? For someone who wasn’t from New York, I always thought that The big Apple was the answer to anything fashion-related and that surely the concrete jungle catered to every woman, at ANY size.
Fast-forward three years later and, as a plus woman, I am beyond proud of what we’ve seen with the current New York Fashion Week. Over the past seven days, we’ve seen inclusive fashion on different body types on the runway that for the first time actually resemble real women. From curvy bombshells sitting front row to plus supermodels rocking the runway, this fall has undeniably opened doors for infinite possibilities in future fashion productions.
Let’s do a recap of some of the designers that decided to take a leap of faith while including women and men of all sizes in their Spring/Summer 2017 presentations:
We just don’t give African-American designer Tracy Reese enough credit for her accomplishments. While Reese has consistently managed to contribute to fashion since 1998, this fall she made headlines during her September 11th garden presentation (held at a Manhattan East Village cemetery!) by splitting her looks among sample sized models and by casting non-models who were not only working professionals but women of all sizes. Reese also announced that several pieces of her newest collection would cater to sizes 18 and 2XL.
Shown here to the far left is one of Reese’s non- models, comedienne & Saturday Night Live actress Sasheer Zamata.
Non-model Kristi Henderson is a director of special projects with Planned Parenthood. Henderson, a size 12/14, said that she considers Reese a trailblazer in fashion.
Another brand that decided to step outside the box with their Spring/Summer 2017 presentation was American retailer J. Crew. Known for their classic lines and for dressing the American family, J. Crew stepped outside the lines by casting friends, family, and employees of a diverse range of sizes and ethnicities.
Resolutely geared towards the consumer, J.Crew showcased how their crisp pieces, flirty skirts, striped dresses, and graphic tees would look on a regular day at the office.
We can’t talk about inclusion without giving props to the designer who took the biggest chance, Christian Siriano. Casting five plus models without hesitation makes him my personal favorite this season. Since Siriano’s show last Saturday, he’s given countless interviews on his personal plight to dress real women and real bodies. In addition, Siriano released his newest collection with Lane Bryant.
Without a doubt, these Fabulous Five will go down in fashion history!
4. Byron Lars BSM
Byron Lars flaunted his intricately patterned, patched dresses on women of a range of sizes.
At the beginning of the show, a voice over the loudspeaker declared, “This is all about body-positive inclusion…this is not a plus conversation, this is a woman’s conversation.” Let the church say Amen.
5. Chromat
Swimwear brand Chromat featured a diverse cast of models for their Spring 2017, flaunting models both straight and plus sized, and of various ethnicities.
Not stopping there, they were bold enough to include models with handicaps. Activist Lauren Wasser, who lost her leg due to toxic shock syndrome, offset a bold blue rash guard swim ensemble with a golden prosthetic leg.
So, as we bid farewell to New York Fashion Week, what are your personal thoughts about the various changes we’ve seen in fashion representation?
For Spring 2017, Bibhu Mohapatra played on the healing power of fashion, seeking to drive away the angst, trepidation, and hostility that has a strong grip on so much of the world today. Thus, he channeled one of the globe’s most harmonious, booming, and creative times: La Belle Époque. “This season I celebrate the optimistic and opulent times of the beautiful era,” said Bibhu of the assortment.
The designer also created a luxury jewelry collection called Forevermark Artemis™: his first collaboration with Forevermark. 20 of the looks in the show boasted dazzling, diamond accoutrements from the wares.
“Diamonds make fashion timeless! They make style evolve and live forever,” said Bibhu. “The Artemis™ collection is that perfect balance of aesthetics and attitude. It represents tradition, it empowers, and it aligns perfectly with the muse of the season.”
A strapless pink dress with shimmering embellished panels created the perfect palette for the collection’s drop pendant necklace, while an off-the-shoulder tulle neckline was given red carpet-perfect flair with a dazzling choker.
The rest of the assortment was playfully refined—boasting bold prints, midriff-baring crop tops, and spirited dresses for both day and night.
Striped trousers and colorblock frocks felt decidedly modern, while enchanting pearl embellishment transported the collection into the era that inspired it.
My favorite pieces in the collection were the separates. A long, printed cap-sleeve vest, a wrap crop top with a partially studded bodice, a simple, but effective high-waist slit pencil skirt, and a crisp patterned blazer were all standouts.
I fully expect to see Freida Pinto, Patina Miller, Taraji P. Henson, and Tracee Ellis Ross in these designs over the next few months—all style stars who have already been spotted in Bibhu’s looks. Perhaps he’s even working on something with a celebrity for Sunday’s Emmys…
A few days ago, Fashion Bomb Daily finally got to sit down with rapper and reality darling Cardi B to talk about the evolution of her style, common misconceptions about her, and her future projects.
Cardi B (née Belcalis Almanzar) went from the strip club to front row at fashion shows, using a fantastic platform to create an even greater name for herself. While many of her co-stars have come on and off after one season, soon to be forgotten, Cardi has used the added exposure to make boss moves in the music industry, on social media, and beyond.
I always love to highlight strong, smart, and resourceful women who use what they have available to them to push themselves to a higher level.
Stay tuned for the video!
Images: Marta McAdams and Karl Pierre
*Cardi B wore Anna Suit. I wore Sergio Hudson.
Hello beautiful people, today’s Fashion Bombshell comes to us from the windy city. Say hello to Jessica from Chicago!
“I describe my style as classic, sophisticated and bold.”
“I don’t necessarily follow trends, however, I do follow what fits my personality, style and disposition. I often pair vintage pieces with modern pieces, and that’s the beauty of fashion!”
“You have complete control of your style and how you want to be portrayed. If I could give one fashion tip it would be to compliment every outfit with at least 1 statement piece.“
“Whether it’s a hat, necklace, scarf or the actual piece of clothing, have something that can and will spark a conversation.“
“You can follow my journey to fashion on Instagram at Jessdollface.”
What do you guys think of this beauty, leave your feedback below!
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.
