Fashion Week Kicks Off in a New Luxurious Home
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 09/09/10 at 05:09:13 pmBy: Elaine Welteroth
This morning the doors of Lincoln Center opened to a brand new fashion week experience. “It’s more luxurious, more special, more exclusive this season” said a fashion photographer who was enamored by the grand aesthetic of the Koch Theatre, which was the first stop of the day for many as it hosted Elle Magazine’s Fashion Next show.
Judges for the student fashion presentation included industry elites: Tommy Hilfiger, Derek Lam, Nicole Miller and Elle Creative Director Joe Zee. One talented and wickedly lucky student won a $25,000 grant from Maybelline New York. Another walked away with a $10,000 grant and a mentorship with Kate Spade New York’s Co-President and Creative Director, Deborah Lloyd.
It was a special way to kick off the busy week that will see thousands of well-heeled magazine editors, fashion journalists, stylists, bloggers and buyers from all over the world who are expected to descend upon this new, spectacular setting.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s highly anticipated opening ceremonies have just begun but one thing is certain: the fashion is not the only draw for conversation today.
Look the Part with Aveda’s Help!
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 09/09/10 at 04:09:32 amBy: Lyndsay Luff
Fashion Week officially kicks off tomorrow morning at Lincoln Center but off-site shows have the blogs (and eager editors like us!) buzzing already. Read on to find your cheat sheet on how to recreate the naturally luminous makeup techniques we spotted at the ORGANIC by John Patrick’s Spring/Summer 2011 Presentation created by Aveda’s key makeup artist Janell Geason.
HOW TO GET THE MAKEUP LOOK:
Complexion:
1. Prep skin with Aveda Enbrightenment™ Brightening Correcting Creme for luminosity.
2. Using the Aveda Inner Light™ Foundation Brush, apply Aveda Inner Light™ Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF 15 and Aveda Inner Light™ Concealer to even skin tone. Create a semi-matte finish with Inner Light™ Mineral Loose Powder in Translucent.
3. Use the Aveda Inner Light™ Foundation Brush to apply Aveda Inner Light™ Mineral Dual Foundation to cheeks, choosing a foundation two shades deeper than natural skin tone.
Eyes:
1. Prep eyelids with Aveda Inner Light™ Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF 15. Highlight the center of the lid with the Aveda Petal Essence™ Eye Color Trio in Copper Haze—using the middle of the palette.
2. Define the eye with Aveda Petal Essence™ Eye Color Trio in Gobi Sands, using the middle of the palette.
3. Swipe the center shade of the Eye Color Trio from the inside corners of each eyelid to the outside corners, on both top and bottom lash lines.
4. Define the eyes with the Aveda Petal Essence™ Eye Definer in Cacao on the top and bottom lash lines. Smudge with Aveda Flax Sticks™ Eye Smudger Brush (#5).
5. Brush eyebrows into place and softly define them with the Aveda Flax Sticks Brow & Lash Brush (#7).
6. Curl lashes and apply two coats of Aveda Mosscara™ in Black Forest to top and bottom.
7. For a wet finished look, use finger to dab a drop of Aveda All-Sensitive™ Body Formula on both tops and bottoms of the eyelid.
Lips:
1. Prime lips with Aveda Nourish-Mint™ Renewing Lip Treatment. Apply Aveda Nourish-Mint™ Sheer Mineral Lip Color in Sheer Roseleaf and press into lips with a sponge to intensify natural color.
Prepping for Fashion Week with Ginger+Liz
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 08/09/10 at 06:09:30 amBy: Lyndsay Luff
Like a celebrity crush is to one of his many screaming female fans, New York Fashion Week is to a fashion fiend like me. This season Ebony invited me to be on the front lines of fashion to help bring you the latest trends in real-time and I couldn’t be more thrilled! But before the fashion and beauty briefs comes major prep. Primping for your first time at fashion week is like planning for a first date with your dream guy – well it is for me at least.
With just days before my entrance into fashion week’s newest home at Lincoln Center, I got into gear with a fabulous manicure from the dynamic nail color duo, Ginger+Liz while they celebrated the launch of their fall 2010 nail color collection at Harlem’s luxurious hidden gem, Carol’s Daughter The Back Room Hand and Foot Spa. My experience was nothing short of pure pampering perfection.
The Back Room swiftly transitions guests from a busy Harlem exterior into a soothing haven fit for a goddess. Its golden interior is coupled with soft lighting, accents of rich green thrones and bright, pink floral arrangements with walls lined with Carol’s Daughter and Ginger+Liz products. From the threshold, I was greeted by throngs of the city’s most stylish black women and it was apparent that I was in store for the ultimate grown girl’s party.
Just when the sparkle in my eye was lit by the atmosphere, my attention was brought to the edibles. Silver platters of beef empanadas with a mango salsa as hor d’œuvres, a bar serving Ciroc cocktails, red velvet cake lollipops drizzled with a hard, cream cheese frosting made me wonder, have I already cheated on Fashion Week?
The final treat before catching up with the nail color moguls was my rich, emerald green mani. My color of choice? This season’s it shade Blowing Money Fast. Predictions point to the famous fingers of Queen Latifah, Kim Kardashian, Rachel Zoe and Sofia Vergara, whom we can expect to see rocking it boldly.
Q&A with Ginger + Liz
Ebony: How did you get into the nail polish industry?
Ginger: We’ve been loving beauty products forever and we’re turning our love and passion into a business that we love and we’re happy to see people love it and enjoy it too.
Ebony: What would you say to your polish lovers who are inspired by your hustle and want to follow their passion as well but are struggling to make ends meet?
Ginger: We have to be real because we all have bills to pay but I do believe that if you’re passionate about something you should also explore that, if that means that you gotta work on it during your lunch break or when you go home you’re making your samples, you’re sewing you’re mixing formulas and spending your weekends doing that, then that’s what you have to do.
Liz: Whenever Ginger and I are working at three in the morning after we worked a full day, we always remind ourselves that this is what we love and so it’s a blessing to be able to do this. None of this would be possible without consistent, hard work.
Sneak a Peek into Fashion Week with LUCA LUCA!
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 02/09/10 at 05:09:55 pmBy: Lyndsay Luff
No one ever really sets themselves up for complete chaos and a jam-packed schedule, right? Starting next week, fashionistas (and fashionistos) from across the globe will descend upon Manhattan to do just that. As we gear up for the glorious madness that comes with New York City’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, a glimpse of the fashion to be unveiled is just what we need to remind us that it’s all worth it.
Luca Luca’s creative director, Raul Melgoza gives Ebony a preview of the Spring/Summer 2011 collection to be featured on September 14 at 6PM at Lincoln Center’s Studio. Take a look at the dress torn from his sketchbook above. (We are in love with the color!)
“This season’s collection is inspired by freedom and feminine elegance, exemplified specifically through the architectural structure of The Sydney Opera House,” said Melgoza. “I wanted the collection to reflect the softness and boldness of a woman through the shape, structure, and fluidity of each piece exemplifying the diverse roles of women today. The result: a new take on refined sex appeal.”
With a sneak peek into Luca Luca’s gracefully chic pieces, we can set out for last-minute shopping trips and salon appointments with a sense of inspiration.
Stay tuned for our series on prepping before the shows begin!
Ebony Readers Save Big on Swirl.com
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 20/08/10 at 12:08:14 pmBy Lyndsay Luff
Imagine an unlimited indulgence of your favorite sweets…everyday…sin-free. For years we’ve been addicted to DailyCandy, an adorable website that provides a daily dose of the best in food, fashion, beauty, home and garden, travel and culture in over 10 major cities across the nation and London. Of course with every great candy comes a new flavor. Allow Ebony the pleasure of introducing Swirl.com, DailyCandy’s sister sample sale site with hand-picked fashions and accessories from high-end designers and up-and-coming trendsetters.
What does this mean for Ebony readers? This month Ebony partnered with Swirl to kick-off Ebony Steals, a new incentive that reserves exclusive shopping perks just for you. Join the Swirl network and not only can you grab a hold of a designer treat or two, you’ll earn $20 off of your scrumptious splurge between August 17 and September 7 when you use our exclusive promo code.
Be sure to pick up the September issue of Ebony Magazine to find the secret code on page 39 that will unlock savings at Swirl and more exciting shopping promotions going on all month long!
For some eye candy, check out Ebony’s beauty and style writer, Elaine Welteroth (above) as Swirl’s guest model in an Eze Sur Mur Enchanted Worker Chambray top in denim blue.
Happy shopping!
Queen Scouts the Next Top Female Emcees
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 18/08/10 at 01:08:37 pmBy Elaine Welteroth
It’s August 2010 on a sweltering Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn, NY. The crew is on a rooftop doing what Brooklynites do in the summertime – barbeque. The air is filled with the smell of grilled hot links, low murmurs and heads nodding to itunes when suddenly the party goers kick chill to the curb and throw their hands up. It’s U-N-I-T-Y.
Conversations stall as the familiar horns sound in the intro. Now the east coast is admittedly partial to anything that relegates itself to the origins of hip-hop. But I wondered, after all these years could this still be the anthem for Black folks everywhere?
Then it hit me. These weren’t the same verses we were fist bumping to back in the day. These were young voices, fresh perspectives – a re-mix? Yes. But as I dug for answers, I found that it represented something bigger. A movement? Maybe. (If you haven’t heard it yet, get a free download at http://www.covergirl.com/persona/winner/ .)
Just as the song had always sparked conversation about the state of blackness during any intimate gathering, this new rendition made us miss that bad-ass, strong, black, fierce female emcee. Where had she gone?
It’s a question Queen Latifah set out to find the answer to when she partnered with CoverGirl Queen to ignite a nationwide call to action for female poets, emcees and musicians alike to have their voices heard. Out of more than 600 entrants, Queen handpicked five talented artists and gave them a platform. The group of women she selected represent every shade of brown, every body type and age, from 15 – 30 something, with diverse musical roots ranging spoken word to the French horn.
Ebony sat down with the lucky winners of Queen’s Persona contest for an exclusive interview to talk hip-hop, the missing female emcee and what it was like getting the green light from Queen to record a new rendition of her classic hit. Here’s what they had to say:
What was it like meeting Queen?
Christel: Surreal.
Amber: It was like meeting a cousin. That’s the feeling she gives you. Before she even let us hug her she was like ‘hold up let me see what you all are wearing. Oh, girl you’re wearing that! Ok, now give me some love’ (she says imitating Queen).
Gina: She was very warm and down to earth. She brought that energy of sisterhood. She represented the purpose of this contest, which was to extend that olive branch to other female emcees who are trying to do our thing. So, it was all love.
How was it recording U-N-I-T-Y?
Amber: Totally historic. Nobody has touched U-N-I-T-Y at all. We were the first to re-make it.
Shea: We didn’t hear each other’s material but there was a common thread and it was really about sisterhood and just being you. It was really magical.
What’s missing from music today?
Shea: Content. We need more stuff, not fluff. We’d all love to hear something meaty that kids can take home and really think about.
Gina: Creativity. I often wonder when I listen to the radio whether these are songs people will still want to hear 20 years from now. It’s important to have a classic sound.
Are you the new Spice Girls of hip-hop?
Christel: There has only been one female rapper who made it to the top of the Billboard charts on her own without a group. So for me to be able to show strength on your own is highly important.
Amber: We are a movement, we represent Boston, LA, ATL, Jersey, Florida and we’re all on a mission. We work well together and that’s a great example for other female artists.
Gina: If you look at the Native Tongues where it’s an extended crew like The Jungle Brothers and De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest and Black Sheep there’s this sense of community and of family. Just like Queen Latifah and Naughty by Nature. When you have that history and that connection you can encourage each other musically but very much have your own identity.
How has winning this contest impacted your life?
Naakira: I’m just happy that I have the opportunity to show my talent to the world at 15.
What’s next?
Gina: I’m interested in doing writing workshops with imprisoned women and at youth detention centers because I feel like poetry and hip-hop and music is about finding your voice and being able to be heard in the world. I imagine that being incarcerated is the height of feeling voiceless without your freedom.
Christel: I like recording and making good music. Right now I’m working on a mix-tape with Cool and Dre. They’re doing something epic because and I’m really excited – I really have to bring it on this one.
Amber: Just continuing to brand myself. We don’t know the final details of where we’re gonna go with the Queen and CoverGirl camp but it has already set a platform. My phone rings so much now so I plan on using it as a platform that will open up so many more doorways.
Shea: Music for social change and artistic responsibility and giving back to the youth in volunteerism is a big part of what I foresee in my future. Also, getting instruments back in the hands of our youth. There was a time in history when black people played instruments. You had the Gap Band, you had Sly & The Family Stone…I think that’s a part of what I’d like to do on my mission.
Get Lala’s Glow
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 22/07/10 at 06:07:00 pmby Erica Lasan
It’s been six years in the making, but the day finally arrived. TV personality Lala Vasquez and Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, officially became man and wife in a gorgeous ceremony planned by Mindy Weiss. While we may not be able to tell you how to snag yourself a basketball player for a future husband, we can tell you how to get Lala’s wedding glow and complimenting looks thanks to some tips given to Ebony by her Wedding Glam Squad.
First things first: HAIR. Crystal Oliver, Lala’s Hairstylist du jour, explains how to get Lala’s Glam-Goddess curls.
First, smooth out her ends of your hair with smoothing hair dressing. Next I take medium sections and wrap the hair around a nickel sized curling iron, curling away from your face. Hold each section on curling rod for 6 seconds. After the full head is completely curled and cooled, run your fingers through the curls to blend the sections then set with holding spay.
Second things second: MAKEUP. Generally speaking, a natural face is a pretty face- What bride wants to look like a completely different person in their wedding photos? Lala managed to keep her look beautifully natural. Makeup artist Eric Ferrell gave us the scoop on some of the products he used to achieve Lala’s light and natural look.
1) MAC fast response eye cream
2) Proactive oil free moisturizer
3) Revlon photo ready liquid makeup
4) And to accentuate the happiness in her eyes- a new line of lashes called Ja’Maal Buster (who applied a pair just for her day).
Last, but not least: NAILS: Celebrity Manicurist Dawn Sterling shares how she managed to give the future Mrs. Anthony a natural manicure with a hint of shimmer.
“To achieve the look, start with a manicure and make sure you push your cuticles back using cuticle oil. Dehydrate the nail plate completely before applying nail lacquer. I applied a cream based pastel pink on her nail first then a coat of pastel pink with shimmer using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics as the top coat.”
Happy Beautifying!
photos: Wenn.com
Into it or Over it? The Red Carpet Review
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 30/06/10 at 01:06:57 amBy Elaine Welteroth
Like a big ol’ warm plate of left-overs, awards shows are always better the next day (or the day after that in this case). There are the post-show reactions that settle into dicey opinions, the conversations that incite steamy debates and – my personal fave – the always juicy red carpet reviews. Get ready to dig in to the mixed bag of haute-ness – and hot-messes – we saw on the strip.
Jada is taking the season’s hottest hair trend to another level of cool. Swept into a futuristic pompadour, her long braids read ’round the way meets rock ‘n’ roll. The red hot lip, peachy eye and bold brow topped off her oh-so-fashion-forward moment. And did you see that body? Go ‘head Jada! 40-something looks good on you.
Ashanti wowed the crowd in a stunning floor-length red gown paired with an updo that spelled sophistication. Looks like Jada isn’t the only one whose look gets better with time.
Ciara was overlooked for an award nomination this year but her red carpet standing stays on top. The lace-up detailing, gold accents and studded belt added a dose of glam rock edge to her signature soft curls that spill romantically down her back. The boots screamed fall – but then again who besides your mama still abides by those outdated seasonal fashion rules anyway?
Debra Lee has done much for the plight of black television (and she knows how to throw one helluva party!). But this year, we must admit that we weren’t in love with that pink, flowy (did someone say flamingo-inspired?) number. The color combo did nothing for her complexion. Though, the cut was rather flattering. What do you think? Hit or miss?
Chilli looked cute – in a paparazzi-caught-me-about-town kind of way. We get it; au naturale is her thing. And indeed it suits her well. But c’mon, a simple middle-part press and a pewter jumper hardly draw the kind of awe you aim for on the red carpet. We’d LOVE to get our hands on that cute little figure of hers to help her into something that plays up her full potential…we’re just sayin’.
Now, what say you?
Stay tuned for more red carpet reviews to whet your palate!
BET Awards: Ebony’s Most Memorable Moments
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 29/06/10 at 02:06:28 amBy Elaine Welteroth
Over the last decade, the BET Awards have become notorious for anything-goes conduct and a dress code that can be downright shameful. The 10th anniversary show however was a cut above the rest. Striking the right mix of glamour, emotion and that gotta-have good party vibe, BET finally got it right. Last night’s program was unequivocally a show to remember.
EBONY was on the grounds tweeting live from the Shrine Auditorium in LA where it all went down. Here’s our round-up of the top 5 moments we’re sure you’ll be talking about for years to come.
From U-N-I-T-Y Queen, to elegant Queen, to Just Wright Queen, the changing faces (and wardrobes) of this year’s host made the show that much more enjoyable.
Ebony’s July cover man received the Lifetime Achievement Award. There’s just no denying it – the artist known as Prince still reigns.
In front of hubby-to-be Swizz Beatz, God and everyone, Alicia mounted a grand piano to serenade Prince (did we mention she’s 5 months pregnant?). Now what could top that?
The queen of the stage kicked off her heels and put her foot in a riveting performance of “Purple Rain” that left Prince in tears. Here is Patti LaBelle just seconds before catchin’ the spirit.
“I let ya’ll down once, I promise I won’t do it again” – Chris Brown. Admit it. Whether Chris Breezy was able to dance his way back into your good graces or not, you felt for the brotha when he broke into tears during his performance of MJ’s hit “Man in the Mirror.” Judging from your re-tweets, Chris’ emotional comeback performance tops this year’s list of memorable moments from the BET Awards.
Photos courtesy of Valerie Goodloe exclusively for Ebony.
The BET Awards Take Over LA
Posted by elaine.ebonymag - 27/06/10 at 06:06:48 pmBy Elaine Welteroth
BET Awards weekend has officially kicked off in LA. The streets are buzzing with celebs and parties have been poppin’ since Thursday. On the eve of the biggest Black Awards show on TV, EBONY hit the scene to get a taste of the action. In case you weren’t following along on our live twitter trail @MyEbonyMagazine, here’s a recap of the day.
First stop: Celebrity Gifting Suite at the Shrine Auditorium where VIPs dropped in to fill a swag bag with cool new products. There was Mattel’s new collection of Black Barbie dolls, an all new line of alcohol serving Adult Chocolate Milk (made with 20 proof) and, of course, lots of bling. Rappers T.I., Lil Jon and Gucci Mane enjoyed checking out the EA Sports booth where they got to play hoop on NBA Elite, the latest rendition of the top-selling game NBA Jam. Soulja Boy and New Boyz, who’ve had beef in the past, went at it on the sticks for the prize of a custom-made PS3 gaming system.
Next up: Michael Jackson Tribute Event at the historic Beverly Hilton Hotel. New and old-school worlds collided to honor the legend one year after his passing. We spotted a member from 70’s quartet The Chi-lites flirting with cameras on the red carpet (still as smooth as he was back in the day!).
Then: With so much to do and so little time we had to high tail it to the Le Montrose Hotel on Sunset Blvd. where we sat down with the winners of Queen Latifah and CoverGirl’s national search for the next best female hip-hop artists. Stay tuned to hear what these 5 amazingly talented and beautiful women had to say about what’s missing from music today and what it was like to be hand-selected by Queen to re-record her classic hit U-N-I-T-Y.
Meanwhile: Diddy threw a Sean John Pre-Awards Block Party nearby at his pop-up shop on Sunset hosted by Rick Ross and Terrence J. Afterwards, Black Hollywood insiders headed to Jamie Foxx’s home in Calabasas for a pool party to celebrate Drake’s 3 BET Awards nominations. Eva Marcille, The Wayans Bros. and Teyana Taylor showed up but didn’t take a dip.
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