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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Amazing Grace. She wore a black mask when it wasn't Halloween!

I absolutely love Grace Jones.  She is a bold, beautiful avant garde fashion muse and music icon. But I can see how some folks would be more than a little scared of the 60-year-old glamazon.

'Lil Kim, what a Thriller!

Lil’ Kim has taken her tribute to Michael Jackson a little too far.  I can’t decide what’s scarier — her botched plastic surgery, crazy blue contacts, or this horrid, lime green stripper dress.

Is Bai Ling a sexy hobo?

This mix-and-match outfit would be passable if it were Bai Ling’s homeless chic costume for Halloween. Unfortunately, this is how the nutty “actress” (she played a tattoo artist in the worst episode in “Lost” history) always dresses.

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Keep your closet tidy.

So I came up with these five-time-saving tips to getting dressed and out the door each weekday morning:

1) Organize your closet.  If your clothes are easy to find, they’re easier to put on.

2) Pick out and iron your clothes for Monday on Sunday night, and continue this the rest of the week.

3) Take your favorite work pants, dresses, and shirts to a discount cleaners at least once a month.  That way, they’re ready to wear.

4) Keep your mirror time to a minimum.  What’s most important is that your face is clean and moisturized.  Apply a little foundation or powder, lipstick or lip balm and get out the door.  Then you can apply the rest of your makeup at the office.

5) Go bargain shopping.  The winter  blahs are on the way and it’s the perfect time to liven up your wardrobe with a dash of color.  And stylish new clothing and accessories are a great motivation to getting to work so you can show off.

Image credit: Sam’s Club

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Sheree Whitfield at Fashion Week in New York City.

This season, Sheree’s near fisticuffs with a hot-tempered party planner spawned the catch phrase “Who’s Gonna Check Me Boo?” and she debuted her She by Sheree clothing line.  The designer sites Dolce & Gabbana as her style icons, admits she’s not “bald-headed” but likes to rock  clip-in hair pieces, and loves “the daily grind” of New York City.  Let’s find out more about the glamorous socialite.

Hot Mama Daily: What’s the most difficult part about doing the Real Housewives of Atlanta?

Sheree:  The schedule is a little challenging, but I would say the most difficult part is putting your life out there for the whole world to judge.

HMD: This season we saw that you had to move to a smaller house and your divorce was finalized. Was it difficult to go through that on TV?

Sheree: It was a bad situation, but it was my life. It’s a reality show and at the time that’s what I was going through.  When you get married you never think this would be the outcome.

HMD: Would you say the show accurately portrays you?

Sheree: The show is kind of accurate, but people are only seeing part of your life.  My personality is multi-faceted, but on the show they may only show one side of my personality.  This season they were able to capture more of my personality.  But you really can’t get who I am out of two hours [of editing].

HMD: You had two of the most memorable moments this season, with the party planner and the Kim wig incident.  Would you say those incidents reflected you accurately?

Sheree: Those are sides of me.  I don’t like to go there, but I can. [Regarding the party planner] Was he a lunatic or what?  Before I went to meet with him he hung up on me.  He had promised the producers all these things like the helicopter, which was his idea. And he couldn’t deliver, I told the producers I wasn’t going to work with him, but they told me to go for the meeting so the story would have continuity.  So I think he did what he had to do to get on the show and get air time.

 HMD: Which housewife are you closest to off-screen?

Sheree: It’s a working relationship.  When we’re not taping we really aren’t hanging out.

HMD: We got a glimpse of She by Sheree in the season finale. When will it be available and in what stores?

Sheree: The pieces from the fashion show in the finale are custom pieces.  I also did a Spring/Summer 2010 presentation during Fashion Week in New York. That collection will be available in select boutiques next year. I owned a boutique, and it’s about exclusivity. I worked with a lot of up-and-coming designers and it’s about being in demand.  The clothes from the show are custom pieces and those are available in late December on www.shereewhitfield.com.  I also have “Who’s Gonna Check Me Boo?” t-shirts; the t-shirts keep selling out but will be back up soon.  They sell for $30 and up.

Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss

HMD: What was your most favorite and least favorite moment from this season? 

Sheree: My favorite moment was the She by Sheree fashion show. My least favorite moment was I wish Bravo showed more of me during the fashion show.  The fashion show was amazing.  I wanted something classy and high-end. Dwight came in at the last minute, and I appreciate what he did.  But it was a team effort.  He didn’t do everything; but Bravo made it look like he did everything.

HMD: You’re obviously in great shape.  How many times a week do you work out?

Sheree: Besides my family and fashion, I am passionate about health and fitness.  I want to motivate and get people in shape.  If you look good you feel good.  When I’m not taping “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” I work out 4 to 5 times a week.  That’s my “me time.”  People always talk about my arms, but I don’t do a lot of weight training.  For me, it’s all about [working my] butt and thighs.  I do a lot of plyometrics, spinning, and walking in the park.

HMD: If you could replace Kim with any cast member from one of the other Housewives’ shows, who would it be and why?

Sheree: I would replace Kim with Gretchen from the O.C.  I met her and she’s cool, there’s no drama, and she seems to tell the truth.

HMD: Will there be a third season? 

Sheree: We put the “Real Housewives” [franchise] on the map. I can’t imagine [Bravo] wouldn’t do another season.

(Image credit: Newscom)

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Tinu loves shoes!

I chatted with the stunning Nigeria native via email.

Hot Mama Daily: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Tinu: (Laughs) Mum is the word here! I am so ashamed to say the number out loud for the fear of being called a mini Imelda Marcos. Perhaps I will let the cat out of the bag in my upcoming book. That is one you definitely don’t want to miss. It will be announced on my website when it launches.

Tinu's shoe collection.

HMD: What’s your favorite brand of shoes?

Tinu: I’m not loyal to any brand. I buy based on designs that appeal to me. [For example], I just got my first pair of Jimmy Choos a few months ago despite owning a few hundreds of other designer shoes. I don’t buy based on name or trend. I have to “connect” to the shoes and most importantly wear them.

Tinu's boots are made for cat-walking!

Tinu Naija

HMD: What designers did you model for in Europe?

Tinu: It was fun working with Julien McDonald when he did a special BBC feature in Paris when he was still the designer at Givenchy haute couture.  I also had fun working with Pascal Millet at Carven haute couture. I would call my experience with them beyond just modeling. Now I’m also happy sitting front row watching the shows and collecting some of the best designs in the industry. There is nothing like owning a piece or two of haute couture; it’s no different than owning a Rembrandt.

HMD: When and why did you make the switch from modeling to singing?

Tinu: In high school, I was in the drama club and we would perform cultural dances, school plays, and sing. That’s where music really started for me. I gave it up for modeling and then pursued my education when I returned to the US. It hit me again after 9/11. I realized that life is short. It made me wake up and want to start doing all of those things again. It all came rushing back and I began sketching and writing songs. I got a deal and put out a CD. It was a wakeup to enjoy my life and do what I can do. I thought, I’m privileged to have talent, now what am I going to do with it?

HMD: Who is your biggest inspiration as a singer?

Tinu: Grace Jones! I am a big fan of her work because she has no rules to her own [personal] and singing style.  Her songs make me feel free each time I listen to them. I sometimes feel like running around butt naked in the streets and screaming my lungs out singing to her songs. You can’t define feeling more free spirited than that!

Photos courtesy of  Tinu

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Be a lady vampire or Rihanna in this sexy mini-dress, $74

A witch is always an easy costume to throw together — a clingy black dress, black boots, and a pointy black hat.  My hairdresser plans to dress up as Wonder Woman and her stylists will be Cleopatra and Foxy Brown.  Great ideas.

If  a sexy costume is your thang, Edressme has some pretty hot dresses on sale that can be easily dressed up with thematic accessories. Get free upgraded shipping if you place your order by noon October 28th, and until October 31st you get a free mask with every costume.

But I still have no clue what my costume will be!  So Hot Mamas, I need some inspiration. 

What are you planning to be for Halloween?

Image credit: Edressme

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Princess Diana's gown (Image courtesy of National Constitution Center)

All of the sentimentality I had for Diana’s wedding day and the sorrow I felt for her untimely death in 1997 came flooding back to me during my visit to “Diana: A Celebration” at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center.  Not only was this people’s princess a style icon; she was a beautiful and charitable woman.

Princess Di’s stunning wedding dress by English designer Elizabeth Emanuel is the centerpiece of the exhibit. Also showcased: Her diamond tiara and 28 other dresses, suits, and gowns designed by Versace, Valentino, Chanel, and Azagury, worn by Diana during her public life.

Princess Diana portrait by Mario Testino.

Additionally, “Diana: A Celebration” features:

• Musical score and handwritten lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition dedicated to Diana and adapted from “Candle in the Wind.”
• Original heritage, 17^th and 18^th century family paintings from the Althorp Estate.
• The original, hand-edited text of Charles Spencer’s moving tribute to his sister, delivered at Diana’s funeral in Westminster Abbey.
• Home movies of Diana’s childhood, historical artifacts, personal letters, photos, and heirlooms.

This exhibition about the life and work of the Princess of Wales runs through December 31, 2009. For more information and tickets, visit www.constitutioncenter.org or call 215.409.6700.

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Tibi's presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2009.

Visit Rowenta’s website for your chance to win Rowenta’s Exclusive Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sweepstakes.

Here’s what you’ll win:

• Entrance to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and tickets to select shows in February 2010.
• Roundtrip coach airfare for two (continental U.S. only).
• Airport transfers.
• 3 nights hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in Manhattan and select meals between February 12 and February 19, 2010.
• Shopping spree and makeover package worth $1000.

Don’t delay, enter the sweepstakes today!  It will be exciting if a Hot Mama Daily reader wins!

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Image courtesy of Shecky's Girls Night Out.

As an added bonus, if you would like one of Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bags stocked full of beauty freebies, click here and receive $10 off your Goodie Bag ticket ($30 in advance, so you’ll only pay $20 plus tax) by using the code FAB10OFF.  When you get to the checkout page, please choose “Socialista” from the drop down menu where it asks you how you found out about this event and then type in “Hot Mama Daily.”

If you live in the New York tri-state area, don’t miss this chance to sip and with your girls.  Maybe I’ll see you there! And if you don’t live in New York City, visit Shecky’s website to find out when Girls Night Out will be swagging your way.

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French Vogue does blackface.

• 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 “faux” black model instead of hiring the real thing? Perhaps an argument could be made that Tyra Banks has “painted” white models “black” during several seasons’ of “America’s Next Top Model.”  Since she’s a black woman, is it the same thing or is there a different intention when the photo shoot and editorial is controlled by a white woman?

• A Newsweek journalist criticized Angelina Jolie for not combing/styling her adopted daughter Zahara’s hair.  The writer, who happens to be a black woman, called little Z’s hair a “hot mess.”  Never mind that I wish I had a copyright on that phrase, but what’s wrong with letting this little girl’s hair grow free of chemicals and the hot comb?

Angelina Jolie with her daughter Zahara.

Yes, Zahara’s hair would look cute braided or up in a pony (as it has been worn in the past), but I disagree with writer Alison Samuels that her hair looks dry and unkempt.

If Zahara’s hair really starts to look crazy, you better believe I’ll be one of the first to say so.  But at the moment, I think it looks clean, curly, and cute. Sounds like the real issue here is that some black women don’t feel Jolie is qualified to raise a little black girl.  And that’s a whole nutha ball of hair…and wax.

• Now that I’ve told you what I think, I’d like to hear your opinions on the Vogue blackface controversy and the state of Zahara Jolie-Pitt’s hair.

Image credit: Steven Klein/French Vogue, Bauer Griffin

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