The fashion industry has been buzzing over the February issue of Italian Vogue called The Black Allure – a beautiful 20 page portfolio featuring some of the industry’s top black models.

For those of your who don’t know, Vogue Italia’s current Editor-At-Large is Bethann Hardison mother of Kadeem Hardison – who is most known for his portrayal of Dwayne Wayne on the TV show A Different World. She was hired not too long  after Vogue Italia released their first ‘all black issue’ in the Summer of 2008; an issue which was considered by many to be extremely ground-breaking.

The Black Allure is a 1920′s Harlem Renaissance inspired spread that was shot by Emma Summerton and styled by Edward Enninful. It stars models like Chanel Iman, Ajak Deng, Jourdan Dunn, Rose Cordero and Melodie Monrose (to name an illustrious few)  – all seen fiercely posing in top top notch labels like Versace, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin and Dior.

Love it!

… Anyone, black or white who is aware of the ratio of blacks to white in our fashion industry, does not flinch at all the “white model” stories, which seems to be natural to us all. At some point when the model becomes worthy (black or white) its inspirational to see what the industry has developed as competitive models and showcase those beauties. That is how it goes for white, so “whats good for the goose should be good for the gander.”

… Whenever we get a chance to be noticed by the masses, whether its a photo shoot with models of the same race or mixed race we must be grateful that someone cares to support beauty and style, whoever and whatever it is. That day was a proud one for us all, Edward and Emma’s shoot. When you never get a chance then is given one, it is sublime.

Bethann Hardison – Editor-At-Large

Update: This sneak is now available at Vans.com/santigold

If you follow my tweets then you know I’ve been wondering for a minute what’s up with electronica’s golden princess, Santigold. Her self-tiltled debut album was and still is my crack and I’m literally going mad over not having any new hotness of hers to blast in my headphones.

Well besides climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to bring light to the fact over a billion people worldwide are forced to live without clean drinking water, the songstress has also been working on her own shoe-line with Vans for Spring/Summer 2011. Sneaker Freaker recently gave a sneak peek of the dope collabo and I am quite impressed. The hi top sneaker comes in perforated black leather with gold chains, eyelets and lace locks. A look that defintiely represents the unique style of Santigold. Hopefully they’ll be released alongside a dope single (hint – hint). Check em out.

It is absolutely amazing at how far technology has come. (I still remember playing  on the green screen computers as a child). It has without a doubt changed the way we access music, books, news and art and fashion.

Today, fashion designers are coming up with some really interesting and cool ways to showcase their work via the internet and runway shows – all using technology as their main base.

Last week in NYC, top American fashion designer Ralph Lauren (and RalphLauren.com) celebrated 10 years of digital innovation by presenting the ultimate fusion of art, fashion & technology in a visual feast for the 5 senses. It starts at his  London flagship at 1 New Bond Street and then disappears right before your eyes, transforming into a series of objects and images rendered in 3-dimensional space.

This may have been one of the dopest fashion shows ever and I would have killed to see it live. Check it out below.

The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience – London from Ralph Lauren on Vimeo.

I don’t know about you ladies, but I have been going crazy over the sneak peaks of Alber Elbaz’s upcoming Lanvin collaboration for H&M. The collection will (finally) be available November 23 with dress prices ranging from $149 to $249; coats $149 to $349 and shoes all being $99 (see shoe pics below). Considering an original Lanvin gown starts at about $2000… I would say this is one hell-of-a deal. Although this will surely exceed the amount  an average H&M shopper is willing to spend, but we’ll see what happens. And fellas don’t feel left out. There will also be a men’s line available on the same date.

Lanvin just released an awesome short video highlighting the collection. Check it out.

In the visual world of everyday urban living, there are few things more spectacular than a well-dressed man, and by well-dressed, I don’t mean thousand-dollar designer suit. It doesn’t take a big budget to look good, just a bit of grace, a sense of composition and good coordination. Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs over at Street Etiquette are those well-dressed men. And, while it’s one thing for a couple of 20-something New York bloggers to have great fashion sense, it’s another to garner an international following. It was only a matter of time before Etiquette’s world of fashion blogging would meet Sebago‘s world of fashion design.

The shoe company teamed up with footwear designer Ronnie Fieg to select five bloggers to design 10 individual takes on Docksides, Lighthouse boots and other Italian classics. For the men’s fashion blog,  it was a coveted opportunity for any dreamer with a webpage and a camera, and they didn’t fail to make do. The “Nexus Project” required Team Etiquette and the others to totally immerse themselves into footwear design, technique and material at the Sebago facility in the Dominican Republic, and below is just a sample of the end product.

If you thought creating your very own shoes would be an easy task you are highly mistaken; it’s a composite procedure, from materials such as various leathers, nubucks,  lace stitches, soles and eyelets, all at your disposal to indulge in.  We bombarded the Sebago factory looking to express our stylistic tastes in these shoes, and even though it was challenging, I’m floored by the finish product at hand.

It’s also a bit of well-planned marketing that as a style shift into the sharper, preppier look takes shape, the Nexus Project reaches its end. It’s also a taste of what may be to come as more bloggers and their styles find prominence in the fashion design community.

The Street Etiquette x Sebago Tassel Moccasin Shoe retails for $110, and the Lighthouse boot retails for $140. Both are expected to be released this month, but will be limited in quantity and availability. Keep an eye on Street Etiquette for details.

Check out more from the other bloggers at the Nexus Project:

CultureShoq.com

WilliamYan.com

MarcusTroy.com

JakeDavis.typepad.com

Naomi Campbell is one of the world’s most famous women in the fashion industry.  She  has worked with all (not some) of the greatest designers on the planet. Forget about her temper, her ties to blood diamonds (if that even is true), and her hairline.    It is an amazing fete’ that she has had a 25 year career in an industry that is cold, cruel and always looking for the next young thing.  I’m not going to turn this into a biography, let’s celebrate her work through pictures not words!

Naomi and her Mother

“Hat cocked can’t see his eyes, who could it be?”

“With that new blue Yankee on Who but me?”

You guys have probably heard that Jay-Z has collaborated with The World Series Champs on limited edition merchandise to be sold exclusively at Yankee Stadium through September 14^th, 2010.  The limited edition collection (for men and women) of fitted caps, T-shirts, and hoodies commemorate Yankee Stadium’s first official concerts that take place September 13^th and 14^th with Jay-Z and Eminem.  The stop at Yankee Stadium will be the pairs second on their Home and Home tour.  They first hit up Detroit’s Comerica Park last week.  Shout out to Jay’s marketing team! Dope plug for the concert and to make more money!

Ingles by Jeffrey-Campbell

Two Lips Catwalk-Zappos

Trouve' Jenna Bootie-Nordstrom

LUICHINY-BAREFEET SHOES

Faux Suede Buckle Boot-Arden B	WILL OH -DIBA BOOT	NEWGARD-ALDO SHOES
ABRUPT LEE -LUICHINY	Winston Ankle Boots-BCBGeneration Shoes-Macys	Bootie-Aldoshoes
Combat-Bakers Shoes	Sassy Studded Boot-Dolce Vita-Nordstrom	JOEY-Bakers Shoes
Neve-Senso SoleStruck	Lace-up Platform Bootie-BareFeet Shoes	WOW ZA -Diba Boot

Where to buy:

Solestruck.com

Nordstroms.com

Macys.com

bronx-shoes.com

Zappos.com

Bakersshoes.com

Barefeetshoes.com

Aldoshoes.com

Ardenb.com

As many people know, colorful kicks are out, and deck shoes are in–at least for cats nearing 30 like me. In 2010 I’ve maintained a no sneaker policy (like Jay-Z), and I’m not the only one. The market is growing up from expensive tees and overpriced trainers to button downs and shoes your dad would rock. Seeing this trend, traditional sneaker manufacturers like Nike and Adidas are rushing more upscale gear to the market.

Take the limited edition Adidas Summer Deck Shoes. The style is classic, understated, and screams grown and sexy. It’s a departure for the shoe maker, but a wise move at best.

I haven’t found these shoes anywhere online, but they retail at select stores for $60. (via Smoking Section)

I love Madonna! Anybody that knows me really well can tell you that. These new ads for Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall/Winter Campaign 2010/2011 are gorgeous.  Shot by famed photograhper and her old trusty visual guru Steven Klein, the theme is centered around a family of Italians going about their everyday lives.  The shots are amazing and Madonna looks fabulous.  Check out Swide.com for an exclusive look backstge at the shoot.

NAME: Adam Kimmel

Reppen: New York

Occupation: Fashion Designer

Crew: his wife actress LeeLee Sobieski and baby daughter Louisanna Ray Kimmel

Web: www.adamkimmel.com

Quote:  —“I guess I was better at constructing garments than buildings,”

I could not find all what I wanted to on Adam Kimmel, so I’m assuming he is intensely private, but whatever the case may be he is what I have been searching for in a menswear designer.    You will not find skinny tailored suits where the men’s pants are showcasing more than just stitching and fabric (similar to a girl’s camel toe).  Adam Kimmel’s collections boast masculinity and movement all while being sophisticated.     I recently came across his new Spring/Summer 2011 collection that draws inspiration from Snoop Dogg and I just had to put him in the designer to watch spotlight.

 Adam Kimmel was born and raised in New York and found his way into fashion through his love of architecture (he has a degree in it from NYU) and contemporary art.  He founded his brand in 2002 and has become well known for his ability to create incredibly well cut classic menswear.  But it’s  his  lookbooks that have garnered so much attention.  He uses his circle of friends which include Dan Colen (artist based in NYC known for painted sculptures), Aaron Bondaroff (NYC based entrepreneur), and the late great Dennis Hopper as models to present his vision all while being shot by famed Andy Warhol lensman Gerard Malanga.  With all this inspiration surrounding Adam Kimmel, who wouldn’t want to invade his private thoughts.

Spring/Summer 2011

Spring/Summer 2011

Spring/Summer 2011

Adam Kimmel New Era Cap Spring/Summer 2011

Fall 2010

Fall 2010

Fall 2010

Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Fall 2009

Fall 2009

Fall 2009

Pharrell’s Billionare Boys Club has launched their Fall/Winter 2010 Lookbook.  Expect the signature BBC Hoodies, Varisty Jackets, and Quilted Vests, but the new sneaker called the “Nothing” boutique sneaker ties this collection together.  These sneakers are canvas on top and gummed out at the bottom with the astronaut logo on the side.  Very Classic! Very Dope!

Check out: http://www.bbcicecream.com/lookbook/ to see the entire Lookbook.