Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 11 (Minnie Riperton)

Recent trends: fur vests, floral prints and tie dye.

1970s Minnie Riperton: Been there. Done that.

My Affordable Spring Crush - Lela Rose for Payless

Occasionally, I peruse the Payless website to check out the latest designer collections. Everyone has been enamored with the Payless and Christian Siriano collaboration. However, on my latest visit to Payless.com, I was more impressed with the Spring collection by designer Lela Rose. Two items, in particular, really excited me; the Hampton Woven Bow Pump and the Paloma Clutch.





The contrasting navy and cream color combination channels the nautical trend that will be prevalent in fashion this upcoming Spring/Summer and the details make them both extremely feminine and chic. The shoe, with its textured print and satin bow, is adorable. The knotted faux leather on the clutch makes a bold statement and is a definite attention-grabber. Worn together or separately, they could be perfectly paired with skinny jeans, an oversized tee and a classic trench. Can't you picture it?!?!

Now tell me, how would you rock 'em?

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 10 (Coretta Scott King)

This photo of Coretta Scott King was taken in 1964 while she talked with a fellow parishioner at Ebenezer Baptist Church. All I can say is...

Simply. Beautiful.

*photo courtesy of corbisimages.com

Beware of BeyondTheRack.com

If you don't know by now, I'm an avid fan of online shopping. I love the sometimes overwhelming amount of choices, the ease of browsing and the great prices. I've been championing online shopping FOREVER to those I know are still leary about it. That being said, I knew I was long overdue for a "bad online shopping experience".

Enter BeyondTheRack.com...

Beyond The Rack (BTR) is similar to all of the other sample sale sites (ie: ideeli, Gilt, Hautelook) that offer nice and sometimes unbelieveable discounts on designer brands. In most cases, you have to be ready with credit card in hand when the sale starts and also be prepared to make a decision and check out within 15 minutes or you will essentially miss out. With that type of pressure, it's impulse shopping at its finest!

I sign up for all of the sites and usually only visit when I see a designer I know and love. That being said, when I saw that a Dolce Vita sale was happening at BTR, I immediately went to the site in hopes to find the "Claire" shoe I'd been stalking on other sites a few days prior. When I saw that BTR had the shoe in my size AND in the color I wanted for more than 60% off retail, I ran to my purse and grabbed my credit card like a mad woman! Typing as fast as a stenographer, I had my order completed and paid for in under 10 minutes. I felt so accomplished! LOL!

Now, here I am over 3 weeks later...BTR has charged my account and my item has yet to ship. I experienced a similar situation with Gilt when it took over a month to receive my UES shoes BUT Gilt did not take out the money until the shoes shipped. Now, THAT I can live with. I hate the waiting but at LEAST I still have my money. As I began researching BTR, I stumbled upon some interesting reviews at storecrowd.com (click here to read them). There are several complaints of exteremly long shipping times as well as bad and unresponsive customer service.

I should've done this research prior to my purchase but being that BTR is associated with O Magazine, I thought it would be a reputable website. My mistake. Needless to say, I sent an email to BTR inquiring about my shipment and have yet to receive a response (big surprise). If and when I receive my order, I will be severing all ties with Beyond the Rack and its shenanigans.

As usual, I'll keep you abreast of any new developments within this soap opera. Until then, happy non-BTR shopping!



P.S. If you've had a good BTR shopping experience, by all means, please share your story. I would love to know how it feels to have BTR on my good side.


**UPDATE**
I finally received my shoes on February 26th which was 4 weeks after my order date. Although I love my shoes, the lack of communication on BTR's part still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It will be awhile (if ever) before I order from BTR again.

Handbag Swoon - Alexander McQueen Flapper Crocodile Bag

As you all know, we recently lost a great fashion designer in Alexander McQueen. Unfortunately, we are only left with our imaginations to determine just how successful he would've been in future years.

If you're like me and have yet to own a McQueen piece, this handbag is perfect! Priced at $532 on theoutnet.com, it's more than 60% off the retail price. With it's classic shape and crocodile texture, this is definitely a timeless handbag.

With everyone clamoring to purchase any and every thing McQueen, don't hesitate on this one. You know how the saying goes...."you snooze, you lose".



R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 9 (Bronzeville Ladies)

This is yet another Russell Lee photo - as you can see, I love his work. These women are waiting outside a Bronzeville Episcopal church in 1941. I really do love everything about them. The hats, brooches, gloves and clutch bags scream Sunday-morning glamour. The dress on the woman in the middle, with the puffy shoulders and belted waist, is giving me life!! The suits worn by the other two have such lovely collars. The wide collar on the right is perfect for the oversized flower pin and the fur collar on the left is a lovely frame for the metal brooch worn at the neckline. Looking at this picture, something tells me they KNEW they looked chic. You know how we get when we think we're cute. ;-)






*photo courtesy of bvikkivintage

KNOW [and fashionably SHOW] Your "RIGHTS"

I discovered ken & dana design while reading the March 2010 issue of Lucky Magazine. There was a 3-finger ring featured and I was immediately drawn to it. As usual, I went to the website to see what else ken & dana design had to offer. The site has a plethora of fabulous jewelry whose designs are inspired by a wide range of things such as graffiti, geometry, Egyptian goddesses and even civil rights. Although, majority of the items are over $100, the designs are so unique and visually pleasing, it's 100% worth it.

Besides the scarf necklaces (which I will blog about later), I was most impressed by the items in the "RIGHTS" Collection. The collection includes rings, necklaces, bangles and earrings engraved with the case identifiers of some of the most pivotal and historical U.S. Civil Rights Supreme Court cases - Romer v. Evans, Leser v. Garnett, Loving v. Virginia and my personal favorite, Brown v. Board of Education.

I would love to add the RIGHTS Two Finger Ring and Pendant Necklace to my own jewelry collection. Being both fashionable and meaningful, they would easily be amongst my most treasured pieces. Check out these items and more at kenanddanadesign.com.

Shoe Swoon - WHERE "Tressa" Studded Wedge

Available on WHERE's website for approx. $75. A great deal for such a one-of-a-kind shoe!

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 8 (Fashion Fair Spread)

This Fashion Fair Spread entitled "Fluffy and Feminine" is from the April 1968 issue of Ebony Magazine. I would wear practically everything in this spread today. The tiered dress is perfection. The scalloped detail and puffy sleeves on the hooded dress on the top right are adorable. And how could you not love the dresses on the bottom right?! The neckline, sleeve and shape on both are tres chic!

Which one is your favorite?




*photos courtesy of google books

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 7 (Opera Singer Margaret Tynes)

This photo of Opera singer Margaret Tynes was taken from the November 1959 issue of Ebony Magazine. Not only is she workin' that dress (the tiered skirt is gorgeous) but I love her energy as well. She is so vibrant! Everything about this picture puts a smile on my face.













*photo courtesy of vieilles_annonces on flickr

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 6 (Ladies of Howard U.)

This photo shows six Howard University women at a football game. I'm not certain of the year but my guess is circa 1940. Being a fan of flapper style, I love everything about this photo. These ladies are extremely fly in flapper hats, skirt suits, brooches and pearl necklaces. We rarely see women get THIS dressed up nowadays and the fact that they are this fabulous at a football game is simply amazing. By the looks of the gentlemen in the background, dressing up for games was clearly the standard then. Don't you just love it?!



*photo courtesy of blackhistoryalbum.com

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 5 (Easter Morn)

This photo may be one of the more popular ones shot by photographer Russell Lee. It's a group of boys on Easter Morning in Chicago, dated 1941. We all know that Easter is the day to get "suited and booted", but these guys have an extra something that we don't see these days. From the Dobbs hats to the double breasted jackets to the pocket square, they look like little men and I love it! And based on their poses, they're loving it too. SO dapper!



*photo courtesy of bvikkivintage

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 4 (Cool Chick)

This is one of my favorite photos. She is SO cool!

The slightly cocked hat adds spunk to her men-inspired look and the clutch bag (a.k.a. pocketbook) is simply adorable. If she doesn't have "swagger", I don't know who does.






*photo courtesy of discoverblackheritage on flickr

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 3 (Black Model in Paris)

Model, Dorothea Towles, in Paris. This photo is from the December 6, 1951 issue of JET magazine. From head to toe, this outfit is perfection. I could actually use that cape and those booties in my wardrobe now. That's what timeless fashion is all about. Wouldn't you agree?


















*photo courtesy of vielles_annonces on flickr

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 2 (African-Inspired)

This photo is from the January 22, 1953 issue of JET magazine. I absolutely love the African-inspired print of this dress. The belted waist, brass choker and cuff bracelet add to its splendor!


















*photo courtesy of vielles_annonces on flickr

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion - Part 1 (Flapper Girls w/ Cool Guy)

In honor of Black History Month, I will be posting photos from the past that showcase Black people in great fashions. The photos will be everything from "street style" to old magazine ads.

Today's photo is a 1920s "street style" photo of two wonderfully chic flapper girls and one dapper gentlemen. They are so SHARP!






*photo courtesy of nyctreeman on flickr