Diana Ross - still fierce after all these years!

I remember how thrilled I was to watch Diana Ross when she and The Supremes were on the Ed Sullivan show some 40 something years ago. Dating myself I know. But to see black women being celebrated on tv was major fierceness because there were no black folk on tv then - ever - not even in a bad way! And then on top of that they were gorgeous and wore these beautiful gowns. (They are who Destiny's Child got their bright ideas from.)

So here she is on Oprah today -- wow! Still a diva, looking gorgeous. Some face work perhaps but not over the top. And a beautiful family who she seems to be devoted to. And when Billy Dee Williams came out, OMG. They had such gorgeous chemistry in Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. So....once again I was thrilled!

Kimora's new KLS campaign

Baby Phat is done, apparently. Kimora's doing a new campaign called KLS with "real women". It was pretty cool to see members of her team select girls who looked very...average and send them to makeup, pull their hair back and photograph them with K. It worked actually although it seemed a bit reminiscent of the Dove real women campaign. Was it just me?

If an alien came to DC

If an alien landed in DC what would it think about the fashion statements being made here? DC is not a quote "fashion city" as we know but people are trying to change that. Like Mariessa Terrell, Esq. and others seeking to make the Fashion Chamber of Commerce a reality. There's a fashion forum this week at Howard Law including a runway show (more on that later in the week). But back to DC Fashion: an alien would see a lot of leggings - I hate calling them "jeggings" - way too many in fact and a lot of Uggs - ugh - in terms of what's on the street during an average day. I'm always amazed when I see someone in stilettos during the day, very rare here. On a weekend night, at Busboys, or any of the clubs on U Street you will, however, see the tight minis and the stilettos. And on HU's campus, which I frequent as you know, there's always someone stepping across the yard in 6 inches. But it's like, do you really need those for Sociology?

February Italian Vogue's "black allure" is alluring

Obviously Italian Vogue is intrigued by black models, to a degree. There was that amazing issue with 4 different black model covers a few years back. People went crazy over it and it was a best seller. I was in New York the summer it came out and newsstands were raising the price of it like scalpers! It was a sight to behold and historic but it was also naively racist in a way because none of the ads featured black models so the first chunk of the book was starkly white and then suddenly pages of gorgeous blacknicity. This February 2011 issue features the "black allure" section with black models in 1950s (?) styling, dripping with pearls, feathers and shimmer and alas, retro cigarette smoking poses that are un-sexy, unnecessary, just plain un. This section, though abundant and beautiful, is separate from the rest of the magazine's fashion shots. I'm glad so many black models got paid but it will truly be an achievement when they are mixed in with the others like it's no thing rather than a whole separate thing, ya dig?

Fashion Week Approaches

As fashionfollowahs know, Fashion Week has moved to Lincoln Center this year and will be a brand new experience for all. Apparently Fern Mallis is no longer at the helm. It's someone who used to work for Vogue and was knighted by Anna W for the job. I'm sorry I won't be there but I will be reading everything about it. Last winter I wrote about black fashion bloggers for The Root so I will be checking all those blogs when the shows begin. Stay tuned for important updates.

Not much fashion being represented in DC other than over at the White House with the Black First Lady. Occasionally something or someone stands out here and its such a joy because of its rarity. Yesterday I met a woman who had placed beaded African bracelets (gift from her father) around the ankles of her thick high heels to stunning effect. Didn't have a camera so you'll just have to imagine.

Addicted to Project Runway and Rachel Zoe. Mad that I can't get Fashion TV in DC. Must I move to Maryland???

Back in the stilettos, so to speak

I know it's been a really long time. Years, actually! Life has had many twists and tulles in it so that's my only excuse. I am pledging to do better. As many know I just returned from Paris where fashion is in full effect. I was particularly impressed by the chaussures. Lots of stuff happening around the ankle. I'll show you when I get a chance. There are tons of flea markets where you can buy cool shoes for as little as 15 euros (or $20).

Most wonderful were the two fashion exhibits I attended: one at the Musee de Arts Decoratifs and the YSL exhibit at the Petit Palais. Fierceness. I took a few photos before I got stopped by the photo gestapo even though there were many other illicit photo takers who had quieter cameras than me.

Question of the day though: Why didn't the Rodarte sisters show up for the First Lady? Really, how do you stand up Michelle Obama? Would they have done that to a white first lady - I just have to inquire. This is making me totally rethink my Rodarte for Target blue swiss dot dress and black lace sweater. (By the way, you do know that Stephen Burrows for Target comes out August 1st? There appear to be a few items of interest in that collection.)

Shorts shorts and heels were working well at Busboys the other night, I couldn't help but notice. But earlier that same night on U Street some very big ladies in too tight shorts just looked like...I'm so sorry...ladies of the evening. The thing to understand is that sexy does not have to mean tight. And short and tight rarely works on anyone but skinny minnies or entertainers.

The Black America's Next Top Model Report and other musings

Who knew Tyra would contribute so much to the improvement of race relations with ANTM? What do I mean by this? you ask. Well first, in all seriousness, she has exposed those who watch the show to many black faces in the fashion and entertainment industry, for better or for worse. Who can forget those "Aswirl" twins who taught the models how to swirl with their dresses and shawls? (I think Jade won that challenge.) And then the week before last she had the black celebrity/entertainment writer (from Vanity Fair?) who interviewed everyone - Nnenah won that and there have been countless others. That is a good thing. She also brought in Jade's mom - a white woman- and Nnenah's boyfriend - a white guy. So there you are, racial harmony, or at least racial realities. The fashion world doesn't necessarily take this show that seriously, do you think? I mean the black faces in fashion are few and far between. I've been to NY fashion week, I read the magazines. The fashion industry missed the civil rights movement.

Also the fact that there were so many black girls still standing is pretty significant. I wish I could hear the comments being made with regard to that or the mail they receive. I'd better check around and see what blogs, etc. are out there and report back. Anyway we lost Furonda and that was inevitable. (Nnenah had been a bit of a surprise.) Danielle remains, with her narrowed gap, and Jade (who my daughter keeps reminding me is not completely black) and the two white girls, Joanie and the very tall one, whose name escapes me. If I were a betting person I'd bet on Joanie - her hanging mermaid thing was pretty nice. I don't think they're going to pick another black girl just yet.

On other fronts, Akeelah and the Bee was wonderful. Very real, suspenseful, good story, good acting. And it is a story for everyone. Akeelah happens to be black but she's a stereotype buster. The movie is a modern classic, I believe. My only problems with it were the sort of sappy side story with Fishburne's character (too predictable) and I wasn't so happy with Angela Bassett, as much as I love her. She seemed to think she was still playing Tina Turner.

Bill Cosby needs a muzzle

I really liked Bill Cosby when he was the silly jello guy, when he had the show with smart aleck kids and when he was a Huxtable but now, in his self-hatred series, he is very unattractive. When he gave that speech at Howard a few years(?) back and talked about black people on welfare and not speaking correct English and having babies out of wedlock, most folk were conflicted. We agreed we have some problems as a people and poor black people definitely have some issues to contend with but where was the love? (And isn't Black English a language? Ask James Baldwin) And did he offer any suggestions or ways in which he was going to pitch in to help with a resolution? This might as well be a rhetorical question. Last night I saw a video of his recent speech to Katrina survivors in which he berated them and essentially told them Katrina was God's punishment for theirs being a city of sinners - drinking, impregnating 11 and 12 year olds, etc. It was painful to watch. As my ex-husband used to say are you helping or hindering? What kills me is Cosby is certainly no saint. Don't most of us remember his tabloid fodder a few years back that couldn't have made Camille too happy... Why does he think this is okay to do? I suppose because no one is telling him to shut the....up (except maybe Michael Eric Dyson). Al Sharpton was on stage behind Bill looking surprised or embarrassed or like he ate something that was upsetting his stomach. Jesse Jackson should just go ahead and pimp slap Cosby before he puts both feet in his mouth. Oops -- too late.