FASHION'S FIGHT AGAINST ANOREXIA

wow. (source: jezebel.com)

milan--blaynista's i'm sure you've seen this pic. it's a billboard that's been prominently displayed in milan during milan fashion week. the model (if i'm not mistaken) is isabelle caro, who says in italian vogue, "i've hidden myself and covered myself for too long. now i want to show myself f fearlessly even though i know my body arouses repugnance." but according to jezebel.com, the photo is actually inspiring anorexics to aspire for her look. wow. i don't really have a comment. i just wonder if this was the best way to get the point across......

CALLING ALL FASHIONISTAS: THE ARMANI PHONE

do you love armani? then you'll love their phone. (source: shophound.com)

europe--with the d&g and prada phone already on the market, we should've known this was coming. shophound.com reports that armani has partnered with samsung to launch an Armani Phone (don't know if that's the official name.) along with the standard bells and whistles (music, internet, camera, phone, etc.) it also comes in a sleek leather case with the word armani embossed in it. according to shophound, it's not yet available in the states, but will be available in europe by november for roughy 600 Euros (or $9oo.) this is just the first in a line of collaborations, samsung and armani are also debuting an armani flat screen t.v. in january. this is just precious. i love that you don't actually have to have a background in something to create it anymore. so what if i'm a style writer? i pledge to debut my own line of environmentally friendly fuel for nasa. promise!

THE NEW FACE AT FERRE

the swedish designer, lars nilsson. (source: ap)

milan--the label, gianfranco ferre has found a new designer to head the brand in the wake of mr. ferre's death earlier this year, and it's none other than lars nilsson. nilsson is the former designer for nina ricci. his first collection is expected to be the fall 2008 collection which will show early next year. the international herald tribune quoted him as saying, "I feel extremely honored - it's such an amazing possibility being the first designer to take over from Mr. Ferré." this should be juicy......

CELEBRITY RUNDOWN: ALECIA KEYES

(source: crunk & disorderly)

new york--how much do you love this look on a.keyes!? she wore this at an appearance on 106 & park. i think it's darling and here's why: it totally flatters her figure and accentuates her positives. the singer has an awesome shape, with a really toned tummy and a cute (nothing wrong with small guys!) bust line. the top plays up those attributes and her jeans (i'm guessing those are denims) hug her figure beautifully. as is always the case with a really great ensemble - her grooming is equally impecabble. i love this! good job to wouri vice, who is her stylist.

DENIM WITH AMERICAN GENES

pictures from the new york times article. on the left, jason ferro, owner of bread denim. on the right, a specialist inspects denims at all american wash, where bread denims are made. (source: nytimes.com)

los angeles--at this point, there's nothing at all revolutionary about jeans that cost $200+. but there's surely something to be said for jeans in that price category that are manufactured right here in america. with all the outsourcing going on, (for customer service from my local bank, i call india!) it's refreshing to see denim that's designed, manufactured, and customized right in the heart of pricey denim mecca: los angeles. the new york times just did an extensive piece on the rise in american made jeans. check it out here. and thanks to t.b.r correspondent, omar ibn abdullah for sending this over.

JUST HAD TO SHARE: KIMORA LEE SIMMONS

(source: crunk & disorderly)

u.s.a--so for all those plastic surgery rumors: clearly a nose job was done. all the other changes, i'm guessing, happened naturally with time. but i think she looks super cute in both photos. and although the picture on the left is very low-key kimora, please peep the cushion cut diamond ring. vintage fab.

WHAT'S NEW FROM THE HOUSE OF DEREON

the irony is neither beyonce or solange formally graduated from high school. but that doesn't mean they can't take cash from those who did. love it! (sourcc: realgossip10.blogspot.com)

soooo.....would you put your bundle of joy in h.o.d clothing?

usa--'nista's forgive me for sitting on this delicious bit of news: the house of dereon has launched two new product lines: baby clothes and class rings. i tried looking for some credible news or press releases to get you guys more essential details - but all i found were bloggers who couldn't stop laughing at what is also called the house of dead wrong. in the future, neither my beautiful baby or preteen will be caught in an h.o.d onsie or class ring. there are better ways to spend $500 (what the ring retails for!). but at the same time, i say kudos to beyonce and family for continuing to flip that money thirty ways. bloggers and media may not be buying this stuff. but somebody sure is. is it you!?

quick note from z to u

london--blaynistas! i just wanted to let you know there are more posts coming for today- of course! BUT i'm on deadline at the moment and busily i'm typing away at a starbucks on london's saint martins lane. AS SOON as i'm done, i'm getting back to the business of blogging. so come back in a few for more fab fassip and in the meantime enjoy what i've posted below so far. don't you love my personal notes!? and not that you asked, but i thought i'd share today's outfit with you: super comfy, stretch black waffle knit legging,s a huge, cable-knit gray sweater - casually worn over a custom made "fauxberry" shirt made especially for me my eric coles of red coles (www.redcoles.com). on my feet? patent leather strappy flat sandals. on my head? a fabulous weave topped off by a faux fur hat........quiet lovely. okay! back to work. let's talk later. xo, zb


updated: FINISHED THE PIECE! it was a story on minorities in the retail industry and i got the opportunity to interview five fabulous young people who are climbing the ladder quickly in the corporate retail world. i'll post the piece once it's edited and published!

GUCCI INDIA IS HERE!

not one, not two, but three of these shiny, silver logos will be on proud display in india soon.

mumbai,india-- conde nast was clearly on to something with the starting of vogue india: there's an untapped luxury market in the population heavy nation. now gucci is taking advantage of that demographic with it's first of three stores. according to womens wear daily, the fashion house has opened a store in mumbai and a party celebrating its openening will take place october 13th. there's two more planned for new dheli. viva india!

CELEBRITY RUNDOWN: WHITNEY HOUSTON

new york--ummmmmm don't call it a comeback. i caught this photo of whitney houston coming out of a lunch at nobu with clive davis. the pic was on one of my fave blogs, ybf, and was referred to as whitney's "comeback" lunch or whitney looking "comeback" ready. oh! she's gone and she ain't coming back. and if she is - she needs to re-up and re-group in the style arena because both she and this two piece look tired, haggard and worn! besides the tie being tucked into his pants, clive davis actually looks more current in his outfit than whitney's. hers smacks of the early nineties in it's shillouete. and though the pants, shoes, top look okay - there's so much more she could have done with the jacket. for example; a fitted, waist-length blazer or a comfy, loose cardigan. what she opted for - no pun intended - looks crackish. and unfortunately, no matter how fab the look - her grooming (or lack of) would have knocked her down ten points on a scale of 1-10. ouch! i know that was harsh. but......

VOGUE INDIA IS HERE!

the first cover of vogue india. loves it! (source: vogue.co.uk)

india--i was trippin' over the launch of pakistan fashion week ( i love pakistan!) but i'm not mad at the launch of vogue india (i love india too!). could yall please get in the cover?! it is...you guessed it..FAB! according to vogue.com, where i picked up this juicy bit of news, "The first-ever cover of the glossy monthly boasts a combustible mix of models and Bollywood superstars including Bipasha Basu, Gemma Ward, Priyanka Chopra, MoniKangana, Preity Zinta and Laxmi Menon, styled by British Vogue's Lucinda Chambers and shot by Patrick Demarchelier." they definitely pulled out the heavy hitters for this launch. so far the circulation is just as major. it is available in over 5,000 outlets in 40 towns in india. and they printed an "ambitious" initial run of 50,000 copies. a lavish party to celebrate this launch was held at the umaid bhavan palace in jodhpur, rajasthan over the weekend.

JUICY BITS: STEFANO'S LOYAL, MILAN IS FASHIONABLE & CAVALLI IS PAID!

cavalli parties like it's 1999 to celebrate clothes that will (hopefully) cost $19.99. (source: vogue.co.uk)

in case you are in italy this week...milan fashion week has started! (theblayreport.com)

according to vogue.com, stefano pilati was approached about the valentino job and chose to stay at ysl. would you have done the same? (vogue.co.uk)

roberto cavalli threw a fabulous "party" at his mansion in florence which was photographed by terry richardson and will be used as ad's for the new roberto cavalli collection hitthing h&m this fall.

TODD OLDHAM AT OLD NAVY

must be sooo nice to be todd oldham right now. (source: ny magazine)

new york & san fransisco--wow gap incorporated. they've pulled another heavy hitter to head up another gap corporation store: todd oldham at old navy. after recently reporting that designer patrick wilson would be their vice president of design, womens wear daily reported last week that gap incorporated has pulled well-known designer, oldham, to serve as creative director of the popular national chain. according to the article, he will split his time between new york city and san fransisco in order to fulfill his duties for old navy and his own label. he will also create a signature todd oldham collection (not sure if it's clothes or furniture or more - or less) which will be sold exclusively at old navy. this sounds a good deal. but somehow, i feel like todd is getting more out of it than old navy ever will. in my humble, non corporate opinion, i thought old navy was doing just fine. it's their sister company, the gap, which needed the help...

IN HONOR OF SUNDAY AND CHURCH FASHION

new york--...oh! and black hair shows, i simply HAD to share this video. it's the patti labelle singing a gospel song elvis pressley made famous, "you'll never walk alone," but she made legendary with this over-the top performance at the appollo. i love the singing. love the message. and love the bedazzled, figure-hugging, purple dress. i'd wear that. for real!

GOOD BYE ZANDILE! HELLO LONDON!

new york--so now that i'm sort of settled in in london, and not as emotional as i was a few days back about leaving. ( non stop tears blaynistas! i missed my momma and auntie, and gf's and bf's so much!) i can finally post these wonderful photos of my last days in new york. three days before i left, my friends and family conspired to throw the ultimate surprise going away party for me! if a beautiful brownstone in harlem, loads of close friends, and food from my favorite restaurant, dinosaur bbq weren't enough - they actually hired paparazzi and a camera crew to photograph and videotape the whole shibang! it will be available on youtube and i'll let you know when it's finally up. but in the meantime, feast your eyes on these beautiful photos. i still get a little misty looking at 'em. fashion is fabulous - but fam and friends are the height of fabulosity! (p.s this isn't even close to all the pics. but there's but so much uploading a girl can do.)

me and my old professor! lawrence aaron of the bergen record and syracuse university!

this is me about an hour before the surprise party. i had a goodbye dinner with my friend brian from syracuse university.

ofcourse i had an outfit change! what fashionista wouldn't! this is me in my second outfit with model mami miyah! ( i love alliteration!)

latoya, me and julee! these two girls were one of the main planners behind the party. and together we look like a fake music group from the 90s!

me, celebrity stylist, dhalimu and one of my favorite friends, khalia.

julee, my momma, and me. these two had been on the phone for weeks planning the party! so smart!

awww! me and khalia again!

my auntie bear, me and my momma bear! these two looked so sexy at the party!

isn't he smooth!? this is roger joseph of conde nast and me!

my favorite couple, (outside of me and franklin, ofcourse) karima and andre.

jen, who left for l.a last week, me and n'erin!

a big thank you to janelle for introducing this cutie to the crew! he's also a great friend. his name is jebron and he's a ford model.

kareem!!!! you've seen him on this blog before. he totally lied to get me to the party, telling me that it was an important meeting with mtv about a reality show. sure! this was even better! (what's in my hand? an awesome book that julee made for me, featuring pictures of us through the years.)

this is me the morning of the party in my first outfit.

my girl janelle and me at my house the day i was leaving!

i randomly bumped into one of my fave friends, writer, charli penn, on the street!

the photographer, me and the videographer!

dhalimu and alexander allen. absolutely the best stylists in the world. period.

najwa moses, founder of styleaholics and me!

starting at the '04 babyphat show - us four girls always pose together. this was the latest in the series. khalana barfield of instyle, lifestyle reporter, daisy lewellyn, me and real simple fashion editor, julee wilson!

my girl nikki gaskins looking fierce!

my baby and me!!!!

julee blowing me goodbye kisses.

charrea jackson of the blog, queen-to-be, and me flashing nearly identical smiles!

THE RUNDOWN: KERRY WASHINGTON

i like - yet don't like. see why below. (source: ybf.blogspot.com)

los angeles--- to be honest, i've never been on the kerry washington bandwagon. never thought she was particularly charming, well dressed or styleish. there's always been something affected about her style and persona. notice i didn't use the word fake (so overused, corny and frankly country). it's not that i think she's acting other than herself - it's simply that i think she tries too hard to be - or to create - herself. she's too conscious at all times. i like my stylenista's to be effortless and very unaware of the fact that they are walking billboards of fabulous style. so why's she in the rundown? because i actually like this dress and how she puts it together. but i have a sneaking suspicion that someone else would have worn the whole ensemble better......

I WANT THAT JOB: MURDER INC R&B SINGER/SONGWRITER

new york---if you were watching b.e.t yesterday then chances are you have fallen in love with ashley joi, the beautiful, buxom detroit native who sang background on ja rule's latest single: body. the young beauty is - according to me and everyone who can see - the new princess of murder inc (clearly, ashanti is no more after the mess gotti has been saying about her. but i digress. this is a fashion, not an entertainment blog.) she is also an incredibly gifted songwriter with a serious music and fashion background. check out this exclusive interview i copped with her. (don't you love my reporting skills!!)

...and trust me, she's just as beautiful in person!

Your Name

ASHLEY JOI

Your Age

22

Your Occupation

SINGER/SONGWRITER

Where Are You From?

MOTOWN BABY!!! DETROIT :)

How did you get into the Music Industry?

I MOVED TO NEW YORK TO PURSUE A CAREER AS A SONGWRITER AND I JUST POUNDED THE PAVEMENT AND NETWORKED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO TRY TO GENERATE SOME TYPE OF BUZZ ... AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, I LINKED UP WITH MEGA PRODUCER 7 AURELIUS AND HE NOT ONLY EMBRACED ME AS A WRITER BUT ALSO SAW THE VISION OF ME ACTUALLY BEING AN ARTIST... HE TOOK A SONG I WROTE TO IRV GOTTI AND IRV LOVED IT AND SIGNED ME SOON AFTER!

What was it like recording the single Body?

BODY WAS FUN!! IT WAS A REAL RELAXED ENVIRONMENT BUT THE STUDIO WAS BRIMMING OVER WITH A VERY EXCITING ENERGY... BODY IS JA RULES FIRST SINGLE IN A COUPLE YEARS SO EVERYONE WAS ANXIOUS FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR IT!!

Tell Us More About Your Debut on BET'S ACCESS GRANTED?

BODY IS MY VERY 1ST VIDEO AS A FEATURED ARTIST AND IT WAS DIRECTED BY THE INCREDIBLE HYPE WILLIAMS! IT WAS SUCH AN HONOR TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE BEST DIRECTORS ON MY FIRST SHOOT... ACCESS GRANTED WAS THERE TO DOCUMENT AND CAPTURE THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SCENES AND THEY WILL ACTUALLY PREMIERE THE VIDEO ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2007.

How does it feel to be you right now? Are you Nervous? Excited? Scared?

I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED!! I HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THIS MOMENT FOR A FEW YEARS NOW AND I AM THRILLED THAT MY DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE :)

So what's next after this single? Is there an album coming for you?

WELL I AM 1/3 OF IRV GOTTIS NEW GROUP FROM DETROIT... MY GROUP MEMBERS ARE STEFANEE & LA'JAY AND WE ARE IN THE STUDIO NOW WORKING ON OUR PROJECT WHICH IS SET TO BE RELEASED IN 2008, SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!!

Where else can readers learn more about you and hear your music?

CHECK FOR ME AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MSASHLEYJOI

And since this is a fashion blog - you have to tell us! - what are your favorite stores and labels?

WELL SINCE THIS IS A FASHION BLOG I MUST ADD THAT I OWN A JEWELRY DESIGN COMPANY!! WWW.DONNAD.COM MY MOTHER IS THE DESIGNER AND HAS BEEN DESIGNING JEWELRY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.... SO I GREW INTO QUITE THE ACCESSORIES FANATIC!

What's a classic Ashley Joi outfit?

HHMMM... MY CLASSIC OUTFIT WOULD BE VERY FITTED D&G JEANS, GUISEPPE SANDALS, A WHITE WIFE BEATER & DONNA D JEWELRY!!!!! MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT WWW.DONNAD.COM

PAKISTANI FAHION WEEK LAUNCHING

beauties like this might be modeling clothes during pakistan's own fashion week.

pakistan--honestly, i can't tell if this is a good or a bad thing. nothing at all against pakistan (wonderful country, beautiful people, tasty food) but how many fashion weeks in how many locations can we have? new york, paris, milan, london (of course!) but now dubai, jamaica, india, guyana, and now....pakistan? shouldn't fashion week be restricted to locations that are actual fashion mecca's? just asking! and i'm also pontificating when i should just be delivering the news. and here's the news: img has announced that pakistan will now be added to the fashion week schedule, with theirs taking place from november 5th through 8th. it will be held at the royal palms gold and country club in lahore. spring and summer ready to wear looks will be featured. okay....i want jersey city fashion week next!

JUICY BITS: ROBERTO CAVALLI SELLS VODKA?

cavalli at the u.s launch of his vodka. what spirit possessed him to create and market this spirit? (source: viewimages.com)

activewear brand under armour has signed a deal with toronto's hockey team, the maple leafs. as underarmour will now design and sell clothing branded with the teams logo at the air canada stadium and will also have their logo prominently displayed during games. nice. (wgsn.com)

wait a minute! did you know that roberto cavalli sells vodka!? yes'm! he sells roberto cavalli vodka and apparently it's good enough for london fashion week. bar 190 at london's the gore hotel will be stocking it for post-show festivities during the week. (the london paper)

casual male big and tall is now onto another really smart niche - shoesxl. as the name smartly suggests, they will be selling designer brands such as bruno magli, cole haan, donald bliner and kenneth cole in sizes ranging from 12 m and 10 w to 17m/w and up. (wgsn.com)

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON'S REALLY GOOD SHOW

prince being princely on front row at matthew williamson after his performance.

london---so really, it wasn't just the surprise performance by music icon prince that had editors and stylenista's going crazy over matthew williamson's showing yesterday in london: it was the clothes. review after review i've read has been nothing but positive. and after checking out the pieces myself on style.com, i have to agree. below are my favorites! (all pictures courtesy of style.com)

the cut, the color, the accessories - it's all fantastic.

he certainly didn't create the wide leg pant trend, but williamson masters it beautifully.

don't you see me in this piece, strolling on the island of ibiza with a 36 inch spanish wavy weave, some plum lip gloss and a smile? no? i do!

this coat = everything!

refreshing. can't say i've seen anything like this on new york or london runways. i'm very into it.

BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING IT...

(source: e online)

new york--i thought i'd be a follower too and post this photo of sarah jessica parker as carrie bradshow with chris noth as mr. big. it was the official first day of filming for the sex in the city movie in new york city. cute photo, cute couple, cute outfit. hope it's an equally cute movie. wonder if patricia field is still continuing as stylist for this project.....

THE RUNDOWN: TYRA BANKS

new york--okay! before i even talk about tyra - remember my blog earlier this month about having lunch with her? well really, we were having lunch at the same time in the same restaurant. and remember how in love i was with her bodyguard!? well that's him to the left in the picture! girls (and even guys!!!) what do you think? isn't his swagger captivating? the way he guards her is so cute. (but of course, he'll never be as cute as my b.f!). okay, now on to tyra: I LOVE IT! i really do. the color is amazing, the cut is even more amazing, the body looks beyond right. and the hair is just about flawless. i think she could have picked another pair of shoes. but whatever. these could work. kudos on a great career and a great wardrobe. and blaynista's, as you know, i'm in london now. no tele. so i wasn't able to watch the season premier of antm. how was it???!!! you are my lifeline. please comment.

I WANT THAT JOB: BEAUTY EDITOR, GLAM.COM

india and i strike a pose at my surprise going away party. (more pics from that this weekend.). do check out her daily blog glamblush!

this section used to called career chronicles. but forget that! i'm changing it to "i want that job," because that's more to the point, right blaynista's? so without furter ado, let's focus on india jewel jackson - the fabulous india jewel jackson - howard university graduate, international stylenista, and beauty editor of glam.com. let's get in!

your name

India-Jewel Jackson

your age (optional)

27

your location

New York, New York

your title

Beauty Editor

your company

Glam.com / Glam Media

are you passionate about your career?

Yes! What girl doesn’t love beauty products?

what inspired you to pick this?

Actually I kind of fell into this position. While in college, I was an aspiring fashion editor. But during my last semester in college, I came up to NYC to interview at a leading women’s fitness magazine for a highly coveted summer fashion intern position, and unfortunately I didn’t get it. As luck would have it, I also had a chance to sit down with the beauty editors of the magazine while I waited for my real interview to begin, and they actually hired me a few days later! Three years, three more internships, and two editorial assistant positions later, here I am.

did you go to college or trade school for it?

I actually went to college for Fashion Merchandising, and I minored in Media (radio/TV/film/journalism). I knew I wanted to be in some aspect of the fashion industry, and this combination of my education seemed like the perfect fit into fashion journalism, so I fused them together and pursued it. It must’ve been fate.

what does it take to get where you are and stay there?

Dedication, determination, and TIME. And an uncanny knack to give unprecedented beauty advice.

what do you love most about what you do?

It’s simple: I haven’t paid for a beauty item since 2004. Toothpaste, deodorant, perfume, eyeshadow, lip gloss – I get it all for free! Plus, if a beauty company is launching a new product – I get to see it several months before the general public does. It happens to me all the time – I’m walking down the street, and someone stops me and asks what perfume I’m wearing. I tell them the name, and I politely inform them that they can smell just like me – in about four months time.

what makes your job a challenge?

This career is your LIFE. When working in publishing and living in NYC, there’s always an event to attend, long hours in the office (especially on closing days), cocktails with a publicist, constant research by scouring the competition… it feels like my work day never ends. I rarely have time to squeeze in an hour at the gym. Plus I’m not very organized, so my desk and beauty closet looks like Sephora threw up all over it. I have unopened bottles of perfume that have fallen off of my desk onto the pile of lipstick that fell the day before onto the makeup remover that fell last week…

would you recommend your career path to others?

The beauty (publishing) industry isn’t for the faint of heart, honey. If you love all things beauty, you’ll be fine. But you should know that it’s a mini-sorority, so if you aren’t ready for the cattiness, and to be picked apart by someone higher on the editorial totem pole, you either need to toughen your skin, or look into an alternative career.

finally - because we live for compliments here at theblayreport.com - what do you love about this blog?

Zandile Blay is the author – what other reason do I need to read this fab blog? ;) Plus, I feel it shares fashion news that is pertinent to me (someone who lives and breathes this industry), but also the average girl-next-door can enjoy and prosper from reading the Blay Report as well. Plus with you heading overseas – I’m even more excited. An American in London – you’re definitely about to change the fashion blogging game.

oh! and since this is a fashion blog, we have to ask you a fashionable question: describe an outfit that completely captures your style and personality? ( for the summer, mine was a pair of too-short denim cut-offs, a vintage, see-through victorian blouse, some metallic flats, kimora lee simmons lip gloss and smile.)

For this fall, my signature outfit will be a pair of two-tone 4-inch Oxford booties, dark denim wide-leg jeans and a baby tee shirt, short cut-out leather racing gloves, a pashmina, a cup of Starbucks, dark red matte lipstick, my silver hoop earrings and the ubiquitous NY scowl. LOL!