BSF hit up Mercedes Benz Fashion and as the NY correspondent for theYBF.com I got a backstage pass to see what Nicole Miller has in store for Fall 2011.
I even got up close and personal with the front row which included Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, June Ambrose, Teri Agins and Robin Givhan.
The color palette was typical of NYC - black, gray, cream, and a pop of blue and red. The collection was tailored, fitted, and featured geometric shapes, chunky sweaters, belted tops.
And best of all, there was actually color on the catwalk! There were 4 black models including Ajak Deng, Sigail Currie, Rose Cordero, and Hereith Paul.
The collection was made for life in the Big Apple. Work worthy but perfect for a party!
Here are more pics from the show!
Check out theYBF.com video below and see the original post.
There's no question that Michelle Obama has brought fashion and style back to the White House. Not since Jackie O has a First Lady captured the attention of the public and designers alike. With her everyday picks from J Crew and Talbots to her high fashion choices by Alexander McQueen and Thakoon, Obama has quickly become an icon whose every stylish move makes a fashion statement.
A new book by journalist Kate Beck discusses not only Obama's fashion choices but also the meaning behind them in her new book, "Everyday Icon". Beck was featured on the Today Show today. See video below:
This isn't the first book tackling the impact that Michelle Obama has had on the fashion world. Here are a few other books highlighting her personal style:
It's great that the world has taken notice of the obvious...Mrs Obama is beautiful, stylish, and smart, and with such a powerful presence, surely fashion won't be all that she is remembered for.
Taylor Swift, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Vince Hudson, Ellen DeGeneres, Drew Barrymore, Dania Ramirez and Queen Latifah Photo By Jeff Vespa/Getty Images For COVERGIRL
Cover Girl celebrated its 50th anniversary in LA this past Thursday with past and present Cover Girls, including Queen Latifah, who has her own cosmetics line for women of color called the Queen Collection. Dominican actress Dania Ramirez and Mexican actress Ana de la Reguera were also in attendance.
Esi Eggleston Bracey, vice president of global cosmetics at Cover Girl owner Procter & Gamble Co., told WWD that she couldn’t choose a favorite Cover Girl spokesmodel, saying:
“I love all of our Cover Girls, and, really sincerely, they all bring something special and different to the brand.”
Cover Girl has had a number of black and latina models land campaigns, which has had a boost as a result of their collaboration with America's Next Top Model. We love that they embrace women of all shades in their products and in their ad campaigns. Check out some of the ads below:
Rihanna has joined the never-ending list of celebrity fragrances to hit the market with the impending launch of her scent 'Reb’l Fleur'. The name comes from one given to her by her grandmother in Barbados.
“Over the years, I layered many different scents to get something that was truly my own,” she says. “But I wanted…something that said ‘Rihanna was here.’ Something delicious and special, a fragrance with subtle hints that linger and leave a sexy memory.”
The bottle is sure to capture the attention of every shoe lover's heart as it is designed to resemble a high heel and the scent has hints of tuberose, violet, hibiscus, and coconut water - which is exactly how we think an island girl would smell!
Reb’l Fleur will sell for $49 and hits department stores in February.
BSF is loving the new look of Lacoste's “Un Peu d’Air Sur Terre” ad campaign featuring one of our fav models Liya Kebede. The company known for its polos has gone glam by pairing the preppy piece with formal wear.
“We’re showing that you can be chic in a different way, not just when you are dressed up for a party or for the office,” explained Christophe Chenut, chief executive officer of Lacoste SA.
Somehow we think Liya is the only one who could actually pull this look off. Expect to see the ads everywhere when the $66 million dollar campaign kicks off worldwide next month.
Hollywood's awards season is upon us and what better way to kick it off than with the Golden Globes, a fav amongst actors and their fans. BSF Faves, Halle Berry and Idris Elba lead the nominees which include regulars like Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Johnny Depp. New comers include Colombian bombshell Sofia Vergara from Modern Family.
Halle Berry was nominated for Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal as a stripper with multiple personalities. (I haven't seen the film but a little annoyed that she gotta be a sexpot to get nominated again. Lets hope that's the least important characteristic of hers in this role.) Still glad to see that she still got it after her Oscar win in 2002 for Monster's Ball.
Idris Elba was nominated for Best Performance By An Actor In A Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television for his role on Luther, a six-part, psychological crime thriller that aired on BBC America. Elba was also Associate Producer on the project.
The high glam/low key dinner and awards celebration which will be presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and broadcast nationwide live on NBC, Sunday, January 16, 2011 from 5:00-8:00 (PST)/8:00-11:00 (EST) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
For more the latest updates on the official website of the 68th Annual Golden Globes.
Puerto Rican born Joan Smalls has landed a campaign with Estee Lauder according to Vogue. The 22 yr old who recently walked over 40 shows during her debut season, has made quite an impression on the fashion community this past year.
Smalls joins the likes of Liya Kebede who was named a face of Lauder back in 2003, as well as others namely Gwenyth Paltrow and Carolyn Murphy.
“When I found out,” says Smalls, “I was in my hotel room in Milan during Fashion Week. I started jumping on the bed like a little girl. The hardest part was keeping it secret—even from my parents.”
“Obviously she’s beautiful,” says Aerin Lauder, senior vice president and creative director for the brand, “but she’s confident, happy, elegant, well-spoken, and grown-up—and it really comes through in her pictures. When we pick someone to represent the brand, it’s about her personality, too. It’s not just the face. You find yourself not being intimidated by her beauty, but drawn in by her warmth.”
Naughty By Nature Backstage after their performance
Hip Hop legends graced the stage of The Schimmel Center for the Arts in NYC on November 22nd for the live taping of a groundbreaking new urban lifestyle show called Back In the Mix. Naughty By Nature reunited and performed on stage as did Erick Sermon and Parrish of the legendary duo EMPD and Dres from Black Sheep. DJ Jam Master J'son, son of the late DJ Jam Master Jay was also in the house. The show was hosted by BET and BBC News coresspondant Sharon Carpentar and the co founder of All Hip Hop Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur.
The Hip Hop 101 segment will explore the history and the first hand accounts of the years past as told by the legends and those who bore witness to the events that have shaped the culture, the music and the legacy of hip hop.
Killer stillettos lined up in a row. Styling by Saffiyah and Valerie of My Girlfriends Closet Boutique
As the host of the Hip Hop 101 segment, I had the pleasure and honor of conducting backstage interviews with all of the performers. I also interviewed Ralph McDaniels from Video Music Box, Hakim Green from Channel Live and DJ Chuck Chillout a few days earlier at the Source Magazine offices.
EPMD and Naughty By Nature shared stories of how childhood friends joined forces to form world reknowned groups. Chuck Chillout explained how the MC changed the DJ game and what it meant to move the crowd, long before music went digital. Uncle Ralph gave young rap artists a platform long before MTv debuted "Yo! MTV Raps," when NY school kids rushed home to see what was going to be on Video Music Box.
Dres from Black Sheep recounted a life changing circumstance that led to the inspiration for his 1992 smash hit "The Choice Is Yours". And Hakim Green schooled me on conscience rap and who really controls the rap game. From the street corner to the corner office - there are so many elements that have affected the evolution and commercialization of the hip hop culture and rap music on a whole.
Back in the Mix will explore all elements and creativity of hip-hop culture. The show will capture the energy that transformed hip-hop from a local movement out of the South Bronx to a world-wide multi-billion dollar industry. It will captivate audiences old and new alike by bridging Hip Hop’s past with what’s happening today. Back in the Mix will be a celebration of hip-hop while educating a larger popular culture that has embraced it.
For more info on Back in the Mix stay tuned to BSF or visit Vmix.tv.
If you hear the name of the West African country of Sierra Leone and instantly think of Kanye's lyrics from 'Diamonds' , you are not alone. Images of child soldiers and the war torn country have been depicted in not only songs but in movies like Leonardo DiCaprio's "Blood Diamond" and books like A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. The struggles that they have had over the years are the only associations many in the international community have with the nation. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and ambassadors of the country are aware of this and they are on a mission to change this perception.
BSF was honored to be in attendance at the 50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone event held November 21st, 2010 at an exclusive reception at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York City. Famed Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning Actor Jeffrey Wright was introduced as the Sierra Leone "Peace by Piece" Ambassador and the premiere of the compelling documentary Sierra Leone: Road to Change, produced by M3 Films was screened at the theatre as well.
The intimate event, hosted by award-winning journalist and political commentator, Jeff Johnson, was sponsored by VeeV and included more than 100 international key influencers, such as Ambassadors to Sierra Leone and the UN, Mos Def, and Best-Selling AuthorIshmael Beah (A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier). There were also performances by Sierra Leone's most prolific Hip Hop group Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and by R&B singer/songwriter Carolyn Malachi.
The highlight was hearing Wright recount stories and memories of his 14+ trips to the country. In a melodic love letter to the country he talked about about the food, the people, and the countryside and the reasons he keeps going back. It was his affinity and dedication to the country that led him to the Peace by Peace campaign.
Those in attendance and others have pledged to join Jeffrey Wright, to serve as host committee members on behalf of the "Peace by Piece" campaign and to spread Sierra Leone's good news to at least 50 people in honor of their "50 for 50" campaign and to help attract long-term investors and sponsorship for the momentous occasion. The theme of the celebration is "50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone." April 27, 2011, will mark fifty years of independence from British rule.
For more information about Sierra Leone and its 50th anniversary celebrations, visit www.sierraleoneat50.gov.sl
Last night BSF attended the launch of Mizani's Supreme Oil in New York City's West Village. The event was great and featured live styling demonstrations in addition to the cocktails and yummy hors d'oeuvres. The models that were featured hair types that ranged from the naturally curly to bone straight.
The Supreme Oil is a 99% naturally-derived formula with 8 natural oils (sesame, jojoba, almond, avocado, apricot, olive fruit, sunflower and argan oils) that is silicone, mineral oil and paraben-free. Throughout the event, there were question and answer sessions and the opportunity to get up close and personal with the models and stylists to get their take as well. Representatives even massaged the oil into our hands so we could feel how light and smooth it was. The extra perk? The scent is amazing!
Jade sports a natural twist out fro with straightened sides.
I chatted with Jade, the model that had the curliest hair and sported a fly twist-out. As a curly girl myself, I had a number of questions I wanted to ask her. During the demos she had the sides of her hair flat ironed. I wondered if the oil weighed down the hair that had been straightened. I find that oil on my hair makes it fall flat and leaves me with zero body. Jade assured me that the oil was light enough to use and didn't compromise volume and movement. I touched her locks and admit the hair did not feel limp or greasy. The curly hair was soft and had just the right amount of sheen.
Of course everyone has a different type of hair so, I will be testing out the samples I received and reporting back my personal experience to BSF. One cool thing about Mizani is their dedication to finding the right balance (Mizani means "Balance"in Swalhili) for any hair type - especially natural hair. Visit their website for a quick curl assessment and see what products from their collection suit you best. Mizani is sold only in professional salons, so locate the one near you via their salon locator at Mizani USA.
The Mizani Natural Curl Key. I'm Type V - what type are you?
