LBS Fashion [London Edition]: The 90's Trend

Across the pond in London Town, the 90’s have taken over. There’s an endless sea of denim, bomber jackets, crop tops, tie-dye and shirts tied around waists and beanies.

The 90’s marked the era of Girl Power (does a Mel C kick) - the reign of the ladies. Everyone from The Spice Girls, SWV, Salt n Pepa, Mary J Blige, TLC, Brandy, Monica, Aaliyah and more. I’d definitely call the 90’s the good years - carefree fashion and great music. Here in London, we're taking it back to the good ol’ days.

Blogger Tori West does the 90’s proud with a denim jacket, graphic tee, beanie and fun multi-coloured hair. 

Brit Blogger Kavita showcases her 90's style with a beanie, crop top and chic rucksack.

NYC-based UK sweetheart Karen Blanchard gives 90's grunge in a floral vintage dress and laceup platform boots.

Fellow Brit Rita Ora puts a little spin on the 90’s grunge look with a pair of heels.

The Queen of the 90’s! Now I know Rihanna isn’t from London but she rocks the 90’s trend the best in her Rihanna for River Island collection pays homage to this with denim, crop tops, shirts tied around the waist, dungarees (overalls) and carefree attitude.

The 90’s trend allows you to combine grunge and sexy, boyfriend jeans with crop tops or if you’re feeling ultra-sexy you can throw on a bralet or an oversized plaid shirt with high waisted denim shorts. There are endless options with the 90’s trend!

Will you be re-living the 90’s this season?

-Kaila Baptiste (London Contributor)

On The Market [London]: Boohoo AW13 Collection

London contributor Kaila Baptiste checks out London's very own Boohoo (now available in the US at Boohoo.com) for a sneak peek at their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. Check out her recap:

The Boohoo Urban English collection is a combination of grunge meets Highland fling with the tartan pieces, leather, acid wash jeans, fur and relaxed silhouettes.

These tartan trousers are my favourite in the Urban English collection. Print is a must for AW13 and I love that these trousers can be worn casually and dressed up for a late night rendezvous. 

The tartan continues in the Rebel collection! Punk meets grunge with the biker jackets, khaki parka and camouflage. The freedom to wear what you want is evident in the name of this collection along with the appearance of tartan which almost seems juxtaposed…punk meets grunge with tartan thrown in. Strangely enough, it works! The tartan shorts suit made my day..not sure if I’m brave enough to pull it off  but it still screams amazingness. 

The Rebel night time pieces were a medley of textures and prints with leopard, zebra, houndstooth and tartan print.

Boutique is a collection for the girl who has been with Boohoo from the beginning (2006) and is ready for the more sophisticated look. It's definitely for the refined yet glamorous chick who is still prepared to have fun with fashion. The floral skirt and bomber jacket are my fave.

Sports Luxe wins the race! This collection is everything - the block colours, panelling on the midi skirts, prints, flattering silhouettes and fabrics.

The influx of cocoon shapes and neoprene felt like a sea of flattering fashion. If I could have taken the whole collection with me I would have!

There are only two words for the AW13 accessories- statement pieces. Chunky, embellished jewellery, statement footwear and colourful clutches.

We were given a sneak peek of Boohoo’s new Festival collection inspired by Coachella, along with the new Geo-traveller collection. There was an abundance of tassels and denim, aztec print and patchwork hot pants. The collection is actually available on their website now so be sure to check it out.

The pieces for SS13 made me think of candy floss (cotton candy) and all things sweet. Summer is the time to dress cute ladies - embrace the fun colours and flirty separates.

To end the fabulous evening Boohoo made the bloggers feel extra special with a nail station to get their nails spruced up and the opportunity to have their own mini photo shoot with one of the AW13 themes as the backdrop and a box of Boohoo accessories to choose from. Once the chosen shot was printed the picture was tied to the Boohoo fence for display.

I got my ANTM on (in my case BNTM) and had my mini photo-shoot rocking a floral headband (which I fell in love with and must have) and round pearl encrusted sunglasses that are available on the Boohoo website. 

I don’t know about you but I’ve got my festival looks in mind and my winter wardrobe will definitely include pieces from Boohoo’s Sports Luxe collection.

Will you be sporting Boohoo’s Sports Luxe collection or did another collection grab your attention?

- Kaila Baptiste, London Contributor

Check out some of our current favorites from Boohoo: 

LBS Announcement: New Contributors

This week is full of exciting news for LoveBrownSugar! Aside from being super hyped about my upcoming trip to Coachella, I'm ecstatic to announce that the LoveBrownSugar family is growing once again. I told you guys in my Big Leap of Faith post that I've decided this year to devote my time to building up the LoveBrownSugar site, and with that responsibility comes the need for more dedicated and passionate contributors who will put together more of the fun posts that you guys love. Last September was my first official time introducing the LBS family, so I'm pleased that the family is still growing.

Without further ado, here are our new contributors:

Kaila was born and bred in London, England and loves all things pink, Beyoncé and body art. Graduating with a BA Honours in Public Relations and Management and having experienced the PR and Marketing world she is working towards pursuing a career within the Events and PR industry. A lover of art, fashion and lipstick. She has an ever growing lipstick collection of 15..0once you pop you can't stop. A naturalista who enjoys rocking weave and spending hours watching YouTube videos and reality shows. Was Kaila's love for Beyoncé mentioned already?! Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @fabkooks

Ashley is a self-identified nerd with an affinity for skincare and beauty. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of her own beauty blog, August Skin. Introduced to steam facials and clay masks by her father, Ashley spent her childhood evenings pampering herself while guzzling Nesquik and watching Nickelodeon. When she’s not testing products or writing, Ashley is nose-deep in the work of a twentieth century literary legend or wide-eyed watching a Bravo reality show unfold. (P.S. Ashley was recently selected as a Top 10 finalist in Allure Magazine's Beauty Blogger Awards - Vote for her HERE!)

We're super excited to welcome these ladies into the family. Feel free to leave them hugs & kisses in the comments section, and stay tuned for more fun features right here on LoveBrownSugar.com!

LBS Runway Report: WHIT Fall 2013

Fashion Week officially began for LBS on Wednesday, February 6th as we were invited to attended Whitney Pozgay’s WHIT Fall 2013 Presentation at the W Hotel. As soon as I entered the room I could not stop my eyes from darting from model to model, imagining myself in each of the looks, from the pleated leather skirt to the leopard jumpsuit I wish I could pull off. (In my head I can pull it off, but reality prevails).

WHIT’s 2013 Fall collection was inspired by 60’s pop and rock icon Marianne Faithfull and I have to say I love the effortless, yet fabulous and fun vibe this collection achieved. The combination of clean shapes, paisley, stripes, and animal prints, leather, fur collars and muted metallics along with opulent shades of ruby, navy and forest green were a joy to see. Fall 2013 definitely won’t be drab with this collection in tow.

Apart from the beautiful display of WHIT’s Fall collection I was a huge fan of the hair and make-up look. The side-part with the waves partnered with the fresh face, rosy cheeks and pink tinted gloss added to the effortless yet fabulous vibe. Tres Chic darling!

-Kaila Baptiste 

Will you be rocking a WHIT-inspired look this Fall?

LBS Runway Report: BCBGMAXAZRIA Fall 2013

New York Fashion Week started off with a bang, the Theatre full to the brim with an audience eagerly anticipating the start of the BCBGMAXAZRIA show. The Turkish-inspired collection was full of textures, layering and leather.

I must say I was in awe of this collection as every single look screamed out to me; it was as if Max and Lubov Azria had designed this collection with me in mind. As a hat lover, I was enchanted by the cashmere beanies that adorned each look. 

The pimp-daddy furs that were ever present in this Fall 2013 collection made my toes curl. I fell in love with every single look - from the patchwork fur vests to the jackets and power woman separates, for once I’m excited for Fall!

The rich blues, neutrals like blacks and white, and burgundy mixed with contrasting textures created a luxurious feel.  Flowy skirts and dresses paired with furs for gypsy-inspired layering. Contrasting sleeved boyfriend coats, baseball jackets, laser-cut leathers, and super-sexy thigh-high cut-out leather boots abound. The beauty look was bone-straight hair and dewy satin-finish makeup. The jury is still out on the leather leg warmers...

The Fall 2013 embodies a woman-in-charge, grungy yet bohemian with a sporty essence. Sounds complicated but BCBGMAXAZRIA made it look effortless.     

Will you be emulating any of BCBG’s looks?

                                -Kaila Baptiste

                                                                                 Photo Credit: The Associated Press

LBS Runway Report: The Heart's Truth Red Dress Collection 2013

Credit: InStyle.com

On the evening of Wednesday, February 6th, LBS had the pleasure of attending The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC, where we were amongst a sea of red dresses, lips, shoes, handbags and even red hair in support of the fight against heart disease. The Heart Truth campaign is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. We blogged about National Wear Red Day last Friday, in support of The Heart Truth's mission to spread heart health awareness.

The show consisted of a plethora of stars including Toni Braxton, Wendy Williams, Kelly Osbourne, Gabby Douglas, Roselyn Sanchez, Minka Kelly, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner to name a few. Designers of the striking dresses included a few of our favorite designers: Oscar de la Renta, Tadashi Shoji, Herve L. Leroux, Marc Bouwer, Carolina Herrera and Nicole Miller.

The energy in the room was at an all-time high as the lights dimmed and the show promoting heart health for all women began.

Front-rowers included the amazing Mr. Jay Manuel, runway coach extraordinaire Ms. Jay Alexander, and stylist to the stars June Ambrose, and songstress/reality star Adrienne Bailon.

Credit: nydailynews.com

The Jenners were in attendance! Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner walked the runway, all dressed in Badgley Mischka and might I add - Kendall worked it out on that runway!

My fellow Brit, Kelly Osbourne rocked the runway with her glorious lavender hair and tattoos on display, dressed in this slinky strapless Zac Posen.

Credit: hiphopnews24-7.com

Toni Braxton was most definitely my star of the night as I am aware of her battle with heart disease and have been a lover of her music since forever! I was excited to see her honored by closing the show. She beamed down the runway and worked it out in this stunning Herve L. Leroux red dress.

Doesn’t she look amazing?!

-Kaila Baptiste

Visit www.hearttruth.gov for more information on women and heart disease.

Kickin’ It: Optimum Amla Legend Collection Launch

As an avid fan of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and a hair product collector (some might use the word, “hoarder”) I was more than pleased to attend Optimum’s launch of their new collection - AMLA Legend Rejuvenating Ritual. The launch was hosted by the beautiful Cynthia Bailey of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Johnny Wright, SoftSheen-Carson’s Artistic Style Director and hair stylist to the stars (the man responsible for Michelle Obama’s bangs).

Related: LoveBrownSugar Meets Kandi of RHOA

Held in the most luxurious spa I have ever stepped foot in - AIRE Ancient Baths in Tribeca - there was definitely an heir of opulence with candles lining the stairs and the AMLA Legend Collection beautifully displayed in the glass cabinet in the centre of the room.

Now not only did we get to hear how fabulous Optimum’s AMLA Legend Collection has worked on Cynthia Bailey’s hair, there were also four ladies with four different hair textures who have been using the products and testified to the rejuvenating aspect of the collection. They let us all know the products made their hair feel super soft and gave it a natural sheen without product build up. I did get the chance to feel each of the models' hair to see for myself how soft it was and true to their word, their hair was extremely soft and might I add, glossy!

One thing that stood out for me during the presentation of this new collection was the emphasis on the products being for women of all hair textures (Latinas included!) and I can’t forget the affordable price…each product is under $10! Yes you read correctly, under $10 ladies.

The NEW Optimum Salon Haircare AMLA Legend Rejuvenating Ritual consists of six products all infused with Amla Oil, the super fruit (an Indian gooseberry) enriched with vitamin C, proteins, minerals and anti-oxidants, which nourishes and revitalizes the scalp and hair fiber.

Now, as a naturalista I have no need to buy a relaxing kit, BUT this collection does include a no-mix, no-lye relaxer infused with Amla Oil. There is one strength, it’s good for color-treated hair and it doesn’t have that pungent smell (you know the smell I’m talking about). 

The line consists of:

• The Body Filler Hair Wash Shampoo ($6.99).
• The Body Filler Hair Cream Conditioner ($6.99).
• The Damage Anti-Dote Oil Moisturizer ($6.99).
• The 1001 Oils Cream Night Wrap ($6.99).
• The Billion Hair Potion ($9.99).
• The Amla Legend No-mix, No-lye Cream Relaxer ($9.99).

So naturalistas and relaxed sisters, head on out to the store and relish in Optimum’s AMLA Legend Collection which is available now. 

Click HERE for information about the collection and where to buy!

  -Kaila Baptiste