There's been a revival of 80's trends for quite some now, but one element is quietly going mainstream with a fierce comeback: Grace Jones fever. Last week, trendsetter Rihanna stepped out in a Topshop tee emblazoned with a screenprint of the style icon. Her stylist Mariel Haenn told the fashion press recently that Grace Jones is indeed whom Rih-Rih gets her style cues from as of late. Now we understand the S&M get-up at least year's MTV Awards, loads of fetish-inspired black, leather, cut-outs, caps, eye patch and sex kitten stances. And we thought she was in a masochism phase.

Mariah Carey may have bombed in the past with questionable style choices, but she surely made up for it when she attended the Cannes Film Festival in France last weekend in a stunning black Dolce & Gabbana gown that was quite eye-pleasing and befitting for the classy atmosphere. Carey, with much younger stud-hubby Nick Cannon in tow, of course, was there to promote the Lee Daniels-directed film 'Precious' alongside co-stars Paula Patton, lead star Gabourey Sidibe and rocker Lenny Kravitz. Markedly absent was comedian M'onique, who is also in the film.

Patton wowed in a red Andrew Gn gown and Kravitz brought major rock-star attitude swagged out in all black with a sharkskin suit and skinny tie. Kravitz was also quite the gentleman--in a Fonzworth-Bentley move he held the umbrella for Carey to protect her from the rain and ensure that she was paparazzi ready (And we thought that's what Cannon was there for!). Carey stunned again later that night in a gold-flecked gown by Roberto Cavalli at a party the Italian designer held on his yacht.

M.I.A. with Lil' Wayne and Jay-Z at this year's Grammys

M.I.A. was raised in London and currently resides in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NY so her clothing collection cites global influences from her worldly travels. The jackets, tees, hoodie and lycra jumper are inspired by Islam, Mexico and Africa.

M.I.A. is on to something -- last year Kimora Lee Simmons wore a traditional African gown to the Met gala and R&B songbird Christina Milian was seen out recently wearing a pair of hip African print pants. MIA's personal style has been deemed so fresh in hip under-the-radar fashion circles that Missbehave magazine, where she was once a cover subject, put together a style retrospective that shows her ethnic-influenced fashion choices.

M.I.A. African Leggings, $90 openingceremony.us

The Pharrell-fronted rap group N.E.R.D. as returned to the spotlight, and this time it's for a worthy cause. The group joins a bevy of celebs from music, fashion, art worlds to that were recruited by H&M to design tops for their second annual Fashion against AIDS initiative. N.E.R.D. joined the likes of Estelle, Katy Perry, Cyndi Lauper and Yoko Ono to spread the message specifically to young people about practicing safe sex. All items are made of 100% organic cotton and 25% of sale price will be donated to HIV/AIDS prevention projects including Designers Against AIDS, MTV's Staying Alive and Youth AIDS. The celebrity-designed tops will hit H&M stores May 28th in the DIVIDED section.

N.E.R.D. wearing their t-shirt designs for H&M's Fashion Against AIDS

And if you thought the beauty market wasn't oversaturated with enough celebrity scents, think again. Two more rap stars have jumped on the bandwagon--both Nelly and Akon will offer fragrances this fall. Apple Bottoms by Nelly Eau de Parfum is set to debut for his female fans while Akon is hard at work on putting out two for men, Konvict (named after his 2006 album "Konvicted") and Aliaune, derived from his given birth name.

R&B soul songstress Jill Scott's fashion sense has grown quite significantly since her first album 'Who is Jill Scott?' debuted in 2000. The neo-soul songbird originally burst on the scene in loose-fitting, hippie-inspired get-ups wearing enough denim to open her very own GAP store. Though her songs and melodic poetry wowed crowds at sold-out shows, many shunned the Philly native for not delivering a look that measured the industry's standards. And there was the "weight thing," to boot.

Flash forward 8-plus years and 3 Grammy wins later. Scott arrived at an a life-imitates-art scenario like the character she played in her feature film debut, Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?' opting now for curve-hugging silhouettes and proudly displaying a newfound confidence. She even posed nude for Allure magazine's annual naked celebrity issue. How's that for a bootylicious-inspired, you're-not-ready-for-this-jelly move?

Like many of us, Scott is not a designer "It" bag kind of girl, and that's okay. Boldly flaunting ample curves in formfitting gowns in dark hues, metallics and prints and pairing up with plus-size retail chain Ashley Stewart to launch the Butterfly Bra was enough to prove that size does not limit style. So we had to ask the star of the current hit HBO series 'The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' and proud new mom (she delivered her first child last month) her inspiration and fashion and beauty must-haves.

Wearing Anna Scholz to BET Awards

Which celebrity do you feel has great style?
First lady Michelle Obama: she looks gorgeous all the time. And Erykah Badu, who is just so natural and has a beautiful sense of style with a personal touch.

It seems hi-end designers are becoming less immune to partnering with retail chains to offer affordable namesake lines to the masses. Socialite/fashion designer Rachel Roy, the soon-to-be ex-wife of former hip-hop mogul Damon Dash, is set to launch a diffusion line for Macy's this fall. Called Rachel Rachel Roy, the contemporary label will be available August 1st. The reasonably priced version that reflects Roy's simple yet chic taste includes sportswear from $59 to $299, shoes from $79 to $199, jewelry up to $195 and handbags topping out at $109. You may know Roy from the huge following she has in the fashion and entertainment worlds (she dressed Indian supermodel/Hermes ad campaign chick Lakshmi Menon at last week's Costume Institute Gala), has been featured on Oprah more than once and gets shout outs in Vogue regularly. It would not surprise us if Michelle Obama steps out in one of her garments, considering the first lady's penchant for rising designers.

Rachel Rachel Roy ad

Rachel Rachel Roy rock-inspired studded purses

In other designer-brands-for-less news, Target just announced that Queen of Vintage-Inspired Fashion, designer Anna Sui, is the second to sign up for their Designer International Series. Also, JC Penney will debut an exclusive line with menswear designer Joseph Abboud. Target's first collaborative effort with British wunderkind Alexander McQueen sold out very quickly this spring. Sui's is guaranteed to do the same, considering the added hot element her collection offers -- inspiration from the four main characters of 'Gossip Girl,' the hit teen show Sui has worked with.

"I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters' style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion," Anna Sui told WWD. "By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion." Mark your calendars; the capsule collection will have a short run, as did McQueen's, available only from September 13 to October 17.

Ever since Beyonce brought on the bling two weeks ago in Balmain's $11,410 crystal-studded canvas jacket, fashion blogs have been raving about her new favorite brand. A week later Rihanna showed up in the same item in another color for a quick fashion runoff, reminding us that even though she dropped the bad boyfriend, she hasn't lost an ounce of style. With this in mind, Target started promoting their version of the military look for less available right now with their bandleader vest from their in-house line, Go International, for a recession-friendly $34.99! The ultimate in chic that's cheap.

Military Muse: Beyonce in $11k Balmain Jacket

Target Go International Bandleader Vest, $34.99, Target.com

The look, started by King of Pop Michael Jackson over two decades ago, has been a celeb fave for a minute. Kanye West appeared at an awards show in a Jackson-esque style and this February Jennifer Hudson made her return to the spotlight at this yeear's Superbowl performing in a version by British designer Alexander McQueen. Curvy girls take note: work it like J-Hud with a simple tank and leggings or skinny jeans to get in on the trend without looking like a fashion victim.

Last night, the fashion elite -- Amber Rose not included -- attended the annual Costume Institute Gala Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate the opening of the "Model is Muse: Embodying Fashion" exhibit. Stylistas braved the rain sans coats and umbrellas, risking the flu in the name of fashion to walk down the zebra-print carpet to attend what the industry considers the Oscars of fashion events. Marc Jacobs was the man of the night. Not only was he was the Honorary Chairman, he had several A-listers wearing his designs. Kate Moss, who co-chaired, wore a gold one-shoulder dress by him with a matching turban by Stephen Jones. Victoria Beckham, who ruled last year's event, fell points below her usual top spot as best-dressed in a questionable polka-dotted number, and actress Anne Hathaway ('The Devil Wears Prada') rose to the top of the charts in a strapless purple number of his. Madonna wore a "look at me!" attention-grabbing custom Louis Vuitton (where Jacobs is Creative Director) get-up appropriate for women half her age. The Material Girl had exactly that -- too much material on top of her head. And Kerry Washington donned a funky black short number by Vuitton.

Tyra Banks in Badgley Mischka

Rihanna in Dolce & Gabbana

So you want to become the next Tyson Beckford or Chanel Iman without the ruckus that ensues after standing on line for crazy hours (only to be turned away)? There's not one, but three contests that men, women and even plus-size gals can sign up for online if they have what it takes. Fellas, you better hurry, because Sean "Diddy "Comb's "Faces of the Future" Model Search ends this Friday, May 1st while Torrid, the trendy plus-size line begins that same day. Ten curvy stylistas will be selected on June 3rd for Torrid's High School Fashion Advisory Panel. Winners will have the opportunity to "show off their style and their savvy by putting together fashion looks for Torrid and contributing trend info and fashion tips through blogging submissions and videos," according to their website. And then there's over-sized fashion rag V magazine's model search through a partnership with Ford Models. You can submit photos online from now until the end of June. Finalists will be chosen on July 3. Past winners Amanda Laine appeared in Balenciaga campaign, W, Harper's Bazaar, and Italian Vogue and Addison Gill walked in several shows including Calvin Klein! Very legitimate.

Diddy, who founded Sean John fashion and fragrance company in 1998, is currently featuring models with the most votes on the brand's official website. Check his video where talks about the contest and how to enter.

We wanted to know what life was like modeling for the top men's brand so we caught up with current Sean John poster child Miguel Perdomo, the industry's first Dominican male supermodel. The Washington Heights, New York City-bred Latino who landed the highly coveted spot wasn't even signed to a modeling agency nor had prior experience in fashion at the time he was discovered. Here, the 6'2'' 27 year-old who's accomplished much more since then and now signed with the Ford agency, shares advice on how to catch Diddy's eye.

Call it Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Not the athletes, but the models and groupies that couldn't keep their their hands (and some their tongues) off of the many NFL hotties in New York City for the annual NFL Draft Pick last weekend. Though the draft pick was held on Saturday and Sunday at Radio City Music Hall, the festivities began last Thursday with the NFL Draft Classic Pre-Draft party held at M2 Ultra Lounge. Co-hosted Kim Kardashian (sans NFL hottie Reggie Bush) and San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis, they held it down quite sexy for many guests there including NFL legend Deion Sanders, R&B songstress Monica (who worked her Chloe thigh-hi boots!), boxer Winky Wright, Jets' Calvin Pace and Darrell Revis, the Giants' Brandon Jacobs and Michael Boley, NY Knicks' Al Harrington, Falcons' Tony Gonzalez, Rams' Steve Jackson, several Jaguars and Ravens, several 2009 NFL draftees, models Chanel Iman, Melyssa Ford and Liris Crosse, BET hosts Toccara and Alisha Renee, BET reality stars "Harlem Heights" cuties Brooke and Christian and D. Woods from Making the Band

3LW's Adrienne Bailon, Chanel Iman with host Kim Kardashian at NFL Draft Classic

On Friday ESPN had the first of two biggest events of the weekend with legendary DJ Spinderella of Salt-n-Pepa fame on the turntables and a live performance by rapper Fabolous. Deion Sanders, "Obsessed" actor Idris Elba, former GIANT/NFL champ Michael Strahan with Nicole Murphy, Packers' Ryan Grant and Dennis L.A. White, actors Michael Ealey, and Omar Benson Miller, NFLers Matt Cassell and Adrian Peterson GIANTS' Brandon Jacobs, Osi Umenyiora, Dave Tollefson with new teammate Chris Canty, Terrell Thomas, Michael Boley, Jets running back Leon Washington, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Devin Harris, Titans' Keith Bulluck, Fat Joe, and many others rocked to tunes by two of Brooklyn's Finest. ESPN the Magazine's NFL Pre-Draft Party was, as always, a huge success.