SHE DOESN'T MOVE ME....

usa - am i weird? i don't find jolie stunning, inspiring, entertaining or any other adoring adjective. i don't think ill of her either. but i will forever give her the side eye over how she and brad got together. forever. in any case, here she is gracing the latest issue of v.f. do you love or loathe?

CHECK OUT MY NEW STORY IN PAPER & AOL STYLEDASH

worldwide - so at first i thought i was blogging for a hobby, but it looks like i do this for a living! i just did a piece for paper online about an art exhibit for wolfgang tillmans AND a piece for aol styledash (my latest client!) on another art exhibit at the dazed& confused art gallery in london. check it out! paper story! aol story (k, link to this is coming asap). (east end it girl & designer cassette playa strikes a pose!)

OY! NEW CHANEL STORE OPENS IN L.A: REALLY, REALLY WISH I WAS THERE

los angeles - 125 north robertson boulevard in los angeles is now home to chanel's new cutting edge concept store. the boutique will sell a tightly edited and constantly changing selection of merchandise and is said to be inspired by robertson boulevard's "airy" and "irreverent" feel. (thanks to frillr.com for pics!)

DARIA WERBOWY DEBUTS NEW MAKE UP COLLECTION

worldwide - you know what? models are doing it for themselves these days aren't they? from t.v shows (tyra and heidi) to clothing lines (milla jovovich) to books (sophie dahl) they are playing no games in their paper chase. as my girl india of glam.com would say, "get your money gurl!" now lets add daria werbowy to the list. the blond beauty has just debuted a new makeup collection called "brazillian earth colors" for lancome. it is currently on sale and can be found at sephora stores. i am giving the name the side eye - no ring to it - but loving the business AND charity hustle. proceeds from the sale go towards an education charity in rio de janeiro. congrats!

MEET THE NEW FACE OF VICTORIA'S SECRET "PINK" LINE: IS SHE THE NEW GISELE?

worldwide - so her name is behati prinsloo. she's 19. she's also doing quiet well for herself already having landed magazine covers and runway gigs. and now, she is surely about to earn a truckload of cash as the new face for victoria's secret pink line. according to gossip site www.pagesix.com, victoria's secret is prepping her to be the new gisele bunchden.

ANOTHER EDITION OF COPYCAT MANIA....HONESTLY, IS THIS LEGAL?

worldwide - i'm starting to get really intrigued by how much copying goes on at high street stores. thank god for fashionista.com which keeps supplying me with photos to prove the point. so....it's one thing to be inspired by the work of luxury , high end brands, but the pictures below just take the piss. see what brands are borrowing - a little too heavily - from others.

so.....the dress to the right is the original by diane von furstenberg. next to it is a copy cat version from - gasp! - calvin klein.

on the left miu miu. on the right forever 21 (they are pros at copying!)

on the left, dior and on the right steve madden.

SOOOOOOOOOOO WATCHU THINK?

worldwide  - check out ms. t on the cover of the new york times fashion magazine. the styling and references in the pic and title are brilliant....what do you think?

SHE HAD IT COMING: STONE GETS DROPPED LIKE ITS HOT BY CHRISTIAN DIOR

stone in a dior ad. i loved this one. (nytimes.com)

worldwide - i mean duh! when you make reckless comments like (and i paraphrase) " the earthquake in china was karma." this is what happens. sharon stone - and all celebs out there - you are hot and worth your signing fee, but not hot enough to be a liability. but i am digressing....the news is: sharon stone has been dropped by christian dior as a spokeswoman for the brand. initially, they were only going to cancel the ads running in china, but after a week of heat from chinese media (and no doubt customers) they had to pull the plug entirely.

that was then blaynistas...that was then. (nytimes.com)

the quote that sparked the controversy was this: “I’m not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans because I don’t think anyone should be unkind to anyone else. And then the earthquake and all this stuff happened, and then I thought, is that karma? When you’re not nice that the bad things happen to you?” stone recently backpedaled in a statement she gave to press via dior. either way, too little too late. that chri$tian dior contract is gone. check out her statement: “Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people. I am willing to take part in the relief work of China’s earthquake, and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people.”

I KNOW I LOOK ROUGH BUT....LOOK PAST THAT AND GET INTO THE STORY: CHEAP V EXPENSIVE, TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY

worldwide - blaynistas! please don't judge me for this one! i took this video at 8 am in the morning as pure experiment. i have been struggling FOHEVAH to learn how to post video blogs, and i didn't think today or that post was going to be the one that made it online. that said though it is what it is. i do it all for the sake of a good fash story. hope you appreciate it. xx, zb

MY MINI LUST LIST

london - on dealine...procrastinating...came up with this list to keep my mind of the grind...

leather jacket by rick owens. would love for a bummy day like today, where i just rushed out the house in a body suit by am ap, my black gladiators, a cusotm sweat shirt from red coles and a custom fitted cap, a present from my b.f. 

a dress from mike & chris...just becoming familiar with this label. but finding everything delightful. would love this for a business meeting in the meatpacking. would pair with marni block heels from this current season.

this dress was made for a friday night, candle lit dinner at the one&only resort in the maldives. i'd wear nothing but a honey lotion on my skin and tie my hair back, a touch of lip gloss and a smile....can't wait for that day to come.

SAY HELLO TO DETAILS MAGAZINE'S NEW FASHION DIRECTOR

new york - i gotta say: i like his look. his name is michael macko and  starting june 9th he will be the official - and the first - fashion director of details magazine. he will be attending the mens shows in paris and milan for the magazine. previously, he was vice-president of fashion, public relations for saks fifth avenue. i have GOT to imagine that this is  a huuge paycut as magazines pay next to nothing ( i should know!) but all that means is that he's doing it for the love of it and not for the cash. sweet. welcome michael. should you ever need a writer , you know where to find z!  

thanks fo fashionweekdaily.com for the pic. 

WHO'S SNOGGING ANA WINTOUR!? HERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS!

new york - well the sex in the city premier and after part was clearly jumping! blogs are buzzing with all kinds of photos. but this my dear readers is all i really care about: ana wintour, editor of vogue, with her boo, her baby, her beau, her man: shelby bryan. LOVE IT!!!! i've never seen the guy before. he's quiet handsome isn't he? and i gotta say, they make a very dashing pair.  thanks to fashionologie.com for image. 

SO RANDOM & SO SAD: MIGUEL ROCHA AND LISA SANTEE

los angeles - i just spoted this in womens wear daily and it's extremely sad. two designers for seven7jeans (assuming it has no connection to the uber-trendy seven line of denims) were killed may 16th in a car accident. the duo were walking outside the company's headquarters in vernon, california when they were hit head on by a speeding car. miguel rocha died instantly and lisa santee later on in the hospital. they were both 25. i don't know them, but i am their age and i am in the same industry - albeit on a different side of the spectrum. my heart goes out to them/their family. to the left is an image of a pair of seven7jeans. thanks to amazon.com for the pic. 

I LIVE FOR THIS PHOTO - BUT THAT'S NOT THE NEWS

worldwide - so of course those are the beautiful boys behind proenza schouler. loving that brand more and more. they have been going from strength to strength and as you know valentino (corporate) recently bought 45% stake in the company. now there's another major name in the fray: giuseppe zanotti. the shoe designer has signed a licensing deal with the boys in their effort to branch out into shoes and accessories. expect to see their full collection of shoes this fall during the spring '09 collection. should be saucy, sexy stuff.  thanks to fashionista.com for the lovely pic. 

CHEAP CLOTHES - TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY

ANATOMY OF A REALLY BAD PURCHASE - OR RATHER THE KIND I AM CUTTING BACK ON

If you live in London or in the UK, you know the bag says it all...Primark is the King of Cheap Retailers. Honestly, they are uber-good and efficient at what they do.

Initially, I loved the dress above because of the print. It reminds me of the traditional cloth worn in my country, Ghana.

This piece caught my eye too because of the print. I loved how free and easy and comfy it looks. But i just cant get over the cheap fabric and the lack of lining. (I am growing modest in my old age.)

The one above is Sexiness personified. It has lining. I actually love the fabric too. I might keep this one. 

Ugh! Bad move all around. Cheap fabric! Plus it fit my waist and chest, but not my bum. Hated it!

ANATOMY OF A REALLY GOOD JACKET

the jacket is yves saint laurent rive gauche and i purchased it from nyc vintage store amarcord. they've got amazing things. it caught my eye because of how slee, slimming and structured it was. and it goes with everything - or rather - i wear it with everything.

an upclose at the ornate gold buttons. i am guessing this jacket is a good 20 years old, but the buttons have worn extremely well.

inside the jacket where you really see the care and craftsmanship...i can stare at the folds for days. (primarily because i am a geek.)

the label.

more of the inside.

worldwide - first i draw your eyes to the right of the screen where myself, anonymous and camille acey have been discussing the virtues and evils of cheap clothing as per h&m, forever 21, joyce leslie (you deserve a gold star if you know about joyce leslie cause that's a hard core, hood-figga, cheap clothing store). as i go on in years , i am now a wisened old 25, i have decided to forgo as much as possible cheap clothing. if i calculate how much i've spent on cheap clothes in the past eight years alone - from university until present - it's been thousands upon thousands upon thousands. the sad part is, i don't really remember any of them. please pardon the comparison, but it's almost like a one night stand (or as i imagine them to be. i don't judge them, but i also don't participate in them.) but i digress....i am at the point now where i want more than a cheap thrill or a quick fling with my clothes. i want something that will last me through a season and beyond. i want garments i can grow old in. that means that now, i am looking for the two F's: FIT and FABRIC. the color and texture of a garment have become increasingly important to me as i regard them as the hallmark.i am also looking for something that fits seamlessly in my wardrobe and hugs my body as much as is appropriate and flattering. now that doesn't necessarily mean they have to be chanel or dior - though to my chagrin that's what they've been for me lately. but they can simply be those one-off boutiqey pieces off the high street or...if you can swing it...from another country. now does that make me a clothes snob, or a shopper who now demands integrity from her pieces? and what is your philosophy?

NOTE: STAY TUNED FOR PHOTOS/VIDEO ON THIS POST...

OYNESS!!! H&M'S FABULOUS FALL '08 COLLECTION: I WOULDN'T BUY ANY OF THIS, BUT I LOVE IT FROM AFAR!

ARE YOU READY FOR PROFESSOR CAVALLI? OXFORD IS!

england - this has GOT to be the cutest news ever. so italian designer, roberto cavalli is all set to moonlight as a lecturer at britain's prestigious oxford university. he follows in the foot steps of anna wintour, tom ford and bill clinton - all of whom have been invited by the school's oxford union society to speak with students in previous years. this will be cavalli's first time speaking at the school. this should be rich. speaking of rich, and cute - check out the photo of cavalli's son above. is he or is he NOT hot!!!! i am in love. but is he straight?

DEYN DROPPED BY BURBERRY

london - as you may/may not have read model of the moment agyness deyn has been dropped by burberry for their upcoming fall campaign. i read a catty quote from burberry's go-to campaign photog: mario testino who claimed it was because deyn was "overexposed." he's since backpedaled from that comment saying: " Agyness' fame and exposure are not a problem for me. I don't think like that . . . As for Burberry, it was just a case of wanting a different concept for their forthcoming season. I love Agyness." hmmmm sounds like the p.r. department got to him. either way though.....i am sort of glad. i for one do think she's overexposed. she is a great model and has a great look and if she's really to be around for the long haul (ala the kate's and naomi's of the world) i'd love to see how she bounces back from this.

WHY DO IT YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN DO IT WITH SOMEONE ELSE? SO SAYETH MARC JACOBS!

worldwide - just meditate on this quote from saint marc: "Everybody who says they do everything themselves is just exaggerating. Doing things by yourself is well, it's masturbation. It's not nearly as exciting as doing it with somebody else!" i just saw this on fashionologie.com. but i digress....the news here is that for fall ad campaign's jacob's is going to use real models instead of the celebrities he's been partial to so far. some agent has a huge pay day coming....

BUT I MEAN....WHY? AMY WINEHOUSE CLEAR INSPIRATION FOR NEW CHANEL AD CAMPAIGN

worldwide - i am no fan of amy winehouse' addict chic and so i am no fan of these ads which draw inspiration from it. am i the only one wondering why chanel -specifically kaiser karl - did not take a more original and less derivative inspiration for this ad campaign? for all this, they shoulda just gotten winehouse out of her stupor and shot her for these ads.

JUST HAD TO SHARE: OY! SUCH A BEAUTIFUL + HAPPY COUPLE

cannes - i know! i have posted nary a blog on the celeb fashion going on at cannes. i figure you are getting it from other blogs anyway, so come to the blayreport for a vacation from all of that. can't say i was all that interested. but this pic caught my eye. newlyweds beyonce and jay-z enjoying each other's company. i love love. don't you?

MORE LOVE FOR BLACK MODELS, THIS TIME IT'S VOGUE PARIS

thanks to fashonologie for le photo.

paris - we are all waiting breathlessly for the upcoming all black issue of vogue italia. vogue paris isn't giving us quiet that much, but they get an a for effort with their latest cover. it features beautiful model noemie lenoir on the cover. the shoot was done by mario testino. loves it. whatchu think?

THE MAN WAS SMART AND SEXY - AND NOW HE'S QUIT!

i would honestly date him - and i think so would iman. she, and another pretty lady, pose with socol. 

howard, on the far right, next to donatella versace. loves it.

new  york - this is old news but thought i'd share anyway....chances are you don't know who howard socol is, but if you know the store barney's new york, then you have him to thank. socol was the head executive at the retailer and the lead catalyst in the rejuvination of the brand. he's been on board since 2001 and stayed through the company's latest purchase by dubai based investment firm, istithmar. now he's quitting and i guess that's a surprise to no one in the industry. allegedly, the aggressive expansion plans put in place by the new owners - not to mention a collaboration with mass retailer, target - is one of several major and minor reasons that have forced socol to leave the company way in advance of his planned departure (which was to be next year). his statement to the press about this is hilarious simply because it thinly veils his frustration. here it is: "after more than seven of the greatest years of my long career in retail, i felt it was time to take time to enjoy all the opportunities that life affords."  in other words, these bums are not going to waste my precious time.  go socol!