Shopping in ATL 2: Downtown Decatur

" Reporting live from Atlanta, Georgia/Decatur where its GREATER…" Lloyd (feat Lil Wayne), 'You'

Hey Y'all,
So yesterday, off of the recommendation of one of my fabulous readers (Thanks Tyees!), I hopped down to downtown Decatur...


...in search of shopping booty. The area is totally cute, and I’d recommend going there if you ever visit ATL. There are restaurants galore, and decent shopping. I visited every boutique in the area...and think that the following places are worthy of checking out.
Go to Boogaloos (246 West Ponce de Leon Avenue; www.boogaloosboutique.com)...

For frilly, feminine tops and dresses. Boogaloos stocks everything from small labels like Young Essence to mainstream brands like BCBG. The first shirt I looked at was only $40, so they’re definitely affordable. Also, the jean selection is off the chain gang…AG’s, Citizens, Sevens oh my! Only con: The frills, wisps, and bows can be overpowering. Not particularly my steeze, but definitely stop in!
Another must see? Dress Codes (201 West Ponce de Leon #117; www.dresscodesatl.com).

The store carries brands such as Earnest Sewn, Nomad Tribe, and 5EP. Prices range from $50-$300.
I really liked their tanks...

And knits...

The real reason to visit Dress Codes?

The guard dog Napoleon! Look at his little sweater! Awwwww!
Moving on...
My absolute favorite/your trip-would-be-incomplete-if-you-don’t-go-here store would have to be Kaleidescope Boutique (252 West Ponce de Leon Avenue; www.kscopeboutique.com).

This store was *amazing*!

I was salivating over the accessories…

Tops...

And Jeans selection...

Chock full of brands like Joe’s, Habitual, and Rock & Republic.
The staff was soooo nice and helpful, I almost couldn’t help but buy this cu-ute Bonnie heart Clyde top (even tho it was still esspensive at 50% off!). I also tried to walk away from a pair of Hudson skinny jeans, but I’m gonna have to go back and get 'em today (I know that everyone’s saying wide jeans are in now, but I’m still feeling the skinny trend…I’ll keep it going).
Stay tuned tomorrow for my last shopping in ATL installment.
Smootches!
PS I clearly can’t visit every city in the US of A. If your town has great places to shop, diamonds in the rough, and the like, e-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com
and tell me about it! Just include jpegs and a short description of why your favorite boutique is a must see in your city.

Black History Month Tribute: Stephen Burrows

So my last tribute of Black History month goes to Stephen Burrows...

The first African-American designer to reach international acclaim. I actually wrote about him before, but decided to visit his story again. Burrows was huge in the 70’s and is now making a comeback with a lower priced line in the ‘07.

I love the colors!
Anyway, I contacted Mr. Burrows, who was nice enough to interview *exclusively* for the Fashion Bomb (how cool!). Below, he tells us about his new line, how the fashion industry has changed, and offers style suggestions for the chic yet challenged. Enjoy!
1. I read in Women's Wear Daily that you're introducing a lower priced line. Can you tell me a bit about it?
The Stephen Burrows World collection is the every day girl collection. It’s urban dressing to fit your lifestyle; body conscious clothes with an ease of fit for comfort. The colors are somber this time, not as bright as usual, with a deep, rich palette of Mulberry, Cocoa, Steel Gray, Indigo Blue, and Poppy Red. It goes for $293-$350.
2. How has the world changed for designers? Is it easier now than it was in the past?
The business used to be more personal. Buyers had more power then. They really don’t have that now. It’s all computerized, so it’s not as easy to get started as it was back then. It also takes 5 times as much money to get started, so it’s a problem to find funding.
3. Other that you, who are your favorite designers? Why?
I love Azzedine Alaia, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Patrick Robinson. I like them because they have their own look and you can tell it’s them. They stick to who they are design wise.
4. If you weren't a designer, what would you be?
I was going to be an art teacher. Painting, drawing, sketching, that’s what I did. And that’s what I wanted to teach. Until I got to college. Then you have to differentiate what you want to major in. I liked fashion illustration and I thought I’d rather create fashion. So I switched to the Fashion Institute of Technology.
5. What current trend would you like to see disappear?
The current trend is ugly clothes. Just ugly clothes. Very amateurish ugly things thrown on it. It’s just a mess. When they were the worst was the 80’s. The bullet shoulders and all that glitter and it was all very Donald Trump. Too glittery and too flashy. I loved the 70’s on the other hand. There was a lot of invention, a lot of experimentation which I don’t see going on now. Knits were a big thing. I’m a big proponent of knits because of the comfort factor. The 70’s were a very inventive time.
6. What's your favorite trend of all time?
Color.
7. Any advice for women trying to dress their best?
Don’t be a fashion victim. Don’t try to do everything. Be your own person. Shop everywhere. That’s what great about fashion. People can put pieces together and make their own style. It could be a bunch of rags...As long as you do it well, it’s your style, you carry it, and it’s done.

What a perfect ending to Black History Month! Learn more about Stephen and find out where you can buy his collection at www.stephenburrows.com.

Thus concludes The Fashion Bomb's Black History Month Designer Series. While I haven’t covered *every* black designer ever, I hope you learned a little bit about the important, yet seldom acknowledged contributions blacks have made to the world of fashion. And with that...
Large, overflowing, delicious flutes of champagne to...

Elizabeth Keckley, Ann Lowe, Wesley Tann, Jeffrey Banks, Willi Smith, Patrick Kelly, Daymond John, Tracy Reese, Malcolm Harris, Zelda Barbour Wynn Valdes, Alvin Bell, Byron Lars, Cassandra Bromfield, Therez Fleetwood, Patrick Robinson, Shaka King, Scott Barie, Gordon Henderson, CD Greene, Etu Evans, Ruby Bailey, Geoffrey Holder, and Stephen Burrows! We salute you, and stand on your shoulders.

"Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me/ Be still they say/ Watch and listen/ You are the result of the love of thousands."--Linda Hogan, 'Walking'

Shopping in ATL 1: Little Five Points + Fashion Icons Show

"ATL...cruisin' in the ATL...ATL...cruisin' in the ATL...(BREAK!)."--Outkast, 'Cruisin in the ATL interlude'

Hey Y'all!
So as you know, I'm cruisin in the ATL most of the week...and my trip wouldn't be complete without a few shopping excursions! GA of course has run-of-the-mill malls chock full of the typical chain stores...but I'm trying to visit diamonds in the rough...gems in disguise...basically all the places a fashionista would go to buy one-of-a-kind, unique pieces that she won't see anywhere else.
For my first shopping excursion, I one-two stepped over to beautiful Little Five Points.



Yeah, it's gorgeous. Yeah, it's 70 degrees. Why do I live in New York? Anyway, Little Five is located at the intersection of Moreland, McLendon, and Euclid Avenues.
There are *so* many interesting shops, and I tried to stop in as many as I could. Below are a few standouts.
Rag-o-Rama (1111 Euclid Avenue, NE; www.ragorama.com)...

...carries new and used clothing and accessories at great prices. I bought a summery periwinkle scarf and vintage gold necklace for $21! Now that's what I call shopping.
Another favorite of mine was BluPrint (1146 Euclid Avenue)...

...which stocks brands like Ben Sherman, Blue Cult, and 525 Denim. Apparently Amerie, Usher, and Diddy shop there. I personally loved their blouses and club ready dresses...though one $50 silk screened t-shirt sent me running. Anyway, check it out!
Another must-see store? Bill Hallman (424 Moreland Avenue)...

Though they were a little curt about me taking pictures (boo!), I loved their patterned tops, vibrant accessories, and skinny jeans. The shoe selection looked a tad cheap, but I'd definitely recommend Bill Hallman as a one-stop shop for chic, classy clothes. Check out their website at www.shopbillhallman.com.
Want t-shirts? Hit up Tease (1166 Euclid Avenue; www.teaseshirtjunkie.com)...

...for African-American inspired tops (Ms. Fat Bottom anyone?).
Also definitely check out Bang-On (1152 Euclid Avenue; www.bang-on.ca)...

...where you can have cool, retro prints custom silkscreened onto a blank T of your choice.
My favorite store of the strip? Envy (1143 Euclid Avenue)...

They carried look-at-me accessories...


Tops...


And Jeans...

At affordable prices. And yes, those are House of Dereon's (on sale for $110!).
The owner is a very nice woman named Jilene Coggins, who actually, along with her sisters and play brother, hosts a show called the Envy Life on the Black Family Channel. Jilene and her sisters have styled for ATL superstars TI, Ciara, and Big Boi along with other celebs like Nelly, Nick Cannon, and Chris Brown. Very fabulous. Read more about the show here and tune in!
Smootches!

For today's Black History moment, I'm featuring two outstanding male designers I met at the Hot 107.9 Fashion Icons show...


...this past Saturday at Stonecrest Mall.
Etu Evans...

...is a shoe designer who's been in the business for 10 years. A graduate of Boston School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, he counts Halle Berry, Beyonce, Boris Kodjoe, Madonna, and Tyra Banks as clients.
A few of his runway walks:

His stunning shoes retail for $550 ($2500-$3500 for custom made designs). Gotta start a fund for those! Visit his website, www.etuevans.com.
Also impressive was menswear designer Shaka King...

...a self financed international designer whose clothes are worn by Bill Bellamy, Gregory Hines, and Chris Webber.
A few of his runway styles:

Dapper. For more info, visit his website www.shakakingny.com.
Champagne all around!

Momma Fashion Bomb's Awards Review

"Glamour is back, but with a minimalist touch."--Gianni Versace

Hey Y'all!
So I'm home in Stone Mountain, GA (Stone Mount!)...

...snug as a bug in a rug. My mom and I are chillin...and of course we decided to tune in to the Academy Awards.
My mom had some hilarious opinions on red carpet style...and I remembered that she's actually a bit of a fashionista herself. She attended New York City's High School for Fashion Industries (but didn't do so well as a designer because she says, "I couldn't draw to save my life.") She made and designed clothes for me when I was younger...and probably picked the trade up from my grandfather, who owned his own tailoring shop in the Bahamas for close to 50 years.
Long story short: Moms knows a thing or two about fashion.
So I couldn't resist...today we have Momma Fashion Bomb's two cents on the Academy Awards red carpet style.
The dresses she *disliked* were a bit surprising, so I'll go with those first:
About the usually fabulous J. Lo, she wondered, "Who told her to put that on?"

She said there was too much happening up top...and that the whole outfit looked like a costume.
Moms was also not impressed by Beyonce...

...saying her dress, "looked like something I could have put together." She called the strap 'garbage' and concluded that Armani should’ve told Ms. Knowles not to wear it!
My mom almost had a violent reaction to Kirsten Dunst's Chanel frock...

...calling it 'ugly.' When asked for specifics, she said that the Peter Pan collar and feathers were too much. After seeing Ms. Dunst, Mom concluded that, "People don’t know how to dress."
Ma mere also hated on Anika Noni Rose...

...saying her silver sequined number was too low cut and in poor taste.
And while she thought [WINNER!!!] Jennifer Hudson's hair was nice...

...she deemed the jacket dreadful. I quote," She's trying to hide. She doesn’t need all that."
Well alright Momma Bomb.
With such a harsh critic, I'm sure you'd love to hear who she thought looked great...
Well, she loved [WINNER!!!] Helen Mirren's dress...

...succintly stating it was, "Beautiful, pretty, and classy."
She also liked Penelope Cruz's Versace...

...and mused on the intricate details. While she thought there was a bit much going on at the bottom, she declared that Cruz could pull it off because, "she’s European."
Gwyneth in Zac Posen was also a favorite...

She remarked, "That’s pretty. It looks like a designer gown."
Reese Witherspoon's dress...

...also worked for Moms (even though she complained that Reese looked too skinny).
Her last love?

The Queen in Carmen Marc Valvo! Mom stated, "She usually looks put together. She’s got style...She’s got it and she doesn’t have to flaunt it."
Well there you have it. Fashion, care of ma mere. Hope you enjoyed it:)
Smootches!
PS Stay tuned tomorrow for deets on my first ATL fashion excursion!