LBS Fashion News: Isabel Marant for H&M Collection

Breathe, stretch and get prepared for another sold-out designer H&M collection. Designer extraordinaire, Isabel Marant, has partnered with the fab retailer to produce a winter collection for women and men. Yes, men will be included in an H&M special collection for the first time. Yes H&M. Yes.

Marant, who’s been an in-demand clothing savant since ’94, is toting a chic collection that serves her signature Bohemian/gritty/androgynous aesthetic. Are you pumped? I certainly am.

Obsessed fashion fiends have six months to pinch their pennies and prepare for the clothing flood sure to ensue. H&M is being mum on the details. We don’t even have pics, prices or sketches of the digs yet, but if classic Marant shows up – there’s no doubt I’ll be buying.

The Parisian fashion goddess has slayed runways at Paris Fashion Week season after season, premiering collections that are simple enough to wear to the park or a spontaneous date to a bookstore. 

Flowing silhouettes and untraditional hems are Marant’s trademarks. Her layering techniques will work in winter. We’re eager to see what Marant produces. She promises to deliver.

“I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives – with a certain carefree style,” she said. “I think this is very Parisian: You dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality.”

I’m too ready for this collection. It will be released to 250 stores and sold. I’d drive the three hours to the closest H&M for this one, but thankfully it’s being sold online as well. Sign on at 11:59 p.m. November 13 to get the leverage on the Isabel Marant collection. I think it’s going to sell-out quickly.

Check out the vid Marant did for H&M below:

Are you looking forward to Isabel Marant’s H&M collection?

- Evette Dionne

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!

NEWS: Beyonce for H&M Summer 2013 Campaign FULL Spread

Last month, LBS announced that songstress and media mogul Beyonce would be featured in H&M's 2013 Summer Campaign. Among the bazillion other ways Ms. Knowles has taken over 2013. She's now the face of on of our favorite fast fashion retailers. Well, we've finally got the full spread of promo images for you, straight from the shores of Nassau, and Mrs. Carter looks hot hot hot! Check it out:

On the Bahamas shoot:

“I loved shooting the campaign in the Bahamas,” says Beyoncé of the photoshoot shot by Jonas Åkerlund, the same photog who shot the TV commercial for her upcoming Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.

“We shot on a beach outside of Nassau and the weather was perfect. The shoot was filled with vibrant colors and was inspired by the glamour of the late ‘70s.” 

On her summer style:

“I love the summer. I'm always in shorts, dresses, light, flowing fabrics, great sandals,” says Beyoncé of her summer looks. She credits her stylists Ty Hunter and Raquel Smith as “an influential part of the process” each day.

On her mother's style influence:

“I think my style comes from watching my mother from the time I was a little girl. She was so stylish. She was the first person I saw mix high end pieces with more accessible styles and make it all work. I'm also inspired by my sister, I love her bold approach.”

Source: Grazia Daily

UPDATE (5/2): Below find even more pictures from the Beyonce as Mrs. Carter for H&M collaboration. Beyonce is modeling the H&M for Water collection, for which 25% of the sale price will be donated to sustainable water projects.

Loving this patterned crop top! At only $14.95, you can't beat that.

I LIVE for a maxi dress in the summertime. This piece is first on my list to purchase. Black & white, patterned and sext high-slits? Just my type!

Thoughts on Beyonce's pics? Will you be purchasing any pieces from the collection?

Beyonce for H&M Summer 2013 Campaign

The rumors have been going around since January, but it's now officially confirmed! Amidst the Beyonce world takeover comes another power play by the songstress and mogul. Beyonce is the face of H&M's summer 2013 campaign. The retailer flew Queen Bey (who apparently, according to a brand rep, gave "personal input on the pieces seen in the campaign") off to the Bahamas to shoot the summer collection.

Related: Beyonce for Vogue March

Once images are released, we can expect to see the star lounging beachside in the latest swimwear and summer attire from H&M's summer collection. "I've always liked H&M's focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind," says Beyonce. "It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

H&M, the beach and Beyonce - three of my favorite things. Can't wait to see the rest of the campaign!

What do you guys think about Beyonce as the face of H&M?

Source: Vibe Vixen

NEWS: Angela Simmons Releases New Clothing Line

Former reality star and entrepreneur Angela Simmons is back at it again with a new extension of her brand. The fashionista has just released a teaser for her long-awaited clothing line Angela by Angela Simmons. Back in 2011, we blogged about her clothing line which was in the works.

Now, on her newly launched personal website Angela I Am, she's releases a teaser video for the collection, which seems to be a chic line of edgy meets sporty separates.

Check out the video:

Kudos to Angela for getting her collection off the ground!

Thoughts? See anything you guys love?

NEWS: Destiny's Child Releases New Album

Ok so I don't usually do this but umm....Destiny's Child is back y'all! I never really post about music news on LoveBrownSugar but I couldn't hardly contain my excitement. Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams are joining forces once again to produce new music!

When I saw Beyonce's Facebook page announce that for the first time in 8 years, the group that made her would be releasing new music, I nearly fell out Baptist-church style. I tootsie rolled. I raised the roof. I did the butterfly. It was a moment. See screenshot below:

I've been a dedicated Destiny's Child fan since childhood. I grew up on their music. As in, as a Junior High School kid I skipped class to head to the FYE store in midtown NYC for their "Survivor" album signing. Waited on line for 7 hours and then proceeded to cry when Beyonce shook my hand. Yeah, that dedicated...

The album is set for release on January 29th, 2013. It's available now for pre-order at Amazon HERE. The album's title is "Love Songs".

I mean, I can't wait. I'm still tootsie-rolling. 

Is anyone else a DC Fan like myself? Will you be ordering?

NEWS: Nicki Minaj To Launch Fashion Line With Kmart

Everyone's favorite gritty glam hip-hop Barbie Nicki Minaj is on the brink of a major fashion deal. What has been rumored for some time now has recently been confirmed. Nicki Minaj is officially designing a mass-consumer fashion collection with Kmart. 

All you die-hard "Barbz" out there who are Minaj super-stans, you're in luck! The wacky and uber talented rapper and fashion icon is in the process of developing a new collection with Kmart which will release sometime this year.

About the collaboration, Nicki Minaj says "I am so excited to work with this iconic, mass retailer and to bring affordable fashion to my beautiful barbz all across the US."

The collection will be designed and developed by Nicki Minaj to reflect her personality and distinctive style. I'm seeing loads of bubblegum pink, lace and wacky color combinations. Think Betsey Johnson gone hood-hop glam. Can't wait to see what's in store!

Would you purchase a piece from a Nicki Minaj x Kmart collab? Soundoff below!

NEWS: Condé Nast Appoints First Black EIC Keija Minor

This past weekend, I found out some jaw-dropping news that really set my week off right. Condé Nast has just named the newest Editor in Chief of BRIDES Magazine. And she's a woman of color. Her name is Keija Minor and I had the sincere pleasure of working under her as an editor at UPTOWN Magazine. She was the Editor-in-Chief at UPTOWN and helped grow the brand immensely during her tenure from 2008 to 2011.

While working at the magazine, I admired Keija as an intelligent, creative and strategic force in the industry. She landed UPTOWN some really amazing cover artists and feature stories and always maintained the aesthetic of the publication as a luxury lifestyle brand for people of color.  Just working under someone with a spirit of excellence like hers was enough to fuel my drive and ambitions. Women like her who I’ve had the sincere pleasure to work under and learn from are the reason I’ve always felt empowered to make a mark and not settle. Beyond her recent EIC appointment being a victory that hits close to home because I know Keija, it’s a victory for all aspiring magazine editors and publishing hopefuls of color just because of what it means.

Believe it or not, this is the very first time Condé Nast has appointed an African-American EIC, for any of their publications. And a black female at that. Yes, read that again. It’s the first time! I mean, this might not be as major as Obama for President in 2008 but this is HUGE guys. Huge.

As someone who has always been incredibly vocal about my disappointment with the fashion/beauty industry relying so heavily on stereotypes, it brings me great joy to see that one of us will sit in the EIC seat at a national magazine, and not just one for women of color. This is such a huge step and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Be inspired ladies and gents.

Thoughts on this? Soundoff below!

NEWS: NFL New Fashion Campaign - Serena Wiliams, DJ Kiss & More

Just in time for football season, the NFL has unleashed some new campaign ads featuring some of our favorite celebs rocking the league's new fashion-forward paraphernalia. Featuring celebrities like Serena Williams, Condoleeza Rice, DJ Kiss and more, the NFL's revamped women's apparel platform makes its debut with the campaign slogan "It's My Team". Serena looks amazing per usual.

Here's a sneak peek at DJ Kiss' look:

Thoughts? Any fashionista football fans out there? Would you rock these looks?

Wanna shop the collection? Grab the new NFL apparel HERE

NEWS: Janelle Monae Is The New COVERGIRL

Photo Credit: www.JanelleMonae.com

From the day I first met musician and artist Janelle Monae back in the summer of 2010 on set of our  Honey Magazine April 2010 covershoot, I knew she was bound for even more greatness than she had already achieved.

Me w/Honey Editors & Janelle

2010 was a groundbreaking year for her career. She released her award-winning album The ArchAndroid (which subsequently became my all-time favorite summer anthem) and things continued to take off. Upon meeting her, I was overwhelmed by her beauty. She had such a striking face and such incredible style. As petite as she was, her presence was so incredibly large...and warm!

Related: Kickin' It Behind The Scenes Janelle Monae

Anyway, I'll stop the cloud of reminiscing to bring you the deets - my girl Janelle is the new face of COVERGIRL!  I am so incredibly proud to see an artist like Monae being featured in such an amazing way with one of the biggest beauty companies in the US. And the fact that she's a natural girl at that? *3 snaps in a Z formation*

About her new Covergirl contract, she tells Vogue “I believe in the idea of every woman finding their own beauty superpowers. I want to help redefine what it means to be a strong woman in the music and fashion worlds.”

She's gorgeous, inside and out. I can't WAIT to see her ads in my favorite glossies - well deserved!

Watch her Behind The Scenes video with COVERGIRL below:

Source: Vogue

NEWS: Solange Knowles Is The New Face of Madewell

Congratulations to my fave fashion girl and style muse Solange Knowles! In her first major fashion collaboration, she's been announced as the Fall 2012 face of Madewell. Madewell, J.Crew's hipster counterpart, focuses on cool separates that can be mixed and matched for luxe appeal. Hence, the campaign theme "Mix Well. Madewell." Considering her downtown chic steaze, this collaboration seems like the perfect fit for her, no?

Personally, I'm so incredibly happy to see her face in more amazing campaigns like this. I adored her as a spokesbeauty of Carol's Daughter, and her beauty campaign with Rimmel London. Madewell just makes perfect sense. I can't wait to see the rest of her lookbook shots!

Check out the campaign video below:



Source: Fashionista