Break out your freshest Aviators and Wayfarers: Ray-Ban is turning 75 this year! To celebrate, they’ve launched the Ambermatic capsule collection, featuring their classic Aviators (the Shooterand the Outdoorsman) with photochromatic yellow lenses which darken as the temperature increases and light brightens. Produced under the slogan “Legends Never Hide,” these limited-edition sunnies (only 18,000 pairs were made) can be yours for $210, and can be purchased at select Ray-Ban stores and Sunglass Huts, as well as on the website.
Best dressed goes to Taraji P. Henson in bright turquoise, Rocsi Diaz in a nude bedazzled number (and that “new boo” glow from toting around with Eddie Murphy), Selita Ebanks giving us FASHION in an embellished short dress with black overlay (it’s a risk but me likey!) and Tamia Hill in a classy and understated black evening gown. Good to see her back on the scene. I also loved Elle Varner’s entire ensemble and two snaps: Mariah Carey is looking every inch the diva. WORK!
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Worst dressed? Whew! Tyga in that leather t-shirt (no sir!), Porscha Coleman’s thirsty sartorial salute to Latoya Jackson, Kenya Moore’s pageant look (those days are over, boo), and Lala Anthony’s homage to I Dream of Jeannie. Was a wardrobe change not in the budget for her? Regina King and Tatiana Ali, I expected a lot more from you. Boom Kat (Laurieann Gibson) has officially gone to the dark side. 2 Chainz is taking over for Bootsy Collins, and Rick Ross just looks ridic. Chante Moore, your tribute to Donna Summer was on point but must you look like a cougar on the prowl? You might want to check with Tamia’s stylist. And take Nicki Minaj with you.
I’m done. Y’all can look for pics of Kimye and Blue Ivy’s parents elsewhere.
Okay, so I’m not seven anymore (and there are so many things going on in that first video, starting with what Jermaine Jackson actually used to look like and his bedazzled outfit! And Tootie’s Members Only jacket! And that road manager’s tight jeans and hairline!). But wouldn’t it be amazing to go through life on roller skates the way she used to? Okay, for the two of you who haven’t now decided I’m a raving lunatic, I saw these old school skates with fun multi-colored wheels at C. Wonder. At $75, all they need is a pair of pompoms and bells laced through them! If I could get away with it, I’d roller skate around downtown in them. It’d make the workday a little more interesting, no?
Or maybe I’d just save them for a roller disco night out.
In any case, everyone’s closet needs that one whimsical item that makes you smile on the worst days. These skates remind me to keep it moving, no matter what.
How easy breezy is this lovely floral frock? Mrs. Tom Cruise was spotted in this blue silk dress in New York on Wednesday.
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Gotta have it for your own closet? A similar printed tunic with cap sleevesis available at Zara for $79.90 (standard shipping is free!). Pair this tunic with flat sandals or wedges and an envelope clutch and you’re done! And for those of you who like to shop around (not just on the interweb), Zara can be found at Perimeter Mall and Lenox Mall in Atlanta.
Known for their fast and well-made fashion, Zara offers separates, dresses, shoes and accessories, as well as menswear, at very accessible prices. Clothing for kids is available online as well. Just how do they get the clothes to consumers so quickly? Check out this article from Slate.
Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston is Whitney Smith’s 2010 ode to Roy Halston Frowick, better known simply as “Halston.” Known for his modern, pared-down yet uber glam take on womenswear, Halston owned the seventies and proved that American design was as relevant as those from Europe. Smith – in a Smokey and The Bandit-type Trans Am and various hairstyles – sets out to uncover more about the designer’s life and legacy.
Along the way, he meets up with the imperious and formidable André Leon Talley, a chatty Liza Minelli (who was close friends with the designer), former model Anjelica Huston and legendary model Pat Cleveland, a favorite of Halston’s (she was known as The Moth, because she strutted toward the light. She also modeled in his triumphant “Battle of Versailles” show.) We also get a peek at the Halston archives, located at Lipscomb University in Nashville (who knew!) and a crash course in 70s era decadent music and nighlife.
The documentary, which is as light and airy as a swath of chiffon, provides something akin to a Cliff Notes version of Halston’s life and legacy. Although we get a glimpse into his posh home, posh friends (including Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger), his archives (located at Nashville’s Lipscomb University) and his decadent and ultimately tragic life, we don’t get much else. Smith touches on Halston’s significant influence – the Iowa boy became a milliner who put new First Lady Jacqueline Kennedyin a pillbox and simple cloth coat and influenced the likes of Calvin Klein – but Smith fails to go deeper into the material. He also hits the highlights of Halston’s business ventures: the licensing of his name and his partnership with JC Penney (which led to his line being dropped by Bergdorf Goodman) and sort of tainted his brand, but yet which set the stage for the current democratization of fashion (e.g. Isaac Mizrahi at Target and Versace at H&M). Halston was ahead of his time in realizing that women wanted high fashion even if they didn’t have deep pockets, and he attempted to cash in on that idea before it was popular.
If Smith hadn’t been so concerned with asking shallow questions or in reliving the 70s – if he had looked deeper into Halston’s motivations and his genius – this would have been a much better documentary.
View some of Halston’s designs HERE, and Smith’s interview with Liza HERE.
JHud is releasing a new line of womenswear for QVC this September. The 14 piece collection looks like comfortable knit separates and casual wear.
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“I feel like I represent every woman. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I’ve been a big girl and now whatever this is, the average size, whatever you want to call it. But I wanted the clothes to be where any girl could wear it — no matter what size you are — and you could feel comfortable in it.” – Jennifer Hudson to WWD
We feel this footwear – designed by Jeremy Scott – was in utterly poor taste, as did Jesse Jackson; your thoughts?
From Adidas: “The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery,” the statement said. “We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace.”
Adidas, get your life.
Think Same Chic Different Day is the ‘Best Local Blog’ in Birmingham? Then make your voice heard by voting HERE!
Okay, so no one wants to sashay up to a perfume counter or boutique and ask to try some of that “VURSAYSE,” right? That’s definitely not haute! Review the videos below to brush up on your pronunciation. (And note: “CHIC” is pronounced “sheek”).
In all seriousness, I am humbled and tickled to be named one of Birmingham’s Most Beautiful People for 2012. It’s an absolute honor, and the article in this month’s Birmingham Magazine (on newstands now and available online) is filled with a diverse, talented and community service-oriented bunch. (BTW, Mrs. Johnston was extremely jazzy; I want to be like her when I grow up!) What makes this a beautiful place to live is the spirit of the people who live here, no matter what we look like on the outside. At the end of the day, pretty is as pretty does, no?
And for what’s it’s worth dear reader, I think YOU are beautiful too.
Break out your freshest Aviators and Wayfarers: Ray-Ban is turning 75 this year! To celebrate, they’ve launched the Ambermatic capsule collection, featuring their classic Aviators (the Shooter and the Outdoorsman) with photochromatic yellow lenses which darken as the temperature increases and light brightens. Produced under the slogan “Legends Never Hide,” these limited-edition sunnies (only 18,000 pairs were made) can be yours for $210, and can be purchased at select Ray-Ban stores and Sunglass Huts, as well as on the website.
Same Chic Different Day 