A word on impeccable men's fashion

....and that word is MAXWELL

A classic beauty...

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of watching a documentary of the life and music of Phyllis Hyman. Learning about her battle with depression was heart-wrenching, but her voice was phenomenal and her style was amazing.

She was a tall and beautiful woman who was often asked to model because of her statuesque grace. With fellow PA native and first black super model, Naomi Sims as a fashion role model, midway through her career Phyllis hired a stylist to help her create a signature style. She loved hats and bold shoulders and wore them with a regal sensibility. As we look to the Fall's bold shouldered fashions, I am certainly reminded that fashion is extremely cyclical and what was old always has a chance to become freshly interpreted.

It is a pity that Phyllis is no longer here to serve up her bigger than life style, but she will certainly inspire for many years to come.






Beyonce and Lady Gaga would kill for that blazer!

Shopping is just a text message away

I was flipping through a magazine and perusing a Dillard's ad, when something caught my eye. I noticed that there were text codes next to the merchandise....you can actually BUY these items buy texting a code! That is so easy, that is darn near dangerous.

This super convenient opportunity is provided to us by ShopText. For users this service offers you the chance to shop, request samples and save via text coupons. After the transaction is complete, receipts are sent both to your phone and to your email.

I predict that this way of shopping is going to increase in no time, so in the best interest of your wallet and bank account, please show some restraint and step away from the phone...lol

Cocky guy may bring classic back.....

There is an exciting rumor going around that the always dapper and often edgy Kanye West is taking his summer internship at Gap seriously and may be looking to design a special collection for the troubled retailer. I could not be more pleased with this news and truly hope that this becomes reality.

Gap has struggled for some time now to remain relevant in this new world of anti-cookie cutter fashion and designer jeans and tees. When is the last time you purposely visited Gap and paid full price for anything there? There are much "cooler" options in the mall to choose from. Don't get me wrong, in theory there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Gap, I always have a basic pair of jeans on hand however, it is no longer a must for the average shopper.

The collaboration of Gap's Executive Vice President of Design, Patrick Robinson and Kanye should hopefully send us all in a tizzy and running to the nearest Gap for khakis and jeans. I, for one would like to see this retailer back on top. Kanye debuted as an artist dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren (the king of prep) and convinced us that preppy was cool again....lightning can certainly strike twice. What do you think?






*Be sure to check out my latest entry on the Examiner*

Moving on: When it is time to let go

I have a dear friend how has decided to live her dream and go back to school to pursue a professional dream and this exciting journey requires her to move out of state to a much colder climate in the mid western part of the the United States. When I offered to help her pack up her home, she asked if I'd help her pack up her closet instead. Since I love to be in the thick of people's closets, I quickly agreed.

When the doors of her closet opened, I was greeted to a bevy of clothing, including some items that were as much as half her age! We toiled away for hours and it became clearer than ever to me that women are extremely emotionally tied to their clothing. Our closets become almost like yearbooks that chronicle different events and stages in our lives.

The problem with hanging on to everything is that you have a harder time, standing in your closet and being inspired to dress for the day according to who you are now. You also become equally challenged in shopping to compliment the hidden treasures that exist in your wardrobe. To combat these issues, purging is necessary quite often and as I eluded to earlier, this can be quite an emotional stress. My friend and I joked that she may need a drink to endure the process, but I was quite surprised that she was very ready and had the perfect mind-frame for someone faced with a big move. It was very obvious that she was at a point in life where she was ready to let go of the old and embrace the new. Can you say the same?

There is no time like the present to breathe new life into your wardrobe and you can not imagine how much easier getting dressed in the morning will be. Make the leap and let it go......you won't regret it, trust me.


Inside the fashion insiders' wardrobes - Times Online

The Fashion Show Finale: There is something to be said about being a lady....

"I enjoy being a girl!" If I have repeated that quote once, I have repeated it a million times, and it certainly rang true last night when watching the finale of The Fashion Show on Bravo. Designer Anna McCraney may not have presented a traditional cohesive collection, but she succeeded in designing a dress for every woman. In the mind of the average woman, isn't that what matters most?

There are two things I love in a dress and they are beautiful construction, and the ability to ooze femininity from every seam, zipper and hem....Anna's dresses do all that for me and more! One of the judges stated that she could not see all the pieces hanging together in the store, but again, who cares because I can imagine each of those dresses in my closet. Anna has expertly honed her craft of allowing the silhouette to be alluring, yet tasteful, without registering as boring in anyway.

In my opinion, now that Reco (whose collection was a bit frazzled) is gone, her only competition is Daniella. I hope that she comes out on top and I look forward to seeing more from her in the future.

Be sure check out the collections and vote for Anna.......I know I will!


The Fashion Show - Photos - Anna's Final Collection - Bravo TV Official Site

The fabric of my life....right now

While we all enjoy the cheery sunshine, the heat this summer has been a bit much. Depending upon your location, the temperature can be heading well towards the 90 degree mark when you get up in the morning. Well don't let the prospect of being uncomfortably hot deter you from wonderfully cool and cute outfits. Fabric choice is the key to your comfort this summer, and I vote for cotton!

Casual Wear
Instead of throwing on a beat up t-shirt to run your errands during the weekends this summer, why not do a tee with a little detail? A V-neck tee that elongates your neck with a necklace or two, coupled with any bottom is perfect.

Work Wear
For those that must adhere to a classic business dress code, there are certainly summer weight cotton variations to choose from. Those who have more of a business casual or casual dress code can have a little bit more fun with print and shapes. Be careful not to let your creative license take you too far from professional attire. Hawaiian shirts and spaghetti straps are still not allowed.

Little Black Dresses (LBDs)
Investing in a summer version of your LBD is an extremely wise decision. Look for one that is not too fussy but special enough to make a statement. Keep in mind that you need one that is appropriate for both your cutest sandals and your sexiest heels. I LOVE this one by Ann Taylor Loft, the possibilities are endless with this one!



Style Lesson: Natural fibers are better at anytime of the year. The fabric can "breathe" better and helps to keep you cool or warm depending upon the weight.