27

Feb

TYRA MAIL!!!!!!  ANTM Cycle 19 – the “College Edition” – is hosting casting calls during early March in the surrounding area; if you are currently enrolled or have been accepted to a school beyond high school, this may be your opportunity to SMIZE and strut with the best of them!  According to my source, they want “participants from junior colleges, vocational schools, beauty schools to apply as well.”

Casting will hit the catwalk in Alabama (Mobile, Auburn & Montgomery), Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah, Thomasville & Augusta), Louisiana (Monroe & Lake Charles), Mississippi (Jackson) and Florida (Pensacola, West Palm Beach & Tallahassee) by the end of this week…so get your stilettos, poses and passports in gear and be sure to review the eligibility requirements so you don’t get all the way to the casting call and have your feelings hurt.

For more information and to download the application, click HERE.  And just for kicks, here’s a mashup of fun times from previous episodes.

Image via tyrabanks.com

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute off the Press/Random Acts of Fashion/Scene and Heard

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23

Feb

BREAKING FASHION NEWS: H&M IS HEADED TO ALABAMA!

Yes, typing in all caps was completely necessary.

H&M lands in Sweet Home Alabama by way of Huntsville’s Bridge Street Town Centre this Spring.   And according to my source,  the store “will include collections for ladies, men, young ladies and young men, with full lingerie, maternity, and accessory departments. This location will also carry H&M’s fantastic children’s collection which features quality clothing for newborn up to kids age 14. The Bridge Street Town Centre H&M will offer approximately 20,000 square feet of selling space.”

Be sure to go to the website and drool over the trendy and affordable pieces; sign up for H&M’s newsletter and you could win a$1000 shopping spree (all subscribers receive a 20% discount off one purchase).  And if you are STILL several hours’ drive from Huntsville (or Atlanta) step away from the ledge: H&M will launch online shopping this fall.

To find out what I love about H&M, click here.

Image via H&M

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Haute off the Press/Love That!/Scene and Heard/Shopping is My Cardio

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10

Feb

Lights, Camera, Fashion: BFW 2012

Laura Kathryn for Birmingham Fashion Week 2012

It was standing room only under the white tent and high-wattage lights set up in Pepper Place for the second night of Birmingham Fashion Week.  Lesson number one? Don’t wear four inch, patent leather, pointy-toed mules to a fashion show where you’ll be shifting your weight on what’s basically a toothpick for 2 and half hours.  By 7:10 PM my feet were begging for mercy. Tomorrow night? I’ll be in flats.

The night’s festivities began with a procession of entries from the college-level Emerging Designer and junior high and high school-level Rising Design Star competitions.  Standouts  included Travis Mackey, whose avant garde designs and attention to detail were different from anything else on the runway, featuring corset detailing, mutton sleeves and stark colors.  Mackey advanced to the next phase of the Emerging Designer competition.

The night also featured selections from local women’s boutiques SOCA and Laura Kathryn.  I LOVED the very wearable cheetah-print suit with short bottoms and apricot blouse, which will be perfect for summer date nights and cocktails. 

Finally it was time for the featured designers: William Bradley (last year’s Emerging Design winner), Southern Proper and Annie Griffin.  Bradley’s prairie-chic, flowing creations had  the feel of vintage Ralph Lauren in the fabrication and silhuoettes.  Bradley counts Chanel as a major historical icon and noted, “[I’m trying] to create a story.”  The pieces had a very editorial feel; Bradley should concentrate on fabric choice and fit as he progresses.  This year has been a whirlwind; his spring collection was picked up by Private Gallery and will be in their stores in May.

Southern Proper’s brightly colored, preppy accessories incorporated menswear from Peter Millar.  The line is

Laura Kathryn for Birmingham Fashion Week 2012

available locally at Remon’s and at the Birmingham Country Club, and there are plans to partner with J. Crew on a men’s wedding bow tie line.  [4:07 PM: I have edited this review to remove my previous enthusiasm for the line.  After further reviewing Southern Proper’s website in detail today, I was dismayed to see a Cotton Pickin’-themed print.  I can appreciate the seersucker and bucks look for men but I don’t support anything that harkens to “plantation chic.”]

Annie Griffin closed the show with feminine separates in muted solids and prints.  The line also made use of color-blocking, which is a major Spring 2012 trend.  The line is extremely wearable and appeals to women who appreciate the retro flair, the soft touches and laidback silhuoettes.

More looks from last night:

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Stay tuned for more coverage!

All images via Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography for Birmingham Fashion Week 2012

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Birmingham Live!/C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press/If We Weren't There It Didn't Happen/Scene and Heard

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10

Feb

Eighth Grader Debuts at Birmingham Fashion Week

Pizitz Middle School student Lucy Bailey walked her first runway like a seasoned pro in Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Design Star competition last night. Twenty young fashion designers showcased pieces crafted from materials straight out of a Project Runway challenge, utilizing garbage bags, bubble wrap, coffee filters, feathers, pine cones, doilies and duct tape. Wearing a drop-waist party dress made of pink, yellow, and orange plastic ribbon designed by Greer Micelli, the Cynthia Bailey model search finalist spoke with me about her first foray on the catwalk.  She was accompanied by her mother, Shannon Bailey, and grandmother Marcella Bailey.

How’d it feel to walk the runway?  “It was exciting! The cameras flashing and the [noise of] crowd…I loved it! And I got to meet Miss Alabama [USA 2012; Katherine Webb]!”

How long did hair and make-up take tonight?  “About an hour and a half, ” mom Shannon Bailey shared.

Describe your dress (made of what is commonly used for balloon streamers) in one word: “Curly!” [laughs]

How was the Cynthia Bailey Model Search experience?  “It was really fun.  Being [chosen] as a winner was really surprising.”  Lucy was chosen as the fifth finalist on the last day of the competition last month and will compete in Atlanta in May.  At stake: a one-year modeling contract, photo spread, and $10,000 prize.  This was the second modeling event Lucy has participated in.

Although Miss Micelli’s innovative dress was not selected to advance in the Rising Design Star competition, both Lucy’s mother and grandmother were very pleased with Thursday night’s events.

The Bailey Family after the show. Courtesy Lynsey Weatherspoon

“I thought the whole night was fabulous.  It’s nice they let the young kids get involved,” said Shannon, who also felt the production was good for the city’s image.

“[Everything] was very professional,” added Marcella.  “And we’re very proud of Lucy!”

Stay tuned for more coverage of Birmingham Fashion Week and updated photos courtesy of Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography!

Images courtesy of Shannon Bailey and Lynsey Weatherspoon

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Birmingham Live!/Haute off the Press/If We Weren't There It Didn't Happen

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07

Feb

We Admit It

…we’re officially jealous of Beyonce and her post-baby body.  Chick is svelte and undeniably FABULOUS, stepping out last night for hubby Jay-Z’s concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall (one month after giving birth to baby Blue Ivy!).  Check out NY Daily News’ coverage here.  Her curve-hugging ruched “Molina” dress is by Alice  By Temperley, and the killer pumps are by Christian Louboutin.

Images via Joe Marino/NY Daily News

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Haute off the Press/Random Acts of Fashion/Scene and Heard/The Look

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01

Feb

SHOPportunity!

Calling all area shoppers!  If you missed the news that Atlanta’s Bloomingdales (Perimeter Mall location) is closing, now’s the time to drive over (or catch the Mega Bus!) and find some deals.  The store is in the midst of a massive clearance sale which started earlier last month and will last 10 weeks.   It’s being replaced with by Von Maur, the same store reported to be headed to the Riverchase Galleria.

And don’t worry: the Bloomingdales at Lenox Mall will remain in operation.

Thanks to chic reader T. Holloway for the tip!

Image via Bloomingdales

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute off the Press/Scene and Heard/Shopping is My Cardio

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18

Jan

Our Lips are Sealed Today

…in protest of SOPA/PIPA. 

Because censorship definitely isn’t chic. 

SCDD will return to its regular schedule of fabulosity on Thursday.

-Alexis 

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C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press

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10

Jan

Recommended Reading: A Belle in Brooklyn

While I’m not sure being born in Maryland allows one to qualify as a Southern Belle, this book is a must-read for any woman (i.e. adult, grown lady, not your baby cousin), single or otherwise.  With humor, candor, and the willingness to tell (almost) all so readers can learn from her mistakes, Demetria L. Lucas proves she is definitely the “go-to girl for relationship and dating advice.”  She definitely shows that all women aren’t busted and disgusted when it comes to relationships, nor are we all blue in the face from waiting to exhale.  As the relationships editor for Essence,  Lucas’ daily Real Talk blog posts edify, entertain and make us think, but this book was like settling in for a good session of girltalk.  You will laugh, you very well may cry, and if you have lived life at all you will probably see yourself in its pages.   And if you currently find yourself  out on a limb, on an emotional ledge or are a hot mess when it comes to dating, please stop the madness and get this book.  Read it.  And do better.

Being (love) crazy over the age of eighteen ain’t chic. 

Image via ABelleinBrooklyn.com

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C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press

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03

Jan

Best of the Web: Real Simple

Are you stuck in a style rut? Or have you been warned that you might be a strong contender for What Not to Wear?  If one of your goals for 2012 is to update your look (or FIND a look), then Real Simple is ready to help you Find Your Style Inspiration or  Reenergize Your Signature Style .

If the looks in the articles are not your cup of tea, keep in mind their basic principles: minor tweaks can have a major impact.  Look to icons whose fashion you are drawn to (it helps if they have a similar body type, but if not you can still incorporate aspects of their style that work for your physique or coloring.).  Or try your “opposite”: if you always wear your hair curly, try a sleek blowout.  If you opt for natural makeup, try a bold lip or smoky eye.  If you lean to skirts, try slacks; or slip on kitten heels or slippers instead of towering stilettos.  It’s a new year; try a new YOU!

**And congratulations to S. Curry for winning SCDD’s Commander in Chic  giveaway!**

Image courtesy of Real Simple

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute off the Press/The Look

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21

Dec

Recommended Reading: Mikki Taylor’s Commander in Chic

From the beautiful photography to the warm commentary to the priceless “Mikki-isms”, this book is a style resource to have at hand.  Celebrating the effortless style of FLOTUS Michelle Obama and jam-packed with Ms. Taylor’s expertise from years as Essence ‘s final-word beauty editor, Commander in Chic was such a great read and wealth of information on building one’s personal style that I couldn’t put it down…it was more like having a one-on-one conversation with a style-savvy friend!

As Ms. Taylor notes, “At the end of the day, style in the broad stroke is about being on purpose.  It’s about being comfortable in your skin and not following the trends but setting them.  Finally, it’s about being your most bold, empowered self and using that awareness to color your world–from your inner and outer beauty to your fashion sensibility, from the love that you share to the hand you lend in service to others.  It’s about showing up ready to stand and deliver and not only looking the part, but being just the woman for the opportunity at hand.  That’s what being a “commander in chic” is all about.  And we, like Michelle Obama, are just the women to do so.”

Whatever your politics are, who can’t agree with that?  Fab ones, I loved this book so much that not only did I purchase one for myself, I’m giving a copy away!  So tell me how you “keep it chic”: how do you express your personal style (and I don’t care if you shop the Salvation Army or Neiman Marcus)?  Leave a comment below between now and December 31,  2011 and a copy could be yours!

14 years ago Short URL 8 Comments

C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press/Love That!/Reading is FUNdamental (and sexy!)

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