Michelle Obama celebrates Veteran's Day in a belted blue coat.

I give Michelle props for daring to be different.  But I’m not a fan of wearing a belt just for show over an overcoat.  It’s impractical.  And the belt’s positioning under her breast bone looks downright uncomfortable.  However, I give her kudos on the coat’s teal color and the hip black boots.

The First Lady buckles up for safety...and fashion.

The empire waist belt look, however, is more flattering when paired with the colorful and embellished cardigans the First Lady is so fond of; like the trendy mustard and animal print sweaters pictured.

Mrs. Obama liked this belt so much she wore it twice.

Image credit: Newscom

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Here are a few examples of the collection’s funky style for Spring/Summer 2010:

SUNO style shows African pride.

The collection was inspired by Armand Lanoux’s book about Paris in the 1920s and a Kandinsky painting from 1927.

A glimpse at SUNO's Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

SUNO's funky, funky style.

In 2008, Max Osterweis formed SUNO after more than a decade of collecting textiles during visits to Kenya. His company employs local Kenyan talent, showcases some of Kenya’s artistry, and has the potential to affect positive social and economic change.

SUNO clothing ranges from $80 to $720 and is available at Bergdorf Goodman, Barney’s, and Opening Ceremony in New York City.

Image credit: SUNO

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Rakia Reynolds, Philly style ambassador.

 
I love Philly and met the bubbly Temple graduate during a recent visit for the city’s first Fashion Week.  This busy hot mama — the 30 year-old is a mother of two girls with one on the way — is also fashion editor for the revamped Vibe magazine. I asked Rakia to share her Top 5 Wardrobe Pieces for the Fall/Winter season.

Rakia loves her snake tights! (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Leg Wear: I love printed tights. My closet is chock full of tights that run the gamut of colors, prints, textures. Currently, I’m rocking hand dyed tights, snakeskin tights, ones with wings on the sides, and vintage, gold lame tights.

These Rachel Comey wedges are hot!

To and Fro Booties

Footwear: I adore the pony-haired wooden wedges from Rachel Comey’s collection and these funky To-and-Fro booties.

Accessories: I can’t live without my super transitional dress-me-up/dress-me-down drawstring scarves by Philly’s Letau Designs; I wear them with jeans, dresses, tanks, or anything in my closet.

Rakia Reynolds at Philly Fashion Week.

Outerwear: Right now, I am sporting a vintage wool military cape coat and an old school slim fitting leather jacket.

All That Glitters: I can’t live without lamé jackets, dresses, or tops. I am into anything that sparkles. I also adore the vintage, sequins dresses that I pick up at thrift stores in New Jersey and Philly.

Hot Mama Daily readers can also check out “What’s in Your Closet?” with Rakia every Wednesday on the Philly insider website, uwishunu.com.

(Image credit: Rakia Reynolds, Anthropoligie, ShopStyle)

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Leona Lewis flaunts the exaggerated shoulder shape hot for fall.

Leona was wearing the high-fashion look during a book signing for her memoir, “Dreams,” at a London bookstore.  That sounds innocent enough, right?  Well apparently there was a deranged man amongst “The X Factor” winner’s fans, many of whom waited overnight to meet the Brit beauty.

Leona is all smiles prior to being attacked by a crazed fan.

Reportedly when that fan stepped up to have her sign his book, he lunged over the table and punched the singer in the head.  Oh no he didn’t!  Unfortunately, yes he did.  Bizarrely, the crazy dude apparently yelled out, “I love you” after the attack.  Way to show your love bro.

Perhaps as a safely precaution for fashionable celebs, a helmet will catch on as an accessory to match the “linebacker” shoulder pad look.

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Here are 4 items that will spruce up every Hot Mama’s fall wardrobe:

Route 66 Huela Brown boots

1) Short riding boots: I recently picked up these calf-high boots from K-Mart and I love the length.  They fit perfectly with the season’s urban cowgirl trend.

Gap Boyfriend jeans

2) Boyfriend jeans: This jean trend reminds me of junior high school when I used to cut holes in and write on my jeans.  I also used to pump up Rick Springfield’s “Human Touch,” but that’s another story.

Elisa Plaid Shirt

3) Plaid shirt:  The plaid shirt has come a long way since ’90s grunge and Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ “Come on Eileen” music video from the ’80s. 

Draped cardigan

4) Long, draped cardigan: This versatile sweater style can be dressed up or down. By day pair it with jeans and riding boots and by night pair it with a pencil skirt and heeled booties.

Image credit: Gap, Delia’s, K-Mart, Zappos.com

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Chanel Iman shimmies in a Rosa Cha swim suit.

With a bevy of high-waist bikinis and neon one-piece suits with woven details, Rosa Cha’s spring collection blended the old with the new — imagine if you will a cross between Hollywood pinup girl and Valley girl.  The brand’s new creative director, extraordinary Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch, was also inspired by lingerie.

Rosa Cha swim suits pumped up the color.

“These items were designed to offer a sophisticated feeling for the season’s happenings,” Herchcovitch says in a press release.  ”An elegant woman can go from the beach or the pool to a more refined setting just by wearing a dres over her swimsuit.”

Gottex turned up the heat in the tents.

Wearability on and off the beach was also a common thread in Gottex’s spring collection.  This was the second time I’d been invited to a Gottex show — one of the most anticipated shows in the tents — and the music (Grace Jones!), the models, and the suits, of course, were hot.  This season, the brand took a more modern approach and explored “the fusion of technology and luxury.”  

Gottex is always a hot ticket and a hot show.

The collection was accented by hand-crafted details and the use of innovative fabrics such as laminated tulle, plasticized lycra, and laser cut jewel-like embellishments.  One of my favorite pieces was an ochre degrade lycra swimsuit dramatically paired with a fade-out desert print silk kimono and an ochre embroidered gold belt.

Images courtesy of image.net/Getty

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It had been a long, rainy day.  I’d already stood for the Twinkle by Wenlan show (a fresh, feminine collection highlighted by bohemian black and white separates) and I wasn’t feeling festive or patient. But there I was, part of the couture cattle waiting for nearly an hour to enter the Promenade. If I could have escaped the shoulder-to-shoulder flock, I would have promptly gone home.  But I didn’t.  And I’m glad.

Inside, I made a beeline for the first empty seat.  Tropical rhythms blared from the sound system, transforming the tents into a disco. I spotted singer Amerie in the front row.  After a few minutes, the neon emblazoned word “Arise” on the screen at the top of the catwalk unzipped and the first group of models emerged.

The collective featured four designers.  The first was Lisa Folawiyo’s Jewel by Lisa.  The boho chic collection was distinguished by a mix African fabrics and traditional textiles, and exquisite hand-embellished beads, sequins, and Swarovski crystals.

Jewel by Lisa

Tiffany Amber

Next up was Eric Raisina’s vibrant collection of funky, fringe accented designs; and Folake Coker’s Tiffany Amber collection of soft, flowing, red carpet-worthy gowns. Raisina scored double cool points for hiring striking “America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 12 contestant Amina to stalk the catwalk and for recruiting supermodel Chanel Iman.

David Tlale

The show concluded with David Tlale’s show-stopping collection featuring elaborate collars, harem pants, couture gowns, and guest supermodel Tyson Beckford.

Arise reflects a culture rarely represented, and I left beaming with pride. The show was predominated by beautiful black models (with a few fierce white and Asian girls), and hot damn those girls could strut.  This was one show that was definitely worth the wait.

Image credit: image.net

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Last night, I got back into the head-craning and snap shot-taking swing of things at the (Pre) Fashion Show showcasing up-and-coming designers Caycee Black, loyale, and Cloak and Dagger.

Caycee Black

Caycee Black’s lovely line was influenced as much by her own childhood (ballet classes and rummaging for treasure in her grandma’s closet) as it was by the femme fatales of film noir.

Loyale

Founded by Jenny Hwa, loyale merges style and sustainability.  The clothing company works exclusively with eco-materials like organic cotton, recycled paper, and low-impact dye.  One percent of loyale’s annual sales are donated to the environmental non-profit Green Corps.

Cloak & Dagger

Brookelynn Starnes’ Cloak & Dagger is a sophisticated, contemporary collection inspired by romantic, vintage silhouettes and high-end brands like Givenchy, YSL, Balenciaga.  Recently, the Pratt Institute graduate opened the first free-standing Cloak & Dagger store in New York City’s East Village.

Photos by Tracy  E. Hopkins

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Here are 5 tips on how to look hot without looking sleazy:

Members Only Leather Liquid Leggings

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.

Beyonce put her freakum dress on, but is it too short?

2) Put Ya Freakum Dress On: If you’ve got it, I say flaunt it.  Although a tight dress should accentuate your assets, it’s best to leave something to the imagination.  And remember that this type of dress is strictly for a house/beach party or the club; not an office party, wedding, or family gathering.

3) Maximize Your Mini:  A mini-skirt or mini dress can be a great fashion statement. But a mini that’s too short, too revealing, or too tight isn’t hot; it’s hoochie.  Sorry Mariah, who in the above photo is showing way too much cleavage and a little too much leg.

Tyra Banks shows off her classy cleavage.

4) Classy Cleavage: Showing a little decolletage makes most women feel more feminine and flirty.  And men of course love it.  However, keep it classy and don’t let your cleavage runneth over.  

Keep the clear heels at home.

 5) High-heels, Not Stripper Pumps: High heels have never been my thing. But I envy Hollywood A-listers like Rihanna, who struts about in designer stilettos like they’re sneakers. Stripper pumps, however, are not high-fashion. And if you have a pair of clear heels, save them for “play” time at home.

Image credit: Member’s Only, My Shoes.com, Bauer-Griffin

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Madonn True Blue cover

During a recent trip to H&M I found a fab Madonna t-shirt for $19.95 (click here to see images) featuring the cover of the Material Girl’s “True Blue” album.  I didn’t grab the shirt when I had the chance, and later I read the black-and-white tee is a limited edition.  Don’t you hate non-buyer’s remorse?

Like Madonna 1.0 (the latest Madge model with the fake English accent isn’t as cool), Blondie’s Debbie Harry inspired a generation of girls to be fearless in fashion. Celebrate the Blondie icon with this hip, long-sleeved top from Forever 21.

Blondie long sleeve tshirt, $17.80

His name is Prince.  And he is funky.  I’m a Prince fan from way back, and my thoughtful hubby offered to buy me one of these Prince t-shirts while he was in Los Angeles.  I wasn’t sure how it would fit, so I declined the gift (I know, what was I thinking?).  Beyonce and Kim Kardashian have the “Life is a Parade” shirt.  On second thought, I should have one too.

Prince Pointing t-shirt, $35.99

Prince: Life is a Parade t-shirt, $35.99

Beatles Stare t-shirt, $19.99

 Image: Forever 21, B&N.com, Viktor Viktoria

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