KRISTIN DAVIS' CLOTHING COLLECTION GETS CHOPPED

The Sex And The City Starlet has the plug pulled on her Kristin Davis Collection, and her first runway show.

New York - Well that was quick.  Wasn't it just Monday that we heard news that Davis, who plays the lovable "Charlotte" in the SATC franchise, was debuting her Fall 2009 collection during a runway show in New York. It takes more than a day to plan these shows so I can't imagine what happened in the last week that made Belk, the southern retailer which exclusively sells the Kristin Davis Collection. In an official statement Kathryn Bufano, president of merchandising evaluations for Belk, said: "We both understand that the challenges of the economic and retail environment have led to even more close evaluations and adjustments." In other words Davis' clothes weren't making nearly enough to warrant a costly fashion week show. The collection debuted in Fall 2009, and in less than two seasons is kaput. Its sad to see the very likeable actress go through this disappointment, but I'm glad to know that consumers ultimately want more from a celebrity clothing line. No matter how cute the character you play is, the clothes have to be cute too.

ALL JOKES ASIDE: EXACTLY WHO IS BUYING HOUSE OF DEREON?

Tina and Beyonce Knowles announce the expansion of their contemporary line, House of Dereon into "Daywear."

usa - it confounds me to no end that in these harsh economic times not only are folks buying beyonce's line, 'house of dereon,' but that they are buying to the point that its actually making profit , and a lot of it. at least that's what it seems like in light of the latest news: house of dereon is adding yet another category to it's roster: daywear. by way of explanation, tina knowles told reporters: "beyonce and i have had several occasions where we are in meetings all day and don't have time to run and change by dinner. this is the perfect collection to wear from the office to dinner because every piece can easily be dressed up or dressed down." (editors note: really, girl? is that so?) all these daytime fashions won't come cheap. they will debut in stores at end of the year and are estimated to range in price between $100 and $200 per piece.

in other house of dereon news, (yes - there is more!) beyonce announced the sasha fierce for dereon collection. yes - sasha fierce for dereon. what does this mean? it means that an entire clothing collection has been dedicated to beyonce's alter ego, which she busts out during performances. fittingly, the clothes will all be based on her concert costumes. It is allegedly designed by Beyonce herself, in tandem with her mother Tina Knowles. (I have a little inkling that a ginormous team of freelance designers actually do the bulk of the work.) The Sasha Fierce collection promises to be, well...fierce. It offers fashionistas with a penchant for over-designed garments, dresses, handbags, eyewear, even lingerie. (can someone say, 'too much?'). in an interview with women's wear daily, beyonce revealed, "the line really exudes a different side of my personality, which i am grateful to express." fans of dereon are sure to be grateful to buy this line which debuts this fall and retails for $25 to $75. it will be sold at macy's and dillards. naturally.

[above image is of sasha fierce collection; top image of dereon day; all images from fabsugar.com]

A TOTALLY GRATUITOUS AMBER ROSE POST

Model? Groupie? Stripper? When it comes to Rose and The Blay Report, the only relevant title is: fashion icon. (Please don't roll your eyes).

new york - are you over me being into amber? i usually reserve such unbridled enthusiasm for my blayjavon team (you girls know who you are), 33 inch weaves and the roast chicken and yuca at tipico in washington heights, new york. but alas....amber rose gives all these elements a run for their money. the recently signed ford model was snapped by paps on the streets of new york yesterday. watch and enjoy as amber elevates a simple task: the fag (as in ciggarete) break, into a a photoshoot. i live and die and do it all over again.

MICHAEL JACKSON CLOTHING LINE TO DEBUT...

So here is the good news: a Michael Jackson clothing collection might debut. Here is the bad: Christian Audigier would design it.
new york - every rose has its thorn, doesn't it? and this one happens to be the tackiest thorn of all. christian audigier, the millionaire master mind behind the ed hardy clothing (and furnishing, and underwear, and lotion) empire has revealed plans to move forward with a michael jackson clothing collection. initially, audigier was meant to design mj's costumes for his final world tour. it was during this time, he told the today show earlier this week, that the duo discussed an actual clothing line. audigier and his team presented sketches and ideas to the prince of pop and even went so far as pricing the items. plans are still underway, but fashionistas can look forward to jackets (ala thriller), socks, sequined gloves and slim cut slacks coming to a store near you. alas, on one hand i am happy about the potential profit this could mean for the jackson estate (and thereby his children and family). but from the timing to the team behind it, this entire concept feels a touch...tacky!
[image via nymag.com]

NO ESTELLE, PLEASE TRY AGAIN!

The mega talented Brit singer, attempts to conquer music and fashion with these Womens Wear Daily photo shoot.

new york - oh blaynistas! blaynistas! blaynistas! you know being mean and critical and snarky is not my thing. but lawd-a-mercy! when the occasion calls for it, i must rise! that said...where do we start with miss estelle swaray? one one hand, kudos to her and her team for snagging a photo shoot plus feature in womens wear daily, the widely read industry rag. on the other hand: boo! neither the story or photoshoot clearly communicate the intended message: estelle is uniquely talented and uniquely stylish. instead, what i interpret from these pics and the feature is: estelle has a hit song 'american boy,' and no stylist. and yet.....as is revealed in the article, estelle puts a lot of thought into her look. (perhaps too much.)

she waxes on about how she'd crafted an "audrey-peppa" look for her upcoming album. as in a blend of "holly golightly" (audrey hepburn's character from breakfast at tiffany's) and hip hop artist, "peppa" ( from the group salt and pepp. but alas, she shares, by the time she was ready to debut, everyone was doing this look which she further describes as 'fifties' and 'corsets' etc.

okay.

now her new inspiration is, 'minnie tantrum.' and as this stylish character estelle plans to wear harem pants, sharply tailored jackets and slinky dresses. in other words, the stuff h&m has been selling for seasons; alexander wang has been designing for ages; and intermix had on sale last week.

i don't mean to be gratuitously harsh. but if you are going to wax poetic about your style philosophy and unique look, please make sure that you actually have one. but alas...i digress....here are the images from the shoot. what say you?


[images from wwd]

DAKOTA FANNING FEATURED IN NEW YORK TIMES T STYLE MAGAZINE

The teen star, who always seems mature beyond her years , plays 'dress up' in this somber shoot.

new york - photographer mark segal captures dakota fanning in this spread titled '15 going on 30.' i am not particularly moved by the subject. what say you?

FIRST HARVARD… NOW HOGWARTS?

If Harvard has its own fashions.. And Emma Watson wants to attend the
Ivy league then maybe...

new york- harry potter's cutest gal pal has been making a name for
herself in the fashion industry with her adorable spread in teen vogue
earlier this summer and as the face of burberry. yet what does this
little muggle really want? a fashion line of her own. miss emma watson is rumored to be designing a line for people tree. people tree is a
fair-trade company. will designing a fashion line under an ethically friendly company help her get into an Ivy league this coming fall?

Lola Méndez

[image via joabworl.blogspot.com]

"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DESIGN," KATIE HOLMES?

She's tried marriage, motherhood and Broadway. Now, Katie Holmes (the actress married to superstar Tom Cruise) wants to be a designer.

los angeles - woe to all those supremely talented fashion design students who have neither a rich husband or an obscenely paid stylist to launch their career. but i digress....katie holmes has announced plans to debut a "premium design" collection called Holmes & Yang, named after herself and her stylist, jean yang. the line is scheduled to debut exclusively at maxfields in los angeles. while i am sure the line will be extremely imaginative (i.e. re-interpreting the best looks from couture runways of lanvin, galliano, mcqueen, etc) the entire enterprise isn't. wealthy, aspiring fashionistas like holmes, posh, and to some extent ritchie (who'se new collection we do love) make it seem as if being a clothing designer is the only way to expand your brand, express your creativity and earn extra cash. opting to create a clothing collection is growing cliche and one note. what about an art gallery? a modern furniture design collective? an architectural firm? something, anything, but.....yet another overpriced clothing line that aspires to be like amazing, innovative and luxurious brands we already have on the market. but i digress....

OH SNAP! SHE'S STILL DOING THIS: LINDSAY LOHAN DEBUTS NEW FORNARINA ADS

italy - i mean, honestly this whole lindsay lohan for fornarina situation is just weird to me. when i look at her ads for the company the intended message (chic, trendy, party girl jeans) does not translate. instead, i just see a struggling actress who is doing whatever she can for coins in these tough economic times. the phrase, "i'm just doing this for the check," just leaps off the pages when i look at these pictures. besides this, there is the further tragedy of the art direction, styling and actual product. it's wrong on so many levels. the only thing that makes it right - i hope - is a fat paycheck for lohan. but i digres...the news of the day is: yes, lohan is still the face of this italian denim company (ofcourse it's italian - no offense to my amazing italian readers! i live for you!), and the photos are from the company's fall 2009 campaign.

ARE YOU LOVING PEACHES GELDOF AS THE NEW BODY...AHEM...FACE OF ULTIMA LINGERIE

london - honestly, i'm still too stuck on the body tattoos to decide. what sayeth you oh faithful blaynista? zandile blay

image via nymag.com

MADONNA TO LAUNCH A SECOND CLOTHING LINE

usa - i know, it took me a second to think about what her first clothing line was...m by madonna for h&m. now the pop icon is making plans to launch her second line with christian audigier of the tattoo printed tees and jeans. according to the daily mirror, audigier offered madonna a six figure deal to deliver her own range of tops and jeans. i'm personally not a fan of audigier's collection. it seems like the man has more stacks than style to burn and something tells me madonna is doing it all for the coins.


photo: theblondesambition.blogspot.com

JUST HAD TO SHARE: DESIGNER, NANA BOATENG

new york - just had to share: these are images from menswear designer, nana boateng's latest photo shoot. the photos are set to be featured in an upcoming issue of japanese style magazine lussw. nana is a great friend of mine and an amazing designer who counts celebrities like will smith, djimon honsu and tobey maguire as devoted clients. but that's not the reason i had to share these: the fact that he looks as amazing as his custom suits was. makes you appreciate the beauty of a well cut bespoke suit does it not?

THE BEST I'VE SEEN ANGELINA JOLIE LOOK IN A LONG, LONG TIME

photo via dlisted.com

BLAY REPORT OBSESSION: LUPE FIASCO CHUCK TAYLOR'S FOR PRODUCT RED

www - wait, lupe fiasco is still relevant!? i'm not throwing any shade, just asking as i haven't seen - or most importantly - heard him in a while. but what do i know... in anycase, he has co-designed a siiiick pair of kicks for the product red line. i truly love these. they are scheduled to be on the market in january. listen, don't hesitate to buy me a pair. i wear a 7 1/2.

IS MICHELLE WILLIAMS DEAD WRONG FOR THIS LOOK? BLAYNISTAS, PLEASE DISCUSS

new york - honestly, what is this? i am so confused. i am all about evolving your image and changing your look, but whoever styled michelle williams for the diesel party this past saturday is dead wrong. this cacophony of accessories and yards of black fabric is only overwhelming michelle. i'm not into this. y tu?