Okay, I know you're wondering where Ferocia and I have been these past couple of days. Besides running in heels around the city doing errands for celebrity hairstylists and screenwriting for upcoming Fashion TV shows, we've been prepping for New York Fashion Week. Yes, it's that time again and we're more excited than ever to hit Bryant Park for the last time (Fashion Week will move to Lincoln Center next season).
While being inundated with emails announcing events and show invites, I got wind of an exciting addition to the NYFW shows: Project Runway fifth season alum, Korto Momolu. One of my favorite reality show designers (next to the incredible Christian Siriano), Korto will present a collection of Women's Ready to Wear and Accessories on February 15th at the Union Square Ballroom. She will also give audiences a first look at her handbag and jewelry line for Dillard's, which will launch in February 2010. Amazing!
Born in Liberia, West Africa, Korto found inspiration for the new collection from her homeland: "The fall 2010 collection is an eclectic blend of rich fabrics, detailed beading and infusion of northern African influences," says Korto. "It holds true to everything I am as a designer, focusing on fit, structure and detail."
Korto brings a fresh and exciting point-of-view to exquisite pieces with resplendent color and vibrant prints. Her jewelry has an earthy charm with teal stones and gold flourishes taking centerstage. Check out highlights from the collection she showed on Project Runway below.
Okay, I've had bad experiences in the past with reality star designers (three words: She by Sheree), but I'm sure Korto will blow the Marc Jacobs' socks off of the Fashion Week crowd.
What do you think? Does Korto deserve the opportunity, unlike some other reality stars? Who else from Project Runway would you like to see present at Fashion Week?
Of all the myriad ways to become a celebrity, it's clear that the Kardashian sisters have it down to a science. Create a porn tape and let it "mysteriously" leak onto the internet? 1 point for Kim! Have a tumultuous on and off again relationship with a guy named Scott that wears slicked back hair only to become "on again" after having his baby? 1 point for Kourtney! Become engaged to and marry an NBA star in less than a couple of months and announce that she's doing nothing to prevent herself from becoming pregnant? Another point for Khloe!
And that's just the tip of the iceberg (because I haven't even touched on the rest of the Kardashian clan). I can't lie though..the good people at Ryan Seacrest Productions are genius for recognizing a reality television show somewhere in the mess of their lives. Although I haven't watched an episode in a while, I'm hooked and I can't even figure out why. I also must admit that I'm quick to pick up any tabloid that announces any news from the Kardashian sisters. Maybe I won't buy it, but it does grab my attention and I can't help but want to know how many more pounds Kim has lost or anything involving news of baby Mason.
With that said, I was extra excited when I first heard last year that Kim Kardashian was coming out with a fragrance. (If all is true, I'm hoping that we'll get another one from all of the sisters together...hmmm...what do you think they should call it? Since they all like to exercises so much, I thought they should develop an athletic clothing line and call it 'Triple K'..what do you think?) Ok, I digress, back to Kim Kardashian's new signature fragrance.
After my first whiff of the sweet juice, I was hooked. In fact, I like this one better than Beyonce's 'Heat' (click here to read my synopsis). Developed in partnership with new beauty company on the block Lighthouse Beauty (their first fragrance was 50 Cent's 'Power'), the fragrance is a sultry, sumptuous floral packaged in a translucent black bottle. (It's definitely a cute addition to your boudoir). The juice contains top notes of mandarin, honeysuckle and orange blossom; mid notes of pink jasmine, tuberose, sensual spices and lush gardenia; and a dry down of jacaranda wood, tonka bean, vanilla orchid, sexy musk and creamy sandalwood.
Here's what Kim had to say about her new fragrance:
"Working with Lighthouse Beauty to create my fragrance was such a fulfilling process. I learned so much about what it takes to develop a scent, and the end result is the perfect extension of my own personal style."
So, now that's she created a fragrance, she's now officially a celebrity in my book...regardless of whether she's done anything of real substance or not haha. Be sure to let us know what you think of the fragrance when you get your hands on it next month, Glamazons!
Eau de Parfum Spray (1.7 oz): $45
Eau de Parfum Rollerball (.33 oz): $16
Eau de Parfum Spray (1 oz): $32
Eau de Parfum Spray (3.4 oz): $65
Available February 2010 at Sephora stores nationwide
I know I've offended some of you with that headline but hear me out.
Last night, I went to Penn Station with a group of friends to hand out scarves, gloves and coffee to homeless people. One of my guy friends, who actually worked as the Fashion Director of a popular magazine, coordinated the Penn Station outing.
I knew I wanted to be a part of it as giving back is something that comes natural to me. I have a lot of compassion, and I'm not just saying that to be lauded.
Seeing people suffer infuriates me. I know the way the world is, and that we live in a capitalist society, but I (somewhat naively) cling to the notion that it's just unfair for people to starve and live outside in the bitter cold. So though I can't change the world, I find that giving back is very healthy and fulfilling to me.
Not everyone is the same way. Before I left, I asked my good friend if she wanted to join. She paused, before informing me that nothing was pulling her away from a heated apartment and into the bitter cold night. I understood and left it alone. Why? Because I believe, strongly, that helping the homeless is volunteer work. And volunteer, by definition, is an act that a person chooses to do. It is NOT required of them.
Too often, people that participate in charities can't feel great about their efforts without criticizing others who don't partake. I don't think that's fair. The personal choice I make to give back is something that shouldn't be imposed on other people.
Our contribution yesterday of coffee, scarves and gloves, however small, had a significant impact on the homeless people we met. It touched them that we cared and spoke with them and laughed with them and treated them like people. I find the notion that I touched someone and helped someone in the smallest way very rewarding. However, if the next person doesn't, I don't hold it against them.
That's why I'm on the fence about the uproar surrounding the Herald Square H&M's disposal of clothes that aren't purchased via NYMag.com. I'm sure they join a long list of companies, like restaurants, who do away with their product once they're certain it won't be sold. Do I like it? Of course not.
But I certainly won't condemn and slander H&M because of it. It may not be the most morally upright practice, but it's not against the law. And more importantly, it's their decision no matter what we all feel they should do.
Don't get me wrong---I'm sure they have their reasons for not donating those clothes to the homeless. Maybe there is a degree of selfishness attached to it, like my friend suggested over the phone. Perhaps it's because, as a commenter on the Cut Blog claimed, no one wants to see a military jacket they paid a grip for given out to someone for free. (For the record, I actually wouldn't mind. It was going to the trash anyway and if it's going to someone in need, I'm with it). Another argued that if H&M clothes are given away for free, why would we have any incentive to buy them? The most viable explanation I've heard is that they don't want it recycled back into the market and resold.
I personally would prefer if, instead of discarding these clothes, the Herald Square H&M donated them to one of the many clothing drives that give back to the homeless throughout New York City. That's what I do to the hoards of dresses I never wear, and it feels good. But I'm a young, compassionate woman who enjoys giving back. Not the manager of a multi-million dollar franchise. And we should be able to have a difference of opinion without it getting ugly.
What do you think, Glamazons? Will you still shop at H&M knowing that they've discarded clothes that weren't purchased? Do you think they are obligated to give back?
POSHGLAM has listed The Glamazons Blog as one of the Top 25 Stiletto-Stopping Blogs of 2009. We are honored to be included in the list which also features A.J. Crimson, The Fashion Bomb, UnVogue Magazine and Stylelist, among others. Thank you to the wonderful team at POSHGLAM for the distinction! Check out the article, which names a ton of great Fashion and Beauty blogs, here.
And thank YOU for your support in 2009! We love you for reading and appreciate all the comments, emails and tweets you send our way! Stay tuned for some exciting changes and new ventures from The Glamazons in 2010.
Hey Glamazons! Whew...what a tumultuous past couple of weeks I've had! I promise I haven't been ignoring you guys (or friends either...sorry if I haven't called you back or forgot to make an appearance at your recent parties lol).
I was scrambling to try and find a place to live. If you don't know by now, one of the hardest things to do in NY (besides finding your dream job and a cute, straight man with money) is finding a place to live. And, even more ubiquitous to me, is finding your very own place to live....which I did! Hallelujah!
Even before I moved to NY, visions of Carrie Bradshaw's cute studio apartment were floating in my head. I just knew that once I moved to NY that I would not only find my very own place to live (just like hers in fact!) but that I would also land my dream job as a magazine editor. Well, fast forward a couple of years, and things didn't quite work out as I had planned. Not only could I not even afford my own place to live (we're talking starting rates of $1,500/month...which to me was like saying $1 million a month!) but I also ended up working in retail hell a little bit longer than I had planned (so glad I got out of that one! whew!)
As I sit and bask in the glow of my cute new studio apartment, I'd like to take a moment and just reflect on my long, hard housing journey in NY with you:
1. From the very beginning, craigslist.com has always been my friend. I found my first apartment on this site in Harlem while still in Texas. The ad posted for the apartment said that the tenant was looking to sublet her place (I remember reading it and actually having to look up the word sublet because I had no idea what that meant) while she toured with her acting company. The price was $800/month, included furniture, another roommate and a washer and dryer. I was sold! With no clue as to how it looked or felt, I moved in. Well, I spent the last of my savings to pay the first months rent and deposit (a total of $1,600) and had nothing left when I got there. My room was spacious, but the view was of a hulled out building next door. The neighborhood was sketchy once the sun went down, I was always starving and survived on my roommates vegetarian dishes and PB&J sandwiches. Then, my roommate decided she didn't want to renew the lease, so I had to find a new place to live.
2. While working in retail hell, I made a friend who said I could move into his extra bedroom at his apartment in Jersey City. So, I moved to Jersey City. I might also mention that my "bedroom" was the size of a tennis shoe box (I've seen office cubes that were bigger!) and my full size bed took up all of that room. (Side note: the girl I was subletting from gave me the bed and I was so happy! I still have it...it's one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on.) However, the rent was super cheap, so I made do.
3. Once the lease was up there, my friend and I got a place in the city...so back to Harlem I went. By then I had gotten out of retail hell (he was still in it), was starting to make more friends and was actually able to afford something else to eat besides PB&J sandwiches! Things were looking up...until I got an eviction notice. Unknown to me, my roommate was not making enough money to pay the rent. We had to go to housing court...it was a big 'ole mess!
4. Back to craigslist I went and then found a place in Brooklyn. This was great because most of my newly made friends lived there and I'd be able to see them more. Plus, I had heard that the summers in BK were amazing and I couldn't wait to find out more for myself. The apartment had 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms...so I had 3 roommates and stole one of the bathrooms for myself (lol). Everything was cool until one of the roommates decided to move in their significant other without asking...and the significant other was not exactly a nice person. Soon my apartment began to feel more like a college dorm and I was logging in some long hours at my great new magazine job. The last thing I wanted to do was to come home to all of those people, so time to leave again!
5. This time, I hooked up with two other friends determined to find a place. Unfortunately, things didn't work out at the last minute and I had to be out of my old place. Panic! Thank goodness that I have a big mouth and told everyone I could about my housing situation ("Um, I'm about to be homeless...does anyone need a roommate or know of any place?!" was my plea.)
Luckily it paid off because I found an affordable place uptown through a former co-worker...with NO roommates! I immediately did a jig...and, fast forward to now, that's where I am.
Living with me, myself and I. It's such a great feeling! I relish every second of it. What I don't relish is all those boxes around me that still need to be unpacked...sigh. But, here I am! A single gal living in the city in her very own apartment! Oh, what a dream come true! I'm one more step closer to getting to Carrie Bradshaw status! Now if only I could get a book deal and find my Mr. Big =)
While 2009 was the year of affordable designer collaborations and tough-luxe style, it also brought us hammer pants, nipple pasties and designs from Lindsey Lohan (scary!!).
Now that the year has come to a close, we're nominating the Top Five Fashion Fails of 2009 that MUST be left behind. All disobedient readers of this post won't make it past the end of January. Yes, that is a threat.
FASHION FAIL #1 - Skinny Jeans for Men
Yes - baggy jeans died with gangster rap in the 90's but that shouldn't mean that men can parade around in stretch jeans with 5% lycra. There's no valid reason that your jeans should be tighter than a Kim Kardashian dress.
A fitted look (not too baggy, not too tight) is ideal. Here's the test: If you can't get into your jeans without shimmying or sitting on the bed to pull yourself in, you have failed at life.
Besides the obvious hygiene issue (I mean isn't breathability a necessity for you guys?), it's unfair for me to have to pretend like you don't notice me noticing the unsightly bulge threatening to bust through all that lycra for a breath of fresh air.
And if skinny jeans for women look best with stilettos---because they make your feet appear smaller, how do you think you look with the boat-sized, giant shoes you pair with your skinnies? Disaster.com. Please do better. FAIL.
FASHION FAIL #2 - Harem Pants
Wearing harem pants didn't make you look exotic, fashion-forward or sensual. You looked like you had an adult diaper sewn into the seat of your pants and wore them with a purse and stilettos.
We tried to give you advice, but you wouldn't listen. We clearly said: look for harem pants that aren't super baggy. Never did we suggest to have extra material flowing in the wind like a Tyra weave. But the bigger the pants, the more you liked them.
Unwieldy and just unflattering, these pants were nothing short of hideous and just wouldn't go away for the better part of 2009. Try as we might, we couldn't feel sorry for the otherwise beautiful people that put on an upside down parachute and Louboutins as though it was attractive.
If Hammer wore them and lost all his money, and they made Beyonce look crazy, why would you think they'd work for us normal folks? FAIL.
FASHION FAIL #3 - Leotard
Please don't hate me for saying this, but putting on a leotard won't magically make your legs appear like Beyonce's or Amber Rose's.
Those dimples that were there before---but thankfully hidden under jeans---will be free for everyone to see in your leotard and boots. And if your legs look like toothpicks, a leotard will make it appear like you're walking on stilts. Just not okay.
Besides the fact that unless you're coming off the stage from a (real) Fosse performance or walking down Hunter's point, there's no acceptable reason to be out in a leotard and hooker boots in public. Since when is it okay to come out before you finished getting dressed?
Please do better next year. FAIL.
FASHION FAIL #4 - Ed Hardy
When Ed Hardy the designer won't even wear Ed Hardy, you know you have a problem. At one point, the trendy, edgy, tattooed designs were selling like Susan Boyle. Now they're collecting dust in the stores along with Rihanna's CD (I kid!).
Truthfully, once the crop of cool, bad kids stopped wearing Ed Hardy designs, and the Snookies and Situations of the world started buying them in bulk, there was nothing anyone could do to help. They were banished to No-Man's land where old Fubu, Mecca and Iceberg garments go to die.
Ed Hardy, get a new Creative Director, makeover, celebrity spokesperson and maybe you can return (a la Phat Farm). If not, FAIL.
FASHION FAIL #5 - Spandex
Please Lord let my days of seeing liquid leggings stuffed to the brim with thigh meat be far behind. I cannot, in good faith, endure the sight of women in black liquid leggings that, as some guy on Twitter said, look like walking oil spills.
And Nicki Minaj, camel toe is a vicious, evil, ungodly vision---and one of many signs that you need to pry yourself out of the leggings (we know they took forever to get on) and do away with them for 2010.
Other signs? Repeat trips to the gyno (as again, breathability is essential to health!). When the waistband and seams leave a red imprint on your stomach and legs (Yes, this happens. It's like you held your legs in a chokehold all day. That's gotta leave a bruise). FAIL.
What do you think Glamazons? Am I wrong to curse the day that Ed Hardy and Unisex Skinny Jeans became a trend? What Fashion Fails did I miss? Speak now...so we don't have to suffer through another decade of bad fashion.
Last month when we covered the launch of Sonia Rykiel pour H&M lingerie line and the spectacular fashion show, we alluded to the knitwear collection for women and girls (1.5-8 years old) that would debut soon after. Well, the images from the knitwear line are finally here and the collection has accomplished the impossible by making cozy knits fun, energetic and sexy.
Take a look at the collection below which fuses 80's-esque loud and vivid color with relaxed, casual silhouettes like leggings and oversized sweaters.
I love the collection's fun, youthful energy and girly accessories like those adorable crystal-studded bourets. Very young, Parisian chic.
Check it out and tell me what you've got your eye on to pick up when it hit stores February 20. I love those slouchy overalls and the contrast of the off-the-shoulder sweater. Think I'll get that for myself and my 3-year old goddaughter/diva in training. We need that to live!
In celebration of 2010---new year, new wardrobe, new you---I'm sharing some exciting news from one of my favorite shopping clubs, Beyond the Rack.
Beyond the Rack, one of North America's premiere Member's Only shopping clubs, is giving away a $500 shopping spree to the customer that invites its 500,000th member. The club is truly amazing; it offers up to 70% off retail on all your favorite luxury designer brands and accessories.
To sign up: go to www.beyondtherack.com and use the code: BTRINVITE500. The more people you invite, the more chances you have of winning the shopping spree. Good luck!
So it was during a conversation with my best friend who proclaimed that I wear dresses to impress a guy I was dating (it's no secret that I wear dresses everyday) that I realized women dress for different reasons and often, based on outside circumstances.
Though I countered with the defense that I just love dresses (which is true...and yes, I was that annoying little girl that loves pink and would never be caught dead outside rolling around in the dirt, beside worms, with my little brother), I have admittedly picked out outfits based on my surroundings, which means my fashion choices aren't solely based on...well, me.
And I'm sure I'm not alone.
If you've ever gotten dressed for a date, with or without the help of your girlfriends, then you've experienced the painstaking process to appear sexy but not provocative, smart but not nerdy, demure but not stuffy, all by virtue of your outfit.
And doesn't that make sense? Because if people judge by appearance, and fashion represents image, then choosing an outfit is essentially deciding the image you want to project to the people that see it.
Isn't that the same logic behind the professional tip that dressing for the job you want, rather than the job you have, forces people to take you more seriously?
Take a few weeks ago, for instance. I wore my beloved McQ for Target asymmetric black and gray frock to an all-women, fabulous holiday party, Cocktails with Belle (yes, Belle from the amazing blog, A Belle in Brooklyn, which you must read if you don't already! You'll thank me).
I picked it out primarily because it's a chic, well-designed, gorgeous dress. As I was attending a networking event, where appearance is everything, I also thought of the image I wanted to portray.
I considered that it was trendy, which communicates that I'm into Fashion, and it's a beautiful garment which appeals to women (men, most straight men anyway, don't appreciate a gorgeous dress in the same way a woman would). Perfect.
What I didn't anticipate (or realize until I was already at work) was that my chest had grown since I first purchased the dress and was now making an appearance in the neckline that was...a bit problematic.
Though I was wearing my Jimmy Choo for H&M choker necklace (yes, everything I wear is from a designer collaboration, lol), it did little to help the situation. In fact, one of the women remarked quizzically, "You didn't wear that to work today, did you?"
Gasp. I know cleavage, at a networking event, isn't ideal but I didn't think it was so bad that it warranted a comment. I mean, women are allowed to show some cleavage at work, occasionally, when they're in the Fashion industry, right?
And by that point, I had tried to hide it with extra fabric from the asymmetric neckline. (See the dress below, which I must say for the record, is fabulous in most any other setting.)
Later, I realized she may have a point when I saw everyone clamoring for the attention of a high-powered media exec in a suit. There were other women who were wearing trendy pieces, even one in a lace shirt, shorts and tights, but the exec was the one that everyone took seriously---some without even knowing what her title was because she looked important.
I could have worn a suit or super-conservative outfit, but truthfully, that's just not me (and not required for my job...obviously lol). Still, I worried that my dress was the wrong item to wear solely because of the way people viewed me as a result.
In the same way, if you're going on a date and want a potential partner to view you in a certain light, your clothing choice could help you in (or hinder you from) achieving that.
And when you're headed to a party or brunch with your girlfriends, your clothes represent how you want to be viewed by that particular group. Just think would you really wear a fitted, sometimes uncomfortable spandex dress if you knew no men would be at the club on Saturday night?
Even if you don't dress with other people in mind, you're still judged based on your clothing choices.
That said, why when we admit to dressing for other women or gasp, men, does it always incite criticism? And on the other side of the fence, if we admittedly dress for other people, how does our clothing truly represent us?
What do you think, Glamazons? Do you dress primarily for yourself, men or other women? Do you think dressing for other people is appropriate in some settings, but not others? If image wasn't important, and it didn't matter what other people thought about your clothing, what would you wear?
Not many designers can take Lee Jeans, the conservative, classic brand of denim, and transform it with metallic, bondage-style and lace flourishes. But Vivienne Westwood, who is collaborating with Lee for the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and Lee collection, is not your average designer.
Since 1970, Westwood has been a legend among the punk-rock set for her unique interpretation of youth and urban culture. (You also may recognize her designs from the Sex and the City movie; she was the genius behind Carrie's gorgeous wedding gown). Now the street crowd that inspired the designer can buy her work with Westwood's new affordable collection with Lee, which ranges from $128 to $320 (8o pounds to 200 pounds).
The collaborative collection will feature four styles of jeans for men and five for women, including microshorts and skinny jeans, as well as bondage, metallic and lace denim, via WWD.com. The line will be available at Vivienne Westwood boutiques in the coming year.
Super exciting!! I have to get my hands on those microshorts for Spring. And did I mention the lace jeans will feature an all-over print inspired by one of her gowns? Amazing! Glamazons, what do you think of the collaboration? Will you shop the collection when it launches next year?
As much as I love the glitz and glamour of a New Year's Eve look, there's no way I can afford to spend a small fortune on a dress I'll most likely wear for one night only. At the same time, it's every woman's right to ring in the new year looking and feeling fabulous.
Fortunately for us, retailers from RACHEL Rachel Roy to Edressme.com, are offering red-carpet worthy holiday frocks with down-to-earth price tags. I've scoured the web for the best holiday dresses under $50, $75 and $100 and found plenty of gems that are sure to make you the belle of the ball.
Check them out below and email me at theglamazonsblog@gmail.com with any last-minute questions about your New Year's Eve outfit.
Under $50
Under $75
$100 +
Oh and this year, I'm wearing my black dress with studded shoulders from Forever 21 and glamorizing the look with dramatic accessories. Best way to look like a million bucks without breaking the bank!
An extravagant necklace or a pair of jeweled pumps are perfect for making a festive dress extra-special. Here are some fab shoes that add instant glam appeal to any look:
Just in time for Spring...and the much-needed trip I'm planning to Miami, Cynthia Rowley is launching a beach-ready collection for Roxy.
And the purveyor of Hampton chic, Cynthia Rowley, and Hang-Ten staple, Roxy, couldn't be a better fit! Cynthia Rowley had this to say about the new collaboration:"The most important thing as a designer is to tell a story, and everything we do contributes to the story. This is an authentic and genuine expression of that, as surfing is something I love to do."
Perfect for ladies who love to go surfing in style, the collection features swimwear, sandals, denim, wetsuits and even pencil skirts that are as affordable as they are chic (the long-sleeved bodysuit will only run you $89!).
The collaboration will run over the next three years and launches in March 2010 at Barney's New York and Collette in Paris. Items will be available for pre-order in January at the Cynthia Rowley online shop. Check out the pieces below:
I especially love Cynthia Rowley's use of colorblocking and cut-outs; it's just so modern and vibrant, yet wearable at the same time. True to form, Rowley captures the easy, breezy nature of beach culture with an air of sophistication and refinement, rendering the most expensive-looking pieces Roxy has probably ever sold.
I can't wait to see the collection in person at the press event next week but in the meantime, what do you think of the pieces? Will you shop the new collection?
All images on www.glamazonsblog.com are readily available on the Internet and believed to be in public domain. Images posted are believed to be published according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.)
