Mail Bombs!!!

Hey hey,
So my internet woes continue, but that won't keep me from Friday Mail Bombs!
Allons-y.
Reader Kimberly loved Paula Patton's dress in this picture...
She says, "I'm writing to see if you can find a dress similar. I love it!"
Get a polka dot perfect look with this $340 Betsey Johnson Dizzy Dots Sateen Dress...
...just add a cream belt to complete the look!
Next, Chris from NYC says, "I know it's near the end of the winter season, but this jacket that Kim is rockin is hot to death!"
"Do you have any idea where I can get one?"
Couldn't find the exact coat, but really thought you could get away with this Diesel Silk Collection Roggla Jacket in Dark Green...
...it's hot, but will cost you a cool $754 at www.revolveclothing.com. Good luck!
Lanelle says, "I saw Rihanna wearing this dress at her birthday party in Barbados..."
"...It is soooo cute and summery. Can you help me find something similar?"
It is cute, and I love yellow! Get a similar look with the following high and low priced items:
Top Row: Yellow Georgette Dress, $275, www.edressme.com; Ruched Halter Bra Top Dress, $38, www.victoriassecret.com.
Bottom Row: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Camisole Mini Dress, $234, shopbop.com
Next, another Rihanna question! Alyssa says, "I saw this pic of Rihanna a while back at fashion week..."
"...I was just wondering if you knew where I could get her bangles or anything similar to them. They look hot!"
Rihanna looks very posh in this pic, no? Anyway, it seems like she artfully layered gold Pyramid Bracelets by Kenneth Jay Lane...

...get 'em for $98 a pop at www.maxandchloe.com.
Finally, Tanya from Cali writes in with a wardrobe query. She says, "I bought my first pair of cute peep toe heels, but my heel keeps on slipping out the back when I walk..."
"...I wear a size 7 but I bought 6 1/2 so this wouldn't happen. How do I fix it?"
Hey! I've totally had this problem before!
I personally love Foot Petals products...
...They come in cute colors, fun shapes, and are affordable at $7. For your particular query, I'd try their Heavenly Heelz...
...just stick 'em in your shoes for traction, comfort, and a no slip grip wherever you go! Purchase at www.footpetals.com.

That does it for today.

I'm going to hurry and sign off before my internet decides to go out again.

Have great weekends!

Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*I've already received some great Fashion Bomb T-shirt submissions...

...keep 'em coming! Get out your sketchpad this weekend! You have until March 8th.

*Style Chile wonders why Foreign Vogue Covers...

...share one common, salient denominator. Can you tell what it is? [Style Chile]
*Get your online shop on this weekend at Fashion Bomb sponsored boutiques, and enjoy a few deals on me: Enter NU30Y for 15% off at DJPremium.com, blog for 10% off at Modcloth.com, and thefashionbomb for 15% off at Lulus.com!
*Guy Trebay on how being a multi platinum rapper....
...still doesn't ensure entrance to top Paris Fashion Shows. [NYTimes]
*New hot blog Caught Up interviewed yours truly today! Chicky check it out. [Who's Caught]

Intern Style File: Jurnee Smollett

Hey Guys!
Sorry for the late post!
My internet was down last night--a veritable nightmare for a blogger!
London intern Natalie thankfully stepped in today with a hot Style File on a Fashion Bomb-esque actress to watch: Jurnee Smollett.
Enjoy!
***********************************************************************
Hi Guys!
Today's Style File is dedicated to Jurnee Smollett, a star on the rise.
Jurnee has been on the small screen since she was around the age of 5 and has recently been popping onto the silver screen, with heart stealing performances (Great Debaters Anyone?). As a young woman of color in Hollywood, Jurnee has recently pulled out the stops when it comes to style.
She wasn't always a fashionista...
...dowdy used to be the rule, not the exception for this beauty.
Thankfully, at recent events she's been coming a little more correct in laidback belted striped frocks…
...…and in dresses and gowns accented with embroidery, flower accents, feathers and collars in a delicate color palette of white, light pink, gold or cream…
She also turns on the drama with neutral colors like black and white with ruffles to add a little extra…
…and rocks out from time to time in brighter colors like fuchsia or pale green....
…topped off with peep or open toe heels in neutral or metallic colors, to keep it simple yet cute.
Feeling the fuchsia look? Try these:
Left to right: Tube Bra Top Dress, $38, www.victoriassecret.com; Theory Pavia Blitz Strapless Belted Dress, $255, www.bloomingdales.com
Like her whole style? How about these:
Top Row: Cracked Leather Retro Bomber, $151.69, www.asos.com; Stuart Weitzman black velvet bow ‘Por Favor’ sandals, $95.99, www.bluefly.com; Jacinda Leather Shoulder Tote, $595, www.neimanmarcus.com
Bottom Row: Skinny Lizard Belt, $24.50, Gap.com
Noir Crystal Classic Large Stone Round Ring, $48.99, www.bloomingdales.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs Shoes Two Piece Pump with Ankle Strap, $450,shopbop.com

Top Row: Tibi Fancy Faille Belted Dress, $358, www.saks.com; Kay Unger New York Ruffled-Halter Taffeta Dress, $350, www.neimanmarcus.com
Bottom Row: Laundry by Design Twist Front Dress, $91.99, www.bloomingdales.com; Pheobe One Shoulder Silk Dress, $308, www.nordstrom.com
Want to Splurge? Go with this:
Societies Dress in White, $950, www.dvf.com
And don't forget the shoes!

Left to right: Ash Rubis Open Toe Sling Back Pump, $165, shopbop.com
KORS Beau Metallic Open Toe Platform Pump, $290, shopbop.com
Nine West Womens’ Grimes Slingback Sandal, $80, www.endless.com

So what do you think? Does Jurnee have great style?
*****************************************************************
These interns are lifesavers, aren't they?
Gotta love 'em!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*I've already received some great images for the Fashion Bomb t-shirts! Some seriously talented folks are reading the blog! Keep 'em coming! Send your sketches to thefashionbomb@gmail.com by March 8th.

*Robin Givhan finds a few aspects of Paris Fashion Week...
...a bit absurbd.[Washington Post]
*Looks like New York is no longer a one stop shop...
...for counterfeit bags [NY Times]

The Fashion Bomb T-Shirt Design Contest!!!

Hi Guys!
So I've been thinking forever that I'd love The Fashion Bomb to have it's own t-shirt--a hot tissue v-neck number that aptly represents all the fashionable people who read the blog on the daily.
I personally can't draw much more than a stick figure, so I thought...why not have a contest?!?
I'm looking to all your Fashion loving, sketching, illustrating readers to submit designs for the first ever Fashion Bomb T-shirt!!!!

Yes, Beyonce will be wearing one.

Just kidding.

The design can be whatever image you think when you picture a Fashion Bomb reader--it can be a hot sylph like siren wearing Tracy Reese, a long leg topped off with a sky high stiletto, or even a curvaceous babe with her own swagger.
The only requirement is that the sketch illustrates something that says 'The Fashion Bomb." "The Fashion Bomb" can be written in small script at the bottom, or you can illustrate 'bomb' with a lady leaning on a detonator, a background explosion, or even an artfully placed grenade.
I want this sketch to be great, so I'm offering tons of even greater prizes.

The First Place Winner will get a Spring Fashion Hook Up, including:
A $250 Gift Certificate to hip online boutique DJ Premium...

A few products (left to right): GSUS Sweater Dress, $160; Miss Sixty Sandal Bootie, $269; Diesel Linoc Jacket, $120.

A $50 Gift Certificate to retro fashion site Modcloth.com...

Left to Right: Creme Brulee Dress, $85; Graphic Houndstooth Scarf, $20; The Cadillac Bag, $100.

A $50 Gift Certificate to super cute Lulu's Fashion Lounge...

Left to Right: Sunday Sundress in Mustard, $43.50; Delicious Lace Peep Toe Heel, $26.50; Urban Safari Dress in Khaki, $43.

A $20 Gift Certificate to edgy Sui Generis Boutique...

Left to Right: Flirt Halter Top, $40; Splatter Clutch, $45. Rose Tank Dress, $50.

And a yearlong subscription to Trace Magazine along with a copy of their book '10 Years of Trace':
The Second Place Winner won't be far behind with lots of beauty swag, including:

A bottle of Sean Jean Unforgivable Woman (retail $55)...

A giftbag of Elizabeth Grant products, including Biocollasis Eye Cream, Day Cream, and Caviar Eye Pads (retail $100+)...
$50 towards a spa treatment in New York (Care of www.lifebooker.com)
And a 16 oz. pot of Miss Jessie's Baby ButterCreme ($58 retail)...
Some major swag, for a major tee.

Let's get to drawing!

Send your sketches to thefashionbomb@gmail.com by March 8th.
I'll post the sketches, and we can all vote for our favorites!

The kicker: I'll have the t-shirts made, and have them available for purchase in time for warm weather!

Stencils...ready!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*Can't draw? Tell your friends!

*Intrigued? Peep the contest rules here.

*A very special and heartfelt thanks to my contest sponsors: DJPremium.com, Modcloth.com, LulusFashionLounge.com, SuiGenerisBoutique.com, ElizabethGrant.com, Lifebooker.com, Trace Magazine, and UrbanBella.com!
*If you can't wait to start shopping, enter NU30Y for 15% off at DJPremium.com, blog for 10% off at Modcloth.com, and thefashionbomb for 15% off at Lulus.com!

*Any original image will work.
*Real Trends, care of Najwa Moses of Styleaholics. [Styleaholics]

Breaking into Fashion: Krista Land

Hi Guys!
So it's been a while since we've had a Breaking into Fashion post. For those new to the blog, I'll clue you in: from time to time, I interview insiders to give readers the scoop on how to break into Fashion Industry jobs.
For today's post, I'm answering a question from reader Brittany of Arkansas State University:
She says, "I am majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and a Minor in Marketing...whew...lol! Because I'm in Arkansas, I know that it's going to be that much more difficult to break into the world of fashion. My dream job is to become a Fashion Buyer. I don't have much time since I'll be graduating in less than a year...any advice, pleaseeeee!! Thanks!!!"

So cute!
To help you out, I got in touch with Krista Land...
...a buyer for Macy's in New York! A 2004 graduate of Howard University, Krista has been working at Macy's for three years.
Krista got her start with Inroads Inc, an internship program for minority students (inroads.org). She says, "I interned at a bank for 2 summers and then interned at Macy's for 2 summers. When I graduated, I was offered a spot in the Executive Training Program for the Macy's East Buying Office. I finished the few months of training in the program and became an Assistant Buyer. I was an Assistant Buyer for about 2 years. I am currently an Associate Buyer."
Buyers, who select and purchase apparel and accessories from designers, manufacturers or wholesalers, "need to have a good eye for fashion, be organized, and easily able to adapt to change," she says, "They should also be pretty good with numbers since those things play a big part in the job."
Being a buyer includes understanding customer likes and dislikes, keeping in touch with retail staffers to see if product is moving, and seeing if the company should buy more or less of an item. Krista, who has a Bachelors in Marketing, says the key to getting your foot in the door is an internship. "I would advise college students to intern in retail to get a feel for the business and have a better idea if it's something that they want to pursue," she says. For someone mid career, she encourages reading up on the profession, then contacting industry representatives for exploratory interviews.
Fashion buyers have a pretty fast paced lifestyle. "Day to day, I manage several departments (a few responsilbilites are maximizing sales performance, coming up with pricing strategies, reordering product that's selling well). There's a lot of analysis involved," she admits.
But as with any industry job, it seems you must start at the bottom before you climb to the top!
So Brittany (and anyone else out there), hope that was helpful!
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*Want to be a stylist? Check out my interview with June Ambrose. Keen on being a magazine editor? Look up my interview with Pam Edwards. Want to be a publicist? You must read about Bonnie Morrison. And if there's any other aspect of the industry you'd like to learn more about, e-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com and let me know!
*A hot preview of Oscar de la Renta's Fall 2008 Collection...
...Absolutey Fabulous.[Coutorture]
*Our favorite cell phone chucking model was hospitalized in Brazil. [Bossip]