2009 NAACP Image Awards:

The NAACP went down yesterday in LA. Check out the winners and the red carpet.

Watch Beyonce's live "Halo" performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttkr0PWrGHI

Who's Having A Sale

Bluefly:

Presidents day sale going on, which adds an extra 20% off of already reduces prices. Use coupon code AFF20FS and received and additional $20.00 off purchases of $150.00 or more plus free shipping.

Bulga "Misa" Tote. Reg $800.00 sale $287.00 (use coupon code and get additional $20.00 off)

Bloomingdales:
Extra 25-40% off sale price.

Gustto "Palo" Tote $441.00-40%= $265

Many more sales items on their websites. Use the links under "Favorite Sites" at the bottom of this blog to find more saving at your favorite retailer.

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2009

Setting Up Shop: Matthew Williamson

On the heels of New York Fashion Week, designer extraordinaire Matthew Williamson (above) opens a new 2600-square-foot flagship at 415 West 14th Street in the Meatpacking District, alongside fellow British designers, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. Another store is planned for Dubai. Check out some pieces from the SS09 collection.

District Sample Sale Spring 2009

District Sample Sale Spring 2009 will take place on March 18th at 3336 M Street, NW Georgetown, DC (old Gore Dean space)

General Admission: $40

Tickets on sale now at http://districtsamplesale.com/index.html

Tokyo Flash Mens Star Performer Watch

The all new Star Performer from the Pimp series is a truly beautiful LED watch design. This is the Pimp watch, re-engineered with a new way to read the time and a sleek, modern look.
Made from solid stainless steel with a double spring clasp and mineral crystal lens, Star Performer features mirrored digits on the face through which LEDs shine to display the time.
Press the button and the lights animate like fireworks before presenting the time, a single digit in each column lighting up to show the time. For example, 1-2-5-3 would be 12:53. You can cop yours for about $100 at http://www.tokyoflash.com/en/watches/pimp/starperformer/

Richie Rich To Debut A Wearable Line At Fashion Week

We have all heard about the break down at Heatherette between club kids Richie Rich and Traver Rains, well Richie Rich is back at fashion week, but as a solo artist. His new line will be "head-to-toe wearable." That means ruffled silk dresses, lip prints, Keith Haring–inspired graphics and swimsuits in a "happy palette" of hot pink, neon yellow, and blue. Pieces will start at $29.99. Although Richie says that he is still very close to Traver, he's now a solo artist like Gwen and Beyonce. I guess we will see what Richie Rich considers wearable, the thought frighten me. Good luck Richie, Snaps for the kid.

Michelle Obama's Vogue Cover Revealed

As we reported back on January 27th, First Lady Michelle Obama would grace the cover of Vogue. Well, here is the cover! Mrs. Obama said she is aware of how her wardrobe is being scrutinized, but she makes no apologies for her choices — even the Election Night combination of ripped-from-the-runway, fashion-forward dress and plain-Jane cardigan.

The First Lady says "I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it," she said. "But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear — people just have different tastes." She did choose outfits for the Vogue photos by labels she has worn before: Wu, who made her inaugural gown; Narcisco Rodriguez, the designer of that Election Night dress; and J. Crew, which she and her children have famously worn. Most cover models have their clothes chosen for them by Vogue, or at least editors work as advisers. Not this time.

"She doesn't need any help. She loves fashion and knows what works for her," Andre Leon Talley said. "She's never had a conversation with me about, `What do you think?' or `How did this look? And I'm glad for that."

The magazine hits the news stands on February 17.

Free Facials At MAC

Hello Kitty is headed to the MAC counter and earlier than expected. The line was not expected to debut until the 12th of February, but the collection is available NOW!!. I have just learned that each store has it's own schedule as far as the facial are concerned. Go to http://www.maccosmetics.com/ and put in your zip code in the locator and call the store nearest you for an appointment. Appointment are going fast, don't miss out on this free facial if it's convenient for you.

The iconic kitty is making her mark on a limited-edition makeup collection, cosmetics junkies and Hello Kitty lovers alike will find lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, eyeshadow quads, glittery eyeliners, nail polishes and more in shades of plush pink, rich purples and turquoise for a little extra pop. Other standouts are accessories like the chic black and pink Hello Kitty makeup bags.

NBA All-Star 2009

The 58th All-Star Game will be played at the US Airways Center, in Phoenix Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. The All-Star competitions will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the Rookie Challenge. The excitement will continue the next day with NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which includes Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players and NBA legends, Skills Challenge, a contest of top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills, and the Three-Point Shootout, where six of the best long-range shooters compete against each other and the clock in a test of accuracy. The evening’s grand finale, the Slam Dunk Contest, will showcase some of the NBA’s best athletes as they take to the air mystifying fans with their gravity-defying creativity. Cast your vote (top far right) and tell us who you think will win the NBA All-Star Game, East or West?

Madonna Covers W Magazine - March 2009

Even with a newly stitched face, can Madonna pull off a third collaboration with photographer Steven Klein. The material girl pulled off her latest W magazine spread with the purest of ease minus the super complex yoga posing - thank goodness! Madonna sexed things up in a new steamy photo shoot in sultry Rio de Janeiro for a 46 page spread with W Magazine. The main man along with her is Brazilian model Jesus Lu, 22 (pic #3). He is Madonna’s latest rumored man. The two met at the shoot and are reportedly still going. will surely capture some attention when it hits newsstands…….

Halston Exchanges The Runway For Video

Fashion Week is set to begin next week! With invitations cut down, and designers showing outside of the Bryant Park tents - Halston is going digital for the fall! The new music video concept features Dree Hemingway as a modern-day Halstonette. The video showcases a cool urban woman as she travels through the skirts of NYC in different vignettes outfitted in Halston’s fall collection. Starting today - select editors, retailers, and the normal attendees who are accustomed to attending Halston venues will receive an e-mail teaser. On the 13th Halson will email the entire video production to select recipients. In addition to the video presentation, Halston will send accompanying books with illustrations of each look, along with an invitation to see the entire collection at the company’s SoHo showroom.

Who Is Lady Gaga?

I first heard of Lady Gaga on "The Hills" when one women PR queen Kelly Cutrone sent Whitney and Lauren to assit in a show. Needless to say Lady Gaga was dress in latex from head to toe, and of course her zipper broke and little Miss Lauren came to the rescue (so scripted). I thought that was all I was going to see of the spaced out latex misfit, (so I thought) but after a little research, she's actually pretty fabulous. Lady Gaga is a very sought after singer and songwriter for some pretty big wigs in the industry not to mention she's all over the fashion scene, like it or not.

This Upper Westsider from Matthattan was originally signed to Def Jam when L.A Reid heard her singing down the hall from his office, but after 3 month she was drop from the label and was then picked up by Interscope Records. At age 20, she began working for Interscope as a songwriter, penning songs for pop acts such as the Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears, Fergie and more. She has been influenced by rockers such as David Bowie and Queen (I love Queen, R.I.P Freddie Mercury) as well as '80s pop singers such as Madonna and Michael Jackson.

In 2008, GaGa released her debut album, The Fame, which she explained was "about how anyone can feel famous".To date, the album spawned the hit singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face", the former of which is nominated for a Best Dance Recording Grammy Award

Fashion Week Tickets On Craigslist

Fashion week has been compared to the Super Bowl for Fashion, well now it has it's own scalpers. Tickets to fourteen different shows have popped up on craigslist for the likes of Narciso Rodriquez, BCBG Maz Azri and Matthew Williamson. Tickets are going for around $250.00 a whop. The real question is who is really behind this scandal the editor, the buyer or the designer themselves? But we remain skeptical about the sellers. It's not that this is an entirely crazy idea — just an impractical one. Because buying a ticket to "Annau Sui," "Michael Kores," or "Dian Von Furstenberg" sounds sketchy. And, as we've all learned from past Heatherette fiasco's, just because you have an invite, doesn't mean you're getting in.

Nina Garcia Has A New Reality Show, Take That Elle

Ex-Creative Director for Elle Magazine, Nina Garcia is now employed at Marie Clarie and has a new reality show to fit. Garcia will be starring in a new series on the Style Network, Running In Heel. The show will follow 3 Marie Claire interns on the journey of their life. We all know that Garcia was either let go/fired/or quit from her long time position at Elle and allegedly it was not on the of best terms. The show will premiere on the Style Network on March 1st at 8pm. Click on the link for more info. http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/runninginheels/

Well, at least the interns don't have to worry about fashion week, with everyone pulling out and cutting back it should be a breeze.

Halle Berry Graces Essence March 2009

On dating a White man: "I tried Black men. I tried," she wails in a mock southern accent. "I married two Black men. You know I tried." She laughs again before making clear that "I don't hold all Black males responsible because of the two bad eggs I got. I even dated Black men after my last divorce, but this is just where I found love."

On being a mom:"I thought I knew love before, but I never knew anything like this."

On going bald for a role:"I am shaving it off,'' she says."I know. Here comes the controversy, but I have to do it for the role and it will grow back—I hope."

The Hollywood special also includes a photo spread featuring the legendary Diahann Carroll, Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson and "The Secret Lives of Bees" director Gina Prince-Bythewood. Each of the ladies will be honored at the second annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon taking place February 19 during Oscar Week at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The March 2009 issue hits newsstands February 12.

Watch behind-the-scenes video of Halle's cover shoot

Tameka Foster Recuperating From Surgery

A representative for Usher says the singer's wife, Tameka Foster, is recovering from surgery in Brazil.
Publicist Simone Smalls says Foster "is in stable condition after suffering complications from routine surgery in Brazil. Her husband Usher is with her at the hospital." No further details were provided. Usher was supposed to be one of the performers at music mogul Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party Saturday night, but he had to back out for what Davis called a serious family illness.

Items Of The Week: Ted Rossi Rings

Black Python Pyramid Ring $88 (left), Platinum Python Pyramid Ring $88 (top right), Jet Swarovski Dome Ring $175 (bottom right).

To purchase & learn more about the Ted Rossi collections go to: http://www.tedrossi.com/noirseries.htm

Nina Garcia's Style Strategy

Nina Garcia is working on a third book that is aimed at today's economically challenged times. The book, titled "The Style Strategy: A Less Is More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart", is destined to offer insight during a fashion recession. The book is due out in August.

Oooh Is That Scandal I Smell

Of course your favorite bloggers are online tonight looking for red carpets arrivals to the Grammys, when I noticed I didn't see my favorite fashion diva (Rihanna) in any pictures. Well look what I ran across on AOL Music.



"According to reports, Chris Brown is under investigation for alleged domestic violence felony battery and will not be present at the 51st Grammy Awards. It was also announced that Brown's girlfriend, pop/R&B diva Rihanna will also skip the award show. Early Sunday morning , around 12:30AM, the crooner and an identified woman were in a vehicle when they became involved in an argument that reportedly resulted in an altercation. According to the LAPD, the altercation spilled out into the street when Brown and the woman exited the car. Police have not identified the victim as Rihanna. "The identity of the victim will not be released," said Officer April Harding. "Any victim who's involved in a domestic violence incident is entitled to confidentiality." The victim suffered visible injuries. Brown was named as the attacker, but the singer allegedly fled the scene before the police arrived"



Sounds like the-you-know-what is about to hit the fan, if that was Ri-Ri that was allegedly assaulted or C Brown with any other girl, then she needs a new man. Don't let nothing keep you from the biggest award night of the year, especially when she is as hot as she it right now.





Chris and Rihanna at Clive Davis's pre-Grammy party (hours before the drama started)

UPDATE-10:30am: Chris Breezy turned himself in at the LAPD's Wilshire station around 6:30 p.m., Sunday evening, and was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of four years. The case will now be sent to the district attorney's office and further charges could be filed. He was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Chris has retained the legal counsel of Mark Geragos. Geragos is a criminal defense attorney best known for defending pop-star Michael Jackson, and actress Winona Ryder. Chris is due in court March 5. This is CRAZY!!!!