THE BLAY REPORT by ZANDILE BLAY: October 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, BLAYNISTAS!

No candies here but check out this terrifyingly beautiful Alexander McQueen ring.

World Wide Web - When Halloween comes around, it can have people dressing over the top. But for those who want to show off their Halloween spirit in more subtle ways, accessories are the way to go. And this sliver ring with Swarovski crystal by Alexander McQueen is oh-so-chic for Halloween. Enjoy your scary weekend, ladies and gents. [Image via FWD]

Kristina Bustos

Friday, October 30, 2009

MOMMY DRAMA

Jimmy Choo designer, Tamara Mellon, is suing her mom for $9.5 million.

World Wide Web - Yes, you heard that right, Blaynistas. $9.5 million. So what did Tamara's mommy do to have her daughter go to court next month to testify in a lawsuit filed against her? WWD reports that Tamara accuses her mother, Ann Yeardye, of breach of contract in the sale of Jimmy Choo to Lion Capital in 2004. When the deal was made both Ann and Tamara made agreements about how the sale is split between them. Ann was to get only cash, while Tamara was to get only stock. But it turned out Mommy Ann made off with some stock, which was worth $6.3 million, from her daughter and then she refused to give it back to Tamara when the error was discovered. Didn't anyone teach Mommy Ann that you don't take what isn't yours? Greed isn't pretty, girlfriend. And all of this will go down during the holiday season too. Oh, to be a fly on the wall during their family holiday dinner. Then again we know who won't be invited. [Story/Image via The Cut]

Kristina Bustos

LARA STONE FOR LOUIS VUITTON??

Lara stone may dethrone Madonna as the new face for the house of Vuitton

World Wide Web – Say this can't be: we at the Blay Report love Lara Stone (this is the third post about her in almost two weeks). Rumor has it that Ms. Stone has landed the coveted Spring 2010 campaign for Vuitton to be shot by famed photographer Steven Meisel. Blaynistas, we can hardly keep our control. Will Meisel photograph Stone with a ginormous blond afro, clogs, and raccoon tails? We absolutely can't wait.

Story and Image by NYmag

Jared Michael Lowe

KERRY WASHINGTON: RED CARPET MOMENT

Kerry Washington looked stunning in Marchesa last night at the Music Unites Masquerade Gala

New York - Kerry Washington painted the town white hot last night for the Music Unites Masquerade Fall Gala in a white strapless tulle frock from Marchesa with a crocodile clutch and bejeweled peeptoes. Looking effortlessly glam, she accompanied DJ Mark Ronson and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. Good looks all around.

Story & Images by Theybf

Jared Michael Lowe

Thursday, October 29, 2009

LARA STONE FOR ERES

The supermodel shows off her gorgeous body in 2010 resort campaign for Eres. Perfection.

World Wide Web - Putting her editorial spread for French Vogue's October issue aside (you know, the one where she is in "blackface" and the one we, here in The Blay Report, also went off on it), Lara Stone is one of our favorite models. You can't help but appreciate what she brings to the modeling industry and apparently Eres knows it too. The swimwear and lingerie label has chosen Lara to be their star model for their cruise 2010 swimwear promo campaign photographed by fashion photographer Camilla Akrans. The clean look of the campaign allows Lara to be the center of attention on each image, while beautifully showing off the Eres swimwear. Loves it, loves it, loves it! Here's more from the promo campaign:

Kristina Bustos

[Story/Images via Design Scene]

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

FASHION FLASHBACK: SARAH PALIN

I remember when...the former governor often expressed her "pro-America"-ism through her accessories--in this case, a pair of red-white-and-blue beaded earrings. J'died!

(Alaska)- As the one-year anniversary of the 2008 presidential election approaches, I got horrifying night terrors thinking about Sarah Palin's fashion frenzy that she went on last year. I remember sometimes just covering my eyes. Most of the the time she was actually getting dressed for a hideous suit conventions rather than the Republican National Convention. Well I'm just glad that she is hiding in Alaska and we don't have to be subjected to these Naughty Monkey 'Double Dare' pumps, which were later sold on eBay for $2,025 by a woman claiming to be Palin's niece. Imagine that.. $2,025 for those plastic pumps.

Terrence Phearse

UBER SOCIALITE TO ATTEND CITY OF HOPE EVENT

Real life Gossip Girl, Tinsley Mortimer to support Halloween - themed benefit

New York – Vogue It Girl and media darling, Tinsley Mortimer along with other celebs and socialites will lend their considerable clout to City of Hope's Halloween-themed benefit, "A Night of Mischief" at Marquee in NYC this Friday, Oct. 30^th. Mortimer, who is filming her much anticipated new CW reality series Empire State to debut this winter, joins others in an effort to fund raise for City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute for the research and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Guests are asked to come in full costume with tickets ranging from $99 to $120 featuring: an open bar with sponsors such as Innocente Tequila, Three Olives Vodka and Manhattan Beer Company, a dessert bar compliments of Cupcake Stop and Milk & Cookies Bakery, and a live raffle with over 30 fabulous prizes to be won such as Valentino Handbags, Round trip JetBlue tickets, Equinox gym memberships, Private Dinner Catered by Chef Rob of Hell's Kitchen fame, and Knicks and Rangers Tickets. This is one Halloween party, I'm sure you don't want to miss!

Story: Look to the Stars

Image: Fashion Rules

Jared Michael Lowe

MICHELLE OBAMA IS GLAMOROUS

The First Lady is on the cover of the December issue of Glamour.

World Wide Web - Michelle Obama has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Essence, People, The Oprah Magazine, and Ebony, and now she is the first First Lady to grace the cover of Glamour. Although she has been praised for her style many times, editor Cindi Leive wrote that Michelle wasn't put on the cover because she is a style icon but because of her passion about children and mentoring and empowering young women. The First Lady posed with seven White House interns inside the magazine, and she even shared her thoughts on clothes and dating. Here's what she had to say:

On young women setting their own style standards.

"People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you're the First Lady; you're representing the nation. So I can't be surprised that people are interested. But I've tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else's reflection."

And what's her dating advice?

"Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, Who are you as a person? Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul ... When you're dating a man, you should always feel good ... You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole."

I cannot wait for this issue to hit the newsstands. Michelle looks lovely and the cover is festive enough for the upcoming holiday season. I do have to praise Glamour for finally putting a woman on their cover who isn't 1) white and 2) an actress or a singer. Oh yeah, I went there. [Story/Image via The Cut]

Kristina Bustos

DOWDY BETTY ON THE F TRAIN: IN HER GRANDMOTHER'S SKIRT

GAGA DOES GOSSIP GIRLS

Lady Gaga shoots Gossip Girls episode to air on Nov. 16^th

New York- Blaynistas, how excited are we! Gaga will be featured on an upcoming episode of Gossip Girls entitled "The Last Days of Disco Stick" to air on November 16^th. Apparently Gaga is asked by Blair to put on a private show…. to who? Ed maybe? Also, she will perform her new single "Bad Romance". But get this; Gaga wears a 30 ft. long stage dress, nipple pasties outside her outfit, and a "very avant-garde and kind of gothic" appearance as described by GG glam goddess, Leighton Meester. I, for one will have my eyes glued to the screen on Nov. 16^th.

Story: nymag.com

Image: tvwatch.people.com

Jared Michael Lowe

FANTASTIC MAN: LUXURY MOMENT

My love of animals is great, and that love proves greater when those animals are wearable. This mink moment from Lanvin's Fall 09 menswear collection, is the perfect punctuation of texture to any ensemble. Pictured here in grey and dark beige this scarf is a one way ticket to sartorial righteousness.This mink scarf is designed with a fantastic man in mind, he lives well and travels well. Ladies I suggest you head down to Barney's on Madison. He will be on level one checking out at $3360.00 each. (Also available at Barneys.com).

J. Dwayne Joseph

MARKET WATCH: RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

If that doesn't work blaynistas, here is how to prepare and still look wellie chic

Items in this set

Jimmy Choo for Hunter Crocodile-Embossed Wellington Boots - Celebrities who use a Jimmy Choo for Hunter Crocodile-Embossed Wellington Boots

saks.com

Four Seasons Long Crinkle Coat, Biscuit, Small

$162

johnlewis.com

J Brand Cigarette leg jeans

$159 $111

theoutnet.com

Fulton Birdcage Domed Umbrella, Black

$25

johnlewis.com

Square black framed glasses

$204

brownsfashion.com

(New York)- If Williamsburg is said to be the new Soho, then I say with all of this rain that we have been getting, New York is the new London. Gee whiz! Guys and Gals this is a great unisex look to prepare for a day like today and still look wellie chic. These wellies are the Jimmy Choo for Hunter Boots which are incredible.Trench and cigarette J Brand jeans with a chic umbrella and a frame is all you need. Stay dryyyy!

Terrence Phearse

MORE CUTS AT CONDE

Well, this isn't depressing at all.

New York - Where do I begin? Alright, so Condé Nast announced it was making a 25% cutbacks throughout the board for 2010 that included employment layoffs and magazines not getting published anymore or numbers of issues are reduced. Last week we told you that Vogue and Glamour have already laid off staff members. Now you can add Teen Vogue and Details on the list. On Tuesday (Oct. 27) there were rumors of editorial layoffs at Details, and Teen Vogue had about six layoffs in the sales and marketing departments. A tipster even added that in those six employees for Teen Vogue, one of them was a pregnant woman. What? Let's hope that there is no truth about Condé Nast letting go a woman who is expecting a child, and it was just a starving, skinny staffer who was bloated for eating a peanut for lunch. Not the right time to make a joke? [Story via Gawker/Image via Ap/Teen Vogue]

Kristina Bustos

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

THE TWIN TOWERS: MCQUEEN SS10 ARMADILLO SHOE

I have faith that there is a blaynista out there somewhere that could walk a million miles in these up and down 7th Avenue

UK- today these Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes arrived in the British Vogue offices and the fashionistas daringly took them for a test drive. while I don't think anyone was completely successful. I have faith a blaynista has it in her to give them drive up and down 7th avenue. initially the shoes were said to be 10inchs but the Vogue Girls measured them when they came in and they measured up to 12inches. i digress... actually I don't even think the shoes are the most attractive, they are undoubtedly conceptual and are interesting but I don't see anyone wearing these other than Victoria Beckham. I can be almost certain that she has these in her possession already and is waiting for the spring to pull the out

Terrence Phearse

APPLE GETS TOGETHER WITH MULBERRY

The British luxury brand designs a collection of accessories for Apple that sure will be a hit among fashion addicts and Apple fans.

World Wide Web - Let's admit it, Blaynistas, there have been times when we don't properly take care of our precious laptops, and it seems Apple is on our tails for our carelessness because the company has approached Mulberry to design a nine-piece collection of bags to carry in our laptops. The bags, however, are adapted to fit Apple's best sellers, such as the MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPod and iPod Nano. I can only imagine all the Apple fans who also are fashion addicts shaking and crying right now because of this dream collaboration, and it's all thanks to Mulberry's creative director Emma Hill, who is also an Apple addict. She says that she was "thrilled that we were asked to be Apple's first luxury collaboration. Apple products are too beautiful to reside in drab bags!" The nine-piece collection includes bags and sleeves made of natural leathers and prints with prices ranging from $250-$1195. You can purchase the bags on Apple's European website and Mulberry stores beginning on November 1st. Here are more images of the lovely Mulberry bags:

Kristina Bustos

[Story/Images via Grazia; Also via Fashionista]

CORRINE BAILEY RAE ATTENDS Q AWARDS

Red carpet moment: Rae makes first public appearance in over a year

London – UK soul singer, Corrine Bailey Rae re-emerged on the red carpet of the Q awards held in London, England last night in a silky black and forest green striped dress and ankle strap heels.
The blowout curly hairdo and "natural" look suites her effortlessly, as well as the rustic brown belt accentuated at the waist recalling a throwback to her boho-chic days in '06 (the year of her same name LP debut).
This is one of Rae's first public appearances since the devastating lost of her husband in March of '08. We look forward to seeing and especially hearing more from her when she releases The Sea in February 2010.

Story: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Image: ContactMusic.com

Jared Michael Lowe

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FASHION DESIGNERS???

New York City Subsidizes CFDA Incubator for Emerging Designers

(New York, NY) Last Monday, New York City's Bloomberg administration announced that it will be subsidizing rent for a 10,000 square foot fashion incubator space in conjunction with the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Exclusively for emerging designers, the hub will house twelve spaces in a showroom building located in the garment district, with rent coming in at only $1,500.00 (instead of the current $2,900.00 market price for a comparable unit). The tenants will be selected through a competition helmed by the CFDA. Winners will be announced in December and will move-in February---with a two year lease in tow. But before you 'aspiring' designers gag with glee, there are requirements. All applicants must be "working designers," according to CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb, who have been in the business for a year and a half, employ a staff, and have both media attention and orders from top retailers. Known for their spirit of nurturing, the council plans on giving the selected designers educational and industry support during their leased tenure. If only Bloomberg and Co. would subsidize dwellings for struggling magazine writers, stylists and editors. Blaynistas what are you thinking?

---J. Dwayne Joseph

Monday, October 26, 2009

PROMOTIONS BEGIN FOR THE OLSEN'S JCPENNEY LINE....

With cupcakes, balloons and pins.

New York - New Yorkers get your sweets on because the Olsens have taken their promotional duties onto the streets for their new line with JCPenny called Olsenboye. Today a truck will be going around New York selling Olsenboye merchandise and handing out cupcakes, balloons and pins to drum up excitement for the line. And that's how you do it, ladies and gentlemen. You say cupcakes and I'm there, especially when it's free cupcakes. As far as updates goes with the Olsenboye line, the collection will hit 50 select JCPenny stores for a limited time on November 6; by February 60o JCPenny stores will carry the line. JCPenney executive Liz Sweeny said, "It's really important that Olsenboye serves lots of girls. It's not just about girls size zero or one." And apparently Mary-Kate and Ashley approached JCPenny about collaborating with the department store for a clothing line. Sweeny added that the Olsens recognized JCPenney had a "wider reach," and the Olsens also are interested in starting a website, a Facebook page and a Twitter feed for Olsenboye. [Story via The Cut; Image via Racked/WWD]

Kristina Bustos