All Black Issue

(Chanel Iman Left, & Jourdan Dunn Right, In Vera Wang Glass Jeweled Necklaces)

The hot topic for us fashion people is the ever lasting issue of "Is Fashion Racist".
Rising African-American models Chanel Iman(Above Left) & Jourdan Dunn(Above Right) appeared in the July 2008 issue of American Vogue where an article on this exact topic was addressed.

"In an industry that has long championed individuality, what's happened to diversity?" asked Vicki Woods of American Vogue. At shows across the world people ask "Where's the excitement? Where's the individuality and personality?". We cannot blame designers for the "blonde leading the blonde"look on the runways, agencies are not getting enough black models, so that leaves the designers to choose from blank faced blonde's.

(Arlenis Sosa in Donna Karen Silk Dress, Twiga Bracelets & Christian Louboutin Sandals)

Fashion has trends in clothing, as they do in models. We had our supermodel era think Naomi, Linda & Christy, then our Brazilian era think Gisele, And of course our European era, and now we welcome the Black era, Say hello to three of our new Supermodels. Arlenis Sosa(Above), a stunning freshman, and one of American Vogues new it Models was first introduced and featured in their article on racism in the fashion world, and is rumored to be featured in their biggest issue of the year their September issue.

(Left Page,Chanel Iman & Jourdun Dunn in Donna Karan silk dresses, & Oscar de la Renta boots. Right Page, Arlenis Sosa in a Subversive Necklace.

Chanel Iman(Above Left), who has been in the industry for nearly 3 years, has already achieved what takes models years to accomplish, She graced the May 2007 cover of American Vogue with nine other of the worlds new Supermodels. Jourdun Dunn(Above Left Beside Chanel Iman) is already favoured by Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell & Andre Leon Talley an American Vogue Editor. She was booked for many shows this season which included Prada, which is absolutley mind boggling, the last black girl to be featured in a Prada show was Naomi in 1997.

Vogue Italia went so far to address the issue that they dedicated their whole July 2008 issue towards the problem. The issue entitled "The All Black Issue" features Models of all ages and sizes, but just one colour, black. So who scored the cover? Liya Kebede, Seesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell all scored their own cover in this ground breaking issue.
(Liya Kebede, Seesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn & Naomi Campbell)

Steven Meisel, one of the most influential photographers in fashion, has photographed over 100 pages of just Black Models. While other pages of the magazine feature topics which are related to black women in the arts and entertainment.
Hopefully the industry can start introducing black models onto their runway. You can be sure to see more black models in magazines now, considering every major fashion magazine does indeed look up to Vogue and what they do.

Other black models who were photographed for Vogue Italia include Alek Wek, Alva Chin, Arlenis Sosa , Chanel Iman, Gail O’Neil, Iman, Karen Alexander, Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, and Yasmin Warsame.

The July 2008 issue of Italian Vogue will be on European newsstands next Thursday and international stands in the following weeks.

Sarah Jessica Parker Is Vogues New Cover Girl!

This New York fashionista is to appear on the June 2008 Issue of US Vogue.
Wearing Some Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Versace & Balenciaga, Parker has been given this cover to promote the Sex & The City Movie.
The on set accesories consisted of lots of Louis Vuitton Luggage, to go with the recreation of the settings in the Sex & The City Movie.
In A Chanel Tweed Suit, With Incredibly Sexy Balenciaga Stilettos, All Fall 2008 Ready To Wear.
In A Fall 2008 Ready To Wear Dolce & Gabbana Tulle Dress.

In An Embroidered Feather Trimmed Marches Gown, Shot On Location At The New York East River.

Front Row Beauty

Written by Dominique Raphael

Gucci & Madonna Present: Raising Malawi & UNICEF

At one of the most important events of the season, and most stylish, the most important celebrity's were there from Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Gywneth Paltrow, Orlando Bloom, Drew Barrymore, to Rihanna and Alicia Keys.
The party was a benefit for UNICEF and Raising Malawi.
$5.1 million dollars later, all for charity of course.
But lets get to the good part Katie Holmes looked breathtaking in her Alexander McQueen dress with Roger Vivier shoes, Gwyneth in a pale pink Gucci dress looked alluring, Rihanna, sexy in Gucci, and Alicia Keys sophisticated in, of course, Gucci.

-Written By Xavier Raphael

Let Me Pencil You In!

As we are all aware, the pencil skirt has become the epitome of flattery-well, to those that know how to wear it! The pencil skirt is seen as a versatile fashion staple that was first designed by Christian Dior in the late 1940s. The classic straight curve hugging skirt has earned its five raving stars for the different ways it can be worn to achieve a variety of looks. Even if you are not as skinny as a pencil, there are many ways to wear a pencil skirt that will leave you feeling fashionable and comfortable (this means you don't have to go on a diet to wear one!).

Flatter Your Figure

1. To get that perfect fit, wear your pencil skirt a little below your waistline. The skirt needs to be slim fitting, but not painted-on tight. The skirt should hug the curves of your body with room to still move and breathe. The length of the skirt should fall to the knee or a tad below.
2. The perfect pencil skirt should be clean with unadorned lines, no pockets, belt loops, front pleats, trim or gathering, or buttons. As well, the zipper should be invisible to onlookers.
3. To disguise your tummy and get that slimming effect, choose suitable and appropriate tops. For a smaller waistline, wear a sweater or a button down shirt tucked into the skirt. A feminine blouse should also help flatter your waist. You can pair the skirt with a sweater or vest if you have a medium waistline. Flatter your fuller figure with a shirt or jacket that is slightly longer than your widest part of your body-preferably your waist.
4. To minimize your bottom half of your figure, choose a simple black pencil skirt with matching black stockings or pantyhose. To divert attention away from troubled areas, draw the eyes of onlookers to the hemline and legs with a skirt with a flared bottom. Pick a light top with a dark skirt to accentuate the top and minimize the bottom.

Create a Look

1. To create that glamorous look the celebrities have adorned ever so cleverly, use fabrics such as satin, silk, or brocade. Feminine blouses with billowy sleeves, bows, or ruffles can dress up that pencil skirt. Pairing it with fishnet stockings and animal print footwear creates a sexy evening look.
2. Wear your pencil skirt with a short jacket or a cropped cardigan for a classic vintage look. Pair solids with tweeds and accessorize with a simple strand of pearls and pumps.
3. Contrast textures and colours for a more sophisticated and fashionable look. Top off your skirt with a mismatched jacket or blouse for a smart modern update. 
4. Wear unstructured jackets in vivid contrasting colours to achieve a relaxed elegant style. Leave a soft, oversized sweater loose or add a belt to create a flattering shape. Complete the relaxed look with a pair of kitten-heeled pumps or better yet, ballerina flats.

-Written by Dominique Raphael

Fresh Faces

The March 2008 cover of Vanity Fair features a Hollywood Issue spread of the rising women of 2007. Rocking fabulous vintage pin-up girl looks are: Emmy winner America Ferrera, Oscar nominee Ellen Page, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Alice Braga, Zoe Saldana, Emily Blunt, Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks, and Ginnifer Goodwin all in custom made Dior, made especialla for Vanity Fair.

Makeover Monday's: Kate Hudson

At the her World Premiere of "Fools Gold", Kate Hudson would have looked breathtaking if she had worn something complimentary to her upper body. Wearing a Lanvin cobalt blue, ruffled collar, off the shoulder dress was far to overwhelming-even somewhat stifling for Kate's face. Not to mention, she wore an oversized black jacket, which added to the already overpowering look. Kudos to Kate for attempting to pull off one of Alber Elbaz's eccentric designs. But this was more than one can overlook.