Le Beaute...

...I'm baaack & with a true Beaute in tow! Her name?

Anais Mali

And I just about love her.

Who is she, you ask? She's an up-and-coming supermodel-in-the-making and she's gooorgeous. Not only is she pretty, but she's French. Me, a self-proclaimed Fanco-phile, {enamored with all-things-french}, I was super excited to learn that about her. Just seems to make her more interesting and a bit more "model-y" in a way.

Anyway, I've been noticing her and am happy to introduce her to you. I also found this video of her being interviewed by the great Bethann Hardison. Here she talks modeling, how she was discovered, the photographers & designers she wants to work with, and who her favorite designers are {YSL, Givenchy, Valentino, Gucci, to name a few. The girl knows perfection when she sees it.}

She also chats about the lack of Black girls being featured in huge campaigns & why she doesn't understand that unfortunate truth. Although she is seen below in Gap's Spring '11 ad, she's spot on about the larger, most coveted of brands usually not showcasing Black talent...

Well one thing's for sure, she is a beauty who's worthy to cover any campaign .

Have a look at the video.

Clearly, I approve, but would love to hear what you think...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via vogue the magazine & unknown. Video via youtube)

And Then There Was One...

What a monumental moment in Fashion history!

The day Beverly Johnson landed the most coveted cover of all time - the VOGUE cover - in 1974, everything changed {for the better}. That's exactly why she's this 'Monday's Unconventional Muse'. Beverly was, and still is, absolutely striking. I mean, her face cannot be denied. With February being Black History Month, I thought it'd be fun to share some vintage {and historic} images of this Beauty.

After gracing the cover of Vogue as their first Black model, she went on to show her face on many more of our beloved glossies.

Have a look below...

{LOVE this Cosmo cover!}

Beverly even showed up on album covers.

I'm insane for this image of her below! The hair, makeup and wardrobe are perfection. Quintessentially '70s!!

I love taking a trip down memory lane, especially when there's good fashion and inspiring images to linger over. There's so many amazing, beautiful women of color that have paved the way for us all. I feel honored to be able to present any one of them to you. Hope this in a small way enlightens you, entertains you, and encourages you to chart new ground.

Happy Monday!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via unknown)

Call Me Mr. Ford

What A Cutie Pie!!?

I'm sure you've all seen, by now, the images of Tom Ford's Vogue debut that've been circulating around. {How can you not do a double take?} It's safe to say he had us all at 'hello' during his reign supreme at the house of Gucci. It's even safer for me to now say that I'm quite smitten with the fact of his return. I couldn't be more pleased that Mr. Ford will once again be creating womenswear pieces to be coveted by all.

And these photos?... GORGE!

{I almost don't have words for how perfect this glamorous shot is...}

{And love this funky, eclectic shot...}

Ok, I'm in.

To Mr. Ford: Welcome Back & one of each please! ;-)

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Vogue)

Met Costume Institute Gala

Last night's ball was what fashion dreams are made of. All that was missing was a horse-drawn pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a magic wand with some pretty, sparkly fairy dust. I love that the theme was 'American Women: Fashioning a National Identity'! Hosted by The Gap's Patrick Robinson, Ms. O herself (the 'other first lady' - Oprah), and the Queen - Anna Wintour, the night did not disappoint. There were literally too many shots to post, but here are a few of the shining stars...

...The "O"-So-Fabulous Oscar & Oprah...

...the always sultry & picture-perfect Naomi...

...the absolutely stunning Kerry (love the look)...

...the sweetly vampy Janet...

...the standout Thandie (love the unexpected matchup of metallic purple with green accessories)...

Fashion, fantasy and fun. Not much gets better. Who did you love?...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Essence)

The godfather of modern fashion photography - work on diplay now

If you want to see the work of early fashion photography by renowned photographer Edward Steichen, check out the exhibition titled, “Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years 1923-1937” now through April 11 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Ft. Lauderdale.

Steichen was recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as a leading figure in fine-art photography who revolutionized fashion photography. He went on to become the “the most famous portrait photographer in the world” and in 1923 was offered the posts of chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair and as they say the rest is fashion history.

Go to http://bit.ly/abCqdb to learn more about the exhibit and get your tickets.

Contributed by TonyaSE

Photo from berkshire.net

A.L.T. Joins America's Next Top Model

André Leon Talley will replace Miss J. Alexander, for America’s Next Top Model Season 14 according to Women's Wear Daily. Tyra Banks had asked him to join at the start of series, but he wanted to wait until the show was more established and now feels he can "contribute something to it that had not been on the show."

"André speaks about fashion and he has such a passion, and the words — the adverbs, the adjectives — he uses! I know it’s going to make the viewer at home go, ‘Wowww,’” said Banks, “It might go over their head, but he’s educating them about a time, bringing them back to a place when fashion was life.”

An icon of the fashion industry, Talley joined Vogue in 1983 as fashion news director and served as creative director from 1988 to 1995. He returned to Vogue in 1998 as editor-at-large and credits his grandmother and the legendary Diana Vreeland for his appreciation for luxury.

I for one will be hanging on to Talley’s every eloquent, luxury drenched word - with a fashion glossary in hand of course.

The new season premieres on March 10. And don't fear - Miss J will continue as the shows runway coach extroadinaire.

Contributed by TonyaSE

Photo from www.WWD.com