Simply the Best, Part Tres

Hey girls,
I'm STILL on a high from Friday afternoon, where I spent possibly the most dazzling three hours of Fashion Week. At least to moi. The thrillingly top-secret forum,"The Lack of Black Images in Fashion Today," was hosted by the legendary model/agent/fashion show producer, Bethann Hardison (okay fine, she's Dwayne Wayne's mom, too, but that's hardly her claim to fame). And basically, the tiny room was filled with the 75 or so most influential, legendary, scintillatingly IMPORTANT black people in fashion, including Vogue's Andre Leon Talley, Iman, Naomi Campbell, Wall Street Journal's Terri Agins, Washington Post's Robin Ghivan, Essence's Michaela Angela Davis, Ebay's Constance White (formerly of Elle, New York Times, and WWD), former model and author Barbara Summers, Liyah Kibede, designer Tracy Reese, and a slew of high-ranking model agents, photographers, and stylists. Girls, I was surrounded by my lifelong heroes. Swoon! And honestly, the meeting couldn't have been more timely. Sadly, we're coming off of a Fashion Week that was probably the most white-washed in history. I'm talking, entire shows--days, even--where a black model was nowhere to be found (save for Chanel Iman and Liyah). It was fascinating listening to the Black Fashion Mafia swap stories about how celebrated the black model used to be. How, back in the 70s, YSL used to have entire shows dedicated to black models, only (go 'head, Yves). Iman talked about a gushing New York Times article that crowned her and her peers "The Black Stallions." What happened? I have no idea. And Le Luminaries didn't come up with a solution, but at least folks are talking about it. And you can be in on it, too...at least, those of you who live in NYC. Apparently, the conversation is going to be continued in October, when Ms. Hardison will host an open-to-the-public forum. When I have more info, you'll be the first to know!

And now, I bring you the final installation of my Spring '08 Fashion Week Superlatives. Enjoy, pretty girls!
xoxo,
Tia

SPRING '08 FASHION WEEK SUPERLATIVES, PART TRES

THE "YOU'VE GOT NAIL" AWARD FOR MANICURIST'S BEST FRIEND: Creative Nail Design Solar Oil Speed Spray ($18)
I chatted with dozens of manicurists backstage at shows like Chaiken, Max Azria and Carolina Herrera..and the one thing that got them through the week was this luxe, heavenly-scented polish dryer spray. One spritz over just-polished nails not only dries them in seconds, it also leaves nails super shiny and moisturized (it's all about the hydrating blend of almond oil, vitamin E and jojoba oil). The stuff is so moisturizing, the models didn't even need hand cream afterwards...they just massaged the excess spray into their skin, and called it a damn day.


MOST CONFOUNDING SOCIAL MYSTERY OF THE WEEK: The Clements Twins
No one knows who these people are, but they showed up at almost every show and most of the afterparties. Dressed exactly alike, no less. And wearing sunglasses during the day. The shameless social-climbing duo was usually seen A.) miraculously appearing next to real celebs like Ivana Trump and Gwen Stefani as photogs snapped their picture, and B.) constantly fiddling out their meticulously picked-out fros. If anyone can identify these hungry hangers-on, please advise.


DRESS MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, IMO: Zac Posen's frilly white shift
I looove this dress! Oh, you should've seen this airy confection of a gown come floating down the runway! Absolutely divine. So divine, in fact, that I've spent the past week searching for a fall/winter version I can conceivably wear. After tons of research, I've come to understand that a white dress is perfectly rockable in fall/winter as long as it's paired with black tights.

Here are two fabulous options: Julie Haus Annette Bow Dress ($528) has a darling drawstring neck and a very forgiving A-line shape.







And I'm wild about the chic little bib front on Banana Republic's Shift Dress ($138).

Simply the Best, Part 1

Hey ladies,
So, now that the madness of New York Fashion Week is drawing to a close, it's time for my usual beauty wrap-up! But this season, I decided to shake things up a bit. No more boring, straightforward recaps. Instead, over the next three posts, I'm offering yearbook-style superlatives! Really, it seems only natural. The collections are always VERY high school (Who's sitting in the front row? Who made out with Cisco "SaggySacks" Adler at the afterparty? Why is Andre Leon Talley dressed as a conquistador?). After sifting through my notes from the past week and a half, I've managed to come up with some definite gems. So here, enjoy the first installment of my Spring '08 Fashion Week Superlatives!
xoxo,
Tia

TIA'S FASHION WEEK SUPERLATIVES, PART 1

BEST BACKSTAGE SECRET WEAPON: MAC Blot Powder ($20)! Backstage at Nanette Lepore, Nicole Miller, Temperly and Badgley Mischka, this colorless mattifying powder was in more demand than model-of-the-moment Lily Donaldson. It's easy to see why. This powder instantly de-greases oily T-zones, chins and noses the second you dab it on--and it doesn't leave behind an ashy residue. So smart!


MOST MISMATCHED COUPLE NEXT TO RACHEL ROY AND DAME DASH: Selita Ebanks and Nick Cannon at Baby Phat. The lovebirds were sitting in the front row, directly in front of me, and I couldn't stop staring. Whyyy? She was twelve kinds of elegant in her Alaia-esque tube dress, and there was Nick, corny as all get-out, wearing a ridiculous hoodie and a Big Daddy Kane dooky-chain. I will never understand his appeal, I'm sorry. Oh, but Selita! I was so moved by her va-va-voom, I did something I NEVER do. I threw 'bows at the paparazzi clustered around them (delicately, though, always delicately), I planted myself in the chair next to Selita and asked her for a quick SYB interview. She was so darling! I asked her about her trademark glossier-than-glossy hair, and here's what she had to say: "The one thing I can't stand about this humidity is what it does to my hair. Look at how frizzy it is!" NOTE--IT TOTALLY WASN'T. IN FACT, JOANNE THOUGHT SHE WAS MAKING A SUBTLE DIG AT HER. "My favorite thing to use is Victoria Secret Smoothing Shine Hair Serum ($12.50). It's great for smoothing my hair and it smells sooo delicious. I wish I'd brought it with me!"


OUTSTANDING GOODIE BAG GOODIE: Mally Beauty Get Cheeky Dewy Blush in Ipanema ($25) at Tracy Reese!! Superstar makeup artist Mally Roncal painted the faces backstage at Tracy's show..but even more importantly, she donated her bestselling blush to the goodie bags. Packaged in a cutie-pie pink pouch, this shimmery bronze cream highlighter looks positively LUMINOUS blended along the top of cheekbones (over your blush). It gives a toasty, beachy sheen—and just in time, since your tan is due to start fading in approximately two weeks.

xoxo,
Tia

HUGE PS:

Hey sweeties,
I thought my publicity-minded SYB Babes might be interested in this delicious opportunity. My wildly brilliant friend, Mashariki Williamson (there she is, bringing the cute) happens to own her very own New York City publicity/event planning firm, March Forth! Media & Events...and it just so happens that she's looking to hire a freelance Public Relations AE! Here are the deets:

"I’m currently looking to hire a freelance Public Relations AE to facilities media initiatives for a smaller yet established New Media/Advertising Agency. The project will last at least 6months and the account executive must be available to work from my Nolita office 2 days a week. Job requirements are as follows:

3-4 years industry experience, preferably with Tech Pr, advertising , B2B or Consumer based products
Extremely creative, out-of-the-box methodology to garnering media visibility
Extensive client services experience and skill
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong media relations skills
Leadership qualities with a team-oriented approach to PR
GREAT personality

I’m looking to interview and hire someone no later than Sept 19, and I’m accepting resumes via email (no phone calls) to mashariki@mac.com. Thanks!"

Good luck, ladies!