What's Haute Now: Smurfette For Harper's Bazaar

I'm a fan and I'm sure there are probably millions of women who are still fans of the Smurf's, those lovable blue creatures that I first fell in love with when I lived in Germany. Well, it seems that with the shortage of real live models of color Harper’s Bazaar  is debuting a new model and she’s blue! In its August issue the mag has taken photoshop to a whole new level and run a tongue-in-cheek fashion spread featuring Smurfette, the leading lady of the new The Smurfs movie – pirouetting across the pages showcasing designer accessories from Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.


Photo/Source: Harper's Bazaar

Le Look Du Jour: Jourdan Dunn at the Serpentine Gallery's Summer Party

Top model Jourdan Dunn, who also appears in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Burberry campaign attends the annual Serpentine Gallery's Summer Party co-hosted by Burberry.




Photo:Burberry

A Fashionable Life: ESTELLE

London born singer, Estelle is having an incredible year thus far with a new single being released and a new album that will be dropping sometime this year, she's been busier than ever. What I and I'm sure many others have been noticing is her ever evolving style. 

The London girl-about-town has been seen in all the right places looking chic and sophisticated as ever, nothing about her look says contrived and I love that about her. It doesn't matter whether she's rocking bold platforms or the latest trends in statement making pops of color, Estelle's style is simple with a playful femininity. She's been serving it up big time on the red carpet on both coasts. To find out the latest news about Estelle, click here.

Two Looks: Estelle and Jill Scott/2011 BET Awards

This two ladies got it right. While everyone else was trying a little too hard to shock and awe, Estelle and Jill Scott were the most elegantly dressed celebrities tonight.


Estelle


Jill Scott

What's Haute Now: Bottega Veneta and Eli Saab Enter The Fragrance Market

Coty Prestige recently unveiled the debut woman's fragrance from Bottega Veneta in Milan. The scent will be launched in September of this year. Details of the fragrance's ingredients and the bottle design,sizes and pricing will not be released to the public until September.


The brand is expanding fast in Asia where 55% of its 2010 sales came from. According to PPR which owns Gucci Group, revenues from Bottega Veneta rose by 27.0% in 2010 to top half a billion euros, easily outperforming Gucci Group as a whole which grew 18.3%. From a retail and geographical standpoint much of that growth will have been driven by Asian consumers given that in 2010 the number of Bottega Veneta's directly operated retail stores remained constant except in emerging markets where they leapt from 37 to 48. They are opening 15 stores in China this year while Japan is already their biggest market by the number of stores [49 in 2010]."
Source

Fashion designer Elie Saab recently revealed his first fragrance for women - ELIE SAAB Le Parfum. Created in partnership with Beauté Prestige International, the Paris-based subsidiary of Shiseido Co. Ltd., ELIE SAAB Le Parfum celebrates the splendor and brilliance of the radiant femininity which has always inspired him.

Source

Le Looks Du Jour: Julia Sarr-Jamois Men's Collections Milano

My favorite Afrolista, Julia Sarr-Jamois captured by Mr. Tommy Ton himself before the men's collection shows in Milan.

Photos: Tommy Ton

What's Haute Now: Versace For H&M

The exclusive Versace for H & M collection for men, women and the home will be available, Fall 2011. 

"The exclusive collection will mimic the vibrant heritage of the Versace brand, the sexiness of form fitting leather, prints, color and exuberance in exclusive materials at fantastic H&M prices. 

The collection will be available on Nov. 17 in select  stores and online. 



Donnatella Versace wears a dress from the collection.



Photos: Getty Images

What's Haute Now: Gregory Parkinson Resort 2012

I must commend fashion designer Gregory Parkinson for finally getting it right with this collection in so many ways. This collection says Summer in every way, from the colors to the use of the light-weight fabrics!

Le Quote Du Jour

What's Haute Now: Beyonce For CLEO Magazine

Beyonce seems to be taking over the magazine covers by storm. … here she is for the cover of Australia’s Cleo magazine. I don’t see anything wrong by her getting her marketing campaign out there in full swing. Go Bey! 

Photo: CLEO Magazine

What I Wore: Jill Scott for The New York Times

Jill of all trades, Jill Scott as she strikes a pose for the latest copy of the New York Times's style section.

Photo: Kirsten Luce

Happy Fathers Day!

If your father’s are still living celebrate them every day.I thank my father for showing me the world and being able accept all people regardless of their humanity. I thank him for teaching me that family is something no one can take from you regardless of how and where we’re dispersed around the globe. I thank him for introducing me to the world of books and opening up my mind to their endless possibilities. I’d do almost anything to dance, Salsa, Limbo, Merenque, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba and Mambo as we did after many Sunday dinners. 

Happy Fathers Day!

What's Haute Now: Giambattista Valli Resort 2012

A few of my favorites from Giambattista Valli Resort 2012.

Some of the 2012 Resort Collections are bit confusing by what they're offering, some of them look like they can be worn for the Fall instead of hot, sunny places. Giambattista Valli is offering a little bit of both with this collection. he's got simple A-line dresses, boxy and embellished jackets, African inspired fabrics, vibrant colors and the cutest sandals I've ever seen on the planet that make me swoon.

What's Haute Now: Ledisi's "Pieces of Me"

Ledisi release her latest album "Pieces of Me" today. I've been a fan of hers for a while and this song shows her vocal range even more. If real music is what you're looking for then Ledisi is the songtress for you.

 Pieces of Me by ledisi 

One Look: Nyasha Matonhodze for Balenciaga Resort 2012

Nyasha Matonhodze for Balenciaga Resort 2012.


Photo:Balenciaga 

A Glamtastic Flashback: Willi Smith and Toukie Smith

A family based on love for each other and style: Fashion designer, Willi Smith and his fabulous sister, Toukie Smith. Williwear was the bomb.com!

Willi Smith is no longer with us, but his legacy and contributions to the American fashion industry live on.

New Music:The Floacist - Keep It Going (ft. Raheem DeVaughn)

One of the best CD's of the year that the masses are sleeping on.

Le Look Du Jour: Actress Patina Miller

Tony Award nominee, Patina Miller of "Sister Act: The Musical, attends the 65th Annual Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre.

What's Haute Now: Gaye McDonald and Jaunel McKenzie for ESSENCE Magazine-JULY 2011

OK, we've seen the fashion editorial and cover for the July issue of ESSENCE Magazine featuring Beyoncé, now check out the "WHITE ON" fashion editorial featuring Jaunel McKenzie and Gaye McDonald of Pulse Models as they sizzle in the purest of hues---white. Lovely!

Photos by: Antoine Verglas|Styling by: Elliana Placas|
Digitally Reproduced/Scanned by me.
Check it out!

Glamtastic Flashback: Top Model Anne Fiona

Anne Fiona is a Kenyan born, Swiss bred former "Super Model" whose beauty graced many of the worlds top catwalks, from Tokyo to Milan and in print.

"Anne for YSL"

"Strike A Pose"

Four Looks: Ajak Deng For Jason Wu Resort 2012

That black gown is stunning!

Color Splash: Tranquil Blue

I find the color blue to be to be one of the most soothing and relaxing colors on the planet. From azure to indigo, blue stands for tranquility especially when it comes to interiors. Former top model, Helen Williams served as the inspiration for this inspiration board. Sheila Bridges and Barbara Barry are some of my favorite interior designers and I couldn't pass up some of their work.

A desk or vanity that oozes elegance. 

Cool, calm and serene is what this living room is all about.

Find your style inspiration and create your own level of calm. And remember, style is not always about what you wear.

GLAMOUR: THE MOVIE

Glamour - The reality behind dreams

The story of a Zanzibari girl from a conservative Islamic family who wears a Hijab, but dreams of being a supermodel. Ironically the first picture ever taken of her was taken by a tourist on the streets of Zanzibar as her family was so poor and conservative that her parents didn’t ever take her picture. When she sees herself in a picture for the first time she dreams of doing it for the rest of her life and aspires to be a model one day.

I definitely want to see this movie because of it's compelling story line that most of us know to well, the idea of leaving home to stake out your claim in a foreign land. For me, I couldn't wait to live overseas and many models from the USA, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Asia and Africa wanted to go to the center of the fashion world: Europe.

The Models who have made a name for themselves whose lives possibly mirror this movie.

Azzedine Alaïa Returns To Paris Fashion Week

One of the biggest names in the fashion, Azzedine Alaïa is set to show at Paris Fashion Week after previously showing his collections to only a select few fashion insiders in recent years. The Tunisian born, Paris based fashion designer said he plans to show a series of semi-couture pieces during the start of Parisian haute couture fashion shows which takes place between 4 and 8 July of this year.

Alaïa has dressed many of worlds most stylish and high-profile women, from Grace Jones, Tina Turner, Naomi Campbell and Michelle Obama, to name a few. His clothes highlight the body, like a second skin that emphasizes a womans curves. Azzedine Alaïa never disappoints the women who love him with his ever changing array of clothing and accessories. I can't wait to see this collection.

United Nudes Flat Pack Shoes

Talk about innovative and cutting-edge. The shoes were designed for United Nude by Alicia Framis.

Le Quote Du Jour

I don’t conform to the standards that others attempt to oppose upon on me. I never have and I never will.

I Am Legend: Actress Paula Kelly

Along with my mother, my sisters and the thousands of women who I saw in the media who looked like me and even those who didn’t, I was never without an array of positive images to choose from while growing up and Paula Kelly stood out because of her beauty and presentation. She was and still is beautiful. She could dance. She could act. And yes, she could sing too.

Today we hardly celebrate the women who are in “full bloom,” these women are in the prime of their lives and just like them, I’m glad to still be here celebrating and living my life like it’s golden. The media tends to ignore them and just like the media, many of us do the same thing. Just because a woman is no longer in her ’20s and ’30s doesn’t mean that she should be ignored and not celebrated.

To celebrate them means that they still exist. Thank you Paula Kelly for being such a positive influence with your talent, beauty and grace. Elegance Personified!

Tina J For ELLE Singapore

Tina J of Darley Management does it again with and editorial titled Heat Wave – shot by Joel Lim and delivers a brightly hued story for the June issue of Elle Singapore. Capturing Tina J in notable looks from Jil Sander, Gucci, Fendi and other brands–Lim works with fashion editor Daphne Chen for a series graceful yet dynamic images. /Hair by Kenneth Ong using Redken.

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue