Black London Men's Fashion Designer Ozwald Boateng Epitomizes Style!

Cell Phone Purses By Lore Ross A Hit With Women Seaching The Web For Quality Handbags and Purses That Are Affordable

Attention serious fashionista looking for something unique. Budding entrepreneur Lore Ross of Designs To Infinity has a outrageously cute line of cell phone purses that has women scooping them up for birthdays, graduations and bridesmaids. And on occasion, the intended recipient actually gets the gift -- instead of having to admire it from a far.

Affordably priced, these smartly designed, specialty-made bags in various hip colors and styles allow a girl to dress them up or down depending on her mood. What's particularly rich about these purses is the ease with which you can catch your guy's important call without fumbling all over the place, or otherwise destroying the cell phone now used as much for texting and updating your Facebook page then actually talking.

"We're seeing this explosion of various mobile applications being offered, so it was only a matter of time before style and functionality joined forces to create fabulous accessories for woman on the go," says Ross, a former Southern California fashion instructor. "With an additional opening for a credit card, driver license, some lipstick and a little cash, everything you need is right there."

(Designer Lore Ross, with one of her two sons)

She's absolutely right. Let's get real here, ladies. A cell phone purse is definitely the way to go -- whether attached to your favorite purse strap, a belt loop, or as a dainty stand-alone with just the right charms to really set it off.

And as cell phones become more sleek while retaining all the digital stuff us girls need to keep our lives manageable, this is one pleasure you won't feel guilty about splurging for. Designing since her teen years, Ross knew others would embrace her passion for bags. Seeing her sales increase exponentially over the last few months, all indicators are the busy wife and mother of two is definitely on the right track.

Just in time to celebrate July 4th, the simply adorable Barack Obama inspired "Patriotic Collection" will leave a lasting impression. Using social media to promote her brand, Lore Ross is marketing in ways that truly leverage her small business owner status. Just a quick Google search for "Cell Phone Purses" immediately brings up her blog designstoinfinity.blogspot.com.

In addition, Ross is on Twitter, and her line has been featured on the popular hand-crafted website Etsy. Recently profiled in Our Weekly Newspaper, crocheted bags and clutch purses are just some of the other delicious items you'll find when you stop by the Designs to Infinity online boutique. And if you can, catch up with Lore at one or more of the major upscale trade shows being held throughout the country.

Did First Lady Michelle Obama Look Better At The Governor's Ball Than The Inauguration?

The blog Designs to Infinity has an interesting perspective on this.

Michelle Obama Watch: Fashion Now Takes It's Cue From A Black Woman!

The First Lady Works The Cover of Vogue

Michelle Obama Style Icon? Yes Thanks To Jason Wu & Isabel Toledo

Message to the fashion world - there's a new sheriff in town playing by her own rules.

First it was fashion insider Isabel Toledo, 47, who designed her Inaugural ensemble.

Then a young American designer and up-and-coming talent Jason Wu, 26, grabbed the honor of dressing the First Lady in her winter white evening gown. Born in Taiwan who studied at Parsons in New York, Wu will clearly having tongues wagging in 2009 and beyond.

Shopping In Beverly Hills This Weekend? We Got The Hook-Up!

Don't Sleep!!!

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday there's going to be an incredible Clearance Sale on Women's Bags and Men's Shoes and Boots from designers such as Gucci, Prada, Tods, Louis Vuitton and Italian Cowboy and more!

Prices as low as $75.00 for all men shoes and boots! As low as $100 for women hand bags! Details under the hood.

Everything most go!

See you there!

While Christie Brinkley & Hubby Settle, What About The Black Man Who Discovered Her Who Got Screwed?

Brinkley, Cook Drama Ends... For Now

Christie Brinkley arrived at divorce court this morning flashing a megawatt smile after settling her dispute with her now fourth ex Peter Cook. Asked whether this was her "independence day," the supermodel said, "Yes. I Hope so."

What NOONE'S mentioned, however, is this little unresolved matter of Errol Sawyer, the African American photographer who discovered Christie Brinkley in Paris back in 1973.

The son of Black playwright Robert Earl Sawyer, Errol introduced Christie to model agent John Casablancas of Elite Model Management with whom he collaborated on portfolio development of prospective models.

Initially hesitate, John had confidence in Errol's taste and agreed to send Christie on several "Go and Sees" the next day, and, as they say, "The rest is history."

Contrary to Mr. Casablancas’s description: “Errol Sawyer was a scout on our payroll.” Except for a small advance against future “Test Shoots”, Elite Model Management compensated Errol Sawyer for normal costs of film and development, but nothing more.

John Casablancas NEVER informed Errol Sawyer that he should have recieved a “Finder’s Fee” of approximately six percent of Ms. Brinkley’s future earnings while under contract with Elite Model Management.

In fact, here's Mr. Sawyer's reaction to the lack of diversity in the modeling industry:

Errol said:

I am an African-American photographer residing in Amsterdam, The Netherlands I discovered Christie Brinkley in Paris, France in 1973 so trust I know what I am talking about.

Unless African-Americans, Africans, Hispanics, Asians begin to boycott the health and beauty products manufactured by transnational conglomerates like L'OreaL and Proctor&Gamble which feed off the minority communities worldwide by insisting they make it a part of their policy not to employ advertising agencies or purchase advertising pages in publications like Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle et al.

Unless these entities diversify the employment of minorities in ALL sectors of the fashion and beauty industry instead of just "models", nothing, absolutely nothing will change simply because contrary to Bethann Hardison's claim that making everyone "aware..." should alter the status quo, which quite obviously reads like a cop-out because I recall her efforts as head of the The Black Models Coalition from twenty years ago and the situation has only gotten worse, power is never surrendered willingly: it must be taken, period.

Looks like Sawyer, who grew up in New York City, Harlem and the Bronx is keeping up with current events. It would be fascinating to hear his take on this case.

Oh well, maybe we'll never know. Because after eight days of scandalous testimony, Brinkley and Cook worked through the night to hash out an agreement on custody and division of marital assets. The two have been fighting over custody of 13-year-old Jack and 10-year-old Sailor since their split in the summer of 2006.

Mainstream media have been hanging on every tidbit of info the trial has offered up. And admittedly, it's been full of salacious revelations about Cook's sex addiction, affair with teenage Diana Bianchi and his $3000-a-month Internet porn habit.

A court-appointed shrink testified that the 49-year-old architect is a narcissist with sexual compulsion but said Brinkley, 54, needs therapy, too, for anger issues.

Meanwhile the man responsible for her "fabulous" career is still waiting for his check! Source

Summer Is Here And You've Still Got Time To Get That Suit Fitting Right

It's June and I didn't quite get all the weight I wanted off but now the kids are demanding we all go to the beach. That Moo Moo look is an option but wow I still feel I have time to do something to at least approximate swim attire. Then I realized where I had gone wrong all these post children years... the fit.

Outside the bedroom, there’s nowhere a woman is expected to bare quite so much flesh as the beach. There’s no better time to get it right — to work out what flatters you — and yet hordes of us head into the bare-skin wilds wearing the first thing we liked the look of.

Tired of apologising for the poor fit of my hastily-acquired swimsuits (pulling up drooping straps, making terrified chest-adjustments after an impulsive dive, constant re-tightening of halter ties, wearing cover-ups to get to the beach kiosk) I realised it was high time I went for a proper fitting.

I found myself in the hands of Maria Walker, head lingerie fitter at John Lewis, which offers a free lingerie and swimwear-fitting service. After taking good stock of my proportions, she guided me through the department’s selection until we found my fit.

The first step was to measure my torso — this (and your bust size) should be the basis of all swimsuit decisions, though Walker says too few women know it. She looped a tape measure under my legs and up until the ends met — which they didn’t. This means that I have an “extra long torso” — anything above the average of 60 inches.

THE DRAGGING EFFECT

If you have a long torso, you will struggle to find a suitable one-piece, says Walker. Most cater to average lengths and will cause an unfortunate dragging effect with the suit pulling from the top and bottom.

I did find one that worked: a strict empireline divided the understated brown bottom from a c l e a v a g e -revealing but classy halter neck top in a leopard-print of pale green and brown. This meant that each end of my torso was freer and wasn’t being pulled in opposite directions. If, however, you feel up to it, the two piece is the best option for a long middle.

For the body-conscious, there’s the tankini (a two-piece with a longer top) which lets your top half do its thing regardless of how far below it your abdomen extends. For me the tankinis didn’t work, the reason being a large bust. Full-fronted ladies need a fitted bra-style cup, Walker explained, and most tankinis offer something too unstructured.

I also considered a brightly patterned strapless top, with a thin halter string and a plain bottom with a tassle by Fantasie that would have looked great on a flatterchested woman with a long torso.

Walker urged me to consider a fullblown bikini. I’ve never had a flat stomach, so have usually gone for a one-piece that (I have assumed) will accentuate my assets on top (chest and toned shoulders) and help deny the existence of everything else.

But bikinis offer more choice for those with non-average bodies; you can choose one thing to flatter your top and a different item for your bottom. Structured, sexy tops are easier to come by.

BRAVE

We came across a perfect fit: a well-structured patterned halter-neck with low trunks from swimwear brand Freya. It had the lift and shape on top and plenty of coverage on the bottom — there’s a roll-top to the trunks so they can go higher or lower depending on how brave I feel.

Colour-wise they’re a good bet because they are dominated by brown and pink, warm colours suited to pale tones or pasty pre-tan skin (like mine).

Bright blues and greens — which show up a lot on swimwear racks — are harder to wear if you’re pale. They’re cold colours but can look superb on tanned blondes. My Freya has a bold pattern, which Hayley Moore, Swimwear buyer at Asos, the designer shopping website, says can be less flattering for fuller figures.

Moore says that those with boyish figures should look to add feminine touches such as frills around the leg or ribbons. Straight and narrow gals can also get away with strings — a sexy touch.

Finally, as Walker points out, lots of tops are padded with gel. Don’t be afraid to do this if you’re flat.

Pear-shaped ladies should try to draw the eye upwards — a plain colour on the bottom and embellishments like jewels, gems and sequins on top.

Moore recommends 1950s styling. So ladies, no matter what your shape, remembering a few guidelines will let you paddle in style.

Personalised swimwear fitting available free at John Lewis, Oxford Street

THE FIT

Short legs/big hips
Go for high cut swimsuits: it’s a myth that covering up “problem” bums and thighs is the way forward
Long torsos
Women with a torso of over 60 inches should first consider two-piece suits; these will enable your body to reach its full stature without being tugged into an unflattering shape
Big-busted
You need something fitted, preferably like a bra — stay away from the strapless cut as this will force your chest east and west, not up and out
Boy-shaped
The long and lean should go for triangular shapes where possible and also avoid tube tops as these don’t add shape, they squash
Pear-shaped
Draw the attention up, up up; choose a plain bottom and an embellished top

Source Zoe Strimpel CITY AM .COM

QUICKIE: IS THE CIRCUS COMING TO TOWN OR WHAT?

Vogue Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley attended the CFDA Fashion Awards the other day with Naomi Campbell, while Chaka Khan was spotted at LAX airport.

As James Brown so aptly put it, "People-people, we got to get over, before we go under!" Yes, he was talking about fashion, okay!

Ethiopian Supermodel Liya Kebede Covers British Harpers Bazaar

It was announced recently that supermodel Liya Kebede was tapped to play Somalian model Waris Dirie in Desert Flower, a film based on Dirie's successful autobiography about her tragic experience with female circumcision. Slated to begin filming in Europe in June, find out what else this beauty is up to under the hood.

Add childrenswear designer to Liya many interests and talents. The model/activist/ambassador/actress launched a beautiful line of children's clothing that is handmade in her native Ethiopia this season called Lemlem.

The Estee Lauder model (the only woman of color in its 59 year history to be one) employed local weavers to do the embroidery and handweaving to improve economic conditions there. Kebede held a launch party recently for the fall line (its second season) which was attended by the likes of model/tv host Veronica Webb and Showtime's Weeds star Mary Louise Parker among others.

Kebede with her daughter Raee wearing Lemlem Pictured here are shots of Kebede with her gorgeous daughter, 2 year-old Raee in photos taken for the February 2008 issue of Cookie magazine. The coverstars were shot in Turks & Caicos with Raee's modeling debut posing in items from Lemlem, which means "to bloom" in Amharic. A natural star, the dimpled beauty is also the line's fit model. Check out Little Miss Thing striking a fierce pose in the blue striped dress. Is she ready to follow in her mother's footsteps or what?

You can preview the line at http://www.lemlem.com%20/and check out other fierce pics of Liya at her website at http://www.liyakebede.com/.

Check out more hot pictures over at No Cream No Sugar!

Source

Shots Fired, One Black Man Injured At Ghetto "Hip-Hop Fashion Show" In The ATL!

In A Word, Triffling!

“The shooting happened during a ‘Hot on the Runway’ fashion show, sponsored by popular Hip-Hop station Hot 107.9. Celebrities like Mario, Ashanti, Young Berg, Ray J, Lil Scrappy, Diamond had performed or were present during the evening, in what was described as a successful event, until the shots rang out, long after the fashion show had ended..."

"According to police, a 22-year-old man was sitting on a couch near the club’s bar in the terrace area, when an unknown assailant shot him twice in the abdomen. Police also said that witnesses were not being cooperative. At present time there are no suspects.”

Black events being plagued with violence is really getting old. Go speed to the victim and we will not be attending any marchers for the thug shooter. There are a lot of brothers on lockdown who actually need to be there! Source

LL Cool J Tries To "Thrill" Us With His New Todd Smith Clothing Line!

LL Cool J debuted his clothing line “Todd Smith” at Macy’s out our neck of the woods this weekend. Are brothers on the West Coast really trying to sport studs, rhinestones and bright red? Although Michael Jackson rocked that look back in the day, some things need to stay in the 80's. [Bossip]

BODY OF FORMER TOP BLACK FASHION MODEL KATOUCHA NIANE FOUND IN A RIVER

DEATH OF A PARIS SUPERMODEL

Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation, was found in the Seine River, police said Friday.

Although I have never heard of this woman, many were very fond of the fashion diva known simply as Katoucha. The former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other top designers was found Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris, judicial police in Paris said. An autopsy showed no signs of foul play, pointing to the possibility that the 47-year-old may have fallen accidentally into the river, they said.

She had been missing since January and was last seen returning home from a party. She lived in a houseboat near Paris' Alexandre III bridge, and her handbag was later found on the boat.

The Guinean-born model told The Associated Press in 1994 that she ran away to Europe at 17 aiming to be a model. Her big break came when Jules-Francois Crahay, then the designer at Lanvin, spotted her in a line-up. The label hired her as a fitting model. Her first catwalk modeling was for Thierry Mugler at the start of the 1980s.

After quitting the runway, she turned to speaking out actively against female circumcision, describing her own experience at age 9 in a book, "Katoucha, In My Flesh," which was published last year.

"I will never get the incomparable pain out of my head," she wrote in the book, which she dedicated to her three children.

Vanity Fair's fashion and style director, Michael Roberts, said Katoucha was "one those girls who used her fame to spotlight the misfortunes of others.""She always seemed so gracious and very lovely," he said. "She was sunny and she was bright, and I liked her a lot."

Katoucha set up her own label in 1994 after years of modeling for the likes of Christian Lacroix and Saint Laurent. Singers Cher and France's Johnny Hallyday were among the stars who turned out for her show.

"I don't pretend to be like Lacroix, Saint Laurent or the others," she said at the time. "But I was certainly in a great school by wearing their clothes and going to the fittings. I learned several basic lessons, including: Don't cut the fabric until you've got the 'toile,' or heavy linen prototype, just right."

Katoucha was the daughter of Djibril Tamsir Niane, an archaeologist and writer. She said that her father was initially disappointed that she didn't become "a professional intellectual, with a university degree," but later reconciled to her other successes. [CNN]

MY JEANS AREN'T MAKING THE MEN TURN THEIR HEADS

JUICY???

Before you leave the house in your favorite pair of jeans, stop and take a long look in the mirror.

Is your backside sagging like a day-old diaper? Are your jeans so acid-washed they belong in an '80s music video? Do the tapered legs make you look like a walking ice cream cone? Could your waistband double as a push-up bra?

Here are the dos' and dont's for the the Budunka' Dunk or Junk in the Trunk Denim Style.



The dreaded "muffin top" or, as Oprah calls it, "dunlap" syndrome. "That's when your stomach done lap over your jeans," she jokes.

The "muffin top" is caused by a waistband that's too low and too tight. When your tummy spills over the sides of your jeans, you know you're a member of the muffin club.

But, there's good news for muffins everywhere, Stacy says. Waistlines are rising! The ultra-low rise fad is fading fast, and the new mid-rise styles will keep your belly from bulging. Check Out Oprah and Stacy for More Jean Tips

Quickie: Snoop Is Seriously Ego Trippin!

Find out what the Calvin "The Dogg" Broadus is up to of late.

ESSENCE MAGAZINE, BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD AND TOM CRUISE, OH MY!

The First Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel went down yesterday. Of course Will and Jada Pinkett Smith were representing. Celebrity sista-girls were front and center in mass. Like the fab chick Nia Long and Tracey "I'm Still Gracing The Cover Of Ebony With That MF Eddie" Edmonds

We're not trying to bag, but there were some serious fashion hits and misses, right Tracee Ross? Take a look at the rest.

Laila Ali - Hit

Sanaa Lathan - Miss

Lynn Whitfield - Miss

Gabrielle Union -Can't call it

Garcelle Beauvois - Slight Hit

Tatianna Ali - Miss, big time!

Lisa Raye - Hit

“The star-studded event honored three of Hollywood’s finest who have helped to change and inspire positive images of Black women in television and film — both in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes.”

Vivica Fox - Hit

The event release adds: “The icon whose career as a writer, producer and world renowned actor spans seven decades, Ruby Dee was one of the three extraordinary African- American women honored, during the Essence luncheon.”

Jurnee Smollett - Hit

“Other honorees in the category of film were Jada Pinkett Smith, one of Hollywood’s most versatile and gifted actress/director/producer/screenwriters; in the category of Television, prolific screenwriter/producer Suzanne de Psse; as well as the talented, young performer Jurnee Smollett.”

Kerry Washington - Hit

Tia Mowry - Miss

Rudy Dee - Hit
Salli Richardson - Hit

Star - Miss

Fresh off of a solo appearance at the Costume Designers Guild Awards, Katie Holmes brought Tom Cruise along to the first annual event.

It's A Man, No It's A Woman, No... It's Paris Vogue's Cover Model Andre J???

How You Doin'?

Check Out Alicia Keys, Usher, Beyonce, Ne Yo And Rihanna At The 2008 Grammys!

The stars were out tonight as Black music royalty stepped their game up to represent at this year's Grammy Awards. Beyonce was leaner with a shorter do'. We likey!

Musiq and Ne Yo both looked dapper, while Usher was making goo-goo eyes at his woman Tameka.

Alicia is playing that Lena Horne role, ain's she?

Rihanna was trying in her vivid blue high school prom dress. Developing...