7 Greatest Versace Moments in Hip-Hop History

7 Greatest Versace Moments in Hip-Hop History

So who else got to catch the infamous Versace FW16 runway show that was held in Milan last night ?

Wasn't it just unbelievably young and fresh looking for a brand that usually excels at exuding opulence and glamour ?! I completely fell in love with the cool blues hues opening the presentation, enhanced with athleisure meet city-girl chic influences. It is pretty safe to say that sexiness is back at Versace (Thank God!), but, keeping in mind the rather hard-core, female-empowerment mood Donatella set us up with last season, it’s a different, more various kind of sexy, embracing models of a different range of shapes and ages. Another great step towards putting the brand more out there for a wider audience to indulge in.

Truth is, the Italian Fashion house is most likely one of the most accessible (yet, not necessarily affordable!) high-end luxury brands on the market, catering to not only high society, celebrities and socialites, but also to a handful (or more like two!) of notorious influencers of this generation, coming from and belonging to various social and cultural backgrounds. Once again, Versace killed it. And to welcome yet, another hit, celebrity model-mad collection from the Great Italian, I wanted to share with you my take on the greatest Versace moment in Hip-Hop history…

1. The Notorious B.I.G. "One More Chance/Stay With Me Remix" (1995)

"I'm clockin ya, Versace shades watchin' ya"

Biggie was rarely seen without a pair of Medusa's on his temples, in fact, he had dozens of the same expensive pair ! He would lose some and give some away, so he had to keep purchasing them (laughs!). Publicly praised for his role in bringing the exclusivity of the Fashion house to the streets, Biggie took it upon himself to step right out of his natural environment to become one of the first hip-hop stars, along Pac' and Diddy to regularly attend Versace’s runway presentations; a trend that has since become the norm.

2. Tupac Models at Versace Fashion Show (1996)

Speaking of which (Tupac, that is), the East Harlem rapper has not only had an everlasting influence on the landscape of current day rap and hip-hop, but also led the way for all of the stylish rappers who have followed his lead, trend-wise. Keeping in mind, this was at a time when rappers were much more concerned about how to keep their sneakers looking fresh than sitting front-row(!), Versace was one of the first Fashion houses to embrace hip-hop and benefit from the popularity of the street culture by giving away custom-made clothes and invites to shows to a handful of big names in the industry. The alliance reached its peak when Tupac, dressed in an all-gold suit and accompanied by Kidada Jones, (his girlfriend at the time) plus two bodyguards, walked the runway during Versace's 1996 menswear show in Milan.

Well done, Donatella !

3. Lil Kim's Versace Wig (2001)

Fashion Week has always the opportunity for designers to give new concepts a try. Back in 2001, it was, for Donatella Versace, the perfect excuse to flaunt her hyper-sexy, celebrity-made vision of Fashion as Hollywood A-listers lined her front row: Salma Hayek dazzled in copper paillettes, Pamela Anderson, barely contained in a sequined tube top, and of course, Lil' Kim, gushing in a platinum, Greek Key logo-ed wig, which drove the paparazzi completely crazy.

4. Kanye West "All Falls Down" (2004)

"Rollies and Pashas done drove me crazy/I can't even pronounce nothing, pass that ver-say-see!"

A clear proof that Ye can also be funny at times; “Ver-say-see” is a mispronunciation of the opulent brand (pronounced vair-sah-chay). He is basically making fun of the people wanting to buy luxury items from brands they can’t correctly pronounce the names. We can also see the similaties between Kanye's verse and a line from Joe Eszterhas' movie Showgirls in which, main character Nomi says: “Thanks. It’s a Ver-say-see!”, after being complemented on her dress ;)

5. Pharrell on Clipse's "Mr. Me Too" (2006)

Lyric: "Up in Donatella crib, me and like ten hoes"

Not everyone can claim to be part of the cool kids and be allowed to sit at the table of the Versace clan but for some, (Ahem, Pharrell Williams!) these expensive, luxurious vacations are like a week to week thing. Despite having the body of a 12-year-old boy(!), he apparently drives Italian women, including Donatella herself, crazy with his cute sneakers and skateboarding skills ;)

6. Pusha T on Kanye West's "Runaway" (2010)

"You can't blame 'em, they ain't never seen Versace sofas"

It is pretty clear that Pusha feels for a certain type of women he refers to as gold diggers; when girls who grew up under lesser conditions have had a taste of luxury, they will never want to go back to their old life. Kanye most likely was the inspiration for this bar. During the Summer of 2009, when the creative process of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy took place, all G.O.O.D music artists were trapped with Ye in his studio (read here, mansion) in Hawaii for 2-3 months during which, Ye blogged and tweeted about Versace furnitures that were decorating the property. Let’s just say he got Pusha hyped up about it ;)

7. Don C, Drake & the Versace blue silk Barocco shirt

Classic case of who wore it best: Drake on his 25th birthday party in Vegas vs. Don C, pairing the look nicely with a gold Versace bracelet. You do you think wore the haute piece best, huh ?

I'm gonna be super unbiased here(!) and I'll put my money on Drake ;)

The post 7 Greatest Versace Moments in Hip-Hop History appeared first on PBTH **

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Women Fashion Tips For Body Types - 10 Rules.

Women Fashion Tips For Body Types - 10 Rules.

Being fashionable can be a struggle at times. What to wear? What accessories go with which style of clothing? The questions go on and on. For women looking for fashion tips, the following 10 fashion tips every woman should know offer insights into fashion-forward thinking.

When searching for fashionable wardrobe items, research available clothing options before making a purchase. Also, find out which fashion styles work best with each particular body type, how much is too much to spend on an outfit, and places to find and buy fashionable wardrobe items, such as at local clothing stores or online marketplaces like eBay.

Every shopper would like to know how to make the best decisions when it comes to fashion. The following section contains 10 tips every woman should know before buying new wardrobe items.

Top 10 Fashion Tips for Women

The following detailed 10 fashion tips offer women some guidance on fashion-forward thinking.

1. Focus on Strengths

Shoppers need to know the ABCs of fashion: Accentuate, Balance, and Camouflage. Shoppers should also look for styles that accentuate their body's strengths and downplay their weaknesses. For example, shoppers who have an hourglass figure should wear clothing that accentuates those attributes, including scooped or V neck outfits, vertical striped outfits, or dresses and one-piece outfits that cinch at the waist. For tall women, for instance, avoid stripes, which make a wearer look even taller. To create volume, add colors and patterns to pants or skirt. This accentuates a triangle shape.

Women's body types include:

Tall and slender. Considered the most desirable body type.

Endomorph

Apple-shaped. Women with this body type carry a lot of their weight in the upper body area.

Mesomorph

Athletic build. Women with this body type have broad shoulder, wider hips, and smaller waists.

2. Quality Versus Quantity

Always buy fashion pieces with quality in mind. A few really good pieces will do a shopper better than numerous items that might not have as much of an impact. Another strategy: Buy a few pieces that shoppers look fabulous in and then augment those classics with more trendy items over time.

Quality does not always mean high cost. Buying well-made brands that fit into the shopper's look and plays to their strengths can ensure each purchase is justified.

3. Create a "Personal" Look

Look for clothing designs, certain cuts, and styles that look the best and offer superior comfort. Buy more than one if something is found that works. For example, if a shopper finds a pair of jeans that accentuate her glamorous attributes, she should consider buying multiple pairs in more than one color.

The best way to make a powerful and lasting impression through fashion includes developing a fashion style that others won't forget.

4. Try New Things

While sticking to what works best, shoppers should also try new fashions out. This doesn't mean abandoning what has worked for shoppers. One way to experiment with new fashions and still save money is to buy pre-worn clothing that remains in great condition.

5. Simplicity Is Best

Staying simple is usually the best way to go. This goes for both makeup and wardrobe items. When in doubt, keep the accessories to a minimum and use timeless, classic fashion styles, such as a black dress with red pumps. When wearing makeup, shoppers should use only enough to highlight the best features of their face: cheekbones, lips, or eyes, for example.

6. Don't Break the Bank

Shoppers don't have to buy the most expensive items to be fashionable. Less expensive items can work just as well, especially if they play toward a shopper's strengths. So, instead of buying an expensive Versace dress, shoppers could instead buy a less expensive Banana Republic dress.

Used items of fashion are also an option, especially lightly used clothing. This way shoppers can get the items they want in almost-perfect condition at a much lower price point compared to new items.

7. Take Note of Fashion Trends

Shoppers should keep their eyes on the latest fashion trends. That said, shoppers should only adopt those styles that match their body type and personality. If the latest fashions do not look good on a shopper and accentuate their strong points, it doesn't matter if those fashions are in style or not.

Read magazines such as Allure, ELLE, and Fashion Magazine to keep up on the latest styles. This allows shoppers to keep up with the latest fashion news and trends, especially in regard to upcoming seasonal options.

8. Accessories Make the Outfit

Shoes and other accessories can make or break an outfit. A perfect belt or piece of jewelry can really tie an outfit together and make a statement. Another important tip: Do not overdo the accessories. As stated above, shoppers should keep their outfits simple. This goes double for makeup, as too much looks gaudy and draws too much attention away from the entire ensemble.

Mix and match accessories between outfits. Also, neutral colors and blacks and browns are best to extend the use of accessories between outfits.

9. Tailor an Outfit

If shoppers can afford it, they should have their outfits properly tailored to fit their body. Wearing clothes that look custom made is a first step towards taking a standard look from plain to fashionable. Another way to assure a good fit: Go for a fitting.

10. Implement the Basics

The basic wardrobe items every woman should own include a black dress, a blazer, a pair of great-fitting denim jeans, a classic pump, a neutral handbag (black, brown, or both), a leather jacket, and a ballet flat. With just these few articles of clothing and accessories, shoppers can come up with a fashionable ensemble on the spur of the moment.

Neutral colors, blacks, and browns are best for establishing a basic fashion wardrobe. Throw in some whites, such as a blouse or pumps, and shoppers are set.

Emoji Fashion - is it a thing?

Emoji Fashion - is it a thing?

EMOJI ARE LEAVING THEIR MARK ON FASHION

If you have recently seen a lot of people wearing shirts or sweatshirts with your favourite emojis on them, you’re not alone. The emoji trend from social media has made its way into the fashion world and is mostly seen on the streets, with young social media users boasting them. Are emojis taking over the fashion world? Those cute little icons we love to put on the end of our text messages are gaining a stylish life of their own.

The luxury fashion house Acne Studios has launched a line of apparel and footwear inspired by emoji food graphics. The range, which includes sneakers, sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats, features various emoji food illustrations, including hotdogs, hamburgers, microphones, bananas, and doughnuts, among others.

Before Acne Studios jumped in, there were several other fashion world emoji pioneers. In 2015 Donatella Versace spruced up her collection with emoji symbols and in 2016 took it a step further with a Versace emoji keyboard. As well as British designer Anya Hindmarch nearly pioneered the fashion function of the emoji phenomenon with emoji-splattered clutches and bags originally in 2015, with permanent stickers to jazz up any accessory. Ringing in her Fall 2016 collection, she also brought them onto clothing such as printed coats and jackets.

But perhaps no fashion designer loves emoji quite like Karl Lagerfeld. Karl Lagerfeld included emoji-style prints in his Chanel Fall 2016 collection, with garments adorned with emoji motifs that include his cat Choupette, the peace symbol and the brand's iconic camellia flower.

Emoji Fashion - is it a thing? by missrich1 featuring a red shoulder bag

Pilot print top
385 ZAR - pilotuk.com

Denim skinny jeans
645 ZAR - hm.com

Chiara ferragni shoes
2 585 ZAR - saksoff5th.com

Olivia Miller red shoulder bag
355 ZAR - jcpenney.com

BCBGeneration pave jewelry
170 ZAR - nordstromrack.com

Round reading glasses
410 ZAR - trouva.com

Maybelline lipstick
125 ZAR - maybelline.com

Versace parfum fragrance
905 ZAR - flannels.com

Chanel nail color
360 ZAR - orchardmile.com

Throwboy throw pillow
260 ZAR - bloomingdales.com


I have come across shirts, skirts, and one-piece dress that has emoji printed, which makes it geeky-cool fashion. This may be because that emojis itself are very colourful and flashy, but also fun! “#emojifashion” on Twitter or Instagram also makes it interesting to see how people will coordinate the colourful item in to their style. 


STREET STYLE INSPIRATION 

Best friends -  here

 Photo: Shop Jeen

Emoji bag

Donatella Versace - emoji print

Donatella Versace - emoji print

Anya Hindmarch

Anya Hindmarch - emoji bags

Chanel - emoji icon

Chanel - emoji icon

Acne emoji.  Photo Courtesy of Acne Studios

Luulla

Unicorn Emoji Crop Top - Beloved shirts

shoptheshoppingbag.com

Emoji Necklace by Olive Yew

Piercings from Urban Outfitters

Thank you so much for reading!
Till' next time xo




Let us know if you are in to “emoji fashion”

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Closing Ceremony Red Carpet

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Closing Ceremony Red Carpet

 Fringed Uma: Actress Uma Thurman arriving at Sunday's Cennes 2017 Film Festival Closing Ceremony, Cannes France

This past Sunday was the Closing Ceremony for the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Cannes 2017 was full of lots of film premieres and fabulous red carpet moments which I covered HERE, HERE and HERE. Now, it was time for the Grand Finale of Cannes 2017 when the Jury gave out the coveted Palme d'Or as well as other top awards, including the Grand Prix, the Best Actor and Best Actress as well as many others. And it was also time for one final Cannes Red Carpet...at least for this year. Let's take a look at Who Wore What...at Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony:

Uma Thurman in Custom Atelier Versace: The see-through "Naked Dress" is quite popular these days on the red carpet so it was not a shocker to see one on the very fit and statuesque Uma Thurman. Uma--who was the President of the Jury for "Un Certain Regard" selection of films at Cannes 2017--was giving her best Cher/Bob Mackie-like moment (even with the straight center-parted hair!) in this shimmering gold sequined gown filled with thousands of gold sequins draped over her body on a nude based gown. The "stars" of the gown were the shimmying gold beaded fringe that really made for an impacting entrance and red carpet walk into the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony. I thought she looked quite spectacular. What was not spectacular were all the fallen gold beads that trailed her as she walked the red carpet...

This is a hand-sewn Atelier Versace gown, after all, so we know EVERY SINGLE ONE of those beads was sewn by hand so I am sure they were all, literally, hanging by a thread. As a designer I have been there, receiving one of my cherished sequined gowns back after a big red carpet event, and to my dismay, seeing how 1/4 of the beads ended up on the (red carpet) floor. I'm sure no one cared at Versace; it's just another day on the "Couture Carpet".

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2017: Another Atelier Versace Diva was the Chinese actress, fashion muse--and Cannes 2017 Jury member--Fan Bingbing, who decided to wear one of Donatella's Haute Couture designs for the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony. Bingbing wore this blue-gray tulle gown from Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2017 collection. 

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2017

The gown followed in the "Naked Dress" trend with see-through details juxtaposed with Swarovski crystal-encrusted boning that was strategically hand-sewn throughout the gown, forming a mermaid-like caged silhouette at the bottom...all covered in silk tulle with fan accents. That last part was kind of fabulous: Fan Bingbing wore a gown...with FAN accents! 

Jessica Chastain in Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 Couture: Cannes 2017 Jury member Jessica Chastain went 1940's Old Hollywood Glamour in this ivory silk gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline, sharp cap sleeves, and side pleated cascade folds. Originally, when the style was shown on the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week runway (back in January), it was in black (or more like a "midnight blue").

Jessica Chastain in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017

But for Chastain, it was customized and changed to the white color, which I do think was a wise choice, especially for the porcelain skinned/red haired actress. While the color was changed, the red sequins remained. I thought she looked beautiful (the lipstick color matched the red sequins PERFECTLY!) and I especially loved the open back of the gown and dramatic back overskirt/fall.

Diane Kruger in custom Jonathan Simkhai: Cannes 2017 Best Actress winner Diane Kruger, wore a black gown from U.S. designer Jonathan Simkhai. The gown featured a strapless-like silhouette with fitted bust cups, a fit-to-flare gown silhouette and billowy "Renaissance"-like off-the-shoulder sleeves. While it wasn't so much of a "Fashion" statement (in the likes of the Fan Bingbing's or Aiswarya Rai Bachchan's), it was on par with what "Best Actress" nominees have been doing lately at previous top awards shows...keeping it safe and not too Fashion With a Capital "F" (much to my disappointment). 

Peasant Sleeve Boy: Jonathan Simkhai Fall 2017

In case you might be wondering who designer Jonathan Simkhai is (not a red carpet "household" designer name, although he's dressed MANY celebs), he began his design line in 2010 and in 2015, he was the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. And he's known for those off-the-shoulder Boho/Peasant Gal-meets-Renaissance sleeve details. It's kind of his "thang". Or at least, it should be now!

Monica Bellucci in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring 2017: The Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony host, Italian actress Monica Bellucci wore a black gown from Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring/Summer 2017. The Opera-inspired collection was shown in Milan back in January and is the Haute Couture arm of the Italian fashion brand. In other words, these are Made-to-Order designs, one-of-a-kind (unless several clients order it!), and prices begin at about $50,000 per dress and go up and up and up.

Elizabethan Bellucci: Mistress of the 2017 Cannes Closing Ceremony, Monica Bellucci in cut velvet hand-made Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring/Summer 2017

Monica's black handsewn cut velvet-and-sequins gown--as it was originally shown on the runway--was Tea-length and featured puffy sleeves...and yes, that Elizabethan ruff collar. For Monica, it was changed--the puffy sleeves were gone, and the length was made longer by adding a black lace tulle layer with gathered tulle crinoline under-petticoat, to exaggerate the Mermaid-like shape. La Diva Bellucci always looks great in black and figure-hugging shapes. And it was an Italian "Double-Double" to have her wear Dolce & Gabbana for this prime hosting gig.

Finally, I wanted to add French actress Eva Green--even though this wasn't from the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony...but she looked so chic and the dress was interesting enough to mention it here: 

Eva Green at the "Based on a True Story" Cannes 2017 Film Premiere in Alexander McQueen Spring 2017: Eva Green wore this intricate silver sequins and black and silver lace gown from Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2017 "Celtic"-inspired collection. Following on the Red Carpet Gown Trend of the "Naked Dress", the design featured the HOT HOT HOT see-through look, with an under-corselette featuring black boning, very elaborate--and exquisite--sequined applique over nude tulle work and puffy sleeves (with gathered tulle inside of it to "puff" the cap)...

Details of Eva Green's Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2017 gown--Cannes 2017

This is THE NEXT LEVEL of gowns. Stunning, modern-yet-Edwardian, with nods to the 20's/30's as well, and very red carpet fabulous. A work of gown art.