Am I getting old?

The funky, fresh vibe that characterized women in 90′s hip hop is now the inspiration for the Spring season. I remember growing up watching Salt-N-Pepa’s flavorful fashions—funky, colored hair, tons of gold jewelry, doorknockers, loud, colorful clothes—and thinking it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

Well, it seems the 90′s look is back with a vengeance with denim jackets, cut-off shirts, bare midriffs, dookie chains, bold brights, acid wash jeans and loud prints hot again for Summer.

One of my favorite models, Liya Kebede, alongside Lily Donaldson, captured the look in an editorial spread for the upcoming April V Magazine. Here’s a peek at the 10-page spread, shot by Josh Olins.

Do you love it?

And for old times sake, I included my favorite video, Salt-N-Pepa’s “Shoop” at the end of the post. I knew every word to this song as a little girl. Love the ’90′s!

Kisses,

Coutura

A faraway location. A gorgeous, flowing dress. A striking hairstyle. Beyonce pulled out all the high-fashion stops for her latest ad campaign for House of Dereon. 


Shot against a volcano in Santorini, Greece, Beyonce wears a flowing, green watercolor halter dress and a fuschia mini strapless dress with a side ruffle.


I live for her pompadour, but the fit of the fuschia dress seems all wrong! House of Dereon isn’t known for their construction, but to attempt an avante garde look, the fabric and fit of the garment must be immaculate. 

The shots of her flowing green dress are stunning. The chiffon dress boasts embroidery around the neckline and a majestic watercolor print that mirrors the land. Just beautiful. P.S. As a dancer, I find her leap with the mountains and sea in the background beyond breathtaking.

She also posed in more casual, everyday clothes for the campaign, wearing a gray blazer flanked with studs and heavy metal chains. In her signature over-the-top fashion, Beyonce wore a studded bracelet, a short denim studded skirt, smoky eyes and a shaggy blonde bang to complete the look. I’m on board—especially since for Fall, gray is the new black. Ow!

What do you think of the new ads, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: BeyonceWorld.net.

After a stellar collaboration with MAC, Liberty of London is spreading their flower power to another retail giant: Target. The line, which hits stores this Sunday, March 14th, is full of easy, printed minis and maxis, with patterns ranging from paisley to…you guessed it…floral. 


Even the home items (a bike!) and menswear (love those ties and boxers!) have fun, cheeky prints that will add some life to your Spring wardrobe. 


The sweeping floral maxidresses and breezy jumpsuits just scream Summer getaway. Throw on some flats, grab a pair of shades and you’re good to go.


The trench and sheath give you a chic way to work florals for day. And, like a good London brand, the line offers a stylish pair of rain boots and umbrella for those rare summer storms.


Check out all the looks below and tell me what you’re scooping up when it hits stores Sunday.

Photos: Refinery29

What does simulated oral sex have to do with jeans?

Everything, according to T.I.’s clothing brand, AKOO. Their advertisement, which graces a billboard in Newark, New Jersey (woot! woot! Sorry, Jersey girl moment), depicts a woman pulling down a man’s AKOO jeans, with his hand lovingly dictating what she should do with her head. Sigh.

There’s been nothing short of an uproar among Jersey residents about the explicit nature of the ad. Even the mayor spoke up, but his gripe wasn’t about the simulation, it was about the jeans sagging off the male model’s behind…umm, so simulated oral sex in tight jeans is better?

Anyway, I do agree that the ad is not something I’d want my impressionable, pre-pubescent cousin to see while out and about in Newark.

But as we all know, billboard sex is all too common in the high-end fashion world, with Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana being repeat offenders. They make AKOO’s ad look tame. Check out some jaw-dropping risque ads below (NSFW).

Yes, I guess it catches your eye when you’re stuck in traffic on a city street. But is it socially responsible to put these offensive ads out there? 

And what in the world does it have to do with clothes? Sex sells, yes, but vulgarity won’t encourage me to purchase a pair of jeans. Thoughts?

UPDATE: T.I.’s ad has been taken down from the billboard in Newark. Do you think removing the ad is excessive or understandable?

Kisses,

Coutura

Imagine that it’s Fashion Week. You’re on the VIP list for a swanky evening party, and all the hottest celebrities will be in attendance. To look the part, you put your most fabulous dress—the one that everyone compliments—in the cleaner’s. And now, the day of the soiree, the cleaner’s is closed.

Most fashionistas would immediately have a nervous breakdown. Not Jasmine Pennamma.

The resourceful style maven wore a white shirt and jeans and made some spellbinding, statement-making jewelry on the spot. No one could stop talking about Jasmine’s incredible jewels. And as a designer, if the Fashion Week crowd loves you, you’re IN. The rest is history.

Jasmine Pennamma’s line of jewelry combines the glamour and grit of New York City with the carefree, natural feel of the West Coast.

The handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces are a melange of earthy charm and street chic: turquoise, jade and opalite stones in modern styles like bold, cocktail rings and chain link necklaces.

My favorite piece from the collection is this edgy two-finger ring which is connected by a delicate gold chain and adorned with exquisite precious stones. It encapsulates the modern fashionista’s personality to a tee: bold, feminine and effortlessly cool.

This line is perfect for the girl who was born to stand out. She’s a little bit tough luxe, a tad pretty and 100% glamorous. Go to www.jasminepennama.com for more information on the designer and to shop the collection, which ranges from $90 to $285.

Kisses,

Coutura

Only days since the launch of the new Vogue Italia, the internet has been abuzz with criticism about the separate and allegedly “segregationist” channels: Vogue Black, Vogue Curvy and Vogue Talents.

A commenter on our post about it described the expansion as ”bittersweet,” explaining that she’s thrilled for the attention on black and curvy Fashion, but insulted that it had to live separately from the main website.

Well, Vogue Black, as well as Vogue Black Contributor Afrobella (who Ferocia interviewed about her fab new gig!), took to the web to address the criticism, particularly the Cut Blog post condemning the site. Check out excerpts from their responses below:

From Vogue Italia:

Rodarte‘s success story, as seen in Vogue Talents, celebrates the creativity of the Mulleavy sisters and aims to set an example of how, with true talent, one can succeed in a short time. Vogue Talents is a channel dedicated to young designers: we couldn’t have found bigger encouragement. Or must we keep thinking that young people should not be given space?

Vogue Curvy: Tyra Banks in her first post for Vogue.it wrote that “beauty comes in many shapes, and especially in many sizes.” Unfortunately, however, there was no magazine – or site- that covered “other sizes” before.

Finally, two years on from the publication of A Black Issue, surrounded by Eastern European models, we ask ourselves: how long will it take before we see more black beauties on the runway? As summarized by Afrobella in her blog, they deserve their own spotlight.

From Afrobella:

Why does Vogue Italia feel the need to separate into different channels? My answer is, because throughout the history of fashion, black and curvy has been overlooked. We deserve our own spotlight. Of course, ideally black beauty and full figured beauty would be part of the mainstream – BUT IT’S NOT. Someone please share a link from The Cut about plus size fashion bloggers or black beauty bloggers. Please. I’d love to read it. Because I’ve been reading them for a minute and I’ve never seen one. And who’s to say that material from Vogue Black or Vogue Curvy won’t make it into Vogue Italia? For me as a reader, I think it’s refreshing to find a channel that exclusively caters to what I’m looking for — beauty and fashion inspiration that relates to my reality.

“We deserve our own spotlight.” I just like the sound of that!

What do you think? Does that explain away the separation of “Vogue Black,” “Vogue Talents” and “Vogue Curvy?”

I get it. I think a spotlight on black culture, young designers and full-figured women in Fashion is deserved and way overdue. And Vogue Black, Curvy and Talents offers just that.

At the same time, full-figured and African-American designers, models, beauty needs, etc. should be incorporated into mainstream publications and sites regularly, as well.

Why? True diversity is showing the work of a black designer and white designer side-by-side in an editorial spread. Featuring a plus-size model and thin model in every issue. So eventually that model or designer surpasses racial/size boundaries and becomes accepted and praised by everyone for their talent alone. And then, everyone can start to see the beauty in different cultures and sizes.

Let’s move toward including black and curvy models, bloggers and designers regularly in Vogue Italia…and Vogue…and V Magazine…and Elle Magazine…and every fashion mainstream publication.

That’s not to say I’m not happy about Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy. I’m glad that the channels exist and agree that the spotlight is truly deserved.

But I would hate for Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy to become sites only visited and produced by women of color…or women with curves. 

And I would love for women of all backgrounds to be exposed to the beauty, richness and enormous talent that exists in black and curvy Fashion…on the main channel AND on the “spotlight” channels…and in every issue of mainstream magazines.

What are your thoughts? Discuss.

Also, I feel I should repeat this, that is not to say I am not thrilled about Vogue Black and Vogue Curvy. I am beyond happy that Vogue Italia—a publication with connections, resources and talent—is paying attention to black and curvy women. In fact, my hero, who I had the pleasure of interviewing at The Magazine, Bethann Hardison has been named Editor-at-Large of Vogue Black. That makes me want to do back flips down my Brooklyn street with my sprained ankle.

But I do believe this discussion, about incorporating black and curvy fashion into the mainstream, needs to be had. 

Okay. I’m done.

Kisses,

Coutura

He’s loud. He’s fabulous. He’s amazeballs. And he’s newly platinum blonde.

I’m talking about none other than celebrity blogger, Micah Jesse!

If you don’t know the name, you should. At only 23, Micah has interviewed the top celebrities of our time: Elton John, Beyonce, Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Kanye West, Gladys Knight, Kelly Ripa, Cuba Gooding Jr. and more! But he’s a star in his own right. Besides sharing his talents with Us Weekly and OK! Magazine, he manages a wildly popular blog, MicahJesse.com, which is one of the only sources of positive celebrity news on the web. And he’s adorable!

Micah Jesse cracks me up, and I told him as much when I finally met him backstage at the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection fashion show. We’ve been fans of each others ever since.

Yesterday, I caught up with the superstar, fresh from an appointment at the Ricardo Rojas salon, to chat about everything from tips for making it in the entertainment biz, to boys we love, to Rihanna’s special nickname for him, to Adrienne Bailon’s beauty secrets. Read on!

Coutura: Okay, can I just say I looove your new look! What made you go platinum blonde?

Micah Jesse: I have a big personality so I need a look to match my personality. Things like Mynx nails and a new blonde look are attention grabbing. They get people to start talking. I never expected my site to blow up the way it has. I’m just a small town guy from Georgia who moved to New York with a dream and now, I have all these opportunities and meet these new people. I think a lot of that stems from being unique and having a unique look.

Coutura: So cool that you’re from a small town in Georgia and moved to the city and now you’re a huge, famous, red-carpet blogger.

MJ: Thanks. Atlanta was hard for me. I was still in the closet. I had dreams of moving to NYC. Even when I was young, I was always onstage. As soon as I got out of the car, I’d do cartwheels. I was a huge showman. I did plays too. But that didn’t do it for me. My heart wasn’t complete until I moved to New York for college. And at Hoftstra, I was like a local celeb. My site first became popular there.

Coutura: Your site is huge!

MJ: Thanks! I do everything myself. Blogging, video editing, graphics, everything. And tweet. And facebook.

Coutura: Whoa. You must be super busy. Walk us through a typical workday.

MJ: There is no such thing! And that’s what I love about it. I go out every night so there’s no set time that I wake up. I have lunch meetings with execs. At nighttime, I hit the streets hard.

Coutura: How important are these events? Because a lot of time, when people aren’t in this business, they look at us like ‘Why are you partying? On a Tuesday?’ They don’t get that it’s for work.

MJ: Oh no, it’s not partying. Most nights, I don’t even drink. I look at it as work. But then, I also see it as WERQ, W-E-R-Q. It’s my time to Werq it…and mingle, bat my eyes a little bit. Whether or not I talk to people, I make sure that I’m noticed.

Coutura: Speaking of not drinking, I always sideeye the person acting a drunken fool at industry events. What are three common mistakes up-and-comers make in the entertainment biz?

MJ: First, trying too hard. Begging for Twitter followers. Mass spamming magazines like People, Us Weekly. They’re not going to write about you if you do that! Or trying so hard to get your picture taken. Even if you do make it on a photo agency site, a mag editor isn’t going to say “Who’s that?” and google you. They’re going to say “Who’s that?” and keep it moving. Number 2, not working hard enough. Success is not handed to you. Number 3 is like you said, getting drunk at events. If you’re trying to make a name for yourself, be very careful about your image because everybody is watching you.

Coutura: People think you have the coolest job, but what was your most un-cool, embarassing red-carpet moment?

MJ: OMG. It just happened a month ago. I interviewed Gabourey Sidibe, who is Oscar nominated for her incredible role in Precious. I was so enamored by her. My final question to her was something along the lines of “How are you going to celebrate all your success?” And she said, “Well, I just got two tickets to Mariah Carey’s show at Madison Square Garden, I couldn’t be more excited.” And being so enamored by her, I said: “OMG, are you going to meet her?” And everyone in the room started hysterically laughing because Mariah was in Precious. (laughs) But now, we’re really close. We message back and forth and that dumb comment was the start of a great friendship.

Coutura: That’s so cute. And it happens to the best of us. I’ve definitely had moments like that.

MJ: Yeah, it was cool. And she’s the sweetest thing. Put that in your article. I just adore her.

Coutura: What was it like interviewing Rihanna on top of the Empire State Building?

MJ: I’m glad you asked that. I’ll never forget that. She’s so young, people forget that, and such an amazing person. I was working at OK! Magazine at that time…as an intern! I was such a superstar intern that they sent me on a job to interview this pop star. Rihanna loved my Cristina V. necklace so much that she calls me “Necklace Boy,” whenever I see her. Which goes back to what you said about looks. Celebs love fashion and are so enamored by my style, they forget that I’m an interviewer and we start chatting like friends.

Coutura: Who is your celebrity crush?

MJ: Adam Lambert. We’re pretty much married, he’s doesn’t know it yet. Just kidding. I’ve met him quite a few times. Last time I saw him was at a Z100 concert. And he told me, “I like your studs,” because I was wearing a studded jacket. And I was like, “I like you stud.”

Coutura: Hahaha, smooth! I love it! Adam Lambert is so cute! What would the public be surprised to know about you?

MJ: That I’m also quite introverted. Vibrant and red-carpet ready when I’m out on the scene. But when I’m in, I’m IN. Right now, I’m wearing undies, a t-shirt and no makeup. Very introverted.

Coutura: Really?! Could never imagine you being introverted.

MJ: Yeah, I’m a Cancer in the truest form. Also, I’m very sensitive.

Coutura: Oh, I’m dating a Cancer now. He’s great.

MJ: Aren’t they the best?

Coutura: Oh, he’s amazing. Speaking of amazing, Give us some Micah-isms.

MJ: Ooo, Micah-isms! Ok, the first one I want to speak on, is the famous “amazeballs.” My first slogan for the site was “Quench your thirst for amazingness.” I shortened it to “amazeballs.” I said it so often, that my friends and celeb friends started saying, “OMG. That’s amazeballs.” And then (clears throat) Perez Hilton started saying it.

Coutura: (laughs) But everyone knows it’s yours! I was going to say, your positive spin on celebrity news puts you on the other end of the spectrum in relation to what Perez and others do. I’m sure celebs appreciate that you don’t slander them. So, we’re going to play a positive name game. I’m going to say a celeb’s name and you say the first thing that comes to mind.

Coutura: Lady Gaga.

MJ: Trendsetter.

Coutura: Khloe Kardashian.

MJ: The new Nicole Ritchie.

Coutura: True! Lindsay Lohan.

MJ: Troubled. Being honest. She’s an incredible actress but if her parents were more involved, and out for her best interest as a human being, rather than a celebrity, she’d be better off.

Coutura: Preach! Adam Lambert.

MJ: Hubba, hubba, hubby.

Coutura: Hahaha. Angie and Brad.

MJ: The epitome of Hollywood.

Coutura: Definitely. People don’t realize you have talents outside of the celebrity world. Like makeup.

MJ: (laughs) There’s a lot of things people don’t know I can do. Like I also sing.

Coutura: Shut the front door!

MJ: Have you heard my song with Aubrey O’Day? Go to YouTube and type in Micah Jesse Fashion Week. [Editor's note: Check out the song below]. I’ve never taken classes but I love to sing. Also, for makeup, when I was in high school, I’d have my girlfriends over for a sleepover and do their makeup. And I’ve been doing it ever since. I started experimenting on myself. I’d put on makeup and club in Atlanta. Not a lot. A little bit of eyeliner. And would rub it off as much as I could before I got home to my somewhat conservative parents.

Coutura: In New York, so many guys wear makeup. And even straight guys do now, like Pete Wentz. What makeup tips can you share with us?

MJ: Bronze skin always makes you look skinnier. If you’re against tanning, try spray tanning. They’ve perfected it so people don’t look orange. Also, use color that compliments your eyes, whether green or blue or brown. And lastly, I recommend falsies, fake eyelashes. Adrienne Bailon wears them and she has the most beautiful eyes. They always make her eyes pop.

Coutura: Yes! She has the most gorgeous eyes! I need some falsies. Well, thanks so much for sharing your secrets with us.

MJ: Sure!

Coutura: And enjoy your new blonde hair!

Check out Micah Jesse’s transformation here:

And check out his song “Fashion Week” with Aubrey O’Day and O’Neal McKnight:

Kisses,

Coutura

Lindsay Lohan has an entire leggings brand. Laquan Smith’s cut-out leggings are a celeb favorite. And jeggings (jean leggings) are flying off the shelves. Take one guess what the trend of the winter is.

And leggings aren’t going anywhere soon. Designers are coming up with innovative ways to keep the trend going, from graffiti and spray-painted designs to two-toned leggings. And I just have to buy every last design! (I’m a leggings fanatic.)

My latest purchase was a pair of two-toned leggings from American Apparel. The front part is black and white striped and the back is pure black. Cat-in-the-hat meets Rhythm Nation.

When I bought them, Ferocia told me, she likes them for me but wouldn’t be able to pull them off herself. Admittedly, I’m drawn to crazy, wild fashions and wear whatever attracts me at the moment (this is why I totally fit in in New York!) so I picked them right up.

Check out Solange and I rocking the American Apparel leggings below. Solange paired them with a white tank and off white blazer. I wore a black tulle, babydoll top under my leather McQ for Target vest.

They retail for $40 at American Apparel stores and on the web.

What do you think? Would you rock them?

Kisses,

Coutura