Everyone loves what Stefano Pilati has done at the helm of iconic fashion house Yves Saint Laurent and, to celebrate the creative director's brilliance, Colin McDowell invited a very exclusive mix of London's fashionistas and socialites to enjoy cocktails at The Connaught with the man himself.  Mr. Pilati was looking his best as always with his sun streaked locks. The likes of Eva Herzigova, Jade Jagger, Erin O'Connor and Henry Holland came to pay tribute to the man who has taken the Yves Saint Laurent to another level while staying true to the Yves Saint Laurent's empire. It may have been a tough act to follow but, by adding a little Pilati to YSL, he has recaptured the attention of the world's most fashionable, making YSL one of the hottest tickets of Paris Fashion Week.

Well another fashion season is over.  After leaving Paris Fashion week I could have reported on the new trends etc, but there are a million blogs like glam.com where you could find all the up to date news.  So I decided to report on designer sightings.  It is funny how I always have the luck to meet them in first class on the Euro star.  Today on my way back to London I had the pleasure to meet Henry Holland.

This past week was the last of a legacy, London fashion week, will soon be London 4 day week.  Because of scheduling problems, American Holiday's and I guess Fashion tyrants.  London is loosing it's appeal for up and coming fashion.

Here was one of my favourite shows of the week.  I miss the Brooklyn streets a lot and a Sunday Jazz Brunch, so on Sunday in London Caroline Charles delivered just that. At her show she had a jazz band that wasn't that bad!!

I kinda felt like I was at Birdland in the 50's..

CC sent a 50's esque  style down the runway very Hamptons country club.  In many other shows last week had the same vibe.  Next Spring women are going to be dressing like the voluminous vixens that we are.

Sorry some of the pictures are awful, using a Nokia 7900 and the quality is awful.  I hope to have my Viewty LG pack so, if not I will try my new I-Phone, so let's just wait and see.

I am so excited to be starting a new career along with a new career comes accessories right ladies.  Well look no further if you need that chic bag or clutch to stuff you laptop in, so you can go from day to night.
http://www.violetmaylondon.com

Violet May is here to save the day.

They have everything for the tech girl on the move and the businesswomen who is about to close the deal in style.  The collection consists of a Blackberry purses, computer clutches, laptop sleeves and for that special gift ideas corporate gifts.  All hand crafted Luxury Leather Laptop Bags & Business Accessories for Women.  A little background about the all female team:
"Violet May® brings the beautiful to the functional world of business accessories. Our all female product design team believed it was possible to create a range of unique, luxury business accessories including laptop bags & cases that also work beautifully."

"We also believe in re-investing in our community so a percentage of our profits will go towards the Violet May Creative Seed Fund™, supporting female entrepreneurs starting creative businesses."  Great reason to purchase and reason for getting up and go to work in style.

Addicted to Shoes

I found a  new shoe brand to make love with, roll around in bed with and feel sexy in. Bionda Castana this Italian made British design team has there own twist on sexy, edgy, and young. They called it Bionda Castana Milano (Bionda = Blonde; Castana = Brunette; and Milan, where the shoes are made).

Founders Natalia Barbieri and Jennifer Portman dreamt of designing superb and sophisticated footwear they have taken the artistry of Italian style and combined it with luxurious quality and innovative design. Motivated by the glamour and culture of Italian design unsurpassed by the quality of Italian shoes. If you ever had the problem of finding that perfect shoe that looks and feels great on look know further. Natalia and Jennifer understand you pain. This being the reason they founded their own shoe design Bionda Castana in 2006.

Now that fall is well on it's way the hunt for that great boot is underway. Her are a few hints from the collection. OK think Black Patent leather with Elastic Detail, Knee High Boot and a 80mm Covered Heel perfect for the rain, and that F-U boot!!! Another goodie is the Milla beige suede Knee-High Boot with a Swarovski crystal Zip Slider and 80mm Covered Heel. Olala trés chic!

Don't forget this season's trend is the ankle boottie. Not sure if it was made for Kimora Lee Simons the "Queen of Bling", but it suits her well if it were. The Kimora bottie is made out of Forest Green Suede with a Gold & Crystal Swarovski crystal zip slider, with 100mm Covered Heel. Ouch this winter bring Sexy back to you feet with pleasure.

The Bionda Castana collections are entirely 'Made in Italy' by the most reputable artisans located in Parabiago, Milan. Each one of the high-heeled shoes is carefully padded along the inner sole to give extra protection, stability and comfort for the wearer. Something women look for in a shoe, what sexy and comfortable we like!

Where to Buy:
* USA

Encore @ The Wynn, Las Vegas
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South,
Las Vegas, NV, 89109
+1 702-770-7000

The Pink Duchess
24215 Hawthorne Boulevard,
Torrance, CA 90505
+1 310 791 7465

T Georgianos
1240 4th Street, Suite B,
Sarasota, FL, 34236
+1 941 870 3727
* United Kingdom

Zibba
61 Knightsbridge,
London, SW1X 7RA
+44 (0) 20 7235 3344

Larizia
74 St. Johns Wood High Street,
London, NW8 7SH
+44 (0) 20 7722 5999

Brittique
www.brittique.com
+44 (0) 845 0943 662

www.biondacastana.com

Now that summer is almost over and people are going on vacation just one last vacation tip. Credit crunch and vacation, don't blow all your money on your vacation cause Fall is around the corner. Ladies you will need some extra cash to add the Fall looks to your wardrobe. Here is a quick fix on what's in and what to look for and think about for Fall.

From New York to Paris, via Milan, the "good old days" of style are back. Designers have decided to pair classy with sassy for solid everyday looks.
This fall we will see the return of plaids and tweeds, twin-sets, full skirts, fur collars, driving gloves, glasses, sheer coloured stockings, lady-like frame bags, belts, hats and mid-calf boots. Here is your quick list of the 8 most important pieces to add to your fall wardrobe.

1. The Long and Lean Look: Temperatures and hemlines will drop for a more sophisticated look. At Calvin Klein, Francisco Costa showcased one of his best collections yet, rife with strict, formal lines with deliberate volume in a palette of royal blues, burgundy and charcoal. Dolce & Gabbana got its inspiration from 70's icon Lauren Hutton and at Marc Jacobs his silhouettes seemed to have stepped out of Edwardian look books.

2. A Day in the country: DKNY gave us brocades paired with knits and barrel-shape tweed dresses with jackets. Carolina Herrera added long feathers to her fedoras and gave an equestrian-theme edge to her sexy hunter's silhouette. In his line Marc by Marc Jacobs also touched on this into the woods feel. Plaids and tweeds are going to be big.

3. Architecture-wear and bold collars: It's all about the neckline. Raf Simons perfectly captured the vernacular of the Jil Sander with body-hugging tweed dresses and stand-up collars. The collar as statement also was evident at Bottega Veneta, Marni. At Maison Martin Margiela, collars were in a league of their own.

4. Androgyny is Back: Power dressing inspired Miuccia Prada's stellar show of straight-laced menswear separates. What a great stylish additions to your wardrobe! Stefano Pilati for YSL created a futuristic spin on the androgyny look. Alexander Wang, Dolce and Gabbanna, Calvin Klein, Derek Lam and Max Mara followed suit.

5. Eclectic Prints & Fall Flowers: The ethnic beat moves away from India and into Eastern Europe at Gucci, Aztec and Native American at Ralph Lauren and Anna Sui. On the French front, Jean Paul Gaultier and Sonia Rykiel made the print into a piece of wearable art.

6. French Chic: Dior was in the 60s but "French Chic" ran the gamut from maid uniforms and ribbon pleating to 50s bombshell dresses. Thierry Mugler molded shapes define the season.The best came from: Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, and Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. The French touch can also be felt in Stella McCartney and Proenza Schouler with "Black and White" as colour palette, sexy cuts and bows everywhere.

7. Ball Gowns/Evening wear: Ball gowns are now a standard item for your wardrobes. Giambattista Valli sent out a princess-worthy puff of scarlet, whilecencases his princess in creamy feathers. Other designers made their mark here as well, Prada cocktail dresses, Alexander Wang evening attire, without forgetting Louis Vuitton and Derek Lam.

8. Accessories Galore: There's no end to accessories.
Hats, tights, belts, clutches, and mid-calf boots: YSL dealt out in to one of the season's best new trends, mid-calf boots with a stiletto heel. Elaborate tights are fall's bulk-buy.
Just Cavalli was all about the inner animal with a leopard print, and Sonia Rykiel goes with mod colour blocks visible for miles. Hats: Marc Jacobs gives us a Paul Revere-ish tricorn hat and the 80's headband. Whilst Alexander McQueen showed rich, Indian bridal jewels draped over foreheads, Junya Watanabe, wrapped and tied soft gray fabric over the face as headpiece.

<a href="http://www.stylecartel.wordpress.com/"target="_blank"

An alumnus of Central Saint Martins College in London, Stefan Eckert's technical talent was enough to gain him a place at Alexander McQueen's design studio early in his career. But this isn't the only reason why he should be on every fashion forward woman's radar.
Thanks to his deep understanding of traditional tailoring, Stefan Eckert expresses his artistic sensibilities in a collection that has his distinctive artistic signature.

To create this first collection, Eckert retired to Germany for over a year, in hopes to nurture and process his experiences of the past.  His inspirations are diverse, from early 20th century to modern photography, yet many of his pieces exude a timeless feel. Nostalgic of a more romantic era will find solace in his precise yet delicate designs. Seekers of bleeding edge fashion will revel in his use of metal and leather. Eckert has an eye for detail: bullet buttons on a lacy dress, leather for a pleated shirt, each piece is a classic with a twist and will fit into any wardrobe effortlessly, which is what Eckert is all about. Make no mistake though, these pieces are here to stay: leather, fine wool, cashmere, each has been crafted in time-tested material.

So snap him up while you still can and "Take Me Home Baby" as his collection is titled.
www.stefaneckertdesign.com

Jamie Reid & Comme des Garcons Come together at Dover Street Market

Rei Kawakubo's endeavor is always to stay true to his mission behind the Dover Street Market. He set out to create a variety in the London shopping experience. DSM is not just for fashion it is a place where "various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision." RK

Comme des Garcons will collaborated the Icon of Punk art, Sham anarchist Reid, for their Fall '08 Homme Plus collection. Jamie will prepare an installation for the window display for DSM when the store reopens for Tachiagari A/W '08 on July 19th 2008.

The 50'ish Sham anarchist Reid pirate, artist, and sloganeer remains Britain's top anti-establishment Big Name Artist. Creator of the famous for 'Never Mind The Bollocks' record sleeve. Reid is the mind behind the safety pin through the Queen's lip, which visually defined the punk error, and it's icons, the Sex Pistols. Reid is best know for giving the Sex Pistols their look first on the groups album covers and on T-shirts which have transcended time now that the punk look is back in style. I wonder if these young fashionista's even know that the look derived from Reid's political attitude.

Reid never imagined that it would emerge into something fashionable for him it was a possibility to get visual and philosophical ideas through to the mainstream. Jamie argues, "It was the democracy of it all that mattered. I've always believed in the punk attitude and how that spread into other places.

Reid's has evolved since his days of the London Punk error of the late 70s/ early 80s. Reid's intends to return us back to our roots of revolution. He is still political and creates art to awaken our understanding of what is going on it today's world politically. He is still interested in the elements of the punk error, the working class roots of music and politics, which is relevant to the past and the future. This making of a brilliant collection when combined with the minds behind Comme des Garcons Homme at the DSM.

The Fashion meets Renegade Event happened on July 19th in London. Summer has not yet hit London, so it was nice to have something to do on a Spring day. The opening was exclusive for quest to premiere the new collection and other collections like House Holland. Henry Holland who discovered Agyness Deyn was on hand to check it out as well.

                                

What can I say? Oh, what I wasted my money! I brought sales to an aging Empire. I have to put in my 50 Cents and weigh in on the 'Black Issue, it was horrible. Yet, I have to say glad I have a reason to blog. I think that is why all the ageing magazine editors are loosing their ground in the industry. Move over the age of the blogger is coming and Free speech reins.

I think the old way to promote fashion is archaic and why so many fashion houses are re-thinking the entire online market strategy. Why cause we bloggers are free to say and e-print what we want. We really and truly can express ourselves and let our voices be heard. We don't have to write stories to please advertisers etc. So I am free to say I hated it. Vogue Italia really "Dumbed it down."

      

                                                      

In today's world it is sad to see that the world still looks at the 'Black beauty' as a sultry slave girl, Grace Jone's kid sister, prostitute, token black girl and video ho. I support the women featured in the issue because at the end of the day business is business and all the models involved knew the rest of us black, brown, yellow and red bone girls just wanted to see an image we could relate too. I just wonder could any of you re-late?

I wish I had the time to go page for page, but I think it would just make me angry. How many more times do we need to see Naomi's tits? Why did it take them until like page 166 to kick of the Black issue? OH thanks for the token beauty page 'Hair so Frizzy." With products by Phytospecific that I don't think any women of colour uses. Would it have been too hard to ask advertisers to blacken it up a little?

Another missed opportunity for Vogue to do a black issue feature on the passing of Yves Saint Laurent sans the black models in his defile. How he revolutionized fashion by being one of the first to put black girls in his shows. They missed the target completely just check the pictures they used. Times like this I wished my Italian were better, so I could also judge on reporting not just visuals. Girlzzzzz and Boyz I even had better photos on, my blog about his passing. Missed opportunities.

Since I can only judge by the images because I only speak basic Italian. The images were awful, awful OK maybe not all but most. I am sickened by the image of Tina Turner, why did they have to print the worst picture of her just because Peter Lindbergh shot it!! Tina is timeless and reminds us that "black don't crack" The entire 'Outstanding' story image wise was atrocious out of all the women featured Jody Watley, Angela Bassett, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Queen Latifah I have to say hands down how is it possible that the Queens picture was the best? Also, where was Mary J at, Jill Scott and Ms. Keys?

            

Now on to Ghetto Fabulousness this is a love hate story I love Toccara Jones beautiful face, a real sized feminine silhouette and man what a pair of tits!!!! Wow!! But, same old same old. What would a black issue be with out a Ghetto Fab story to end the issue typical and tired? Yet I have to give props where props are due, she is amazing and big ups to Toccara Jones for showing the world a real black woman with tits and ass, and a beauty at that. How ghetto rich!

Final note: what a dis to Bethann Hardison a renegade in the business no photo of her?

                                                         

I do congratulate the new faces and I hope we see the likes of Hollis from the New York Agency and Bettine from Agency Muse to remind us that black is beautiful. I would really like to know what others think, so please leave a comment.

                                                         

P.S thank you Franca Sozzani Editor-in-Chief of the Italian edition of Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. For using us Black girls and giving us the chance to discuss how the world looks at black culture and how women of colour are perceived in the world of fashion.  As well as why many of us stick around in the hopes that one day an all Black Issue will not stir so much debate and hullabaloo.

If you watch music videos today most performers have a personal style and one of the most popular props for an artist is a baseball cap. Most likely designed by the people at New Era. Now New Era enters the sportswear market.

When talking to the PR and Marketing executive for New Era Europe, Lynsey says the American market; the British market and the French markets are totally different. Yankees and Brit's are more similar it's all about he "Bling" and matching your hat to your kicks. While in France, it's all about your personality hip hopers, skaters to Techtonique dancers wear New Era.

So the Wad offices with the Wad team were the perfect place for the French launch!