A Diva State of Mind

It’s one thing to coat your car interior with designer labels like Louis Vuitton, but Christian Dior has taken branding to a whole new level!! ‘”Dior Eyes” have gilded edging and the iconic couturier’s CD monogram in the lower corner.’  The contact lenses sell for $145 in the European market and come with a luxury case. 

Now I know people love designer labels and already have them in random places, but this is a hot mess.  Would someone really wear designer contact lenses? Warning to my friends, please don’t let me ever catch you wearing designer contacts.  We’re too old and classy for that. 

Color contact lenses when out of style years ago; to think these color designer contacts are going to be hot is a stretch but I have a feeling other designer may try to follow in Christian Dior’s footsteps.  I’m even more interested to see which celebrity is going to try and make this a popular fashion trend. I wonder which rapper will be the first? hmmm…..

Which one of you would try these? It’s ok, you can admit it. I won’t judge!

Source: Clutch Magazine

To view all pieces, check out www.violetbloomuniqueaccessories.com. If you’re in the DC area, you can also visit the ladies behind VBUA at The Funky Flea Market located at 6th & Neal Street NE Washington, DC 20002. M – F 9am to 5pm by appointment only, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Five years ago, Reggie Black was studying abroad in South Africa.  While overseas, he also worked for an urban store.  While working at the urban store, Black realized hat last thing he wanted to do was work anyone except himself.  From that realization, BLACK Collection was born.

BLACK Collection was born in 2005 in Washington, DC by Reggie Black and Dylan Chase.  The BLACK Collection is a small line; Black calls it exclusive. “BLACK Collection is for the “Individual” that has unique style; uses fashion as their method of personal expression and will not tolerate resembling others.”

The line currently features 11 pieces, made up of track jackets, tees and intimates.  The collection pieces are simple.  As Black says, “Less is best.”  The clothing is unisex, so all pieces can be worn by both men and women.

While the line enters its 5^th year, it hasn’t moved as fast as Black would like, but that isn’t discouraging him. “It’s a beautiful struggle,” he says. “I stay humble and continue to work. I always try to produce better pieces than what I’ve done in the past.”

What does the future hold for the BLACK Collection? Black does plan to expand outside of tees and track jackets. And as long as he continues to stay humble, grind, and network, the BLACK Collection has a great future ahead!

To check out the entire BLACK Collection, visit www.blkcollection.com.  You can also follow the collection and Reggie Black on twitter @BLACKCollection & @iamreggieblack

H&M is doing their part in the fight against AIDS/HIV.  This year marks the third year H&M and Designers Against AIDS are running Fashion Against AIDS.  H&M has released a festival fashion collection that will raise money to create awareness about HIV/AIDS while offering stylish clothes for customers.  The collection includes clothes, accessories, tents and sleeping bags; the essentials for the music festival season.

According to the Fashion Against AIDS website, Designers Against AIDS (DAA) initiated this project and the idea of this collection. H&M’s combined effort with DAA, Fashion Against AIDS (FAA) will support projects to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS among youth.  Each purchase from H&M’s festival collection has a direct impact on AIDS prevention. 25% of the sales price goes to HIV/AIDS prevention projects for youth all over the world carried out by DAA, YouthAIDS, UNFPA and MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the festival collection:

I love combining fashion with charity!! I commend H&M for supporting a great cause.  As a resident of the DMV, HIV/AIDS is an serious epidemic facing our community.  Unfortunately, for now, the collection is only being sold in 7 stores located in California, Chicago and NYC, so if anyone is visiting those areas this summer, stop by H&M and purchase an item from the festival collection.  You’ll not only look good, but support a great cause at the same time!

To learn more about Fashion Against AIDS and the festival collection, visit http://www.fashionagainstaids.com

I attended The Collective last week, a fashion event that highlighted fashion designer Marc C and DMVntage, a vintage boutique owned by Lynice Williams.  Before the event, I never heard of DMVntage, so it was a pleasure to talk to Lynice and learn more.  

Daring. Innovative. Classic. Animalistic. Fun.  Those are the five words Marc Clark would use to describe his collection Marcc.  Born and raised in PG County, MD, Marc is turning heads in the fashion industry.  Known for his bowtie brooches and fenced glasses, worn by celebrities Rihanna, Estelle and many others, Marc is catching the attention of the biggest trendsetters in fashion and entertainment.

Marc has always been into fashion.  He started off directing high school fashion shows and is the founder of the Catwalk Classic, a high school fashion show competition in Prince Georges County.  He has over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry which include managing retail stores and directing fashion shows and events.

I had the pleasure of talking to Marc last week at The Collective, a fashion event at Policy, that featured his collection.

ADSOM: What is the inspiration behind your bowtie brooches and fenced glasses?

Marc: Everything. Being here at this event is providing inspiration.  Every aspect of life and everything I encounter inspires me.

ADSOM:  Who are some of your favorite designers?

Marc:Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld and Jeremy Scott

ADSOM: What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers?

Marc: I would advise aspiring designers to stay persistent and motivated.  Stay focused and true to your brand and know your target market and audience.  Above all else, network your ass off!!

ADSOM: How would you describe your personal style?

Marc: I would describe my style as daring.  My style reflects my mood at the time.  How I feel that day reflects how I dress.

ADSOM:  Where do you see the Marcc line going in the future?

Marc: The collection is always evolving.  Last year, I only had 1 bowtie and this year I have a line of bowties, glasses and foxtails.  I plan on launching a kids line and turning Marcc into a lifestyle brand that will feature clothing and accessories.

To check out the entire Marcc collection visit www.marcclark.com .

Follow designer Marc C on twitter @TheRealMarcC and on Facebook

I have seen the Jimmy Choo shaded exotic snake multi strap platform sandals in various magazines, so I decided to go to the website and check them out for myself. While drooling over the Spring/Summer 10 collection, I checked out the Pre Fall 10 Collection as well. In the words of Rachel Zoe, “I DIED.”

You’ll stand out in the crowd with a pair of heels from the Pre Fall 10 Collection.  Jimmy Choo is definitely a must have for any DIVA looking to make a fashion statement. And ladies we all know, you can’t go wrong with a BAAAADDDD pair of heels!!!

Pre Fall 10 Collection

To check out the entire Pre Fall 10 Collection, visit www.jimmychoo.com

Clockwise Clothing started shipping orders from the MMX2010 Collection on Tuesday and and if you haven’t already placed an order, don’t wait any longer.  I’ll admit, I haven’t placed my order YET (I’ll take care of that this week), but I do love the “audacious and energetic feel of Washington D.C’s hip outspoken culture” that is featured on each shirt “by using bold and expressive statements.”
 
My new favorite tee is “Just Sayin.” Those who know me know that has become a common phrase of mine both spoken and written in the blog!  Check out the Spring Catalog below.  Ladies, please check out the newest tee to the mix “Over It.” See the description below to understand why we all should love this one. I might have to purchase this one as a gift for some female friends of mine…

 
Breaking up is normal. Love sucks. Yes, we know. Clear your mind of his face, his kisses, his touch and his scent. This tee reflects the attitudes of many women that have experienced a “bad breakup”. To those that were completely dissatisfied, lied to, fed up, or simply “tired of the same old bullshit” - Enjoy! 

A term coined by many to use at the end of something insulting or offensive to take the heat off you when you say it.  Frequent usage of this saying can spread its use like a highly aggressive plague, eventually saturating almost all conversations, particularly on the internet. Clockwise puts in work. Just Sayin’

Check out the Spring 2010 Catalog at http://issuu.com/clockwiseclothing/docs/2010 featuring both men and women’s tees.
 
To place an order visit www.clockwiseclothing.com promo code: CWPRO

To call the Laureluxe collection a collection of statement pieces would be an understatement to describe this jewelry collection.  When you shop Laureluxe Metal Couture & Jewelry, you’ll not only find silver and gold necklaces, rings and earrings, you can also find dresses, hoodies and even bras.  The collection also includes leg jewelry (something I’ve never seen before).  The accessories are  described as edgy, chic metal couture designed from recycled aluminum geometric shapes.

 While most of the over-the-top pieces are not appropriate for the work place, you can definitely be bold and wear them during a night out on the town.  You’ll definitely turn heads, make a statement and you may even become the center of attention. Now who wouldn’t want that?!

If you’re going to make a bold move and wear these pieces, be sure to wear them over a black canvas.  The jewelry speaks for itself, so adding any other color just isn’t necessary.

 To check out the entire Laureluxe collection, visit www.laureluxe.com.  They have a men’s line too lol

From Clutch Magazine:

Plus-size retailer, Lane Bryant says ABC and Fox didn’t want to air the label’s new Cacique line of lingerie.

Lane Bryant took to their “Inside Curve” blog complaining that “ABC and Fox have made the decision to define beauty for you by denying our new, groundbreaking Cacique commercial from airing freely on their networks.”

The brand alleges ABC restricted their airtime and refused to air the spot during “Dancing with the Stars”. Although Fox News calls out ABC on it’s restrictions, Lane Bryant says Fox “demanded excessive re-edits ad rebuffed it three times before relenting to air it during the final 10 minutes of “American Idol”, but only after we (Lane Bryant) threatened to pull the ad buy.”

The retailer calls to question the racy Victoria Secret ads both networks air regularly asking “does this smack of a double standard?”