Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Eve: Video Fashion

The black female pop stars have left much to be desired. Ruled by lookalikes Rihanna and Beyonce, the uninspired listener (apparently there are many of them, Rihanna has ruled the UK and US charts with Umbrella for weeks) is content with the same old story: bling and boobs.

Girls and boys searching for something with a spark of creativity on the radio, don't fret! Eve of the cat paw tattoo fame is back.
Her song "Tambourine" is fun with enough energy to give you whiplash. And the video for "Tambourine" shows that Eve has her perfectly manicured nails directly on the trend pulse of the nation. Her video is filled with bright colors and lamé leggings. She even rocks an Herve Leger'esque dress in one segment, fanning herself furiously. Her French maids wear an updated uniform: their dress is shiny patent leather, a sexy touch. In a party scene, a dancing girl bounces in a sequin minidress, one of the oft seen summer looks.





My one complaint is that her video looks like an ad for MAC. There are too many shots of her preening with some product in her hand. But let's face it. She's Eve, and as one of the few women of color that can make a blonde 'do look as nonchalant as dark brown highlights, I'm going to let it go.

Check out her video and stop singing along to Rihanna, I promise it'll all be better once she's off the radio.



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SB

Friday, July 13, 2007

Target: Devi Kroell

Devi Kroell, the designer behind the luxurious bejeweled and python clutches below, has come out with a more affordable line for Target. Her usual line is the perfect touch for a cocktail party or for a afternoon of meandering down Oak Street.

These two beauties are a little over $1000 which places them in the "aspirational" or "I'm not going to pay my rent this month" category of our wish list.

Kroell's line at Target, however, does not flirt with any number higher than 50 and is so cute and functional.

This little gold clutch will add some sparkle to your usual summer sundress ensemble and can hold the essentials as you run to the Whole Foods for a peach ice tea run. Since the clutch is $30 you can afford to pick up a few iced teas for your friends and share the love.


This tiny python print purse is perfect for night. The moody grey will look great with a purple jersey dress or even your standard lbd. And it's only $20! Who needs real python when you have youth and long nights with your buds ahead of you?

So, head to Target for more from Devi Kroell. She even has a couple of totes that could be used for work or school.

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SB

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Summer Trend: Metallic Nails

Black nails served us all well through the winter. Even if I looked like a giant puff schlepping in the snow, i felt a little more chic because of my darkly stained nails. Then we transitioned to white nails for spring, a look that was oddly appealing and reminded me of lazy afternoons in middle school, using white out as a top coat.

My favorite tiny fashionista is my littlest sister SAB and when I was dabbling with black nail polish she had already moved on to the world of metallic tones. She rocked a silvery color that I always used on vacations home (Its Wet and Wild and goes on surprisingly smooth).

So, inspired by the adorable SAB I have been on my own hunt for the perfect metallic shade. I found it last week at Max Studio when I noticed the pixie featured saleswoman's nails. They were a sharp blue with a metallic sheen. She told me her color was from OPI and after intensive Google research, I present to you, the ultimate summer shade: blue my mind by OPI.

It's fun but not offensive (some of those day-glo shades can be painfully tacky) and the metallic touch adds some glamour to a very downtown look.



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SB

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Chanel Couture

The Fall '07 Couture collections are debuting in Paris and this means oodles of decadent clothing.

This was the most stunning piece from Chanel. She's drizzled in sequins and the inside of the cape looks like a controlled version of a drip painting. I also love the Amelia Earheart'esque head covering, its like she's sashaying down a airplane runway, about to take flight.

If I had to buy one look from this collection it would be this short sequin dress. I love the bows on the shoulders and the draping cape makes it look less like a Paris Hilton party dress and more elegant and fit for somebody like Queen Rania.


There were 2 versions of this jigsaw dress. The other one grazed the gravel with a little tulle at the bottom and looked like something a mermaid would wear if she was visiting above the water for a day. I like this style especially because of the bunched leather leggings.
N.B. You my dear can probably never pull off leather leggings. But if you have the build of a model or the attitude of one, start looking for a pair. You'll probably have to wriggle into them, laying on your bed and pinching your eyes (and belly) so hard you'll start to tear, but paired with a lacey or more demure top, you'll look like a sexy rockstar, kind of like Kate Moss at Glastonbury (PVC leggings, the woman is superhuman)

What I love about this look is the length added onto the tweed coat. This jacket would look perfect with a skirt (something a first lady might wear...obviously not Laura Bush, someone more on the lines of Cécilia Sarkozy) or with ripped skinny jeans (like an Olsen twin).
I just love the universality of Chanel and the multitude of ways her look has been reinterpreted by Lagerfeld and the women who absorb the style in their own distinct way. ++
SB