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Tags: Choosing the right colors, color analysis, Color Trends, corporate image consulting, image consulting, image consulting training, Personal Image Consulting, Style, style consulting, Video
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(Video) ColourGurl Fashion Confessions – Why I Never Played With Barbie Dolls

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Confession Number One

My very first best friend was a 2’5” walking doll named Naomi. She had sandy brown hair, styled in a sixties bob, beautiful medium brown sleep eyes, long lashes and chocolate mocha plastic skin. She wore a pink gingham plaid frock, identical to a dress I owned, with white ruffled ankle socks and black shoes. For years, we were BFFs, gurls, ace boons. But apparently, Naomi thought there was more to life than simply being a doll.

I Kid You Not!

One night I woke up to find Naomi standing in front of my closet, lit up from head to toe, eyes batting, body leaned forward as if about to take a step. I went into instant hysteria, screaming at the top of my lungs. Of course, by the time my Dad ran to my aid Naomi had resumed to her doll-like state. Dad never believed me and had it not been the sixties, I’m sure he would have toted me off to the nearest shrink. But back then, black folks didn’t believe in professional intervention. Nevertheless, at my request, Dad dismantled Naomi’s movable parts, removed her from my room and placed her into the dumpster, promising never to buy me a doll again.

Barbie of the 60s

Confession Number Two

I’ve never owned a Barbie doll. Part of the reason stemmed from the Naomi incident. But the primary reason had to do with there being no black Barbie dolls in the sixties. Raised by a father, whose Saturday morning ritual included the sound of vinyl hissing and popping, and James Brown’s blaring voice commanding us to “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”, owning a blue-eyed, blond, brunette or redhead, white doll, was not an option.

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-barbie-issue/2010/02/the-black-barbie-issue

Obviously much has taken place in the world of Barbie over the last 50 years, including the inclusion of Black Barbie 30 years ago. In 2008, Vogue celebrated Barbie’s golden anniversary, by creating this stunning “Dad” approved Black Barbie issue. Without question, we’ve come a long way. Still, as I peruse each of the 142 staggeringly beautiful images in that 2008 Black Barbie issue, and the many intricate details, I’m even more convinced that when the rest of us sleep, dolls lead a secret life.

Be Sure to Check Out the Video at the End

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-barbie-issue/2010/02/the-black-barbie-issue

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-barbie-issue/2010/02/the-black-barbie-issue

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-barbie-issue/2010/02/the-black-barbie-issue

http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-barbie-issue/2010/02/the-black-barbie-issue

Tags: Celebrity Fashion, Color Trends, fashion, image consulting, michigan image consultant, Personal Image Consulting, Style, Video
Posted in Body Analysis, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal, Petite | 2 Comments »

(Video) Actress Taraji P. Henson Bares All for PETA

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Actress Taraji P. Henson Bares All for PETA

I’ve been getting tons of hit and run website visits this week from people searching the keywords “Taraji P. Henson”. You see, this Oscar nominated actress just happens to be a Hollywood “style watch” favorite of mine and often featured on this blog. But, visitors weren’t dropping by with hopes of seeing what Taraji wore to the last Who’s Who function. Nope. They wanted to see what she wasn’t wearing.

The beautiful 40-year-old actress is the latest celebrity to pose nude for PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign. Hear what inspired Henson to doff her duds for the cause.

WARNING: THE VIDEO IS GRAPHIC:

Tags: Celebrity Fashion, How to Dress Your Body Type, image consulting, Personal Image Consulting, Style, Video
Posted in Body Analysis, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal, Petite | 1 Comment »

Michelle Obama Style – Total Win for Chinese President’s U.S. Visit

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

FLOTUS Michelle Obama looking stunning!

Regardless of what Designer Oscar de la Renta thinks — discussed in detail below — first Lady Michelle Obama flexed her style muscle this week.  During Chinese President Hu Jintao’s  U.S. visit, Mrs. Obama gave us two very different but equally stunning head-to-toe looks, with flawless hair and makeup to match.

Day Look

Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic created Mrs. Obama’s day look, a navy-blue dress embellished with gunmetal and silver latticework-and-roses embroidery and matching top-coat. Completing the look, FLOTUS wore over-the-knee black suede boots, adding just the right amount of pop with red patent leather gloves.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive to greet Chinese President Hu Jintao prior to a State dinner at the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama and Hu met in the Oval Office earlier in the day. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Red patent leather gloves give that special "pop of color" Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Evening Look

For the White House State dinner, Mrs. Obama wore an Alexander McQueen sleeveless, petal-print silk organza gown. Created by Sarah Burton who succeeded McQueen following his death, the off-one-shoulder frock, done in a warm red – a color which symbolizes happiness and prosperity in Chinese culture – featured an asymmetrical neckline and a full skirt that complimented the First Lady’s silhouette.  To complete the look, First Lady O wore a fringed shawl and sported an elegant updo hairstyle, perfect for displaying her one-of-a-kind black geode and ruby Kimberly McDonald earrings.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive to greet Chinese President Hu Jintao prior to a State dinner at the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama and Hu met in the Oval Office earlier in the day. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama looking at First Lady Michelle Obama as if she's going to be dessert after this State dinner. (Photo credit SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) as first lady Michelle Obama looks on as they pose for the official photo at the Grand Staircase of the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama is hosting a state dinner for Hu this evening. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Fashion Notables in the House

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue magazine, attended the State dinner, accompanied by her companion Shelby Bryan. The two made a striking and imposingly good looking couple.

Fashion designer Vera Wang also appeared with her husband, successful businessman Arthur Becker. And speaking of Vera Wang, some fashion critiques felt a celebration for a Chinese president, with a further focus on promoting American-Chinese trade, warranted attire spotlighting the creativity of China or an American designer with a familial Chinese connection   Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta publicly criticized the FLOTUS’  choice to wear two British-based designers.  de la Renta told WWD “My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade – American products in China and Chinese products in America. Why do you wear European clothes?”   de la Renta has dressed every First Lady in the past 30 years except Mrs. Obama.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Anna Wintour (R), editor-in-chief of American Vogue magazine, and Shelby Bryan (L) arrive at the White House for a state dinner 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are hosting resident Hu Jintao for a state dinner during his visit to the United States. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Fashion designer Vera Wang and Arthur Becker arrive at the White House for a state dinner 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are hosting resident Hu Jintao for a state dinner during his visit to the United States. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Tags: Celebrity Fashion, color analysis, How to Dress Your Body Type, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama Fashion, Red Carpet, Style, What to wear to
Posted in Body Analysis, color, Color / Colour Analysis, Personal | No Comments »