March 2013Faces of Black Fashion: March 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Like a Boss: Joan Smalls for Vogue Russia

 Joan Small looks like a boss! I love this editorial for its vintage glam, and the location of the shoot is exquisite.






Thursday, March 28, 2013

This week in Black Celebrity Style

1. Taraji P.  Henson Attends Chaka Khan's Birthday Party in NY



2. Rochelle Wiseman of the U.K. group The Saturdays mixing prints 



3. Model Jessica White out and about in NYC



4. Zoe Kravitz promotes new jewelry line


 5. Mya in D.C.



What say you?

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Introducing Dionna


Today it's my pleasure to introduce Dionna, a fabulous business owner and editor from D.C. who encourages and empowers women to love  and embrace themselves and express their personal style. As a Plus Size Fashion Contributor, Dionna's articles provide amazing tips and inspiration to plus sized fashionistas at the click of a mouse.  Read about Dionna and her work below: 


Tell us about yourself, who is Dionna?
My name is Dionna Humphrey, and I’m the owner of Body Conscious Beauty, a style consulting business in the Washington, D.C. area. I’m also a contributing editor to the online publication All Things Fashion DC as their plus size fashion contributor.

I’ve always had a love and appreciation for fashion and I believe your personal style reflects a lot of who you are. One of the reasons why I started this business and began writing about fashion is because I’m constantly hearing women putting themselves down or being afraid to try a new look because their too this, or two that. I think all women are beautiful and when you feel good on the inside, you look good on the outside and vice versa, which really comes through to others and makes you feel amazing.






What can readers expect to find when they visit your blog?
All Things Fashion DC is just about that- all things related to style and fashion in the D.C. area (and beyond!). They asked me to cover plus size fashion because it was the one area of fashion coverage they were missing. I’m so happy to be given this platform to talk about plus size fashion because I want to help women break down those fashion barriers. Fashion is fashion. Period. I don’t look at trends and think because I am bigger I can’t wear them. And when I write for ATFDC, I give my readers trends to try, tips on how to style them and where they can find them—no matter what size they are. Want to try peplum? Stripes? Bold colors? I’m going to talk about that and more in my column because fashion and style is not something that is exclusive to certain sizes.

Nowadays, plus size fashion is not the boring, shapeless, bejeweled pieces they were some years back. Plus size designers are pushing the fashion envelope and opening so many doors to women that appreciate style and want to flaunt their curves, not hide them behind a tent-shaped shift.

Where do you find fashion inspiration?
My fashion style is varies from day to day and my inspiration comes from a lot of different places. I’m an avid reader of Lucky Magazine, which has always been an inspiration for me to explore brands, looks etc. I also find a lot of inspiration in fellow fashion bloggers who are constantly breaking new ground when it comes to fashion. Sometimes I also see things on the street, colors, cuts and textures that I will try to re-interpret. There’s been an surge in plus size vintage options available which I also adore because they’re things you don’t see every day, often well-made and generously sized so even if it’s not a typical plus size piece most women can do it.



What trends are you looking forward to wearing this Spring?
Spring trends I’m looking forward to—where to begin! I would have to say my top three things I’m loving right now for spring are neon, monochrome and translucent accessories and shoes. I have a lot of lemon, tangerine, lime and pink pieces in my wardrobe that are dying to come out and play! This season feels lighter in spirit and a nod to a couple of decades back when fashion was more playful and colorful. The monochrome look is so incredibly chic and timeless; you can always do black and white in my opinion. It’s also one of those trends that will look good on every body type. The clear/translucent pieces are definitely something that probably won’t last beyond summer so it’s not worth investing a lot of money in, but I’m loving how clear heels, jewelry and bags look right now so I’m anxious to try. 


Be sure to check out Dionna's work HERE

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

What I Wore to Napa Valley

This past weekend, I visited  Napa Valley (aka Wine Country USA) with friends.   As I said in this post, I've been having a blast discovering L.A., but it was great to get out of L.A. to discover other areas of California. We spent the day wine tasting and sightseeing. 







I had a blast!

I wore: 
Zara White Flared Jeans (Similar Here)
 Forever 21 Neon Sheer Blouse (Similar Here
 Steve Madden sandals and;
 Vintage Purse. 

To see more pictures from my trip visit my other blog

Monday, March 25, 2013

Three Ways to Wear Printed Pants This Spring/Summer

Three ways to wear one of Spring's biggest trend: Printed Pants

1. With a Structured jacket or blazer


2. With a plain white tee


3.  With a chiffon/sheer blouse


 Are you planning to wear this trend for Spring/Summer?

If so here are three options you may like:

River Island Printed Pants
French Connection Printed Pants
Nanette Lepore Printed Pants

Friday, March 22, 2013

Introducing Samara of Styled Chic


Today it is my pleasure to introduce natural hair stylista Samara of Styled Chic. Samara has a keen sense of style, and you will also find tons of beauty and natural hair inspiration on her blog. Isn't her natural hair so lush and beautiful? Without further adieu, Samara.  


Tell us about yourself, who is Samara?

Hello everyone!  Well, I am a 28 year old Fashion, Beauty, and Natural Hair Blogger currently residing in Virginia, but I am originally a California girl!  I enjoy fashion in the aspects of styling and also merchandising.  I am currently attending my university as a Fashion Merchandising major.  I am self-motivated and in the pursuit of accomplishing my goals.  One day I would love to work as a Fashion Editor or maybe even make a living from blogging full-time.  I love to travel and experience also new things.  



What can readers expect to find when they visit your blog?
 
Readers can expect to see my personal style displayed on my site and also any fashion trends that I'm into.  I also offer styling tips and advice from wardrobe essentials to what's on the runways for the current season.  I   have chemical-free tresses so I have a lot of information about going natural and I also post product reviews as well, so LOTS of hair pictures!  I love to attend hair events, meet ups, and expos so I've made it a point to post event recaps.  I also have a love for make-up and love to pamper my skin so I like to share any recent purchases that I've made.  Any new experiences or just what I am up to in general will be found on my site.




Where do you find fashion inspiration?

I find fashion inspiration in music and other cultures.  I love everything from hip-hop, to country, rock, and R & B so whatever mood I'm in or whatever I may be listening to can sort of influence how I dress such as wearing leather jackets, jeans with western styled boots, or a vintage tee with a leather skirt.  I also love looking at other cultures for inspo.  I can be inspired by prints, jewelry, or just their way of life.






What trends are you looking forward to wearing this Spring?

I love the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection for Spring 13 so I'm looking forward to wearing the bright colors, fun prints, and head wraps of course!  I also really love the monochromatic looks so I look forward to creating 
different looks with that trend!




Anything else?
 
I love expressing myself with what I wear and I feel every woman can be chic all it takes is a bit of effort!  For more styling tips please feel free to subscribe and comment on my blog www.StyledChic.net

I am also on Twitter: @_Mssamara_ and Instagram: Styledchic_

Thanks so much everyone!

Thank you Nika for the opportunity to share!



Be sure to visit Samara's Fab blog HERE.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Simple Pleasures: Neutral look with a splash of Neon

This past weekend was BEAUTIFUL. Sunshine makes me happy, so I took advantage of the lovely weather to go outdoors and enjoy some of life's simple pleasures. I am still in the excitement phase of discovering a new city, so it's always an adventure to me to discover what Los Angeles has to offer.

I visited the California African American Museum. If you are ever in L.A., I recommend visiting, it's a great museum with awesome exhibitions. I am somewhat of a nerd, so it was fun to me to learn about the first black-owned life insurance company on the west, to read about some of the first African-American playwrights and to view the microscopic work of artist Willard Wigan. I also enjoyed my favorite ice-cream - Coldstone's Strawberry Cheesecake Yum! 





How was your weekend?

Cheers,
Nika


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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Introducing Marsha of Style of a London Tall Girl


Gorgeous, stylish and striking, those are three of the words I'd use to describe Marsha. I discovered her blog on Facebook and sent her an email instantly. Her style is simply impeccably and she has a knack for pairing pieces together with such elegance. Plus her shoes and accessory collections are drool-worthy.  WIthout further adieu introducing Marsha and her blog Style of a London Tall Girl 


Tell us about yourself, who is Marsha?
I'm a 6ft fashion blogger, born in London although my heritage is half Indian, half Jamaican. I currently work in the fashion industry as an area manager in London. Like many women I have a crush on fashion, or addiction as some might say, and I love travelling at least a few times a year. I'm the owner of my blog Style of a London Tall Girl where I display my daily outfits, fashion loves and hates and anything else that inspires me.


What inspired you to start a blog?
From a very young age I was interested in clothes and shoes. I was the child who always knew what she liked as well as didn't like, much to my mother's dismay! I studied a BSc in Biochemistry, then an MSc in Forensic Science (yes I'm a secret geek, lol), but somehow my love for fashion has always prevailed. I've always loved styling outfits on and off the clock and always got comments about my outfits. Working with young women inspired me to start a blog to show that no matter what shape, size or height you are, you can be beautiful and stylish. I have now been blogging for a year and have not looked back once, my only wish is that I started it sooner. The emails and comments that I receive just makes it worth while, knowing that others get something from it.



Where do you find fashion inspiration?
Life, travels, different cultures, anywhere really. Over the years I have realised that I'm a girly girl. Although I like to test out new trends I generally only wear things if they suit me. I love the 60s, big dresses, chic bags and I love experimenting by pushing boundaries as well as putting a modern spin on different eras. In terms of whom inspires me, I would have to say actresses like Gabrielle Union who are strong, powerful and stylish, and not only champion young women but also give back to the community.



Where do you shop and what are three of your favorite pieces in your closet?
Most of the time Asos, Topshop and Long Tall Sally, and cute little boutiques in London and New York. I also love trailing through vintage stores for unusual sunglasses. My number one possession in my closet would have to be my Chanel quilted bag as its so classic and timeless. I have a penchant for bold necklaces, I buy at least two a month. Lastly my trusty trilby from Topshop, I find it so difficult to find a good fitting hat and this one is just the best fit and style, perfect for the London weather.


Anything else
Thanks again for featuring me, its such a privilege to be part of this site ;) Also if you like my blog, please vote for me to win best UK personal style blog here http://www.company.co.uk/magazine-hq/stylebloggerawards2013


 Be sure to visit Marsha's fab blog HERE

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Blog Workshop's Online Conference


 The Blog Workshop's Online Conference



As a blogger, I cannot overemphasize all that I have learned from other bloggers and from leaders in the blogosphere. I started blogging when I was a student living on a student’s budget, so while I have always wanted to attend a blog conference I did not have the opportunity to do so until now. I am excited to tell you about The Blog Workshop’s Online Conference, which will be taking place this May! 

The Conference

Date: May 17th-19th
Theme: "Where Blogging Meets Business"
Location: You get to choose because the conference is online!

Of course attending any conference is a powerful and effective way to network. But along with the benefits of networking, this conference is also cost effective, because you don't have to pay for your hotel stay, airplane travel and/or other travel related expenses. You  get to save money while receiving all the benefits of a conference. Talk about a win/win exchange!   Additionally, the conference's registration fee is inexpensive. The Blog Workshop also offers discounted tickets through their Indiegogo campaign perks. I am excited  and looking forward to attending the online conference due to its awesome agenda and the valuable information I am bound to acquire. The conference will include speakers from Blog-Trends, The Blog Frog, Blogads, and more!   

How to Register 
You can register for the conference online HERE. Hope to "see" you there! If You are attending the conference please let me know so I can connect with you. 

To Learn more about the conference, watch the Blog Workshop's informational video below






Cheers,
Nika



This post was sponsored by The Blog Workshop.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Introducing Emari of Touche de Mode


Emari's blog is filled with tons of inspiration - her personal style, fashion picks, DIY posts, and hair and makeup tutorials- it's a beauty and fashion lovers dream.  She also gives readers a peek into her life, where she talks about her career and life goals. You'll see that Emari is a young woman with a lot of wisdom to share. Emari is also the owner of an online boutique, if you want fun and chic accessories for Spring check out her boutique (the prices are extremely reasonable!).  It is my pleasure to introduce Emari!
 

Tell us about yourself, who is Emari?

I’m the NY fashion blogger of TouchedeMode whose overall life is based around creativity. I'm very passionate about the fashion industry,therefore, I love to express my ideas and my inspirations by writing this blog. I first fell in love with fashion when I discovered creativity. In junior high school I taught myself to sew and draw. Then, I discovered my greatest passion. Fashion not only made me a more creative individual, but , I enjoyed every aspect of it. Whether it was watching a fashion telivision show, sewing or admiring someone's outfit on the street. It gave me a drive like nothing did before. My blog consist of my  personal experiences and what I enjoy about beauty and fashion.   As I continue to live out my biggest interest,  I hope that my audience enjoys reading it.


What inspired you to start a blog?

In 2011, I was lucky enough to attend the Teen Vogue Fashion U conference. The very last seminar that we had to attend, Blogger and Boutique owners came to tell us there story. I then thought to myself, " Why can't I do this?". I honestly loved giving people fashion advice as well as showing off my personal style. TouchedeMode.com then became a website where I share my passions for Life, Fashion,Style and Beauty. In addition, I wanted to provide an outlet where I can sell stand-out accessories in !  I started the blog in December 2011.




Tell us more about your boutique, and what pieces would you recommend for Spring?

My online boutique launched December 2012 . I originally was going to sell clothing, but I wanted to start off small. I started with accesories because they are season-less. They are always a necessity in any girls closet , especially my own. For the Spring, I would reccommend :
 
Earring: Shattered Jewel Drop Earring, Elegant Crystal Stud Earrings,

Necklaces:Lots of Chain Necklace, Shattered Jewel Necklace, Round Tribal Necklace and the point of it all Necklace
All of the Bracelet stacks are very popular. They are considered "armcandy" and one of the most worn trends right now. 



What can readers expect to find when they visit your blog? 

My readers can expect some of the latest fashion information/trends, personal style diaries as well as my experiences I deal with in life. It is really what I call "a one stop shop". I have an online boutique, a fashion section, beauty, lifestyle and style. I give a range of topics hoping that people fall in love with at least one category if they're not already in love with the whole blog =).



Let me know if you need any other information.
I look forward to being featured!

Be sure to check out Emari's lovely blog HERE and her boutique HERE.

Nika Notes: Beauty is Diverse


If you read the “About” section of this blog, you’ll see the reasons why I started Faces of Black Fashion. To be frank, I did not state all of the reasons why I started this blog. A few years ago, I watched a video of the “doll test.”  The “doll test” showed little black girls overwhelmingly rejecting black dolls in favor of  white dolls. To those little girls, white dolls represented beauty and femininity; the black dolls did not.

Watching that video made me cry. I do understand that early on the messages we receive from the media and our environment shape our views of the world. Sadly, the media and society still advance one standard of beauty.

With my whole being, I believe that black is beautiful. I believe that God created tremendous beauty in the human population; thus beauty can be and is found within all races and ethnicities. So the video bothered me. It bothered me deeply that those little black girls did not see beauty within themselves. I did not like it, and I wanted it to be different. I wanted them to see their beauty and value. I wanted them to see what I saw when I looked at them. They would not see it however, if their beauty was or is not celebrated  in the world around them.

Today I watched another video my Carmeron Russell  (see video below) where she talks about the effects of certain privileges; in particular, the way society defines beauty and the impact that has on all of us.


Carmeron articulates a lot of truths about  societal constructs and how they shape our experiences in the world. Though troubling, this video confirmed to me the importance of championing diversity in any industry that acts as a channel that defines what it means to be beautiful. Though this blog is just a small piece of the World Wide Web, I feel even more encouraged to celebrate diversity in beauty. Whether we are tall, short, slender, not so slender, natural haired, relaxed haired….whatever it is, as black women, we are beautiful.

Cheers,
Nika



Sunday, March 10, 2013

Spring Fashion Forward: What I want for Spring 2013




Happy Spring Forward! I am excited that Spring is finally here (well almost). As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, Spring brings with it promises of new beginnings. It's a time of year where fashionistas look forward to shedding layers of scarves and coats and showcase more of their personal style. What are you looking forward to wearing this Spring? Here's my Spring 2013 fashion list. Hope you enjoy!


Versatile Pink Pencil Skirt  like the one pictured from Oscar de la Renta below. It's perfect for colorblocking or wearing with neutrals this spring.  I like this skirt by J Crew or this pale pink one from NY & Co.


Crisp White Blazer that can be worn with just about everything. Plus white blazers are bound to look great with Spring's shocking neon colors and embellished jewelry.  Blazer can be found Here.





Decadent Earrings I've been looking for the perfect emerald earrings since Beyonce's Inauguration performance and finally found the right pair here.  I can wear them to work or play, which is exactly what I wanted.



These luxurious earrings from INPINK Fashion Jewelry are pure decadence. 


Black and White Shoes - I just love this outfit that Solange wore for a performance last week ( although I  love everything Solange wears). I especially love the shoes since I want a pair of black and white shoes for Spring. I found the perfect pair by Jeffrey Campbell (they're definitely "It"). 




Geometric Print DressesSpring 2013 is all about the Geometric print, and I love it. In particular, this Spring I want a couple of geometric print dresses. Modcloth has a number of great options. 


Cheers,
Nika

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Introducing DelMoniCole Clothing

There's nothing better than having that unique one-of-a-kind piece in your closet to express your personal style. If you are on a search for that piece (or pieces) definitely check out Independent Fashion Designer Tarsha Wiliams and her clothing line DelMoniCole. The beautiful pieces from Tarsha's line incorporates bold pieces and bright colors into classic silhouettes. It is my pleasure to introduce DelMoniCole Clothing


Tell us about yourself, who is Tarsha? 

I am a clothing designer in Houston that loves designing and creating clothing for women.


Tell us about your line DelMoniCole.
design what I want to wear so essentially I’m just inviting the world into my closet. I love using classic silhouettes but with bold colors and clean lines that accentuate the woman’s body.

The Retro Pant, DelMoniCole

  
Now that Spring is around the corner, are there any particular pieces you would recommend from the line? 

The retro dress is one of my faves, you can wear it to the beach or a day party. It’s a fun piece that attracts great attention. The Dutch Cottage dress is also great for day and night. It’s pointed sides gives your legs a great look.

The Retro Dress

Where can readers view your lookbook and purchase pieces from your line? 
Readers can view and purchase pieces on my website at http://www.delmonicole.com. They can also stay up to date with sales and new pieces through my facebook fanpage http://www.facebook.com/delmonicoleclothing





 Thanks again for the feature!


Cheers,
Nika

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

In Retrospect

Fierceness since the beginning






Visit Vintage Black Glamour for more fierceness from the past.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

My Personal Style Aesthetic: Four Cities and Counting

I love cities. As a child I grew up in a very tiny town in Jamaica before I moved to the U.S. where I spent my teenage years in the suburbs of New York. At 17, I packed my bags and moved to NYC to attend college and fell in love with the city life. In the past 10 years, I've lived in 4 different cities and all of them influenced my style in some sense. It has been almost four months since I moved to Los Angeles, and already I see  the fabric of L.A. unfolding into my style aesthetic.


NEW YORK
I've spent the majority of those 10 years living in New York.  In NY,  I gained a love for vintage pieces, funky accessories and black. You hear all the time that New Yorkers love black. At first I tried to resist becoming the stereotypical New Yorker, telling myself that as a Caribbean woman with a love for color, black would probably not become a staple in my closet. It's funny how things sneak up on you without you even realizing it. After living in NYC for years, I have developed an affinity for black. It makes sense, in such a fast-paced city where at times you have a moment's notice to get ready.  Black is the easy option. It goes with everything and always looks sophisticated. It's the norm to have a bunch of little black dresses, skirts, blouses and pants in New York. You also learn that a little black dress worn with a statement piece of jewelry and the right heels make one "boss" outfit. 

LONDON
When I lived in London for six months, I noticed people experimented with fashion a lot more than I was used to in New York. Mixing prints and colors seemed like the norm in London before the rest of the world made it a fad. I absolutely enjoyed "style watching" in London and noticed a freedom of expression that I hadn't seen before. I loved seeing the risks people took with clothing. Londonites seem to have a knack for putting together the most unlikely pieces that blossomed into a fashionable whole. It was in London that I began to experiment a lot more with my style, and to this day, most of my real life style icons are British. 

WASHINGTON, D.C.
In D.C. I developed a love for J Crew and pearls. Living in a political city where you're surrounded by Staffers, Lobbyists and the like,  you'll gain an appreciation (or dislike) for the All American preppy look. Pearls are a women's best friend in D.C. and J Crew is her dream closet.

LOS ANGELES
I already had something in common with L.A. before I moved here. I LOVE bright colors and the city embraces it. In L.A. you will notice "clashes of color," as I call it.  People here boldly pair colors together (it's the norm) in a beautiful eye-catching clash.  I also enjoy that people in L.A. have a knack for making jeans and t-shirt look extremely fashionable by pairing the look with the right blazer, vest, jewelry or shoes. I also love that the women here embrace wearing skirts and dress ( I think the weather has a lot to do with this). 

Photo: I've been in New York for the past week  and met up with friends for cocktails. What city do I seem to be channeling here?

Cheers,
Nika