Fashionably-Funky, Eco-Friendly...Earrings!

Man! I am so excited about this post and about this artist. I believe she truly lives by her motto "don't be a copycat. always be original." Her work is truly original...

Some time ago, I began receiving emails from Yvette Crocker promoting her artwork and subsequently attended the grand opening for her studio. I became a HUGE fan. When I got wind of her latest project, I had to do a post.
Yvette has designed a line of fashionably-funky, eco-friendly, recycled paper earrings! (Talk about original!) Oh, I can't forget AFFORDABLE-- they are only $12 bucks a pair! The earrings are extremely lightweight, yet sturdy (they are laminated), made with surgical steel posts (or clip-ons)and are ONE-OF-A-KIND. Her designs depict images from fashion magazines and from her own original artwork.
Here are a few samples of her earrings...





You can check out more of her earrings and artwork here OR here

Interested in placing an order: e. floeticpaint@comcast.net or p. 202.286.4810

The September Issue: Behind the Cover of Vogue

Anna Wintour, the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine for twenty years, is the most powerful and polarizing figure in fashion. Until now, she has never allowed anyone to scrutinize the inner workings of her magazine. Filmmaker R.J. Cutler’s new documentary, THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE takes the viewer inside a world they only think they know.
September is considered the January of fashion...Every August a record-breaking number of people can’t wait to get their hands on the September issue of Vogue. The 2007 issue was and remains the biggest ever, weighing over four pounds, selling thirteen million copies, and impacting the $300-billion global fashion industry more than any other single publication. An intimate, funny and surprising look at Anna Wintour and her team of larger-than-life editors as they create this must-have Bible of fashion, Cutler explores the untouchable glamour of Wintour’s Vogue to reveal the extraordinarily passionate people at its heart.

www.theseptemberissue.com

Meet the Designer...Mychael Knight

I have not done a fashion related post in quite some time, but when I heard Mychael Knight (from season 3 of Project Runway) would be appearing on the show's upcoming "All-Star Challenge", I HAD to do a post. If you ever watched the season with Mychael he was probably one of your favs, as he is undoubtedly one of mine. Mychael's personality was always relaxed and laid-back, and his designs were reflective of his attitude. Although his designs had a flare of sexy chic, they always looked extremely comfortable and wearable.

Mychael's design and styling skills have been sought after by the likes of Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, and Kim Porter and have been featured in a variety of print publications including Allure, Atlanta PEACH, KING, Upscale, Ebony, Black Enterprise and His resume doesn't stop there. He has a signature unisex fragrance MAJK, his signature unisex fragrance, Monsieur, a men's furnishings label, and Kitty's Litter, a burlesque performance group and his own line bearing his namesake.
In 2006 and 2007, he was a fashion commentator for the BET Hip Hop Awards and the BET Awards as well as 3 year staple juror for SCAD Style. Finally, Mychael plans to launch a line of "unmentionables' for men and women bearing the name "Kitty & Dick".

Be sure to check out his website www.mychaelknight.com

Project Runway "All-Star Challenge" airs Thursday, August 20 @8pm on Lifetime

Who Ripped the Ruway?

2009 BET Rip the Runway Hosts: Joy Bryant & Derek Luke looked Fab.

First Lady of Style, stylist, June Ambrose vetoed the baggy jean for men. Gentlemen,READ AND HEED, PLEASE! A fitted jean is much sexier on a man. Trash the bag-gy jeans.

This year, several designers were granted the opportunity to showcase their work during urban runway event, BETs Rip the Runway.

Each designer brought a different flair to the runway, but who held true to the name? Johnny Vincent Swimwear, TI's Akoo Jeans and Tees, Korto of Project Runway, Plus sized designs from Douglas Says, Monif C or Sportswear from Byron Lars? You be the judge.

Oscars: Best & Worst Dressed

NicoleAlexis reports on the Oscars: Who stole the show and who should've watched the show from home?

There were definitely plenty more red-carpeters deserving of the worst dressed list but these are just a few

Whoopi, Whoopi, Whoopi! lease give the cheetah back the spots, hun.






Miley Cyrus in the layered monstrosity by Zuhair Murad



Beyonce in Mama Knowle's drapes. B definitely wasn't the worst but I have seen better.







Amanda Seyfried should send this gift back to Valentino









Now for my favs
My absolute favorite was Penelope Cruz in the vintage Balmain. Simply stunning.

Close runners-up are Anne Hathaway adorned in an ivory crystal gown by Armani Prive and Tariji Henson Roberto Cavalli strapless layered gown, Fred Leighton statement necklace.

DC Fashion News Makeup Artist of the Month

DC Fashion News (is a new, free publication that features the cities latest fashion news, as well as, models, designers, boutiques, photographers, make-up artists, and hairstylists from the area and beyond.

DC Fashion News selects industry professionals who collaborate on a shoot and feature their work in the Industry Spotlight each month. Check out the Feb '09 issue to see my feature.

Copies are available for pickup at over 200 locations in the D.M.V. area, including select Giant's, CVS, Blockbuster, WaWa, as well as 55 Metro stations and several other salons, boutiques, etc.

Visit DcFashionNews.com

The Skinny.

The Skinny (for men). Hot or NOT?

“I can’t wear skinny jeans ‘cause my knot don’t fit” says Jay-Z in T.I.’s “Swagger Like Us”.

In my opinion, even if all you have is pocket change, skinny jeans for men are NOT, I repeat, NOT HOT.
Despite what the runway and entertainment culture is telling us, the average guy (that’s you) cannot and should not try to pull this off. I was glad to learn during my daily email convo with the girls that they all agreed.
A very “distressed” (her word, not mine), Shon, started the “Thought of the Day” with “Skinny jeans…Hot or Not? For regular men, not celebs”. The outpour of disapproving comments began:

Me: Not feeling it at all. Now, that does not mean they have to be falling off one’s behind either. There is a happy medium. Please find it!

Shon: I am noticing an alarming and disturbing trend and someone needs to set these men straight. First of all, they need to know that skinny jeans should not be junk-revealing. Nor should they cut off the circulation at your ankles…you should not see the entire outline of a man’s leg through his jeans—that is just wrong. Most men should stay away from skinny altogether as it is expert level difficulty to pull off.

Funny, but oh so true.

Nae chimes in: Just because it’s a fashion trend doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. If kilts become trendy will we have to look forward to men wearing skirts?

Thanks to my bff, Alli, here’s a rule of thumb- a man’s jeans should be one size larger than his dress pants.

There is a thin line between a finely fitted pair of jeans and a pair that could be mistaken for spandex. Whatever you do, don’t cross it!

Guys, here are a few questions you should ask yourself before considering this trend.
Should my jeans really be clinging onto my legs like spandex?
Am I risking infertility to follow a trend that has gone horribly wrong?
Should my jeans really be as tight as my girlfriend’s?
How long will it take me to get in/out of these things?
Will the world (and my groin) thank me if I don’t put these on?

At the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference. If you believe you are part of the small population of individuals who can pull this off and you can rest well with the answers to these questions, then by all means…skinny.

'09 Spring/Summer Trends for Women

If you're like me, you're so over winter; the dry skin, bundles of clothes, high gas/electric bill and everything else that goes along with it.
Hopefully, spring will come more sooner than later but to help make that transition- whenever it arrives, here are some of the spring/summer trends that hit the runway this year.

Color
While neautrals (black, white and nude) are staples this spring, a big runway hit are those colors that remind me of 2 of my favorite things--ice cream and makeup! From bright turquoise, yellow and fuschia to pale blush, peach and lilac (team these with greys)...I'm ready for the weather to break!

Accessories

Next season's accessories are all about making a statement...Bib-inspried necklaces, cocktail rings, big bangles and earrings do exactly that! I love it.

Ruffles & Bows
Ruffled dresses and bowed bodices. You can go big with these looks or keep them simple, subtle and sexy.

Patterns
The butterfly was probably the most prominent of the patterns on the runway. The key with this one is to remain elegant and sophisticated and not too girly. If you aren't into the butterfly effect, there are plenty of other patterns to choose from.


While I'm totally in love with most of the predicted trends, there are some that I'm not too fond of...

Mid-riffs


Apparently, exposing your stomach is coming back. Well, no matter how flat my stomach gets, I think I'll have to pass on this one. In my opinion, certain things are a lot sexier /classier when you can leave a little to the imagination. But hey, that's just me.

The boyfriend jean

Like the skinny jean for men, this one has the potential of going horribly wrong...They say you're supposed to be able to grab a pair of your boyfriend's jeans and throw them on. Not sure if they mean literally, but I tried it because I didn't have a change of clothes (funny, right? I'm lol too) and it was the most ridiculous sight I had ever seen.