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Nelson Mandela, a name known worldwide. However unfortunate as it may be, as time rolls along names get forgotten, but thanks to the fashion industry that is one name that will continue through the generations. The clothing line has been initiated by the Nelson Mandela’s Foundation and is manufactured by a South African company, Seardel. As the line is from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, proceeds from the sales will go to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and President of South Africa. Mandela was somewhat comparable to how Americans view Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as Mandela fought for the rights of people in his country. Nelson Mandela ended up becoming imprisoned due to activism and served about twenty odd years until he was released in the early nineties and subsequently received his Nobel Peace Prize and started his Presidency.
To commemorate Nelson Mandela, the clothing will be adorned with “46664.” This was Mandela’s number while in prison and Africa for all those years.
“We ourselves were branded in prison. Who would have imagined that this once negative number [Mr Nelson Mandela’s prison number, 46664] could one day be a brand that instead celebrates beauty?” — Mr Tokyo Sexwale at the 46664 Apparel launch in Sandton.
All of the items in the clothing line will also display the “Hand of Africa.” This logo was originally seen to symbolize the anti-apartheid. The pieces in this clothing line include; dresses in a variety of colors, polo shirts, denim, and other men’s wear. The line is rather expensive for the area in Africa it is being sold in, but (as mentioned above) a percentage of the proceeds will go to fight AIDS and HIV. This cause is being supported because throughout the years of Nelson Mandela’s selfless life, he has spoken at a number of AIDS fundraising campaigns, as well as suffered with his son. Nelson Mandela’s son, Makgatho Mandela, was killed by the virus in 2005.
Help support the cause and Nelson Mandela’s continuing fight at www.46664.com
Queen Latifah is far from shy, and he interview with NY Magazine proved her to be no different. She started out the conversation by informing everyone, “I really have expensive taste,” continuing to explain how that was “probably the biggest adjustment” the Queen made when referring to her new line with HSN. The line is affordable and launched August 27th, 2011. On the topic, Queen Latifah said, “I wanted the materials to be as luxe as they could possibly be, but at a reasonable price point…I like things that make women look really sexy but not unclassy-sexy. Edgy as well.”
Queen Latifah has a good, clear-headed vision. And this hip-hop diva turned actress transforming into a designer, seems to know what women want and is willing to wait for a good thing. In the interview, Queen Latifah explained how there were many opportunities to produce and create a clothing line, but she just knew this one was the right one.
Her consciousness of what she wants and what she is doing is admirable. She explained the ideas behind the designs and how she went about the process, “You have to design with respect to the women whose bodies you’re putting this on. You buy a shirt in a size 16 — it’s boxy, it’s not tailored, or it’s in a material that’s not forgiving in any way, so we try to use stretchy materials. I made sure that a lot of the collars dropped so you don’t completely show your cleavage but you show a little sexiness. I tried to make things that I would wear and girls my size would also wear.” Besides the basic clothing pieces, Queen Latifah’s collection includes purses. The Queen even said during her interview, “I love purses — if there’s one thing I will spend money on, I will spend money on a handbag. The handbags are really fly.”
Moreover, the Queen was asked about some other “royals.” She was asked about the new Princess Kate and her sister Pippa. In response the Queen simply stated, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” However, the Queen admitted one thing, “I’d probably give her a pair of my skinny moto jeans and a fresh moto jacket with a cool tank, and I’d probably get her a nice pair of Ralph Lauren boots, throw her on a cool-ass motorcycle and tell her to go. But that’s just me. I’m standing in New York, looking over the city, and I like to see a little ruggedness.”
This year’s MTV Video Music Awards brought on its share of show-stopping looks. The night began on the black carpet. Yes, MTV has changed it up again. They did the traditional thing with the red carpet, then moved on to the less traditional with a white carpet, and this year they may have hit it on the nose with the elusive and complementing black carpet.
As many awards were won last night (Sunday, August 28, 2011) including, Katy Perry, Niki Minaj, Tyler The Creator, and Brittany Spears, there are a few more awards remaining to be given. Most outrageously dressed would go to Niki Minaj. As many suspected Lady Gaga to hold that throne once again, the Mother Monster unpredictably appeared to be the ‘Father’ Monster of the night. Yes, Lady Gaga dressed in drag – the whole night – and had no costume changes. Niki Minaj’s outrageous outfit consisted mostly of toys. She carried a bag that was merely a stuffed animal trailing her every step down the black carpet, not to mention her stuffed animal-covered shoes. The rest of her outfit appeared to be a geometric ‘robot’ dress with a tutu underneath. Niki also trotted a blonde, pink, and yellow hairpiece along with the unforgettable face-mask adorned in almost all of the colors in her outfit; possibly harajuku inspired. Runner-up in crazy clothes for the night goes to, Katy Perry. Katy began the night in an adorable, pastel colored, cut-out mini dress with matching parasol and Jimmy Choo’s. In good fashion, Katy had an outfit change mid-way through the show, changing into the second geometric look for the night. Katy kept with the pastels but switched to a two-piece outfit instead. The winning singer capped off the look with a yellow cube atop her head, and thankfully on her walk up to the stage to receive her award for video of the year, Katy kept her balance and her outfit in place.
The cutest couple goes to Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. As the Disney star co-hosted the pre-show, she was granted the opportunity to interview her boyfriend, Justin Bieber. The moment was adorable, and ended with a sweet kiss on the cheek. Not to mention, Selena looked positively beautiful in the glam-Goth, high-low Julien Mc Donald gown. And no worries, since Justin was sans Selena for the pre-show, he brought his pet snake as his date down the carpet.
Last, but not least, the most surprising moment of the night goes to…Beyonce! The fierce diva performed her new song, “Love On Top,” early into the award show. Beyonce and her dancers walked onto the stage through a blinding light, all classically dressed in stilettos, black trousers, white button-ups, and sequin blazers. Unbeknownst to its literal meaning, Beyonce started her performance off with, “Tonight I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me!” The surprise was unveiled at the end of her song. The singing diva came forward, threw down her microphone, unbuttoned her blazer, and there it was…Beyonce is pregnant!! This exciting news is now making its way through the Hollywood gossip trails and all we have to say is, Congratulations Beyonce and Jay-Z! However not to be upstaged, Bruno mars gave a great performance of Valerie in honor of Amy Winehouse.
When in Rome…take a ride with Maserati and Fendi? Yes, it is now a possibility. Maserati and Fendi have joined forces and have designed one of the hottest items from Italy to date. Both companies pride themselves on their craft and their value of tradition. One could say these two extremely important aspects are what began the marriage of the top Italian designer brands. The child of these two exquisite companies is named, the Special Edition Maserati GranCabrio Fendi.
Silvia Venturini Fendi, of Fendi (of course), designed the newly ‘merged’ logo. Silvia took the well-known double F crest of Fendi and the trident Maserati emblem into a silver oval plaque. The special edition Maserati GranCabrio Fendi will feature the iconic trident in an illuminating yellow hue, stitched into the head rest and appears again in the calipers beyond the 19-inch alloy wheels – for those of us vaguely understanding car terminology, a caliper is the full-functioning burst of color seen behind the rims of the tires, in this case the color is yellow and the function pertains to the brakes. The most sought after aspect of the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi may just be its leather interior. The interior is actually produced with the Cuoio Romano fine leather used in Fendi’s Selleria line. However, the envy will be brought out by those double F’s. That is fact, not fiction; the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi will feature its leather seats adorned in the double F in possibly the most sophisticated way one could imagine. Not to mention, Fendi has prepared a limited edition travel kit made of items like suitcases which reports to match the car.
Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), has reported, “prices for the Fendi Maserati have yet to be determined, prices for Maseratis range from 135,151 euros, or $195,000, to 141,151 euros, or $204,000, for the sports version.” I guess we will haver to wait and see how much birthday and holiday money will need to be saved up.
The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi will make its first appearance at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
He is back! In New York City that is. Young, fashion forward designer Zac Posen will finally be showing his main fashion line in this year’s coming Fashion Week, again. It has been three years now since New York’s Fashion Week has witnessed the preview of his high fashion line. Zac Posen decided, three years ago, to take his runway to France and give his debuts at Paris Fashion Week instead of New York’s. He claims he brought the show to the other side of the pond because, “they understand my clothes.” If France was the only city that “understands” Zac Posen clothes, I am not so sure he would be such a mega fashion mogul, and at such a young age. Posen came onto the fashion scene right out of college. His line was established and unveiled right around his twenty-first birthday, receiving insanely amazing reviews. Zac Posen’s career received a jump start and has been pumping its way up and through the fashion industry.
Although his foremost fashion line was shown in Paris, his secondary line, Z-Spoke was shown on the New York runways. Coincidentally, Z-Spoke has made its grand opening this past week in none other than New York City, specifically in the Meatpacking District. With all of the hype and media surrounding the opening it is really of no surprise that Zac has decided to show it all in the city that has allowed his career to bloom as it has. Zac Posen was questioned by Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) about the sudden switch back. Zac told Women’s Wear Daily, “Paris is wonderful but it just feels like the right time to show in New York.”
As the designer has always been criticized for his age by critics and the media, Zac has earned an even stronger point of overcoming these criticisms; possibly a reason he went to Paris in the first place. He despises being quoted as “the young designer.” Z-Spoke may have helped him overcome those challenges. In light of all the positive press and energy surrounding Z-Spoke and its grand-opening, Zac may be once again feeling at home in New York City. Welcome home, and stick around for a few more New York Fashion Weeks.
The clothing company PRVCY has signed on a new celebrity to represent their brand. Not too long ago Ali Lohan, little sister to Lindsay, became a spokes model for the company and now the company has an even bigger name to add. Mark Wahlberg is the latest celebrity figure to show off PRVCY. Once upon a time, Mark Wahlberg represented Calvin Klein in nothing but his tigjhty-whiteys and was the best thing that ever happened to the company. With the same hopes, PRVCY is taking him on. However, he will be less of a model, and more-so a brand representative.
PRVCY tells E! News, they chose the forty year old actor because of “his amazing record of boosting the Calvin Klein brand.” PRVCY followed-up their statement with the expectation of Wahlberg’s “powerhouse image to do the same for PRVCY.” Mark Wahlberg will be representing the brands denim and menswear line, as well as being part of a new underwear line.
As it has been quite some years and some six-packs ago, since Mark Wahlberg a.k.a. Marky-Mark, as he was called in those days, has been photographed in the scantily clad, PRVCY seems to believe he still has ‘it.’
And after he expressed to everyone, at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, that Taylor Lautner has replaced himself and Leo DiCaprio. Mark said, “I am sitting at a table with a gentleman who is better looking than you and is in better shape than me,” Wahlberg said to DiCaprio. “So, we’re both out of a job, dude. Taylor Lautner! We’re screwed. It’s over, dude,” Wahlberg continued as the room burst into laughter. “Titanic and Boogie Nights were a long time ago. I accept it. I had a good run and on to the next.”
It is a little shocking to now hear he has not been replaced at all. This sex symbol is still just that, a sex symbol, along with being a hot fashion commodity. Look out ladies, Marky-Mark is back!
Once again Joan Rivers’ comedy is mistaken for sincerity. Joan Rivers has made her living poking fun at the unfortunate clothing choices of others, and still, there are people that do not get her humor. The comedic queen began on the red carpet amongst the celebrities, and with the help of the E! Network, Joan Rivers has made her way to the sound stage. This allows comments to roll freely off of her tongue without directly offending anybody to their face. Unfortunately, the televised, weekly segments have allowed Joan to offend yet another. This time, however the offended is not a celebrity or anyone on the fashion scene but a member of a women’s rights-esque organization.
Joan Rivers’ show is entitled, Fashion Police, and is quite the required show for those fashionistas in the know. The show airs on the E! Channel (check your local listings) every Friday night at 10:30pm; which is a perfect time slot for Joan Rivers’ humor. The offended in question is Rachael Lloyd. Rachael Lloyd is the founder and executive director of Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS). The foundation is a survivor led organization with the hopes to “ending commercial sexual exploitation.”
Rachael’s issue: the brief segment on Fashion Police called Starlet or Streetwalker. In this mere five minutes of the fashion comedy talk show, Rivers’ and panel – Kelly Osbourne, E! News anchor, Giuliana Rancic, and stylist, George Kotsiopoulos – view photographs of a female with her face blocked off in some rather questionable, trashy clothes. Then, they are to decide whether she will be revealed as a celebrity starlet that we all know, and usually love, or a random girl from the street. It has never been made mutually exclusive that these “streetwalkers” are literally ladies of the street, but apparently that is how Ms. Lloyd took it, and this is what she has to say, “I watched with growing discomfort as I realized that these women – poor women, desperate women, drug-addicted women, women under the control of a pimp, women who are victims of violence and exploitation – were being used to highlight wealthy celebrities’ poor fashion choices. Mocking Celebrity X for wearing an ill-advised $15,000 couture gown to the Oscars is quite different than mocking a woman who is literally living on the streets. I doubt if E! would have fashion segments called ‘Homeless or Hollywood?’, ‘Drug Addict or Debutante?’, ‘Poor or Posh?.’ Yet because these women are not ‘just’ potentially homeless, drug addicted, and definitely poor, but are ‘streetwalkers,’ prostitutes, whores, hookers, they’re considered fair game.”
Rachael Lloyd has stated her opinion, and now wants others. Well, at least their support in having this segment come to an end. She has begun an online petition to end the fragment of Fashion Police which Lloyd finds “incredibly offensive and damaging.” The petition has already reached nearly 1,500 (electronic) signatures and is still going. If you would like to support Rachael in her fight to stop exploiting girls, the site is Change.org.
Up and coming Disney Channel star Selena Gomez has just about everything a young girl could ever want; she’s got Justin Beiber on her arm, a hit TV show, and a singing career. Girls, watch out! This child star is moving up and, in proper from, Selena will be releasing a clothing line. Selena’s clothing will be sold at K-Mart stores nationwide. Surprise, surprise, Ms. Gomez’s collection is a low-priced line. Selena is producing a low-priced line because, as she told reporters, she remembers what it was like trying to buy affordable casual clothes for school. Selena may believe she is making it easier on the kids, but I think the parents are going to be the ones thanking her with the most expensive piece staying under $25!
The clothing line is titled, Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez. It first hit the racks of K-Mart about a month ago (in July 2011) and is getting so much hype as back-to-school is practically at our toes. Selena went on to say about Dream Out Loud, “We actually wanted to make the fall line kind of preppy in just the sense of going back to school. So, we do have a lot of plaids. [For instance,] There is a cute plaid skirt and there are a lot of boots that we have, and then sweaters and layering pieces that are really sweet.” Selena also gave Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) the inside scoop on the line saying, “[It’s] the whole Texan cowgirl meets the glam Boho chic of Hollywood. Since the announcement, we added a lot of accessories. I love scarves, and long necklaces and cute bangles. It’s constantly changing, which is cool. It will change with me.”
Selena also voiced her hopes of creating a luxury line some day, as major style icon Sarah Jessica Parker is an inspiration to Selena. Ms. Gomez’s adorable personality and drive have brought her this far, I am sure we will see more of Selena’s fashions in the upcoming seasons.
As fashion week approaches, it seems everyone is getting the word out about their new clothing lines. The latest new comer to a fashion line is none other than the Mother Monster herself, Lady Gaga. Of course Lady Gaga will be joined by upcoming fashion designer and sister, Natali Germanotta, or Baby Gaga as big sis prefers. For the conservative fashionistas, don’t be too alarmed; the looks that will be born from this line are said to be nothing like the Lady Gaga appearances we have seen at such events as the Grammy’s and the MTV Award shows. The line has actually been described as “relatively normal and wearable.”
As sighs of relief falls over the fashion world, an even bigger question rises…so what will these clothes look like? There has not been a significant amount of information given about the line itself besides a few hints, and a possible peek. It has been reported that the theme Lady and Baby Gaga have conjured is “to remodel the styles of classic icons from the past, for example, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Katherine Hepburn.”
The emergence of this news has itself some peculiar timing as Baby Gaga was recently in a few fashion news posts. Baby Gaga, or Natali, is a student of Parson’s The New School for Design, and it has been reported that she is designing the costumes for a new off-Broadway show. As this news was recently released, we did not expect bigger news to immediately follow; one could say, we had our appetizer, here is our main course, so what is going to be for dessert? Could it possibly be the visual of these looks in completion? The Gaga’s claim to “remodel…classic icons” is verbalized in an example to take the infamous Marilyn Monroe halter dress to kinkier heights…making it out of leather. I believe we are in store for some surprising pieces and creative takes on these iconic looks.
High heels have always been a huge fashion staple, and a known obsession among fashionistas. It has been reported that one of the world’s biggest fashionistas will have to hold off on that inclination, at least for the time being. Victoria Beckham, known for; being wife to world famous athlete David Beckham, being a fashion designer and trendsetter, a celebrity mom, and a former Spice Girl. Victoria Beckham is a Jack(ie) of all trades, but for a few months she may have to give up one of her trades, for good reason of course. Victoria has been told by her doctor to stay out of the heels and try to walk flat on her own two feet. As most women pine the night they must slip on and zip up in a pair of stilettos, Victoria Beckham is much different. Wearing high heels is practically a trademark for this British mom, who in fact wore heels throughout all four of her pregnancies. The search for new shoes is due to a problem in her back. The issue was realized after she gave birth to her first daughter, and fourth child, in July that Victoria has a slipped disc in her back. As the condition could possibly cause serious problems down the line, she has been advised to stay off the high heels and has even been banned from wearing the high shoes at Fashion Week!
Sources close to the Beckham’s have released statements saying, “”Victoria’s not had an easy past few weeks. But she’s a trooper and after getting the all-clear to attend Fashion Week – provided her back doesn’t significantly deteriorate – she has been advised to avoid heels. Although her heel-wearing wasn’t the cause of her back problems, stilettos don’t help her condition. Victoria has been frantically surfing the web for an acceptable pair of flats, ones which don’t make her look like a golf club. She’s not relishing the prospect of not wearing heels but at the moment her main priority is looking after Harper and getting herself fixed.”
Victoria even stated, “I beyond hate ballerina flats – I can’t even walk in them.” Now, that is a first! A woman that can’t walk in flats!
It is clear that Victoria Beckham despises shoes without a high heel, but with the arrival of her fourth child her mind and body will be kept plenty busy.
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