Real Style

Happy Tuesday!
So I haven't really had a Real Style for men since the New Year, and on Saturday, I ran into a kid in the train station who definitely had his own thing going on...

...this self described 'Retro Kid' reminded me of the good old days when I obsessed over Bobby Brown, the Boyz, and Al B Sure...

He was rocking the slanted high top fade with a blonde streak, a bright colored jacket, patchworked jeans, and Nike high tops (oops, just noticed the Africa medallion!).
The 80's are coming back, but are we down for it?
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*So I was indulgently digging into my February issue of Vogue...

...and who should pop up on one of the very last pages, but one of our favorite black socialites...
...Genevieve Jones!!!
She's featured in a spread lauding "Three Jewelry Stars on the Rise." So Madame Jones is now a jewelry designer??? I thought she was an interior decorator...or a muse...or something. Anyway, her pieces--encrusted with topaz, sapphires, and diamonds--retail for $895-$5,000 and are inspired by ethereal, whimsical ideas like "spirals, stars, and UFO's." Sure....I guess we all gotta eat, right? Click image to see her creations in all their glory.
*Don't know Genevieve Jones? Read my Style File on her here.
*Deal of the Day:

...Kate Spade Beige Snake Printed Leather Garden D'orsay Pumps, $137 from $255, www.bluefly.com.

Best of 2007: Fashionista Extraordinaire

Hey!

So when I was thinking of who should be The Fashion Bomb's pick for Fashionista Extraordinaire 2007 (aka the Diva with the Flyest Style), I knew there were a lot of contenders.

Would it be Beyonce, whose name makes it to Mail Bombs almost every week....

....with style scouts yearning to duplicate her look?

Kerry Washington....
...who seems to live on the party circuit with a bevy of hot frocks in her quiver?

Or someone a little bit subdued, like socialite Genevieve Jones...

....who makes it to all the see-and-be-seen events, but tends to escape your typical gossip blogs?

After some serious thought, and looking at who you guys request the absolute *most* for Mail Bombs, I must say that this years Fashionista Extraordinaire is....

...Rihanna!

Yep it is. Why?

This Caribbean Queen has been working everything from glamazon frocks...

...to more casual yet super cute sweater dresses...

...and the hottest winter coats...

...with undeniable style since the beginning of the year.

She truly mixes it up and manages to do it all, from rocker chic....

...to more classic items with a twist....

...while looking absolutely flawless.

While she might shop straight off the runway on some occasions in favorites like Gucci and Zac Posen...

...in other situations, you can tell that she takes the stylistic reins and works it out on her own.

Also, the true test of an Uber Fashionista: Style doesn't even stop...

...with a boot on her foot.

So Kudos to you, Rihanna...

...for rocking it out Fashion Bomb style for the '07.

Do you agree?

Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*I leave on a jet plane tonight for Atlanta. I'm bringing my black lappy, and will try to update, but...no promises!
*Mary J. Blige and Patti Labelle don't care a stitch about Peta, do they?
...they rocked floor length furs at Mary's album release party last night in NYC.
I'll confess: I'm looking to rock a cute, short fur for New Years and My Birthday (Mark your calendars, January 12th!). But I'm thinking of getting something vintage...somehow a used fur seems more ethical? Or perhaps I'm delusional...
*Calling All Designers!
The Uptown Emerging Designers Market (UEDM) is a monthly market that will take place at the Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem starting in February 2008. The UEDM will allow up-and-coming designers a fun and profitable environment to display their talents and sell their creations to the general public. Whether you're a designer of clothing, jewelry, bags, interior decor or more, the UEDM offers you a unique opportunity to showcase your designs! In addition to a selection of exclusive clothing & accessories, the UEDM will include great music, cocktails, and an engaging exhibit provided by the Hip Hop Culture Center.
For more information about vending opportunities or to be added to the UEDM mailing list, please contact UptownEDM@gmail.com .
*Deal of the Day:
Frye Sunny Pleated Short Boots, $124, shopbop.com

Trend Talk: High Waisted Heaven?

Hey guys,
So this trend of high waisted jeans has been around for a minute now...and though it initially seemed atrocious beyond words, it doesn't seem to be going away. Perhaps I've been brainwashed, but a few celebs lately have been able to pull the look off...or do they? Let's take a look:

Beyonce is gorgeous, yes, but are her jeans? She rocks a high waist with what looks like a House of D t and suspenders...

Ciara also favors suspenders, and balances the high waist with a short shirt...

Ships ahoy! Genevieve Jones prefers the sailor look...

J. Lo keeps it sassy and sexy in sleek skinny high waisted jeans and stilettos...

And Nicole Richie takes a risk in Sass& Bide high waisted cut offs with a tank tucked in.
Interesting.
If you're brave enough, try these items:

Top Row: Lux High Waisted Skinny Jean, $68, www.urbn.com; Sass & Bide High Waist Short Shorts, $238, www.intermix.com.
Bottom Row: Theory Lacey B Short Skirt, $175, shopbop.com
High Waisted Denim Sailor Pant, $148, www.ardenb.com.
So what do you think? Will you make haste to buy high waist?
Smootches!
PS. Quick survey: Have you ever purchased anything you saw on The Fashion Bomb? If so what? When? Did you love it!?!? E-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com and let me know!
PSS Check out more High Waisted particulars at the fab blog Strictly Fab.

Style File: Genevieve Jones

"Jones, the latest "It Girl" to burst onto Manhattan's social scene, may have no regular job but is nonetheless a vital cog in the fashion industry's marketing machine. Dressing up and having her photograph taken, Jones helps fashion and luxury-goods companies pitch their products simply through being associated with her."--Teri Agins, 'How 'It' Girl Scaled World of Fashion, One Party at a Time', Wall Street Journal, Sept 14, 2006.

So for this week's Style File I switched it up a bit. Instead of profiling a singer, rapper, or America's Next Top Model, I decided to take a look at one of the few African-American 'socialites' (including Bonnie Morrison and Rachel Roy) New York Magazine deemed worth mentioning in a recent article:

...Genevieve Jones.
Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal did an *amazing* investigative article on Ms. Jones last September. Everyone wanted to know: How did she become a socialite? Teri found that Genevieve made her way into upper crust society by befriending the right people (like Zac Posen) and being bold (for example, jumping in front of Andre Leon Talley and dancing with him at a Donna Karen party). Unlike her colleagues, she didn't go to college, is a little old ( 31, not 27 as she claims), and lacks a trust fund. Mystere et boule de gomme.
Whoever she is, her style is one of a kind. Let's take a look:
Ms. Jones updates classic black dresses with fringe details, sequins, and embellished bags...

Remixes summer whites with ruffles, understated baubles, and side swept hairdos...

Accentuates her small waist with belts over both coats and dresses...

And keeps top designers seduced in thigh skimming dresses and shorts...

Classy.
Want the socialite look? Start with these pieces:

Top Row: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hammered Silk Satin Dress, $170, www.saks.com; Clu Ruffle Trim Dress, $100, shopbop.com
Bottom Row; Necessary Objects Lace Babydoll Dress, $68, www.nordstrom.com; Hamptons Belt, $11.80, www.forever21.com.
Smootches!
PS Missed the article? Read more about the enigma that is G. Jones here.

High Yellow

"Look at the stars/ Look how they shine for you/ And everything you do/ Yeah they were all yellow..."--Coldplay, "Yellow."

So, I have a confession to make: I'm absolutely obsessed with the color yellow! It's the perfect shade for summer, automatically brightens up any outfit, and bonus: it looks simply smashing against most skin tones.
I thought it only fitting to look to celebs to see how to rock it proper:
Socialite Genevieve Jones accents a pretty pleated skirt and sheer black shawl with a searing sunflower top...

J. Lo looks crisp and cool in a pretty, pale, thigh-skimming sundress...

Kimora screams cute in a canary cardigan. Her adorable daughter Aoki helps her along...

And Beyonce accents a grey skirt and hoodie with scintillating citron Louboutin pumps...

Hot.
Yellows work whether patterned or solid, but steer clear of pairing yellow stripes with black...

You could end up looking like a bumble bee!
Work yellow in the right way with these Fashion Bomb certified pieces:

Top Row: Floral Babydoll Top, $19.80, www.forever21.com; Overlasted Platform Shoe, £55.00, www.topshop.com; Double Button Cuffed Short, $18.50, www.wetseal.com.
Middle Row: Egyptian Cotton Printed Sweater Dress, $140, www.jcrew.com; Lacoste "Summer Terry" Beach Bag, $135.00, www.macys.com; Coffee Shop Fit & Flare Trench Coat, $68, www.nordstrom.com
Bottom Row: Nana Delmar Yellow Patent Leather, $98.95, Zappos.com
Lydell NYC Bangle, $25, www.bloomingdales.com; Yepa shoes, $60, www.tishshoeboutique.com
Smootches!
PS Pieces Boutique (which I wrote about here) is having a Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale!!!

Click to enlarge
50-60% off dresses?!? $60 Jeans??? I'm definitely dropping by!