Before Rocawear, Phat Farm, and Fubu, Cross Colours was the streetwear brand of choice for hip hop heads. Created by Carl Jones, a graduate of Otis Parson's School of Design, the clothes were without prejudice and appealed to anyone with a penchant for bright colors and an understanding of political and social messages.As we previously noted, 2009 marks Barbie's Golden Anniversary and even at 50, this number one stunna still turns the heads of young (and not so young!) divas everywhere! Did you know that some of Barbie's most iconic incarnations have been African-American-influenced?
The "Julia" Barbie, based on Diahann Carroll and her sitcom of the same name...
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie based, of course, on the legendary dance company...
Pepper Barbie, one of several created as part of a collection by renowned African-American designer Byron Lars. Like Marie Antoinette meets Pam Grier--all kinds of fierce...
Diana Ross Barbie by Bob Mackie, for which Ms. Ross provided an actual face sculpt...
And Hard Rock Cafe Barbie, who's screaming for a matching Lenny Kravitz Ken doll ;-).
Makes you want to start collecting them again, no?*CONTEST ALERT!*Barbie's been influential in so many budding fashionistas's lives that it's no wonder designers lined up by the dozen when asked to offer their interpretations of this timeless fashion plate. 
Alexander Wang, Betsey Johnson, Tracy Reese, Catherine Malandrino, Baby Phat, Diane von Furstenburg, and Michael Kors are just *some* of the 50+ designers who will outfit Ms. B at her own special runway show in the tents at Bryant Park on Saturday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. during New York Fashion Week...and you and a friend can be there to see it all, courtesy of our friends at American Express!
AmEx will give two seats to Barbie's 50th Anniversary Runway Show to one lucky Fashion Bomb reader!
The first person to tell us Barbie's full real name wins the golden tickets. E-mail us at thefashionbombcontest@gmail.com with your answers!
See you in the tents!
~Adri
*Sorry but this contest is open only to Fashion Bombshells within commuting distance of NYC!*We have a winner!*
Courtney from New Jersey is headed to the tents for guessing correctly that Barbie's real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts! Thanks to everyone who played!
~Adriana
*Thanks to Angelic Dreamz for the images!
The eponymous B. (real name Barbara) evolved from model to multi-hyphenate style mogul with her über-successful line of restaurants, home interiors, style manuals, and jewelry. 
In addition, Ms. Smith is a spokesperson for several top national brands, and is frequently seen on NBC's "Today" Show, "Good Morning America," and "The View," in addition to her own show, "B. Smith with Style," which is now broadcast on TV One.
I've been to her restaurant here in NY and must say the food is the truth.
Learn more about the divine B. at BSmith.com!
~Adriana
Ms. Smith, who appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Versace, and Norma Kamali among others, also graced the pages of Vogue, ELLE, Ebony, and Cosmopolitan, just to name a few. Toukie's history-making mannequin was crafted in 1978, the same year she won the Bloomingdale's Model of the Year award.
...a rich cream moisturizer fragranced with fresh cut roses, honey, almond, anise and banana. Yum!
Fashion Bombshell Dionne was the first to correctly guess that Toukie Smith is the sister of iconic designer Willi Smith, who's received his own Fashion Bomb tribute. Dionne, third from left in the strapless dress, cites Tracy Reese as the black fashionista she receives inspiration from because, "She takes into account the female body when designing and creates something that is not only timeless, but also truly special. To me she is THE quintessential fashion bomb!" And she's even wearing a Tracy Reese frock in her pic-- loves it!
Very few women can manage to be as poised *and* sizzling hot as Lena Horne was in her day. With a penchant for coyly demure necklines and super-sexy silhouettes, this timeless siren was known as much for her beauty as for her professionalism, class, and talent. While the Brooklyn native certainly made history as the first African-American singer to sign with MGM, it was also her style that made me sit up and take notice.
By way of her company, Devore identified and nurtured the careers of several household names, including Diahann Carroll, Richard Roundtree (Shaft), and Cicely Tyson.
A Detroit native, Veronica was spotted on the streets of New York City by a makeup artist. Her modeling career took off from there, as she soon became a spokes model for Revlon, walked for Chanel, Alaia, and Todd Oldham, and appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Essence.
...She strutted for Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Pierre Balmain in the '50's, and in 1954 brought her savoir faire to American shores, staging fashion shows and fundraisers for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
One of the world's most sought after makeup artists, Pat caught her big break working for stylist and fashion director Edward Enninful, and is now the go to person for prominent fashion photographers (she's a favorite of Steven Meisel) and magazines like Vogue, W, and Harper's Bazaar.
Did you know that Wek was the first Black model to grace the cover of ELLE Magazine in November 1997? Today, I give you an update on designer Byron Lars...
To review, Lars trained at the Brooks Fashion Institute in Long Beach and the Fashion Institute of Technology before launching his first collection. His 1991 collection was hugely popular, earning him the title of ‘Rookie of the Year’ by Women’s Wear Daily. In 1996, Mattel asked him to design a collectible Barbie doll, complete with her own wardrobe. His Barbie designs proved so successful Mattel asked Lars in 1997 to develop an entire line of African-American Barbie dolls, all dressed in designer clothes.
In response to ‘Where are you Now?’ Lars replies, "I'm working on my collection, Byron Lars-Beauty Mark, which offers a full range of sportswear."
Among his career highlights, he says, “When I was first starting out, I attended a fashion function for the Democratic party, and Calvin Klein and Donna Karen were there. They both came up together and told me that they liked what I was doing. I remember running home and calling my parents and telling them about that. It was one of my most memorable moments.”
Byron Lars Polka Dot Mini Dress, $290
In terms of advice for the younger set, he says, “ As with anything else, you just have to make sure that you love it love it love it and are willing to sacrifice a great deal for it. I don’t believe the television images really convey how much sweat equity goes into realizing a collection. You have to love it and be willing to work almost tirelessly for it. Love the work for the work’s sake.”
Interested in Byron Lars Beauty Mark? You can find retail locations by calling 212-575-1783. Lars’ collection is also available in New York at the stores New York Look, Runway, and Palma.
If you want to know more, check out this old New York Times article about Mr. Lars.
Hi!
So yesterday, I decided to take a break from the tents and attend the Fall 2008 collection of Stephen Burrows...
...held at Due per Due, a showroom in midtown.
His show on Tuesday opened with a gold shearling jacket with metallic buttons...
... and was followed by a succession of signature matte jersey dresses of varying lengths...
...whether draped in long grecian one shouldered styles, or worn short, accented with long chain necklaces, bags with beaded chain handles and gloves. 
"The storyline is about the culmination of water and earth, and includes elements of matte and shiny, sexiness and body consciousness," Burrows said, "I used a lot of matte jersey, charmeuse, and hammered satin."
Sapped from the show, Burrows only plans for the night were, "[putting] the showroom together and going to sleep!"
...Bethann Hardison. She did casting for the show. I asked her how she was enjoying fashion week, and she revealed, "Honestly, I haven't seen much. The tents make me sick! They're overcrowded, so I only go to shows of friends." She had been to Diane von Furstenberg and Tracy Reese, and was looking forward to Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. She plans on having the next "Absence of Color" talk in September. I'll keep you posted! 
...Stephen Burrows! He was sweet as pie.
A former illustrator for Anne Klein and Halston, Bell rose to national prominence as a designer of suits for the label P.S.I. A talented illustrator, he traveled throughout Europe attending fashion shows, taking pictures, and sketching designs, and eventually published a trade newsletter called Designer Reports. Later, he was commissioned by Sears to create a line, called Mosaic, of affordable clothes geared towards African American women.
In response to 'Where are you now?" Mr. Bell says, "I'm writing a book with a new, exciting visual concept-- an extraordinarary work of fiction that uses fashion as a landscape." With about half the book finished, he projects the masterpiece will be on your bookshelves in about a year. Keep an eye peeled!
...we had a great time chatting, lunching, and looking through his press book. Cool Fact: he used to sketch for Michael Jackson!
Source
In response to the question, 'Where are you now?" He says, "I am in the middle of the book tour for my first book, TARTAN: Romancing the Plaid (Rizzoli 2007) which has just gone into it's second printing, and am in talks about a second book on American Fashion. In addition, I am a consultant on several sportswear lines owned by HMX Sportswear, whose parent company, Hart Schaffner and Marx manufacturers the Jeffrey Banks Collection."
Among, his career highlights, he cites, "My first Coty Award because I was in my first year of business on my own and I was the youngest person to ever win a Coty Award. Another highlight included the launch of my first book this past October when I had over 750 people on hand at Saks Fifth Avenue."
To those in the younger generation, especially designers, he urges practicality when entering the industry. He says, "Fashion is a business . . . . Not an art form. I encourage all young people to take business courses if possible, as it will only help them have longer and more viable careers."
Banks, who admires Ralph Lauren for his "unrelenting perfectionism and his inability to compromise his design integrity," is a longstanding member of the Executive Board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Vice Chair of the Board of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and a Senior Board Member of the Board of Trustees of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
... for $41 at www.amazon.com. 
