Visions of Beauty

Black is Beautiful and this season some major players in the fashion industry are sitting up and taking notice.  As a woman of color I hope this is not just a fad for Spring/Summer '11, but the beginning of a more inclusive vision of what represents true beauty and style.


Ooh Shala:

Style Star Shala Monroque kills it on so many levels. Even though her closet is full of covetable designer duds from the likes of Prada and Rodarte it is her natural beauty that makes her such a knockout!

Photos courtesy of jakandjil.com, Ben Gabbe/Getty Images, Patrick McMullen for HarpersBazaar.com

En Vogue: The Life Rhapsodic

The March issue of Vogue features a bevy of beautiful black models alongside prominent black male celebrities including Savion Glover, Anthony Mackie, and John Legend. Click here for a behind the scenes look at the shoot.

Models Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls, Ajak Deng, Arlenis Sosa, Jourdan Dunn, and Aanis Mali are breathtaking in the finest fashions for Spring/Summer '11.

All Photos by Norman Jean Roy

Lanvin's Last Look:

Alber Elbaz presented a stunning collection for Spring/Summer '11 designed for modern, powerful women on the go. To close the show he sent five gorgeous black models down the runway making a strong ( and much needed) statement about what modern, powerful women look like today!

From left: Ajak Deng, Jeneil Williams, Ataui Deng, Jourdan Dunn, and Melodie Monrose

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Fall Forward

I know it is a little crazy to be posting about Fall/Winter '11 fashion because spring weather still seems so far away, but these shoes from the Aldo x Julian Louie collection are too insane not to share. I need both styles in my life . . . pronto. I'm not sure when they are set to release, but I will be sure to update once I have more info.

In the meantime, the Spring/Summer '11 Julian Louie collection is pretty hot and still available in some stores. Cop yours now before they are all gone!

Photos courtesy of Nitrolicious

Business in the Front, Party in the Back

I scour various websites daily for fashion that sparks my interest. Solestruck is one website I can always count on to satisfy my urge for something new and exciting in footwear. In this case Sam Edelman's Lorissa pump is not necessarily new, but for spring 2011 it has been updated  in great new fabrics and finishes.

In am loving the rose gold, denim, and animal print. They take this part fancy, part funky shoe to the next level!

THIS IS BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S

I am so in love with this Prada video for the Spring/Summer 2011 collection. The collection was inspired by Josephine Baker, one of my life and style icons, and this video embodies her spirit. You can see several of the direct references to Ms. Baker in the collection and featured in the video- peep the banana print and the white dress with Josephine Baker's silhouette. I am totally inspired by Prada's use of  color and print and plan to use this collection as a roadmap to help update my wardrobe for spring!

Sunshine State

The optimistic golden yellow hue and the amazingly affordable price of these pieces from Cheap Monday will put you in a blissful state even if sunny skies are still a few months away.

Available now at NastyGal.com

Photos courtesy of Cheap Monday

Neon Nights

I am loving this drop dead sexy and super fun dress from Halston's Fall 2011 Collection.

Would you rock a glow in the dark dress?



Everything Was Beautiful at the Ballet

The above look from Chloe's Spring 2011 collection is perfection. In a dream world I would be able to afford the hefty $3,000+ price tag of the real thing (currently available at saks), but in the real world my budget is much more modest. Fortunately for the ballerina in us all you can create a similar look with the 3 easy pieces below at a fraction of the price!

1) American Apparel Cotton Spandex Short Sleeve Leotard in Nude
 $28.00

2. American Apparel Chiffon Double-Layered Full Length Skirt in Tan

$58.00

3. Bloch Prima Ballerina Flat in Fossil

 $150.00



Soulful Soles featured in IFB's Links a la Mode

I am so excited to be featured along with some other bloggers in

Links a la Mode.

Links a la Mode is a weekly round up of interesting blog content. Check out the links below and peep yours truly right at the top!

Making it Your Own

Edited by WIT & Whimsy
One of the best parts about fashion is that it is translated differently by everyone. It’s infused in everything we do in many respects and this week’s Links a la Mode highlight that whether your style is haute couture or vintage, trendy or thirfted, style is very much ownable and deeply personal.
I’m thrilled to have this be my inaugural editing of the IFB Links a la Mode, looking forward to seeing everyone’s posts throughout the year!

Links à la Mode: March 3rd

Soulful Soles: Style Taylor Made: Marie Claire’s Taylor Tomasi Hill Sporting Spring 2011 Trends

A La Modest: Flicks Inflict Fashion II

Aqui: Street Polish

Blah Blah Becky: Snapshots from London Fashion Week

Chappals vs. Stilettos: Lace Love

Chi Chi Bella: African Vibes

Color Me Blue: DIY: What to do with your Old Leather Boots

Dessert or Disaster: Desert Inspired Looks for Spring

Dress with Courage: Thrifting 101: How to Thrift for Vintage

Fumiko Kawa: Artistic Metal Detailing

Her Catwalk: A (WWD) Magic Show

Holier than Now: A Short Story: Spring’s New Essential (hint – it’s not shorts!)

Independent Fashion Bloggers: Video: Getting into the business side of blogging

Make the World a Prettier Place: Are Pastels the New Color for Fall?

QQueen of Hearts: Overcoming Blog Insecurites

The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower: How to Make Failed Outfit Pictures Work (Photoshop Tutorial)

The New Professional: Recap: My Year of Not Shopping

Try it On Me: Vanilla Frappacino Meets Fashion

Vanity Press: Starlets & Muscians of Dolce & Gabbana

What to Wear Where: The Fascinator Kate Midddleton

WIT & Whimsy: Color Pops: Infusing unexpected color into your daily look


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