FIRST LOOK! More Pics from Rachel Roy and Estelle's Jewelry Line

Yes, ladies. After months of waiting in anticipation (and a teaser pic of a flower ring), more pics have arrived of Rachel Roy's limited edition jewelry collection with singer, Estelle.


And the pieces are just as amazing as jewelry from Rachel Rachel Roy (her line for Macy's)...but this time, the jewels get an ubergirlie twist. The defining details? Purple and green crystals that jazz up hearts, angels, flowers and wings.


The verdict? A lot girlier than I'd expect from Rachel (after her edgy collection for Macy's) and Estelle, who loves pushing fashion boundaries. Yet the horn earrings and statement two-finger rings offer an edgy vibe while the "Feel Famous" necklace injects a dose of glamour. What do you think, Glamazons?

Shop the collection, which ranges from $32-$195 here.


Oh and though the new jewelry collection is sweet and innocent, Estelle's latest video and song, "Freak" is anything but. In the video, Estelle dances in blackface inside a flying crystal. Check it out below (it's totally my new summer workout song):



Kisses,


Coutura

Magazine Glam: Sade covers EBONY Magazine

Hey Glamazons! You all know about my unhealthy obsession with Sade. I was beyond excited when I heard the news about her latest album, Soldier of Love, and I near 'bout had a heart attack when I heard news that the singing siren would be on the cover of the April 2010 issue of EBONY magazine. Oh, be still thine heart! In the issue, Sade addresses her 10 year hiatus and even lets the mag peep into her studio time. Sigh, I would die to be by her side while she's singing.

Issue hits stands March 9th, so be sure to cop that!

xo

Ferocia

Magazine Glam: Liya Kebede Channels Salt-N-Pepa for V Magazine

Am I getting old?

The funky, fresh vibe that characterized women in 90's hip hop is now the inspiration for the Spring season. I remember growing up watching Salt-N-Pepa's flavorful fashions---funky, colored hair, tons of gold jewelry, doorknockers, loud, colorful clothes---and thinking it was the coolest thing I've ever seen.

Well, it seems the 90's look is back with a vengeance with denim jackets, cut-off shirts, bare midriffs, dookie chains, bold brights, acid wash jeans and loud prints hot again for Summer.

One of my favorite models, Liya Kebede, alongside Lily Donaldson, captured the look in an editorial spread for the upcoming April V Magazine. Here's a peek at the 10-page spread, shot by Josh Olins.

Do you love it?

And for old times sake, I included my favorite video, Salt-N-Pepa's "Shoop" at the end of the post. I knew every word to this song as a little girl. Love the '90's!





Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Beyonce's New High-Fashion Ads for House of Dereon

A faraway location. A gorgeous, flowing dress. A striking hairstyle. Beyonce pulled out all the high-fashion stops for her latest ad campaign for House of Dereon. 


Shot against a volcano in Santorini, Greece, Beyonce wears a flowing, green watercolor halter dress and a fuschia mini strapless dress with a side ruffle.


I live for her pompadour, but the fit of the fuschia dress seems all wrong! House of Dereon isn't known for their construction, but to attempt an avante garde look, the fabric and fit of the garment must be immaculate. 

The shots of her flowing green dress are stunning. The chiffon dress boasts embroidery around the neckline and a majestic watercolor print that mirrors the land. Just beautiful. P.S. As a dancer, I find her leap with the mountains and sea in the background beyond breathtaking.

She also posed in more casual, everyday clothes for the campaign, wearing a gray blazer flanked with studs and heavy metal chains. In her signature over-the-top fashion, Beyonce wore a studded bracelet, a short denim studded skirt, smoky eyes and a shaggy blonde bang to complete the look. I'm on board---especially since for Fall, gray is the new black. Ow!

What do you think of the new ads, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: BeyonceWorld.net.

FIRST LOOK! Liberty of London for Target

After a stellar collaboration with MAC, Liberty of London is spreading their flower power to another retail giant: Target. The line, which hits stores this Sunday, March 14th, is full of easy, printed minis and maxis, with patterns ranging from paisley to...you guessed it...floral. 


Even the home items (a bike!) and menswear (love those ties and boxers!) have fun, cheeky prints that will add some life to your Spring wardrobe. 


The sweeping floral maxidresses and breezy jumpsuits just scream Summer getaway. Throw on some flats, grab a pair of shades and you're good to go.


The trench and sheath give you a chic way to work florals for day. And, like a good London brand, the line offers a stylish pair of rain boots and umbrella for those rare summer storms.


Check out all the looks below and tell me what you're scooping up when it hits stores Sunday.

Photos: Refinery29

WANTED: Naomi Campbell

Hey Glamazons! Oops, she's done it again!

Right now, supermodel Naomi Campbell is somewhere hiding in a back alley here in the streets of New York. Well, Coutura and I like to think that she is. She's probably really in one of her many secret penthouse suites somewhere chilling. Or maybe she's hanging out backstage in the super secret VIP area in Madison Square Garden watching Jay-Z perform.

Why is she on the run?

According to a recent article in the NY Times, Campbell hit her driver (we're assuming while he was driving) and then ran off when he pulled over. And this isn't the first time she's been accused of beating her help (we remember too well the incident with the maid...sigh).

I recently interviewed Naomi backstage at her Fashion For Haiti show during NYFW (click here to view it) and I must say that I thought at one point I did kind of fear for my life once she learned how late it was and quickly demanded that I be the last interviewer. I mean, I respect her as a person (what other model do we know that can bring it like that on the catwalk?!) but it remains clear that she's crazy.

I recently attended two beauty events tonight (Clarins and Sunsilk...more on that later) and one of my cab drivers joked that he would totally pick her up if he saw her out on the streets tonight.

Here's hoping that she doesn't hurt anyone else while out on the loose! Be safe out there, friends!

xo

Ferocia

Sex Sells, but is T.I.'s Clothing Ad Taking it Too Far?

What does simulated oral sex have to do with jeans?

Everything, according to T.I.'s clothing brand, AKOO. Their advertisement, which graces a billboard in Newark, New Jersey (woot! woot! Sorry, Jersey girl moment), depicts a woman pulling down a man's AKOO jeans, with his hand lovingly dictating what she should do with her head. Sigh.

There's been nothing short of an uproar among Jersey residents about the explicit nature of the ad. Even the mayor spoke up, but his gripe wasn't about the simulation, it was about the jeans sagging off the male model's behind...umm, so simulated oral sex in tight jeans is better?

Anyway, I do agree that the ad is not something I'd want my impressionable, pre-pubescent cousin to see while out and about in Newark.

But as we all know, billboard sex is all too common in the high-end fashion world, with Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana being repeat offenders. They make AKOO's ad look tame. Check out some jaw-dropping risque ads below (NSFW).

Implied gang rape at Dolce & Gabbana.

Simulated orgy at Calvin Klein.

Eva Mendes' boobs at Calvin Klein.

Pretend Masturbation at Emanuel Ungaro.

Simulated oral sex again at Puma.

Yes, I guess it catches your eye when you're stuck in traffic on a city street. But is it socially responsible to put these offensive ads out there? 

And what in the world does it have to do with clothes? Sex sells, yes, but vulgarity won't encourage me to purchase a pair of jeans. Thoughts?

UPDATE: T.I.'s ad has been taken down from the billboard in Newark. Do you think removing the ad is excessive or understandable?

Kisses,

Coutura

Designer Crush: Jasmine Pennamma

Imagine that it's Fashion Week. You're on the VIP list for a swanky evening party, and all the hottest celebrities will be in attendance. To look the part, you put your most fabulous dress---the one that everyone compliments---in the cleaner's. And now, the day of the soiree, the cleaner's is closed.

Most fashionistas would immediately have a nervous breakdown. Not Jasmine Pennamma.

The resourceful style maven wore a white shirt and jeans and made some spellbinding, statement-making jewelry on the spot. No one could stop talking about Jasmine's incredible jewels. And as a designer, if the Fashion Week crowd loves you, you're IN. The rest is history.

Jasmine Pennamma's line of jewelry combines the glamour and grit of New York City with the carefree, natural feel of the West Coast.

The handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces are a melange of earthy charm and street chic: turquoise, jade and opalite stones in modern styles like bold, cocktail rings and chain link necklaces.

My favorite piece from the collection is this edgy two-finger ring which is connected by a delicate gold chain and adorned with exquisite precious stones. It encapsulates the modern fashionista's personality to a tee: bold, feminine and effortlessly cool.

This line is perfect for the girl who was born to stand out. She's a little bit tough luxe, a tad pretty and 100% glamorous. Go to www.jasminepennama.com for more information on the designer and to shop the collection, which ranges from $90 to $285.

Kisses,

Coutura

Vogue Italia Responds to Criticism

Only days since the launch of the new Vogue Italia, the internet has been abuzz with criticism about the separate and allegedly "segregationist" channels: Vogue Black, Vogue Curvy and Vogue Talents.

A commenter on our post about it described the expansion as "bittersweet," explaining that she's thrilled for the attention on black and curvy Fashion, but insulted that it had to live separately from the main website.

Well, Vogue Black, as well as Vogue Black Contributor Afrobella (who Ferocia interviewed about her fab new gig!), took to the web to address the criticism, particularly the Cut Blog post condemning the site. Check out excerpts from their responses below:

From Vogue Italia:

Rodarte's success story, as seen in Vogue Talents, celebrates the creativity of the Mulleavy sisters and aims to set an example of how, with true talent, one can succeed in a short time. Vogue Talents is a channel dedicated to young designers: we couldn't have found bigger encouragement. Or must we keep thinking that young people should not be given space?

Vogue Curvy: Tyra Banks in her first post for Vogue.it wrote that "beauty comes in many shapes, and especially in many sizes." Unfortunately, however, there was no magazine - or site- that covered "other sizes" before.

Finally, two years on from the publication of A Black Issue, surrounded by Eastern European models, we ask ourselves: how long will it take before we see more black beauties on the runway? As summarized by Afrobella in her blog, they deserve their own spotlight.

From Afrobella:

Why does Vogue Italia feel the need to separate into different channels? My answer is, because throughout the history of fashion, black and curvy has been overlooked. We deserve our own spotlight. Of course, ideally black beauty and full figured beauty would be part of the mainstream – BUT IT’S NOT. Someone please share a link from The Cut about plus size fashion bloggers or black beauty bloggers. Please. I’d love to read it. Because I’ve been reading them for a minute and I’ve never seen one. And who’s to say that material from Vogue Black or Vogue Curvy won’t make it into Vogue Italia? For me as a reader, I think it’s refreshing to find a channel that exclusively caters to what I’m looking for — beauty and fashion inspiration that relates to my reality.

"We deserve our own spotlight." I just like the sound of that!

What do you think? Does that explain away the separation of "Vogue Black," "Vogue Talents" and "Vogue Curvy?"

I get it. I think a spotlight on black culture, young designers and full-figured women in Fashion is deserved and way overdue. And Vogue Black, Curvy and Talents offers just that.

At the same time, full-figured and African-American designers, models, beauty needs, etc. should be incorporated into mainstream publications and sites regularly, as well.

Why? True diversity is showing the work of a black designer and white designer side-by-side in an editorial spread. Featuring a plus-size model and thin model in every issue. So eventually that model or designer surpasses racial/size boundaries and becomes accepted and praised by everyone for their talent alone. And then, everyone can start to see the beauty in different cultures and sizes.

Let's move toward including black and curvy models, bloggers and designers regularly in Vogue Italia...and Vogue...and V Magazine...and Elle Magazine...and every fashion mainstream publication.

That's not to say I'm not happy about Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy. I'm glad that the channels exist and agree that the spotlight is truly deserved.

But I would hate for Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy to become sites only visited and produced by women of color...or women with curves. 

And I would love for women of all backgrounds to be exposed to the beauty, richness and enormous talent that exists in black and curvy Fashion...on the main channel AND on the "spotlight" channels...and in every issue of mainstream magazines.

What are your thoughts? Discuss.

Also, I feel I should repeat this, that is not to say I am not thrilled about Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy. I am beyond happy that Vogue Italia---a publication with connections, resources and talent---is paying attention to black and curvy women. In fact, my hero, who I had the pleasure of interviewing at The Magazine, Bethann Hardison has been named Editor-at-Large of Vogue Black. That makes me want to do back flips down my Brooklyn street with my sprained ankle.

But I do believe this discussion, about incorporating black and curvy fashion into the mainstream, needs to be had. 

Okay. I'm done.

Kisses,

Coutura