Couture 'NO-NO's'

I've been really looking forward to this fall's design collections. I've been playing close attention, specifically to my favorite designer's, Christian Dior, Lanvin, Donna Karen, Marc Jacob, Alexander McQueen...to name a few. Many designers has already displayed their intentions for this fall's fashion trends, including it's couture fashions, by presenting prestigious runway/fashion shows.

I've seen a quite a few of the latest couture shows, and I must say that I've been well pleased, but all has not pleased me. Designs that is. For the most part, all of the designer's have designs that are great in their own right, but every now and then or more often than not, we viewers see a model prance down the runway, struting her best runway walk in something that looks like it came straight from the cartoon 'Jimmy Neutron' itself... No really! This is a horrible shame...It disgraces all that great fashion has to offer and if a designer is not careful, meaning, but putting items that don't make the cut, it really hurts their runway pres.

Dior for example, lovely, one of my fav designers in everything genre, including couture, for men and women. It's line been around a while and has clout in the design game, but see the pic attached. OOOh NO! Yes, it's from Dior's fall 08 line. Now, I'm just giving my opinion on this piece. I know that some of you out there beg to differ with my opinion, but I do also know that many of you out there definately agree with me. It's down right, truth be told, UGLY(if I'm allowed to quote this). I love mostly everything that Dior makes, but this piece, along with quite a few more of his Fall 08 pieces is NO-NO!

It's see through, which is not that bad if implemented correctly(my opinion) and look at the accessory.. the hat--no-no-no! It's couture and all of us can't wear couture, but I think none of us would wear this couture piece at all.

Let me know what you think!

5 Ways To Look Green In The Red

Don't you love the Summer, but hate the Summer heat? I know I do. One thing that I try my best to do in the Summer is, 'STAY COOL', as I can at least. When the temp increases to above 100 degree's, it's pretty hopeless though. I stay in Texas, where our Summer's are real long and extremely hot. Fashionista's like myself, try to keep our apparel 'fierce', while trying to keep our body temps from rising. But when all else fails, you can't go wrong in the Summer with piece's where fabric is limited, if you get my drift. Light fabrics, shorts, etc, all in a day's work of keeping cool. Now, considering the condition of our planet, oil price's and global warming, our generation is trying it's best to buy and do things to change the way we treat our planet and all that it has to offer. One way is going GREEN! There's a lot of ways to go green, but my favorite way is of course, fashion. Yes you can go merge green item's within your Summer ward. I've put together my guest estimate/opinion of the 5 things you need to look 'green' in the red summer heat.
More like items that I've put together..
Item 1: Tee's. We all love them and their oh so cool in the Summer, breezy I mean. I found the cutest Kanji Kalligraphy Tee only $24.00.

Item 2: I didn't forget, you definately need a pair of Organic Cotton Black Capri's with leg slit(throw a little sex appeal in there), only $24.00 also.
Item 3: If the Tee is not cool enough for you or it's just not your summer style, try on a tank or cami, they're available in many different colors and very versatile. I also found some for only $10.00-sweeet!
Item 4:How about sleepwear, cool down when it's time for bed in a pair of Jersey Knit Pajama's, they're currently on sale for #39.00

Item 5: Accessorize your summer outfit with a beautiful 'green' thoughtful bag, benefiting the Solar Living Institute for only $30.00.

Guy's, the best thing about buying these cute items is that they are all eco-friendly, organicly made items that also benefit a major foundation. You're basically, saving our environment and helping other's, while of course looking 'fabulous.' The best of many, many worlds. So, this Summer, when your out and about, doing your shopping, make sure you stop to think about implementing 'green' articles into your ward......

Check out the items listed about at www.gaiam.com. You'll find everything 'green' that you need.

Odio's Fashionista's

Look Chic on a BUDGET!

Posh chic, african chic, native chic, sexy chic, geek chic, casual chic.....need I go on? Chic is 'in' indeed. All different kinds of 'chic'. 'Chic''s even in the Wiki online encyclopedia. Who would have figured. Nevertheless, I love the Chic look, every one, because every one has it's own unique feel wrapped around the look. I like to look chic, my favorite actually is sexy chic and casual chic. What can I say, I'm a comfortable kind of girl(lol). The key my friends is looking chic on a BUDGET. That's right, BUDGET!
Step 1: Forget, 'DESIGNER'. The item's don't have to be designer for you have that 'chic' look Step 2: What type of 'chic' look are you looking for? Decide what you desire your look to be. There are a variety of 'chic' looks. Key-remember, chic is a dressed down, but upscale look, that's why the term fit's so well
Step 3: Look for bargain find's, this includes, consignment stores, thrift stores, used clothing store's, old vintage. Believe it or not, shopping at these places is like shopping in a treasure store, full of unseen treasures. We have to find them. or
Simply look on regular store rack for clearance items, marked down items, sale items.

Example: see attached photo of Kate Hudson, she does the Casual Chic look nicely.

You can have this look:
Long Sweater $25.00-Delia's
Black Sweater $10.00-Old Navy
Jeans $29.50 -American Eagle
Shoes $35.00-J.Renee

I personally love Old Navy, you can find everything you need to look fabulous at such great low price's.

Happy Shopping!

Nekiwa Smith
also at www.concretethreads.com
www.modofacile.com

How to Find Designer at 60% Off or more

Who said that just because we are not famous celebrities or socialites, we can't look sharp or 'fierce.' That we can't shine in the glory of looking 'hot.' We definately can, we can! When shopping, I like to find the best deals and quality for a great price. Who doesn't like and want to wear designer, that is, clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories and more. Everyone would like to look their best as pertaining to society and our culture. I recently went on a search to find the best site(s) or store's to find the best designer's at the lowest price possible. Travel with me.....

First of all, shopping on line is alway's the best way to find cheaper items.

1)Best place for designer shoes, handbags, clothes and more items, including Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Fendi, Pradi, Fornarina and more...

ww.raffaello-network.com- where items are available for up to 70% off retail.
see attached Fornarina shoe, original retail: $350.00, at rafaello: $139.00

2)Best place for designer clothes,shoes, handbags and other items, including: True Religion, Fitch, Chloe, Burberry, Valentino and more..

www.potentfashion.com- where items are available for up to 80-85% off retail. I like the way they talk!

3)If your taste is a little less extravegant, try www.smartbargains.com- you'll find Kenneth Cole and other's at up to 80% off, while yet it's the best place to find designer accessories at great prices, such as sunglasses: fendi, prada, calvin klein, diesal, armani, gucci and chanel

You'll love whatever you find on all of these site's. Make sure you send me a pic of your steals!!

Happy Shopping!

Nekiwa Smith
also at www.concretethreads.com
www.modofacile.com

Will you want "tha Goodies"

Singer Ciara, we all know her, "Tha Goodie's Girl" (lol). Well, it seem's, she's stepping out into mainstream stardom even more so nowadays. It's reported that she's signed a modeling contract with agency Wilhelmina, a prominant-upscale agency. She's also looking into launching her own clothing line via Steve and Barry's. Steve and Barry's is great store, with trendy items at great low prices. Great look Ciara! Steve and Barry's also carrie's Sarah Jessica Parker's line "Bitten" and Stephen Marbury's line "Marberry".

Now, I'm guessing this is definately the thing to do if your a famous singer, model, actor, etc. Famous people's clothing line's tends to do very well regarding sale. I don't know, maybe because they have a whole team of marketing and advertising staff, maybe.

But, I definately look forward to Ciara's new line. Her last CD did pretty well and I really liked it. To me, she is maturing in her singing skill and production. I also like her style so I bet her line will be right in line with her fiery, hip-hop style, one of my fav's. So with Steve and Barry's and Ciara teaming up.

So everyone be on the lookout!!
Also at www.concretethreads.com

"Bootleggers", good or bad?

BOOTLEGGER'S- we all know who they are, we all all know who they represent, we all know their motive. Money that is. Bootlegger's has alway's been looked down upon in the fashion world, but their pretty classic. Meaning, the fashion police and even the real police has not been able to put a stop to their business endeavors.

I personally, have alway's thought, in my heart that bootlegger's and anyone that purchased imitation, bootlegger products were wrong and possibly stealing, depending on how you looked at it. But, to tell the truth, I've purchased a many imitation products in my day, from stores and bootleggers. But while buying these products, my conscious would scream, 'you know you're wrong for this.'

The reason continued the sale and even purchased thereafter:

Reason 1: Loved the design

Reason 2: Great price

Reason 3: Bought if can't tell that's it's a cheaper, imitation, version of product

These are the reason's bootleggers are still in business today and probably will never go out of business. Most buyer's have felt the way I felt. Many time's, buyer's are unable to purchase the real, authentic product, at the original expensive price, and if a bootlegger cross their path and it's a great imitation for sell, it's as good as GONE!

I didn't really change my perspective or feelings regarding this being wrong until about a month ago. I was viewing an Oprah Show episode and one of my favorite designer's of all time, Mr. Marc Jacobs, was a featured guest. Oprah asked him a question, about his feelings towards people that piroted or bootlegged imitations of his products(Marc Jacobs is also a feature designer on the Louis Vuitton design team.) Mr. Jacobs replied, "I feel flattered and good to know that I have created and designed something so great that other's want to imitate. I have no problem with it."

Now, for Mr. Marc Jacobs himself, to say such a thing, wow, it made me feel alright about my past 'misdeeds' and possible my future one's. Oprah understood where he was coming from and this just made things better for me, I must say.

Now for all of you that have previously bought imitation goods, thought about it or just condemned those who do or had, please rethink your position...

Shine forever!!

Who's your fav runway Diva?

I love to watch all model's, those from different backgrounds, ethnicities, build and social status, strut their stuff on the runway. I have a little bit of modeling experience myself and I know the feeling. Such a great feeling it is, to walk the runway, hundred's of eyes totally on you, the breeze through your hair and yes, the feeling of top-notch designer clothes touching your skin. Oh what a great feeling!For all of us who LOVE designer clothes, it gives the wearer such a great feeling. Because I can relate and I personally know the feeling of walking a runway, I respect all models that do this as a profession. I especially like watching my favorites to do it up on the runway. To be my favorite, I look for that 'it' facial look, build, culture, etc. I especially look for a particular runway finesse and grace, when walking the runway.

I would have to say, out of all the current, 21st century models currently modeling, Sasha Pivovarova, would have to be my favorite. Her rutty facial features, blond hair and sea blue eyes, very beautiful. But she also 'rip's' the runway when walking down it.I have a few model pioneer's that I respect and admire for blazing the forefront for all models. They were at the top of their game in their time. My list includes: Brook Shields, Kimora Lee(of course), Cristie Brinkley, Janice Dickenson, Beverly Johnson, Iman, Tyra Banks and more.

Who would you say is your favorite model?