Double Edition: What Say We?... Yay or Nay?!

Sanaa Lathan at Cavern Wallpaper and Kidada Jones for Disney Coutour Celebrate Their New Collections last month in Hollywood, California.
Tyra Banks arriving at the 2007 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party last Friday in Beverly Hills.

I don’t know folks, this hairstyle on Sanaa Lathan is looking a little busted and the dress didn’t need the tights. I think it’s a ‘Nay’ although she still looks cute like only Sanaa could. Look out for Ms. Lathan in the TV adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun.” She'll be starring alongside the recent Broadway cast which includes Diddy, Audra McDonald, and Phylicia Rashad. I actually helped promote and watched this play when it debuted on Broadway back in '04.

Meanwhile Tyra needs to stop the persistent madness. A woman this beautiful must really be messing up to look this bad. Let’s begin with her hairline which consistently shows the lace from her wig. Then how could you miss the fake eyelashes that look like spiders on vacation. She’s wearing entirely too much makeup and the dress is not flattering her curvy figure. Is the lace part of the original dress? Who knows? A big fat NAY!

Black Style Now… and Then

Since it is Black History Month, I thought we should take a minute to honor pioneers in the African-American fashion scene. This video footage is taken from the “Black Style Now” exhibit, which is still on in New York by the way but ends on February 19th. Listen to celebrities, designers and fashion icons talk about what ‘Black Style’ means to them and how African-American culture has influenced all facets of the fashion world. Also visit www.blackstylenow.com to learn more about the exhibit and to view exclusive pictures of the launch event.

Jennifer Hudson on the cover of Vogue?

What started off as a rumor seems like it might actually become a reality. Academy Award nominee, Jennifer Hudson, will join Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry as the third Black celebrity to ever land the cover of Vogue Magazine (U.S.). She will appear on the March “Power Issue” of the publication which showcases upcoming Spring fashions. Gossip columnist Liz Smith said Jennifer recently completed the photo shoot with Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, himself, overseeing the entire session. Let’s keep our fingers and toes crossed. Anna Wintour doesn't even let people over a size four work for her nevermind appear on the cover of her beloved magazine. While we wait, visit Jennifer’s official site here and check her out in the latest Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue.

Designers For Darfur...

Last night the crème de la crème of the fashion industry came together for a one-off fashion show to benefit the efforts to save Darfur. Malcolm Harris and model Lydia Hearst-Shaw hosted the event which showcased unique pieces by some of today’s most talented designers. Mal Sirrah, Donna Karren, Heatherette, Baby Phat, Luca Luca, Nicole Miller and Costume National are just some of the fashion houses who participated in the "Designers For Darfur" event. The theme was simple. Come up with something fabulous in the traditional African colors of red, yellow, green and/or black. You can see that everyone delivered. All the creations featured on the runway were immediately auctioned off via Ebay with 100% of the profits going directly to the Save Darfur Coalition. There’s nothing like Fashion with Heart.

UPDATE: Visit the Designers For Darfur Ebay Store today to show your support!

Rachel Roy Fall 2007

I’m still mad that I missed Rachel Roy on Oprah, so I was sure to catch her runway show earlier this week. By ‘catch’ I don’t actually mean I was there, but I admired longingly from afar! As usual her clothes were exquisite. Questions about the level of her participation aside, the collection was light, playful and the attention to detail was painfully meticulous. I’m surprised that Style.com hasn’t featured this collection on their site especially since they have supported her career thus far. In any case, the clothes had that air of sophistication while still being edgy enough to separate you from the crowd. I’m still a HUGE fan of Ms. Roy.

Color Me Bad!

Tracee Ellis Ross and her vintage clutch at the WWD Oscars Party.

Amerie, and her Fendi Spy Bag, attending the Giorgio Armani Go Red for World AIDS Day at the Giorgio Armani Store on Madison Avenue in December ‘06 in NYC.

Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a Giambattista Valli dress and VBH clutch, attending the 2006 National Board Of Review Awards Gala last month in NYC.

Nicole Richie, holding a Pucci clutch, at the Cavern Wallpaper and Kidada Jones for Disney Coutour Celebration of their new collections January last week in West Hollywood, California.

I saw a feature in last week’s “Life & Style” magazine that talked about Sarah Jessica Parkers' multi-colored clutch by VBH (V. Bruce Hoeksema). They found like four pics of her with it in different outfits and talked about how it must be worth the $990 she paid because it goes with everything – They really don’t miss a beat! Anyway, it got me thinking about investing in a crazy colored bag that will go with almost everything in my closet. And the things it doesn’t go with?... Why not clash?! See below for some colorful ideas.

My Picks!

Top: Ray Gold Coin Clutch Bag, $40, www.monsoon.co.uk; Again NYC, $130, www.bagtrends.com; Lulu Faux Snakeskin Clutch, $24, www.shopintuition.com; Xhilaration Mod Stripe Satchel, $18, www.target.com

Middle: Tattle Tail, $39, www.francosarto.com; Kendall Natural Python, $314, www.loreleinyc.com; Vogue Vintage Clutch, from $175, www.poshvintage.com; Choco Swirl Cosmetic, $24, www.amiciaccessories.com

Bottom: Eden Print & Stone Bag, $50, www.monsoon.co.uk; Upstream Bag, $78, www.anthropologie.com; Emilio Pucci Light Blue Printed Grosgrain Tote, $245.99, www.bluefly.com; Loop Canvas Printed Hobo, $48, www.urbanoutfitters.com

My sister has been instructed to buy me that first bag by Monsson/Accessorize… too cute. A multi-colored bag can make an outfit and instantly lift your mood. I purposely picked bags that vary in size so you can potentially choose a bag for various occasions. Bright bags aren’t just for the beach so leave your conventional bags at home and try something a little more ‘exotic.’

P.S. I have wanted a vintage magazine clutch bag for the longest time. My friend back home in London has one with Iman on the cover of Cosmopolitan, I think. It’s to-die-for! Shame they cost so much :(