Throwback Thursday: When Burberry Came To The Hood

Urban fashion has come a long way in the past few years. About ten years ago, if your clothes were baggy, matchy-matchy, and adorned with gaudy labels, your fashion was on point. In fact, if everything was the same label, you were probably the best dressed person in your class. However, due to a number of trends & factors, that has all change:

I could blog forever about how things like Cam’ron and the color pink, the veneration of the college kid, man bags, and skinny jeans have changed the face of urban male fashion, but today I’m going to focus on just one thing: when Burberry came to the hood.

We were always a little bit late on fashion in my hometown, but I remember Burberry first touching the urban community in the summer of 2002. Eventually, everybody had on some sneakers with a random snippet of Burberry monogram, and every ghetto beauty supply store had a fake Burberry t-shirt in the window. Before I knew it, it seemed like every high-fashion label was involved in a joint-endeavor with Nike.

Fendi Anyone?

As we all know now, neither Nike nor any major label or fashion house had anything to do with this ghetto s***. In fact, most labels do not even sell monogrammed fabric. So, the closest thing to an authentic Gucci Air Force One could only be made if you bought a real Gucci piece (like a $2500 jacket), cut it apart, and sewed the fabric onto your shoes.

So yes… Even your Burberry Timbs were fake.

For many of us, this was the first time that we every heard of this legendary London label. This trend has definitely caused many fashion victims to victimize themselves even further. However, it also inspired a lot of us to look beyond the constraints of Urban fashion, and get into pieces like this:

this:

& this:

I’m going to close this post with an ode to all fashions ghetto and gaudy, Nelly – “Air Force Ones”

Nelly - Air Force Ones (music video)

N***a Yo Jeans So Tight You Gonna Get Meralgia Paresthetica!!!

The popularization of the Tight Jean started in the 1950's with the mainstream embrace of rock 'n' roll. Although we in the urban community have only recently rebegun rocking the tightest of tight jeans, skinnies, the style has been a constant fixture of the rock 'n' roll community for decades.

However, with the recent rise in popularity of skinny jeans, health concerns have begun to rise about wearing your jeans too tight. You just might end up getting Merlagia Paresthetica, a random nerve condition that can cause excruciating pain.

One skinny jean victim, Christina Crane, 22, said she's worn low-rise rise jeans for six years before getting her diagnosis and now takes anti-seizure medicine to control her symptoms.

This is definitely a trend best used in moderation!!!

Throwback Thursday: The Supermodel

Nowadays, the supermodel has become a rarity (sidebar: the above pic is of the world's first supermodel, Janice Dickinson). Although the world is becoming evermore obsessed with the lives of entertainers, it has become increasingly difficult for models to become household names. We even have several television shows devoted to creating and branding successful models: America’s Next Top Model, Make Me a Supermodel, and America’s Most Smartest Model. And don’t get me wrong! These shows have created successful models. But how many of these models are household names? On today’s Throwback Thursday, we will be focusing on the supermodels who became the biggest celebrities of the eighties and nineties without having to become successful actors/singers/talk show host…


The pic above depicts six of the biggest models supermodels that have ever hit the runway: Stephanie Seymour, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and Claudia Schiffer. Three of which, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington, created their own supermodeling powerhouse: The Trinity.



It all started in 1986 when photographer Steven Meisel shot California teenager Christy Turlington for British Vogue. Within days, Turlington introduced Meisel to a teenage Brittish girl named Naomi Campbell, and he in turn introduced her to a Canadian named Linda Evangelista. “The Trinity” was born, and was soon a sensation on the runways and nightclubs of New York, Paris, & Milan.

Linda and Naomi recently got together to do a campaign for DSquared (below)

The Trinity pushed for better wages for models and for better projects. Evangelista, who was called the founder of the supermodel union, exemplified the following quote:

“We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.”

Will we have another supermodel as big as Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, or Cindy Crawford? This is what Naomi Campbell has to say about the term supermodel and its pertinence in today’s modeling industry:

“I just think the term is used a little too loosely… After Gisele, I don’t think there’s been one." She is of course referring to Gisele Bündchen, the current highest paid supermodel in the world, and according to Naomi Campbell, the last supermodel in the world.

Until the supermodel resurges, we will always have supermodel reunions to look forward to, like this one from Vanity Fair:

Spring Plaid Swag.

Already early in the season, the Plaid Shirt is seeming to be quite popular this Spring. I find this look can be very chic- causal chic that is- if presented the right way...Your swagger must remain intact nonetheless! I've found several ways to pull off a successful Plaid look - both men & women. There are so many options, for starters you can go for the look that I like to call the Classic Casual Combo -- plaid buttondowns paired with jeans. Or you can go with something more relaxed -- an urban oversized plaid pattern paired with shorts. Or if your feeling yourself, you can pick between skinny jeans - vintage jeans to really pull off  your inner Spring swag....ladies, you can take it a step further and pair your plaid top with a wide-leg jean, or even a bootcut jean to really give your outfit that Spring flair.

 Keep in mind, vintage jeans are always a plus! Try tipping to a thrift shop in your area to come across a few good vintage finds.

Here are a few visual suggestions to get your Plaid swag on....

KodakBoi

LookBook Visual - “Not For Sale”

tbg presents...not for sale from TBG on Vimeo.


Thinking outside the box, the new Spring/Summer 2009 Collection by Too Black Guys definitely catches your eye. This is how you "brand" a brand....by switching it up & giving presenting something new...a visual Lookbook for starters. I'll be keeping an eye on them!


KodakBoi

Semi- Casual Event.

I get emails from women all the time complaining about how we don't cover women fashion that often - and their right, we don't! I personally haven't seen that many staple pieces that I love from a woman's line. Not looking could be the case on my end as well, but that's neither here nor there. Real talk tho, only a hand full of women's garments really pull me in...Case & point, women's chinos. I love to see girls in chinos, rolled up of course.

The first day of Spring began last Friday, and what I love most about this season is how the women become a little daring more with their fashion sense. I saw a girl today that rocked a set of chinos, as she paired it with a simple wife-beater and a nasty shoe. I didn't have my camera to capture her incredible ensemble, but I think I'm making up for it by this blog entry. What am I trying to get across? Simple- follow this girls lead - pair the khaki or gray colored pant with a bright spring colored t-shirt that pops, and a shoe that compliments the whole outfit accordingly. Chinos have so much flair & versatility which makes this item a great asset for all women.


There becoming very popular this spring, ladies - every girl should own a pair... or at lease think about incorporating this staple item in their spring wardrobe.


KodakBoi

Louis Vuitton Make Over

To celebrate the launch of Louis Vuitton’s Stephen Sprouse collection, Louis Vuitton's creative director Marc Jacob has redecorated the outside layer of New York’s SoHo Louis Vuitton store in sort of a "Sprouse-styled graffiti" kind of way , in honor of late fashion designer.




KodakBoi

On the Street: In Layers

Alright you guys, winter is around the corner and it's time to layer in style. What I hate more than anything in the winter, is to see a guy/girl bundled up in tacky layers. When it comes to layering, my philosophy is "Be stylish." This is your time to shine! It all starts with the guy in your head, at lease that's what I like to believe. For starters, know the style you would like to achieve, don’t just throw on anything. If its a look that came out of a fashion mag, fine...own it! Make it your own look. If you don't know where to start, always start with a scarf or shawl and make sure it's applied properly. Ya'll know how I am about my scarves! If your stuck on finding a color, just remember bright scarves work well with more subdued outfits. Next, your gonna bring in a nice cardigan or sweater of some sort, to tie into your look. If it's calling for more than that, throw a jacket of your choice over the already layered ensemble to complete the look. Make sure the jacket is in style and make sure it compliments what your going for. Don't be late!

The layered-look I went for in the photo below was the "so uncomplicated and fresh" look. This was achieved by working around my scarf and grabbing pieces that complimented the look that I was going for.



The outfit: Cardigan -H&M, Gray t-Shirt -Marc Jacobs, Scarf- Urban Outfitters, Tan Coat -Zara


See, it ain't calling for much....

Send in some pictures of your best layered look and I'll post it here on KidduNot!

KodakBoi

Oh, Get Over It -Inspire Me

Revolver -2008 Winter collection


KodakBoi

Would that be Knit or Plastic?..."Knit Please"

Here is a Tiffany’s inspired hoodie and credit card inspired knit sweater pieces out of the new Jeremy Scott Autumn/Winter 2008 collection. You Like? Both Jeremy Scott Autumn/Winter 2008 pieces are now available in the Colette online store.


KodakBoi

Conde Nast Media Group’s 2008 Fashion Rocks

Rihanna, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Duffy, Keyshia Cole, Ciara and Mary J. Blige were just some of the stars to perform at Fashion Rocks. The fifth anniversary concert was held last night at Radio City Music Hall. Hosted by funny man, Dennis Leary, this years Fashion Rocks provided a live feed to the fundraising show of a performance of more than a dozen divas — including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie, Rihanna and Cyrus — who gathered on stage to sing their new charity song, "Just Stand Up."

Beyonce, who recently gained 20lb for the role of 50s soul and blues legend Etta James in Cadillac Records, wore a blonde wig and a gold dress while singing a song tribute to Etta James. Gold is her signature color!It fits her so well. Maybe its her complexion I don't know. Solange, Vivica A. Fox, Brandy and Charlize Theron were also among the celebrities who appeared at the fifth annual Fashion Rocks concert celebrating the relationship between music and fashion. R&B heartthrob Chris Brown soaked up some media attention with an ensemble, that I personally wasn't too impressed by, of a black vest and shirt, gray pants, shiny shoes and diamond stud earrings. The vest was just a plain ol' mess! Later, for his performance set of "Forever", Chris changed into khakis, a black shirt and scarf....Which still did nothing for me. I didn't live for any of his outfits. Who is this guys stylist? They need to be fired first hand!


Other interesting folks included Tyra Banks looking like her two wax dummies, Taylor Momsen, Emily Proctor, Paula Abdul, Lil Mama, Black Eyed Peas, Hayden Panettiere, Pussycat Dolls, Philip Block, Nicole Scherzinger, KT Tunstall, Leona Lewis, Chace Crawford, Valentino, Anna Wintour, Bee Shaffer, Hilary Swank, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Leighton Meester, Terrence Howard, Cameron Mathison, Miley Cyrus, Kevin Bacon, Chris Cornell, Sean Paul, Elizabeth Banks, LL Cool J, Lydia Hearst, Debbie Harry, Ana Ortiz and Kate Mara.



















Be sure to catch the show when it airs on Tuesday, September 9th at 9 p.m on CBS



KodakBoi