Be Inspired...

The Sartorialist's first book: regular edition is left and bespoke edition, right.

The Sartorialist, aka Scott Schuman, is finally releasing a book collection of his work. This coffee table style book will contain all of Schuman's hand-picked favorites. Expect to see famous fashion icons as well as innately fashionable passers-by off the streets. From Stockholm to Milan, London to New York, this book will showcase the most inspiring everyday fashionistas ever caught on film. The release date is scheduled for August 12th but you can pre-order the "Bespoke" edition at Amazon.com now.

Shops and the City…

I’m in the middle of planning my annual trip to the U.K. and one of my must-have travel items is a book by author Caryn Franklin called “Fashion UK.” Though it was published nearly six years ago, I still find it a valuable resource when looking for unique boutiques and local designers wherever I am in the U.K. The book details all noteworthy boutiques in regions including the south/London, the northeast and northwest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It even features interviews from local and international designers on how they became successful. For my trip to Italy later this year I’m still on the hunt for a handy little shopping guide but I did discover two chic books about Paris and one on New York. I’ll be storing them for future shopping expeditions – one has to be prepared. I guess some were born to sightsee, others to shop!

Left to right: Chic Shopping Paris by Rebecca Perry Magniant; Paris Chic & Trendy: Designers' Studios, Hip Boutiques, Vintage Shops by Adrienne Ribes-Tiphaine; Shop New York: Downtownstyle by Meg Castaldo

I Like Their Style!: The Get ‘Em Girls…

Curious to know what men look for in women? Wonder no more. Three southern-gals, Shakara Bridgers, Jeniece Isley, and Joan Davis, set out to find out exactly what makes men tick simply by asking them. Their discovery led to “The Get ‘Em Girl's Guide To Unlocking the Power of Cuisine,” the first in the series of books penned to help any city diva find and keep a man. Although it's an old-fashioned cliché, the way to a man's heart is still through his stomach. From the first date to the wedding reception, good food plays an important role in relationships and in life. The Get 'Em Girl's Guide To Unlocking the Power Of Cuisine is filled with helpful advice from stocking your pantry and shopping for basic kitchen tools to tips on proper table settings and wine selections. Each chapter is preceded with laugh-out-loud advice on impressing your special someone and tried and true comfort food recipes.

Although the book is filled with tips to help you get your man, the authors forewarn, that the book is not intended to send women back into the kitchen. "When we first decided to write this book, it was solely based on our love of three things, food, fun, and men. Being three single career-oriented women living in New York, we didn't need (or want) to cook. There's a restaurant, deli, and take-out place on every block. We knew that in order to keep a man in a place as big as New York City, with so many beautiful women to choose from, we had to step up our game and ask ourselves what are we bringing to the table that separates us from the others? Yes, we're all beautiful, intelligent, and educated, but so are the millions of other women waiting to take our places." Never were truer words spoken.

If you like what you see here, head over to the Get ‘Em Girls three official sites. The main site (launching soon) will feature regular articles on everything ranging from food, business, fashion, beauty, technology and health. Their MySpace page keeps you up to date on all the Get ‘Em Girl happenings and finally their blog, updated daily, offers the latest musings on life, entertainment and culture. See below for how to find out about their future events including the Girls Bite Out 2008!
Authors Joan Davis, Shakara Bridgers and Jeniece Isley.

Will the Real Style Icons Please Stand Up!

With plenty of photos to feast your eyes on, “Black Style” by Carol Tulloch documents the full spectrum of black fashion and its influences. Every facet of the African Diaspora is explored. Think beyond American soil to West Africa, Jamaica, Britain and Brazil. Don’t expect to see Naomi or Tyra gracing these pages with glossy photo shoots, the appeal of this book is that real people are glorified for their unique and innate sense of style. From weddings to carnivals, clubs to tribal rituals this is one for your personal library. I have it but I waited until the price had dropped. Be advised that this cover (right) is only available in the U.K. The U.S. book cover isn’t nearly as stylish. :(
Photos from inside the book.

That Extra Half an Inch Indeed…

Victoria Beckham’s book of fashion and style tips, titled “That Extra Half an Inch,” is heading for the U.S. and I’m super excited! Now I know she’s way too skinny, not to mention she scowls too much and takes high maintenance to a whole new level, but I can’t deny how well put together her outfits are. Since I do believe that she dresses herself I’m keen to learn a thing or two from this style diva. The U.S. edition of the book is out now. It's divided into sections such as jeans, tops, dresses and accessories. However, I don’t know if she’ll substitute the English retailers she suggests with American brands. I know this book isn’t groundbreaking but for the fashion junkies out there this is another one to add to the collection… and we all need that extra half inch ;)

Where Did You Buy That?

Author Funmi Odulate and the cover to her first book “Shopping for Vintage.”
Illustrations from "Shopping for Vintage."

Forgive me but I forget the name of the reader who suggested this book. After buying myself a copy and falling in love, I had to recommend it to the rest of you. Vintage clothing has taken over the fashion industry of late. If we’re not looking for genuine gems from the past we are drawn to vintage “inspired” pieces currently on the shelves of our favorite stores. Thankfully fashion journalist Funmi Odulate took it upon herself to research, collect and condense her vintage shopping knowledge into this cute little book appropriately named “Shopping for Vintage.” In it you’ll find beautifully illustrated pictures of fashion trends through the decades, a brief history of fashion’s pioneers and a must-have directory of vintage shops throughout the world. Unfortunately, this book is only available in Europe (and Australia, I think) so you may have to get relatives to buy it abroad (like I did – thanks sis!). It’ll be worth the hassle though, especially when you saunter into that party in a one-off, throw-back Lanvin dress.

Author Bio: Funmi Odulate is a top fashion writer and worldwide vintage connoisseur. She has collated her extraordinary knowledge of fashion during her many years as a fashion journalist writing for major titles such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Sunday Times Style, The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and InStyle magazine. This is her first book.

The Way We Wore…

For all the students gearing up for Spring Break, pick up a copy of “The Way We Wore” for your long journey home. Published by Glitteratii and penned by ‘Black Style Now’ curator Michael McCollom, the book takes a retrospective look back at individual black style from the 1940s onwards. The book features photos from the authors own family and famous friends such as Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Tracy Reese, Tyra Banks, Iman and Kimora lee, among others. The majority of pictures however, are of unknowns, all with a flawless sense of style. I flipped threw a copy in Barnes & Noble and it’s quite amusing, kinda like looking through an old photo album that belongs to your parents. Fun times!

Back In The Day...

I discovered a cute blog today called “Fly” and one of the articles on there referenced the great book “Back in the Days” by Ernie Paniccioli (author) and Jamel Shabazz (photographer). The publication chronicles the evolution of both men and women’s style between 1980 and 1989, during the early hip-hop years. Judging by these photos, the book looks like one of those old photo albums your parents has which highlights with no discretion their “good ol' days." When you look through it you always laugh, smile and thank God that someone with a camera was around to document the whole thing. Viva la 80s!

Dress For Less!

Igigi.com and 'The Budget Fashionista', aka Kathryn Finney, have teamed together to create a great contest for you. Eight lucky winners will receive Igigi gift certificates worth a total of $825 and copies of Kathryn’s new book called “How To Be A Budget Fashionista,” your ultimate guide to creating a stylish and budget savvy wardrobe. Click here to enter! Be sure to check out Kathryn's blog if you haven't already, it's the 'financially challenged' girls bible for fashion. ;)

June Ambrose's Book Release Party...

June Ambrose arriving at her Book Release Party looking effortlessly stylish!
Beyonce and Diddy with June.
Lorriane Gibson and Melyssa Ford (?).
Stephon Marbury and designer, Zac Posen stopped by to show some love!
Pras and Timberland dressed to impress... Lovin' the pink shirt Pras!

It's nice to have friends in high places! Diddy hosted this lavish party to celebrate the launch of the new book "Effortless Style" by June Ambrose. She even got Beyonce to attend!... And doesn't Lorriane, the choreographer on MTV's Making the Band, scrub up well?! Learn more about June's new book here!

Credit: Crunk & Disorderly for the pics!

Achieve Effortless Style...

June Ambrose and the cover from her latest book, 'Effortless Style.'

Fifteen years ago, June Ambrose was working in the highly stressful financial field as an investment banker, when a close friend told her about the recent internship she had landed at the now defunct Uptown Records. June thought to herself ‘that’s the kind of industry I should be working in!’ so she quit her job and put her love of shopping to good use. Now the Antigua-born stylist/designer works with celebrity clients such as Jay-Z, Diddy, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Kelly Ripa, Kim Catrall and she’s currently on tour with Mariah! With a style agency called the Mode Squad Inc. and a new book coming out in the Fall, it would seem Ambrose made the right decision leaving her job! Her new book is titled ‘Effortless Style: Make looking good look easy’ and comes with helpful illustrations on how to enhance your individual style. Visit www.juneambrose.com to learn more about June and her clients and look out for her new book which will be in stores September 26th.

Black British Style...

I just got through looking browsing this great book about Black British Style. It's called 'Seen: Black UK Style' by Jack Cunningham and Steve Lazarides. The book mainly consists of photographs taken on the 'urban scene,' that is the street, clubs, neighborhoods and the infamous Notting Hill Carnival. I remember a friend telling me about an exhibition she went to at London's Victoria Albert Musuem called 'Black Style.' It basically chronicled the evolution of African and Jamaican immigrant's style over the last 40 years and their fusion/assimulation into Western culture. It also highlighted the importance fashion plays in cultural and political environments. The musuem released it's own book called 'Black Style' by Carol Tulloch (2005). You can still view the exhibition's web site, so if you want to see 'how we do' over in the U.K. check it out!

I Like Her Style!: Zadie Smith

Author Zadie Smith reading a copy of her latest novel, 'On Beauty.'
Smith's three released book covers, including her best-seller 'White Teeth.'

I wanted to spotlight one of my favorite writers. Her name is Zadie Smith and she's from my home country the U.K. I don't know how wellknown she is over here, but her first book 'White Teeth' was an astronomical success. While still studying for her undergraduate degree at Cambridge University, she started writing her debut novel and pieces of the manuscript were leaked. A biding war ensued among publishers which resulted in her book becoming an instant best seller upon it's release!

'White Teeth' is a book that follows the lives of three cultures, three families and three generations, all based in North London. I've never read a book that explores the issues surrounding interracial relationships so honestly and theirs plenty of sarcastic humor to keep you laughing! Zadie has since written two more novels, 'The Autograph Man' (2002) and 'On Beauty' (2005), both are also great! In 2006, she won the Orange Prize for Fiction for the book 'On Beauty.' Zadie currently lives in London with her husband Nick Laird.

Unburnable...

Author Marie-Elena John, Yvette Noel-Schure, Senior Vice President Media, Sony Urban Music, and Suzanne Boyd, contributing writer at Vogue and former Editor in Chief of Flare and Suede Magazines at the party for the release of John's new book "Unburnable" - Don't they all look fabulous?!
John Legend & Marie-Elena John; Marie-Elena John & her husband, William Smith II
Marie-Elena John's book cover

I had to tell you about a local writer who recently released her first novel ‘Unburnable’ (and by ‘local’ I mean Washington D.C!) The book follows female protagonist Lillian’s decision to confront her colorful past at the age of 36. It turns out her mother was a prostitute and her grandmother a serial killer! As Lillian travels back to her homeland, the Caribbean island of Dominica, a suspense-filled story unfolds as Lillian tries to answer the questions surrounding her families circumstances. The book has plenty of vivid sex scenes, but they add meaningful value to the plot and author Marie-Elena John abundantly references African, Caribbean and African-American culture - I certainly recommend it!! By the way, Marie-Elena John is a former Africa-development specialist and originally from Antigua ;)