Likes.

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Yum,  Georgetown Cupcakes wishspecialevents.com

Model Gaye McDonald i.models.com

Giuseppe Zanotti leopard wedge booties intheircloset.com

Jewelry Designer Monique Pean Gives Back With Style

photo credit: zimbio.com

Here's a lil' somethin' somethin' for all of my jewelry lovers. Black jewelry designer on the rise, Monique Pean, is the business. This Haitian-American, D.C. native jumped into jewelry design after a three-year career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. After taking fashion design courses while working on Wall Street, she launched her jewelry line, Monique Pean Fine Jewelry, in 2006 (check out her website: www.moniquepean.com). Her enticing designs are inspired from her travels to alluring countries such as Russia, Haiti, Bali, and Egypt among others. The diverse materials used in manufacturing her jewelry consist of recycled metals, mined gems, and other eco-friendly materials. It's likely that you've seen people like Michelle Obama, and  actress Melissa George wearing her heart-stopping pieces. (Blashionista.com says that Monique Pean is one of Michelle Obama's favorite jewelry designers!) She's also been named one of Oprah's Top 10 Women on the Rise on oprah.com. According to essence.com, a percentage of her jewelry sales provide clean drinking water and sanitation to those in need which stems from her working with the non-profit organization, Charity: Water. Her designs led her to be chosen as one of the 2009 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners where she was not only awarded $50,000 towards her business, but received Michael Kowalski (CEO of Tiffany & Co) as a mentor as well. (I see you girl!) As if she wasn't already the bomb, she also founded The Vanessa Pean Foundation (dedicated to her 16 year old sister who died in a car accident, according to oprah.com) to provide scholarships for the underprivileged in Haiti and is collaborating with Management Leadership for Tomorrow and Yale School of Management to provide leadership opportunities in the corporate world for minorities according to www.moniquepean.com. I don't know about you, but I admire a person who can give back with style. Here's a sneak peak of her Spring/Summer 2011 Collection: 

photo credit: ecouterre.com

photo credit: zimbio.com

photo credit: vogue.com

Givhan's Leaving the Post!

Photo Credit: www.zimbio.com

Robin Givhan at the Door.ri Spring 2011 fashion show at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week

Robin Givhan is leaving her position at The Washington Post. I repeat, Robin Givhan is leaving her position at The Washington Post (...tear). Robin Givhan, 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism, former Fashion Editor for The Washington Post, famed fashion critic, and my idol for the past few years will be continuing her career at Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Givhan has been appluaded for her ability to turn criticizing  wardrobes into a work of art according to stylelite.com. Ms. Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of Newsweek and leader of the joint venture between Newsweek and The Daily Beast, has a new notion for the magazine. According to an article on wwd.com, Brown feels as though Givhan's fashion savvy alongside her distinguished writing skills will make the perfect addition to Newsweek and The Daily Beast, and to her plan for innovation. Robin Givhan, although poignant to leave The Washington Post, is ready for change and strongly agrees with the direction that Tina Brown is taking the magazine. According to an article in Fashionologie http://www.fashionologie.com/ Givhan will begin her position as style and culture correspondant of Newsweek and The Daily Beast on January 10, 2011.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

How will you cope with the cold weather? No need to freeze while trying to stay fashionable; and no need to look frumpy while trying to stay warm. I've got just the thing for you (don't I always?). For starters, the over-sized vintage sweater is back; and you'll be sorry if you miss out on this no-fuss look. Look for it in prints: bold plaid, polkda dot, animal, stripes, geometric shapes; or maybe a simple-solid colored sweater is just right for you. It looks "ok" with jeans, but try pairing it with a skirt, tights, and booties. If it's long enough, rock it as a sweater dress. The thrift store is the best place to find this trend (I kid you not). If you have been so inclined to purchase this piece for over $10 at a store other than a thrift store, let me be the first to tell you that you made a huge mistake; return it...now. Last Friday, after taking my last final exam of the semester, I thought it was about time to indulge myself and commence in a little thrifting. I was ecstatic to see all of the toasty, mod sweaters that were put on the floor for the season. And for only $5? Jackpot! Let it be known that I knew I had more than a few sweaters in storage from last year, but I couldn't resist! Sweaters of different prints, colors, and patterns for only $5? You've got to be crazy to pass up an offer like that. Agree to never spend $40+ on an over-sized sweater again? Cool.

[Here are some of the sweaters I got from the thrift store...$5 each. Yea I know I told you already, just trying to rub it in]

 We can't forget about the chunky sweater-scarf. Good-bye to scarves with a sole purpose to make a fashion statement. Don’t lie; you know that “oh so fashionable” scarf you bought last year left you with many a cold. It's my favorite grab-n-go accessory thus far. A chunky sweater-scarf paired with your over-sized sweater is a fun and cozy cold-weather look to try out this season. I would opt for this piece in deep hues: midnight black, charcoal, cinammon-brown, and maybe a forest green (although I must say I could not part from the mustard-colored chunky scarf that I found at Zara). It's kind of funny that my scarves cost more than my sweaters. But if a sweater is that cheap the more you have to spend on accessories.  Happy thrifting (and holidays of course)! Keep snug and stylish.

[$35 @ Urban Outfitters]

[$30 @ Zara]

Photo Credit: (Top 3 pictures; from left to right)

1. Model Chanel showing off a sweaterdress from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall/Winter 2010 Collection stylehopblog
2.A chunky scarf shown from Tracy Reese's Fall/Winter 2010 Collection black voices on style
3. Sweater ensemble from Diane Von Sternberg's Fall/Winter 2010 Collection gielle blog

Style Watch

Howard University students share their style with colormeBLACK

Javan Bowden, freshman, music business major describes his style as "clean cut GQ"

What he's wearing: Wool blazer with velvet lapells from Zara, fuschia colored slacks, and black oxfords from Zara

JaMor Johnson, sophomore,  marketing major says "I like to dress up because I like to look fly."
What he's wearing: Vintage blazer, wool knitted vest, striped longsleeve shirt, slim fitting jeans, slippers from Aldo

Dominique Stanley, freshman, fashion merchandising major's style is inspired by the menswear trend.

What she's wearing: Black blazer from thrift store, bow-tie from Nordstrom, dolce vita shirt, trousers from thrift store, clutch from Forever 21

An Exposé of Fashion!

 How did I spend my weekend? Hmm...sleeping, being (somewhat) productive, and attending CW50's 2010 DC Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle (FBL) Expo of course! I was fortunate enough to get a press pass for the event. I didn't even know about the event until beauty columnist for Jet Magazine and CEO of Celena Gill Lifestyle Consulting, Celena Gill mentioned it to me. It's funny how things work out; I was interviewing her over the phone for my latest "Spotlight On" section for the Life & Style section in the The Hilltop Newspaper and we started talking about the fashion industry and ways to get involved in the industry in DC. Not only did she tell me about this event, but also about an organization in DC called the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce that I am definetely working on becoming a member of (and you should too).

So anyways, the FBL Expo was the bomb! Nigel Barker, famed fashion photographer and judge on America's Next Top Model, hosted the event. I'm sure you all are familiar with him (if you're not... you should be). The event consisted of fashion shows (every hour, on the hour), make-up artists, hair boutiques, designer vendors, fashion seminars, givewaways and soo much more. The first 500 people in the door got free make-overs (I was one of the first 500, but that line for a free make-over was entirely too long). There was even a consigment store vendor that I of course had to check out. I bought this old-school, navy blue trench coat from there that I can't wait to wear! Guess how much I paid for it? $10! Celena Gill lead a fashion seminar entitled "Fashion Forward," at the event where she talked about the latest trends for the Fall and how to wear them. She did a segment on dressing for your personality where she picked volunteers from the audience (one being yours truly), and had the audience guess their age, occupation, and other demographics to see if they were dressing accordingly. The audience's responses were hilarious! You should've been there, make sure to check it out next year!

Fashion photographer, Nigel Barker and fashion model, Katie Rost welcomed guests.

The first fashion show of the day featured a collection by Natalia Sanz.

Fashion designer Kenny Flanagan of Kas Collection showed off his latest Menswear Collection.

Here are some pics of how the event was setup (clearly I'm not the best photographer).

Official :-)

FashIzBlack

Wow, it's been about a month since I've posted something on here. I haven't been neglecting you! So much has been going on. For starters I was appointed Life and Style Editor of The Hilltop, Howard University's Newspaper, started by Zora Neal Hurston in 1924 (yay me!) Be sure to check out my section at The Hilltop Online. Other than that I've been ridiculously busy with school. I need a break!

Besides that, guess what? I have something amazing for you to add to your reading list. Three words; Fash Iz Black. It's an online magazine focused on black ... high ... fashion !! Can you believe it? I couldn't stop reading it once my friend introduced me to it a couple weeks back. Its a magazine based in France that was started in 2008. Most of the issues are in French, but the September/October 2010 issue is in English (Thank God! I might have to learn French just to keep up with this mag, it's hot!) In this issue, Solange Knowles wow's readers in a 16-page spread wearing pieces designed by Alexander Wang, Ingrid Vlasov, and Tina Kalivas among others. With pieces featuring bold prints, and a kaleidioscope of colors, this mag is bound to catch your attention. Here's the website: FashIzBlack. As much as I would love to go on and on about how incredible this magazine is, I have to run to class! Only 10 minutes until ... ah!

Photo Credit:
Fash Iz Black

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Simple, Unique Elegance

Powerful, stylish, black. One of my good friends posted this picture on his blog: royalfancy (check it out!) It left me speechless (and I am not exaggerating). Seriously, I still have butterflies in my stomach from looking at it. It is absolutely gorgeous. To me, it's a powerful interpretation of black culture, beauty, and above all...style. The text is entirely too small to read, but I did strain my eyes well enough to get two names out of it: Morgane Le Fay and Badgley Mischka. I of course googled their names seconds after seeing this enthralling piece of art. They are both couture designers (was I supposed to know this? Oops.). I couldn't believe that I had never heard of either of them before; their pieces are amazing! Morgane Le Fay is a New York based fashion house, on their website (morganlefay.com for those of you who are interested), they describe a "Morgane Le Fay  woman" as "mysterious, confident, [and] feminine." Definetely some  of the many attributes that this portrait econompasses. Badgley Mischka is a combination of designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka who have been named one of the top 10 designers in America by Vogue. I'm excited to add two more phenomenal designers to my list, but disappointed that I still don't know where this picture came from! I've been searching everywhere and still can't figure it out. If any of you are fortunate enough to find out, you know who to tell!

Photo credit: hollyannpoetry

The "it" bag of the season?

Looking for the perfect bag to start the season off right? Look no further; and boyyy are you in for a treat. Want to know what bag will have people turnin' heads and breakin' necks (maybe that was a little much)? Nope, it's not a bag by Louis, Gucci, Prada, or Versace. It's the oh so  classy flashy Michelle Obama bag! It's a little risk-ay if I do say so myself. Mrs. Obama wearing pearls, a red, polka-dot body suit, fishnets and doing the hula-hoop? Now that's at trip (better yet, a journey). I'd say it's....erm ---- chic. I had a good laugh when I saw this on display at this adorable store called Nomad that my bestie and I stumbled upon while walking through Porter Square. (Oh, and no, this is definitely not the "it" bag of the season for those of you who didn't catch on...ha) This is definitely not you're average clothing store. It was like I was walking into an old-fashioned Mexican home with an explosion of colors filled with Mexican and African American cultural pieces (and I'm not just talking about clothes). There was an overabundance of jewelry, paintings, books, rugs, bags, statues, mirrors, AND vintage clothing (I'm sure I left a few things out, there was just so much stuff!). I'm pretty sure a lot of it was hand-made; which would explain some of the ridiculous prices. My bad for not taking pictures of the clothes, there was just so much stuff! If you're thinking about going to Boston anytime soon, be sure to check it out!

The September Issue

The September Issue of Vogue is FINALLY here! Which starlet did Anna Wintour choose to grace the cover of the magazine's most important issue of the year? None other than a woman whose presence screams classy, sophisticated, and stylish; Ms. Halle Berry. She wow's vogue readers in her 8-page spread, wearing deep-hued pieces by Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Escada; simple elegance. Hold up...an African American woman on the cover of Vogue's September issue? This hasn't happened since Naomi Campbell embellished Vogue's cover in September of 1989! I remember watching "The September Issue," a while back (a documentary filmed by R.J. Cutler that gives viewers the ins and outs of putting together the Septemeber Issue of Vogue). There was a point in the documentary where Anna Wintour was going through a stack of previous Septemeber issues of Vogue and came across the one with Naomi Campbell on the cover. She looked at it and mumbled, "That was controversial, putting a black girl on the September cover of Vogue. I remember that was my first one that was considered questionable." Interesting....and that was only 21 years ago. Yeah, you read correctly, only 21 years ago. Of course we've seen a handful of  African Americans on the cover of previous issues of vogue; like Beverly Johnson (the FIRST black model to appear on the cover of Vogue [1974]), Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, and Michele Obama... just to name a few; but an African American woman on the cover of Vogue's September issue? This is huge! (and unfortunately, extremely rare)  In the letter from the editor,  Anna Wintour speaks on the topic of adversity and the different ways that Vogue has dealt with it; CFDA/Vogue's 7th on Sale for HIV and AIDS, CFDA/Vogue's Fashion Fund after 9/11, and Fashion Night Out  to cope with the economic downfall. She explains how Halle Berry was the perfect addition to this issue because she knows how to deal with adversity, "She has shown grace in the good times and grace under fire in the bad. If that's not how to tackle adversity, I don't know what is." (Anna Wintour, Vogue, September 2010) If you don't have this issue yet, I strongly encourage you to get it...now!

Photo Credit: Vogue

Kickin it Old School

My bad for not posting in a while. I've been doing things like moving boxes, lifting TVs, packing crates (okay okay I lied, I watched other people do it, but at least I helped push the crate). No, I do not work for a moving company, I was helping out with Howard University's freshman move-in! Welcome Class of 2014! It's great to be back at school, but moving in freshman is definitely not one of the highlights of being here (I clearly only did it because I couldn't wait to come back to school to see everyone, and they do annoying things like charge us for housing if we don't help out that week). But anyways...I'm glad it's over. Oh, and in case you didn't know, HU is by far the best hbcu (and has the best dressed students, but that's a given). I was actually on facebook the other day and saw that someone posted a bunch of vintage photos of Howard University that were in an issue of Life Magazine from 1946! I found some more  pictures from the mag online and had to share. This just proves that Howard University students have always been and will continue to be fly (don't hate).

The lovely ladies (or should I say, fashionistas) of HU watching their fellow bisons play football. Look at that fur scarf, très chic!

Boy you are too fly with your bow tie! Look familiar? http://www.waynetippetts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/01kanya__09wtbwp.jpg It's cool that there are always classic pieces that are either consistently trendy, or are repeated as a trend in the future.

 I really like the look that the girl on the right is rockin'...very chanel-esque.

This lace dress is gorgeous, the velvet bow on the back of the dress is the perfect touch!

Girl, you better go head with that hat! Howard's homecoming is always something to talk about.

Photo Credit: Life Magazine,

                               Black History Album

His ...or hers?

My favorite part of summer in high school was always back to school shopping. Vacations were fun, but shopping was where it was at. One year I actually thought to ask my parents if instead of taking me with them on the family trip to the Bahamas, if they would give me the money that they would’ve spent on me so that I could go shopping (I wasn’t lying about that addiction)…but me and my parents think a little differently, so I decided it wasn’t the best idea. I’m still always excited to see what new trends will be taking over to encompass that fresh Fall look. To tell you the truth, I’m not a super trendy person, I usually just wear what I like; but there are always a few trends that catch my eye; and it’s cool to see how different designers/stores incorporate trends in their lines. One of my favorite trends of Fall 2010 is masculine shoes. Last year at this time I was all about finding the perfect riding boot (which I did, thanks to Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale!) This year I’m dying for some rough, combat style- lace up boots. Yeah boys, you aren't the only ones who can pull them off, we rock them hard...and look hotter in them too. Pair these with printed leggings, a graphic tee, and a leather jacket and you'll be stylin. Next time you're in H&M pick up a pair of their acid washed "treggings" ($20). They're a little thicker than leggings and they're soo comfy; perfect for Fall weather and great to wear with these boots. The other masculine shoe that we're trading our heels in for this fall (rewind, did I say trading? never that ... more like adding to the collection) are oxfords! I personally would wear these with a cuffed boyfriend jean (like the ones shown above...try Gap's boyfriend jeans ($69.50)) and a blazer with structured shoulders or maybe with a pair of high waisted floral printed shorts with a button up. Oxfords are perfect for toning down a girly outfit. So, now that we can clearly wear guys' shoes better than they can (not surprised), what should they resort to wearing? Before you know it we'll be seeing them in heels; just kidding ... I hope.

Photo Credit:
media cleveland

right on mag
denim therapy
style uncut

"Oh yeah, that's right, I'm doing me..."

A wise woman once said: 

        "Never question what you know in your heart, and don’t be afraid to follow your passions. It is so important to have a career that you enjoy and are invested in. Have passion and stay true to yourself "

This was said by, none other than, one of the most (I wouldn't be surprised if she is the most...) thriving black designers today; Ms. Tracy Reese. [quote from the Top Blacks in Fashion interview by Black Enterprise] I think one of the major problems our generation is facing today (especially me) is whether to follow our passion and do what we want in life, or take the economical route. To tell you the truth I was just reading about this in cosmo's august issue the other day. (It was the "Move your life forward - now!" article for all you cosmo readers out there) Not going to lie, I just recently figured out what I really wanted to do with my life (but really...how are we supposed to know what we want to do for the rest of our lives at 20 years old?! I know there are some people who've known what they've wanted to do their entire life or have somehow found "their calling," but for the rest of us...it's hard work!) Lowkey, I feel like I kind of knew what I wanted to do, it was just a matter of me actually doing it rather than taking classes in an area that I knew would easily get me a decent job...even if I didn't really like it. I mean, it doesn't hurt to have a Plan B (just sayin) but you'll never know what could've, shoul'dve, would've happened if you did what you wanted from the jump. To be honest, I think you're only going to be the bomb at something that you love doing. Forreal though, do you think Tracy Reese would've made a kickass lawyer if she didn't really like it and always dreamed of being a fashion designer? (I know that she's a powerful woman...but for some reason I just couldn't have seen it happening...) She's phenomenal at what she does because she loves it; and I'm pretty happy that she does because I truly admire her pieces! I can't get enough of the patterns, bright hues, and girly style that are consistent throughout all of her collections. Her peices have been seen on a countless number of people - from celebrities to political figures; yup that's right, Michelle Obama preferred that she wear a dress by Tracy Reese during a photoshoot for People Magazine. 

Here are some looks from her Fall 2010 Collection. I am so serious when I say that I'm going to try and save to buy something from this collection. I loved just about everything! That glossy black funnel jacket in the first picture will be mine...someday. 

Photo credit:
Picture of Tracy Reese:http://designstoinfinity.blogspot.com/
Fall 2010 Collection: http://www.tracyreese.com/c-54-fall-2010.aspx]

NYC!!

Sooo this doesn't really have anything to do with fashion, but I still figured I'd share it. I went to NYC for an intern meeting and had soo much fun! I was kinda upset that it was raining the only night that we were there, but we made it work. I'm sure you all have been to NYC before (probably a couple times) but this was my first time actually walking around in the city! The only other times I've been to NYC was to catch a boat for a cruise and wait for a train so I had no time to walk around and sightsee. I'm definetely making a trip back this summer; i need to see more! Our time was limited since we had to be up by 7 for a meeting. I love NYC but the taxi drivers are so rude! Seriously, me and my friends stopped about 5 taxis to drive us to penn station and they all shook their heads, said "no" and drove away! We got so frustrated with them and decided to try and walk there. I finally asked this random man how far we were and he walked us to the subway (there was no way in hell we were going to make it in time if we walked!) Thank GOD for that man! We ended up getting to penn station at 4:56 and our train was leaving at 5. Ahh, stress! Anyways, here are just a few pics from the trip! They're pretty random ha.


LOL. This guy cracked me up; walking around with his sign that read "HELP! I need money for weed! Really though?

 "Welcome to the goodburger home of the goodburger can I take yo ooorrderrrr?"

Right in front of my hotel was this 5 story Forever 21!! I'm not in love with the store, but I still regret not going in! For those of you who haven't been there in a while... they put a huge screen there too that you can see yourself in! (Towards the right of the pic) Lol, maybe I'm a dork, but I thought it was cool.

View from the hotel! Yeah, all those little dots in the 1st pic are people. I'm pretty sure it was around 1am...