Serena Williams The Nail Technician?!

Let's face it: when you reach the wonderful world of high-dollar celebdom, there's not really much else you can do. You get everything for free, any and all gigs are yours with just a simple phone call and the dollars just keep rolling into your bank account.

Side note: why can't this be my life right now!? I'm so stressed out just trying to pay rent every month that I want to scream.

But, I brought up that whole topic of what it's like to be an uber rich celeb to set the picture for the next question: what else do you do besides party, travel, work (i.e. make appearances) and just be rich? I mean, seriously ask yourself what else you'd do if this were your life.

If you're professional athlete/celebrity-within-her-own-right Serena Williams, you delve more into a topic that you love: nails! According to Page Six, she's so in love with getting her nails done that she's enrolled herself into the Palm Beach Nail School so that she can become a certified nail technician.

I mean, could you imagine Serena actually doing your nails?! I can't.

But, if you're that passionate about something it only makes sense that you learn how the technique works for yourself, right? And it sounds like Serena is pretty passionate about it. She said that she goes to the nail salon "every four days to get a manicure and every seven days for a pedicure." Whew! That's a lot. I mean, I'm lucky if I can get in for a mani/pedi sesh once every couple of weeks. (I mostly paint my own nails at home.)

Maybe she'll even open a nail salon. Hey, at least she's not doing the usual venture such as creating her own swimwear line like the Kardashian sisters...yawn...

What do you think, Glamazons? Do you think that Serena will actually follow through with her plans and finish up to get the certification required to become a real nail technician? And do you think those are her sis Venus's feet that she's currently working on?! Whose feet are those?

xo

Ferocia

Should Celebrities Take Over the Catwalk?

Beyonce at Tom Ford. Amber Rose at Indashio. Cassie and Serena Williams at Laquan Smith. Vanessa Simmons and Dawn Richard at Edwing D'Angelo. Ellen at Richie Rich. 

While some designers complain about the pressure to pay celebrities to grace their front row, others are enlisting famous faces to actually model their clothes.

Amber Rose at Indashio.

Serena Williams at Laquan Smith.

Cassie at Laquan Smith.

Dawn Richard at Edwing D'Angelo.

Vanessa Simmons at Edwing D'Angelo.

Ellen at Richie Rich.

This can't be surprising. Celebrities serve as models all season long getting photographed in designer's clothing, thus serving as a promotional tool. Having a celebrity wear your clothes is almost a guaranteed mode of increasing sales, especially if that star is Rihanna, Beyonce or First Lady Michelle Obama. 

To that end, designers gift celebrities a ton of clothes, pay them to appear in the front row at their fashion shows, elect them as their muses (Ciara the most recent example at Givenchy) and now, enlist them to model designs on the runway.

The lines between Hollywood and Fashion are fainter than ever. And here's the problem with the collision of the entertainment and fashion industry. It abandons that once-glorified profession: modeling.

Models have been banished from the covers of magazines, replaced with celebrities who, as I once complained, aren't the easiest to work with. While models come to do a job and transform to any look you assign them, celebrities may come with an entourage, may be difficult about beauty and style direction (understandable-they're careful about their image) and often haven't conquered the art of posing. Yea, you'll be there coaching them all night.

Now, celebrities are replacing models on the catwalk as well. While some celebrities can strut like the best supermodels (I'm sure Beyonce stormed the runway with her signature Sasha Fierce attitude); and a celebrity walking in a show gives the collection more media attention, I'm not sure that I want an entire show to feature celebrities (save for "The Red Dress Collection" which is less about designs and more about awareness and giving back).

It becomes less about the designs and more about the famous bodies wearing them, in my opinion. What's your take on it? Do you think more celebs should walk in fashion shows? How do you think it affects models who are already struggling for jobs? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

AD GLAM: Nike is the Latest Company to Push the Big Butt "Trend"

Who knew all along, when I was eating soul food and hitting the Stairmaster, that I was making a political statement by embracing my butt?

Well, according to Nike, a butt is a bold message to society, rather than a part of the female body that has been celebrated, if marginally, for years.

Their big butt campaign displays a woman of mixed ethnicity proudly showing off the extra fat around her butt next to a speech about the power of the derriere.

Take a look below:

Wow. I have to say, I always find it a little odd when 'body parts' or 'plus-size figures' become en vogue. When addressing a woman's body, I feel that a commitment to accepting all shapes (big butts and flat butts) is ideal. Maybe that's naive, wishful thinking on my part. But when the Jennifer Lopez-es, Beyonce's, Serena's and Kim Kardashian's are no longer popular, should we all go back to feeling too curvy again? There's danger in that.

I, for one, will love my butt even when Nike's moved on to a new body part. I did laugh at the comment about the space heater though, LOL. 

What do you think of the ad? And the new big butt trend?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Lala and Carmelo's Wedding with Kim Kardashian, Lebron James and More

While The-Dream and Christina Milian made their way to divorce court, Carmelo Anthony was in NYC putting a ring on Lala's finger.

Sure the engagement lasted forever, but I'm not judging. At least we know this isn't a fly-by-night marriage just so the kid isn't born out of wedlock (cough...Christina and The-Dream). 

And any event that brings out fabulous fashion is a celebration in my book. 

Check out the top looks of the night below (with designer names) and give your verdict on who was GLAM and who was a SHAM.

Lala arrived at the venue before the wedding looking fabulously casual and chic. I see those studded Christian Louboutin loafers, girl!

Kim Kardashian showed up in a Herve Leger dress, Loren jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels. She wore the tightest, most shimmery dress she could find---or is it just me? She certainly looked stunning and is a great friend; rumor has it she paid for Lala's wedding dress and one of her bachelorette parties.

Kelly Rowland has been getting it right these days in my book. The lovely singer wore a purple long-sleeved dress and leopard print pumps to the event. Very demure yet modern and classy at the same time. A class act!

Oh, Ciara. Is this look for the club or your friend's wedding? Between the busy print, the one-shoulder and the hemline that will creep up and display all her goodies with one wrong step, she looks a dusty sham (my opinion). And what in the Sasha-Fierce-hell is that on her finger? I can't.

Serena Williams does it again in a classy, flattering strapless dress, peeptoe pumps and a matching clutch. While I'm not crazy about the hair, I must say she looks chic and presentable.

Lala's good friend, and Beyonce's cousin, Angie Beyince, kept the leopard trend alive this time mixing it with royal blue. I think that dress is super-flattering on her figure (ruching and draping are your friends, ladies!) and am a big fan of the look.

"Couture" details aren't for everybody. Trina is gorgeous but this look gives me urban high school fashion show and that's not a good thing.

Miami Heat's most controversial player, Lebron James, showed up in a dapper gray suit and sleek shades with long-time girlfriend Savannah by his side. Maybe we'll see his wedding right after next year's championship ring? Haha (Shameless Lebron fan moment).

Ok, my favorites were clearly Kelly while Ciara and Kim Kardashian weren't following the rules of etiquette in my opinion (don't dress for the club at someone's wedding). Glamazons, give your verdict on the looks. Who was Glam and who was a Sham? 

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: The Socialite Life, YBF.

Magazine Glam: Serena Williams Poses for Harper's Bazaar, Says Common Didn't Want the Responsibility of a Relationship

Win Wimbledon, have a photo shoot at high-fashion magazine, reveal all the details of a high-profile break-up? Just another day in the life of tennis great, Serena Williams. 

The fashion designer appears in the new Bazaar, talking about her new, tight bod (wasn't she always fit, or is it just me?) that she apparently got from Pilates. Umm, Pilates never gave me those curves.

Serena flaunts her stuff in a sizzling hot white one-piece suit and nude cinched dress. Love it!

She's also surprisingly candid about the demise of her relationship with Common, citing that he's busy and not "ready for the responsibility of a relationship." Yeah, most guys aren't, Serena, especially when they're hot, famous and bald (bald in the sexy way).

She dished that he still was full of compliments when asked about her on the red carpet to promote his film Just Wright. Bet you Serena's Wimbledon trophy and a Pilates tape that they get back together. (By the way, I'm totally secretly hoping a reunion happens. They're the perfect couple in my head).

What do you think of Serena's shots for Harper's? Check out more here and look out for the new issue.

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Harper's Bazaar.

Fall Trends! Biker Girls

Hey Glamazons!

The good-girl-gone-bad style Rihanna made famous is moving from the airwaves to the runway. The recipe is to combine equal parts sweetheart and seductress, darling and diva, virgin and vixen, you get the idea. Think leather accented with florals & lace or suede booties covered in metal chains.

Piece to Buy: (Ahem...faux) Leather, Leather, Leather!! A pair of skinny leather pants, a sleek, leather pencil skirt, a motorcycle jacket with zippers, a studded-out bootie. Rock the latter with your floral dresses from summer for the ultimate biker chic look.

Kisses,

Coutura

NEW! Serena Williams Launches Collection for HSN: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven

Coming off the heels of the U.S. Open, Serena Williams, is setting her sights on a new challenge: the fashion industry. Just this past weekend, the tennis champion launched the Serena Williams Signature Statement, an exciting, new collection of fashion, accessories and jewelry on HSN.com. The response? 25,000 pieces of the designs sold out in only three hours!

The popular collection, which ranges from $17-$100, has proven to be a wild success, but Williams is no stranger to victories: "I love to make a statement both on and off the court. Passion, drive and hard work have taken me down this and many other creative paths throughout my life," she said. "As with tennis it takes a lot of discipline and precision to make beautiful things come to life. This is a dream come true for me to share truly gorgeous things that I love with the world on HSN."

Check out some highlights of her gorgeous collection below and order your favorites on HSN.com (Move fast - they're selling like crazy):

Kisses,

Coutura

Compassion in Fashion: Gucci & FFAWN party with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Lebron James!

Mary J. Blige became famous singing about sorrow. Now, she's using her painful experiences to spread joy to millions. Enter FFAWN, the Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, which she founded with marketing pioneer, Steve Stoute. The organization seeks to inspire women to overcome difficulties and achieve success through scholarships, grants and programs. The cause is one close to the singer's heart, as she has spoke candidly over the years of her resilient, unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. I commend her for using the pain of her past to encourage and inspire women to reach their own unique potential.

Just in time for Fashion Week, Mary J. Blige collaborated with Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini, to celebrate Gucci for FFAWN day on September 16th, where the 5th Avenue flagship store donated 10% of its day sales to Blige's charity. To commemorate the special day, Blige hosted a ceremony at the Empire State Building, lighting the landmark in FFAWN's colors, purple, yellow and white, and threw a private cocktail party that evening at the flagship store.

I had the good fortune of attending the latter. Guests, including Lebron James, Serena Williams, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Russell Simmons, Ryan Leslie, Vanessa Simmons, Dwight Eubanks and Estelle,came out in dazzling cocktail dresses and sharp suits to show their support.

Powerhouses, Estelle, Mary J. Blige and Russell Simmons take a moment to chat on the red carpet.

Lebron James and Savannah Brinson make a handsome couple at the event. Love the houndstooth jacket, Savannah! [Sidenote: Go Cavs!]

Mary J. Blige, Serena Williams and Alicia Keys looked stunning.

Serena Williams poses with blogger and make-up artist, Beautylicious, inside the store.

Dwight Eubanks and I give good face at the event. Love him!

Vanessa Simmons and I take a picture after the event.

The oldest Simmons daughter chatted with The Glamazons about how she plans to design a clothing line for Pastry, her popular sneaker brand. She even modeled one of her designs, a black skirt with sparkly line details, for us at the event. We're all about sparkle at the Glamazons (check out my leather and stone vintage necklace)! Vanessa, you better work! Can't wait to shop the collection =)


Speaking of shopping, the Gucci flagship store was an ideal venue to host the event as since 1921, Gucci's clothing, shoes, jewelry and watches have made women feel luxurious and beautiful. Creative Director, Frida Gianninni, continues that tradition with a limited edition black PVD twirl watch she designed specifically to commemorate the collaboration with FFAWN. Check out the watch below, which is available in Gucci stores and on gucci.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to FFAWN.

Stunning.

With all the focus on shopping and party-hopping, it was great to see celebrities and designers put their energy toward a significant, worthy cause. It actually inspired me to clean out my closet, which is currently overflowing with never-worn dresses and jeans, and donate to the clothing drive at my grandmother's church. Glamazons: how are you using your love of Fashion to give back to those less fortunate? Whether it's the purchase of a Gucci for FFAWN watch or a clothing donation, every little bit helps.


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: Getty Images.