The Bomb Anniversary Contest

Hey, Hey!
Sorry for delay, but this post is worth the wait! As promised, today is the day for the Bomb Anniversary contest. It’s been exactly one year since I wrote the following:
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Welcome to my humble, humble blog…

I'm a twenty-something year old in a city and an industry where fabulosity is EXTREMELY important. I love to write (ask my friends who receive my e-mail novellas everday), hang out with my buddies, and...SHOP! I'm absolutely, positively addicted. I'm the type of person who'd rather have a cute dress than a balanced meal, would rather spend a Saturday in Soho stores than sunning, and would take shoes over security. When people are carrying shopping bags full of clothes, all I want to do is ask them 'What'd you buy???' I get excited over fashion magazines like Lucky (just clothes, no talkie), and watch TLC's 'What Not To Wear' religiously (and have written TLC letters many times asking to have reruns during the week, not just Friday nights!). Anyway, I've always been a connoisseur of fashion if I may opine...since the days of my plaid skirt suits, knee highs, and Mary Janes in Junior High to Satin Tops and Bootcut Jeans in High School...
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I babbled on and on, but you get the point. Thankfully, a lot has changed since then. Time to really celebrate!
So, I have some amazing gift bags (two to be exact) to give to the Fashion Bomb readers who display the most knowledge of topics covered by The Fashion Bomb (and me by default).

Some questions are a little difficult, but the prizes are dope, dope, dope.
The first person to respond correctly will receive the following:

1. Textured Matanzas Metallic Gold Bracelet, Cubannie Links, post forthcoming. 2. Enamel Wing Earrings, Out of Hand Boutique, an online boutique I wrote about here. 3. Dark Blue Paisley Dress, Seasoned to Perfection, a vintage resale company mentioned here. 4. Copy of Fabulosity, mentioned everywhere! 5. Electric Blue Patent Leather Shoes, Seasoned to Perfection, whose owners I pictured here. 6. Fashion Notebooks, Sui Generis Boutique, an online boutique highlighted here. 7. Belt, Harriet’s Alter Ego boutique , a cool Brooklyn shop profiled here. 8. Octopus Necklace, Out of Hand Boutique.

The second person to respond correctly will get the following:

1.Denise Bangle, Sui Generis Boutique. 2. Satellite Kimono Scarf, Starlet Accessories, an accessories company profiled here. 3. Bird Earrings, Stars and Infinite Darkness, an emerging designer website I wrote about here. 4. Copy of Fabulosity (the runner up should not be denied). 5. Egypt Cuff, Boutique Finesse, which I first wrote about here. 6. Mystery item, Pieces Boutique, featured here. 7. Sophie Slingbacks, Dru New York, whose designer I interviewed here. 8. Textured Matanzas Patent White Gold Bracelet, Cubannie Links, post to come!

So how will I determine the winner? Leave your answers, along with your first name and e-mail in the comments section. Good luck!

So the questions are:
1. When did Andre Leon Talley…

…join the austere ranks of Vogue?

2. What fashion editor recently won the Eugenia Sheppard Award for journalistic excellence from the Council of Fashion Designers of America?

3. What black designer was the first American ever to be elected to the Chambre Syndicale, France's prestigious organization of designers?

4. Who are the designers of Rihanna’s dress and Ciara’s shoes…

…in this picture? (Looking for two answers)

5. What Chinese ‘souvenir’ caused a snooty stranger to cry 'fake'?

6. Where's my hometown? (hint: It's in Georgia, but not Atlanta) Had to change the wording of that question because the answer was murky...

7.What is the name of my buddy from home...

... who participated in a Style Intervention?

8. What are the names of my former interns?

9. What item caused me to get into a minor altercation...


...at the H&M Viktor & Rolf sale?

10. What shows did I see during my first fashion week?

Alright...get to searching those archives! And the technorati search box on the right should help…
Good luck!
Smootches!
PS Special thanks to Sui Generis, Pieces Boutique, Cubannie Links, Boutique Finesse, Starlet Accessories, Harriet’s Alter Ego, Dru New York, Out of Hand, Seasoned to Perfection, and Stars and Infinite Darkness for donating!! You’re the bomb!
PSS Have you RSVP’d for my Anniversary Bash?? Really?

You better get on it!
RSVP to fullthrottleparty@gmail.com.
PSSS Special thanks to Elsa! You're the best!

Five Reasons to Celebrate!

Hey Guys,
So...notice anything different???
Do you love??
An anniversary only comes around once a year, and you know I had to celebrate in style! The Fashion Bomb is all grown up, so I figured I'd ditch the pink, go for a fresh white, and a whole new layout. What do you think??
And this is only the beginning of the anniversary surprises. Stay tuned for best of's this week, a hot, hot contest featuring products from a ton of designers, and my next event: An Anniversary/Fashion week party slated for September 8th. Get ready, it's gonna be hot!

So the past year has been a lot of fun, and there's a ton of stuff I enjoy doing for the Fashion Bomb. So here are 5 reasons you should keep coming, and to tell all your friends about the Fashion Bomb.
1. Real Style

Create Your Own
I love patrolling the crowd for fabulous fashionable people, and the streets of New York never disappoint! For the new year, I'll try to get this on a more global or national scale, and I'll need your help! Send me pix of your fashionable friends, and I'll get my travel bug on as well.
2. My Sleuthing Abilities
Whether it's Beyonce...

wearing H&M...

or Rihanna...

...rocking DSquared...

..and Christian Louboutin...

I always try to find you the celeb look...ideally for less!
3. Trend Talk
From flirty summer dresses..


or fall trends...

Fashion is fluid, and I try to give y'all the freshest, up to date details.
4. Spotlights on Stars of color.
From Eva the Diva...

...To Queen Latifah...

From Genevieve Jones...

...to Star Jones...

If your mainstream mag won't celebrate 'em, I will!
5. YOU
Mail Bombs are cool, but nothing makes me want to blog more than getting mail like this:
"Keep up the good work with the blog! I love it!" Kristen Martin

"First, I wanted to say I LOVE YOUR SITE. YOU ARE FAB!!!!!!!!!!"
Keil, New Orleans, Louisiana

"Hey. I wanted to say I love your site and I visit it everyday!
thanks for giving me the heads up on fashion." Nia

"I love your blog! I'm typically a personal finance blog snob, but my
weakness is fashion. I'm a New Yorker, but I've lived in Atlanta the
last 12 years. Your pics and "subway shots" make be think of
home..."--Najah

"Hi there! i love, love, LOVE ur blog soooo much. i always check it to
make sure that i'm on point with fashion and always try to catch up
with the sample sales! i actually finally caught one earlier this year
and got some great finds!" Kia

"First of all I must tell you that I absolutly love your blog. I think
it's phenomenol especially as a black female to be able to have style
and stories that I am both intersted in and can relate to. I love your
style and I love the stories." Marlie

"I LOVE the site. You really have a fresh eye and have
your finger on the pulse of fashion. I always agree with your
opinions and love the finds you locate for us." Shamecia
Hey, I love you too! You make all the late nights and awkward street encounters worth it! So keep checking on in...and be sure to participate in the contest. You're gonna love it.
Smootches!

New Look + Best of Real Style

Hey Guys,
So...notice anything different???
Do you like??
An anniversary is a special event, and you know I had to celebrate in style! The Fashion Bomb is all grown up, so I figured I'd ditch the pink, go for a fresh white, and a whole new layout. What do you think??
And this is only the beginning of the anniversary surprises. Stay tuned for a hot, hot contest featuring products from several Fashion Bomb featured designers, and my next event: An Anniversary/Fashion week party slated for September 8th. Get ready, it's gonna be hot!
So the past year has been a lot of fun, and there's a ton of stuff I enjoy doing for the Fashion Bomb. Every day this week, I'm going to highlight one, and today, I must shine a spotlight on:
Real Style


I love hitting the streets or patrolling the crowd for fabulous fashionable people, and New York City never disappoints! Taking pix of stylish strangers wasn't always easy. In one of my very first 'Mail Bomb' posts dated December 13th, 2006, I have the following:
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Diamond and Nini ask:
"Do you just stop people and say 'excuse me, do you mind if i take a pic of you and put it on my blog?"
and
"Yeah, how do you approach them? Because so many times i wanna take pix of people rockin kewl clothes, but I dont wanna offend them even though its for something positive..."

To be honest, asking random people on the street is totally nerve wracking. I never know how people will react, if they'll be really stank, or what! But, because I know it adds to the blog, I suck it up and do it (all for you guys!). Most times I just ask my coworkers, but now, I have a 15 second spiel that goes,"HimynameisClaireandI'mafashionjournalist,Ihaveablogcalledthe FashionBombwhereItalkabouttrendsandfashionandIthinkyou lookgreatwouldyoumindifItakeapictureofyou??" Usually they say "What?" and I slow down and repeat myself:) I have cute pink cards with the name of the blog on it for added legitimacy...and thankfully every one I've asked has been sweet enough to say yes! I mean, I figure if someone came up to me telling me I looked fabulous, I'd be happy to take a picture as well:)
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Thankfully, taking pictures is a lot less awkward these days. I noticed that everyone wants to feel flattered, stylish, and beautiful...as if their efforts in the morning are actually appreciated by someone else. So Real Style is a bit of a cinch...and I want to say "Thank you" to everyone who's posed and put their heads on the chopping block. You're the bomb!
So that does it for today; hope you like the new look.
And you *must* tune in for the contest. It's gonna be so dope.
Smootches!

Friday Mail Bombs + Anniversary Stuff

Happy Friday!
So as you may or may not know, the Fashion Bomb’s one year anniversary is coming up tres soon! Yes, it’s been a year of me pontificating, observing, and blabbing about urban fashion. And what a good year it’s been!!! In celebration I’m doing a ton on the old blog...but before I get into all that, I’ll give you what you came for:

That’s right, Mail Bombs.
Let’s get it crackilackin.
First up reader Melody says, "This shirt and hat that Ri-Ri is wearing is super cute!!! "

"...Can you find her hat & shirt or offer some buget-friendly versions?"
Hey Melody. I think Rihanna's wearing this $198 Cullen Bib Ruffle Blouse by Diane von Furstenberg...

...but if $198 is too much to spend on a white blouse, you can get something similar in this $49 Pixie Hopkins Tuxedo Shirt...

...from Victoria's Secret.
If the shirt stretches you wallet, you can save a bit with this 21 Newsboy Cap...

...only $10 at www.forever21.com.
Next up reader Truestarisha says, "I was watching BET's the 5ive on Wednesday when they highlighted a fashion line by the name of Alcapony or something as their number one spot. I was wondering if you could find out the correct name of the line and highlight it. I think their clothes are amazing and I would love to know where I could find them."
Intern Elita to the rescue!
She says, "The line is called AquaPoni. It's been worn by some celebs (Scar, Michael Knight from Project Runway, Common) and is made up of mostly hoodies and items that have been repurposed. Very boho chic."
A few of their looks, care of their myspace page:

Create Your Own
Cute, cute stuff! And apparently they're based out of Atlanta?? How come I haven't heard of them? Anyway, you can purchase the items at Atlanta boutiques like P Valentine (www.pvalentine.com) or Pieces of Adrene (www.piecesofadrene.com). Neither of those stores have online commerce, so your best bet would be to try to contact them through myspace.
Fashion Bomb Fan Christina from Baltimore, Maryland says, “I have been searching high and low for the designer of the dress that Jennifer Hudson wore to the Golden Globe awards….”

“… I even hit her up on myspace and the diva that she is, would not tell me. I notice that a lot of dresses that she wears have the ruffle effect or that extra fabric around the midsection and as a curvy woman myself that’s what I like. I’m getting married and a lot of my girlfriends are extra curvy and that look would be great. If you could be of any help and letting me know who the designer was for that dress is, I would be so grateful. You just don’t understand how much that would mean to me. Thank you in advance for your attention to my request!”
Intern Elita hit me up again (yay!) and found that according to this article, the dress is Vera Wang.
Elita went on a search for a similar VW dress, and came upon this $380 black satin pleated flutter v-neck dress...

...at www.bluefly.com. Close, but I personally think that this $220 T-Bags Flutter Sleeve Dress has a more Golden Globes effect...

...it's navy, has the sleeves, and an empire waist so that the fabric skims over the belly. If you're set on having Vera Wang dresses at your wedding, however, visit her website www.verawang.com and find a store or retailer near you.
Hope that helps!
So a *ton* of readers fell in love with Alicia Keys denim jumpsuit...

I searched and searched, but couldn't find an exact match.
This $84 Wood Sprite bootcut jumpsuit by Dereon has a similar zipper, but is clearly a capri...

And this $280 Jumpsuit in Carbon by Deener is full length...

...but the buttons are a bit different.
I couldn't find an exact match. Can y'all help? Let me know!
Update!!! Reader Tina from ATL, GA found out who makes the jumper!
The $140 Elephant Bell Jumper...

...is available online at a e-store call Good, Bad, and Ugly NYC. The jumper comes in 6 colors...including the one Ms. Keys wore on TRL!
Thanks Tina!
Lastly Lady P says, "Hi Claire! You recently discussed Spectator Booties. I have a pair of Manolo Blahnik booties like these..."

"...and I would like some suggestions on how to wear these with jeans and skirts. Do you think I'll be able to wear these booties with a pencil skirt?"
Great Shoes! I definitely think you can rock them with jeans. I think spectators would go really well with the new wide leg trend. For cues on how to wear them with skirts, I looked to Burberry Prorsum's Fall 2007 show:

Create Your Own
...every model is sporting spectators with black, opaque tights under mini's, trenches, even bubble skirts. I think a pencil could work too, just be mindful of the hem. Since the shoe comes higher than a regular pump, it cuts your leg off a bit at the ankle. So make sure you hem line goes higher to reveal more leg.
Wheeww! That does it!
So as I mentioned...stay tuned next week for the Fashion Bomb's Anniversary! There will be a giveaway contest (test your knowledge of The Fashion Bomb), a fun Fashion Week party announcement, and hot, fresh new look.
You're gonna love it!
Until then...
Smootches!
Fashion news, sales, what nots:
*WWD reports that Russell Simmons has stepped down as chief executive officer of Phat Fashions. He’s going on to pursue his other business ventures, namely his new Argyle Culture Menswear brand and his high end Atman brand. Kimora Lee will continue as Baby Phat’s creative head.
*Check out Seasoned to Perfection’s sale…

Click to Enlarge.
For more info or to RSVP, e-mail s2pvintage@yahoo.com
*Don’t forget Boutique Finesse’ sidewalk sale.

Click to enlarge
Have great weekends!