URBAN VOGUE'S SET: June 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

New Single: Solange- I Told You So

Here is new music from Solange. One of my favorite singers of the moment. All of her music has been stellar, powerful, and all around amazing. Her lyrics are so deep and genuine. She truly is trailing her own path in the music industry and just like many others, I am rooting for her much deserved success.

Michelle Williams Performance During NY Pride

This was Michelle Williams performance during New York City Pride at Club Splash. I am so proud of her. Her look, her sound, her performance was all cohesive. She looks better and sounds better with each and every appearance/performance. She sang Hello Heartbreak and then We Break The Dawn. The "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" sample during the bridge was hot too.

Fashion's Leading Men, Pharell & Kanye at the Louis Vitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2009

Kanye West and Pharell epitomize male fashion at LV's latest fashion show.Kanye exudes urban sophistication and Pharell exudes street style. They are just the best dressed me, well among the best dressed men in the world. I am so inspired by their sense of style.

New Kelly Rowland Photoshoot

R&B star, Kelly Rowland looked fantastic in her latest photoshoot. The fabulous dress Kelly is wearing is designed by London based designer, Kosibah.Kelly Rowland is huge overseas and it is unfortunate that she does not have the same success over here in the states.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

New Beyonce Music: Honesty

Hot Performance: If I Never See Your Face Again (Live) - Maroon 5 and Rihanna

Milan's Men Fashion Week Part 1: Burberry, Dsquared, Versace,Prada,Louis Vitton, Gucci, & Dolce&Gabbana

BURBERRY PRORSUM

The late artist/filmaker Derek Jarmin was used as the
inspiration for Burberry's latest collection.
The collection was titled "Crumpled Classics" and
it largely displayed outerwear(trenches,coats, and jackets).

DSQUARED
The diversified show paid homage to Hip-Hop.
Largely consisting of black models wearing polo shirts,
gym shorts, argyle socks, gold chains, denim suits,
and RUN DMC cuzels- the Dsquared show was refreshing
and powerful.

VERSACE
The show exuded sensual fashion. Style.com says
"technology turned to sensuous advantage".

PRADA
The theme of the show was a "Man poised
between fragility and power hanging in
balance".

LOUIS VITTON
The look was "less formal, more fragile".
The look shined through knitwear and
accessories.

GUCCI
The inspiration: " The new way in which youth
and luxury can seamlessly exist" There was the usual
Gucci show consisting of decorative jeans, shirts with
toucans and parrots,perforated leather, and safari shorts.

Dolce & Gabanna
The pajama themed show was chic but comfy.
It was the ultra transcendence of sophistication.
There also was a surprise appearance by
supermodel , Naomi Campbell which had everyone talking

Victoria Beckhams Dress Collection to Debut During NY Fashion Week

Fashion darling, Victoria Beckham plans to unveil a collection of upscale dresses durin NY fashion week."It will be something completely different from what I've ever done," she told WWD. "I'm just putting it together at the moment, but they will be very upscale dresses and likely will start at around US$1,200 retail. I'm going to be using very expensive fabrics and finishes, lots of embroideries," she added. ".

I am ecstatic to see the collection as I know It would be fabulous. The fashion world and I will surely be looking out for this line in September.

More Michelle Williams

This was footage that did not make her TRL appearance. She seems to be so excited for her upcoming album and surprised by her well reception form the TRL audience. She could not believe when people in the audience knew all the words. She is so humble.

Michelle Williams Break the Dawn Promotion

I am Michelle Williams biggest fan and this was her first major television appearance. Her charm, charisma, and the uniqueness that is her shined through. Unexpected is dropping August 12

BET Fashion Wrap Up: The Bad

Alicia Keys

Jennifer Hudson

Keri Hilson

Solange Knowles

Chrisette Michelle

Alicia Keys dress is just all wrong. It would look good on the runway, but its one of those dresses just for the runway.Jennifer Hudson dress was entirely too small. She constantly tries yet always fails. Keri Hilson looks like a disco ball and Solange looks like a peacock. Chrisette Michelle seems to have aimed for the regal look but achieved the look of a bridesmaid. And I hate all of their hair- absolutely hate it.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

BET AWARDS Fashion Wrap Up: The Good

Cassie

Jordin Sparks

Rihanna( in Giambattista Valli)

Nelly& Ashanti( in Marchesa)

Ciara

Cassie looked stunning in her pink mini.Jordin Sparks glowed in her red dress. Rihanna and Ashanti have been on point lately with their red carpet picks. Ciara certainly surprised me with her dress. She looked so elegant and she is really transformed into a lady. My best dressed would have to be a tie between Rihanna and Ashanti. I wish Rihanna would have did a little more and I wish Ashanti's split was not so high. Nonetheless they were the best dressed.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Karina Pasian - Can't Find The Words (high quality + lyrics)

Alicia Keys ft. LL Cool J - Teenage Love Affair REMIX

Usher's BET Awards Promo

The BET award are just two days away and Usher has released a promotional video using the hit show 24 as an inspiration. While I am not Usher's biggest fan, I have to admit he is one hell of a performer. Usher is slated to open up the BEt awards. His performance will feature Lil'Wayne ( who is closing the show) and Beyonce as well. I am more excited to see Beyonce that anything else. The BET awards hit the air Tuesday at 8. Black Star Power at its finest!

Video sent by us08us

Kelly Rowland visits Kenya and raises HIV awareness

Kelly Rowland , while in Africa took an HIV test. She is an ambassador for MTV's Staying Alive Foundation which aims to reduce discrimination against HIV and AID's victims. This is a very good look for Kelly and it is inspiring to her fans. The HIV/AID's epidemic is a major issue effecting all of us one way or another.

Urban Vogue's Questions of Randomness

1. Didn't we all know that E=MC² was not going to be as stellar and successful as the Emancipation of Mimi?
2. Do you think singer, Amerie will have Rihanna type of success now that she is signed to Def Jam?
3. How happy are you that Vogue Italia July issue will feature exclusively all black models?
4. Don't Dolce & Gabbana have the best fashion advertisements?
5. What do you think about Avril Lavigne coming out with a clothing line?
6. Will you be purchasing tickets to Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour?
7. Why did Rihanna re-release her breakthrough album Good Girl Gone Bad?
8. Aren't you still waiting for Lauryn Hills new album?
9. So now that Beyonce,Kelly, and Michelle are having even more success this time around with their solo projects, will Destiny's Child ever make an album again?
10. Will Ashanti ever be able to headline her own world tour?
11. Why is D.L. Hugley the host for the 2008 Bet Awards?
12. When are gas prices going to decrease?
13. Now that Lil' Wayne latest album sold a million plus in its first week isn't it safe to say that the music industry is not in a slump, consumers are just extremely selective with who they buy versus who they download?
14. Will Amy Winehouse have a third album?
15. What will Hilary Clinton due now?

Is Fashion Racist- Vogue Article

I am a dedicated reader of Vogue, but I know that many others are not so I could not help but post an excerpt form this article so that all of you could read it. The name of the article reads, "Is Fashion Racist". Decide for yourself and let me know what you think. This article is published in the July issue of Vogue featuring Nicole Kidman on the cover.

"Why," says Iman, her lovely voice rising, "are we still talking about this in 2008?" All I can say is: I know, I know. The cool, clever, cultivated, and legendary supermodel is concerned (read: hopping mad) about the current state of the fashion runways. "For The Washington Post to report that the Calvin Klein show especially looked like the blonde leading the blonde—you know?" For far too many seasons now, topic A at shows across the world has been "Where's the excitement? Where's the individuality? Where's the personality?" And—with the historical resonance of this electoral year at the forefront of everyone's mind—"Where's the diversity?"

This magazine exists to inspire women. How do fashion editors get inspired by watching the same procession of anonymous, blandly pretty, very young, very skinny, washed-out blondes with their hair scraped back in show after show? The glamazon supermodels of the late eighties and early nineties (Linda, Christy, Cindy, Naomi, Claudia) all looked equal but different as they thundered down the runway. Like the Spice Girls, each had an individual personality, a different physicality. So did the late-nineties wave of sexy Brazilian girls (who come in all colors, from milk to brown). The current wave of Eastern Europeans all look pretty much alike, which is odd for a trade that thrives on appealing to a woman's personal style. And all are, obviously, white. Sarah Doukas, founder of Storm model agency in London, remarks, "It's a naughty thing to say, because I've got some beautiful Eastern European girls, but to be honest, when I go in cars with them in Paris, I do get snow-blinded."

Iman is a longtime friend of Bethann Hardison, the former runway model turned model agent. Both women are dismayed about the current predilection for an alienating aesthetic on the runway. Hardison says crisply, "The model has become a hanger." Iman (who was muse to Yves Saint Laurent and stood for days at a time while he created and fitted his African Queen couture collection on her body) grew tired of looking through "lifeless" shows online. But what really got their dander up was the noticeable whiteout on the runways of 2007. "Bethann E-mailed me," says Iman, "one single sentence: 'Did you realize that over the last decade, black models have been reduced to a category? Call me.' "

To view the full article- http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/062008/page2.html

Designer Spotlight- Hannah Marshall

She hails from London, and her latest collection features all black garments. She is poised to be one of London’s most promising designers. Her clothes are edgy, hard rock, inspired, and smart. Hannah Marshall’s signature black dresses are a well received by London’s artistic elites. Hannah Marshall’s fall collection has a “ sophisticated neo-Goth vibe that comes across in razor- thin leather jackets, exaggerated ’80-style shoulders, and snug minis” say ELLE’s Whintey Vargas. Her collection makes a bold statement as it is titled “Code Black”. “ Designs can often be a bit meaningless- ‘Oh, stick a bow in it and it looks pretty, for me, fashion is about intellectual concepts that make people think”, Marshall says. Her collections captivate the mind and her words inspire one to look beyond the clothing. Hannah Marshall intellectual nature will benefit her and indeed separate her form many designers.

View the rest of the collection at http://www.hannahmarshall.com/

Designer Spotlight – Christian Siriano

Ill call him the Eva of Project Runway. Christian Siriano is the winner of the fourth season of Bravo’s hit television show, Project Runway. Out of all of the past winners he by far has the most charisma, talent, celebrity endorsements, and potential to soar in the fashion industry. With fashion icon Victoria Beckham ‘s stamp of approval along with Cameron Diaz and Whoopi Goldberg , Christian Siriano is poised for success. His clothes are as fierce as his edgy Asian lesbian inspired haircut and he has numerous projects lined up. Among developing his own collection he hopes to debut during New York Fashion Week, he is also sketching for an upcoming project with Puma, designing costumes for the new Uma Thurman film Eloise in Paris, developing a book, designing a gown for Vanessa William’s character on Ugly Betty, and working on possible samples for Ashlee Simpson.

Through the duration of his stint on Project Runway, he was the winner of four challenges- the most of any designer on the show. “ In my 29 years of teaching young designers, I have never met a fashion prodigy- until Christian. I believe that he is his generations Marc Jacobs,” says Project Runway host and Liz Claiborne chief creative officer, Tim Gunn. Christina Siriano design aesthetic exemplifies couture, fairytale, and the feminine mystique. He shows his aesthetic through ruffles, highly structured dresses, expert tailoring, flawless seams, and feathers. Christina Siriano is indeed the present and will have an immense impact on the future of the fashion.

To view his whole collection: http://www.christianvsiriano.com/collection_fall_2008.html

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Rihanna On BET's 106 & Park

International Singing Superstar, Rihanna appeared on 106 & Park wearing some of the best boots I have ever seen. The boots are designed by Balenciaga who is also one of my fav designers. She was there to discuss her re release of the breakthrough album Good Girl Gone Bad and her performance on the upcoming BET awards.