KANYE WEST DESIGNS SHOES FOR DION LEE AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

If it turns out that Kanye can’t make this fashion thing happen, maybe he might have a chance at a successful career in the shoe industry.

With Paris Fashion Week just days away, we had almost forgotten that Kanye West would be showing his second ready to wear collection in the French capital next Tues.


So we were surprised to see Mr. West’s name crop up during London Fashion Week.

It seems that Kanye, not satisfied with creating his own line, fancied collaborating with cool Aussie label Dion Lee to create the footwear for the designer’s first ever London presentation.

Dion and Kanye have apparently been friends for some time, and met through Kanye’s stylist, Christine Centenera.

We say that because the rapper-turned-designer made a pretty decent shoe for the London Fashion Week presentation of designer Dion Lee.


If it turns out that Kanye can’t make this fashion thing happen, maybe he might have a chance at a successful career in the shoe industry.

Kanye helped out with designing the Autumn Winter 2012 footwear, which displayed a ladylike and more grown-up look that's a definite departure from the sports-luxe urban feel of the rapper's own Spring Summer 2012 collection.

Kanye’s previous footwear was strappy and even a little furry (yes, even though it was SS!), so we reckon KW has had his head down and been doing some fashion homework, don’t you?

The catwalk shoes were more commercial than we would have expected - black pointed heels, with dainty cuffs and bow ties on the ankles. We’re pretty impressed! So well done Kanye and Dion. Now we're really excited to see next week’s collection...

Kanye West Designs Shoes For Dion Lee at London Fashion Week

Pics of MEAGAN GOOD, LETOYA LUCKETT, and VANESSA SIMMONS: Young Black Beauties (Who's The Best-Looking, Style-Wise?)

BOYY, BOYY, BOYY... I'm celebrating Black History Month in a big, big way, starting off with Beyonce, and leading to the next three black beauties:

Meagan Good, Letoya Luckett, and Vanessa Simmons.

Both were spotted at the same venue wearing 3 very different looks, but are EQUALLY, STYLISHLY INFLUENTIAL. Meagan is known as the tomboy who can still effortlessly handle a couture dress, like she did above. That dress is FIYAH! And on top of that, it's the guys' favorite 'GET ME' color: RED! The satin stilettos are great, too. Makeup looks...a little plastered, but otherwise great overall look.

Rating: 8.5/10.0

Letoya Luckett has the BEST all-around attire fit for several occasions, in which each fashion piece can be separated and worn to a certain event (I LOVE A GOOD MIX-AND-MATCH). She got my attention with the sexy dinner jacket, studded Louboutins, and PERFECT makeup.

Rating: 9.5/10.0

Vanessa Simmons is a great example of YOUNG ICON. She's always demure in her attire and while her dress may elicit a few negative responses, I look at the dress as ART, not too much as fashion or a trendsetter. Vanessa's look draws up an aura of rather more of a young billionaire heiress than 'party girl', which the latter is more on MEAGAN's side. The makeup is excellent as well.

Rating: 7.5/10.0

Overall, these three young women have done STYLE in Black History Month plenty of justice, ladies and gents..

Pic: MTO

Art and Fashion Fusion: KEITH HARING x NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD Platform Pumps (Could Pass For Art Gallery Shoe...)

Ladies, check out these platform pumps by KEITH HARING x NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD collabo. I spotted this on WETHEURBAN and thought YES!! Art IS Fashion!

So needless to say, these platform pumps would do very well in drawing attention towards the woman wearing them, as well as gracing an ART GALLERY like the Detroit Institute of Arts or your local major art musuem.

Pic: WeTheUrban

The Most Fashionable EXes: Rihanna and Chris Brown (Y'all Asked For It So...)

I usually don't like to group Rihanna and Chris Brown together because that would make me right along with the rest of the folk that fueling the flames of the still-smoldering 2009 issue of the Rihanna and Chris Brown incident. Coming up is the 3-year anniversary of that and I seriously wish it would go away. PEOPLE keep it alive.

But anyway, I keep track of my viewers (yes, many of you) and it's very clear that the tag 'CHRIS BROWN' is the highest sought-after name on my blog search and is the main drive of traffic to my blog. But here's the kicker: 'RIHANNA' is the name that is one of the most sought-after... RIGHT AFTER viewers are finished searching blog posts for 'Chris Brown.'

BUT... they are EXes now, even though they were spotted at the same lounge, Greystone Manor. So without further ado, here are a few pics of the most fashionable EXes alive: Rihanna and Chris Brown:

So whaddaya make of this? I don't see anything but TWO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (as Chris would say). Do I want Chris Brown and Rihanna back together? No. Move on.

*Wink and a smirk... then a SMH*

Pic: CBreezy, Google, Vibe, Rolling Stone

Excerpt from SWAGGER: Actor Ebeneezer Sowah In Def Swagg!!

Here's an excerpt from SWAGGER NEW YORK online magazine/blog about actor Ebeneezer Sowah. He was supposedly stopped on the street and this picture captured of him strolling in the West Village (New York). He was complimented on his all-brown look, which I think is TOTALLY ILL! (Super nice) I'm liking the use of different materials from head to toe, the way all the different hues of brown blend in harmony and swagger.

See the excerpt:

A smart actor knows he must always look the part, especially in this city. With high-profile gigs everywhere - often snatched up after a swift handshake or upon an agent run-in on the street - one must always be prepared. And for Ebeneezer Sowah, his next role may be closer than he ever imagined. We ran into the New York actor in the West Village, intrigued by his ability to rock a monochromatic look that doesn't fall flat. Sporting all brown from boot to gorgeous leather backpack, Shah looked ruggedly urban, telling us that he's ready to take on any audition that comes his way. Hmm.. a suave hiker who's instantly become the talk of the city streets? Hey, you never know, could be the role of a lifetime.

Pic: Swagger / Fashion Bomb Daily

'2012 Detroit Auto Show' Edition: 2012 Chevy Corvette Centennial

Here in Detroit is the season of not just COLD WEATHER, but it's AUTO SHOW season! Today marks the first day of 2012 for press releases, reviews, and reveals of new vehicles for the 2012-2013 model year.

Please note that the North American International Auto Show located in Detroit, MI is THE PLACE TO BE to see the automakers put their best foot forward, as Detroit is still considered the AUTOMOTIVE HUB of the world.

One of the cars that grabbed my attention was the 2012 CHEVY CORVETTE CENTENNIAL. On the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, the company released this black-on-black-on black Corvette that is just stunning all over. Here are some of the specs from the press release:

• Bose premium sound system, with one-year XM subscription, navigation and USB
• Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
• Power-adjustable and heated seats
• Memory package, home remote, Head Up Display and power-telescoping steering wheel
• The Custom Leather Wrapped Interior Package, with leather-wrapped upper instrument panels, upper door trim panels and console storage cover and red contrasting stitching
Z07 performance package, including Brembo ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control and 19-inch/20-inch wheels and Michelin tires
• CFZ package includes carbon fiber rockers, front splitter and roof
• New Carbon Fiber raised hood option for Z06, which was introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition.

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette expresses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-looking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette models.

The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Cars are FASHION, too!

Pic: Serious Wheels

LookBack: TOM FORD on OWN Documentary (Oprah Winfrey Network)

Style Forum Special from Music Guy on Vimeo.

Check this OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) documentary of renowned House of Gucci designer-turned-owner of his own brand, TOM FORD.

I've always admired the unique and subliminal masculinity of the Tom Ford brand. It's something about Tom Ford's vision in that the seemingly subtle designs (I also like the 'mixed-in' masculinity and sensuality for some of the women's designs as well...not too little or much) still bring that fashion rung just a step above the rest.

Superior materials, fit, and finish and well-executed concepts help to preserve a soft balance in the sensuality and masculinity of both genders.

It's a long video... but take your time watching... I don't mind.

Take a look at a few TOM FORD men and women Spring and Summer 2012 designs:

 

Pic: Google / Fashion Bomb Daily / Tom Ford UK

JAIDEN Likes: BOTTEGA VENETA Spring/Summer 2012 Men's Fashion Show

Yes, JAIDEN likes.

Check out Bottega Veneta's Spring/Summer 2012 men's fashion show. The smart use of colors in the bags that male models carry in contrast to demure suits, and vice versa (colored/patterned suits with demure bags) is just DELICIOUS to me.

Video: YouTube ; Pic: Google (mademoisellek)

NOOOO Rihanna!!! Why Are You Dressing Like A Bum?!

Now don't get me wrong...

I am a die-hard Rihanna fan (yes, she's my guilty pleasure) and whatever she wears and sings, I take notice because there's something so RICH about her ever-evolving style, and for the better half of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, I'm NOT liking what I see!

Don't care or don't believe me? Just see these pics for yourself. Whether of not you may care about Rihanna's style, at least you can see the DECLINE of it:

Rihanna 2010

Rihanna 2011

Come on back RiRi, are you hiding from me, yeah... somewhere in the crowd... (song 'Where Have You Been' LoL)

Pic: Google

BEYONCE On Cover of Glamour Paris Magazine (Un-Preggers! So When Was This Taken?)

These new February 2012 GLAMOUR Magazine pictures were obviously taken before Beyonce's pregnancy really picked up speed, because I don't think even PHOTOSHOP can make Beyonce really small. The photographer was Michelangelo de Battista. And nonetheless, Bey looks great.

Beyonce was reportedly spotted with Jay-Z in Brooklyn, around the holidays, and she was reportedly wearing very high heels and was ENORMOUS in pregnancy:

She looked amazing. She wore sky-high heels. It was really impressive for an enormously pregnant woman. She looked like she was about to give birth.” - Paparazzi

Bey's still rocking it, fashion and all!  That dress is RIGHT! She's reportedly working on her 5th album RIGHT NOW (while preggers... wow).

Pic: Necole B***hie

Excerpt from FASHION BOMB DAILY: The Best Dressed Of 2011

Hey, I checked out one of my favorite fashion blogs, and I saw the best of 2011; I got several BEST-DRESSED CELEBS RIGHT!!

Check out the winners that graced that list:

1) Solange Knowles

2) Kanye West

3) Rihanna

4) Joan Smalls

5) Olori Swank (Atlanta)

6) Kaine (Texas)

By the way, I see why OLORI won... ain't that outfit a STUNNER?!!

And Kaine, too!!

OOOOOOOH CHILD, that is GOOD FASHION!!

Pic: Fashion Bomb Daily

HAPPY NEW YEAR All Over The World From 'The Only Jaiden'!!

On behalf of my fashion blog, I, JAIDEN the Model, wanted to wish everyone all over the world a Happy New Year! May you be prosperous in every single way, for 2012 IS YOUR YEAR OF GREAT OPPORTUNITY! I heard this great motto from my church, http://wordoffaith.cc , and I want to pass it along to you!!

Get ready for a FASHIONABLE year!!Get ready for this blog to go to the next level! It was never my intention for this blog to be a BUSINESS, I just simply did what I love and that's to blog about fashion, and now I have TENS OF THOUSANDS of visitors every month!

I also want to say HAPPY NEW YEAR in several different languages:

Chinese: xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao

French: bonne année

German: prost Neujahr

Italian: felice anno nuovo, buon anno

Spanish: feliz año nuevo

Pic: Google

Quick Fashion Review and Trends for 2012: Rihanna's New 'YOU DA ONE' Video

There's a lot of CRAZY looks in Rihanna's new 'You Da One' music video that tie into fashion in a big way. A lot of the looks that was shown will be 'playfully' making its way into stores in 2012.

*LOL* at Rihanna's CROTCH-GRABBIN'... she loves to do that, doesn't she?

Let's FLY through it real quick:

I predict that an overload of BLONDE WIGS will be making its way to wig shops in 2012.

Full leather outfits won't be just confined to novelty & lingerie stores in 2012.

Lace and fishnet are not just for LINGERIE and STOCKINGS anymore; it's made for jackets, pants, blouses, even hats and shoes.

Black eyeshadow and heavy mascara is a MUST for 2012. Balance it out by keeping the lips FRESH with NUDE GLOSS.

GOLD JEWELRY? Nostalgic and BOSS for 2012.

NAILS? Keep it mixed and MINXED (0:57-0:59 mark).

Platform heels? STILL IN to STAY.

Ripped jeans? Medio y medio.

Soooo... those are THE ONLY JAIDEN 2012 trends and partial predictions (because just about everything in fashion I predict....hmmm.... HAPPENS).

BTW (by the way), I think the video is a nice little compilation and follow-up on 'We Found Love' and 2010's 'Rockstar 101'

Pic: NecoleB***hie

Editor-In-Chief of Dutch Magazine 'JACKIE' Resigns After Calling RIHANNA And Her Fashion 'The Ultimate N*ggab***h*... *PAUSE*

As many of you have heard, Dutch Magazine 'JACKIE' recently insulted both Rihanna and the Black community by calling Rihanna and her fashion the ultimate 'N*ggab***h with a ghetto a**'.

I am ABSOLUTELY FLOORED. Is our world seriously still embedded in racism?? Maybe I've been too comfortable in America with minimal racism, but what the HECK is going on over in that Dutch country to be calling black people NIGGAS and saying that JAMAICANS, BARBADIANS, AND REGULAR AFRICAN-AMERICANS are all the same?? Like, to categorize a certain type of ethnicity is BALONEY, like thick/nappy hair and dark skin all go together??

Needless to say, the 'JACKIE' editor Eva Hoeke RESIGNED and issued an apology. An apology?? *Scoff* Whatever:

The magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Eva Hoeke issued an apology saying: “I can be brief about this: this should have never happened. Period. While the author meant no harm — the title of the article was intended as a joke — it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that slipped through my, the editor-in-chief’s, fingers. Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned. The author has been addressed on it, and now I can only ensure that these terms will no longer end up in the magazine. Furthermore I hope that you all believe there was absolutely no racist motive behind the choice of words. It was stupid, it was naive to think that this was an acceptable form of slang — you hear it all the time on TV and radio, then your idea of what is normal apparently shifts — but it was especially misguided: there was no malice behind it.We make our magazine with love, energy and enthusiasm, and it can sometimes happen that someone is out of line. And then you can only do one thing: apologize. And hope that others wish to accept it. From the bottom of my heart I say it again: we never intended to offend anyone. And I mean that.”

The Only Jaiden does not condone PROFANITY on its blog because it degrades the intentional content of the blog: FASHION. So the following picture contains profanity that I must present to the Black community. I claim NO responsibility for the offensive nature of the picture.

Pic: Fashion Bomb Daily

More 'Mature' Models Grace Their Natural Beauty In Print And Runway: MERYL STREEP On VOGUE Jan. 2012 Issue

A lot of young and taut-faced models have always graced the cover of fashion magazines and it seemed timeless and also the standard of the fashion world, leaving more 'experienced' models in the dust after a certain period of time (meaning their 'model time' is almost up).

But lately, more 'mature' female models or 'COUGARS' for slang have boasted their power, extending the length of their modeling tenure with their natural beauty. Even though she is an actress and not a model, MERYL STREEP looks every bit the part of 'mature model'. She will grace the January 2012 issue of the American VOGUE Magazine.

I'm seriously feeling the vibe of Meryl and the serene nature around her. Very ANNIE LEIBOVITZ-ish atmosphere in photography. That's a good direction for many photographers to follow, is to just CAPTURE the essence of a beautiful moment in time.

Pic: Bryan Boy

Jaleel White (aka 'Urkel') Gets Styled By June Ambrose

One of the richest child stars, Jaleel White, or better known as 'Steve Urkel', had gotten styled by stylist June Ambrose. You know what, I was just talking about Urkel the other day and how many child stars just sit back and reap the rewards of their hard work. I'm trying to find 'Family Matters' so I can record a couple shows on my DVR...

But anyway, check out a few pics of June Ambrose styling Jaleel White in this dark gray pinstriped suit (above), my favorite look, and the safari shirt look (below), my... NOT-SO-FAVORITE. 

June was taping for an upcoming reality styling show. She was sure looking good in her tunic-inspired/rock-star outfit paired with calf-length Christian Louboutin platform boots. 

Not-So-Favorite... Put the Jacket on... (7.5/10)

Another good look... (8.5/10)

Pic: YBF

Joshua Kissi of 'Street Etiquette' and his African Tribal Paint Shirt

According to Joshua Kissi of popular style blog STREET ETIQUETTE, African Tribal Paint shirts are cyclical, appearing on the runway every couple of years. But it's definitely showing up now. Check out what Joshua Kissi has to say:



If the wrist accouterments and tribal rings weren’t evidence enough, my Ghanaian heritage heavily influences my style. That influence is also evident with print shirts such as the one featured below. There’s a subtle distinction between traditional African fabric originating from the continent and the type manufactured out of inspiration. The latter may discourage some people, but it is still a catalyst in creating awareness of these history-rich prints and designs.

Pic: Street Etiquette 

Ne-Yo in the Fashion Lane with New Hat Line

*Known for his classy style and variety of headwear, Ne-Yo has decided to venture into the fashion industry as a designer, a hat designer in particular, that is.

“The line is called Francis Alargo,” Ne-Yo told The BiggaBreakfast. “We’re going to debut it at Fashion Week [at] Saks Fifth Avenue.”

He didn’t say much else about the line that is scheduled to be officially announced later this month.

But he is doing much more than hats. He’s working on his new show, “I Heart Tuesdays,” a Cartoon Network series as well as his fifth studio album.

In other news, singe/songwriter/producer/actor getting used to being daddy to new baby Madilyn Grace, who was born almost a year ago last November.

“I’m digging it,” he shares. “It’s definitely a change. A little less partying, a little more going home, but I don’t mind it because I’d honestly rather spend the time with her.”

In regards to the lawsuit drama between him, rapper Pitbull and actress Lindsey Lohan, he attempted to make amends with her by inviting her as his date to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, but she declined the offer.

Last month, the song “Give Me Everything,” made headlines when the troubled actress filed a lawsuit against Pitbull focusing her name in an arguably derogatory manner.

Ne-Yo in the Fashion Lane with New Hat Line

‘Aaliyah: One In A Million’ Tribute Honoring The Music, Style & Charisma, Of Aaliyah Haughton

She would have been 32 this year, but you can't quite imagine Aaliyah Haughton at that age. Her death in a plane crash, 10 years ago this week, was cruelly premature – but she'd already been in the entertainment business for seven years by that point, and it is her youth, frozen in time, that defines her legacy. 

Signature look ... Aaliyah on 9 May 2001, three and a half months before her death.

Aaliyah's signature look was the swoop of hair that hid one eye while the other fixed the camera with a steely gaze: a combination of unnerving emotional honesty with a sense of mystique – or caution, the knowledge not to give too much of yourself away – that carried over to her music.

Even in her earliest material, she casually mixed insouciance with a gravitas unusual for a teenage pop star: on 1994's Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, she sounded like she was expressing a deep love – and gently imparting some wisdom, too – rather than a giddy crush; the song easily transcended the icky gossip about the relationship between Aaliyah and its writer, R Kelly.

She sounded so sure of herself from the start, singing about her "jazz personality, G mentality" on her debut single – and this sense of self, as untouchable or relatable as you needed her to be, is the reason she continues to be revered by R&B fans.



Tracing Aaliyah's influence since her death offers few clues as to what might have been.

Though various elements of her aesthetic have cropped up – the dreamy timbre of Ciara's voice, the lush clarity of Teedra Moses's "champagne soul" – direct comparisons would do a disservice to the individuality of each artist.

By her last album, she had deliberately begun to use fewer Timbaland productions, as well as diversifying into a nascent acting career; few of the R&B trends that dominated the last decade seem like a natural fit for her, though perhaps, had she lived, those trends would have ended up following her rather than vice versa.

But it is not the pompous concept of "importance" for which Aaliyah's fans remember her: it is for how she could so effortlessly tap into the human condition when she sang. On her 1994 cover of the Isley Brothers' At Your Best (You Are Love), she pleaded in a clear, unguarded voice, "Stay at your best, baby." She ended up doing just that.

Aaliyah’s music was surely what she was known for, but her trendsetting style was hard to ignore.

but we can’t forget those few trademark looks
she wore so well (and that we tried to emulate).

No singer was able to strike a balance between two opposites quite like she could.

She was all-woman while dressed fully in men’s attire.

She was cute with a clean-cut image,

but sexy and always sophisticated.

Today we honor her effortless style:

Check out Aaliyah’s fashion transformation over the years:

Fans copied the beloved style as best they could.

1. Side-swept bangs. Aaliyah’s hair, long and layered, was one of her most prominent features, and rarely was she seen without her bangs in place. Swept across the side of her face, she gave us

just a peak of her eyes.

The accessory only contributed
to her being the epitome of cool

2. Sunglasses. As she got older, her shyness faltered, and the shades came off, but for years – from the era of “Back N Forth” to the days of “One in a Million,” Aaliyah kept a pair of sunglasses on standby.

Aaliyah proved that she
could run with the boys,
but still be a lady.

 3. Baggy Jeans. Aaliyah proved that boxers and baggy jeans were not just for rappers and thugs. She donned her denim just like the rest of the them, if not better. Low and slung below her waist,

we couldn’t blame her, and we didn’t mind.

4. Midriff-Baring. Seeing the singer with a full-length shirt on was a rarity. Bikini-style tops, and those that hit just above the belly-button were her preference from red carpets to music videos. With a flat stomach and trim waist, 

 As casually and comfortably
as us non-celebrities would.

5. Bandana. No amount of cloth, bejeweled or not, could distract us from Aaliyah’s cascading locks, but she rocked a bandana,






Aaliyah's true legacy is her rare, charismatic, gift for Music & Style

IN MEMORY OF ♥Aaliyah♥