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Saturday, February 27, 2010

LoveBrownSugar Etsy Giveaway!

It's that time of the year! Spring inventory starts rolling in, winter clothes start going on SALE and everybody gets excited about what the warm weather will bring. Well no season is complete without a good fashion steal to hold you over! If you're into unique vintage pieces like myself, check out LoveBrownSugar's shop on Etsy.

 On March 5th, I'll be giving away the vintage oversized clutch pictured above to the user with the best answer to the following question:
"If you could come back as any old school diva, who would you be and why?"
 Comment below with an answer for your chance to win! Until then, enter discount code: "SpringLBS" at LoveBrownSugar's Etsy checkout and get 25% off all LBS vintage pieces. Good luck!
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Friday, February 26, 2010

Get Like Me: Stylist Becca Alexis

For all you LoveBrownSugar readers aspiring to break into the fashion industry or simply intrigued by it, LBS has something for ya! Our new “Get Like Me” series highlights exclusive interviews with industry insiders from celebrity stylists to new fashion designers, fashion PR heads & more! First up – stylist to the stars and Purveyor of Style - Becca Alexis.

Dressing hot celebs from Trey Songz to Mary J, this fashion maven has made a name for herself working under top celeb stylists like Jessica Paster and June Ambrose. Now co-founder of her own company Pulchritude & Concepts and head blogger over at Purveyor of Style, Becca Alexis dishes the juicy deets on how she got started in the industry, who her fave client is, and what’s in her Alexander McQueen purse…

The Fab 5
Name: Becca Alexis
Location: New York and Los Angeles
Personal Style in 3 Words: Glamourous, Pin-Up, Avant-garde
Favorite Designer(s): I call them the fashion Dieties - Jeanne Lanvin, Paco Rabanne, Pierre Balmain, Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Yves Saint Laurent, Andre Courreges, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier
Must-Have Accessory: A fabulous pair of stilettos. It adds the punctuation to the wardrobe.

All About Becca
How did you get started in the industry?
I started as a fashion illustrator and designer. I made costumes for the performers at my college, University of Florida. My friends and family encouraged me to pursue a more serious career in fashion instead of working as a freelance writer. So I relocated to LA and worked as a wardrobe PA for Desperate Housewives and CSI Miami while attending the FIDM.

Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion?
Fashion was always a part of me in some aspect. I was always in dresses. As a daughter of ministers I was never allowed to wear shorts or pants outside of playing soccer. I loved dressing up, but I didn't know at that time that I could make a career out of it until I was about 22.

How did Pulchritude & Concepts come about?
While attending FIDM, Hachy Mendez who is now my business partner really mentored me about the industry and took me on all the photoshoots she got hired to do. When I finished chool, we partnered up and worked together on a plethora of projects. We really meshed well and our fashion collision transpired into really incredible work. In 2007 when I started to take on my own work we made our company official. The name is a bit pretentious; who needs all those letters to say beauty? But it's really what we do - conceptualize and create beautiful things.

Who's your favorite client?
That's like asking me who my favorite child is.... well, if I had some! All of the clients I worked with were all incredible in their own rights. I consider fashion an expression and all of them had their own way of saying "This is who I am."

Most rewarding experience of your career thus far?
My parents understanding what I do for a living and them expressing their joy on my accomplishments.

3 Pieces of advice for aspiring fashionistas?
1. Know the value of relationships, as one never knows who her/his benefactor might be.
2. Study fashion like its science, as knowledge is power, it's the one thing no one can ever take away from you.
3. Don't let past mistakes overtake you, its about one's ability to recover in this business!

What's in your purse?
NOOO!! I always get nervous with that question! My current bag of choice is by Alexander Mcqueen. Its HUGE. I have the most recent issue of Harper's Bazaar, a Dior pouch with my hand lotion and Fresh Sugar and Lemon perfume, generic cosmetic case with concealer, mascara and Kiehl's lip gloss, a journal with fashion notes and a smaller journal with daily notes, aspirin, Luna Bar, hair brush, Oliver Peoples eyewear, Canon G11 camera and a BCBG pouch full of receipts!
  
To keep up with Becca Alexis, follow her on Twitter or at Purveyor of Style.
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Thursday, February 25, 2010

In The Cut: Angela & Vanessa Simmons at Tarina Tarantino

I'm loving these new hair 'dos on Angela & Vanessa Simmons! The Pastry girls were spotted last night at the "Tarina Tarantino Beauty" launch in Hollywood. They stepped out fresh and fashionable with new spring haircuts; Angela with side-swept bangs and Vanessa with a shorter cut. I'm also gagging over Angela's floral tights and lace-up booties...amazing.

Fierce or Foolish?
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In Case You Missed It....

I've been getting alot of questions about the Coco & Breezy girls and their showing at fashion week with Aston Mozie. For those of you who couldn't see the show live, here's footage for ya! Enjoy:

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Bootie Calls Part 2

You guys remember when I went through my last round of late night "bootie" calls. You know those midnight cravings for a hot new pair of shoes. Well this time around I'm late-night lusting after these awesome shoe boots from Aldo that need to be part of my spring accessory lineup (which, by the way, shall be revealed next week)...

The peach sorbet-colored laces have me GAGGING. Love these specimens. I can so see my pastel-painted toes in them this summer. They kinda remind me of ice skates minus the blade. Till next "bootie" call...

*LoveBrownSugar
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Busy Bee: Kickin' It With Coco & Breezy

This week's been a whirlwind and it's only Wednesday! After the craziness surrounding Fashion Week, I've had tons of catching up to do. Some fun, some tedious but always a learning experience. Over at HoneyMag, I had the pleasure of doing an exclusive interview with 19 year-old twins Coco & Breezy

 Just last week I blogged about their amazing Fashion Week showing with Aston Mozie. If you haven't read it yet, go check it out! Anyway, they were just as edgy and cool yesterday as they were on the runway at their show. Vibrant spirits and so full of life. I also interviewed Quinn Aston and Ugo Mozie of Aston Mozie.Youngsters to be inspired by - truly. My boss Shanel and I with the twins:


Till next time - *LoveBrownSugar
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Style Icon: Shingai Shoniwa

 This girl might be one of the most underrated style icons I know. Shingai Shoniwa, British vocalist and bassist for the Noisettes is an undercover killer when it comes to fashion and I happen to enjoy googling her latest looks for inspiration. Shingai was spotted at the Matthew Williamson Fall 2010 show in London this past week in this vibrant ensemble. Don't you just want to be her best friend?

 Shingai and Noisettes band members at a movie premiere in London. She's just fierce by nature.
Below is a really cute from NylonTV of the Noisettes performing at Nylon offices. Her 'fro is a force to be reckoned with. Enjoy!
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Style Inspiration: No Shade


My style evolves every day. This spring I plan to integrate some new elements and unexpected combinations into my wardrobe. Floral tops and studded shades? Yes sir. Now if I can only make a few thousand and get that Chanel classic up top, my life would be complete...
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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Congrats!! Valentine's Day Giveaway

Congratulations to reader Nickey-Ann of NYC for winning the Valentine's Day Giveaway - enjoy it!

 Stay tuned for more cool freebies this month via LoveBrownSugar - beauty products, clothes, and tons of other fun stuff! You could be next...
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Saturday, February 20, 2010

LoveBrownSugar Fashion Week Coverage: Thuy, Tibi & Milly

The following three collections were among my favorites at Bryant Park this season. Primarily for their fresh and feminine perspectives on fall/winter 2010. It's always great to see a vibrant collection for fall/winter and each of these fit the bill very well.

Thuy Fall 2010 Collection
 The Thuy Fall 2010 Collection was a refreshing departure from all the minimalist collections shown this season. From the color combinations to the fabric choices, the Thuy collection had a number of amazing statement pieces to build an entire wardrobe around.

Thuy showed some awesome separates in magentas, nudes and copper. This collection gave me "young and sophisticated in the city"...


For more of the Thuy Collection, view my album HERE.

Tibi Fall 2010 Collection
The vibrant prints and feminine silhouttes at Tibi were both inspiring and exciting. This collection was for the hip and chic girl who exudes easy summer swag even when the weather changes...
She used a few neutrals and vibrant pops of color here and there...
Sadly, my camera shut off in the middle of the show but overall I loved this collection! It was the most "me" I think. For more pictures from the Tibi show, check my album HERE.

Milly Fall 2010 Collection
The Milly Fall 2010 Collection was girl and free and uber-Parisian. The collection had a certain exuberance and reminded me of a younger Chanel. Very uptown, Gossip Girl-appropriate and fun. Unfortunately, this was the day I left my camera's memory card at home, so enjoy these press pics instead...

 "Mi-chelle, my belle!"...Designer Michelle Smith put me right back into my semester in Paris....from the berets to the patterned and ruffled miniskirts with tights, I could almost smell the macarons from Laduree...

 
And I loved these bubble gum pink tights layered under the miniskirts - so cute! Goes to show a little color goes a long way, especially in the fall.

*Special thanks to my amazing friend Dana who invited me to the Milly show - you're awesome!
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Friday, February 19, 2010

LBS Fashion Week Coverage: Aston Mozie/Gemela Amor by Coco & Breezy

 This show had to be my favorite of the entire week. Was it under the tents? No. It was at The Gates on 8th Ave and it was absolutely FAB in every sense of the word. The designers of Aston Mozie - Quinn Aston & Ugo Mozie (a sweetheart I met last week during Honeymag's Model City shoot), put on an absolutely fantastic show with their edgy futuristic designs and leather pocketed vests.

 Alongside Aston Mozie were the acclaimed 19 year old twins by the name of Coco and Breezy
 If you're an NYC party-hopper or socialite, you've probably seen these twins around. You literally can't miss them. You can spot them from a mile away. Their presence is unmistakable and apparently so are their amazing eyewear designs. The twins' Fall 2010 Collection of Gemela Amor was out of this world and I guarantee you everybody and their mama's mama will be wearing these shades come fall - mark my words!

All in all, the show was flawless. Notables like Diggy Simmons were in the building, though I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him. Oh, let's not forgot about the BOMB V.I.P. bags they put together. The twins made specialty eyewear for each individual bag. I can't wait to wear mine! Anyway, check out the twins at their awesome blog - Coco & Breezy and check out Aston Mozie's blog as well. These kids are going somewhere FAST.

Check out my write-up on the Aston Mozie/Coco & Breezy show for Honeymag as well!
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Thursday, February 18, 2010

LoveBrownSugar Fashion Week Coverage: Perry Ellis & Max Azria

The following post is unexpected as well as surprisingly fulfilling for me because 1) I don't normally cover Men's fashion and 2) I didn't get an invite to Max Azria (by some stroke of luck, my boss at HoneyMag couldn't make it so I went in her stead!) That being said I'm extremely happy I had the opportunity and exposure to attend both shows.
 Perry Ellis Fall 2010 Collection

Although I don't normally cover men's fashion, I had the amazing opportunity to preview the Perry Ellis Fall 2010 collection. I happen to have some male clients that I freelance style for so I thought it only appropriate to attend Perry Ellis. From my view, it was a clean collection - not overly tailored, but just right.

I loved the accessories they paired with their looks as well. Truth: suspenders can look classy. And it seems the infinity scarf (loop-shaped, no ends) serves as unisex accessory for fall. I love these, I have 2 already!


The velvet blazers were yummy. I can't see any man looking less than pristine in pieces like this. Well done!

Spotted: Terrell Owens sitting front row at Perry Ellis!

Max Azria Fall 2010 Collection

 Minimalist in style & structure but intricate in fabric detailing, the Max Azria Fall 2010 show was a refreshing contrast to his more body conscious collections of past...

 There was clear consistency in the collection. Muted and neutral colors, lots of transparent overlay up top and very subtle details throughout.

 
Spotted: Estelle front row and backstage at Max Azria
 For more pictures from the Perry Ellis Show and the Max Azria Show check me out on Facebook!
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LoveBrownSugar Fashion Week Coverage: Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese Fall 2010
 I must say the Tracy Reese show was one I was most excited about this season. I've always been an admirer of Tracy Reese, being a young black designer in an industry dominated by fashion heads not quite her color. I've come up reading articles about her in Essence and watching people interview her on TV about her success. Needless to say, it was an absolute pleasure to be invited. Below are some show highlights:
I loved the styling at Tracy Reese. She used these amazing chunky oversized scarves to adorn each look. I thought the textures and the fabrics were spot-on for fall/winter. Lots of plush knits, great fur pieces and beautiful prints...

Backstage at Tracy Reese, I caught up with darling beauties - Georgie Badiel and Ariel Meredith. Two of the brown girls seen prancing down the runway at Tracy Reese.

 I recognized Georgie from the Arise runways on Saturday night - she confirmed for me that she did walk. She was also the cover girl for the Arise Magazine May 2009 issue:

 More celebs I spotted backstage at Tracy Reese and after the show:

On the left, Julia Stiles and Kristen Bell backstage at Tracy Reese. On the right, petite and lovely Adrienne Bailon formerly of 3LW and well-known as one of the sassy Cheetah Girls. This Tracy Reese printed dress is divine on her.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Jacque Reid of Let's Talk About Pep. She's gorgeous - inside & out. 

For more pictures from the Tracy Reese Fall 2010 Collection showing, view my album HERE.

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