Spotlight Saturday - Fashion Against AIDS

Since 2008, Designers Against Aids has made a successful collaboration with several artists & super star singer Rhianna is one of them having launched her own clothing line targeting the younger generation and it's been said that 25% of the proceeds from all sales have been going towards AIDS research.  Her designs are simple featuring tanks, tees and hoodies. Other musicians have gotten in on this gig like 'My Chemical Romance & Katie Perry'.  The idea for this venture was initiated by the DAA, Designers Against AIDS which is a non profit organization that seeks collaborations with fashion designers, musicians and other artists with the sole objective being, to bring awareness to today's youth about the serious nature of the choices they have in protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS.

celebrityclothingline.com , jollypeople.com 

A Farewell To Oprah....

For the past twenty five years, we have been graced with her presence for one hour each and every day.  Some of us even went the lengths of making sure to DVR or TIVO her show in an effort not to miss an episode!   Sadly for those of us avid followers, yesterday was the end of an era as talk show queen Opray Winfrey bid us a sweet farewell...

When I reflect on the years I've watched Oprah, I can't help but think of the ridicule she's endured for her ever fluctuating weight being under the constant scrutiny of the watchful public eye & at the same time, I look to her with complete admiration for the fact that she never lost her sense of style amidst the backlash of the hounding paparazzi.

It's true she has had her ups and downs in regards to weight, but she has never wavered in keeping up with fashion trends.  Oprah showed us that how we perceive ourselves, is more than likely going to reflect on how people perceive us & in spite of her struggles, she continued to maintain an air of class and kept her 'swagga' on at high levels & at all times! 

Random Fact: One of Oprah's most favorite fashion designers is Ralph Lauren. 

pics: howmuchdotheyweigh.com , tvlistings.zapzit.com , cm1.theinsider.com , luxurlaunches.com

MOD Monday

There have been some very popular designers & fashion houses that have been around since forever and you'd be surprised to know just who has been creating styles since the days when 'MOD' was all the rage...

Pierre Cardin, the Italian born, French designer founded himself in 1950.  He made the mini shift dresses in bright colors his trademark piece in the 60's.  His patterns were all about geometric shapes and that moved the decade into a 'hipp'er' place. 

Givnechy, founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952, went on to be the creator of the most famous little black 'mod' dress ever in 1961.  It was worn by Audrey Hepburn in the vintage classic 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.   

Yves Saint Laurent, was a Paris born, French designer who began his career in 1962 making the Mod Mondrian shift dress that was totally reflective of his love for pop art.

Pucci, or by his sir name, Emilio Pucci was a Florentine Italian fashion designer who's received recognition for his work by the 1950's.  His signature style was always associated with geometric prints in a kaliedoscope of colors.

These fashion moguls style houses continue on to this day creating new pieces with the flair of an era gone by still mingled in amongst their modern day designs...

pics: blog.nj.com , celebdelecream.com , retrokimmer.com , fashonshanty.com , doctormacro.com , onthisdayinfashion.com , tumblr.com , harpersbazaar.com

Maria Shriver...Status Quo Style In Spite Of The Split!

Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the ultimate diss to his soon to be 'ex wife' Maria Shriver by confessing to her that he had a child with the hired help & has been entertaining an affair with his mistress for over a decade!  I'm sure you've heard about it by now in the news, in the tabloids, trash mags, etc...  She has dealt with many hardships in her family and of course everyone knows about the so called 'Kennedy Curse' which was nicknamed as such, by all of the continued misfortune the clan has had fall upon them. 

In spite of it all, Shriver has maintained an air of style, grace and elegance and being a part of America's most legendary family, who would expect anything less? In 2009, she was voted Glamour Magazines 'Woman Of The Year' and rightfully so, as she has been and remains a strong female role model for women everywhere being an activist, author & journalist.

    
On top of everything else, she loves fashion as she was seen in Paris during fashion week for the Fall/Winter 2011 Chanel Show. 

She stated in an interview once that Tom Ford for Gucci was her favorite designer... Regardless of all the hoopla and media frenzy that's surrounding her at the moment, just like always, Maria Shriver is going to come out on top because after all she's a Kennedy! 

pics: examiner.com , askmen.com , zimbio.com , fashwong.com , looks.com

Bohemian Queen Janis Joplin

When I think of Bohemian style in regards to fashion sense, I can't help but turn my thoughts to my personal 'fave', the ultimate hippie chic, Janis Joplin.  Janis was an American born singer & songwriter who was ranked #46 out of 100 in 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 'Greatest Artists of All Time'... 

She was the true definition of a 'free spirit' and her flame flickered out way before it's time, but she left behind a her a legacy of music that defined an era of 'peace, love & harmony' in the midst of the Vietnam war.

By no means would Joplin be referred to as a 'beautiful woman' by todays standards. But she was something special for sure in her own right!  She had an amazing stage presence and aside from her obvious talent credentials, she became a fashion trend setter of the 60's.  She influenced her generation as well as ours with her careless gypsy style.  Once known as 'hippie' now called 'bohemian'.  People were drawn to her sense of individuality and rebellion in opposition to what the status quo norm was...

If anyone went against the grain, it was Janis as she definitely translated her personality through her sense of style.

Janice's over the top, vivacious, without borders styles was all about 'excess'.  Less was not more!  She was all about feather boas, big floppy hats, big beaded necklaces, oversized shades and F.Y.I....she made bangles famous before Madonna did in the 80's!  One Joplin staple that has made a big current comeback is the Mongolian fur vest.

Of every style era that's ever been attempted to be replicated, I think Janice's is the easiest because just like it was then, the 'anything goes', easy flowing vintage hippie style of the 60's revamped circa 2011...remains...

: stylecaster.com , frockandrollonline.com , cardboardposters.com , listal.com , fc07.deviantart.net , etsy.com/shop/shelcollector

That 70's Style

Spring fashions this year are rolling in with a 'blast from the past' ladies so if you're old enough to have been able to store away your vintage clothes..."go get em" and if not, you can always hit up your mama or your auntie's closets!

A-line skirts, wide leg pants, billowy ankle length dresses and wedge heeled shoes are taking 'front and center' as 'That 70's Style' is back in a big way! 

Fashions are going back to a simpler time when less was best and definitely less overtly sexy.  The 70's were all about femininity with a subtle hint of sensuality...

To achieve the liberated yet ladylike look of the 70's you need to focus on interesting fabrics and patterns and throw away the idea that stripes and florals are 'old fashioned'.  The 70's was a comfortable yet fashionable time, so you can cut yourself loose from anything tight fitting because that was so yesterday.  Make sure you put them away somewhere for safe keeping  because you just never know...it might be back in style next year ha!
   
Designer Marc Jacobs pushed the return of the 70's style at Fashion Week 2011 as he saturated his designs with lines & pattern/color schemes so much so that he put us in a time warp!

  
If you're looking for a muse to copy fashion styles of the 70's from, check out Bianca Jagger & Farrah Fawcett as these two women were on the top of their game as icons of an era gone by... 

polyvore.com , refinery29.com , fakeittillyoumakeit.co.uk , retrovintageshoes.com , diablogmag.com

Elizabeth Taylor...Timeless Beauty

The beautiful Elizabeth Taylor just recently turned 79 this past February and has been in the news over the past several weeks for being hospitalized for congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She remains stable and there are no new developments in her condition.

Award winning two time Oscar recipient Taylor defined herself as one of the most influential style icons of the 20th century with her stunning face, violet-blue eyes and the trademark beauty mark on her chin.  She was never afraid of playing up her bold eyebrows and that became a trend among women everywhere.


She has influenced film fashion for over five decades and became famous not only for her acting talents but for her style choices in clothes and jewelry.  Since she was a teen she has been intriguing us with her sass and sex appeal.


Elizabeth Taylor will always remain a timeless beauty...     

pic: cowkitty.net