Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Selita Ebanks

Selita Ebanks attends The Cinema Society and Sony Cierge screening of 'The Wackness' on June 25, 2008 at AMC Loews 19th Street in New York.
Selita Ebanks has me wanting to wear leather for the first time since 1992. This look is effortlessly stylish without all the pretension. And now can we focus on the clutch? If anyone knows who makes it let us all know. The Givenchy heels she has on are a wardrobe must but I'm guessing most of us can't fathom spending $900 plus on them so check out the Steve Madden copies below...

Steal Selita's Style...


Blazer: Modern Tux Jacket, $110, www.topshop.com
Skirt: Silk Raw Hem Leather Mini (shown without hem), www.nexternal.com Heels: Ginn, $199.95, www.stevenmadden.com
Necklace: 40 Multi Bead Cord Necklace, $8, www.wetseal.com
Clutch: Danni Pomegrante Clutch, $36, www.amiciaccessories.com
Top: Cotton Seamless Knit Camisole, $48, www.maxstudio.com

This look requires maximum attitude but minimum styling effort. Let the leather skirt and the Givenchy Strappy Open Toe Ankle Bootie knock-offs do all the talking whilst the laid back cool of the tuxedo blazer and the statement bag add the finishing touches. Your probably wondering where you could pull off such a look, but a house party or cocktail hour on a rooftop bar are the perfect venues to debut your ultra cool side. Have fun!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Introducing ShopRuche.com...

Above: Floral Flutter Shirt, $24.99 and Navy Bow High Waisted Skirt, $27.99 all available at www.shopruche.com
Left to right: A Chillier Summer Sweater Dress, $34.99; Navy Bubble Corset Dress, $19.99; Purple Voile Tunic Top, $19.99; High Waisted Black Skirt, $29.99 all available www.shopruche.com
Left to right: Renew the Oldies Blouse, $26.99; Red Riding Hood Button Skirt. $20.99; Mustard Doc Bag, $34.99 all available www.shopruche.com

Welcome to Ruche - the modern women's boutique with a vintage touch. If you like your clothes unique but reasonably priced, Ruche has so many of this season's hottest looks for you. My favorite items so far are their Floral Flutter Shirt (shown in the first photo) and their Heart Charm Necklaces but if you have a more ecelectic taste, Ruche has you covered. Use the code "summer" to get a 10% discount through August. If you need further convincing, check out photos from their Lookbook in the sideshow below...

Friday, July 25, 2008

Style Flashback: Denise Nicholas

I first saw Denise Nicholas when I was just six-years-old in the movie A Piece of the Action alongside Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. I thought she was so beautiful and wanted to dress like her and be just as sassy! About a month ago I caught the same movie on BET J and was blown away all over again by her elegance. Nicholas began her television acting career in 1968 but most of you will remember her as Liz McIntyre on the TV show Room 222 (for which she received two Golden Globe nominations) or as Harriet DeLong in In the Heat of the Night. Nicholas wrote six episodes of the dramatic show, In the Heat of the Night and thus began her second career as a writer. When that show was cancelled, she enrolled in the graduate Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California proving beauty and brains can coexist. Her first novel, Freshwater Road, was published in 2005 to critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best books of 2005 by The Washington Post, The Detroit Free Press, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Newsday and The Chicago Tribune. Nicholas is also recognised as a social activist who was involved in the American Civil Rights Movement. These days Nicholas continues to write and resides in Southern California.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Get it Shorty!

Halle Berry pictured outside of her beach front home in Malibu, California on July 15, 2008.
Beyonce arrives at Nice Airport on May 19 2006 Cannes, France.
Brandy attends the LG and Jermaine Dupris Fusic Party for BET June 27, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.
Julissa attends AllHipHop.Com's Relaunch Celebrity Bash at the Newspace August 03, 2006 in New York City.

Don't let mini skirts have all the fun. Another way to let your legs breath is to don a bare of thigh skimming shorts. Wear them for a shopping trip, to travel or even on the red carpet (ok, maybe a party since most of us aren't famous). The best thing is, if you get the right pair of shorts they can take you seamlessy from day to night. Look to the ladies above for proof postive that shorts are the way forward!

My Picks!

Top: Bow Tie Linen Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Button Tab Linen Short, $44, www.topshop.com; Amber Pleated Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com
Middle: Sasha Gauze Short, $26.50, www.delias.com; The Banded Short, $19.50, www.alloy.com; Twill Matalot Short, $56, www.topshop.com
Bottom: Chino 3" Short, $39.50, www.jcrew.com; Belted Twill Shorts, $15, www.oldnavy.com; Cotton Twill Shorts by Vince, $145, www.net-a-porter.com

Shorts are perfect for day AND night. Wear flips flops for daytime chic (Halle and Beyonce) then switch to heels for evening glam (Julissa and Brandy). I personally love to wear shorts with crisp, sleeveless shirts i n the summer - especially shirts with "puff sleeves". If you don't have a washboard stomach like myself, my I advise you to invest in shorts with a waist. Low-rise shorts are not our friends!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bernos.Org

Above & Below: Models wearing the Bernos range of t-shirts available at www.bernos.org.
Now that summer is in full swing I never seem to have enough tees. If you're anything like me, even your t-shirts have to make a fashion statement. Enter Bernos. Bernos is an innovative clothing company that creates high-quality, eye-catching t-shirts featuring African themes. The word "Bernos" is taken from an Amharic word referring to a one-piece cloak. The heavy wool “bernoose” was standard dress for Arabs who immigrated to North Africa and many in Northwest Africa wear variations of the original design today.

I believe the Bernos founders all hail from Ethopia, hence the African-influenced designs. On average, t-shirts cost just $20. Visit www.bernos.org to browse their full range of t-shirts for women and men.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland attends the World Premiere of 'Sex And The City' held at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 12, 2008 in London, England.
Kelly Rowland looked stunning in this purple dress by Donna Karen at the London premiere of Sex and the City. Everything about the dress is perfect from the length to the color. Though her hair is looking a little "Cleopatra-ish", I think she looked better than the stars of the movie! Scroll down to the next post to see how you can copy this chic look.

Steal Kelly's Style

Above: Stretch Satin Gathered Bow Dress, $180, www.oasis-stores.com
Earrings: Sterling Silver Genuine Marcasite Drop Circle Earrings, $19.99, www.target.com
Clutch: Julie Baby CRIC Emboss, $250, www.loreleinyc.com
Heels: Vince Camuto Nora T Strap Sandal, $129.95, www.endless.com

I've always preferred sliver accessories to gold - they instantly modernise an outfit! These accessories are not cheap, but you buy them once and wear them for a lifetime. For more affordable items check out www.oohboutique.com or www.target.com. As for the Oasis dress, it actually comes in two other colors... jewel green and classic black. The original dress that Kelly is wearing is approximately $2000 by Donna Karen.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I'm in London!

Hi ladies,

Just dropping in to say I'm in London on vacation for the next two weeks. I haven't had much access to the internet (too busy making the rounds to my favorite British stores) but I'll be updating early next week. My next stop is Topshop - no visit to London is complete without a trip to the infamous Topshop.

Cheery-o chaps!

Sylvia

Thursday, July 3, 2008

I Like HIS Style!

Ebony Magazine is giving thanks to all those brothas that know how to make us swoon. Effortlessly swagger is innate. It cannot made. And if you don't believe me take a look the four men pictured (four other covers are avialable). Each one has made a mark in our community and the world, for not only being talented, but for being an unapologetic individual. Be sure to grab a copy, or two, this coming Tuesday:

For the first time ever, Ebony magazine presents not one, not two, but eight quintessential covers to celebrate the 25 coolest Black men of all time. Jay-Z, Barack Obama, Prince, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali and Billy Dee Williams take center stage as they personify Black cool on the covers of this historic collector’s edition. From their sleek, debonair styles to their smooth-as-silk personas, these magnificent Black men have conveyed, captured, and conquered the quintessence of cool while making it appear effortless.

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photos...