CELEBS IN STYLE: BEYONCE LOVES PRINTED PANTS

It seems that the new mother can't get enough of patterns as she has recently been spotted around New York wearing printed bottoms.  Above the singer wears a brightly colored maxiskirt by Etro and below she rocks a pair of floral print Stella McCartney pants with bright yellow pumps.  On an excursion with baby Blue Ivy the stylish mom paired black and white Clements Ribeiro joggers with simple loafers and she wore a pair of flag print trousers by Easton Pearson on another day out with Blue.  

NEW MARNI COLLECTION FOR H&M: MY FAVE PIECES

Sequin Collar, £19.99

The countdown is on for the new Marni collection for H&M to arrive in stores.  In exactly eleven days fashion fanatics will be lining up to grab the polka-dot cardigans, tribal print trousers and chunky jewelry.  The range has something for everyone in the form of womenswear, menswear, and accessories.  My favorite piece was this whimsical sequin collar (pictured above), sure to turn even the most basic tee into a sartorial splash.  Here are a few more looks I'm craving.  To see the entire collection click here .  Happy shopping!

LONDON FASHION WEEK ROUNDUP

London Fashion Week was literally a blur.  It was over before I knew it but the clothes left a lasting impact.  For instance, Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prorsum's collection blew me away this season.  The designer put a twist on his classic trenches by playing with different colors, fabrics, prints, and patterns (stripes anyone?).  He also took a step outside this realm with some very fashionable parkas although I don't know who will be wearing these for Spring.  Colorful beaded tops paired with tea length skirts and tribal prints rounded out this collection.  And I can't say enough about the accessories that came in the form of oversized tote bags, open-toe booties, beaded platform wedges, and wide belts.  

FASHION WEEK ROUNDUP: PART I

New York Fashion Week has just wrapped up leaving in its wake a bunch of new collections for Spring.  Here are some of my favorites starting with Michael Kors.  On the heels of a strong Fall collection, Kors keeps the momentum going into Spring with a showing I will call Safari chic.  Who else can transform a tie-dyed garment from juvenile to swank or make a caftan sexy with a neckline that plunges down to the navel?  There were unconventional animal prints like giraffe and zebra stripes on flowing silhouettes, feathers and earth tones to balance out the collection.  All of this is a testament to why this designer has been around for the past 30 years and is not going away anytime soon.

A CELEBRATION OF FASHION NEXT

Fashion Week rolls on with an after hours bash at Lincoln Center to celebrate the Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Next Designers.  These six designers- Bibhu Mohapatra, Michael Angel, Juan Carlos Obando, Electric Feathers, Nomia, and Rochambeau were personally selected my W Hotels fashion director Jenne Lombardo to be a part of the program that "fosters and supports emerging designers."

LOOK WE LOVE: SELITA EBANKS

Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks is the epitome of summer casual cool in this flesh toned tank, denim shirt, emerald tea length skirt, and embellished sandals.  These simple separates when put together make the perfect outfit so versatile that it can be worn while running errands or even to a red carpet event.

MIAMI SWIM FASHION WEEK 2012

Poko Pano

As temperatures soar in New York, the scene was cool in Miami during Swim Fashion Week.  Veteran designers like Brazilian Poko Pano and celeb favorite Mara Hoffman as well as newcomers like editorial darling Tavik Swimwear graced the runway with their barely-there bikinis, one pieces, and cover ups.  A few trends emerged this season that I look forward to seeing on the beach including tribal looks, animal and graphic prints, and color blocking.  Suddenly lounging by the pool will be a lot more stylish.   

FOURTH OF JULY FASHION

Independence day is right around the corner and there will be plenty of barbecues, parades and parties, not to mention fireworks.  I've put together a look using Polyvore.com that will surely sizzle this Fourth of July.  Pair this starred and studded Balmain tee with a simple pair of denim cut off shorts.  The braid detail around the pockets is mimicked on the shoes and cross-body bag.  I finished the look with a pair of metal framed aviators with blush colored lenses.

CELEBS IN STYLE: SUMMER WHITE

Michelle Obama in Tom Ford

Bright juicy colors have dominated for the Spring season so it's refreshing to see a switch to pure white on the red carpet.  Perfect for the scorching summer temps, (can you say heat wave in NYC) throwing on a white dress makes almost anyone look instantly cool.   Michelle Obama (above) is the perfect example of this.  The first lady looks absolutely regal on a recent trip to Buckingham Palace wearing Tom Ford.  The criss-crossed neckline and bow around her waist are intricate details that set this gown apart from all of the rest and the opera gloves are an unexpected accessory that takes her look to the next level.

LOOK WE LOVE: KERRY WASHINGTON

photo courtesy of instyle.com

Kerry Washington is stunning in this color blocked Gucci creation she wore to the Mary J. Blige Honors Concert.  Despite the fact that her dress dips daringly low in the front, Washington keeps it classy with bronze strappy heels, an oversized clutch, and a simple braided 'do.  This outfit, part of the Spring 2011 collection, will be sure to turn heads.

photo courtesy of style.com

SHOP AND ROCK AT THE PATRICIA FIELD BOUTIQUE

Tonight I enjoyed a trunk show at the Patricia Field boutique in the Lower East Side of Manhattan   featuring designs by Rue 107, Natasha NYC, Noir NYC, and Stylist Owned by Alisha Crutchfield.  The boutique offers a wide array of merchandise.  While exploring the territory I came across everything from bow ties to wigs and turbans, candles, lingerie, and even penis arousal gel!  Decorated in loud colors and funky mannequins, the store is just as eclectic as it's owner, costume designer Patricia Field, best known for her work on Sex and the City and recently spotted here at the Richie Rich Villionaire fashion show. 

Patricia Field

A look from Natasha NYC

Marie Jean Baptiste (left), designer, Rue 107 in an original creation

Barbie Beach wearing Rue 107

A look from Rue 107 (left) and Natasha NYC

A look from the Stylist Owned collection

Que from Day 26 made an appearance

The ladies from Indique Hair 

Estilo NYC photographer Shaliga in a chic turban

This shopper looks dapper in a red bow tie

I love the pink frilly skirt

CELEBS IN STYLE: STUDDED LEATHER JACKETS

What's more classic than a tough leather jacket?  A staple in many wardrobes, this standard is being tricked out with studs.  Seen on Alicia Keys, Nicole Richie, and Teyana Taylor, studded jackets are one spring trend that won't be going away anytime soon.  

Nicole Richie dresses up a casual outfit with her Simone leather jacket

Alicia Keys, shown here with hubby Swizz Beatz, is not afraid of color in this cropped Catherine Malandrino creation

Teyana Taylor looks rocker chic in her Robin's Jean jacket paired with ripped jeans and open-toe stilettos

This favorite amongst celebs has also been spotted on the pages of Vogue and Elle magazine.  In the March issue of Vogue, model Arizona Muse rocks a Balmain studded lambskin jacket complete with zippers, safety pins, and metal stars.  It's a little too much for my taste.  But the Burberry Prorsum coat worn by actress Emma Roberts in Elle's April edition with its studded collar and spiky shoulders gave me goosebumps. For a cool $6,000 you can own one too.  

Arizona Muse in Balmain

Emma Roberts in Burberry Prorsum

MY OBSESSION: SASS AND BIDE MINI DRESS

The other day while I was surfing the net I came across this Sass and Bide one shoulder mini dress and I immediately fell in love.  What caught my eye was the exotic tribal print, sexy off the shoulder neckline, and a belt that cinches the waist and accentuates the figure.  If I could afford this dress (it cost a whopping $545) I would pair it with simple accessories: some gold bangles, dangly earrings, and a neutral bag, as well as a pair of nude pumps.  Here's how I would style it.

 

created using polyvore.com

Sass Bide one shoulder mini dress
340 GBP - glassworks-studios.com

Brian Atwood patent leather high heels
319 GBP - net-a-porter.com

WGACA Vintage lizard handbag
$2,560 - aloharag.com

Amrita Singh gold beaded bracelet
$100 - pinkmascara.com

House of Harlow 1960 dangle earring
$75 - shopthetrendboutique.com

RIP THE RUNWAY VIEWING PARTY

Rip the Runway hosts Mehcad Brooks and Selita Ebanks

Last night I attended a viewing party for BET's Rip the Runway at Katra Lounge.  The annual runway show combines the latest in fashion with some of the hottest musical talent.  This year designs by Rachel Roy, WISB, Tennille White, Man vs. Machine, LaQuan Smith, and Lila Nikole graced the stage with performances by Keri Hilson, Lloyd, Melanie Fiona and more.

But back to the party.  Surrounded by models from the show, I was able to watch it all unfold on the big screen while sipping on cocktails from Fragoli and nibbling mini cupcakes from Tonnie's in Harlem.  Even though the crowd was a bit noisy, everyone was enthusiastic to watch the show at times cheering like it was a football game.  Overall it was a good way to end an otherwise dreary Monday night.

Aminah Benjamin, casting director for Rip the Runway and LaureLuxe designer Laurel DeWitt

Cupcakes by Tonnie's

Two ladies in one of this season's hottest trends: sparkly metallic dresses

ANOTHER ALL BLACK EDITORIAL ON THE PAGES OF VOGUE

It seems that US Vogue is following in the footsteps of it's Italian namesake by publishing an editorial featuring only black models in it's March edition.  The 10 page spread, entitled "The Life Rhapsodic" features models Ajak Deng, Anais Mali, Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Arlenis Sosa, and Joan Smalls with various black artists in looks from the Spring runways.


I first reported on the all-black fashion editorial in Italian Vogue here and now that American Vogue has come out with its own version, it seems like a cheap ripoff.  Italian Vogue has done this twice and now it seems that US Vogue is jumping on the bandwagon, recycling the same models used in the earlier spread.  Although we should be celebrating seeing more diversity on the pages of Vogue magazine, I don't think this was done the right way.  You be the judge.