Topshop Spring 2010 Trend Forecast

Topshop did something really interesting this year. Instead of doing the typical Spring Lookbook release by collection, they did trend forecasts to show off the new goods. I thought it was a great idea and I agree with many of their trends, so I thought I'd bring it to you guys to judge! You like?


I love the look and feel of harem pants like these but I can never seem to pull them off! Maybe in 2010...on that Ciara workout plan.

Petticoats for spring? That'll work. There will inevitably still be some chill in the air...at least in NYC.

So feminine - I don't think lace ever really goes out of style.

Channeling the 20's vibe...nice to see this trend is still going strong.

I'm not sure I'll be following suit with this trend right here. I already have alot going on around the rump so I need to stick with basic colors lol

Wooden heels yall...NOT wooden clogs. Keep your Amsterdam souvenir clogs in the closet. Challenge: finding a pair that are comfy!

More spring trend updates to come. In the mean time, which one of these is your fave?

Perfect Peplum LBD

Ever so often you stumble upon that oh-so-perfect little black dress. This one is it for me...

It's actually from Victoria Beckham's Spring 2010 Collection:

I'm excited to see what else this lovely collection holds. It seems to be a direct reflection of her style which is so London chic. What do you think of this LBD? Fierce or Foolish?

Sick Site Spotlight: Rent-the-Runway

It started out with a problem and a dream. The problem: Nothing to wear to a fancy wedding. The Dream: To wear a gorgeous designer dress, straight off the runway. Well these two Harvard grad students Jenny and Jenn, had the right idea when they put their forces together and came up with this amazing site Rent The Runway. Yes that's right ladies, you can actually rent the runway!

The premise of the site is that regular girls get to choose an amazing designer dress to wear and have the ability to rent it starting at only $50. Once you're finished with the dress, you mail it back and they take care of the dry cleaning and all the rest. I think it's absolutely genius! Who would expect less coming from Harvard grad, right?

I just got confirmed for a membership so I'm stoked! I'm thinking about this Tracy Reese frock for the next girl's night out:

Anyway sign up for Rent The Runway HERE. Can't wait to see you all with your designer pieces lookin' SHARP!

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Jimmy Choo for H&M

H&M has done it again ladies & gents! They've managed to pull of a great collab with an established designer in the industry and make it available to those of us without the designer budget...love it! H&M has collaborated with Jimmy Choo and so far it looks like a match made in heaven. Girls, put on your running shoes and wear light clothing 'cuz I can already tell (like the Karl Lagerfeld collaboration in 2004), these pieces will be sold out within the first week.

Below see a preview of the collection:


The following pieces make me absolutely giddy:

These shoes are the business...

And although I usually hate fur, I actually really want this...

For an even closer peek at all the looks that will be in store on Nov. 14th, check Nitrolicious.

UPDATE: Sasha Fierce or Foolish? The Saga Continues...

Beyonce in Sasha Fierce for House of Dereon Advertisement

So I'm sure you all remember my first article in early July about the upcoming launch of the Sasha Fierce line by House of Dereon. Well, I recently ran across the above advertisement for the line. And, to my surprise, it doesn't look AS bad as I originally thought it was going to be. The initial pics, which were mostly black ensembles of simple pieces with no real construction or design to them, gave me the feeling that this line was just a BAD idea....hence the recurring theme "Fierce or Foolish" that originated with this article.


Anyway, my vote was that this line was drier than a bag of frozen peas...and wouldn't be catching anyone's attention, anytime soon. However, from the looks of Bey's advertisement up top, it looks like she added a little bit of flavor to these duds. I'm interested to see what the patterned dress in the middle is talking bout...the cutout criss-cross back looks like it might be doing a little something. So, I guess Bey is up for trial again....Fierce or Foolish??

Random Street Shots: Briana from Harlem Heights

By the graces of my awesome internship at BET, I had the pleasure of attending a taping of BET & Grey Goose Presents "Rising Icons". It's a new show on BET that just recently premiered its first episode this past Monday, July 27th with the profiling of Chrisette Michelle. I believe it airs on Mondays but check here to find out more info about the artists and the tour. Anyway, I was delighted to sit through 3 tapings and therefore 3 mini concerts - Wale, The Dream and Keri Hilson. It was an amazing time and the artists were great. So, of course as I was given the VIP treatment, I had the pleasure of being an audience member and rubbing elbows with the likes of some of BET's reality TV stars. I happened to run into Briana of Harlem Heights, sassy designer at Victoria Secret and aspiring handbag entrepreneur.

Briana, to the right, on the set of Rising Icons

Anyway, she was dressed to the tee per usual. She had on this really cute pink short-sleeved blazer with gold accessories on the shoulder which I thought was really chic (big shoulders are in yall!). She was also donning a black tutu-esque skirt and these interesting ankle-cuff sandals. I say "interesting" because they almost looked like boots...but not. Anyway, her outfit was fierce. I wonder if that bag she's wearing is from her new B.Marie handbag line. Check out her designs here - she's working it!

Soo...ankle-cuff sandal/booties...Fierce or Foolish?

Is Sasha FIERCE? Or foolish...

Rumor has it, Ms. Beyonce and mama Tina Knowles are in the works of launching a new line under House of Dereon that takes inspiration from Bey's alter-ego "Sasha Fierce". The line has been in the works and is scheduled to hit stores like Macy's and Dillard's this upcoming fall. Here's a sneak peek at the lineup:

Now as much as I love me a solid black fashion piece, I have to say this is a huge disappointment. When I hear the line is going to channel "Sasha Fierce", I'm thinking FLYY, EDGY, off-the-wall pieces. To create an entire line of black pieces without a HINT of creativity or innovation is a complete waste of time, money and effort!


Ok so maybe the big names like Versace, Gucci or Prada could pull off an entire line of black pieces and get props and credibility for them - but the Knowles'?? I think not. I'm sorry but these pieces are too REGULAR. How can I call something fashion when I can find an exact replica at a local Walmart?


Really though, let's assess the situation here:

- a plain black leather jacket with lackluster embellishment.... I'm sure BabyPhat has already got this look covered. Clever, Tina, real clever.

- black leggings and a black tank? Are you kidding? Nobody is going to pay an extra penny to buy plain black leggings with "Sasha Fierce" written on the tag


Honestly, the best thing about these looks are the ACCESSORIES. Those booties and peeptoes I see are the only thing fierce on those models. Now when the acessories speak louder than the clothes, you KNOW there's a problem.


As far as I'm concerned, Beyonce might be reputable as an entertainer, but NOT as a designer. And Tina - let's not forget those sparkly cutout costumes she used to slap on Destiny's Child. Now I was a crazed fan like all the rest of us, but please believe looking back, I dunno WHAT in the hot hell Tina Knowles was thinking:

I don't know how many of you watch Real Housewives of Atlanta but I'm a huge fan. Anyone remember that episode when Project Runway runner-up Michael Knight made an appearance on the show to help give one of the housewives some advice about her up-and-coming "fashion line"? I will never forget, he said something along the lines of "Designing a fashion line isn't for everyone".

He was basically saying, just because you're rich, famous, think your stylish and have money to spare, DOESN'T mean that a fashion line is something you should pursue. So many celebrities these days think they can just throw together a line and because they are who they are people will buy it. Umm, we're not dumb. We know a black tank top is a black tank top whether it be from Conway or from the House of Dereon...

Anyway, maybe it's just me, but with a name like Sasha Fierce, you have to come correct. We don't wanna dress up in a black skintight bodysuit like you did in "Single Ladies" Bey, so DON'T design one.

We're trying to look FIERCE not FOOLISH.

*LoveBrownSugar