COUTURE LYFE

Rihanna Rocks Olivier Rousteing Meet Creative Director @Balmain @ORousteing

2013-06-15T19:13:00.002-07:00

KimiRhochelle Ent. Publicist 4 @urbanlyfestyles mag @krprmedia Couture Lyfe / Celebrity Lyfe
---->twitter/pinterest @kimirhochelle

---->OLIVIER ROUSTEING Raised in Bordeaux, France, is the Creative Designer for Balmain luxury French fashion house.

CHIC TRENDY STRAIGHT SOPHISTICATED CLASSY GAME CHANGER ---->A LYFESTYLES / TRENDER MUST!!!

@ORousteing

PHOTOS: FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA WEARING MICHAEL KORS

2013-03-30T21:58:00.001-07:00

WOW!!!
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!

Fashionistas are swooning over the black dress Michelle Obama wore to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations Annual Phoenix Awards in Washington.

The First Lady was wearing a sequin fishtail skirt by Michael Kors, paired with a simple black top and a corset belt by Peter Soronen.

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

VIDEO: THE CLAUDIA JORDAN COLLECTION + OMAROSA REVEALED!!

2013-03-27T15:47:00.001-07:00

www.therealclaudiajordan.com

CLAUDIA JORDAN wearing design on WENDY WILLIAMS show...AND.. finally... letting loose on OMAROSA!!!! LOL.. (watch video below or click title to go to page)

Photos: Champagne Pink Takes Over the GOLDEN GLOBES Red Carpet

2013-01-13T21:19:00.001-08:00

Kerry Washington - classy, sassy pink nude!

Halle Berry... STILL GORGEOUS... rockin the pink theme!

Jennifer Lopez almost nude... wine pink must be in!

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS!

Video/Photos- Designer Philip Treacy "It's All Black"!

2012-09-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

PHILIP TREACY

Philip Treacy made a bold statement at London Fashion Week by featuring all black models at his Spring 2013 presentation. 25 African-American models participated in the show, which introduced Treacy’s elaborate collection of headpieces alongside original costumes from Michael Jackson’s estate. Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Nyasha Matonhodze were among them.

Treacy’s participation also fittingly included a soundtrack of Michael Jackson’s hits and an introduction by superstar and avid hat-wearer Lady Gaga.

“The show was a homage to the African woman and their sensibility to dress up," states Treacy to the London Evening Standard.

Why Michael Jackson's wardrobe?' .... "Michael Jackson was all about a dream," ...I respect originality more than anything else, and I was inspired.!"

PHILIP TREACY

ALICIA KEYS LAUNCHES REEBOK SHOE COLLECTION

2012-09-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Alicia Keys is in the Reebok game with a new collection, "The Reebok Freestyle Hi", which retails for $80 and come in several different designs.

Swizz Beatz, Creative Director of Reebok Classics and her hubby, put the collaboration together. This should be no surprise since Beatz has designed several shoes for Reebok.

Alicia talks about working with Reebok. Here are the highlights:

Q: Why did you choose to collaborate with Reebok?
A: Working with Reebok felt like a natural fit for me, I’ve been a fan of the brand ever since I can remember. My 5411s – that was what we called the Freestyle because they
were $54.11 including tax in NYC – were practically glued to my feet in my pre-teens and teens. I loved rocking a hi-top! It’s one of those brands that have endured the test of
time and it feels like a really natural fit. I'm excited to bring Reebok to the future!

Q: What is your role in the partnership?
A: I collaborated on my very own limited collection! I started with the design team
looking back through the archive and eventually landed on my favorite Classics’
silhouettes: the Freestyle Hi and Classic Nylon AND I fell in love with the Double
Bubble! It was like having blank canvasses! I then had a lot of fun with colors and
fabrics, and creating sneakers that I love to wear and I’m super excited to share!

Q: Where did you get your design inspiration for the collection?
A: My style is eclectic and I wanted to make sure I put my own twist on the sneakers.
For me, inspiration comes from everywhere; the streets of New York, the music I listen
to, Fashion, my friends, the world around me. It’s about creating something that’s not
only wearable but is cool and makes you feel confident and at your best! I definitely
went for street, style and stage—three important things to me.

Reebok will premiere a new Classics campaign, starring Alicia Keys, on September 6, 2012 during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.

NeNe Leakes Designer Shoes Exclusively for Kim Kardashian’s Online Shoe Boutique"Shoe Dazzle"

2012-08-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

NeNe Leakes stated on The Wendy Williams' Show that she had dinner with Kim Kardashian but never really stated why. Well, we all now know!

NeNe revealed that she would be designing shoes for ShoeDazzle — a styling service founded by Kim Kardashian. In fact, she tweted, “Just left me shoe design meeting @ Shoedazzle! I can't wait 4 u guys 2 strut yo stuff n a pair of my heel!”

She later tweets, “Imma make the hottest shoes 4 Shoedazzle b on the look out this fall!”

On Saturday night, NeNe officially launched her "Nethia" Collection". A gold and patent leather strap platform heel that zip in the front with a price tage of $39.99.

Nene Leakes, the self confessed entrepreneur, "I'm Rich"; turning into actuality star, continues to expand her empire past those ‘Bravo TV’ and ‘Donald Trump’ checks. With a Reality Show "The Real Housewives of Atlanta Housewives", new upcoming comedy show, new shoe line...WHAT'S NEXT!

photos by unknown source

Ladies Rock It At VH1's "Do Good Awards"

2012-08-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Nicole Murphy

The ladies of “Hollywood Exes”

Alek Wek

Keke Palmer


Gloria Govan

BET AWARDS RAISES IT'S LEVEL....GOWNS GOWNS GOWNS!

2012-07-16T13:25:00.001-07:00

BET AWARDS RAISES IT'S LEVEL....GOWNS GOWNS GOWNS!

hotos by JASON MERRITT go to www.bet.com to see all the pictures

Men's Fashion Week Hits Italy and Gucci Is There

2012-06-19T09:28:00.002-07:00

GUCCI TAKES OVER MEN'S FASHION WEEK
by GUCCI

If you happen to be in Italy this week and notice the men are looking extra stylish that’s because Men’s Fashion Week is under way. Pitti Uomo starts things off today in Florence and then the fashion flock lands in Milan on Saturday for the Spring 2013 shows. To celebrate the new season, we look back at a seasonless icon: Gucci Horsebit Moccasins. Created in 1953, the handcrafted classic has been thoughtfully updated and enriched over the years to strike the perfect balance of craftsmanship and style.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ENTIRE GUCCI LINE http://www.gucci.com/us/home

Celebrities Turn Up the Red Carpet at the Billboard Music Awards

2012-05-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: COUTURE LYFE FASHION PICK RIHANNA on Cover of ELLE

2012-04-25T11:04:00.001-07:00

WATCH VIDEO OF COVER SHOOT

KAREN BYRD CREATES CUSTOM ETHNIC DOLLS

2012-03-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Karen Byrd creates Afrocentric dolls that represent every image of the African American Women experience. From dreadlocks, to afros, to straight look, to curly curly ...Natural Beautiful Hair Dolls represent a rainbow of exquisite styles and total class.

At first glance, one can not believe what they are looking at. The perfect details of the hair, the outfit, the makeup, the accessories makes the viewer stare in awe. In fact, the dolls take on such a real personality, they begin to look like people you know.

According to Byrd in Inland Valley Newspaper, :"It is very important that little girls have dolls that look like them. We can tell our children how beautiful they are, but if they have dolls that don’t look like them, and are bombarded by images of a different kind of beauty in the media, then they will be confused about what beauty is. Having an ethnic doll that looks like them reaffirms that they are beautiful. That their features and hair are indeed beautiful!”

AND BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE!

Positive embracement of the black woman portrayed in dolls creates pride and self confidence in all...children and adults alike.

For more information on Natural Beautiful Hair Dolls CLICK HERE!

FOLLOW THIS STORY ON TWITTER: www.twitter.com/urbanlyfestyles

VIDEO/ @BET #RIPTHERUNWAY TAKES URBAN COUTURE TO ANOTHER LEVEL! /COUTURE LYFE

2012-03-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

THE DESIGNERS
THE MODELS
THE HAIR
THE MAKEUP
THE FASHION
THE SHOES
....and we can not dismiss THE LIGHTS, THE STARS and the MUSIC!

COMBINED...BET's "Rip The Runway" brings pop culture, entertainment and the HOTTEST DESIGNERS that set the standard to the URBAN FASHION.

From Street Wear to Chic Wear to Red Carpet Wear...no one was disappointed and every taste of style and fashion for men and women were well represented!

UNIQUE TO THE FASHION GAME...Rip The Runway changes the image of the game with models not typical on the runway. The models were tall, short, thin, thick, light, dark...a total kaleidoscope and rainbow of flavors. Totally tailored for the urban communities....Rip The Runway is a Fashion House in its own right...giving exposure opportunities to designers and models not normally giving in high fashion.

(WATCH VIDEO BELOW...PHOTOS / VIDEOS FROM http://www.bet.com/shows/rip-the-runway/2012.html )

THE DESIGNERS

Monif C. Look Book

Monif C. offers a fresh and unique interpretation of well-priced style for plus size women.

Joyrich Look Book

Witness the "casual-rich" stylings of the Joyrich brand!

Sammy B Look Book

"Sassy, sexy and ultra-cool fused with street credibility" is the perfect way to describe Samantha Black's line, Sammy B.

Jovani Look Book

The family-owned fashion brand of Jovani is known for gorgeous gowns and saucy, embellished dresses. Plus, perfect for prom!

Black Apple NYC Look Book

Witness this fresh outlook on men's streetwear chic.

LaVie NY Look Book

LaVie literally means "the life," and this fashion house has been designing street wear for celebrities like Chris Brown, Nas and 50 Cent, to name a few.

A.K.O.O. Look Book

Want to look like hip hop royalty? Check out T.I's A.K.O.O.

Dominique Auxilly Look Book

Witness Dominique Auxilly's slay-worthy bevy of frocks. Her dresses and designs have starlets excited for what they'll witness on Rip the Runway.

LaQuan Smith Look Book

Laquan Smith’s Autumn 2012 collection, blends sci-fi futurism with a sassy twist. Take a closer look at the runway images from his most recent New York Fashion Week presentation.

Brian Litchenberg Look Book

The LA-based designer is known for his contemporary designs for both women and men.

Andrew Nowell Look Book

The NYC-born, Washington, D.C.-based designer is deeply influenced by the hip hop, R&B and punk rock culture and 125th street in Harlem, New York.

THE PERFORMERS

Lil' Kim

Grammy-winning artist Lil Kim, rose to fame as the protégé of the late great Notorious B.I.G. and has collaborated with P. Diddy, 50 Cent and Christina Aguilera.

Estelle

Estelle Fanta Swaray is a British R&B singer-songwriter who got her start in the UK underground, winning a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer in 2004.

B.o.B.

A pastor’s son from Atlanta, Georgia, Bobby Ray Simmons, aka B.o.B., started rapping at age 13 and landed his first record deal while still in high school.

Diggy Simmons

The son of rap music legend Joseph “Run” Simmons, 16-year-old Diggy also launched his own sneaker brand, Chivalrous Culture.

Jeremih

R&B singer Jeremih scored big with his debut single “Birthday Sex,” which peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard 100.

Meek Mill

Releasing a notable Flamerz series of mixtapes and singles like "Hottest in America," Mill garnered the notice the hip hop and fashion worlds.

Wale

This D.C. hometown hero and sneaker head first gained fame on the underground hip hop scene with the critically acclaimed Mixtape About Nothing.

Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke is an R&B singer and groom of actress Paula Paton, Thicke continues to build his reputation as a sultry singer of soul with his fifth LP, Love After War.

AraabMuzik

AraabMuzik revolutionized dubstep music from the streets of Brooklyn to the hills of Hollywood and delivers his dream world of heavily-based electronic hip hop to Rip the Runway.

WATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

VERA WANG BRINGS COLOR TO KOHL'S /COUTURE LYFE

2012-03-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Vera Wang is diving into cosmetics partnered with Beauty Bank, owned by Estee Lauder and sold exclusively at Kohl's. The collaboration launches a 74-piece color cosmetics collection this April.. The line will include creams, makeup, and makeup brushes that will retail exclusively through Kohl's. The prices will range from $16.50 to $39.50.

Vera Wang will be adding the makeup line to her existing and extensive products line of Simply Vera at Kohl’s, that includes purses, apparel, jewelry, shoes, and home goods.

“It is an easy, light, modern and effortless approach to beauty and creativity. Like fashion, makeup is also transformational. I love the artistry of makeup to accentuate, enhance or create a mood for any time of day or occasion. A pop of color is such a gorgeous way to let your natural beauty shine through,” says Wang,

Vera Wang, known for her Haute Couture Wedding Dresses, Gowns and elegant wear has draped the bodies of WHO'S WHO in the entertainment industry. NOW....through the Simply Very Line...all women can say.."I am wearing Vera Wang!"

Follow this and other Couture Lyfe features on twitter @urbanlyfestyles

VH1'S "STYLED BY JUNE" IS A HIT AND MORE THAN JUST A SHOW..WATCH VIDEO

2012-03-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

"Styled by June" aired Monday, March 19th at 9:30/8:30c.

WHAT MAKES A CELEBRITY?
While talent is a major component... STYLE, IMAGE, FASHION, HAIR, MAKE-UP & and ATTITUDE.one believes.... create a total package that lures fans and media to stay tuned in. How celebrities are viewed in the public eye is crucial.

VH1's new hit show "Styled By June" goes inside the world of fashion with June Ambrose. Titled as THE celebrity stylist, Ambrose has worked with A-listers such as Puffy, Jay-Z, Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Will Smith and others..rebranded and re-shaping many careers.

In this series, June forges forward revamping her clients with her group of trusty assistants. There's Eli, the neurotic but loveable style maverick--otherwise known as her second husband. There's Tukie, her market editor. If you want to get to June, you have to go through Tukie first. And there's Rachel, her newbie assistant. She's a socialite/actress who's trying to make it in the fashion world but sometimes gets too caught up in the chaos and fun of it all.

Together the team takes celebrities and reimagines their look and brand for 2012 and beyond. Each episode will follow a celebrity's EMANCIPATION (a June-ism), culminating in a re-launch that coincides with a high profile event: new album, new tour, new music video, etc.

"Styled By June" shows you the inside view of the business and all the goes with creating an image and attitude of celebrities.

It's not a surprise of Ambrose's new show, her personal style is confident, witty, fun, exciting and many who see her want her style.

"Styled By June" is executive produced by Michael Hirschorn and Wendy Roth and co-executive produced by Stacey Altman for Ish Entertainment. June Ambrose is also co-executive producer. VH1 executive producers are Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Danielle Gelfand and Jeff Olde.

"The show allowed me to be me. I'm naturally quite eccentric, I don't take myself too seriously and I always have a good time when I'm working," June said at her Red Carpet Launch. "Waking up everyday and getting to do that was great. Making a difference in that person's life was the best part of the experience."

For more info, visit VH1.com.
WATCH LAST WEEKS EPISODE

June hears from actress Mischa Barton, the Hollywood "It Girl" who hasn't been on the scene for quite a while and wants a total rimage.

Styled By June | Mischa Barton

VIDEO NBC"s "FASHION STAR" CREATES REAL BUYS AND $6,000,000 PRIZE

2012-03-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

NBC kicks off the new year with the new reality competition series "Fashion Star," which will search for the next big brand in fashion.

Featuring host and executive producer Elle Macpherson along with celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos, the series will give 14 unknown designers the chance to win a multi-million dollar prize to launch their collections in three of America's largest retailers: Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Each week, the show will begin with an exhilarating fashion show unlike anything seen before featuring musical performances, dancers and models in front of a studio audience. Every fashion show will be built around a weekly challenge that is designed to further develop and expand the designers' brands.
The series will feature clothes designed for America to buy, and it has enlisted three of the world's top retailers to help in the decision-making process. Caprice Willard (Macy's), Terron E. Schaefer (Saks Fifth Avenue) and Nicole Christie (H&M) will serve as the judges who make on-the-spot decisions as they vie for the right to purchase and exclusively carry the work of the up-and-coming designers each week.
At the end of each episode, America will have the chance to immediately purchase the winning designs showcased on the episode that week. What viewers see on TV that night will be on the streets and in stores immediately. With just a single trip down the runway, "Fashion Star" will change the lives and fortunes of these aspiring designers forever.

Each week, designers who do not sell any of their items to the buyers will be up for elimination. In addition, celebrity mentors Simpson, Richie and Varvatos will be able to save one of these designers from the chopping block.

The fashion designers featured on the show will include everyone from the stay-at-home mom who makes her own clothes to sell at the local community market to the recent design school graduate who has held jobs with major design houses to an engineer who became a self-taught designer. Many of the contestants will come to the competition with their own existing lines and will be challenged to take their brand to the next level. All the contestants will be put to the test to see how they react in a variety of real-world scenarios to determine who has the vision and desire to build a fashion empire and achieve his or her dream. With top experts as their guides and mentors throughout the process, designers will have to be as adept in the business of fashion as they are in their creativity as it's up to them to make their brand a national reality.

In the end, one designer will successfully combine fashion and business to become the next Fashion Star and will receive the prize of a lifetime - $6,000,000 in orders for capsule collections in Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

The "Fashion Star" format was developed by Ben Silverman of Electus (NBC's "The Biggest Loser," "The Office" and "The Tudors"), Rick Ringbakk of Emmy Award-winning 5x5 Media ("Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution"), and E.J. Johnston and James Deutch of EJD Productions.

The show is executive-produced by Elle Macpherson, Ben Silverman of Electus, Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth of The Magical Elves, Rick Ringbakk of 5x5 Media, and EJ Johnston and James Deutch of EJD Productions. Electus/Engine Distribution will retain all international distribution rights.

THE BUYERS

CAPRICE WILLARD

Caprice Willard serves as a featured buyer for Macy's on "Fashion Star," NBC's latest reality competition series that will search for the next great brand.

Willard currently is the Vice President/Regional Planning Manager for Women's Apparel for Macy's Southwest Region. Willard was recruited from UCLA (B.A. English) into the Executive Trainee Program. She worked her way up through various positions, both in the buying offices and stores, until she ultimately became a Buyer for Dresses and then a Senior Buyer for Cosmetics. Leveraging her vast experience in many different businesses, Willard was promoted to Divisional Merchandise Manager of Intimate Apparel/Hosiery/Slippers in 2004.

In 2006, Willard moved to San Francisco and was promoted to the position of Vice President/Divisional Merchandise Manager of Cosmetics for the Macy's West division and held this position for three years, until the most recent My Macy's structure was implemented. As part of My Macy's, Willard was able to relocate back to her hometown of Los Angeles and assume her current position of Vice President/RPM for Women's Apparel.

NICOLE M. CHRISTIE
Nicole M. Christie serves as featured buyer for H&M on "Fashion Star," NBC's latest reality competition series that will search for the next great brand.

A former graduate of Columbia University in New York City, Christie was one of the first 50 employees hired to start the U.S. sales organization for H&M. She began her 11-year career at the company as a manager for the first U.S. store that opened on Fifth Avenue in 2000.

In 2001 Christie was promoted to buyer for the Young Fashion Division where she worked with H&M's in-house design team in Sweden to shape the collection for the U.S. and Canada. During the next eight years she focused on increasing the sales and profitability of this division and also spearheaded the launch of the new H&M denim brand for the U.S.

In 2009, Christie was tapped to become communications manager for North America, where she is currently using her knowledge of the H&M company and culture as well as her buying and sales experience to manage the development and implementation of communication strategy, while also acting as the H&M company spokesperson for the U.S.

TERRON E. SCHAEFER

Terron E. Schaefer serves as featured buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue on "Fashion Star," NBC's latest reality competition series that will search for the next great brand.

Schaefer, Saks Fifth Avenue's executive vice-president and chief creative officer, has broad international marketing and fashion expertise that includes award-winning branding, product positioning and advertising campaigns for world-class organizations such as Saks, Bloomingdale's, Harrods, Macy's and Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB). Prior to joining Saks Fifth Avenue, Schaefer held the position of senior vice-president, marketing for Warner Bros. Worldwide, where he led all marketing functions.

Schafer began his career at Doyle Dane Bernbach, working in their New York, London and Paris offices. While at DDB, he led advertising and brand design for H.J. Heinz, Polaroid, Chanel and Proctor & Gamble. Schaefer formulated advertising strategies and supervised creative development for all Polaroid products in the Far East and Pacific markets, as well as opened DDB offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney in order to service multinational clients.

After leaving DDB, Schaefer began the second phase of his career as senior vice-president, marketing at William Filene and Sons where he was the principal architect of the strategic plans that repositioned this traditional department store chain as a contemporary upscale retailer. The experience was repeated successfully when Schaefer joined Bloomingdale's as their senior vice-president of marketing. At Bloomingdale's, Schaefer was credited with the creation of brand and image campaigns that established Bloomingdale's as the leader in upscale department store chains.

Through the '80s and early '90s, Schaefer brought his talents to such world-class organizations as Harrods and Macy's. During his tenure at Harrods, Schaefer recognized the advantage of new technologies and the ability to reach customers through video and cable. He also developed and executed successful advertising strategies using print and television.

At Warner Bros., Schaefer spearheaded the creation of their worldwide retail corporate identity program and played an integral role in growing this international franchise business to 13 countries and $100 million in just three years. Schaefer also was responsible for recognizing the potential for e-commerce on the Warner Bros. Studio Store site and increased the site's sales volume 400% in just one year.

Schaefer, who was raised in South America, is fluent in French, Spanish and Italian and has a working knowledge of Japanese.

WATCH VIDEOS