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Showing posts with label Mary J. Blige. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary J. Blige. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

YSL Tribute: Modern Pantsuits

For a woman, le smoking is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself continually in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion. Fashion’s come and go, but style is forever."--Yves Saint Laurent
After hearing the news of Yves Saint Laurent's passing, I decided to pay homage to his memory by writing about one of his major contributions to fashion:
Le Smoking.
A feminized version of the male tuxedo, le smoking debuted in 1966 and was reinvented and redone every season as Yves's signature silhouette. He revolutionized the industry by being the first to put women in masculine tailoring...
And contemporary women continue to pay honor to his legacy in sleek, form fitting pantsuits:
Iman where's a black sequined version with ribbon tie belt...
Amerie modernizes the look with a decolette vest, sans shirt...
And J.Lo and Mary J Blige wear all white pantsuits on the most formal of red carpets in both double breasted and single breasted jackets.
Chic!
If you want the look, splurge with the following options:
1. Just Cavalli Suit, $944. 2. Gucci Women's Suit, $2,650. 3. Fabrizio Lenzi Suit, $720.
Save with these:
1. Nanette Lepore Beloved Suit Jacket and Pants, $196. 2. Pique Pant Suit, $60. 3. Neiman Marcus Two-Piece Pantsuit, $295.
Smootches!
Fashion, News, and What Nots
*Fact: Yves Saint Laurent was the first couture designer to feature Black models on his runway and in advertising...
... Naomi Campbell delivered a tearfelt tribute to YSL yesterday saying, "My first Vogue cover ever was because of this man...when I said to him 'Yves, they won't give me a French Vogue cover, they won't put a black girl on the cover,' he was like 'I'll take care of that,' and he did." [AFP]
*And, it seems it has all come full circle. The Sunday Mail reported that Naomi Campbell will replace Kate Moss as the new face of Yves Saint Laurent. [Daily Mail]

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Claire's Life: Mary J Blige Concert Afterparty

Here's a "Claire's Life" quickie:
Last night I went to Spotlight Live for the Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z concert afterparty. Truth be told, I went to take a picture with Mary, but this is the best I could do:
...So close!!! Cute haircut. (I'm just noticing this now, but is that Kevin Liles in the background???)
Anyway...No matter, I was able to catch up with a few of the other celebs in the house.
The baddest, Trina, was very gracious and sophisticated:
Stephen Baldwin was cool and down to earth (and offered my friend the rest of his Red Bull!):
And highlight of the night had to be meeting some of the boys from Day 26....
...they were super sweet and kept the Ciroc flowing all night:)
Believe it or not, it's 3am. Sleep time!
*Just for fun, a quick Day 26 viddy:

Cute! Buy their album here.
*This is so funny! I just looked online for pix of MJB from last night. Check out this picture:
Notice anyone in the background?? I guess I did manage to get a pic with her...sort of!
*Thanks to Carine of PDG PR and Dante Simpson of DSA Media Group!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Style File: Mary J. Blige

Hey!
So voting didn't end until very early this morning, so I'm going to take today and truly narrow everything down...stay tuned tomorrow for round two!
In the meantime, I figured I'd go back to business as usual with a Style File on diva, songstress, and R&B queen...
...Mary J. Blige.
With all this time, I can't believe I've never done a Style File on her! She's been on the scene since I was at least fifteen, bringing the soulful songs and great street chic style:
For red carpets, her signature as of late has been flowing, grecian gowns...
...in solid or ombre colors worn with make-a-statement jewelry and accessories.
From time to time, she opts for something more form fitting, whether long gowns in spandex blends...
...or alluring cocktail length frocks with t-necks...
For more casual events, she flaunts her body in tight tops and skinny pants...
...or goes a bit more prissy in pencil skirts topped off with an eye catching blouse...
...worn with booties or cute stilettos.
Whatever she chooses to wear, one thing she won't leave home without is a luxurious, lustrous...
..fur coat...
..luxury is the rule, not the exception for this diva, and she flaunts her taste with no apologies.
I wonder what she would do if PETA 'Anna Wintoured' her and threw flour or paint on her??
Pure comedy!!
Ha!
Get a Mary J casual look with the following:

Step it up in these cocktails...
Rock these on the red carpet...
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots
*Tomorrow's Round Two: Log on to cast your final votes!!!!
*Just for fun, a few Mary J. Blige Oldies but Goodies:

Real Love (Don't Front, this is still the jam)

I Can Love You (Who you lovin', who you wanna be huggin?)
And my current 'feel good jam'...

Just Fine (I ain't gone let nothing get in my wayyyyy/No matter what nobody has to sayyyy!)
*Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, and the guys from Proenza Schouler were nominated for the 2008 Womenswear Designer of the Year Award by the CFDA. Is it strange that they're all men? For womenswear? [WWD]
*Oh junkie junk...
...the Glam Network Awards are open for voting!!! Vote for The Fashion Bomb in the 'Fashion Publishers' category. Visit Glam.com for more details. And vote for me!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

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!

Monday, March 05, 2007

NAACP Image Awards + Upgrade U Update

"We on Award Tour with Muhammad my man/Goin each and every place with the mic in their hand/New York, NJ, N.C., VA.../We on Award Tour with Muhammad my man/Goin each and every place with the mic in their hand/Oaktown, L.A., San Fran, St. John." Tribe Called Quest, 'Award Tour.'

Good Morning!
So I'm back from my whirlwind trip to DC...and while I *totally* intended to drop in on DC Fashion Week and shopping, I was sooo busy that I couldn't get around to it! We got in late Friday, were booked Saturday, left early Sunday...you know the deal.
I *did*, however, find time to tune in to the NAACP Image Awards on Friday...and I must say that I was super impressed with the red carpet representations. Most stars came with it, but only a select few stood out (in good and bad ways).
Behold, TFB's Awards Tour fashion hits and misses.
First the hits.
The Cheetah Girls...

...looked cute in their coordinated cocktail dresses. I loved the mixture of shiny fabrics, metallic colors, and traditional black.
Ms. Tyra...

....could do no wrong in this navy strapless number.
Aisha Tyler...

...looked flawless in her spring ready gown. The lemony tone complemented her skin and brightened her complexion.
Jada...

...was stunning in her gathered powder blue dress, and Mary J...

...also rocked the pastel with purpose.
Perfection.
The misses were few and far between, but when they happened, it was hard to look away.
Camille Winbush...

...missed the mark in this velvet trainwreck. Velvet is a winter fabric, and there's no place for it in spring months when lighter fabrics like silk and chiffon proliferate. She's forgiven because of her young age, but let's hope her style philosophy ripens like fine wine. Moving along...
India Arie...

...looked great at the Grammies, but dropped the ball here. Fit is of prime importance, and it's obvious that this shift is struggling over them hips. It also doesn't help that her black pumps are categorically unglam. Cool for the office, totally terrible for the carpet.
Sheryl Underwood...

...tried to pull off the Grecian goddess look, but fell short. The top might be more flattering with straps, and a more structured bottom would slim her down and avoid the 'marshmellow' effect.
Lastly Keesha Sharp's satin number...

...could be mistaken for a Vicky's Secret nighty. And a strap shortening would've done her girls some good.
My two cents. What do y'all think?
Smootches!
PS The Beyonce 'Upgrade U' Sunglasses Mystery...

...has been solved (Thanks Jenn)!
The specs are by a company called Cazal. This similar pair...

...is $290, at www.decormyeyes.com and this pair...

...is $254 at www.sunglasses.go-optic.com.
Let them upgrade you.
PSS Visit the end of season sale at shopbop.com

Click here...


...and take a look.
Happy Shopping!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Trendwatch pt. 2

Hey Y'all!
So for today's Trendwatch, I'm focusing on my next favorite spring trend: Polka Dots.
Let's take a look:
Beyonce...

And Eva Longoria...

Look amazing in their all dot outfits.
Mary J. also shows us how to wear the trend...

... by pairing a polka dot top with a classic pencil skirt and jacket.
Want the look? Try these pieces:

Clockwise from Left: Donna Rico Dot Shirtdress, $118, www.nordstrom.com; Medallion Puff Sleeve Blouse, $68, www.bananarepublic.com; Retro Dot Mini, $78, www.jcrew.com; Polka Dot Mini Wedge, $29.50, www.alloy.com; Dotted Cami in Excalibur Grey, $121,CoutureCandy; Printed Umbrella, $38 at www.jcrew.com; Polka Dot Top, $38, www.victoriassecret.com; Polka Dot Tie Waist Dress, $22.50, www.wetseal.com. Center: Boarder Print Jumper Tank, $18.50, www.wetseal.com.
Spot on.
Smootches!