A Black and White Affair…

Thandie Newton and Eva Mendes attending the launch party for new range of bags created by Mulberry for Giles, at Harvey Nichols, London in January 2007.

Angela Bassett attending the ceremony honoring Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this week in Hollywood.

Cassie posing backstage after her appearance on MTV's Total Request Live last September in New York City.

Sanaa Lathan at the Cosmopolitan Magazine launch of Bebe Sport with Eva Longoria last March.

Kimora Lee Simons posing in the lobby during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007 in New York City.

Kelly Rowland with designer Tracy Reese backstage at the Tracy Reese Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Promenade in Bryant Park this February in NYC.

Sorry the posts have been slow this week I’ve been busy with papers and then blogger was acting up. Anyway, monochrome prints are going to be hot this summer but if you don’t do pretty patterns opt for block colors. Black and white stripes like Cassie and Thandie’s give this look a harder edge.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes at the Sony Global Marketing Partners' Conference Closing Celebration held on Rodeo Drive in September of last year in Beverly Hills.
I love the flesh-colored/neutral dresses that I see all the time on celebrities but I ask would they have the same effect on us black girls? The whole point of this trend is to wear ‘neutral’ colors that seamlessly blend in with your skin but if we can’t find an outfit that matches our skin tone it doesn’t really work. I remember an episode of Sex in the City, the one where Carrie visits Vogue, she had on an amazing pair of nude, patent Manolo Blahnik slingbacks (she actually wore them throughout season four). They looked magnificent… on her. Where can I find a pair like that? Let a sista know! Anyway you can get a similar dress like Eva’s made for you via Gorgeous Couture (U.K. only). Ladies here can see below.

Steal Eva’s Style…

Dress: Anne Klein Silk Georgette Dress, $240, www.nordstorm.com
Shoes: Winnie, $49.95, www.bakersshoes.com
Clutch: Tribute Wristlet Clutch, $35, www.ninewest.com
Belt: Leather Studded Belt, $36, www.topshop.com

You can’t see them in the photo but Eva has on a pair of box-front wedges – they’re truly awful in my opinion. I prefer these metallic, bronze heels by Bakers Shoes. You don’t really need the belt because of the wonderful detailing on this dress by Anne Klein but I included one because it’s so cute and could work.

Best of the Rest…

Left to right: Leather Purse, $45, Topshop; Intermix Ivory Champagne, $5, www.amiciaccessories.com; Ruched Stretch Belt with Silver Buckle, $14, www.rampage.com

Eva is wearing the $555 Paddington Zip Clutch by Chloe but this purse by Topshop is a cuter (and cheaper) alternative. You can go with either a silver or bronze belt with this dress. I’d personally choose the bronze because I think it would pick up and compliment the colors in my skin tone however the silver works well with the dress.

Note: If you like these metallic accessories also check out these metallic boots.

Flower Power!

Beyonce Knowles attends the Giorgio Armani Go Red for World AIDS Day at the Giorgio Armani Store on Madison Avenue last night in New York City.
Kerry Washington (in a Valentino dress) arrives at the National Dream Gala to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Groundbreaking earlier this month in Washington, DC.
Tracee Ellis Ross at the Coach's Legacy Collection Launch Party.
Eva Mendes and Rosario Dawson pose backstage during the 2006 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Pictures Studio earlier this year in Culver City, California.

I failed to find photos of celebrities wearing floral prints that weren’t dresses, but you get the idea. Floral prints can be retro (Kerry), peasant (Tracee) or even brocade (Rosario and Beyonce) but whatever you choose they all add a twist to your look. Take it to the next level and mix ‘n’ match prints to create an ultra eclectic look. Find the print that works for you and go for it!

Note: Check out Tracee Ellis Ross' personal site!

Wrap Stars!

Christina Milian candid - She hasn't let that whole dropped off her label drama stop her flow!
Jessica Simpson arriving at the Sydney airport in Australia.
Eva Mendes arriving at the premiere of the "The Dukes of Hazzard" at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre last year.

In 1974, Diane von Furstenberg made fashion history by inventing the infamous 'wrap dress'. Demostrated here by the lovely ladies above, the wrap dress provides the ultimate day-to-evening look. This dress has stood the test of time, mainly because it never fails at making you look classy while letting you be comfortable, all at the same time! See below for some of the best wrap dresses out there...

Note: Also check out Amerie's black and white wrap dress from a previous post!

Style on the Go...

Cassie at her self-titled, debut Album Release Party last night at Marquee in New York City Solange backstage at MTV's TRL yesterday
Danity Kane visited TRL on Monday to promote their new album
Eva Mendes was also at TRL on Monday to promote her new movie 'Trust the Man'

It's all about promotion people and the above ladies aren't messing about! Cassie really needs all the help she can get because if you've been reading other entertainment blogs like me, you'll know about the outrage over her 106 & Park performance last night! - Being cute in this world will take you far! As for Danity Kane, i'm actually feeling their style and music, but being signed to Bad Boy has pretty much sealed their fate! I don't know why Solange is promoting that straight-to-DVD mess, but WHATEVER pays the bills! And finally, Miss Eva Mendes, who I personally think is stunning, is out promoting a movie i've heard nothing about!...Get it together Fox Searchlight Pictures!

Note: Unless you are blind in your left eye, you should have noticed the 'Style Watch' feature on the left sidebar... Keep your good eye on it for all the latest red carpet and celebrity party trends! ;)