This Is So Cool: Happy Holidays From Jenni Kayne

Solange Knowles for ELLE South Africa NOV-2012

The cover that we've been waiting for: Solange Knowles graces the cover of ELLE South Africa. I can't wait to see the rest of the editorial.



Photo: ELLE South Africa

My Favorite Looks From The Concrete Catwalks @ NYFW 2013 RTW

My favorite looks from the concrete catwalk during New York Fashion Week 2013 RTW: 


Herieth Paul on the streets of NYC.
New York is one of the worlds fashion capitals when it comes to individual style and beauty and all the best looks first start on the streets before they get on the designer catwalks. Women of all backgrounds and ethnicity's were rocking bold patterns and colors. Long skirts and short dresses in shear fabrics and embellishments.

Notice me. Look at my style. Looks that don't cry for attention will always catch the photographers eye. Shoes that were made for walking and some that were just not fit to even walk in and yet the wearers point-of-view came through. Denim in all kinds of hues and styles and piles of accessories that served as a constant inspiration to designers for the coming seasons. In reality, I take my cues from the street when it comes to interpreting a look that I like and celebrity style has never played a part in it.




A shift dress hides a multitude of sins.

Our favorite "It Girl" Solange Knowles sporting her signature pattern mix

finished off with a pair of leopard pumps.

Model Sara Nuru

Stylist and blogger, Athanaelle Paul of Fashion Bench.

Elise Peterson of Swagger New York

The Peplum jacket or shirt is a classic style.

Vivid Color

Giovanna Battaglia in Prada

A Maxi and Thong Sandals Are Super Chic

 Photos by FM,GI,WWD

SOLANGE KNOWLES IS AFRO SENSATIONAL FOR TIME OUT NEW YORK

Ka-Bloom!!

What a way to start the day and see Solange in all her ferosh-ness on my Tumblr page for Time Out New York in the perfect colors and fashion inspiration for Spring. Solange had been on a roll way before she was signed to NEXT Modeling agency because she is a favorite of women in the Natural Hair community before the mainstream fashion industry noticed her, either way, she simply rocks. I wonder what are ESSENCE, EBONY and the other so called niche magazines waiting on when it comes to a cover and editorial featuring her??? Be sure to check out Solange's inspirational blog which updates her style and her journey through life and it's peoples.














Photos: Solange Knowles/Source/Jolie Ruben

Snap, Sparkle & Pop!

Sequins, paillettes and beads, Oh My! It might be the holidays, but it doesn't mean you have to come off looking like a Christmas ornament. Whatever you do, don't over do it with the sparkle or you'll blind someone. To keep the look sophisticated, wear only one piece of the sparkly, such as a jacket, a dress, pants or a top. Keep the bling jewelry to a minimum.

Donyale Luna by Avedon

My daughter's sequin jacket from Forever 21 worn with a animal print top.

There are hundreds of sites that feature looks from the high-end to the affordable to suit your taste and pocket books or better yet, check out your local thrift store for some of the best bargains in town.

Sparkle On!

Kelly Rowland Ties One On

After all of her controversy on the U.K. version of X Factor, Kelly Rowland's effortless style remains chic. It's great to see her wearing a completely different look that says comfort other than the usual.

Kelly Rowland doesn't seem afraid to rock a turban.

Photos:UDM

Pile 'Em On!

Bangles, Bangles, Bangles...and more bangles. The more the merrier! No accessory wardrobe can be complete without them.

Currently Crushing On Apple Bottoms Maxi Dresses

Leave it up to some people who say there's no market for so called urban fashions...well this proves them wrong again. I don't think of Apple Bottoms as urban, but one that appeals to the masses who are in search of affordable and well-made clothing and I'm sure Nelly does too.


I haven't seen any ads for Nelly's Apple Bottoms lately and wondered if the brand had disappeared until I saw this beautiful dress on Confessions of a blog Vixen. Btw, be sure to check out her lovely blog.

Maxi dresses were one of the biggest trends worn during this years EMF and I packed at least two myself, but I had been looking for a tie-dyed one for a while and zeroed right in on this one.

Nelly's Apple Bottom brand has been thriving for quite some time and is still quite successful, even without the support of those who think that they are above the brand. Apple Bottoms is available exclusively at Macy's, Dr. Jays and on their website. Sizes are also available for women with curves.

Photos: Macy's and WESTNDNBEAUTY 

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: Stuart Weitzman for Theodora & Callum

"The vintage glamour of style icons, Naomi Sims for VOGUE 1970 and Kellie Wilson (below) for VOGUE 1969 says Spring/Summer Chic"

I'm getting ready for Spring and Summer! My garden is blooming and the weather is getting warmer and I'm ready to enjoy this beautiful weather to come and to me nothing is as versatile as the espadrille. Think of that '60s and '70s vibe.

Born out of a love for collecting beautiful things from all over the world, Theodora & Callum is an accessories-based line featuring scarves, jewelry, shoes and bags inspired by their travels. Drawing inspiration from Morocco, Bali, Turkey, India and the Mediterranean as well as the bon vivant mentality of the late 60’s and early 70’s European jet-set, each style feels as if it has been discovered in a far-off locale.

The shoes and bags, manufactured by Stuart Weitzman, incorporate the line’s signature prints, and have an international, ageless appeal. Effortlessly city or beach chic, they are certain to become classics. View the rest of the collection here.
(Source)

INSPIRATION: CHARLENE DASH

What inspires you to create? Is it beauty? Is it a photograph? Is it words that tend to continue to speak to you after you've read them? Is it a person? Is it the natural beauty that surrounds you? 

I'm a woman that often finds myself inspired by what I see or read. I never leave home with my camera because there is always something or someone that will catch my eye.

While looking through pages of vintage VOGUE magazines this photo of former "Top Model," Charlene Dash captured my eye. In the photo she exudes the look of carefree fun in the summertime while wearing an all-white ensemble from head to toe. After being inspired by her beautiful photo, I then set out to find more of the same images that captured that same carefree exuberance.

I found the inspirational beauty in: My daughter, Ebony, Gloria “Goyo” Martínez of Choc Quib Town, Ajak Deng, Lauryn Hill, Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya of Toro, Dihann Carroll, Billie Holiday and the other models pictured.
C'est Inspiré !

WHAT'S HAUTE NOW: ESPADRILLES BY NINE WEST

Haute fun in the summertime! The must have trend of the season...Espadrilles and right now I'm loving the latest collection from Nine West! They're perfect with almost anything.

To see the rest of the collection of Espadrilles, click here.
Photos: Nine West

Objets de beauté: ALDO FORWOOD WEDGES

         
ALDO'S  FORWOOD WEDGES- Price: $90.00

African style and the styles of other indigenous people have been copied for years, and now Aldo has joined in the latest so called trend with their Global Bazaar Collection of shoes and accessories. African designers, I see an opportunity for many of you to create fabulous shoes and accessories using African fabrics and capitalize on this "Tribal Trend" too.



                                       

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEVEN EASY PIECES

There's nothing basic about wearing the color black just as long as you pay attention to the details. The texture of the fabric, silhouette of the garment, bold or simple accessories and style come into play when you choose a combination that allows you to be both comfortable and polished. A skirt or jacket of tweed, leather and even a sweater that can serve both as a tunic or dress will do. Add a shawl and belt it to create a look that's totally feminine, uncompromising and totally you.
Source

A Fashionable Life: Thelma Golden

"A Curator of Style"

Thelma Golden is presently the Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem. The petite powerhouse, style-maven, socialite, activist, art diva and philanthropist has been serving us her sense of style ever since she became the Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Programs in 2000 before succeeding Dr. Lowery Stokes Sims, the Museum’s former Director and President, in 2005. Thelma is heavily involved in numerous charities throughout the international art world and in the New York Art Society.

Thelma and her husband Duro Olowu

Thelma is one lucky woman because there aren't  many women who have husbands who are fashion designers(unless your name is Annette de la Renta, the wife of fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.) and Thelma Golden  happens to be married to London based fashion designer, Duro Olowu. A woman can only hope to be so lucky if her father or husband owns any one of the successful design houses on the planet because she'll always have a great selection of clothes at her disposal.

Who could forget the fabulous New York apartment of Golden's as it appeared in a previous O at Home Magazine a few years ago? Check out the fabulous closet that's made for a stylish Afrolista.