Anybody remember when I met Kandi Burruss of Real Housewives of Atlanta at The Magazine? Well, back then, she had just started the show and we (her, Ferocia, Magazine staffers and I) chatted about everything from her songwriting (TLC's No Scrubs is a favorite) to her Mom's disapproval of her late fiancee A.J. to her beef with Nene. Now, she's back for a new season of the hit show and a new album with a fresh, positive outlook on life.

And can I add that her album is glaaamazing! I heard it for the first time last night at her album signing at Carol's Daughter in Harlem. Her voice should be a national treasure the way she hits high notes. I've been playing the intro nonstop where she does vocal acrobatics with expert ease (Kim, pay attention!). The lyrics are beautifully-written and sung with pure, raw emotion that any woman can relate to. Along with Kanye's latest classic, Kandi Koated will be dominating my iPod for months to come.

Along with a stellar new album, Kandi opened up to me about her hair secrets, her popular Atlanta boutique Tags and why she continues to put effort into Kim's controversial singing career.

Watch the video of our interview at Carol's Daughter here:









Make sure you pick up her new album, Kandi Koated. You will thank me! (And if you already have it, tell me what song is your favorite in the comments section.)

Here's hoping she invites The Glamazons on Kandi-Koated nights next, LOL.





Kisses,



Coutura

Hey Glamazons,Kandi Burress from Bravo's Real Housewives Of Atlanta officially opened her clothing and accessories boutique TAGS this week. Located in Smyrna's West Village, the boutique, which she owns with friend Peaches Chin, will feature "luxury for less" pieces, ranging from dresses to coats to trendy tees, for under $100.Kandi shared with The Glamazons early October that the TAGline would be "Pop Bottles. Pop Cherries. Pop Tags." Adore it, and Kandi is sure Atlanta's many style mavens will too. “Atlanta is a fashion town. Anybody who loves fashion will love this store!" Kandi has said.Check out pictures from this week's opening party, where Kandi celebrated the launch alongside her former RHOA castmates, Dwight Eubanks, Lisa Wu-Hartwell and Kim Zolciak (Mrs. Nene Leakes was nowhere to be found). She even said she'd be open to sell Lisa's line, Closet Freak, and Sheree's She by Sheree at her store. If she has any sense, she'll be playing Kim's "Tardy for the Party," from the speakers too. We love that song at the Glamazons (and are not ashamed; the production was great!).Tell me what you think about the clothes below. Will you shop at Kandi's new boutique?Kisses,CouturaPhotos: theybf.com.

While some people were dressing in costumes long before October 31st (two words: Lady Gaga), most of us saved our theatrical ensembles for Halloween night. We asked you via Twitter to send in the sexiest, wackiest, craziest costumes you saw (or wore) Saturday night and we loved what you sent in!

Take a look at our roundup of Street Glam costumes and hilarious Halloween pics from our favorite celebs. Scary has never been sexier!

(Check out Ferocia and my Halloween costumes! Guess who we were ;-)

And some of our celeb favorites...

Beyonce

Rihanna

Angela Simmons and boyfriend Skillz

Teyana Taylor and friends

The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kim Zolciak, Lisa Wu and Kandi Burress

Ahahaa, Kandi from Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta twitpic'd this picture of three guys that dressed up as her, Nene and Kim. I'm dying!

Kisses,

Coutura

Hey Glamazons!

Sorry, I didn't blog yesterday. I have truly been the walking dead (in Louboutin heels...so the wobbling dead) for the last three days.

I literally pulled myself out of bed to see the New York debut of She by Sheree, Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Sheree Whitfield's collection, on Sunday. Despite only having three hours of sleep the night before, I had to drag myself there to see what all the fuss was about. I arrived at the Red Bull Space at 10am for our interview where the publicist offered me Red Bull (Did I look that bad?!!) Two and half hours later, Sheree arrived un-fashionably late. Side-eye.

To be honest, she may have been better off with just sketches of her clothing line. The designs were uninspired and the quality was lacking. That's not to say the corsets, minidresses, jumpsuits, sheaths, blouses and wideleg pants won't have success on the market; there are certainly young, trendy women who will proudly rock Sheree's designs to the club in Atlanta. But Bloomingdales and other high-end boutiques? They would surely close the store before selling an ill-fitting pencil skirt with an unfinished hem.

I am always supportive of people pursuing their dreams and am happy to see Sheree succeed (especially after watching the previous two seasons of the Real Housewives of Atlanta where she fought with her seamstress and event planner). But I have to say it is a smack in the face to fashion students and apprentices at established design houses who dream of starting their own line, that a reality star, with no experience or remarkable talent, can show at Fashion Week. I think celebrity has trumped talent in yet another industry (other corrupted industries: modeling, acting, beauty business, I could go on).

While I feel the collection left much to be desired, Sheree, who cited Zac Posen as one of her favorite designers, said the line has been well-received by "New York City and the fashion community." The inspiration behind her popular line? "The calla lily, my favorite flower," she said. "It's strong, bold and sexy and can stand alone. Like me." Sheree definitely stood alone in a She by Sheree Amish-meets-Morticia dress and Pierre Hardy booties.

The crowd, who came out in their Sunday's best and most elaborate hairstyles, brought the high-end glitz and glamour to the event. Sheree's hairstylist, for instance, proudly modeled his Michael Kors shorts, Manolo Blahnik over-the-knee boots and a Birkins bag. "You know what the bag is giving!" he told me.

Another divo modeled his vintage glasses and a fierce, freshly permed haircut and quite frankly, his hairstyle was more exciting than the collection.

Among the fashionista/os in the crowd, we spotted Briana Bigham of BET's Harlem Heights. Noticeably absent, however, were Sheree's Real Housewives of Atlanta castmates. When asked if she thought her collection outshone "Closet Freak," the latest line from Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Lisa Wu-Hartwell, Sheree simply asked that the audience be the judge. So Glamazons, what's the verdict? Do you love the collection? Would you wear it?

Kisses,

Coutura

Glamazons,I'm calling in a S.O.S.! When I first heard She by Sheree was presenting at Fashion Week, I have to admit I was slightly perturbed. Fashion Week is notoriously elite and a drama-loving, reality star turned designer is as mainstream as it gets. Background info for the non-Bravo watcher: She by Sheree is the brain-child of reality diva, Sheree Whitfield, from Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta. The problem---besides her obvious lack of experience---is that her first foray into fashion went famously awry on Season 1. After receiving poorly-crafted samples from her seamstress days before the debut of "She by Sheree," Sheree was forced to hold a "fashion show with no fashions," just sketches. I'm hoping her Fashion Week presentation fares better.But even She by Sheree's presentation is acceptable compared to Pamela Anderson's. Yes, people, Pamela Anderson is showing her new collection, "MUSE," during Fashion Week. It hurts to even type that. Seriously, what qualifies celebrities without an ounce of fashion work experience to design and show during Fashion Week? Especially when there are so many bright-eyed, hard-working FIT/Parsons students who would give their left lung for a chance to participate in Fashion Week.Pamela Anderson's MUSE does have some redeeming qualities that should not go ignored. The most important factor is that MUSE is a collaboration with Richie Rich (formerly of Heatherette), who is, for all intents and purposes, the love of my life (see our pic below). Their fondness for each other was evident at his Spring 2009 show, which I had the pleasure of attending, where she worked the catwalk in a hot, gold one-piece number from his first solo collection. Richie Rich spoke to New York Times Fashion about their past collaborations: “A few years ago in Vegas, she had a T-shirt line, so I styled her show. She sent me to Michael’s, a craft store, in a limousine, and she was like, ‘Doll up my line!’ And I did. Glitter, pom-poms, you name it.” Well, there's nothing wrong with a little glitter. With Richie Rich on board, there's hope for Pamela Anderson's line.

The Glamazons LOVE Richie Rich

The second factor that really sets her line apart is that it's an eco- and animal-friendly collection, which is an amazing, and commendable, feat. Not quite worthy of presenting at Fashion Week, but commendable nonetheless. What do you think? Are Pamela Anderson and Sheree qualified to design and present at NYFW? Is it unfair to other up-and-coming designers who have experience and education in the field? Is their participation in NYFW acceptable as long as they collaborate with established designers? Are you excited (for the right reasons) to see either of their shows? Discuss.Check out She by Sheree's collection below:Yawn.Kisses,CouturaPhotos: ybf.com. Starpulse.com.

Okay, so if you have the discipline to wait until the full reunion show airs tomorrow, DON'T press play!But if you can't get enough of the foolish, you're-embarassing-the-family-on-national-TV ignorance that is Real Housewives of Atlanta, then enjoy!I'll be having a reunion get-together tomorrow night with my girlfriends to watch the war between Nene "Are you my daddy?" Leakes (who has a fan in...Anderson Cooper?) and "29-year old," Kim, the chain-smoking country singer. From the previews, Nene looks like she's going to read her, write her, erase her and then put her back in the library for someone else to read her. I can't wait! The next morning, I will be wasting precious office time to discuss a play-by-play recap of the events with my co-workers. And I'll do this all, shamelessly.P.S. Bravo, thanks for the sneak peek. Now, can you give hairstylist extraordinaire Dwight Eubanks his own show for giving us the soundbites of the season: 'A fashion show with no fashion? How dreadful.' and 'Don't I look good for 50? My secret? Sex three times a day.' Ahh, and the list goes on...

Tell us what team you're on: Team Nene/Lisa or Team Kim/Sheree. Or if you're busy watching more important TV like the news on CNN and don't understand what the fuss is, you can sound off here too.

Kisses,

Coutura

Video: Bravotv.com.