Obsessions of the Day: My List of Birthday Favorites

Every day, I send you these lovely daily obsessions of little things that make my heart go pitter-patter. In honor of my birthday today, I thought I would give you a list of obsessions that would make my heart skip a beat. Here are my new obsessions in no particular order but with equal admiration:

The beauty floor at Bergdorf Goodman - This is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see, beauty addicts. It's sincerely one of the best curated collections of cosmetics, skincare and fragrance you will ever come across in an environment that is elegant and easy to navigate. When in NYC, it's a landmark experience that you will never forget. It's one of my favorite places in the entire city.

Fenton/Fallon For J. Crew - Every single item of jewelry in this collection is sheer perfection. This is a great way to pick up jewelry designer Dana Lorenz' pieces at a fraction of what her original pieces cost. I need everything single thing that she does and this diffusion line is no exception. This fringe cuff bracelet is $115. Buy it and wear it with everything.

Hanes Men's Undershirts - I adore T by Alexander Wang but not everyone can drop that kind of coin on a T-shirt on a regular basis. These soft, durable and sexy tees are a staple in my wardrobe and I purchase packs of them at a time in the tank and tee versions. I take them home with boxes of dye and change the colors, cut the necks, resew the sleeves, add chains and ribbons. Most of the tees I own I've made myself.

Levi's Denim - If you look in my closet, you will see a vast array of jeans, but you'll see quite a number of Levi's denim jeans in varying silhouettes and washes. I discovered 501's in high school and I've been a fan ever since. They always make me look my best and I'm a huge, unwaivering fan. I just wore my beloved pair of Levi's Demi Curve Skinnies in Nickel Grey ($59.50) last night.

Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet - If you read this site, you know that I'm completely obsessed with her fabulous party-worthy clothes. My goal at some point is to purchase at least one piece a month, like her "Jasmine" Bustier Dress ($495).

ADAM Ostrich Feather Skirt ($595) - This came blowing down the runway on the model and it took my breath away. Where oh where has this skirt been my entire life? Silken easy V-neck tee, a glittering arm full of bangles and some dangerously strappy shoes will complete a look that says EVERY DAY is my birthday.

Brian Atwood Shoes - All of us pledge our allegiance to a shoe designer at some point in our lives. Although I do adore my Diors, I have a particular passion for all things Brian Atwood, like these stunning "Loca" Studded Pumps ($800) that you can see in all their glory in the Sex and the City sequel out now (toward the end in Abu Dhabi when Carrie shows a little leg.)

Rick Owens - I bow to the high priest of goth tailoring and there isn't a fashion lover worth her salt that doesn't covet one of his mind-blowing leather jackets. Most women purchase a major designer bag to designate that they've made it. My money will be spent on a Rick Owens Organza-Trim Biker Jacket ($2,010.)

My Amazon Wish List - Most of us update them about once a month. I update mine about once every other day and it's filled with a fashion library I would kill for, movies I adore and other objects I desire, like this fabulous Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) ($499.)

These are just a few on the top of many, many designers that have inspired me. I adore fashion, I love style and I am a sincere disciple of beauty. May this list inspire your own fashion fantasies and may all of you get everything you desire for your birthdays and every day.

Style Icon: Pat Benatar

 Image: Rolling Stone

I had three major style influences as a child: female rockers, female soul singers and my mother. Exposed to rock and roll early on (thanks, Mom!), I developed what can only be described as a style crush on Pat Benatar. Tough as nails with her mezzo-soprano vocal range, she was kind of my rocker girl hero. I bought every album, CD, poster and magazine interview this rock dynamo put out there. Pat, a Julliard-trained singer, is one of the top-selling female artists of all-time and one of 80's top recipients of platinum records with two certified multiplatinum albums, five platinum albums, three gold albums and nineteen Top 40 singles to her credit. Let's face it: the chick can rock.

Pat's style evolved through the 70's and 80's, but her Parisian rocker look is still my favorite. Variations of this look are still seen in downtown clubs to this day. Reinterpret the look for now with a Forever 21 Striped Short-Sleeve Top ($12.80), True Religion "Billy" Leather Pants ($594) and instead of ankle boots, let's throw in these Rock and Republic "Lotus" Platform Pumps ($295). I'm sure Pat would approve. Thin gold hoops, a badass sooty eye and you're running with the shadows of the night.



In honor of this week's style icon, turn up your speakers (or put on the headphones) to rock out to 'You Better Run', one of my personal favorites and the inspiration for this tres cool look. Pat Benatar, thanks for showing all of us that we're truly as bad as we wanna be, that we're invincible.

New York Fashion Week: Maladrino Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Before The Show: I happened to be upstairs covering the beauty look, so all I had to do was go downstairs. The line was a tad cramped due to the smaller venue but once we were able to go inside (which was pretty quickly), we were treated to an installation presentation where all the models stood on pedestals above the crowd and those invited could walk from look to look and view the collection up close.

Overhead In the Crowd: There were quite a few celebrities at the presentation: Kate Walsh and Whitney Port walked in right behind me. Most of the whispering was basically, "Is that Kate Walsh? Is that Whitney Port?" Yes, people. Keep it moving.

The Collection: Entitled "Khan", the Mongolian-inspired collection was absolutely awe-inspiring with oversized textured leather coats with goat hair embellishment, chunky metal and stone jewelry and sexy draped dresses. I became personally obsessed with a pair of textured skinny leather leggings.

The look was designed for the urban warrior and was impossibly chic. It was glamorous and extremely well-constructed. The accessories were also extraordinary, with amazing crossbody leather bags, gorgeous leather gloves and embellished belts.

Trend Spotting: More leather, more fur, sumptuous textures. It also looks like long leather gloves are extremely key.

Overall Impression: Stunning, amazing and perfect for red carpet and cosmopolitan chic living. I would definitely call Maladrino's collection a success for the designer and I would suggest you start planning which amazing piece you'll be adding to your own wardrobe. I have dibs on the leather leggings, though.

New York Fashion Week: Mackage Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Before The Show: Backstage at Mackage began at the bright hour of 7 am. I arrived at 8 am for a look at the beauty look, which I’ll cover in another post but I had a chance to interview the designers for Mackage, Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan, briefly before the beginning of the show about their first full ready-to-wear collection. Here’s what they had to say:




Overhead In the Crowd: This wasn’t actually from the crowd but from backstage. Some really obnoxious journalist was badgering my friend Heather, who happened to be the fabulous PR rep in charge of safeguarding backstage access. After attempting to charm her with the offer that “he looks good on camera” and “I’ll take you to dinner, baby. You have no idea how cute I can be,” (ew, I know, right?), she let me backstage for my interview with the designers. Gross Boy says, “What? What’s she that I’m not that she gets to go back there and interview them.” Heather says, “Approved. She’s APPROVED.” Sigh. Heather K. from Tractenberg and Co.,  I just adore you.

 All photos from runway show provided by Getty Images

The Collection: Anyone who is a fan of Mackage’s gorgeous outerwear will not be disappointed with their genius first RTW collection. The vibe of the runway for men’s and women’s was a mixture of prep school tailoring and rocker glam (think if you went to boarding school with Mick Jagger’s kids). Beautifully tailored clothes with a dash of attitude, this is clothing  for people who love well-cut clothing with urban edge: leather shorts, leather pyramid studs details on  everything from ankle-length wool pants to all manner of gloves, bomber jackets with oversized fur trim collars. The accessories were also key here: gloves in driving to elbow length were shown on multiple looks.

Trend Spotting: Fur and leather were big in the collection. Gorgeous, lovely, well-cut and beautifully presented. Also big were the gloves I’ve mentioned and it appears that over-the-knee boots show no sign of going anywhere if Mackage has anything to say about it. Which, I hope they do because I love the trend as well.

Overall Impression: It was a gorgeous first-time full collection and as a fan of Mackage, I was not disappointed.  I wanted every item shown in the collection. As a matter of fact, I’ve already started saving up.

Obsession of the Day: Tory Burch Military-Inspired Leather Jacket

Stand at attention for spring’s military trend! I prefer to add dashes of inspired items into my wardrobe and mix them with current favorites. This is why this Tory Burch Sergeant Pepper Leather Jacket ($750) is just perfect. First of all, the olive drab hue is effortlessly chic, the cool signature buttons make it totally Tory and then there’s the stand collar and the button flap pockets. Jazz up your jeans, throw it over a sheath dress, jazz up a cotton tank dress – the possibilities are endless when it comes to this cool leather jacket.
Gotta love a jacket that has more style before 9 am than most jackets will have all day.

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Shopping Destination: Mackage Soho Pop-Up Store

I'm obsessed with the designer outerwear goods of Mackage. I'm definitely a little more rock and roll lately and the cutting-edge styles from Eron Elfasy and Elisa Dahan are some of my favorites, like this impossibly chic Maggie Leather Jacket ($620).

From buttery-soft leather to slimming sub-zero puffer jackets, Mackage is a line worth investigating (and investing in a few pieces, if I do say so myself.) The designing duo has opened a pop-up boutique at 148 Spring Street in Soho here in my beloved NYC and they still maintain their other boutique in the Meatpacking District, so stop into either location and peruse the finery.

Can't make it to NYC just yet? Mackage goods are sold online via their official website. So hit this amazing outerwear company and get yourself a little something for being such a good girl this year. After all, you deserve it!

Loeffler Randall Launches E-Commerce Site, I Cry With Happiness

My friend Dina, the editrix for Eye4Style (an amazing site, please do check it out when you get a moment) is always wearing the sickest shoes. Our friend Felicia "shoe-jacked" her an an event recently because they were truly awe-inspiring. When she told us the label, I have to say I wasn't surprised: Loeffler Randall.

For those of you not deeply familiar with Loeffler Randall, the line is a fan of celebrities, stylists, fashion editors and the truly shoe obsessed everywhere. The brainchild of Jessie Randall, the line was created out of her desire to have what she couldn't find: well-crafted shoes that were feminine, finely crafted and virtually indescructible. Launched in the fall of 2005, the now legendary Matilde flat boot quickly became the most desired accessory in Hollywood and in the offices of the most well-respected fashion editors. The line won the CFDA Swarovski Award for Accessory Design. With an equally successful clothing launch in 2007, Loeffler Randall isn't just a must-have for those of us who appreciate quality and good design: it's a wardrobe staple.

As the company launches their e-commerce site today, I thought I'd give you my must-have list from their new collection:


This Loop Tank ($295) in Charcoal Twill is going to be all over the place for fall. Ladies, the ruffles down the side can hide a multitude of sins per the cascading illusion and the color is dead on for the grey trend that is fast arriving.


Need, want, gotta have this Shoulder Dress ($375) in nude silk with pale gold sequins. Where would I wear it? Cocktails, the grocery store - don't care. It's just that simple and elegant.


The Draped Leather Jacket ($795) is an ultra feminine take on the continuing love affair we're all having with the tough-but-sweet leather jacket. This is such an amazing, versatile piece and it's so well-crafted.


As for the shoes, glorious shoes, it's impossible for me to pick just a few but if I must, I'm going with the Ramona Snap Pump in natural cobra embossed leather ($475), the Wendy Knit Slouch Bootie in grey leather with ribbed merino ($650) and my must-have for fall, the Matilde flat boot in cuoio vachetta leather ($695).

For these and other amazing, well-crafted items, do not hesitate to check out the brand-new Loeffler Randall e-commerce site and start shopping for these and other fall basics. If the site delays at all, that would be me, trying to take one of everything before anyone else gets there. :)

Daily Style Icon: Jody Watley

For this week on Fashion.Style.Beauty, I wanted to pay homage to style icons that had a direct impact on me as a woman of color. One of the first would be chanteuse Jody Watley.

I have been a fan of Jody Watley since the release of her first solo album and from her first video, I was hooked on her amazing style. Most of us who were part of the MTV generation (you know, when they played videos) are familiar with her amazing sound and image: Watley has sold over twenty million albums and singles worldwide, won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1987, and with ten nominations is still one of the MTV Video Music Awards' most nominated female artists of all time.

What I have always loved about Jody Watley is her heady mix of natural beauty and sheer glamour. A cross between Josephine Baker and Iman with street-wise fashion thrown in, Jody has always forged her own path by taking cues from her own muses. From the famous photos taken by Stephen Meisel for her 'Larger Than Life' album to using couture Jean-Paul Gaultier in her videos, Jody Watley was the first video star to bring the runway and R&B together for me. Her appearance in a Gap campaign and People's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1990 only further solidified her as a fashion and beauty icon for women of color. If you read the July 2008 historic issue of Vogue Italia highlighting black beauty in 2008, you saw the fashion spread that paid homage to Jody's style. I'm not the only one giving the diva her due.



I personally think trying to capture Jody Watley's style is like trying to catch lightening in a bottle, but I'm going for an update version of her signature motorcycle jacket with this Levi's Leather Moto Jacket ($298) and a pair of Oversized Hoop Earrings ($8.40).

Here's raising a glass to a style icon who is nothing but class. Jody, thank you for your contributions to fashion, to style and for showing all of us that being exactly who you are is the ultimate in true beauty.

Please do enjoy one of my favorites from Jody's song and video collection, "Real Love."