We already talked about how celebrities took over the catwalk during New York Fashion Week, and you know Paris Fashion Week would not be upstaged! (Paris is the better Fashion Week anyway, but I digress...).



Where NYFW showed thin celebs (Jaslene Gonzalez at Laquan Smith, Cassie at Laquan Smith) and sometimes curvy stars (Amber Rose at Indashio, Beyonce at Tom Ford, Serena Williams at Laquan Smith, model Crystal Renn at Z Spoke by Zac Posen), Paris brought out plus-size phenom, Beth Ditto, at the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 show. Wow - now that's a statement!



The beloved lead singer of Gossip and designer who pens an amazing line for Evans (that I recommend for any full-figured Glamazon with style!) stormed the catwalk in a laser-cut silver dress adorned with strips.



The rest of the collection was just as bold. Gaultier showed biker jackets, palm-print dresses, nautical patterns, lingerie and accordion pleats that were bursting with personality! A metal breastplate even made its way down the runway. If that's not funky and futuristic enough for you, how about attendees were given 3-D glasses for viewing the runway show?



While several publications cite that "it was all over the place," one constant was rockstar wigs inspired by icon, Joan Jett (below).

 Here's Joan Smalls working the look. HOT!

Another motif that tied it all together was the resounding, all-encompassing message: live out loud. The collection is for daring, outrageous fashionistas who bask in the spotlight...kind of like Beth Ditto, who walked the runway at the finale performing a capella. Yes, Jean Paul Gaultier put on a show!



Check out the line below, also modeled by Crystal Renn, Anja Rubik, Coco Rocha, Karlie Kloss, Sessilee Lopez, Joan Smalls and more. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kisses,

Coutura 

 

Hey Glamazons! Boy, have I got some exciting news for you beauty gals! Not only is makeup artist extraordinaire Bobbi Brown launching a new book called Beauty Rules, but she's also holding a live Q&A today on Twitter between noon and 1 p.m. to talk about it and any other beauty related questions you may have. Just follow @AskBobbiBrown and tweet your beauty questions. Be sure to add #beautyrules at the end of your tweets so she'll know to answer you back. (And please do tell her The Glamazons sent you! hahaha)

Now, I know Beauty Rules ($24.95) was created for the teenage girls, but it's chock full of fab beauty tips that I'm pretty sure will work for women that are still in their 20's as well. (The 30's and above maybe not so much.) Why even bother writing a book specifically targeted towards a bunch of little girls when it seems that mostly grown women use your makeup anyways?! Well, luckily Bobbi was smart enough to round up a gaggle of us beauty bloggers to explain everything. (That's her above explaining everything to us.)

It turns out that about 10 years ago, Bobbi launched her first beauty book called Teenage Beauty so it only makes sense that she publish an all new beauty bible for them...especially since there are so many new things out there (hello Facebook!) as well as many new pressures for young girls when it comes to trying to maintain your prettiness (I mean, you've seen the movie Mean Girls, right?!)

Cutely clad in a classic black sweater, black skirt and her iconic glasses, Bobbi told us that growing up she always felt "too short, too different and much too brunette" and the only female idol she had was Barbie. "And Barbie is not the correct idol for little girls," she told us.

Bobbi then began to experiment with makeup and voila! The beginnings of a makeup maven were made. Now, she isn't telling young girls to go out there and put on a ton of makeup and comb their hair certain ways. This book is all about empowerment and she offers great ideas on how to get fresh, healthy skin, pretty hair and makeup. (See! This is why it still works for us young adults, too!)

While some of her makeup tip scenarios aren't really realistic for older women (i.e. how to take a great yearbook photo) there are some that are such as nailing job interviews. Bobbi reached out to actress Hilary Duff to write the foreward to the book (one young lady who didn't turn into a train wreck like Lindsay Lohan despite growing up in the limelight). She also features pictures and tips from other high-profile beauties such as model Coco Rocha and singer Kat DeLuna (who has the cutest little freckles all over her face!)

And (here's the best part!): she even created a cute little limited edition 'Beauty Rules' makeup palette ($45) that contains everything a girl (or woman such as myself) would need for on-the-go touch up. It has four eyeshadows, two Pot Rouge's, 2 lip glosses, a glitter lip balm and even a mini Creamy Eye Pencil in Jet.

Hope you guys have fun tweeting with Bobbi (she is pretty funny!) and let us know how it goes.Also, be sure to check out Beauty Rules the book and makeup palette and let us know what you think of it!

xo

Ferocia

BCBGMaxAzria is always one of the first shows during New York Fashion Week, and as such, it sets the tone.



With young, chic starlets who will no doubt be wearing the dresses soon in the front row (Kelly Rowland, Coco Rocha and Ashlee Simpson), designer Max Azria showed a cohesive, wearable collection of lightweight dresses made for easy summer days and nights.





The aesthetic was decidedly understated and minimalist with fluid silhouettes and breezy shapes reigning supreme. While the show seemed rooted in neutrals (nudes, beiges, etc.) and whites (The Classic LWD) in the beginning, toward the end of the runway punchy pinks and rich oranges made a bolder statement.

The longer dresses were just as clean and chic, with touches of lace or sheer skirts adding renewed interest. The beauty look was equally subtle: bare makeup and sleek ponytails that emphasize natural, effortless beauty.

Very elegant and simplistic, the dresses weren't without a touch of modernity that will please BCBGMaxAzria's more trendy fans like Kristin Cavallari, Kelly Rowland and Solange Knowles. Lace details, sheer flutter sleeves, soft ruffles, criss-cross color-blocking, wrap stiletto sandals and one-shoulder necklines were youthful, fashion-conscious touches that brought the collection its cool factor. And we can't forget those dangerously short hemlines which highlight the one fashion rule that never changes: legs are always in style.

Without a doubt, BCBGMaxAzria will again provide the Spring wardrobe stables for young, fashionable women across the globe. I've got my eye on this vibrant pink frock, which dress do you love the most?



Kisses,



Coutura

One thing Ferocia and I don't get tired of reporting? Fashion for a cause. Nine West is the latest brand to exercise compassion in fashion with their Runway Relief initiative.





The project will raise funds and awareness for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a cause close to my heart as I have one aunt who is a breast cancer survivor and have lost another to the disease. The concept is just as great as the cause.





Participating models were asked to wear the limited-edition Nine West Runway Relief boot, which has an Omron GOSmart Pocket Pedometer (HJ-303) that tracks how many steps each model takes while going from casting to fittings to shows during New York Fashion Week. That's a lot of steps, people (especially for Coco Rocha and Jessica White!).

Each mile will equal a $10 donation to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Don't you just love it?









Last week, famed photographer and CW's America's Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker, hosted a live photoshoot where he shot Coco Rocha, Jessica White, Michelle Alves and more for the initiative. 

As you can see, the photos are just fabulous (love Coco!).

The boot isn't just for models though --- a limited supply of the Runway Relief boot (which costs $199) is available NOW for Nine West Facebook fans exclusively.



Cheers to Nine West for stepping up in the fight against breast cancer. Here's to finding a cure!



Kisses,





Coutura

Hey Glamazons!



When a stunning garment, the perfect model and beautiful lighting come together, it's like magic. All the editors, stylists and celebrities live for that rare Fashion Week moment. The Arise Fall 2010 show was full of them.



The show that featured Grace Jones on the catwalk in its debut season (a moment I will never forget!) brought out the most powerful names in Fashion on Saturday evening. Featuring three up-and-coming African brands, Black Coffee, Deola Sagoe and Loin Cloth and Ashes, the event was hosted by Arise Magazine, the first global style and culture magazine to celebrate African achievement (Please do yourself a favor and subscribe. It's one of my favorite books).



In the third row with my girlfriends (see pic below), I sat directly across from legendary supermodels, Liya Kebede, Coco Rocha and Veronica Webb. To the left of me sat the Holy Trinity of African-Americans in Fashion: June Ambrose, Harriet Cole and Bethann Hardison. You could feel the beauty and power in the room before the show even started.

The Glamazons and Elaine from "Meeting in the Ladies Room"

Me, Beautylicious of Suite Suede and Sandrine of LDVAG in the third row

When the show finally began, the energy in the air was palpable.The lights dimmed and a hush fell over the elite crowd. The models were preceded by a lighted display of leaves against the wall. With light African-themed music playing in the background, the models stepped on the runway one-by-one with only their silhouette peeking through the light.



A sole spotlight hit the catwalk and the models, including the beautiful Chanel Iman, began to walk, wearing South African brand, Black Coffee. Taking inspiration from Pablo Picasso's reinterpretation of African masks, designers Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen presented a line of flesh tone cocoon-shaped coats, structured shoulders in architectural shapes and fluid dresses in soft, mint green colors.

The second collection was presented by Tanzanian designer, Anisa Mpungwe, of the brand, Loin Cloth and Ashes. Inspired by her father's hometown of Ifakara, Mpungwe's collection was a melange of body-skimming dresses, billowy pants and flowing skirts, energized with touches of metallic gold, electric blue and sharp stripes.

And last but not least, I discovered one of my two new 'It' designers of Fashion Week (the other is Laquan Smith, more on him later!): Deola Sagoe. Hailing from Nigeria, the beautiful designer showed her collection of bodycon dresses, slim pants and military-inspired jackets with metallic, embroidered and lace flourishes. Inspired by East African Maasai warriors and 18th century European military uniforms, the looks were sharp, valiant, sassy and strong.



And who better to model that look than my favorite, Sessilee Lopez? Leading the army of models, Lopez stormed the catwalk with the fiercest strut ever (Rae Holiday of Stuff Fly People Like remarked, "Sessilee walked off the runway and took the show with her!"). Each model followed her lead and enraptured the audience, who applauded after every look. At the close of the show, designer Deola Sagoe walked out to a standing ovation from the crowd.

The designer, Deola Sagoe, walking out at the end of the show.

While mingling in the Tents after the show, I ran into the one-and-only, fabulous stylist du jour, June Ambrose! She turned the hallway outside into a catwalk, serving up the most ferocious runway walk while a crowd of bloggers cheered her on. Midway through, she stopped and posed for my pic like a pro. See why The Glamazons love her? Such a fun night!

What do you think of the Arise Fall 2010 designers? Who is your new favorite designer?



Kisses,



Coutura