Je t'adore Andre (pt. trois): Andre J.

Hate it or love it I know fierce when I see it and Andre J. is fierrrrrcccccccccce! This party promoter/model/publicist/who knows how many other things rocks my world. With Andre J. there are no labels and everything around him seems beautiful and interesting.









BTW, he was even on the cover of French Vogue, jealous?!

Je t'adore Andre (pt. deux): Andre 3000.

The next person up is Andre 3000 someone with a whole lotta style. He's a man who knows how to take a fashion risk and it very often pays off.

Never without a hat and a crisp white shirt this half of rap duo Outkast is always on point and gets extra snaps for his never-ending individuality. I'm enjoying the preppy twist to his image lately and am slowly starting to see his influence in the streets it's like country club/Jane and Finch chic. His clothing label Benjamin Bixby is something I would be dying to get my hands on if it weren't for the fact that I'm a woman but fellas can feel free to check it out!

Je t'adore Andre...(pt. un): Andre Leon Talley.

Editor-at-large at Vogue Andre Leon Talley is a treasure. What die-hard The Hills fan can forget when he told Whitney she missed her calling as a model. He's styled everyone from Jennifer Hudson to Sarah Jessica Parker/Carrie Bradshaw and has mentored many young designers as well as people in the entertainment industry as well. I'll personally never forget reading that he once told fashion reporter Jeanne Beker to lose her guilt about wearing fur saying, "wear it before it eats you!"


But there's more to the man amidst the flashing lights. Hailing from Durham, North Carolina he went on to receive a bachelor degree at North Carolina Central University and a Master's in French at Brown. He accredits much of his stylish upbringing to his grandmother and expresses gratitude to Vogue darling Diana Vreeland for mentoring him. You can read more about his life and see it in pics in both of his books: A.L.T. A Memoir, and A.L.T. 365.






I ask, what is not to love about this man?! I absolutely adore him, he's regal as all hell and the man rocks a fur coat better than I'll ever know how to!

Fashion Movie

Directed by Berry Gordy. Starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams, this story about following your dreams and never forgetting where you come from is a stylista's classic. The follows Tracy a girl who wants nothing more than to become a fashion designer until fate thrusts her into the modelling industry. The acting is a bit nutty but I really do love this movie if only for the visual appeal of the costumes, have a look...

This is a great addition to any fashion lover's collection.

Haute Book

Haute Book: Deluxe How Luxury Lost its Luster by Dana Thomas.

This book is a must for the fashionista who wears her Swarovski crystal encrusted heart on her sleeve. From sweat shop raids to the Gucci take over, this book is an eye-opener and a jaw-dropper.

Christian Dior Biography

Today's lesson is on Mr. Christian (ABC's of fashion himself) Dior. He who "designed flower women" mastered the skirt and took women out of those horrid flapper dresses.

He created "the new look" by offering the world a shape in clothing that gave words such as, the hourglass, voluptous and curvy new meaning. Dior's clothing had edgy shoulders, tiny waists and covered the knee giving women eloquence and style. Dior's creations infuriated some as his piece's were said to have too much fabric and during WWII it caused much controversy as there were shortages in material all around.

Famed for his precisely tailored suits and establishment of the A-line, Dior's couture house currently lives through the breath of ultra-fierce creative director John Galiiano.

SUPERmodels!

Although Ms. Janice Dickinson claims to be the world's first supermodel; that being a model who is tops in editorial, runway, catalogue and as a spokesmodel, it has been universally established that there are 5 known supermodels because of their extravagant, 90s fame; Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.

Also, Dorian Leigh is known to be the very first of supermodel fame if the 90s glamazons mentioned above don't meet to some fashionista's standards.

Louis Vuitton Biography

Louis Vuitton 1821-1892

Being one of the oldest fashion houses in the world Louis Vuitton has made some serious history. Well known for it's trunks, bags and prominant designer Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton Malletier was in business in 1854. This fashion house is at the centre of name-recognition and brand loyalty and is the model for luxury brands everywhere. Men and women, young and old can all spot the LV monogram just as easily as the McDonald's arches and it is rare to find someone who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to add a "Speedy" or "Keepall" to their collection of status bags.

Who knew the man who traveled over 400 kilometres by foot to Paris would end up with such a prominant fashion label?! Appointed by Napoleon III Vuitton's career began to rocket as he continued making fine luggage for France's aristocracy. His trunks were light-weight and airtight and could also be stacked but had impeccable style (let us revel in the memory of watching a young Eddie Murphy's LV luggage being hualed throughout the airport in 'Coming to America'). It was as soon as 1858 that luggage makers began to imitate Vuitton's craftmenship and style -funny how some things cease to change.

After Louis Viuitton's death the company was passed on to his son Georges Vuitton who gave the company world-wide fame by launching the LV Mongram Canvas including Japanese flowers and other details in the designs. Soon stores were opening in places such as: New York, Bombay and London to name a few. Louis Vuitton Co. is over 150 years old and it's clear why he was so successful. His bags teach people everywhere about the importance of quality as his bags are built to last and never short of stylish. The Louis Vuitton brand is known for wonderful investment pieces so if you were interested in what the big deal is, now you know.

P.S. Isn't Tyra just working her Louis bag?!