LBS in LA (Part 2): Essence Black Women in Music Red Carpet

7:30PM We arrive on the purple carpet at the Essence Black Women in Music event sponsored by Lincoln. Like I mentioned in my Prepping post, I went with the Tadashi Shoji lace peplum dress in Sand. I'm really happy with my choice, I feel comfortable and confident.

I'm wearing gold-studded stilettos from Steve Madden.

8:00PM The celebrities start to arrive. First beauty I spot on the red carpet is Sharon Leal who looks amazing with her short cropped cut and flowing cream gown.

I loved her eye makeup!

Goapele was there, looking stunning in a bright red lip and side-swept bangs.

Jennifer Williams of Basketball Wives was in attendance. She gave me the scoop on her outfit, and it was mostly Zara! Gotta love celebs who shop at the same stores we do.

Estelle looked beautiful with her cascading curls, deep berry lip and bold lashes. She wore a suit by Eugene Lim suit.

Denise Vasi of VH1's Single Ladies was in attendance. She's so gorgeous! Her red pout and green jewels were the perfect compliment to her Peter Hidalgo outfit.

My twin Jill Scott was there! She's so beautiful, even more so in person.

Jurnee Smollet rocking a Trina Turk dress, with her date. Can't wait for the newest Tyler Perry film featuring her and Kim Kardashian. Should be quite interesting!

Lisa Rae, also of VH1's Single Ladies, was in attendance. She was a joy to talk to. She rocked a white Tadashi Shoji dress, and we gushed over wearing the same designer to the event. She has good taste! 

Keke Palmer was there sporting new, luxurious locks. Love her curls! She was "big hair don't care" like me that night. I just had a styling session with her hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez recently. She does a fab job.

Yes y'all, I ran into the one and only Nene Leakes of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame! I told her she's my favorite. She chatted me up about some of her favorite designers, who include Christian Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana.

Naturi Naughton posing in front of the 2013 Lincoln MKX. She wore a blue lace dress from an independent designer called Mignon.

I met new R&B artist Sevyn Streeter. I LOVE her single "I Like It" so I couldn't wait to chat with her. She's penned songs for top songstresses like Alicia Keys, Brandy, Fantasia, Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige and more. She's so pretty! And her outfit was on point.

9:30PM Right before I head in for the event, I spy Ford Motors' Shawn Lollie, honoree of the evening Solange, and President of Essence Communications, Michelle Eubanks.

Once inside, it's time to enjoy the performances. First up is the lovely Lianne La Havas who woos the crowd with songs off of her album "Is Your Love Big Enough".

I spied Lianne chatting it up with Jill Scott after her performance. Two of my favorites!

Next up was Solange! She sung my favorite "Losing You" and I went wild. Love that song!

Jill and Solange posing for the cameras right after her performance. I felt so blessed to be in presence of women like them. Real musicians.

11:00PM The event is nearly over but I CAN'T leave before grabbing a picture with my favorite Amber Riley! One of my style stars, she always looks flawless. Loving her new short hair.

And that's the perfect end to my evening with the stars courtesy Lincoln Motors. I had a fantastic time out in LA for the Essence Black Women in Music event! Special thanks to Lincoln for sending me, to Essence for having me, and to Tadashi Shoji for helping me look my best! 

LIVE 2013 Grammy's Red Carpet Fashion

This year, we watched the 2013 Grammy Awards red carpet live and soaked up all the fashion and beauty moments as they came across our screens. You guys tweeted us @LoveBrownSugar, followed our updates on Facebook, and checked the site for updates on our favorite looks as we saw them. So here's a red carpet review of the looks:

Estelle looks stunning in a crop top and mermaid skirt, of her own design. Love this print! She looks amazing and that body is snatched.

She's giving a smokey eye moment, and a neutral lip. LOVE! She's also wearing Royal Asscher jewelry - the Gold & Floating Diamond Pendant and the GOld & ceramic floating diamonds ring.

Ashanti is rocking a black & floral keyhole dress with sheer bottom. Not sure how I feel about this one - thoughts?

Ashanti also went with a smokey eye moment.

Chris Brown in all-white-everything.

Taylor Swift wearing a beautiful J.Mendel gown. I love the structure and detailing on this dress. She went with a milkmaid braid and smokey eye to finish out the look.

Wiz Khalifa rocking a Tom Ford suite and a very preggers Amber Rose in a Donna Karan gown. She looks like she's about to pop!

Adele is wearing a red patterned dress with floral detailing. She's wearing matching shoes. It's rather buttoned up, I might have liked to see her in something a little more revealing up top. It just feels like ALOT of fabric. What do you think?

Jennifer Lopez slays the red carpet yet again in an Anthony Vaccarelo gown with a thigh-high split, and Tom Ford shoes. Daring! And I love her sleek top knot, it's the perfect compliment.

Rihanna looked stunning in all-red-everything on the red carpet. She wore an Alaia gown, and completed her looks with a red lip, a subtle smokey eye and vampy red nails. For hair, she rocked soft, romantic waves with honey blonde highlights.

Katy Perry showed a fun, yet sophisticated look in a seafoam green Gucci Resort 2013 gown with keyhole and beaded detailing. I love her long, voluminous flowing locks.

Beyonce showed up to the 2013 Grammy's in a black & white Osmand Yousef Zada pant suit look. She rocked a bold red lip,  jeweled cuffs, and peeptoe stilettos to accessorize.

Kelly Rowland showed a little skin (and her amazing body) in a Georges Chakra gown and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Janelle Monae went with her classic tuxedo look. She rocked a red lip and red nails courtesy Covergirl, for which she's a spokesperson.

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats showed up elegantly clad - Alicia in a cutout dress with leather detailing. And Swizz wore a classic gray suit.

Last but not least, Solange wore a green Ralph & Russo couture gown. She accessorized with neon peach pumps and an oversized 'fro.

Thoughts on the red carpet? Who do you think killed it? 

Photo Credits: E! Online, BellaSugar

Spotted: Melanie Fiona, Rita Ora, Cassie & More at Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards

The celebrity hotspot on Tuesday night was undoubtedly Webster hall. Stars showed up at the NYC venue for the 8th Annual Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards Presented by Hennessy V.S to hang out in VIP and sip specially made cocktails from the Limited Edition Hennessy V.S Futura bottle.

Unofficial LBS "It" girl, Rita Ora was spotted parleying Music Matters artist Melanie Fiona - whom surprised us with how well she wears blonde hair (check out our Fierce or Foolish post HERE)! Her not-so-goldie locks were expertly coiffed by celebrity hairstylist Keith Black who's having a book launch next week that LBS is attending - can't wait. We'll be sure to ask him all about the new cut.

Diddy's current love interest and Bad Boy songstress Cassie Ventura was also in the building.

As were rapper Wale and model/socialite Jessica White.

UK-bred bombshell Estelle was in the building as well.

Black leather seemed to be the theme on the floor, with red carpet divas Melanie Fiona, Rita Ora, Cassie, Estelle, and Jessica White sporting it in some way, shape or form. We're loving how chic these ladies looked in their ensembles but we're obsessed with Rita Ora's chic leather ensemble.

Love Rita Ora's look? Steal her chic with affordable threads below:

Photo Credit: Kirill Bichutsky

- Gracie J

LBS Runway Report: BCBGMAXAZRIA

Photo courtesy Associated Press

Nothing is as electric as the first day of New York Fashion Week! NYFW is marked by a tantalizing energy that seems to transfer from the audience to the runway. Max Azria capitalizes on that rousing atmosphere by choosing the first day for his BCBGMAXAZRIA S/S 2013 collection.

If I had to sum the collection up in one word, it would be - delicate. Max used thin materials, such as lace and silk, to create flowing feminine silhouettes. Even the color palette had a hint of femininity etched in the details. The collection reflected a palette of soft pinks, whites, blacks and occasionally, blues. To connect with his “femme fatale” theme the beauty look was simplistic. Strong brows, highlighted cheeks and nude shadows dominated the show.

There is a subtle sexiness to this collection. I was gaga over the leather paired with lace combos and the ankle-strapped flats that each model wore.

 Onto the celeb sightings! We spotted Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, the uniquely gifted songstress Estelle, DJ KISS, model Selita Ebanks, Jessica White, Dania Ramirez and Daisy Fuentes soaking up the spotlight in the front row.

Another showstopper was Whitney Port of “The City” fame. 

 She attempted to steal the show in a hippie-esque skirt with a daring split that she paired with a simple black tank and leather booties. Cute, cute, cute!

Overall, I give Max Azria an A for diversity in models, celebs in the audience and an awesome collection. Bravo!

- Evette Dione