Style Inspiration: Good Girl Gone Bad

Rihanna Eats Outside of Da Silvano in New York City on June 19, 2007.

Mya and Cassie channel their bad side with leather and patant respectively.

Turtkeneck: Thalia Top, $19.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Mingled Half Moon Necklace, $7.80, www.forever21.com; Hobo Bag: Crescent Ring Brass Studded Hobo, $129.99, www.shoplush.com; Studded Bangle: Studded Bangle, $4, www.charloterusse.com; Belt: Wide Spot Elastic Belt, $50, www.topshop.com; Leather Jacket: Nappa Leather Jacket $3270, www.net-a-porter.com; Red Bangle: Leather And Rivet Wristband, $24, www.topshop.com; Platform Shoes: Trippin, $119.95, www.stevemadden.com; Shorts: Linen High Waist Short, $22.50, www.wetseal.com; Skinny Pants: Piper Embroidered Pocket Pant, $32.50, www.alloy.com; Gloves: Wrist Length Stretch Fishnet Gloves with Dot Pattern, $9.99, www.greatglovesonline.com; Black Vest: Filippa Sequin Top by K Karl Lagerfeld, $290, www.net-a-porter.com; Thigh-High Boots: Black Thigh High Boots, $59.99, www.buycostumes.com; Ruffle Shirt: Chiffon Ruffle Top, $25.50, www.wetseal.com; Ankle Boots: Wrap Bootie, $29.63, www.alloy.com; Clutch: Oversized Distressed Bordeaux Clutch, $46, www.amiciaccessories.com; Chain Bracelet: Brass Knuckle Bracelet, $9.99, www.girlprops.com; Black Bangle: Ruby Panther Bangle by Mawi, $466, www.my-wardrobe.com; White Vest: StarLogoTank, $62, www.blackgirlsrockinc.com

Every girl has a bad side. Yes, even you. Dig deep. It’s in there somewhere! Every now and again we need to mix it up a little wardrobe-wise and nothing does that more than bad ass style. If you need a little help bringing out your wild side, just try throwing on some leather, strap on gravity defying boots, draw on some Amy Winehouse-esque eyeliner and strut like it’s your birthday! Take style tips from the three ladies above. Mya dared to take on leather pants – we all know how unforgiving they can be. She softened the look a little by teaming leather with black, chiffon frills. Cassie walked the red carpet in daring thigh-high, patant boots. And Ms. Rihanna, the undisputed princess of darkness, kept it simple with a black vest and skinny jeans, however her brass knuckle boots by Dsquared² took this look to the next level (the real brass knuckles on her hands didn’t hurt the look either). If this is all a bit too vampish for you, try an alternative take on the “good girl gone bad” theme. This Party dress by the theUrbanCollection.com screams “I’m a non-conformist but I don’t take myself too seriously.” After all, being bad should be fun.

Workwear 101: Ladies Who Lunch

Rachel Roy at David Yurman’s 25th Anniversary in a dress of her own design, and a Fendi bag.

Eve arriving at the CBS, Paramount, UPN, Showtime, King World TCA Party at The Wind Tunnel and Mya at the Life Ball 2007 Party at the Shambala.

I’ve been meaning to do this series for a while and I get quite a few emails from people asking me what they should wear to work. Well, it really all depends on where you work and what type of office environment is encouraged. As a general rule of thumb don’t let hemlines go any further than just above your knee; let dresses and suits fit well but not so tight that your uncomfortable and fidget all day; and finally heels are great but if you can’t walk in them give in to kitten heels or flats – they look just as good.

This installment is for those of you who work in more relaxed environments, but you’re still required to make an effort. You have numerous lunch meetings with clients and colleagues and for practical reasons you like to wear outfits that take you easily from the work day to evening. Dresses are perfect for you and though at first glance the above dresses may look too flashy, you can easily throw on a shawl and/or belt to bring the outfit down to earth. See the above ladies for inspiration then get the look below...

Left to right: Woven Floral Dress, $24.80, www.forever21.com; Floral Trapeze Dress, $76, www.topshop.com; Rose Print Dress by Aquascutum, $560, www.brownsfashion.com; Border Print Halter Dress, $29.99, www.target.com

Left to right: MIA Venice Pump, $28.79, www.endless.com; Loren Wedge Slide, $19.99, www.payless.com; Cuamba, $250, www.aldoshoes.com; Stonze, $109.95, www.stevemadden.com

1. Casper Cardi, $59.99, www.frenchconnection.com; 2. Chain Bangle, $12.50, www.delias.com; 3. Charm Necklace, $12.50, www.delias.com; 4. Star Embroidered Purse, $16.99, www.charlotte-russe.com; 5. Charm Earrings, $12.50, www.delias.com; 6. Victoria's Fall Spy Brown Bag, $39, www.anyknockoff.com; 7. Prong Bracelet, $19.99, www.frenchconnection.com; 8. F9681 Sunglasses, $4.80, www.forever21.com

Another One Bites The Dust…

Another day, another Black magazine folds. Vibe Vixen is the latest publication to fall under the witches spell. After two years and some change, Vibe Vixen will no longer produce their hard copy magazine but will continue their presence online. Read the official press release below. I wasn’t really a fan of the magazine but it’s sad that people will lose their jobs.

"Less than two weeks after being named CEO of Vibe Media Group, Steve Aaron announced Vibe would fold Vibe Vixen, the female counterpart to urban music and lifestyle magazine Vibe.

Vixen will cease as a regularly published title with the August/September issue and starting in the fourth quarter, the company will begin publishing Vixen as special issues focusing on urban culture themes. The company hasn’t determined the frequency for the specials, a company rep said. Vixen also will continue to maintain a Web site.

In a press release, Aaron said there would be “some” layoffs. The rep would not make executives available for further comment.

Vixen launched in February 2005 as a twice-a-year title with a circ of 425,000 (unaudited) and upped the frequency to six times this year. Pages for the first half of 2007 totaled 147, per Publishers Information Bureau. [Source]"

Mya covers Ocean Style Magazine

I was getting my daily dose of Concrete Loop and saw this new magazine (well, new to me) called Ocean Style. As you can see Mya is on the cover looking sultry and fabulous. There was a time when I didn’t care much for Mya’s style but she's been growing on me. I wonder what projects she has up her sleeve. Head over to Ocean Style’s website to flick through a preview copy of their magazine.

Jeans 101: Le Petite Pois!

Kelly Rowland at the NBA All-Star Weekend Basketball Game in Houston on February 18th, 2006.
Mya posing at Heatherette's official launch of its young contemporary line at Macy's Herald Square in August of last year in NYC.
Sherri Saum attending the Glam Slam 06' party presented by Tennis Channel, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and ATP at Crobar last August in New York City.
Eva Pigford arriving at the VMA Style Villa at the Bryant Park Hotel last August in New York City.

I’ve been chastised quite a lot (via email and other means of communication!) for not including petite fashion enough on this site. I try my people, I try. However note that it is much more time consuming to find great fashion and photographs of celebrities for petite and plus size posts – I’m working on it though. Here I’m continuing our ‘Jeans 101’ series and focusing on ladies who have a hard time finding jeans that are the right length or size i.e. 0, 2 or 4. See below for ideas and as usual leave comments and tips for fellow readers.

To Bang or Not to Bang?!

Kelly working the hell outta those bangs front row at the Luca Luca runway show during New York Fashion week.
Are Mya and Rihanna taking this trend too far? Nelly Furtado on the other hand looks great and knows it!

Trend Alert: Ridiculously long bangs. I’m talking eyeball skimming bangs. Bangs that hang so low you’re forced to ask for assistance when crossing the street… Are we feeling them? I personally think they look great, but I’m guessing they are awfully uncomfortable. Kelly Rowland has this style down pat, they’re not too thick or long, but Alicia Keys’ bangs in the “Yay or Nay” post below are completely impractical. I think I’ll definitely try wearing this style at least once in by life, but I’ll avoid wearing them so thick like Rihanna and Mya’s… They took it too far!

Note: Check out the last hairstyle trend here.

Style on the Go...

U.K. singer, Samantha Mumba was at the "Nailed" premiere this week looking fantastic… Is it true she had Sisqo’s baby?!
Ashanti posing outside the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino during her surprise birthday party early in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ashanti turned 26 on October 13.
Jill Marie Jones attends the launch party for Our Stories Films at Social on last week in Hollywood, California.
Mya attendind the premiere for “Why I Wore Lipstick To My Masectomy” in NY at the end of last week.

Just below the knee is the perfect length for dresses and skirts. Whether you’re short, tall, big small, you can’t go wrong with this length – it flatters ALL. Samantha Mumba and Jill Marie Jones look effortlessly chic in their knee length black outfits. For those who don’t know, Samantha is half Zambian, half Irish and had a brief career high in 2000 when her album received international recognition, she even starred in a Steven Spielberg movie called “The Time Machine.” She hasn’t really done much since but has an album coming out at the end of this month. Good luck to her. Mya and Ashanti look very 1930’s – I can’t believe Ashanti just turned 26, she's older than me! Happy belated Bday!

Did You Guess Right?!...

Mya attending the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational opening night party hosted by Michael Jordan earlier this year.

This dress is divine, Mya's whole look is fabulous from the hair to the shoes! I wonder when her next album will be released?

Heavy Metal

Goapele attending the Kelis and VH1 Soul Present: The Summer of Soul Party in August of this year.
Mya at Jessica Simpson's Album Release Party in New York City over the summer.Meagan Good seen early in the morning outside the National Night Club in Hollywood last year.

Admittedly this trend isn’t for me, but for you more open-minded fashionistas these metallic boots are a great alternative to the brown and black boots currently filling the shops. Follow in Goapele, Mya and Meagan’s footsteps and illuminate your outfit with a touch metal.

Guess the Style Diva!

No clues, like you need any! :)

Kelis & Mya model for Heatherette

Kelis brings all the boys to the yard on the Heatherette runway!
Mya and her surfboard (?!)
Kelis, Mya and Brandy hang out backstage.
Brandy backstage - lovin' her shirt!
Kelis and Mya leave after their runway appearances!

This looks like the one show everyone wanted to be at... Kelis and Mya looked amazing on the runway, they totally embody the Heatherette aesthetic! Brandy looks like she had fun, I wonder what she has lined up next for her career?!

Style on the Go...

Mya attended the Sephora and Universal Motown' s Celebration of 'Style and Sound' the Tuesday just gone, in New York.
Amerie arriving at the Pharrell Williams & Absolut Ruby Red Pre-VMA Bash at Chinatown Brasserie Wednesday night in New York City.
Mariah Carey arriving at the 2006 BMI Urban Music Awards at Roseland Ballroom last night in New York.
Candids of Foxy Brown leaving court… don’t ask me what she did!

Second only to the red carpet, the Court House seems to be the new place to show off your sense of style! Winona, Oprah, Halle, Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown all worked the judiciary system like it were a catwalk... Do your thing ladies! Mariah has finally found a way to wear a short dress and still look classy. And my girls Mya and Amerie look so cute in their ensembles, but when did cosmetics counters become the ideal venue to promote albums Mya?!

Credit: Crunk & Disorderly for the pics of Foxy!

Style on the Go...

Beyonce arriving at her Album Listening Party in London last night - Can you say S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G?!
Mya at Macy’s Herald Square in New York last night to launch a new fashion line by close friends Heatherette.
Christina Aguilera candids in New York.

Mya joined the fashion designing duo Heatherette (Traver Rains & Richie Rich) at Macy's Herald Square New York to announce the official launch of their new, young, contemporary clothing line. They were also on the prawl for the new 'Heatherette It Girl' to represent the line. Visit www.heatherette.com for more details! Beyonce continued her U.K. promotional tour with an 'Album Playback' listening party for specially selected fans and people in the music industry... She looks absolutely fabulous darling! Christina was spotted out-and-about in New York yesterday afternoon, but to be honest it'd be hard to miss her in that outfit... Work it girl!

Style on the Go...

Rihanna was out-and-about in Lower Manhattan, NY on Thursday night
Mya on the set of her new video 'Ayo,' Thursday evening
Golden Brooks arriving at the 'BPM Magazine 10th Anniversary Party' last weekend

First off, Rihanna looks beautiful! That new hair cut really suits her and although spandex is not my fabric of choice, she manages to make it look classy this time! (Rihanna please talk to Mariah!) Mya is back in action and she couldn't have picked a more competitive time to make her musical comeback. With albums dropping by Beyonce, Janet, Christina Aguilera and co., she's really going to have to 'bring it.' Her new single 'Ayo' is due to be released August 21st. Good luck! Finally, Golden Brooks is slowly starting to resemble her prettier 'twin' Mya from the show 'Girlfriends.' While we ALL have those pictures we'd rather burn and bury 6 feet underground, Golden has almost made a career out of looking unsightly... glad to see her back on track!

Credit: Juicy News for the photos of Golden Brooks!

Style on the Go...

LeToya Luckett at her album signing yesterday in New York.
Mya spotted at the Miami Vice Screening & Reception in South Beach looking S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G!

LeToya's debut, self-titled album dropped yesterday and to celebrate she had an in-store signing at J&R Music and Computer World in New York.... I'm happy things are working out well for her after all the drama that was Destiny's Child! Mya is also making moves to release her fourth album 'Liberation' and her first single 'Ayo' is now playing on the radio. Wonder what rock she's been hiding under these last 3 years? Both look amazing in the pics above, hope their respective albums sell truck loads and then some!!