TREND SPY: RIDE OR DIE CHIC

If you were ever too scared before, now is the time to unleash your inner ruffian.  Leather is on the scene in so many cool styles with soooo many scandalous ways to wear it and functional things to wear it with!  Pile on the studs, grommets, chains and charms- Be slouchy or architectural with regard to cut, the option is yours.  Get into some detailed leggings: the "wet" ones are hot to death, so are the kind that have an imitation denim finish.  Evoke a dominatrix in thigh high boots, or chic college student with a loose-fitting ruffled or rugby cardigan sweater.  Get a versatile assortment of basics; white gray black v neck tees, some X-Long ribbed tanks and a very bold colorful bag or pump or something overly-embellished for  some funk.  If you do "pleather" pick something that has a nice feel and is similar in cut to the way real leather is.  Stay away from very stiff of very shiny fabrics-real leather-especially calf-skin (my favorite) is actually pretty lackluster.  T-BIRD TIL I DIE!


 THE RUNWAY

THE HOLLYWOOD WAY

HOW I'D ROCK IT

Ride or Die Chic by laurenjillian featuring Norma Kamali dresses

Happy Hunting!

FOR FALL, FRENCH VOGUE DOES BLACK FACE PANDEMONIUM

Does this look tight to you?  I was thinking NOT.

October 2009, in what was supposed to be a celebratory supermodel edition,  French Vogue http://vogue.fr  unleashed a fourteen page beast with model Lara Stone a la BLACK FACE!  Has to be one of the biggest issues that they've ever had-  which heretofore, would have been that they HAVE access to actual African and African-American models that "they" seemingly care more to exploit than to employ.  This feature clearly makes a statement about the haves and the have-nots in this poorly integrated fashion industry.  Gorgeous Black African models-working in the industry would have been proper- not that not being chosen for this job hurt any of those women's pockets.  The publisher, creative director and editor in chief -lacking all tact and cooth, have upheld a standard that is socially and morally incorrect and is contributing to the mental confusion that shrouds the perception of the ignorant and under exposed in this world.  If you hurry, you can still catch 2009...or the last fifty years of social revolution...

Lara Stone and French Vogue's 

"Inspired" Mockery

THE COVER: FRENCH VOGUE OCTOBER 2009

THE SPREAD

TIRED OF MESSY PAINT?

USE REAL AFRICAN MODELS!

 (rich COLOR INCLUDED)

LIYA KEBEDE

E

ITALIAN VOGUE PAYS DUES

ALEK WEK

NAOMI CAMPBELL

TREND SPY: Lace Me Long Time

So excited.  Grandma's curtains are making a come back ya'll!  Yes- LACE IS BACK- like a vendetta! For those of you who can't fade it, (I know if done incorrectly, lace can look a bit...matronly?)  Don't be so literal when you follow trends. SUBSTITUTE!  There are other alternatives to wearing lace.  Opt instead for chiffon, organza or a really cool burn out (yes it's a FABRIC- ask a seamstress) or even tulle if your adventurous, to keep that sexy peek-a-boo factor high on the richter!  Be rebellious.  Work it with a rough fabric, boyfriend jeans, a biker jacket.  If the bottoms are lace, pair it with heavy knits (oversized cardigans, a chunky cowl neck scarf) and something with chains (necklace, bangles, bag)  


Here's some inspiration:

OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS: THINK CONTRAST!

Boyfriend/slouchy jeans or bermudas (unstructured)

Lace top with ribbon detail (feminine/dainty)

Dr.Martens/Combat Boots (Rugged, More Masculine)

chunky knit sweater or scarf to add volume or more texture