I’m an opinionated gal and once in a while I need to vent about things in the world of fashion, beauty, and pop culture that I’ve read about or witnessed.  Here are two recent stories that made this Hot Mama heated.

Controversy  was sparked — and rightfully so — over French Vogue’s 14-page photo spread featuring supermodel Lara Stone in blackface.  I don’t know where to begin. For starters, blackface is completely offensive to black people and there’s nothing cheeky or fabulous about it.  Secondly, black models don’t get nearly enough opportunities, so why would the magazine decide on using a …read more

I’m particularly fond of reality TV shows that focus on models and fashion. During Cycle 13 of “America’s Next Top Model,” a benevolent Tyra is giving short girls (contestants are 5′7 and under) a chance to shine on the catwalk. And the “Project Runway” spinoff, “Models of the Runway,”  shows what happens after the aspiring models leave the runway.
After watching both shows this week, however, I noticed a common thread. Beyond the obvious fact they’re both about models, each reality show has a strong-willed black female “character” who has been pegged as the the witch of the model house.
On “Top …read more

I’ve been hanging out, eating way too much, and sightseeing in Toronto for a few days and happened to catch “Canada’s Next Top Model” on the tele. And guess what?  Gasp, there are things I like about the Canadian version more than “America’s Next Top Model.” 
 
 
New episodes air Tuesdays at 8 p.m.  Here are four things that make this franchise fresher than Tyra Banks’ original U.S. version:

Jay Manuel aka Mr. Jay is the star.  On “America’s Next Top Model,” Jay is the flawlessly made-up, silver-coifed  photo shoot art director, but on “Canada’s Next Top Model” the Toronto native and makeup …read more

It’s no secret how amused I am by Tyra Banks.  I find the former supermodel an endless source of egomaniacal entertainment.  But I honestly admire her for her drive, ambition, and ability to transform herself into a one-woman empire.
 
 
That said, Tyra has made no secret about her post-modeling career weight fluctuation (remember when she told her haters to “kiss her fat ass”?).
I think she looks like a real woman with curves in this belted beige dress that hits her in all the right places.  But what do you think — is “Top Model” Tyra on top of her weight?  Or …read more

I expected quirky bird-face “beauty” Allison to walk away the champ of  Cycle 12’s America’s Next Top Model.” But I was pleasantly surprised that goofy, small town New Jersey girl Teyona Anderson worked it out during the final catwalk in Brazil and won.
The stunning 20-year-old with impossibly high-cheek bones couldn’t deliver the easy, breezy, beautiful Cover Girl commercial lines to save her life, but she knows how to smile with her eyes like a pro.  Teyona is my favorite winner since Dani.  I hope she really makes it to the top.
 
Image credit: America’s Next Top Model

The fashion gods are smiling.  Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model” is back for another cycle of catty model-wannabe castings.  The formula: throw in a cry baby or two; a quirky girl described as “two cups of crazy”;  an overly confident girl from Kenya; and a burn victim who needs a shot of confidence in the mix with the comical Jays and chief drama queen Tyra, and stir.  This, my friends, is the recipe for delicious reality TV.  
I watched the premiere episode of Cycle 12 last night on the CW and so far my favorites made the cut.  But the …read more

Hot Mamas,
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Feb. 13-20) at Bryant Park, and I’m off to the tents, baby. I’ll do my best to bring you up-to-date coverage of the shows, events, and parties I go to. Today I got a sneak peak at the Fall-Winter 2009 trends that will rip the runway at Loris Diran’s pre-Fashion Week afternoon showing. Loris recently opened a boutique in lower Manhattan and his Fall collection was elegant and wearable. Wool wide-legged trousers and organza blouses and dresses were a hit, and from what I saw it appears …read more

Lovable America’s Next Top Model contestant Toccara Jones is a voluptuous beauty. Or F-A-B as she is fond of saying with a head tilt and finger snap.  Recently Toccara scored a major coup as the most-featured model in Italian Vogue’s historic issue dedicated completely to black models.
So it’s really disappointing to see the BET host at the American Music Awards in this frumpy, church picnic getup.  And the overdone makeup does nothing to distract from the bargain basement, polka-dot dress.
 

But maybe I’m just a hater : )  Do you think Toccara’s ensemble is fab or drab? 
Photo credits: Newscom