Venus' alter ego: Ebony Star

Athletic progeny and tennis veteran Venus Williams may have lost the Sony Ericsson Open, 6-1, 6-2, to up-and-comer Kim Clijsters, but don't think she will lose any sleep.
Williams, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, has moved beyond tennis, in a way that clearly indicates that the game needs her -- and her sister Serena -- and not the other way around.
In fact, Venus may as well go by here middle name "Ebony Star," because that's what she is. She has yet to devote the time and energy to her fashion house that it requires to succeed. And acting is still a far off dream.
Critics have long said the sisters -- besides their outfits -- are too preoccupied with other projects to focus on tennis.
What makes the situation more precarious -- or trifling, depending on how you look at it -- is that sister Serena is ranked No. 1 in the world.
Should the top sisters in women's tennis walk away from the game for fear of disrespecting it?



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Fall colors: Black is Back

It's apparent that even though winter has yet to show its face (at least down South) that people are iching to wear their black this year. And it's not the layers and layers of black that will shine this time, it's the long garbs, the gowns, the shawls, it's the scarfs.
It's toga time.
People will have enormous swaths of black around their neck and back. But before you go looking like Count Chocula, let's do fall first. Earth tones, warm browns and vibrant clay colors.

Just How Ripped Can Your Jeans Be?

You've seen the look: Pants legs that look like they've been marinated in a Piranha bowl.
The "ripped jeans" fad seems to be a hard one to break. Like a good pair of Jordacheses (Jordi?) they just refuse to die.
But the varying degree to which some wear their "cut" brings the following question to the fore: Is there such a thing as too ripped?
If you're with somebody and vital "private" organs are falling out, is that a problem?
Some celebrities, in particular, sport jeans that are so shredded that they look like they fell in a blender. Others have cut marks superficially throughout the denim. What's the limit?
How far can you scar?
"Distressed" jeans have been around since at least the mid-1980s, growing in popularity from the country-western set (They started off with faded jeans). Now, there's just sloppy, in my opinion.
Ripped jeans can lead to new problems that will in fact destroy your denims.
Do you rock ripped denim?

Is 'Supermodel' Just a Word Now?

Tell me if you recognize the name: Daiane Conterato. Isabeli Fontana. Okay, Liya Kebede. Or Anna Gushina. How about Bette Franken? Behati Prinsloo?
I know, I know, one name -- at best -- sounded familiar to you, right? That's because the women gracing the catalogue covers and actually doing the catwalking or basically no-names these days.
Gone are the days when you actually knew the top model in the world.
The Internet has changed things: Now models are born every second. For every 19-year-old discovered walking the streets in Iceland, there's some big-boned chick from Sweetwater, Mississippi posting pics online proclaiming herself a "model".
So, what's that mean? It means, among other things, that the dream that Tyra Banks is selling ("You can become America's Next Top Model") is pretty much a facade.
Nowadays you're just as likely to see a Flavor of Love girl on the cover of a magazine than you are one of those pencil-thin girls from any ANTM season.
Are there any true 'Supermodels' left?

Style Trend: Body Suits for Fall '09

You heard it first, here: Body suits will make a fierce comeback for fall 2009, with bolder ensembles, colors and textures. Last fall was all about layering (assessories such as scarves went through the roof) but now it's back to simplification.

Style: Can Rock It Like This?

More and more people are taking chances stylistically. Could you, on a train, or some other form of public transportation, rock it like this?

What's Up With Men and Deez NutsTight Pants?

Go to any major city, especially in the "chi chi," areas, and you'll inevitably see them: Tight pants. Excruciatingly tight pants. On men.
And the interesting thing is, alot of these men aren't gay (I'm not saying all of them aren't but ...) from the anecdotal evidence that I have, which is not a lot, it seems that men are beginning to just go for the tight, straight-leg look nowadays.
Is it a Kanye thing?
Go to the mall, or the local Starbucks, or even the library, you'll soon see males with jeans as tight as duct tape around plumbing.
Is it Emancipatingly Fierce ... or Epic Fail?

June Ambrose is Crazy Cool

One of the rising Internet divas is celebrity stylist June Ambrose. If you follow her many exploits on Facebook, or her hilarious tweets on Twitter, you know that it's irrevelant if Ambrose is playing with a full deck, because either way, the cards are stacked in her favor. You go, girl.

Indian school bans jeans 'to protect women'

The venerable Associated Press is reporting that a university in India is banning jeans so that apparent sexual harrassment of girls - and distractions - can cease.
The story quotes a school official as saying: "Girls who choose to wear jeans will be expelled from the college," Meeta Jamal, principal of the Dayanand girls' college in Kanpur city told AFP. "This is the only way to stop crime against women."
Evidently Hindu extremist groups have been Taliban-like in their public attacks on people who show any affinity to Western styles of grooming.
Their have been incidences where stars like Beyonce and Rihanna have been told to cover up or don't sing certain songs in certain countries.
All this means that those people certainly think the average American hood or mall is full of straight-up whores, "infidels" who crave sex and pop pills constantly searching for a good time.
Wait - what?

Women Saggin': A new trend or singular fashion fail?

If the above style catches on among women, somewhere the fashion gods will be kicking themselves. Let's hope this won't be the case. Could you imagine the car wrecks if this became a normal scene in public?

Fashion Industry Holds onto Michelle Obama. For Life

With the recession-depression hitting the world in the wallet, few industries have been unscathed. One hit particularly hard has been the fashion industry, both in the United States and abroad. But seemingly heaven-sent with chiseled arms on display and a svelte figure born for nice dresses, First Lady Michelle Obama has emerged (fashionably late) single-handedly picked up the fashion mantle for the U.S.: Anything she touches (or wears) turns to retail gold. Now the industry is falling over backward to be Michelle-related any way it can. Time Magazine has an interesting article on the phenomenom.

Would You Rock These?

Explore every contour of the earth with these foot-fitting shoes from Vibram. These FiveFinger joints come in not only women's, but men as well.

Would You Rock These?

For the stallion in you, would you/could you rock these? And where?


or how about these Chanel sneakers?


And of course, one flew over the coocoo's nest.

The Colossuses

Marlos Ten Bhamertakes an architectural approach to designing women's shoes. Thanks to the Europeans, Ten's stylized kicks are making some waves in the States.

Eva the Diva

Ever walk outside your house and just know you're dressed to impress? Eva Langoria shows us how it's done here. The outfit is on point in everyway and we give you the lowdown on what, where and who.


Denim is back this fall. Where did it go, you say? It took a backseat to all kinds of material for the legs: polyester, cotton capri pants, even fleece had a moment in the sun. Jeans are back. The important thing to remember about denim is that it shrinks. Keep this in mind when purchasing.



Is it just us or has the male swarf made a major come-up in 2007-08? What was once a totally oriental swag has slowly ebbed and flowed into United States fashion. Now, you've got male stars such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, even Lupe Fiasco, being spotted in scarves.

Scarf Swag

Is it just us or has the male swarf made a major come-up in 2007-08? What was once a totally oriental swag has slowly ebbed and flowed into United States fashion. Now, you've got male stars such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, even Lupe Fiasco, being spotted in scarves.