KIMORA LEE SIMMONS: LIFE IN THE FAB LANE

Are you guys as addicted to Life in the Fab Lane as I am? Nevermind that I only catch episodes on my BFF's DVR on my weekly pilgrimage to Brooklyn! For all you KLS fans, check out this exclusive episode of Fashion Police hosted by none other than the fabulous one herself!

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Thanks to Zack from AOL Black Voices for the heads up!

STYLESTAR: LATISHA DARING, PIECES BOUTIQUE

As fabulous New Yorkers, most specifically Brooklynites, know, Pieces of Brooklyn is the place to be if you’re trying to get fresh. Owned by husband and wife team, Colin and Latisha Daring, this trendy boutique carries pieces, for men and women, by the boutique’s private label and a wide selection of varied designers such as Tibi, Missoni, Coup d’Etat Brooklyn, Gwen Stefani, Marie Marie and much more!

Don’t let the name fool ‘ya! Even though the boutique is known as Pieces of Brooklyn, you can find Pieces in Harlem and Maryland as well.

In addition to being an entrepreneur and purveyor of all things urban glam, Latisha, one half of the Daring duo, has developed a superb styling practice with a client roster that includes Common, Eve, MTV, In Style magazine and the list goes on ad infinitum. Check out Latisha’s styling portfolio here. You don’t have to be a celeb to benefit from her expertise though; Pieces offers personal shopping services! StyleChile has long been a fan of Pieces, check them out in the rolodex of boutiques that was created for Amber Mag! Keep reading for my interview with Latisha Daring! I've also included a slideshow featuring Pieces' designs --included in the Harlem Row Fashion Show, previoulsy mentioned here.

StyleChile: When did you become interested in opening your own boutique/styling?
Latisha: I decided to open my own boutique when I realized that working for another retailer did not allow me to react to customer's wants and needs fast enough. Styling just came naturally since the premise for Pieces is amazing customer service and the fact that every customer is a celebrity. We style our clients every day so actually wardrobing & celebrity styling was not a stretch for us. We enjoy making our clients feel fabulous!

StyleChile: Who were your fashion influences?

Latisha: My mom for defining what style is and allowing me to grow into my own sense of style, Grace Jones,
and Diana Ross just to name a few. Each of these women are confident, beautiful and strong women who were the epitome of style and defined trends for women everywhere.

StyleChile: How do you manage to stay fashionable?
Latisha: Staying fashionable for me is a lot harder now that I'm a mom with a hectic schedule. I think the key to staying fashionable is shopping only for key items each season to enhance your existing wardrobe. It's important that you know your body and what determines a good fit for your body type.

StyleChile: Do you have any tips or words of advice for today's fun, fashionable, females?
Latisha: The best advice that I can give is to "Never try to be what you are not." Know your Body. Know your assets. Know your flaws and know what silhouettes work best to enhance your assets. Don't forget that without confidence these rules are worthless.

StyleChile: How do you stay inspired?
Latisha: I have to surround myself with constant change. Changing the look or color of a room inspires me. Changing my surroundings through traveling allows me to see fashion through the perspective of others and this is truly inspiring! Talking to my clients on a daily basis is my biggest inspiration. Why? Because my interaction with my clients allows me to always be grateful for what we have been blessed to do for a living. It keeps me on top of my game because when they are not happy; we are not happy. Most importantly, I wouldn't be in business if I did not have an amazing clientele that believes in us and our interpretation of the season's trends.

StyleChile: Tell us how we can best obtain pieces from Pieces.
Latisha: The best way to obtain pieces from Pieces is to be a frequent shopper.We update our inventory weekly, bi-weekly & monthly so you never know what you could be missing out on if you don't come in frequently. Our online store is also open for business but the inventory updates do not happen as quickly. The only sure-fire way to secure a fabulous pieces is to be in the store when it comes In!

StyleChile: Of what (fashion oriented) achievement are you most proud?
Latisha: The day that I saw our full-page feature on a fashion website I cried. I am in awe of that day. It was definitely a dream come true & made the hard work WORTH IT!

Special thanks to Renae at Crush Media and PR Noir for the photos!

P.S. Head over to Pieces this Thursday, September 20, 2007, 671 Vanderbilt Avenue, (718) 857.7211 for the 3rd Annual Fall Preview Party! Check out the runway presentation while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. See you there! Click this link for more info.

UPDATE: I have added pics (slideshow below) of the Fall 2007 Line; these pictures were taken from the 3rd Annual Fall Preview Party referenced above! Photo Credit: Mike July and Nattural Light Studios

VERA WANG + KOHL'S

So many readers have contacted me to put me on to the Vera Wang and Kohl's department store collaboration! Many thanks for the heads up.

The line--simplyVera, was launched on September 9th! Check out the offerings here! Great dresses, gloves, crisp white shirts, scarves and coats. She uses a subdued color pallete--lots of cool greys and blues. I think the choices below will be wonderful additions to a fall wardrobe. Wear the coat open, but with belt closed like these!

Pleated hem skirt $44.80; long textured coat $88.00 (also available in grey)!

Vera joins the myriad of other high fashion designers who've partnered with mass retailers. I can't wait for the day when we'll see Gucci for Gap, or perhaps Carolina Herrara for Costco? Those hi-lo pairings might be entirely too pedestrian for the higher level brands, but one can always hope!

Click on the link below for vintage Style Collaborations!

Photo Credit: New York Times (top image).

SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME...

Hi everyone, please pardon my egregious delay in posting in these most holiest of days for all things fashion--Fashion Week (speaking of holy, Shana Tova to Style Chile's Jewish readers)!

Last year's picture, but better than nothing, right?

I promise to have lots of goodies for you in the next coming days, including my coverage of fashion week, highlighting my first fashion week show (Ghita by Alexis Phifer), fashion week features (indie designers Jedda-Kahn and Zonkiri), interview with the fabulous Latisha Daring of Pieces Boutique, and much more. Vera Wang and Kohl's to come tomorrow...Can't wait to fill y'all in!

Malcolm Harris, still contemplating whether should post pic of us. He looks great, I on the other hand? Not so much...

Meanwhile, I had the most embarrassing encounter just a few hours ago! While bidding adieu to a friend, at her going-away party, I had a long conversation with a nice young man, who indulged me for about 15 mins as I tried to remember who designed the shirt I was wearing...we eventually pulled the tag out...He proceeded to tell me about his fashion blog, and I had the audacity to say: "oooh, I'll add your link" as I rambled on and on about fashion etc...Finally, when I realized I didn't catch his name, we introduced ourselves...Guess who he is?! Malcolm Harris of Mal Sirrah. How do you spell MORTIFIED? I quickly tried to recover, but felt utterly foolish! One too many shots of Patron. But I will try to make it up to Malcolm with a fabulous post and tribute to his fabulous designs...In the meantime, be sure to visit his website (click on link on bottom left), blog and myspace.

SATIN SHOES!

I've been keeping an eye on this ever so subtle trend...satin shoes are definitely noticeable, but one can easily overlook them, no? It does take a discerning eye to spot the differences (from a distance) between a pair of black satin shoes and a pair of matte black leather...

From left to right. Top: Nine West's "Vasca" satin shoe- $98.00; Lanvin's fuschia satin boot $968.00 at Maxfield, L.A.; Miu Miu's sand satin cap toed mary janes are $368.00 on bluefly; Christian Louboutin's "Gabine" satin slingbacks- $695.00 at net-a-porter. Middle: silk-and-cotton capped toed wedges -$627 at Marni; yellow satin wedges $80.00- Carlos by Carlos Santana; black, pink and red satin shoe $520 at select Prada boutiques. Bottom: Kate Spade's "Karolina" pump $255.00 at Nordstrom's; Satin Boot with Mosaic Detail Alessandro Dell Aqua; Black satin flats $350.00 at Emporio Armani; and Proenza Schouler's Pine Satin Bootie.

...perhaps that's why most of these are brightly colored? It appears as though each designer tried to counteract the tendency to bypass this look by making sure that the colors alone would garner enough attention! Whether you like them bright fuschia-- like the Lanvin bootie; or a calmer, office appropriate pair-- like the navy Kate Spade; or a mix of both--like the cap toed variations... add quiet sophistication and a playful touch to your ensemble with silken shoes!

My friend, Aliya, put me on to these Diana jewelled ballerina shoes, by Gaetano Perrone, available at Soho's Té Casan. I might have to raid her closet to borrow hers!

StyleTip: Avoid pairing with a silky/satiny handbag or clutch...you know what they say about too much of a good thing! P.S. I couldn't resist. Doesnt the black, pink and red Pradas (middle right) 'sorta remind you of this, or this? Lol! Click on the link below for vintage Style Trends posts!

WEEKLY STYLE REVIEW

Happy Holiday Weekend! Enjoy this week's selection of fashionable celebs!