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

We’re all Hot Mamas here, right?  Yet, there’s a thin line between dressing sexy and looking like you belong on a street corner.  
Here are 5 tips on how to look hot without looking sleazy:

1) She’s Got Leggings: This trend continues to have….legs.  I must admit that black leggings look good paired with long tunics and worn under billowy skirts. But I can’t quite get used to many of you ladies wearing leggings (and only leggings) with short tops.  Even worse, some have mistaken opaque tights or regular pantyhose for leggings.  Not a good look.

 
2) Put Ya Freakum Dress On: …read more

Get your sexy back…to school style courtesy of Sasha Fierce.  You know, Beyonce’s extroverted alter-ego.  Queen B already has House of Dereon, a high-end fashion label she co-designs with her Mom and creative director Tina Knowles. Now the superstar has introduced the younger, more affordable “Sasha Fierce” line that will debut at Macy’s and Dillard’s in the fall. I’m just wondering what school it’s acceptable to wear a black body suit to?
“The line really exudes a different side of my personality, which I am grateful I can express,” Beyonce explained in a press statement.  ”The ‘Sasha Fierce’ line is for …read more

I have some unbeweavable news.  For the Season 5 premiere of her talk show, Tyra Banks will shed her signature extensions and reveal her natural hair. That’s a bold move for the former supermodel whom I adore watching in all of her egomaniac glory on “Top Model,” and I can’t wait to see what her natural hair looks like.
 
Tyra has declared September 8th “Natural Real Hair Day” and invites all women of color (and all women really) to wear their own hair (no wigs or weaves please) on that day and beyond. The TV and fashion personality is getting a …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

It was a battle of the supermodels at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) Costume Institute Gala Benefit “Celebrating the Model as Muse.“ Legendary supermodel Iman looked stunning as usual.  At 50, she is a cosmetics guru, happily married to rock icon David Bowie, and the mother of two (her oldest girl is 30).  And she can still rival top models half her age, which brings me to Hot Mama Daily’s mini supermodel battle.
Below are photos of Iman and current catwalk queen and designer darling, 19-year-old Chanel Iman. In the words of  Tyra Banks and “runway coach extraordinaire” Miss Jay, both …read more

Naomi Campbell played nice and catwalked for a worthy cause during Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, India.   In conjunction with Naomi’s “Fashion for Relief” initiative, the charity show, ”Mai Mumbai,” raised money for the city’s emergency medical services in light of the deadly terrorist attacks there last November.  
 
According to London’s Daily Mail, the Brit supermodel wore “a stunning set of Indian outfits” including a gold-embroidered, six-yard-long black sari designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee.”  And Naomi looked so foxy she was reportedly approached to do a screen test for a Bollywood film.  Take that Tyra!
 
 
Image credit: Newscom