Akon launched his newest fragrance: Konvict and word has it that the packaging created controversial buzz in the online media.  We’ll leave the judgement to you:

Konvict Homme, for men, is really masculine and has touches of bergamot, lemon, sandalwood and cedar. While Konvict Femme, for women, offers a fresher and fruitier scent with fresh lemon, mandarin, vanila and almond musk.  Each fragrance pack contains two bottles connected by a chain, forming a set of handcuffs, each measured at 1.7 oz eau de parfum, totaling in 3.8 oz of Konvict freshness.  You can start smelling Konvict-good by shelling out $41.95, good enough a price for spicing up your daily life.

Any thoughts about Konvict?

“What I stand here and represent is hope for Brooklyn, New York City. I’m a son of Brooklyn, I’m from Marcy projects,” Jay said. “I think about growing up in Brooklyn in the Marcy projects and shooting jump shots, thinking I can make it to the NBA. Now I stand here as an owner of a team that’s coming back to Brooklyn. The pride in that, and bringing that dream so much closer for people, brings me so much pride I get a little nervous about it. But I’m very happy, very excited about this day. And we did it again, Brooklyn — shout-out to [Notorious] B.I.G.”

Don’t you just love Beyonce and Jay-Z? Seriously, they look like they’re gearing up for Presidential election. Now, while Jay-Z look presidential, do you think Beyonce is First Lady material? We like her houndstooth suit gracefulness, but let’s hear your thoughts!

Reality star / supermodel / hot momma / fashion designer, Kimora Lee Simmons, shares a sneak peek of the newest season of her hit show on Style channel: Kimora Lee Simmons – Life in The Fab Lane.  Here’s the clip from the upcoming show:

This time around, the show features not only Kimora and her two daughters -Ming and Aoki Lee, but also Kimora’s new baby, Kenzo, and new husband, Djimon Honsou.  Looks like the new family adds new dynamics to the show!  Ming and Aoki are growing up really fast, and Djimon looks like a no fuss and outspoken guy, a perfect mix for Kimora!  This might seem strange, but we’re liking what we saw based on that montage.

“Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane” season 3 will premiere on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 9pm et/pt on Style.

And while we’re all about fabulosity, there are also some fab stuff from Kimora’s newest collection of Baby Phat clothing, now available on DrJays.com:

Baby Phat Strapless Cargo Jumper, $74

Baby Phat Haley Small Tote, $75

Been a long time since we last hear about pop star Madonna in the fashion business, and finally she decided to go retail. Madge teams up with Iconix Brand Group Inc. and formed a joint venture called MG Icon LLC, which will kickstart multiple fashion-related projects to retailers across the US of A and around the world. Expect to see a juniors’ line called “Material Girl” in Macy’s which will be launched in August. Madonna gave a brief statement:

“Joining forces with Iconix to bring my fashion ideas to consumers is very exciting for me. I look forward to working closely with Neil and his team to create and translate my vision and ideas for MG Icon.”

Madge would not only be tending her fashion line, she’s also open to endorse other Iconix brands such as Ed Hardy or Danskins.

The Material Girl clothing line that’s aimed for 13 to 25 year olds will consist of apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry, with prices ranging from $12 to $40. In 2011, the brand is projected to expand into beauty and fragrance. Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes(13), is the muse of the line, a source of inspiration for what’s about to come.

Here’s to hoping that there will be no cone-shaped bustiers. What do you think about Madge’s new venture?

From flowy dresses to some bondage action, Beyonce seems to deliver well this season for House of Dereon.  Want to channel the Beyonce’s swagger but can’t wait for the Spring collection to drop?  Go for Dereon’s cool pieces, available at DrJays.com… and they’re on sale too!

Dereon Solitaire Tunic Dress, was $72, now $29.99

Dereon Warior One Dress, was $59, now $40.99

Nicole Richie is one busy girl.  According to recent entries in her diary, she was just in Paris yesterday.  She wrote: “My stay in Paris was absolutely magical. Thank you to everyone who came out to support me. It was a dream come true.” She was introducing her shoe line for House of Harlow, as  her label has expanded into a full-on accessories line, and now includes sunglasses and shoes, also an apparel line called Winter Kate.

In a recent interview with WWD.com, Richie talked about her footwear line, among other things, and here’s the excerpt:

FN: What is appealing about designing footwear?

NR: Shoes have really become the accessory that women pay attention to. When you’re putting together a footwear collection, [you know] that shoes can make or break an outfit or totally change a look.

FN: The shoe collection ranges from moccasins to sky-high heels. What was your approach to blending comfort and fashion?

NR: Comfort is extremely important to me, but that doesn’t mean you need to wear flats all the time. I wanted a really great pump that wasn’t impossible to wear [and] was extremely inspired by Christian Louboutin and the [platform toe he incorporates] to make his shoes so comfortable. [If you get it right], you can have a super, super high heel that is actually very comfortable.

Richie also hinted a handbag line in the making, and also her personal preference when it comes to fashion:

FN: Beyond House of Harlow, what are your favorite footwear brands and looks?

NR: Right off the bat, Christian Louboutin. I have more pairs of his shoes than anyone else. I also really love Balenciaga and have a bunch of YSL sandals. … I [have no idea] how many pairs I have, [though], because my feet haven’t grown in 10 years, and I never throw shoes away. You never know if they’re going to come back. I’m not someone who’s going to buy a neutral pair of shoes. I really like them to make a statement because I’m such a jeans-and-T-shirt person.

Here are some of Nicole Richie’s design for her line, House of Harlow 1960.  Are you feeling the shoes?

Misha Beaded Moccasin Boot, $275

Saloni Beaded Flat Sandals, $168

Meryl Woven Plug Flat Moccasins, $178

Sylvia Wide Leg Trousers, was $295, now $88

Plume Feather-Front Vest, was $585, now $138!!

You’ll have to become a GILT member to enjoy the luxury of shopping authentic designer items WAY below market price.  As a GILT member, you’ll be entitled to be the first one to know about the sale of premium brands, as GILT will send you daily schedule emails.  Once you set your heart on which sale event to “attend”, you can shop your heart out for prices with as much as 80% discounts.  Think of it as a sample sale, but online.  No standing in line, no fighting with other girls over that thing you want so bad.  In short: everything can be done from the comfort of your own home.

How do you become a GILT member?  Easy.  Just go to this LINK, fill out your details and you’re a member already.  And yes, it is totally FREE to sign up!

So sign up today and enjoy all the perks of a GILT member, and if you’re after the Elizabeth and James sale, you gotta act fast because the sale ends 21 February, 2010 at Noon, SEAST.

See more Elizabeth and James Collection!

In this contest, you don’t win a prize for yourself, but for your loved one.

It’s really easy! You just have to send in a picture of you and the person you love (boyfriend, girlfirend, mom, dad, sister, brother, best friend, uncle, aunt… basically anybody who’s special to you!), along with a one short paragraph of writing, telling the world why the person in the picture is so special to you and why they’d look great in Safari Brand’s LoveIsInTheAir t-shirt.  Here’s how the tees look like:

Send your submission to info@sojones.com. Don’t forget to include the size of your special someone and his or her complete address. Please check your emails for data verification from SoJones.com. Last day of contest submission is February 25th, 2010 at 11:59 PM. Winners will be announced and published at SoJones.com at February 26th, 2010.

Make sure you send your best picture and write-up because 15 best expressions of love will be featured on SoJones.com and although you won’t receive any gift, your loved one who’s featured in your picture will receive one LoveIsInTheAir tee from Safari Brand.

Oh, and you gotta be a US resident to participate.

Here’s the LoveIsInTheAir t-shirt, as modeled by rapper Joell Ortiz.

More info, do visit www.sojones.com!

It’s been a long time since we posted sale information from our good friends at Gilt, and this time… if you happen to be a fan of the Irish band, U2, and share Bono’s view on sustainable fashion, then rejoice!  Bono’s clothing line, EDUN, has listed its upcoming sale on GILT this coming Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. Edun is a socially conscious fashion company that is known worldwide by its beautiful clothing designs while fostering sustainable employment in most of the world’s developing areas. Need some references? Check our coverage of EDUN by Bono and wife, Ali Hewson.

Now, back to the GILT Sale event.  Do you know what GILT is all about?  GILT is where you can get the most coveted designer items for up to 80% off!  Seriously, when we say designers, we mean the major league brands and 100% authentic! Think of it as buying stuff from a sample sale.  The only difference is, GILT enables you to shop a sample sale without the annoying queuing and the occasional fighting with fellow shoppers over some fashion item.  With GILT, you can shop a sample sale from the comfort of your own home or office.

You’ll only have to be a GILT member.  Nope, this is not a catch because it’s totally FREE OF CHARGE to be a GILT member!  All you need to do is sign up at this LINK, fill out your details and voila, you’re one of us.

As a GILT member you will be entitled to shop ALL sample sales they’re offering, and you’ll be the one of the cool crowd who knows every sale that’s coming your way as GILT will send you notifications on upcoming sales on a daily basis!

The EDUN sale at GILT will begin on Tuesday, February 10th, at 9AM SEAST.  Mark your calendars, and sign up for GILT today!

You know her, the girl who plays evil Georgina Sparks on CW’s world-famous teen series: Gossip Girl. Yes, we’re talking about Michelle Trachtenberg, who -aside from acting- has been trying out her luck in the fashion world as an accessory designer as well. Trachtenberg once collaborated with Coach to design their jewelry, but now she’s moving on to bigger accessory: the handbag.  In fact, that exact handbag she has in the picture.

Michelle Tratchenberg decided to do good by partnering up with handbag label, Botkier, in creating a purse for non-profit Oxfam International. Michelle is best buds with handbag designer, Monica Botkier, and the two of them will donate 50% of the proceeds from this bag to Oxfam International.

Monica Botkier stated:

“Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty globally, and funds go directly to the people who need it. It’s a charity that we have both been involved with and supportive of, so the decision was very natural. Oxfam really understands and supports women all over the world. They realize that the world’s female population is often directly affected by any global crisis, and this was important to me.”

The beautiful distressed leather Michelle Satchel is adorned by gunmetal hardware, which adds to its ‘antiquated modern’ look. Loving the compartment details, detachable shoulder straps and braided double handles.

The Botkier Michelle Satchel is available exclusively at Shopbop.com and at the price of $545, we seriously think it’s something to consider. Afterall, you’re helping the fight against poverty while looking great. Talk about a great deal!