What We Talkin’ Bout: A 2010 Recap Mashup

 

What Had Happened Was…

It happens at the end of every year. Loads and loads of “looking back” lists. Well, 2010 was full of fodder. This has been SOME year! From BP’s oil spill, to Snooki, to Lady Gaga’s meat dress, To Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” and Justin Beiber’s… hair. (I’m hoping I’ll get to the personal reasons at some point before the ball drops, but today’s about the things that affected everyone… or at least other people than myself.) Since I’m big on self indulgence and short on time… I’ll just share a few rundowns of things that mattered to me (see, there goes that self absorption). My personal favorite is Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night Carolers singing “12 Things That Happened In 2010”

ELLE’s list was in slide show format had a more fashionable slant (of course). Daphne Guinness (pictured below, photo via Elle.com) made the list by buying Isabella Blow’s wardrobe (I’m actually kinda jealous in a way). My biggest issues with the list:

1. I SWEAR there had to be something more important in fashion this year than Dakota Fanning being named Homecoming Queen of Hollywood High for the second year in a row. (I really don’t understand why it made the list… because she wears designer clothes? What rich kid doesn’t?)

2. How can you mention Fashion Week’s relocation to Lincoln Center without at least a head-nod in the direction of of the ‘Fashion in Action’ silent protest staged by a group of Black women in response to Essence Magazine’s hiring of a white fashion director instead of selecting from a large number of qualified Black ones. (Oh… that’s right, we’re still marginal. I’m sure someone somewhere is saying ‘take that, affirmative action!’)

Find out what other lists you should check out after the jump…

 

Just for Fun: Beyonce sheds Sasha for ELLE

To Bey or not to Bey

I recently had a convo with my aunt about Beyonce. Said aunt is "saved" and seldom listens to secular music, but she'd heard some younger members of her church discussing Mrs. Jigga and her on-stage alter ego, Sasha Fierce. "Does she really have two personalities," questioned my aunt, who then wondered if she should be concerned for homegirl's mental health. I laughingly reassured her that it's stage personas are common, and that lots of people have them. I didn't tell her, but StyleScrybe has one of her own, whom I employ at events and such. She's a lot like my normal self, except she's not shy and can have anything she wants.

The thing about Beyonce is that until recently, we, the people didn't really know her. The woman we've been getting to know since the "No No No" days was Sasha. Now, the "hottest chick in the game" is letting us into the world of the woman who can't cook and is scared to have a baby. She opened up quite a bit in the January issue of ELLE, which just hit newsstands and features Mrs. Carter on the cover. If ole girl wasn't all rich and famous, she seems like she could be part of my crew. Matter of fact, Sasha and my other self (who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent ) would probably have a great time together. (Not to mention I'd be raiding both broads' closets. Girlie gets to rock the flyest gear). So what about you, sista friends? Do is there another "you" whom you call on when needed? What's she like? When does she come out? Oh, and how many of you know the whole routine to "Single Ladies" and do it when the song comes on in the club? (While you practice that little wrist move, I'm gonna plot on copying that cover look.)

*PS- Don't forget to the hot a$$ Ciara fashion spread toward the back of the mag. I actually started at the end and worked my way forward, so it took me a sec to recognize CiCi.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Oochie Gucci La La La!

It's baaack, and it may be the drool-worthiest one yet. Yes, girls, the super-dope limited-edition Gucci cruise collection- partial proceeds of which will benefit UNICEF- is here! This time creative director, Frida Giannini, took her cue from the tatted-up trend that's everywhere from designer tees to makeup pallettes, imprinting each piece with a stylized tattoo heart over a backdrop of the brand's iconic double G motif. Prices range from $185 for a small cosmetics case to $4590 for a "Hysteria" bag (love both, but neither are pictured here with my faves), and 25% of sales from the Tattoo Heart Collection will help UNICEF provide education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs to orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Oh, and this year Gucci tapped gorgeous, Grammy Award-winning glam gal, Rihanna (Pictured with Frida Giannini and Madonna) to be the global representative of the 2008 campaign. The gamine goddess is not only featured in print ads but was also on hand the other night for the line's November 19th launch and the lighting of the UNICEF Snowflake at Grand Army Plaza in New York.

WTF Moment: Howcome Everybody's Naked?

I Guess Everybody's Right Said Fred

(Too sexy for their clothes)

So, Ciara stripped for VIBE and Eva Mendez did it for Calvin Klein. Not sure who restarted this mainstream bare-all trend, and also not sure what I think of it. On one hand, a main part of my reason for picking up the glossies is the fashion (meaning I wanna see some folks wearing clothes, whether in ads or editorial spreads. No homo, but if I wanted pics of hot, nude chicks, I'd pick up Playboy, King or some other T&A mag). On the other, I have exhibitionist tendencies, so I kinda dig it, especially since there's some class involved. (It's not like they're showing va-jay-jay or anything.) ELLE Magazine's Maggie Bullock (one of my fave editors to pitch when I was a publicist) caught up with Mizz Mendez to chat about her too-hot-for-TV commercials etc, and she revealed that (like StyleScrybe) she prefers to walk around her home sans clothes. Wanna see what else she said (or just check out the hot fashion spread)? Click here. For more of Ci Ci's photos and to let folks know what you think of them, visit My Fashion Frenzy. Tell Nikki I sent cha.