Jourdan Dunn, Anais Mali and Jasmine Tookes Present Fresh Looks For Spring In the March Issue of W Magazine!!!

This season find inspiration in gorgeous prints and fantabulous accessories instead of something in sherbet colors which spell frothy and sweet. Giovanna Battaglia did what she's known for as a fashion stylist when she styled this shoot for the March issue of W Magazine featuring Jourdan Dunn, Anais Mali and Jasmine Tookes to a T. Welcome to fabulous! Welcome to bold color! Welcome to innate style! You rock ladies!

Source: Models of Color

Being Yourself Never Goes Out Of Style

There's nothing more beautiful than a woman who embraces her own individuality and style. When everyone else wants you to "Get the Look" or "Copy Her Style." Why not just "Do You?"

Let's face it a lot of grown women are still following the leader when it comes to style because they're afraid of stepping out of the box and still value the opinions of strangers. Why? I'll never know.
Instead of looking like yourself you come off looking like a Xeroxed copy of someone else when that's done. Confidence is one hell of an accessory, so wear it proudly.

The above look may not be for everyone sans the make up, but it sure is fantabulous!

Scenes From The Afrika21 Mixtape Project in Planet Brooklyn

Fashion Designer Hekima Hapa at the Afrika21 Mixtape Project recently held in Brooklyn, NY which featured emerging African artists and entertainers. Read the rest at the New York Times.


The event bought out this best in Brooklyn style.


Ethiopian singer, Sheba performed at the event.


Jewelry designer, Alicia Piller wearing one of her unique designs.


Stylist and fashion buyer, Izetta Henderson.


Photos/Source: New York Times

Fashion News: Scenes From Dakar Fashion Week

Scenes from the recently held Dakar Fashion Week.

Photo: Reuters

Le Look Du Jour: Christian Loboutin and Farida Khelfa

Friends in fashion and in real life, the super chic Farida Khelfa and Christian Louboutin attend the The White Fairy Tale Love Ball recently held by model Natalia Vodianova for her Naked Heart Foundation in Paris.

Man of Style: Architect David Adjaye

Stefano Tonchi Celebrates the W May Design Issue and the Book Launch of David Adjaye's A House for an Art Collector. David Adjaye is an award winning architect of the eponymous, innovative architectural and design firm whose work spans across a diverse and global platform.


Proudly boasting a multicultural and multinational team, Adjaye Associates is stimulated and nurtured by the broadest possible perspective and curiosity, resulting in a rupturing nucleus of creativity and building a legacy to be reckoned with.

Adjaye was born in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam and travelled the world with his diplomatic father until the family settled in London. He earned his BA at London South Bank University, before graduating with an MA in 1993 from the Royal College of Art. I will definitely be adding this book to my bookshelf.

WHAT'S HAUTE NOW: VLISCO'S DAZZLING GRAPHICS CAMPAIGN

Absolutely Stunning!

"Vlisco's Dazzling Graphics"

Just when they released their previous "Nouvelle Histoire" collection a few months back, Vlisco is now introducing their latest fabric collection,  "Dazzling Graphics". As usual everything Vlisco manufactures is fit to print, from vivid colours which emphasize the interplay of black and white by creating a shocking design aesthetic. In the mix are dazzling curves combined with the eclectic pairings of psychedelic circles and an abundance of block shapes, together transforming into new shapes that are right on trend this season and every season.

STRIKE A POSE: FLAVIANA MATATA FOR ARISE MAGAZINE ISSUE#10

The bold and the beautiful Tanzanian born model and Arise magazines model of the year, Flaviana Matata in an editorial for the magazines latest issue. Check out the rest of the editorial here.
(Source)

WHAT'S HAUTE NOW: PEBBLE LONDON JEWELRY

Pebble London

With Summer just around the corner, I'm currently crushing hard on these beauties. I already have two pairs of the Fulani style earrings, but I don't have this style below:


Gold Plated Large Curved 'Star Fruit' Earrings


Gold Plated on Brass large curved 'Star Fruit' earrings. The earrings are 2 inches in width, 3.25 inches in length, and are suspended from a Gold Plated flower decorated wire hook. Price: £130.00 The earrings are also available in medium size.


Large Gold Leaf Hoop Earrings (I've Got two pairs of these)


Gold leaf hoop earrings based on the Star fruit. Measures 2.5 inches across with a drop of 2 inches.
Price: £140.00 They are also available in small and medium sized earrings.



Brass Multi-Strand Wire Torque Necklace


Brass multi-strand wire torque necklace. The inner diameter of the necklace is 4.5 inches, (expands), and the drop length is 5.5 inches. Price: £120.00

Pebble London began as an excuse to spend lots of time exploring India, and their first collections used faceted and tumbled semi-precious stones they sourced throughout the India. Nine years later, their travels now include India, China, Africa, Thailand, and South America, and they have expanded the collections to include metals, stones, wood, glass, coral, and amber.

Traditional tribal jewellery is a big influence and they find sources of traditional pieces from tribal groups in Africa, the Pacific, China, Afghanistan, Nepal, and India. Pebble London has worked with several well known designers throughout the years to include the late, Alexander McQueen, Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli and other well known fashion designers.


This is only a small amount of what Pebble London has to offer because their collection is rather vast and extensive. You can click here to view the rest of the collection. Pebble London ships mostly throughout the world.

Photos: Pebble London

Azzedine Alaïa Celebrates The Body Beautiful

Two Looks From Azzedine Alaïa's 2011/12 Fall-Winter RTW Collection

  

Ruffles usually signal softness or a feminine aesthetic when it comes to a woman's clothes, but count on Azzedine Alaïa, "The King of Cling"  to create dreamy and sexy confections that hug the body in just the right places. Azzedine Alaïa continues to glorify the female silhouette with his beautifully designed pieces.

For his highly anticipated 2011-2012 Autumn/Winter Collection, he held an exclusive viewing only to a select few of the worlds fashion editors. Known for his use of knits and innovative techniques which sheathe the body by creating an outline that follows a woman's curves and flatters the silhouette, Alaïa presented this beautiful collection.

Anything Alaïa creates makes a woman know that she doesn't have to try too hard to be dazzling while wearing it. 

Photos: Le Figaro/WWD

DEFINING FABULOUS: INDIRA CARVALHO

Brazilian Top Model-Indira Carvalho

"Indira Is Absolutely Stunning In These Editorials"

Indira Carvalho is a top model with WMA in Brazil.

Photos: WMA/L'Officiel Brasil

AND THE WINNER IS...FLAVIANA MATATA!

"ARISE MAGAZINE'S MODEL OF THE YEAR!"

Flaviana Matata Is Bold and Beautiful!

Top Model Flaviana Matata has been chosen as 'The Model of the Year' award winner at the 2011 F/W Arise Magazine Fashion Week, recently held in Lagos, Nigeria. Flaviana has been jet-setting to go-sees all over the world and landing in a major ad-campaign for Top Shop and in editorials for L’Officiel Paris, Glass Magazine, Essence Magazine and the latest issue of ARISE Magazine. This Tanzanian born beauty has also graced many of the worlds runways in recently held fashion weeks. Way to go Flaviana! Congratulations!

FRENCH MAKEUP BRAND-black|Up COSMETICS IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE USA

One of France's most popular luxury cosmetic brands for women of color, Black|Up Cosmetics, is now available in the United States.The exclusive makeup collection is now available to American customers through the company's website. Managing Director Lionel Durand is searching for a location for the brand's first freestanding U.S. store, to be either located in New York or Los Angeles.The brand, which was formerly dedicated to serving women of color, especially those with darker complexions, has now expanded it's collection to include women of all shades of beautiful.


Photo: black|Up Cosmetics

WHAT'S HAUTE NOW: DORIS AND DORIS

My fab daughter turned me on to the UK fashion label Doris & Doris and I'm hooked on their lovely creations which are perfect for the Spring and Summer. She didn't won't me to share this great find until she bought the two tops that she was interested in.

I told her she didn't have to worry about that because my blog doesn't get that much traffic and it's just a hobby of mine, but I do like introducing those who do read my blog to the latest in fashion and style, otherwise known as real style, sans celebrities. She also told me that they started out selling their clothing at a stall in Brixton Market, London... talk about enterprising.

I say this all the time to emerging fashion designers, if you can't get your clothing(foot) in the store(door) create your own E-commerce site, give the public what they want and you'll be in business, but please don't overlook great customer service.

TWO LOOKS: FARIDA KHELFA AND JOAN SMALLS FOR JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2011 HAUTE COUTURE

An '80s 'Super Model' and a new one on the rise, fashion week can't get any better than this.

Inspiration: Emulating Yves

Images of YSL's 1967 "African Collection" and

Marchesa's dress is from their 2010 Resort Collection

features striking similarities of Yve's collection.

The dress that Henrieth is wearing is by Gucci.

When I first saw this editorial of Henrieth Paul for the January issue of VOGUE Italia photograph by none other than Steven Meisel. I was in awe especially of the way the editorial pays a visit to a bygone era that many of us don't get to see anymore. That of a customer in a designers atelier being fitted for Haute Couture by the designer, his assistants or a group of "petite mains." Elegantly clad models parading in front of potential customers holding placards of the desired garments as the buyers sit in elegant Chiavari chairs inside a chic salon...crystal chandeliers complete that added elegance and ambiance. 

Thanks to Beauty is Diverse for the inspiration.

Source

Woman of Style: Angeline Chidowore

Who: Angeline Chidowore, Manager-FENDI Boutique NYC.

Where: 12th Annual Winter Wonderland Ball, held at The New York Botanical Garden.
Photos: Patrick McMullan

ELLE South Africa Magazine’s Fresh Face Talent Winner: Alexandra Robertshaw

ELLE South Africa's Fresh Face Winner Alexandra Robertshaw

Robertshaw and the other stylish contestants.

ELLE Magazine’s Fresh Face Talent Search winner will receive a prize includes a R20 000 ($2,894.63) gift voucher from Woolworths as well as the April ELLE cover and in the latest Woolworths ad campaigns. ELLE collaborated with Woolworths to find a young woman with style and substance who best represents South Africa and Alexandra was sellected the winner. Along with her other prizes he also receives a two-year contract with BOSS models.

                                                                         
                                                                              [Source]

One To Watch: Herieth Paul

"Herieth for Dennis Basso"

NYFW is finally over and it's off to the next one for most women. I couldn't help but notice this beautiful model during a few shows, and her name is Herieth Paul. We all know that one model will always catch our eyes during fashion week and she certainly caught mine. It seems like WWD has also been enamoured with her bubbly personality and smile by their post here.

"Herieth for Nanette Lepore"

Herieth hails from Tanzania but moved to Canada at 14 years old. She has goals and a desire to walk for as many fashion designers as she can, she also wants the coveted covers of many fashion magazines. Herieth is a teen model and it's great that her mother is also involved with her chosen profession and also travels with her to guide her. As long as she keeps that positive attitude she'll get those and a whole lot more.
(Photos:GettyImages)