22

Nov

Sister Act: Beyonce & Solange Knowles

Fashionable sisters Beyonce and Solange Knowles were recently named to Vogue Magazine’s 2011 Best Dressed List.  The duo, who just hit up New York Fashion Week’s Spring 2012 shows, are known for their edgy, distinctive style.  Solange, who is a dj, mommy to Julez and one of the faces of Carol’s Daughter, wows in her her Prabal Gurung for J. Crew ensemble.  And soon-to-be mommy and singer/actress/designer/fragrance creator Beyonce is a quick change artist in beige sequins, then a beige leather and tulle ruffled mini.  Flawless hair and makeup for both complete the looks.

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Images courtesy of Google

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Random Acts of Fashion/The Look

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21

Nov

This is a No.

Learn from my mistakes!

Kristen Stewart hit the Breaking Dawn premiere in an embellished Roberto Cavalli gown and Jimmy Choo peep toes…then changed into a pair of Nike sneakers.  And from the looks of it, she’s a repeat offender.   Listen, if you’re going to wear the shoe, commit to it.  The evening gown with sneakers or wedding gown with flip flops look is sloppy.  If you’re iffy in heels, prepare for the inevitable by adding cushioned insoles to your footwear.  And if you know your dogs are going to bark that much,  please opt for a sparkly kitten heel or ballet flat instead (and have your evening-wear hemmed appropriately). 

Ladies, beauty doesn’t mean sacrificing your toes.  Hammertoes and bunions definitely aren’t the business.  But wearing sneakers and flip flops definitely affects your posture and carriage; in an evening gown you should look like you’re floating or gliding, not stomping and schlepping around.   

Sigh.  At least she wasn’t committing this fashion crime.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Learn From My Mistakes!

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18

Nov

Fashion Flashback: Phylicia Rashad

Before Michelle Obama and her kitten heels strode in to the White House and before Real Thirsty Wannabes and Basketball Fiancees & Baby Mamas hit the airwaves,  for girls of a certain generation, Clair Huxtable was the epitome of affluent sophistication.  In sitcomland, she managed to run a household of five precocious children and one hilarious husband all while maintaining a career as a lawyer and keeping a flawless brownstone.  Elegant and  eloquent, Clair’s relationship with Cliff and her children helped revolutionize television each Thursday night on NBC.  Whether you had a mother like her – or just wished you did – her presence on the air was affirming (which makes this  recent turn of events even more unfortunate).

Texas native Phylicia Rashad, who brought the character to life,  is a gifted thespian as well as the first African-American to receive a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.  And who can forget that she was married to Ahmad Rashad?  Bet you didn’t know she also tripped the light fantastic as a disco singer!

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15 years ago Short URL Comments

Fashion Flashback

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17

Nov

Blair Underwood Launches Suit Line for K&G

Um…yeah: actor/director/author Blair Underwood has a suit collection.  And we’re reporting it only in the interests of breaking fashion news.

From Blair’s Facebook Page:  

“The BU Collection is about self-empowerment, self-realization, and becoming the ultimate you.  In a world that is obsessed with the cult of celebrity, the BU Collection challenges you not to aspire to anyone else’s greatness, but instead, strive to reveal and ignite the greatness within you.  The BU Collection gives you the tools and the wherewithal to become the best you, the ultimate you…simply put, BU.  Within all of us, our blood runs the same color.  It is our humanity that makes us interconnected. Signed, Blair Underwood”

The line, which features multiple button, pants style and pattern options, is priced at $99.99 as of today and appears to be part of “Buy 1 Get 2” sale…do with that what you will.

Images courtesy of the BU Collection

15 years ago Short URL Comments

Uncategorized

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16

Nov

You Either Own a Pair…

…or you know someone who does.

If I see one more person in these earrings I’m going to scream….are we all shopping at the same Asian jewelry cart in the middle of the mall? And don’t side-eye me, because I know you’ve seen these larger-than-life hoop earrings with a million glittery balls strung through them.  Seeing them on a Basketball “Wife”,  a Real Housewife and a random person in Wal-Mart all in one night cured me of my desire to own a pair.  I like them – as I love all things sparkly except pink ice – but are these getting to be a bit overdone?

And I would be remiss if I failed to mention that NeNe Leakes is attempting to parlay her catchphrase into a tee shirt line.  Per Ms. Leakes’ Twitter feed yesterday, for $150 you too can wear her new money mantra and continue to line her pockets.   I would also be remiss if I failed to share a finer point of etiquette: it’s bad manners to run around proclaiming that you are now part of the 1%, especially when your veneer game is not up to par.  Do better! #TeamSheree

Sigh.

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15 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio

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14

Nov

Recommended Reading: Tayari Jones’ Silver Sparrow

Ms. Jones’ tale of bigamy and sibling rivalry in 1980’s Atlanta is one of the year’s best.   Noted in this month’s O Magazine as well as Birmingham Magazine, it grips the reader from the first line to the very last.  It’s often hard to be shocked in this age of Sister Wives, Duggars ad infinitum and Kardashians on every channel, but Jones  (an Atlanta native) writes of a taboo subject with delicacy and deep understanding.  I would say more but I don’t want to give it away!  And once you finish this juicy – but not soap operatic -tale, make sure you pick up Leaving Atlanta, her debut novel.  Both are amazing, amazing books.

Silver Sparrow has deservedly been named a Semifinalist for Best Fiction in the Goodreads Readers Choice Awards; if you’ve read it and feel inclined, please vote it to the next round by clicking here (you have to sign in to Goodreads to do so).

For more on Tayari Jones, click here.

Image courtesy of amazon.com

15 years ago Short URL Comments

Reading is FUNdamental (and sexy!)

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14

Nov

The Look: Floral for Fall

If you think bouquets are only for springtime, think again.  First Lady Michelle Obama once again demonstrates she is (as former Essence Beauty Editor Emeritus Mikki Taylor has dubbed her)  “Commander in Chic” by rocking a white Thakoon dress festooned with pink and yellow flowers at a Tampa appearance last month.  Sharp eyes at the Huff Post and New York Magazine discovered that the First Lady has worn this dress multiple times, also proving that one of the most glamorous women in the world shops her own closet!

Mrs. Obama – who wears up and coming and established designers as well as accessible brands like J. Crew and Gap –  recently revealed her philosophy on style:  “Everything in my closet is something I love, so that I can make choices based on what makes sense, knowing that I’m going to love whatever  it is.”

Want the look without the Thakoon pricetag?  Jessica Simpson offers a similar version.

Image courtesy of the Associated Press

15 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion

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11

Nov

Fashion Flashback: Michael Jackson

The best to EVER Do It.  It takes some serious self-confidence to rock a bedazzled military jacket, one sequined Mickey Mouse glove,  white socks, penny loafers and – if anyone else rocked them, what would be considered –  high water pants, plus a Jheri curl, all at the same time.

I’m going to need those glittery slouch boots to materialize in my closet in a size 8.

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Images courtesy of Google

15 years ago Short URL Comments

Fashion Flashback

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10

Nov

Haute and Homespun: Gee’s Bend Quilters & Alabama Chanin

If you’re in the Birmingham area, don’t miss Common Threads: Quilters of West Alabama Meet Mud Cloth Makers of West Africa.   Part of the World on Stage Festival, this collective features the famous quilters of Gee’s Bend and Groupe Bogolon Kasobane, mudcloth makers from Mali.  Textiles from both groups are being shown in the lobby of the Alys Stephens Center, and the programs – lunchtime chats, hands-on crafting, and more – will conclude on November 11 (all events are free to the public). 

Full Circle – the new boutique next door to Zoe’s in Forest Park, is hosting an Alabama Chanin trunk show and workshop November 16-19.  The line, which features handmade items for the individual and home made from sustainable and organic materials, is produced in Florence, Alabama under the direction of Natalie Chanin.   The stenciling and beadwork on these pieces is AMAZING. 

Image courtesy of Auburn University/Tinwood Media

15 years ago Short URL Comments

Birmingham Live!

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09

Nov

Calling All Shoppers: Versace for H&M Launches 11/19

Yet another reason I’m ticked that Birmingham does not have an H&M:  Versace’s capsule collection for the brand drops on November 19th in limited locations! The line was released last night in New York to fanfare featuring performances by Prince and Nicki Minaj.  If you learned any lessons from the Great Missoni for Target Fashion Catastrophe of 2011 earlier this year, readers,  then for the love of all that is fashionable be at H&M early and ready to make a mad dash for haute couture, albeit at slightly higher prices than you may be used to at H&M.  The collection’s pieces are priced from $29.95 to $399…and I’m going to need the hot pink studded sheath, STAT.  As well as the coral tights.  Please and thank you.

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Images courtesy of Vogue UK

15 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

C'est Si Bon/Haute off the Press/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio

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