Beauty Shots: Max Malatesta’s “Doppelgänger B/W” (on Flickr)

Max Malatesta's 'Doppelgänger B/W'

Beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Double

See more of Malatesta’s beautiful works here on Flickr.

Look of the Day: Gorgeous Vintage Balenciaga Suit c.1951

As I’ve said before, it’s all about the lines.

There’s some damn good vintage out there and this site – damngoodvintage.com – is one of the best available for browsing. Check out this stunning Balenciaga suit from 1951.  I’m sure Barbie’s throwin’ shade on this one. A girl can dream…

Farewell to Eunice Johnson, An African-American Fashion and Publishing Pioneer

This New Year has marked the passing of Eunice Johnson, one of America’s most iconic matrons of publishing, fashion and cosmetics.  Mrs. Johnson died on January 3, 2010 at the age of 93. She and her late husband, John H. Johnson, founded Johnson Publishing Company, reportedly the largest and most successful, black-owned media empire in the world. The 67-year old Johnson brand includes Ebony and Jet magazines, as well as Fashion Fair shows and cosmetics.

Eunice Johnson, Fashion and Publishing Icon

According to the New York Times, the Johnson conglomerate has donated over $55 million for civil rights groups, hospitals, community centers and scholarships.

Although the obituary in the Washington Post best sums up the spirit and determination of Mrs. Johnson…:

Johnson delivered the secrets of Paris and Italy to the black community. She gave her audiences access to a haughty world in an era before Web casts, Web sites, blogs and Twitter feeds. She had the audacity to believe that a black woman might be interested in Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino even if she could not afford it. Johnson did not condescend.

…the New York Times has provided the most thorough summary of Mrs. Johnson and her family’s impact on Black culture:

In 1942, with a $500 loan secured by furniture owned by Mr. Johnson’s mother, the Johnsons began publishing Negro Digest, a magazine modeled on Reader’s Digest. Within a year it had a circulation of 50,000. That inspired the couple to start Ebony, a monthly with flashy covers like those of Life magazine. Ebony now has a circulation of 1.25 million. Jet magazine, a weekly, was started in 1951 to highlight news of famous African-Americans; it now has a circulation of 900,000.

The Johnsons are largely known for their magazines and fashion shows, but it is their multi-hued line of cosmetics that brings fond memories for many women with skin like the “fine black African wood” for which Ebony magazine was named. Fashion Fair cosmetics was the first widely distributed line of pigmented foundation for black women. Today, even Giorgio Armani (to some extent) makes a cosmetic line that includes shades for a broader spectrum of women but for many African-Americans, lining up at the Fashion Fair counter in the mall ‘back in the day’ was a pride-filled rite of passage.  Thank you Mrs. Johnson.

Men We Love: Fashion Designer Christian Siriano

Christiano Siriano's Collection, Autumn/Winter 2009

No self-respecting fashionista’s work is truly done until she’s written at

Christian Siriano's Collection, Autumn/Winter 2009

least one blog note on fashion design prodigy Christian Siriano. We were introduced to Christian’s fabulousness on Project Runway back in 2008. Since then, he’s gone on to stand in his own right by presenting some of the most exciting designs at premier fashion shows worldwide. Described by some as his generation’s Marc Jacobs, Christian has garnered well deserved accolades and respect along with a loyal following. The man definitely brings the drama with the sophistication in his designs.  Expect to lose yourself when browsing Christian’s collections on his site, ChristianSiriano.com. His Spring/Summer 2010 collection is my favorite to date but that’s surely to change because Christian just keeps getting better and better. And those lines …

PS

Thank you, Christian, for including a beautiful, diverse palette of models in your shows. We fashion mavens notice.

Look of the Day: Vintage Inspired Rosette Dress by twobirds

Rosette Dress by twobirds

Isn’t this darling dress the epitome of Hollywood glamour from the late 1950s/early 1960s?

New York Magazine is churning out fabulous style look books these days. A couple of weeks ago, I posted Michelle Obama’s Style Look Book, and now they have another one – this one’s especially for magnanimous brides who want their bridesmaids to actually enjoy their dresses for something other than fabric remnants after the wedding. This is my personal favorite, a vintage inspired dusty rose, rosette dress by twobirds. I’m not sure I’d let my bridesmaid wear this one though – it’s much too lovely! Browse the look book and see other vintage-inspired as well as modern takes on bridesmaid dresses that blow the lid off those legendary, prom-esque, one-night only creations of the past. That’s a very GOOD thing.

Fresh Takes on Real Beauty: Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe

Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe

When you see Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe in interviews, one of the first things that jumps out at you is her disarmingly beautiful smile. She simply sparkles. Her deep brown, almond eyes draw you in to her face as she speaks with perfect diction. And her girlish giggle is the same as that of most young women her age – a little coy… a little innocent… a little mischievous… while still enjoying the wonders of growing into adulthood (see her in this clip from The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien). Ms. Sidibe is the new fresh face on the scene with her moving performance in this year’s “little film that will“, “Precious.”  Ms. Sidibe’s portrayal of ‘Clariece,’ a severely abused teenager determined to overcome her circumstances, is outstanding.

Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe

No one face, no one body type, no one skin tone epitomizes the definition of beauty and this is certainly true in relation to Ms. Sidibe. As is the case with every woman, she too radiates ‘the beautiful gene.’

I’ve read a few reviews of “Precious” that fail to separate Ms. Sidibe from the character she plays in “Precious.”  Some of the things written have been downright mean-spirited in calling her ‘obese’ and describing her eyes as ‘slits’. While Ms. Sidibe is full-figured and her eyes are elongated not unlike my own, there is nothing to be scorned upon in the way she looks. A character in a movie is just that – a character. Many actors and actresses alter their appearance to portray characters in films; in fact, these transformations are often lauded. In recalling the film’s subject matter, any child abuse expert will tell you that eating disorders are common in victims of sexual abuse as a victim’s self-image is often distorted by the trauma of the molestation. This is another nuance that Ms. Sidible nails in her overall presence and performance in “Precious”.

That said, in seeing Ms. Sidibe in post-release interviews, there’s a clear delineation between her and “Clariece”, her onscreen persona in “Precious”. Ms. Sidibe is a college-educated young black starlet. She’s articulate and poised.  Aside from her charm and physical beauty, Ms. Sidibe displays an infectious personality that is  full of life and definitely full of promise as an actress.

In a recent interview with IndieWire, Ms. Sidibe was quoted as saying, “People look at me and don’t expect much. I expect a lot.” Well, your fans do too!

Shine on, Gabby. Shine on.

- Adrienne C Barr

First Lady Michelle Obama’s Fashion Look Books

First Lady Michelle Obama, Prince Andrew

First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barak Obama

True fashionistas know that America’s First Lady Michelle Obama has confidently stepped into her destiny as one of the White House’s most intellectual and fashion forward First Ladies – ever. I’ve long been a Jackie O fan — what style and grace she radiated inside and out. With her modelesque beauty and stature, Mrs. Obama certainly continues in that tradition, as she’s taken the torch and put her own lasting and unique stamp on what it means to be an enduring fashion icon. While

First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barak Obama

many of her choices are contemporary, I have a feeling Mrs. Obama also has a special place in her heart for the vintage, flattering cuts and classic elegance of the 1960s in particular. Browse New York Magazine’s Michelle Obama Look Book or the Los Angeles Times’ Michelle Obama: Fashion Icon Look Book and decide for yourself which glam you like the most. These regularly updated homages to Mrs. Obama’s stylepresents so many fabulous views that I dare you to pick just one favorite.

- Adrienne C Barr

Women We Love: Diana Ross – The Boss

Diva…like that’s a BAD thing.

Perfectionist. Uncompromising. High Standards. Ruthless. Loving. Icon. An Original Fashionista. Envied. Emulated.

The Boss.

The Chicago Vintage Clothing and Antique Textiles Show headed to Chicago!

2009 Chicago Vintage Show

Stop fretting New York Fashion- and Recessionista’s if you missed last weekend’s Manhattan Viintage Clothing and Antique Textiles Show. You’ve got another chance to browse and shop til you drop for some of the best vintage items from top vendors around the country. The ChicagoVintage Clothing & Antique Textile Show and Sale is headed to Chicago later this month, October to November 1, 2009.The flights between JFK and O’hare aren’t that bad so if you REALLY need to get your vintage fix, hop a flight! Like the Manhattan Vintage Clothing and Antique Textile Show, you will find lots of great one of a kind items that NO ONE else will have! Plus half the joy is just carousing, trying on stuff and taking yourself on that time machine back to the 40s, 50s, 60, 70s, or 80s or wherever you want to go.

Don’t miss out!

Work Essentials: Marc Nason’s Sirens – Shea

Ladies, it’s time we change the playing field again for our office ‘uniforms’. When you think of stylish work shoes, one of

Marc Nason's Sirens - The New Work Essential

the first names that should come to your mind is Marc Nason. Yes, Marc Nason. Of course, Marc Nason is known primarily for mens shoes but ladies, he’s got our number too — in boots and sandals. They are an unexpectedly fabulous addition to your wardrobe. Whether it be a pants suit or a plain pair of slacks, the right pair of Nasons will leave those around you envious and speechless – in a GOOD way.

Personally, I got my first (and only) pair of Marc Nason’s Siren boots a couple of years ago and I rarely leave home without them. They are essential accessories for my jeans but yes, I do wear them to the office too with my best business suits.

Want to see more of this season’s essentials, check out Marc Nason’s Siren site.