Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Couture with Heart

Serena Williams' design for Stuart Weitzman.
Joy Bryant, Jada Pinkett and Janet Jackson also designed a pair for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Who knew Hollywood had such untapped fashion talent? Stuart Weitzman annually asks some of the hottest celebrities to design shoes for the Stuart Weitzman Annual Celebrity Shoe Auction. It’s an online auction, so anyone can bid! September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Stuart Weitzman is doing its part to attract publicity in order to raise money to support ovarian cancer research. The celebrity designers include Serena Williams, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Joy Bryant, Eva Longoria Parker, Janet Jackson, and Jessica Alba. The shoes also come with an autographed glossy photo of the star. Head to Stuart Weitzman's special site to start bidding - prices start at a mere $200!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Cash, Check or Charge?

Cash: Perlina Croc Wallet, $7.50, www.forever21.com
Check: Reptile-Print Clutches, $19.50, www.oldnavy.com
Charge: Isa Lizard Emboss, $295, www.loreleinyc.com

Croc clutches are all the rave right now but don't be predictible and buy a bright red clutch. Other colors to consider would be sunlight yellow, plum purple or sea aqua (like Selita Ebanks in a recent post). If your on a budget, the "cash" or "check" options are right up your alley but for those of you with a little more money to burn opt for this gorgeous Isa Lizard Emboss clutch. It's perfect with a cocktail dress or jeans!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Hair Stories: Rock It Out

Rihanna, Tamyra Gray and Sylvia Rhone punk out their short crops to give them each a new look.
1. Kizzi Stay-Put Hair Pomade, $9.50, www.carolsdaughter.com; 2. Moisturizing Silkening Liquid-Gel by Miznai, $13.96, www.just4beauty.com; 3. Bumble and bumble Sumo Wax, $21.95, www.folica.com; 4. Color Brilliance SilKomb 50, $4.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 5. Tool Science Nano Silver Paddle Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 6. Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan, $14, www.sephora.com; 7. Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment, $15.99, www.culmart.com; 8. L'Oreal Color Rays in Red, $10.99, www.drugstore.com

Long hair is so overrated. Yes, it's versatile but there's nothing more endearing than a woman who can wear her hair short with confidence. For those of you already sporting a cropped hairstyle you might consider trying the spiked looks above. Rihanna's hairstlye is especially fabulous - it has a hard edge but is soft enough to wear on an everyday basis. The products above can help you achieve these looks. The most important is hair wax and the stay-put pomade. If you want your style to last all day, carry the pomade/wax with you so you can retouch when needed.

Monday, September 15, 2008

What Say We?... Yay or Nay?!

Solange arrives at the "Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on August 25, 2008 in New York City.

How hard must it be to have an older sister who's considered by most to be more talented, beautiful and stylish than you? Gotta suck, huh? Well, Ms. Solange Knowles doesn't think so. She's finally making a name for herself on the music scene and the red carpet. While some my call her style somewhat 'contrived', I think her eclectic taste is refreshing and endearing. She's not afraid to take risks and puts her own twist on the latest trends. What do you think of her outfit above worn at a recent appearance at the Late Show with David Letterman. I'm going to say 'yay'! Whilst most of us would look mentally unstable in such an ensemble, Sol-Angel and her glamorous lifestyle pull it off. All hail the underdog!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Kerry Washington Covers Page Six

On the cover of this week’s Page Six Magazine, actress Kerry Washington opens up about her new job as a director, leaving a three-year engagement and the first time she met Barack Obama.

Kerry spent her 31st birthday in January watching a Clinton-Obama debate at LA’s Kodak Theater. She gets giddy recalling their backstage introduction, saying when the Illinois Senator said he recognized her, she remembered, “It was a great moment.”

Back in Tinseltown, Kerry is awaiting the September 19th release of her latest flick, Lakeview Terrace, where she stars opposite Patrick Wilson as a couple terrorized by police officer-neighbor Samuel L. Jackson. Having already helped former co-stars Jamie Foxx (Ray) and Forrest Whittaker (Last Kind of Scotland) land their own Academy Awards, Kerry jokes about her lucky charm status: “It’s just been my ploy to get more work in this town. I tell men, ‘If you hire me, you might get an Oscar!’”

The 31-year-old Bronx-bred actress is all about taking on a new craft. “When Spike Lee found out I was directing Common’s latest music video, he called me and said, ‘So, you’re transitioning?’ And I said, ‘No. I’m not leaving acting for directing. I’m just expanding!’”

Kerry doesn’t stop there. She is the current spokesmodel for L’Oreal and Movado watches and has testified before Congress on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts. But being lauded for her looks still surprises her. “I have not always thought of myself as beautiful. Growing up, I never felt like the pretty one, which is good because I felt it was important to become the smart one. I wouldn’t say I was an ugly duckling but I never felt like I had an exceptional physical appearance that was going to make life any easier.”

Engaged for three years to actor David Moscow (most famous for playing Josh, the kid portrayed by an adult Tom Hanks in Big), Kerry walked away. “Weddings are like red carpets for normal people. I do so many gowns and events in my work. I have that. Coming out of an engagement, I don’t even try to guess what my life is going to look like in the future anymore. No one has to feel sorry for me. I'm not lonely. I have my dog.”

For more on Kerry Washington, check out this week’s issue of Page Six Magazine, free inside the Sunday edition of the New York Post and online on Monday at www.pagesixmag.com. For a preview of this week’s magazine, click on www.nypost.com/pagesixmag/upcoming.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Style Inspiration: Floral Delights

Iman attends the 7th Annual Tribeca Film Festival Vanity Fair Party at the State Supreme Courthouse on April 22, 2008 in New York City.
Ashanti and Zoe Kravitz flourish in their floral print garments at recent red carpet appearances.
Black Floral Dress: Rosalie Dress, $44.50, www.delias.com; Sandals: Børn Begonia Sandal, $84.95, www.nordstrom.com; Earrings: Green Anamel Disc Earring, $8.10, www.alltherageonline.com; Corsage: Cabbage Rose Corsage, $20, www.topshop.com; Pink Shirt: Crossover Chiffon Top, $22.80, www.forever21.com; Halter Dress: Fray and Flowers Chiffon Dress, $42.99, www.shoprcuhe.com; Yellow Shirt: Rosette Raceback Shell, $128, www.maxstudio.com; Scarf: Floral Print Pashmina by Roberto Cavalli, $990, www.net-a-porter.com; Necklace: Flower Medallion Necklace, $4.80, www.forever21.com; Ring: Enamel Lily Flower Rings, $9.50, www.oldnavy.com; Skirt: Floral Satin Pleated Skirt, $20, www.oldnavy.com; Pink Dress: Jasley Strapless Floral Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Clutch: Whiting and Davis Leather Flowers Clutch, $185, www.endless.com; Hairband: Silk Flower Headband, $3.80, www.forever21.com; Heels: Adele I Flower Sandal by Ralph Lauren Collection, $574.95, www.endless.com

The last days of summer are upon us so it's only fitting that we say goodbye to the season donning floral pieces that conjure up memories of days gone by. If you really want to make a statement, choose bigger more defined floral prints in bright colors such as neon pink, bright yellow and metallic blues (like Ashanti and Zoe Kravitz). If you just don't have the heart, pick pieces with smaller floral prints in demure colors like red, white, beige and pink. These classics that will last long after the season has gone. Prepare to blossom.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan arrives at Verizon Wireless' exclusive launch party for the Blackberry 8330 Pink Curve at Intermix on August 27, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Who says beauty is pain? Well, rarely does dressing sexy evoke feelings of comfort. Between the 4 inch heels, tight skirts that won't stop riding up and double-sided tape that fails to adhere, your night can quickly turn into a test of the wills. That's why I adore this look! Sanaa Lathan looks sophisticated and confident and I'm loving the fact that she doesn't kill this outfit with too many accessories. Full-length jumpsuits are all the rage right now (see Victoria Beckham). Scroll down to see how to duplicate Sanaa's style.

Steal Sanaa's Style...

Jumpsuit: Strapless Stretch Wool Jumpsuit, $450, www.intermixonline.com
Heels: Martiny, $149.95, www.stevemadden.com
Clutch: Prezzo Metallic Snake Clutch, $49, www.endless.com
Earrings: Gold and Black Fringe Earrings, $25, www.shop.guess.com

This jumpsuit from Intermix is the actual jumpsuit Sanaa wore. Note how the waist of this jumpsuit is nipped-in but the hips have a little bit of volume to create the illusion of shape (not that Ms. Lathan needs it). Jumpsuits are meant to be extra long so you can actually get away with wearing comfy and perhaps not so elegant heels underneath. A trendy clutch and statement earrings complete the look but I would have probably opted to wear my hear slicked back into a perfect ponytail - hair off you face gives the look a sharper edge.

Best of the Rest...

Left to right: Karen Millen Jumpsuit, $320, www.asos.com; One Shoulder Jersey Jumpsuit, $60, www.asos.com; Halter Jumpsuit by Alice Olivia, $440, www.shopbop.com/
Left to right: Bandeau Jumpsuit, $90, www.topshop.com; Wide Leg V-Neck Jumpsuit, $29.80, www.forever21.com; Sea Pleated Front Jump Suit, $197, www.pinkmascara.com

Jumpsuits for every budget! Just be sure to pick a pair that's long enough for you and tight in the appropiate places.