Au Courant Blog | International + Caribbean Fashion, Shopping, etc.

Moving on up - To AuCourantDaily.com!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:22:00 +0000

I told you we've got some big changes for 2010 coming your way. We're moving to our very own site, www.AuCourantDaily.com! It's just time; I've been quietly planning the move for awhile now, and we're finally at that point to do the big reveal, and shutter posting on our Blogspot.

So scoot on over to Au Courant Daily, and you'll find that we've sleeked out our look, and updated our posting interface - oooh, I love it so!

And I'm sure you'll heart the new vibe, too. Make sure to look out for our links to our main hub, Au Courant Studio (coming soon), and all our other portals that will be coming online within the next few weeks.

One thing though: Bear with us just a tad though, as some links on our new site may not be fully enabled, and some of the older posts may need to be edited.

Our Facebook Group will remain as-is for the moment, although the post feed may change. Our Twitter page also stays as-is; it's a work in progress, and things should be fully functional and sorted out by this coming weekend.

Of course, one thing we could never change is our original Au Courant goodness. You'll still receive daily commentary, posts, and images on International Style + Independent Design + Far Flung Fashion - all with a Caribbean touch, of course!

This blog will still be in existence, so old posts that you might have linked to will be available. However, the blog itself will also be listed as 'private,' so it won't be fully searchable, and from today, ALL DAILY POSTS AND FEATURES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON AU COURANT DAILY.

And if you've linked to this Blogspot on your blogroll, change your link to Au Courant Daily. Pretty Please? Thanks!

So, Au Revour, Blogspot, and Allo, Au Courant Daily.com!

LMN Harris

Collections to Covet & Lines to Love for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:39:00 +0000

They may not have an ad in Vogue, or be racked next to Valentino (as yet!) but I love my independent designers because their pieces are always on-point; you can see the dedication and passion in each design they create!

And from amongst the many 'new-ish,' fabulously hot, or 'on-the-rise' collections that I've happened upon recently, here are a few of my ultimate faves - thus far:

From top image:

1. Asish - Loving it, because: It's glitzy and almost 'over the top.'

2. Holly Fulton - Loving it, because: It's all geometric and Art Deco.

3. Ituen Basi - Loving it, because: It's African motifs, done differently.

4. Ohema Oheme - Loving it, because: It mixes bold prints with classic silhouettes.

LMN Harris.

NB Images courtesy, Ashish, Holly Fulton, Ituen Basi, Ohema Oheme

A Look-See for tonight - Martin Parr @ AboveGroup

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:09:00 +0000

I'm missing this (extreme sad face) but you don't have to. Do yourself a humongo favour and head across to Above Group Space for their Show & Tell with photog. Martin Parr. It starts at 7:30 pm, at their Fernandez Compound studio, Trinidad.

This guy does the most phenomenal, kitschy, tongue-in-cheek shots; his 'Fashion' photography is done in such an off-the-cuff, unexpected way, that you don't actually look at the clothing, but at the composition and the context of the image.

She's a gazelle compared to that teeny, tiny Jockey, and it makes her ensemble seem almost mawkish! And it's his knack for creating interesting juxtapositions within his imagery that makes this Martin Parr Show & Tell so worth a look-see.

LMN Harris

NB image courtesy Stephen Daiter gallery.

New Year '10 Issue of Au Courant Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:48:00 +0000

Breaking out the first of many changes around here, with the New Year 2010 Issue of Au Courant Magazine!

Flip through the pages to get our exclusive interview with swimwear designer, Tamiko Browne, uber-inventive designs from Luxirare, and to see who made the cut for our Style Savants of 09 list.

From now on, the mag will feature a higher page count; more fashion, personal style, and shopping pages; and new sections.

I'm most excited about the FASH'ON section, dedicated to all the independent designers out there, especially our Caribbean-based ones!

Every month, we'll be breaking down the industry side of being a designer and building a fashion business in our Designer Files column - a must read for all independent fashion designers who want to do the thing right, and for established brands looking for a new spin.

So flip through the pages, forward to your fashionable friends, and enjoy! And keep watching this space over the rest of January to see all the other, way-cool Au Courant changes coming your way.

LMN Harris

Style Savant - Shala Monroque

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:07:00 +0000

She made our Style Savants of '09 List for Au Courant Magazine! See more of the uber-chic POP Editor and international Socialite on the pages of our Year End | New Year '10 issue, out tomorrow on www.AuCourantMag.com

LMN Harris

Live From T&T - Finding Zadd & Eastman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:32:00 +0000

I wanted to visit the studio of Zadd & Eastman so, so badly when I was in Trinidad over the Christmas holidays; it's no secret that I greatly admire their design aesthetic. But alas, contacting the designers and finding their studio proved to be much harder than it seemed.

My logic went as follows: "The south of Trinidad is right there - not more than a mere 90 minute drive. And the Fashion Week of Trinidad & Tobago site has a designer directory with their contacts, so I'm sure I can call them and book an appointment!"

Well, talk about having faulty logic in this instance. Their studio number? Rang for minutes on end, for numerous tries; didn't even go to an answering service. A message to their email address? Unanswered thus far, and I'm on two minds whether or not to send a follow-up message.

Maybe they have since changed their contact information and have relocated. Maybe, they're working on a new website for the collection - which I still love, by the way - and needed the supposed new contact information for the site. A thousand maybe's...

At any rate, it's a bad look for a growing brand, and I'm duly disappointed. How are potential customers (a.k.a, everyone outside of the inner sanctum of a designer's intimate circle of friends) supposed to see the apparel and order pieces, if they can't find or contact the designer's studio?

LMN Harris.

The best, of the best, of the best for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Lets all have a blessed, safe, happy, fulfilling, fantabulistic, W.O.W., cooler-than-cool, and not to mention, a stylish 2010!

LMN Harris

Au Courant Flashback - The best of '09

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:07:00 +0000

I can't believe it's December 31st, 2009 already! Where did the year go? I remember when I first started Au Courant back in 2007, it was the only site around that focused on International & Caribbean fashion; everyone else wrote about the mass market fashion scene, and there I was in my neck of Manhattan, going the other way and documenting what was cool about independent labels and island designers.

A few short years after the fact, I'm so glad to see that many other Caribbean-focused bloggers have popped up to write about other aspects of the industry! And still, I'm extremely glad that Au Courant has always stood apart from the rest, in terms of creating original and exclusive pieces, finding the coolest fashion items to feature, linking with interesting designers and savants, and always expanding our concept in novel ways: have you checked our Magazine | Podcasts | Facebook | Twitter? Well, what are you waiting on?!

Long story short: I'm proud to be the driving force behind Au Courant, and I'm forever thankful that you guys appreciate our content! You are an integral part of the Au Courant dynamic, and I can't wait to interact with you in even more conceptual and kick-ass-cool ways for 2010, and beyond. So while we both wait for the New Year to roll in with all it's fresh goodness, let me give you a quick countdown of some of Au Courant's memorable posts of 2009:

6. Do you know Derek Khan?::: A must-read because - It shed light on the underbelly of the celebrity styling world, and revealed the sticky-fingered rise, fall, and semi-comeback of one of the greatest style trendsetters of the last decade.

5. To Peter Minshall: We need 'Real Mas' again::: A must-read because - The legendary and revered Mas' man's work has been so fantabulously fantastical for more than two decades, it's unfair that the world shouldn't see more of it.

4. What are you? Designer or Couturier?::: A must-read because - We made would-be designers stop and question themselves and their approach to having a design business. Just because your Grannie's best pal bought your crocheted garter belt once doesn't mean you actually have a fashion brand...

3. Tribe 'Secrets of the Silk': A Review::: A must-read because - The post created a forum for Mas' lovers and Masqueraders to truthfully discuss their likes, dislikes and ambivalence about what Trinidad Carnival has become. And the actual online convo was so damn fun - click here to retrace the comments.

2. Fashionable Sex: Miss Universe T&T on Tape::: A must-read because - It was sad. It was embarrassing. It was uncomfortable. It was a good Porn tape that unfortunately starred a Miss T&T representative. Moving on...

1. Designer Shopping for Xmas | Part 1 and Part 2::: A must-read because - We should all buy and wear independent, Caribbean designer wear at least once in our lives, instead of blindly doling out cash for cheapo designer knockoffs!

And that's it! All of our '09 posts were fab, but these were the ones that I most enjoyed 'penning' - so to say. And as I wrap things up on the last day of the year, I must thank you again for growing with Au Courant, and I wish you all the best for 2010.

See you tomorrow for the New Year!

LMN Harris

Sending you some Christmas Cheer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:05:00 +0000

'Silver Foil Tree at Anna Street'
Gouache on Paper, by Brian Wong Won

Hope you're having a very merry one!

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy Brian Wong Won

Look-See: Calvin French On The Avenue

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:19:00 +0000

The big bum on the cover shot is a bit disturbing/distracting/in-your-face, but all in all, this retrospective on the works of sought-after Trinidadian photog, Calvin French, is definitely worth a look-see.

Calvin French on The Avenue: Everyplace Has An Avenue, is a sort of ode to the hanging-out strip of bars & lounges that is Ariapita Avenue. With this release of his first book, French celebrates the conviviality of the social scene on the stretch, and even held his launch at a popular avenue wine bar, Mor Vino.

Filled with French's trademark saturated, glossy photography, the coffee-table tome features snapshots of his campaign work and fashion editorials, along with tributes from close friends, and some thoughts from the man himself.

Get yourself a copy at Nigel R. Khan fine booksellers in West Mall, Trinidad.

LMN Harris.

NB. All images are copyright LMN Harris/Au Courant Magazine

Live from T&T: A Chat with Peter @ Peter Elias

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Trinidadian Designer Peter Elias
at his West Mall Boutique

"It's actually kinda shameful that I only have one rack with my own designs hanging in my boutique..." Peter Elias took the words right out of my mouth; I was about to ask him why his original designs were chucked away in the farthest corner of his popular West Mall boutique, when Vogue-approved designers like Marchesa (see the image with red gown on mannequin) are being displayed front and center in the store.

If you don't know who Peter Elias is - shame on you - let me elucidate a bit. Elias, he of the beauty-queen selecting; fashion model grooming; fine-fabric purveying; women's fashion-selling; resort-wear designing ilk has been a main figure in the Trinidadian fashion and style scene for much longer than a hot minute. Elias once owned the hottest fine fabric store in Port-of-Spain, and has a well-respected eye for fashion, style & beauty.

Of late, he's been known for the oft pricey contemporary/evening wear selections at his boutiques, but it's his private, in-house label, Peter Elias, that resonates deeply with me. He generally shows about 28 looks from his seasonal collections at Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago, or at Caribbean Fashion Week, in Jamaica. The flowy, floaty dresses are goddess worthy designs; think of an evening at a jet-setting party on glitzy Ibiza or St. Barts, and you'll get the general idea. Mostly featuring a diaphanous shape and bold, saturated colours in dyed materials, his gowns do not skimp on the flair - the pieces often require well over 8 yards - providing that extra jolt of drama and flash that only an undulating hemline can provide.

"These gowns are cut on the bias, they're hand dyed, and made with fine silks and stretch materials," Elias shared, as he walked me through his West Mall boutique recently, pulling out a draped gown here, and a paneled skirt there. Distributing through an L.A.based showroom, the designs are mostly produced locally, with materials sourced in China. "To me, this is Caribbean fashion. Some people may think it's played out, you know, the whole airy, resort thing. But this is who we are, this look just works here! I cannot make European designs better than a European. But this, this is my thing."

Beyond his eye for selecting a mean glamour gown - see the Chanel number he recently pulled for Wendy Fitzwilliam - I don't care much for the other independent pieces he sells. And ironically enough, it's because of same reasoning that Elias gives above - it's nice, but it doesn't reflect Caribbean style. His counter? "Well, I have to appeal to a cross-section of shoppers. I need to appeal to women from all sectors of society, and the reality is that not everyone is going to buy a locally designed dress at $1500.00. Some people prefer items that are more accessible, more mainstream and comparable to a GAP piece, and as a retailer, I have to give shoppers an array of options"

As true as that may be, I'd still love to see more of Elias' original designs interspersed throughout the entire store, and not just on that one, lonely rack to the back of the boutique. His designs are actually well made and boast easy details like raw edges and hand-braided straps; some pieces even had built in bustiers and support systems. His knack as a fashion buyer allows him to select standout, wearable pieces - once again, have you looked at that red Marchesa dress? - but I firmly believe the Aces in his hand are those originals, designed by the man himself.

LMN Harris

NB. All images are copyright LMN Harris/Au Courant Magazine

On Wendy Fitzwilliam, Chanel & Scorch Mag

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Yup - according to designer, stylist, and boutique owner, Peter Elias, that's a Chanel dress she's wearing there.

Aging ever so gracefully, the Miss Universe 1998 winner and Trinidadian socialite Wendy Fitzwilliam rocked the sleek number in the promo shoot for her Letters to Ailan memoir; Elias apparently copped the piece on loan for the shoot, and the images were shot by Calvin French.

And why, pray tell, was this image overlooked as a cover shot for the book?

Anyways, keep your eye open for another cover shot of Wendy, this time on the cover of Scorch Magazine. Word on the street is that she'll be in the nude. Nekkid. And all posed up in a bed of Sorrel - I'm guessing it's their Christmas issue...

LMN Harris.

NB Image courtesy T&T times

Bridget Sandals Seasonal Sale is on!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Click the image for more info

LMN Harris

NB Image Courtesy Bridget Sandals

Live from T&T - Inside Meiling's Kapok Store

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Au Courant is now posting live from Trinidad & Tobago for the rest of December 2009! Expect more of the same international, independent fashion goodness, but with some on-location pic snapping and local style features thrown in for good measure.

To kick things off, I popped around to the Meiling Kapok store on Saturday Dec. 12th for the 'look-see afternoon' the design team hosted for their Secret Life of Plants collection. Many thanks to Marsha & Kalisha for showing me the pieces! Although I reached late - just before closing, shame on me - I was still able to hone in on some standout pieces.

Apparently, a great deal of the collection was snapped up right after the showing, but there were still some gems on the racks. And a lot of the denim pieces were still available - although some of the styles seemed a tad boxy in an office uniform sort of a way, I did see some very neat waistcoats, and jackets with ruffled waistlines and fabric flower brooches that were extremely wearable.

My absolute fave? The Brocade-ish dress in Aubergine with the floral black pattern (4th image from top.) I'm loving the tasteful play on the strong shoulder trend; the combination of a tulip-like sleeve and the boxy, pointed shoulders saves the dress from looking dated. I especially loved the long sash; I should have asked if it was detachable, cause it's the kind of thing I'd wrap over a plain white tee and sleek black stovepipe pants ensemble to go have a drink with friends...

Next up: We're heading down to the Southlands!

LMN Harris

NB. All images are copyright LMN Harris/Au Courant Magazine

Designer Shopping for Xmas - Part Deux

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:35:00 +0000

After reading some of the emails and comments you sent in response to the Designer Shopping post, I realized I needed to clear up some misconceptions: Nobody is asking you to go buy Couture garments for Christmas - that would be asking you to mortgage your house, or sell your car for a dress! Not practical at all.

Couture designs are generally made by hand using a variety of techniques that are either Flou (draped pieces and gowns) or Tailleur (highly structured designs).The average regional designer does not make Couture pieces for general retail; it's not practical, and it defies the entire purpose of Couture, which is to make a one-of-a-kind, highly conceptual garment for a private client.

The average regional designer might use Couture techniques within their dressmaking process - techniques like elaborate ruching, smocking, pintucking, or hand beading - but they generally do so by way of creating bespoke, or made-to-order versions of their seasonal, runway pieces. They do not create conceptual, Couture clothing, per se. So I am not asking you to pay dearly for Couture.

What I am asking you to do, however, is to at least consider wearing/buying an original designer piece for whatever engagements you may have on the agenda this holiday season. And it doesn't have to be expensive. Yes, some designs are indeed pricey, but that's not the case with every fashion house in the region; you cannot go to one or two designer showrooms and use your experience there as a yardstick to judge the entire industry by.

Depending on who you go to, you'll definitely see pieces that are uber-expensive by regional shopping standards. But at other showrooms, you will also see pieces that are extremely affordable. And there will always be designers who are willing to work with you on a one-on-one basis to make an original piece that matches your budget. You just have to ask, be clear on what you want, and know what kind of fashion business a particular designer has.

Case in point: You are not going to walk out of Claudia Pegus' studio with a ready-to-wear evening gown for $600.00. The majority of her designs are made-to-order; there is a fee just to consult with her and to have her design something to suit whatever you fancy. 'Design' in this case, means to work up a sketch, choose materials, colours, detailing, etc.

On the other hand, a Pilar dress designed by Anya Ayoung Chee would run you somewhere between $500.00 & $800.00 - pretty reasonable, I might add. So it all depends on what your personal taste is, the type of design you're going for, and which designer you're aproaching. Another case in point: If you book an appointment at the Chanel Atelier for a collarless jacket, expect to pay a very, very, very pretty penny. If however, you go to a high-end American sportswear designer like Tory Burch for a similar collarless jacket, your credit card may live to tell the tale.

But my question to you still stands: why buy a dress that is nice enough, easily available on retail at a chic mall boutique, but is grossly overpriced? I meant it when I said some of these stores are ripping you off by selling inexpensive dresses at up to 8 times their original retail USD price. I remember passing over a $9.99 USD (TT $60.00 ave.) sari-inspired wrap dress on Broadway, NYC some months ago, only to be browsing the racks in a T&T mall sometime afterwards, and see the exact dress selling at $650.00, plus tax...

Madness, I tell you.

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy Pilar

Talking. Thinking. Wearing - The Cloth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Behold: Above Group's Show & Tell session - The Clay & The Cloth.

A gathering of the artistic folks in Trinidad, listening to/watching/wearing a presentation of independent design, a la Robert Young (pictured above, seated) and his fashion pieces for The Cloth.

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Above Group/Khafra Rudder

Look-see: Giselle La Ronde Children's Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:17:00 +0000

"Over the years, I've always had to look for Children's gifts for my boys to give to their friends. And whenever I'd try to find tasteful, playful jewelry for kids, I'd have a really hard time!

So early one morning, I started doodling the kinds of jewelry I would like to see - you know, charming and elegant, but age-appropriate for kids. I came up with little frogs, butterflies, flowers and such - delicate, fun little accents - and I just explored the notion of actually creating the pieces!"

And that's how the newest children's jewelry collection was conjured up by Giselle La Ronde-West. The P.R. maven for Angostura Ltd, Martial Arts knockout, mom, wife, and not to mention, Miss World 1986 winner, recently launched The Giselle La Ronde Children's Collection, a cutesy-cool set of whimsical jewelry for young kids.

Launching on December 5th at Mouttet Jewelers in Ellerslie Plaza, La Ronde-West worked on the collection with the Jewelers for 2 months, revealing a simple and accessible range of earrings, chokers, necklaces and bracelets adorned with crystals and enamels, and mounted on silver and silken cord.

Chatting via email, La Ronde-West added that, "it's not only for girls, you know! There are a few pieces exclusively for the little men, and I've even seeing adults snapping up some of the jewelry."

Not hard to believe: I'm angling behind the green dragonfly on the cord, myself! I wonder if the pendants can be doubled and tripled up on a single cord, like a charm necklace?

On show now, the range retails between $125.00 - $250.00 TTD, on average. What's nice, is that the pieces - with the exception of the scalloped silver necklace - don't seem too fragile. Which is a concern with children's jewelry, because even the most vain little girl in the room has the ability to unwittingly twist, jumble, or burst accessories off her tiny limbs, so it's good that the collection seems generally fuss-free.

Perfect for those nice kids on your gift list, right?

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Giselle La Ronde Children's Collection

To fit, or not - Designer Shoping for Xmas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Christmas '09 designs from: Claudia Pegus (Top); Meiling (Above)

I often wonder what happens after a beloved, independent designer like Poshe, Zadd & Eastman or Ecliff Elie shows their collections. Do the fashion masses rush to the designer's showrooms to cherry-pick their favourite pieces?

Do the fashion masses even know where the designer showrooms are?

According to the team at one popular Trinidadian designer's atelier, "The morning after we have our showings, there's always a bit of a crowd outside our place - people are ready to snap up our pieces and they email us with images of the ones they want, because they are serious about buying the collections!"

As refreshing as it is to hear, I doubt it's the case at most fashion designer studios in the Caribbean. Why? Because even though people oooh and aaaah at the mention of Claudia Pegus or KAJ, the only people who actually buy the pieces are their loyalists.

The rest of us are busy shopping in the malls, buying a $600.00 TTD dress from some supposedly 'fancy' boutique, never mind the dress actually cost no more than $10.00 USD retail (0r $63.00 TTD) in a boutique on Broadway, NYC...

Trust me when I tell you this; I've even seen some of these boutique owners negotiating their buys, right up the street from me....

Seems like people rather get ripped off, instead of just going ahead and booking an appointment with one of our top designers for a bespoke piece. For the love of God, I can't wrap my mind around why someone would pay that $600.00 TTD for a $63.00 dress, instead of getting an actual designer original for about the same price!

Anywhoo, most of the local fashion greats would have launched their S/S2010, or their Resort/Holiday collections: make the best of it, and go shopping at Meiling's Kapok store for instance, or just call her up for an appointment. She would never scoff at your interest; you don't have to be a society darling to get a piece from her.

In fact , I can bet my bottom dollar that any designer will open their studio and make a w.o.w Christmas Dinner frock for you - if you would only ask more often! And if, for some inexplicable reason (that's filled with high-nosed snobbery) a designer happens to refuse you, just let me know and I'll put them on blast.

LMN Harris.

NB Images courtesy Trinipulse.com & Meiling

Yet another stylish fashion pairing, Ma Cheri? Barbie + Comme des Garcons for Xmas 09

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:00 +0000

How wicked! It's like the Fashion-Barbie gods have read about my dolly weakness, and now they're taunting me!

Above, is the Jingle flower Barbie, a la Comme des Garcons. I like... I like very much...

Read more on Refinery29.

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy Refinery 29

Cat Burgular Barbie by Christian Louboutin. Is it wrong that I want this? Really badly?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:05:00 +0000

I love Barbie dolls. No - I don't still play with them, silly! But dressing them up as a little girl certainly fueled the fashion bug within me; my great-aunt and mother taught me to sew by hand, so I could whip up stylish duds for Barbie, Theresa, Skipper and the crew.

Many, many years after the fact, I can't help but want this Christian Louboutin 'Cat Burgular Barbie.' She looks so damn slick! Look at her - or rather, look at her shoes! Louboutin, acting as Barbie's fairy 'Godfather,' treated her to some tiny versions of his famous, red-soled shoes; the leopard-print boots are just smashing!

What's nice is that this collector's edition Barbie comes in a box that's reminiscent of the interior of the Christian Louboutin boutique in Paris, what with the red, arched recesses that hold those gorg shoes. And it all comes along with a calendar that documents the duo's fashionable travels across France. Tres chic!

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy Net-a-Porter

More Meiling: See the s/s2010 collection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Kudos to the folks over at CFStyle.com for getting some rather fetching shots of Meiling's s/s2010 showing, The Secret Life of Plants. Click the image above to see more shots from the show...

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy CF Style.com

MAS Jumbies - "L'Echo' is available online

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Click image above to view
the entire J'ouvert band, L'Echo
from MAS Jumbies!

LMN Harris

NB Image courtesy MAS Jumbies

Tami B. has us working on our Bikini Bodies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:39:00 +0000

A Tami B. design from her debut 2008 Collection,
Shown at the Islands of the World Fashion Week 08.

"It's even sexier than it looks - how the hell am I going to wear something like this!" was the only thought I had running through my mind, after closely inspecting one of the Tami B. swim sets.

Exclusively designed by the St. Vincent-based American designer, Tamiko Brown, these bikinis, maillots, and resort pieces are the stuff that lounging-by-the-poolside dreams are made of. And they'll stay put if you manage to take a dip in real life, too.

Turning the adorned halter-style bikini inside out, upside down, and all around, I marveled at its near-perfect construction, comfy lining, and uniquely bold, Italian-made printed material. But alas, I had to ask out loud, "Can people like me wear this?"

Keep in mind, that I'm actually rather slender, and I lack the heavy-set, rotund figure that would swallow up a tiny swimsuit in a snap. As a matter of fact, I even lack the 'Coca-Cola curves' and the ample derriere that would do justice to any skimpy two-piece...

"It only looks small, but it'll definitely cover your bum!" Brown quickly chimed in. "Even full-figured women regularly come to me for sexy swimsuits, and they always leave my studio pleased."

Well, if that stretchy sexpot of a swimsuit could indeed fit the average, apple-bottomed, woman, then it could definitely fit me, right?"

That's just a little excerpt from the Tami B. Swimwear feature on the pages of the December 2009, year-end issue of Au Courant Magazine. Read the full piece and see more of Tamiko Brown's designs when the issue is web-published, later this week!

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Tamiko Brown

Behind the Show: Backstage at Meiling 2010 'The Secret Life of Plants'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:17:00 +0000

A few shots of the designers Meiling & Anthony Reid (see 3rd image from top), the models, and the production team as they pull things together for the recently held S/S 2010 showing, 'The Secret Life of Plants.'

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Meiling/Jtography photos

Designers Ozwald Boateng & Nana Boateng: Coincidence, not Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Inset; established menswear designer, Ozwald Boateng.
Above; upcoming menswear designer, Nana Boateng.

I just got word from Tim Quale, the PR representative for Savile Row, London-based menswear designer Ozwald Boateng and his company, Bespoke Couture, Ltd., that contrary to popular belief there is no familial connection between Mr. Boateng and upcoming Ghanian designer Nana Boateng.

Mr. Quale has stated in an email to Au Courant that, "The two designers are not related and have never actually met each other. I am not sure how the information originated, but I can confirm there is no relation between the two designers."

If you recall, I posted a feature on both designers sometime ago, including the info that the two were cousins; I corroborated that tidbit with various reputable online/personal sources before publishing. Just do a random search on the web for 'Ozwald & Nana Boateng' and you'll get numerous sites - some dodgy, others more professional - that list the two menswear designers as 'first-cousins.' A tad strange, no?

So I felt duly compelled to give an update on this.

Furthermore, the question of the origin of the 'relation tale' popped into mind. Maybe some folks just assumed the two designers were related because of their common surnames. Maybe it was just a long-standing PR snafu that was never straightened out until now; you know what they say about untruths. After sometime, it becomes more and more believable.

Or maybe, one designer played up the common surname or went along with the misinformation, in order to benefit from a career boost through association with the other designer. Maybe. Maybe not. In any regard, it's nice to have that matter cleared up. So there you go!

PS. Many thanks to Tim Quale on behalf of Ozwald Boateng/Bespoke Couture Ltd. for contacting me and straightening this out!

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy The Satorialist and Bond Mag