Alexis Stodghill
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+More News on The Smoking SectionTen minutes. That's how long it took almost every item from the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection to get snatched from the shelves. Matthew Williamson, though not a household name, is a British fashion megastar whose dresses typically sell for $2,000 - $3,000. His line launched in H&M stores from London to Tokyo today, and I was there.
I waited on line patiently for one hour, arriving at the corner of 59th and Lexington Avenue in New York City at 9 am, one hour before the doors of this location would open. Having braved the Comme des Garcons, Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney for H&M sales, I expected to be towards the middle or back of line by arriving at that somewhat late time.
But I ended up being fifth or sixth, near the door. Even close to the moments those doors opened, the line barely extended around the corner from the entrance. Now this was a first in H&M's history of luxury collaborations. At Roberto Cavalli I saw women snarl over piles of spangled gold dresses. At Stella McCartney I saw a woman elbow a fellow shopper in the ribs. At Comme des Garcons, I saw people snatch entire racks of clothes, hangers and all, in one greedy move. This was almost the complete opposite. Compared to past sales, there was almost no one there, and very little in merchandise was presented.
Continue reading Matthew Williamson for H&M Insanity
In between fittings and rehearsals for his fall '09 runway show in New York City on Feb. 20, designer Stephen Burrows took a moment to e-chat with Style Spotter. Burrows has been a designer for over 40 years. In 1970, Henri Bendel bought his designs and thrust Burrows into the sparkling spotlight of the fashion world. He was an immediate success. His client roster included Cher, Diana Ross, Lauren Bacall, Liza Minnelli, Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton and Barbara Streisand. The industry took notice, and Burrows was recognized with Coty Awards in 1973, 1974 and again in 1977. Urged by Halston to set up shop on Seventh Avenue, Stephen soon left Henri Bendel and opened his namesake business, quickly licensing products such as fragrances, sunglasses and furs.
The designer continues to sell at fine stores in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. He spoke to Black Voices about his new line:
Describe your spring 2009 line.
It's all about 'AFRO SUMMER,' the freedom of natural dressing and self-expression. To feel natural in your own skin and the clothes you chose to adorn yourself in as a matter of individual style and taste. The colors are pure and natural: white, khaki, stone, citron lime and cerise. The shapes are long, lean and foremost comfortable. The fabrics are cotton broadcloth, cotton, basket-weave voille, silk organdy and rayon matte-jersey.
Describe your spring 2009 line.
The collection is classic American style interpreted with modern glamour, most visible by the use of traditional seersucker fabric cut in fitted silhouettes.
Not any one individual. ... The style I admire the most is one that is individual, that reflects one's lifestyle and taste in a way that is confident and free.
Whose style do you admire most?
The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
By Alexis Garrett Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
Right before her marriage to stunt man David Pope, Joy Bryant shot Black Voices a quick note about how she stays fresh and pretty during the sultry summer months. Read on for Joy's tips, followed by great product recommendations from BV to help you follow through with this stunning star's advice.
Joy Bryant Beauty Tips
Joy Bryant keeps her hair in place during the summer using hair pomades such as Kizzi "Stay-Put" Hair Pomade by Carol's Daughter. For more summer hair care tips, visit the BV Hair Blog Hair Apparent.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
In addition to acting in films like 'Get Rich or Die Trying' with 50 Cent, Joy is also a spokesperson for Roxy Fashions and Cover Girl.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Joy likes to keep her summer style simple. This is a girl-next-door look that Bryant somehow makes feel glamorous.
Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images for IMG
For a summer event, Bryant likes to "keep it simple." She wore an elegant strapless cocktail dress with simple shoes and jewelry to the Whitney Contemporaries Art Party in New York City in June.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Ever that fan of the maxi dress, Joy looks especially good in this season's hottest dress trend.
Jean Baptiste Lacroix, WireImage.com
Her recent marriage to David Pope is a new step in Joy's life. She married her stunt man husband in the Hamptons in June of this year.
Alexandra Wyman, WireImage.com
Continue reading Quick Beauty Tips With Joy Bryant
By Michelle Mckenzie for AMBERmag.com
Seeking a pretty, yet fuss-free makeup look this spring? This season peaches, corals, and light washes of orange -- as seen at Carlos Miele's spring 2008 collection -- complement all skin tones and are the perfect shades that work for day, night, weddings and more.
By Alexis Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
Model Behavior?
Naomi Campbell is a pioneer in the realm of diversifying the beauty industry, yet she has sullied her career with a string of violent acts since 1998. While many of her famous accusations center on attacking people in her employ, Campbell's 2008 assaults involve airline workers and a police officer. Campbell has been globally banned from flying on British Airways as a result of these new, alleged crimes. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis, AP)
Tyrese Gibson is a former fashion model who has used his sexy charm as a springboard to music and movies. The ladies find him irresistible, while no man can deny his swagger. But in 2007, Gibson came under investigation for abusing his pregnant girlfriend. Is this bad boy too bad? (Photo: J Records)
Kate Moss became a top model during the '90s for a controversial look deemed "heroin chic," which opponents believed encouraged drug use and anorexia. After hooking up with rocker Pete Doherty, Kate's reputation took a turn for the worse as Doherty's drug busts constantly brought her name into gossip headlines. Then in 2005, London's Daily Mirror ran photos of Kate Moss using drugs herself. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)
Kimora Lee Simmons is fabulous, but more than a little grating on the nerves. Despite this, Simmons has found success taking her diva attitude to the airwaves on her hit reality TV series. But in her mug shot for her 2004 arrest for possessing marijuana, eluding police, careless driving, tailgating and driving with a broken brake light, Kimora is all smiles. See--she canbe nice sometimes. (Photo: Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com)
Tyra Banks has parlayed her beauty and charm into two television series in which she expresses her complete self-absorption. On her daytime television show, Banks is famous for turning every conversation into a discussion of herself. On 'America's NextTop Model,' Banks appears to relish tearing into the young egos of the young women in her care. But it does make for good television. (Photo: KMazur, WireImage.com)
Many believe that Gia Carangi was actually the world's first supermodel, a star of the '70s whose unique posing style is still emulated today. Back then, cocaine use, pill-popping and intense clubbing were the norm at famous locales like Studio 54. Gia's behavior went from bad to tragic as she became addicted to heroin. She died from AIDS at 26. (Photo: Andrea Blanch, Getty Images)
Janice Dickinson, the self-proclaimed world's "first supermodel," has taken bad model behavior to new heights during her recently revitalized career. A fashion star who traveled the world partying and posing in the '70s and '80s, Janice has returned to the pop culture scene as a panty-flashing reality TV star. Dickinson's surgicalized face and outrageous outbursts make people stop, stare and cringe. (Photo: Michael Buckner, Getty Images)
Jenny Shimizu reached the pinnacle of modeling during the '90s as a famous face for Calvin Klein. In 2007, Shimizu has sought to cash in on her experiences by writing a tell-all book describing lesbian affairs with Madonna and Angelina Jolie. Of Madonna, Jenny said: "I was her secret 'booty call' available any time of the day or night for secret sexsessions." Shimizu also stole actress Ione Skye from her Beastie Boy husband, Adam Horowitz. Ain't nothing right with snitching and stealing. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)
This Brazilian beauty is currently number one on Forbes' list of highest paid supermodels for earning $35 million in 2007. But, her tremendous wealth did not stop Giselle from stealing that year. Instead of stealing dollars, Giselle stole someone else's man, famously luring famous quarterback Tom Brady away from actress Bridget Moynahan who was pregnant with his child at the time. (Photo: J. Countess, WireImage.com)
Grace Jones seems to willingly cultivate an image of eccentricity and excess. On her official Web site, Grace states: "I believe in having certain releases,certain outlets. One has to indulge. If you don't indulge you don't live -- might as well be dead." Okay, Grace... (Photo: Evan Agostini, Getty Images)
Naomi Campbell recently made headlines yet again for being a bad supermodel, this time attacking airline workers rather than her own employees. Even though she has become the international poster child for trashy celebrity behavior, Campbell is not the only beautiful terror. The supermodels in the gallery above are not as famous for their anti-social activities, but they are nearly as naughty.
The pressures and temptations of the modeling world have created more than just one gorgeous gorgon. What is it about being beautiful, sexy, rich and famous that made these supermodels go wild? And why does the public still love them?
Denyse Clarke, Photo Editor
By Alexis Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
Obama-mania seems to have hit everyone, celebrities and common folk alike. The beautiful Halle Berry, for whom many men would crawl on their knees, has gone on record saying about the man: "I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear." If that's not mania, I don't know what is.
Fashion-creators of the world have responded to Obama-mania by making great threads for people to express their love. Three young black entrepreneurs have developed uniquely stylish wares. Check them out in the gallery below.
Obama-mania seems to have hit everyone, celebrities and common folk alike. The beautiful Halle Berry, for whom many men would crawl on their knees, has gone on record saying about the man: "I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear." If that's not mania, I don't know what is.
Fashion-creators of the world have responded to Obama-mania by making great threads for people to express their love. Three young black entrepreneurs have developed uniquely stylish wares. Check them out in the gallery below.
Continue reading Obama Chic: Political Fashion for the People
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