Feels Good 2 B Home

FeelsGood2BHome.com is now CulturalToast.com

2bchoopla — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:08:53 +0000

FeelsGood2BHome.com is now CulturalToast.com!

Tracy Reese Spring 2012 Show at NYFW

2bchoopla — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:40:04 +0000

Black Hollywood fashion mavens stepped out to be amazed at the Spring 2012 designs of Tracy Reese during New York Fashion Week. Lola Ogunnaike, Angela Bassett, Selita E. Banks, Tika Sumpter, Aisha Taylor, June Ambrose and Nikki Ogunnaike were seen front row supporting the New York based designer. Tracy Reese presented plenty of everything from funky neon, stripes, floral, sheer, knitwear, swimswear, anoraks and much more in her latest collection. Many of the looks presented at the Tracy Reese Spring 2012 is perfect for the contemporary woman. Year after year Tracy as one of the lone black female designers at New York Fashion Week continues to dazzle both her critics and fans!

Tracy Reese showcase contemporary designs for the modern woman. Tracy used her platform to highlight ethnic models in the fashion world. Rising black model Shena Moulton opened and close the show. Here are just a few of the new Tracy Reese trends that caught our attention…

Sheer

Stripes

Prints

White

Knitwear

Swimwear & Anoraks

Beauty at Tracy Reese Spring 2012

Tracy Reese Spring 2012 Show

wireimage & style.com

Angela Simmons Wears Virgos Lounge to New York Fashion Week

2bchoopla — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:51:31 +0000

New York Fashion Week just kicked off its Spring/Summer 2012 shows and all eyes on who is wearing what. Celebrity stylist Kanayo Ebi collaborated with her client Angela Simmons for various red carpet ready looks. However it was her yellow and turquoise beaded Virgos Lounge Resort 2012 dress that caught our attention! We said it’s our favorite and you can make it into your wardrobe by visiting virgoslounge.com. Angela wore this stunner to attend Betsey Johnson’s Spring 2012 show as she shared on Twitpic. Virgos Lounge, a Nigerian-run, London based fashion label, named the dress “Opal.”

This is however NOT the first time Angela wore Virgos Lounge designs. She wore a one-shoulder sequin jumpsuit with YSL pumps while promoting her brand Pastry Collection in London earlier this year. Her stylist Kanayo picked it up from a London boutique and it was a great celebration among the African fashion blogosphere set. Which Virgos Lounge look do you love on Angela – NYFW or London?

View This Poll

Angela also wore an enviable snakeskin print cut-out dress which she designed for her upcoming eponymous label. During her exciting time at NYFW, Angela pose with celebrity friends June Ambrose, Kelly Osbourne, Nicki Hilton, Whitney Port, Joy Bryant, Betsey Johnson, Russell Simmons, Carmelo Anthony, and Charlotte Ronson. We’re eager to see what else the Nigerian, New York-based stylist has for the budding entrepreneur’s NYFW red carpet events!

Angela with her stylist Kanayo Ebi

Angela Simmons in her own cut-out dress at the Charlotte Ronson show

Angela Simmons in Nicole Miller jumpsuit

wireimage. virgos lounge. angela simmons

Leila Lopes of Angola is Miss Universe 2011!

2bchoopla — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:15:37 +0000

Leila Lopes, Miss Angola 2011, was crowned Miss Universe 2011 last night. Lopes becomes the second African woman to win the coveted title at the 60th anniversary of the international beauty pageant competition. The 25-year-old is also Angola’s first winner so this win is not bittersweet but historic. Her win is credited to her personality, charisma and most importantly her response to her interview question.

Leila Lopes’s reply for her interview question on what physical trait she would change if she could: “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing. I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.” (quote source)

Leila, a business management student from Great Britian, was crowned the official Miss Angola UK on October 8, 2010 but it was her talent in the national Miss Angola 2010 competition that sealed her fate in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant. Leila’s win will go won in the history as she is the second African woman and the fourth black woman to be Miss Universe. The first African woman to win the title was Mpule Kwealagobe of Botswana in 1999, who hosted the 2011 F.A.C.E List Awards! Wendy Fitzwilliam is the third black woman and the second woman from Trinidad & Tobago to win the Miss Universe title. Wendy Fitzwilliam, a lawyer, radio TV host, author, and beauty pageant guru/entrepreneur, became Miss Universe in 1998. Wendy signed onto Facebook to honor Leila’s historic win.

Wendy Fitzwilliam, Miss Universe 1998 (Trinidad & Tobago), on Miss Angola’s win: Congratulations to Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011! I am so proud of Leila and her beautiful country of Angola. Thank you all for your unwavering love and support. Leila has done us all proud this evening and I warmly welcome her to the Miss Universe sisterhood. God bless Leila, Angola and all of you! Always, Wendy

Only four black woman has won for the coveted Miss Universe Title and they are Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad & Tobago (1998), Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana (1999), Leila Lopes of Angola (2011), and Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (1977). FeelsGood2BHome.com continues to salute Africans on the rise!

images via Mpule.com & AP & Miss Universe

Thakoon’s Big Fashion Moment Courtesy of Solange Knowles, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian

2bchoopla — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:32:01 +0000

Thakoon’s having a great fashion moment thanks to Khloe Kardashian-Odom, Solange Knowles and Kim Kardashian-Humphries. Each fashionable maven was photographed in Thakoon’s printed designs out and about in New York City. Interested in getting their look? Shop Kim and Solange’s Thakoon dress, barneys.com. // Shop Khloe’s Thakoon skirt, thakoon.com

As seen on my pet project, Cultural Toast, Khloe was bitten by the Thakoon fever while out promoting her new clothing line with Sears called Kardashian Kollection. Mrs. Lamar Odom was seen in a batik-printed Thakoon Fall 2011 a-line skirt with a Kardashian Kollection sheer blouse.

Solange Knowles took a brief break from New York Fashion Week hoopla to attend Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation party hosted by Jade Jagger and Gilt City with her favorite pair of gold and purple sandals. We also love her obsession with supporting brand Dries Van Noten’s gemometric prints!

Kim Kardashian, or should I say Mrs. Kris Humphries, made a beeline for the entrance of her New York store front, Dash in the very same get-up as Solange days earlier. She completed her look with Jimmy Choo heels.

FeelsGood2BHome.com readers, it’s that fun time once again for a fabulous Fashion Face-off. Solange Knowles vs. Kim Kardashian in Thakoon – Which Lady Pulled Off the Look?

View This Poll

All of this naturally pales in comparison to Thakoon’s limited edition Massai-printed scarf that they created to help famine victims in Somalia. Shop the look for $250 at thakoon.com. Fashion with style is always celebrated here at FeelsGood2BHome.com!

pacific coast news. wireimage. splash

Mimi Plange Presents Nambia-Inspired Summer/Spring 2012 Collection During NYFW

2bchoopla — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:07:54 +0000

Rain certainly did not prevent a flock of fashion mavens to attend the Mimi Plange Spring/Summer 2012 show on day one of New York Fashion Week! Inspired by the indigenous women from Herero and Himba of Naimbia, Mimi Plange’s newly released Spring/Summer 2012 collection not only delivers on quality but mixing classic vintage with modern, cutting-edge designs. Yours truly was on the scene capturing the event exclusively for FeelsGood2BHome.com readers! Mimi has had a career high this past year from her NYFW Fall ’11 presentation to celebrities wearing her designs. It’s no wonder she collaborated with premier luxury footwear brand Manolo Blahnik to design a intricately handcrafted two shoe collection for her new line! High-profile fashion industry guests like Vogue Editor-At-Large Andre Leon Talley, celebrity stylist guru Rachel Zoe, fashion designer Duro Olowu, InStyle Magazine fashion editor Nikki Ogunnaike, Pop Africana‘s Oroma Elewa, stylist Ugo Mozie, Hertiage 1960 founder Enyinne Owunwanne and Vogue Italia Editor-At-Large Bethann Hardison came out to support Mimi. Aptly named “A Flower in the Desert”, each style item in the 19-piece collection has luxurious, Mimi-designed floral accents. For her highly-anticipated show, Mimi wore a pink button-up blouse from her new collection with a pair of Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange open-toe floral embroidery booties.

What Mimi Wore: Manolo Blahnik intricately beaded Manolo Blahnik x Mimi Plange booties

I spoke to Mimi during the presentation and she spoke highly of the source of her inspiration for A Flower in the Desert collection. The Manolo Blahnik for Mimi Plange shoes are inspired by the Victorian dress of the Herero and the traditional dress of the Himba women of Naimbia. I put together collages of the traditional garments as seen on the Hereo and Himba women of Naimbia. The beading on the floral booties is similar to the Victorian Herero ladies and it reflects the techniques of Southern African detailed pattern beadwork. The tassel and coloring on the leather sandals borrows its inspiration from the Himba woman.

Herero women of Namibia

Himba women of Namibia

Mimi Plange on the Manolo Blahnik collaboration: “I wanted to take the Eastern floral of Spring, the traditional dress of the Himba,the Victorian dress of the Herero and blend them together into something modern, soft and strong. The shoes are reflective of that spirit-modern shapes and heels grounded with traditional beading, lambskin leather and floral patterns. It has been wonderful to see the inspiration showcased with the beauty of a Manolo Blahnik shoe and I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to be able to collaborate with the brand.”

What Mimi Wore: Mimi Plange Spring/Summer 2012 “Norah” draped blouse with folded collar and pearl buttons

One of the night’s biggest attractions was of course the celebrity guests who came out on day one of New York Fashion Week to support Mimi’s latest offering. When Rachel Zoe, Duro Olowu, Bethann Hardison and Andre Leon Talley, the media and bloggers crowded around in amazement. Rachel Zoe, I noticed, wore a printed, custom-made Missoni for Target gown. I drooled over Nikki Ogunnaike’s Alexander McQueen black booties and monochromatic blazer.

Vogue Italia Editor-At-Large Bethann Hardison, Mimi Plange and Nigerian, London-based fashion designer Duro Olowu

Manolo Blahnik x Mimi Plange bootie with floral embroidery

Nikki Ogunnaike (@NikkiOgun) of InStyle Magazine & Oroma Elewa (@oromaelewa) of Pop’Africana

Stylist guru Rachel Zoe (@rzrachelzoe) with Mimi Plange

Mimi Plange on her Spring/Summer 2012 A Flower in A Desert: ”I was thinking of Nambia. I wanted to take the Eastern floral of Spring, the traditional dress of the Himba, the Victorian dress of the Herero, and blend them together into something modern, soft and strong.”

We agree with Vogue’s positive stamp of approval for the Mimi Plange label. Continued success, Mimi! Follow Mimi on Twitter: @MimiPlange. Add her on Facebook: Facebook.com/MimiPlange

photos: Chi-Chi for FeelsGood2BHome.com, wireimage, Google Images and mimi plange

Munaluchi Bridal Magazine’s Fall/Winter 2011 Issue Debuts

2bchoopla — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:30:50 +0000

Munaluchi Bridal Magazine, a top-notch bridal fashion publicaiton, has release their official cover for their much-anticipated Fall/Winter 2011 issue! On the cover is a timeless bridal gown design by Preston Bailey. Check out an excerpt from Jackie Nwobu, Editor-in-chief on the new exciting cover:

Working with Preston Bailey was an extreme honor, to say the least. The wedding dress worn by our cover model, Anouschka, was inspired by a Marchesa gown and created using stems from 250 white phalaenopsis orchids, 400 white hydrangeas, 300 white tibet roses, and 100 pink rosita vendela roses. All of the flowers were flown in from Royal Base Corporation in Taiwan and it took 3 people and 24 hours to create this work of art. So it just blows my mind when I think about the work that went into putting this gown together….for us! That just goes to show…when you dream big, big things happen.

{Cover Credits}

Wedding Dress + Bouquet: Preston Bailey Designs

Flowers: Royal Base Corporation

Hair/Makeup: Mann Nance for Halcyon Days Salon and Spa at Saks 5th Ave NYC

Stylist: Debra Ginyard

Photography: Andrea Blanch

Cover Model: Anouschka Dap

Love it! This marks Munaluchi Bridal’s 4th issue as you can see in the collage below…

The latest issue of Munaluchi Bridal Magazine will hit newsstands on September 6th but hurry now tog get a copy online here. Learn more about Munaluchi Bridal Magazine by visiting their official website, munaluchibridal.com. Follow on Twitter: @MunaluchiBride

munaluchibridal.com

Anita Quansah London’s All Stars – The J Label, Tiwa Savage and Keisha Buchanan

2bchoopla — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:22:22 +0000

Anita Quansah London has had a successful year in fashion. The London-based Nigerian, Ghanaian designer has collaborated with Jewel by Lisa’s new fusion line, The J Label to create exquisite jewelry. Anita’s flair for incorporating vintage with modern, contemporary designs has caught the eyes of Nigeria’s singing sensation Tiwa Savage who wore her statement neckpiece at P-Square’s concert. Founding member of the Sugababes Keisha Buchanan sparked Anita Quansah London red carpet fever when she attended Fashion For Relief in London.

Check out Anita Quansah London’s new Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection over at FG2BH’s Tumblr Page.

edits: Getty Images, J Label, and Tiwa Savage

Virgos Lounge Presents Resort 2011/2012 Lookbook

2bchoopla — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:09:30 +0000

The London-based, Nigerian-run fashion label, Virgos Lounge, has release to African fashion lovers everywhere their newly launch Resort 2012 Lookbook. Virgos Lounge’s new collection hosts a breathtakingly beautiful 7-dress lookbook which shares a unique name for each look: Citrine, Jade, Opal, Aqua, Onyx, Dahlia, and Carnelia. For the lookbook, Virgos Lounge used their favorite model, Omowunmi Gbadamosi. Omowunmi shares the lookbook spotlight with fellow model, Fatima Babagana.

From the press release: “Inspired by the tropics, The Resort collection consists of flowy floral print and bright colored maxi dresses as well as colorful beaded statement party dresses that will take you from day till night. This collection combines the simplicity of classic pieces from past eras armed with exotic yet playful colors, prints and embellishments. This collection pushes the boundaries of vintage inspired clothing by developing fashion forward statement pieces that would add excitement to any wardrobe.”

Psst! Our favorite looks goes the floral Carnelia and the yummy Opal! Sit back and enjoy admiring the Resort 2011/2012 Lookbook from Virgos Lounge…

On the set of Virgos Lounge Resort 2012 Look book

@virgoslounge, virgoslounge.blogspot.com, virgoslounge.com, Facebook>

Sophie Pycroft for virgos lounge.

Social Media

2bchoopla — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:36:24 +0000

Tumblr:

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Twitter:

http://twitter.com/fg2bh