Fashion Trends We Do NOT Want To See In 2014

Hello All,

We are one day away from New Year's Day.  We have seen many new fashion trends, as well as old trends resurface (for example, the 90s crop top).  Although we are excited to see different types of fashion trends, old and new, there are some we don't want to see in the new year.

Sagging Pants

I was in the 4th or 5th grade when this trend emerged, and I am so sick and tired of seeing it!  This trend was popular in prisons, and to be honest, that is where is needs to stay.  Men, it is not attractive to walk around with your pants hanging this low! We do not want to see your underwear, so please put on a belt.

Cut-Out Dresses

Yes, the cut out bodycon dress is cute, but not everyone should have it on.  When I was growing up, there was a thing called "leaving room for the imagination," and in this dress, you will not have to do that because it is designed for everything to be on display! While the silhouette is cute, the design should be more tasteful.

Men's Skinny Jeans

There are men's tailored trousers, and then there are men's skinny jeans.  We want more trouser and less skinny. I have never been a fan of men's skinny jeans, and I feel these pants should be banned from every men's clothing store.  It is not sexy for a man to wear the same pair of skinny jeans as a woman!

Cut-Out Leggings

These are the worst pair of leggings I have ever seen! What makes it worse is that I have seen women, young and old, wearing them.  I went into a clothing store, and these leggings were on a mannequin for a fashion display! Please do everyone a favor and leave these leggings in 2013, and for everyone who owns a pair, burn them!

Substituting Leggings as Pants

Ladies, we all love our leggings.  It smooths everything, and they are comfortable for running errands, but it is not good when everyone can see your business through them (yes, I am guilty of this myself).  Leggings are not pants!  They are supposed to be worn under long shirts, dresses, or sweaters.  Please do not bring this trend into 2014!

Chevron Print Gauchos

These are the most unflattering pants ever!  When these pants first emerged on the fashion scene, the idea was to wear them with a cute blouse.  Instead, people wore them with garments such as old t-shirts and tennis shoes.  Ladies, if you own a pair of these pants, BURN THEM!! Don't you dare bring these hideous pants into 2014!

Varsity Jackets

When I was in high school, the only way you were able to have a varsity jacket is to earn it by participating in some type of sport.  Because this fashion trend has emerged, everyone can get a varsity jacket without having to physically work for it, which is not right. A varsity jacket is not a fashion trend, so please leave it in 2013.

Wretched Jewelry

               

Jewelry is supposed to be expressive, but classy.  With that being said, the wretched jewelry needs to go.  I am not for wearing expressive jewelry such as "Trust No Bitch" or "Bling, Bling," so please find some tasteful jewelry and leave this mess in 2013.

Lace Front Wigs

Wigs have been around for many centuries, and lace front wigs are one of the most popular wigs of choice. The purpose of a lace front wig is to look NATURAL, but people wear them to the point where it just looks awful.  I used to love seeing people wear lace front wigs, but they have been worn so horribly that I cannot stand to look at them.  Please do not bring lace front wigs into 2014!

Kim Kardashian Inspiration

I'm sorry, but I have to release this.  People, for the love of God, please stop trending this woman or looking at her for style inspiration! Kim Kardashian is not a celebrity, nor a fashion stylist. Her clothes are not that flattering, and she creates every moment to show off her body parts that should be covered up! If you want style inspiration, look at Elizabeth Taylor, Iman, or the Duchess of Cambridge, but please keep Kim Kardashian and her outfits in 2013!

If I can think of another fashion trend, or person, that should be left in 2013, I will be sure to share it.  Thank you and have a wonderful New Year!

Until Next Time!

Merry Christmas!!

Hello All,

It is Christmas!!! Yes, I am still up, watching TV and talking to you.  I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!  May your holiday be filled with great joy!

Thank you weheartit.com and Inslee Haynes for this awesome fashion illustration.

Until Next Time!

1930s Fashion

Hello All,

It is two days before Christmas.  Of course, at this time, all I can think of is fashion, mostly fashion design.  With that being said, it is time for the Decades of Fashion.  For those of you who read my blog, you know that my favorite fashion decades are the 20s, 50s, and 60s.  Now, I will discuss the 1930s.  Although the 30s is not really my favorite decade, the fashion styles during this era were timeless..

The 1930s.  The decade of Hollywood Glamour.  Actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Mae West dominated the movie screens and fashion styles.  Fashions of the 1930s were thought of as glamorous and sensuous. This was the era of the big bands, dancing, and night life.  Women quickly grew tired of the slim figure of the 1920s, so they started wearing dresses that gave them a curvaceous figure, also known as the bias cut dresses.

The bias cut dress was introduced to the fashion world by French fashion designer, Madeleine Vionnet.  

Madeleine Vionnet hard at work

Vionnet's main goal was to accentuate a woman's natural curves, plus make it easier for a woman to get dressed without having to use pins, tucks, and buttons to hold the dress in place. Women's casual looks were very easy to style with a lot of curve appeal, and were very flowing.  Sleeveless and clap sleeves dresses became very popular during this time.

 

Sleeveless

Cap sleeve and short sleeve

 

Bishop sleeve, dolman sleeve (also known as batwing sleeves), and tailored looks were also very popular.  Each style contained the unique detail of soft, draped lines that showed women's natural curves.

 

Dolman Sleeve

 

Bishop sleeve

 

Tailored suits

 

While fashion was evolving during this time period, it was also the during the time of the Great Depression.  The stock market had crashed in 1929, and almost all of U.S. citizens were looking for work.  During this time, more people were going to the movies, known as "the picture show," to ease their minds from their current situations.  It was during this time that fur became very popular (for the people who could afford it).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairstyles during this era were worn in waves and soft pin curls.  Most hairstyles were short, shoulder length, or pinned closely to the scalp.  Some women also started dying their hair blonde.

 

 

 

 

 

Popular hats during this time included cloche hats, derby hats, and berets.

 

beret

 

cloche

 

popular hats of the 1930s

 

By the end of the 30s, skirts were slightly fuller and shorter, and shoulders were wider, and also WWII had begun.  Hope you enjoyed this fashion history lesson.

 

Until Next Time!

Asa and Reza

Hello All,

I am happy to say that my computer is currently being fixed.  I am working on a backup computer at the moment, but as of right now, my computer is being repaired and I am happy!  Now, in other news, I love the reality TV show, Shahs of Sunset, and I especially love two cast members, Asa Soltan Rahmati and Reza Farahan.

Reza is brutally honest, and fashionably, yet handsomely chic! Most realtors are very basic; i.e. black/gray suit, button down shirt, and black shoes, but Reza loves color.  He loves prints, and mixes them very well.

Asa steps to the beat of her own drum!  Her style is fashion forward, yet traditional.  She always bring positivity in every situation, no matter how negative it is.  She is comfortable in her own skin, and does not let anyone tell her different.

With that being said, because of my love of these two cast members, I have created my original fashion illustration of them.

 

 

What do you think?

 

Until Next Time!!





Christmas Looks for 2013

Hello All,

Christmas is almost here, and of course, everyone is shopping for gifts for that special loved one.  Some people may be planning, or attending, a party for the holidays (i.e. the dreadful, but funny ugly sweater party), or a small get-together.  While we all love a great holiday party, we all worry about what to wear.  With that being said, I will show you some looks that you can pull off for the festive occasion.

Little Black Dress

You cannot go wrong with the LBD.  It comes in many different shapes and sizes, and you can accessorize it with anything!

Christmas Colors

Depending on the color theme of the party, classic Christmas colors, red and green, are a safe bet.  With the many hues, these colors are a sure fit with any holiday social gathering.

Modern Vintage

We all love vintage!  I am a huge fan of the 50s!  As a fashion designer, I also love how one look of the past can be an inspiration to create something new from a timeless, and elegant decade.  Inspired from the 50s style dresses, and vintage tuxedos, these modern, but elegant looks are perfect for any holiday gathering.

Winter White/ Pastel

It would not be Christmas without the winter white!  Dark colors are not the only colors that can be worn during this winter season.  Besides white, colors such as pastel pinks, blues, and lilacs are becoming very popular winter colors.   Designed in popular fabrics such as lace, and trims like beaded crystals, these looks will be the perfect touch of class for any festive holiday gathering.

I hope this helps with your holiday party attire.  If you need more inspiration for your looks, you can also check out Stylesight, Black Girls Killing It, Zara, and ShopStyle.

Until Next Time!

Opening Ceremony

Hello All,

A lot of designers have begun to show their pre-Fall 2014 collections.  With the majority of designers using the popular neutral color, black, it is great to see some color for Fall 2014!  Opening Ceremony's collection is modern streetwear inspired by Op Art.  Using graphic prints such as distorted checkers and colorful-soil inspired layers add a playful, yet clean palette with pops of orange and white.  Fabrics such as leather and satin work very well with the rounded modern and sculptural silhouettes.

The key items for this collection is curved hem skirts, wrapped tops, fur-trimmed sweaters, printed skinny jeans, along with other silhouettes.   For more information on this collection, please check it out on Stylesight.

Until Next Time.

André Leon Talley as New Artistic Director of Zappos

Hello All,

If you have not already heard, André Leon Talley, former editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, has been named the new Artistic Director of Zappos.  If you are not familiar with Zappos, it is a popular fashion website that caters to the everyday woman.  Besides fashion and accessories, it also carries home and beauty products.

The former judge for "America's Next Top Model", and member of the Board of Trustees of Savannah College of Art and Design, will take charge of the editorial content on the Zappos Couture site, including fashion shoots, video and trend picks.  When asked about this new venture in his professional life, Talley said, "the digital universe is a new, exciting opportunity for me to reach a broad audience in terms of the global luxury market."

Zappos, which started in 2004, has a weekly video called "The Trend", which highlights red-carpet interviews with designers and celebrities. "The Trend" will now be moved to the main Zappos site once Talley takes over on January 22nd.

Although I have never shopped on Zappos, I am very excited about this new venture.  From his work with Vogue to mentoring young fashion designers, Zappos made the right decision.  This is a perfect match.

Until Next Time!

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela

Hello All,

Since I heard about the passing of Nelson Mandela, I have been trying to find a way to talk about him.  As we all know, Nelson Mandela was a boxer turned activist who spent 27 years in prison because he fought to end apartheid in South Africa.  Despite being in prison for basically nothing, he still kept his head up, and his faith in God, and kept fighting! Now if that is not courageous, and a test of faith, then I do not know what is. Released from prison in 1990, he served as president of South Africa from 1994-1999.

I heard about Mandela's death on my way to work.  Of course I was shocked, and saddened at the same time.  I remember people were killing him two months ago on Facebook and Twitter, so when I heard about it on the radio, I had to pull over to see if it was true.  While at work, we would speak of Mandela and how strong of an activist he was, and when I would come home, I was amazed to see the stories of his life.  He was truly an amazing man, activist, fighter for his people, a man with an impeccable wardrobe, and an amazing humanitarian and philanthropist.

To Nelson Mandela, an amazing man who changed the world, you were truly a legend.  Rest In Peace.

Until Next Time!

T by Alexander Wang

Hello All,

I am not really a huge fan of Alexander Wang.  All of his silhouettes look exactly the same, shapeless shirts, baggy pants, and shapeless skirts; and his colors are always black, white, and gray.  Apparently, he is going in a different direction for his Pre-Fall collections.  He is going for a deconstructed look with raw edges, fringe details, and unfinished seams juxtaposed against sporty pieces in techno fabrics.

These Pre-Fall looks are similar to what he had shown for Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.  I know every fashion designer has their niche to distinguish themselves from other designers, but you should also bring something different to the table.  What about an all leather blazer, drawstring leggings, or COLOR?! 

Again, I'm not impressed. For Spring/Summer, I hope he has a different silhouette

Until Next Time!

Self- Portrait

Hello All,

I have created so many fashion illustrations of many people.  Some have been for friends, sorority sisters, and some for family members.  I have also created fashion illustrations of many many celebrities, including Braxton sisters Toni and Tamar Braxton, and track star, Sanya Richards-Ross.  After creating so many illustrations, I realized that I had never created a fashion illustration of myself.  I don't know if it was because of fear of not being able to do it, or because I felt it was easy to create another person compared to creating myself.

I have finally gotten over my fear, and created the fashion illustration of myself, and I must say that I am quite pleased with it.  So, everyone, here it is......the fashion illustration of me!

Now, my next project is to save to get a professional dress form, and create this look for myself.  I am happy that I finally created this fashion illustration.  This picture describes me perfectly!  If you would like for me to create a fashion illustration of you, please let me know.

Until Next Time!

Fall/Winter Looks from Black Girls Killing It

Hello All,

For those of you who follow me, you may remember me speaking of one of my favorite sites, Black Girls Killing It. It shows women of color throughout the United States showing off their love of fashion by showing off different looks with trendy accessories.  I LOVE this website! Ladies, if you are looking for a style upgrade, check out this site.

Black Girls Killing It, also known as BGKOnline, has shown some looks for Fall/Winter.  Whether it is for work, school, or a night out, these looks are perfect for your adventure, and an easy transition from day to night.

If you are looking for a style upgrade, or you want to add a spice of color to your style, BGKOnline is perfect for you!

Until Next Time!