Famous Black Taureans

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter

By TaraSimone, Special to BlackVoices.com

My infatuation with fragrance began as a young girl playing dress up at my mother's vanity. It was the mid 1980s and I danced in the mirror with a belted over sequin top and my mother's high heels sliding on and off my tiny feet. Sitting before her collection of crystal and bejeweled bottles containing elusive liquids ranging in shades from soft amethyst to deep amber, I would pretend to be grown and beautiful...just like her.

Delicate floral fragrances embody the many facets of motherhood...feminine, passionate, joyful, engaging and intriguing.

For those last minute shoppers, you can just grab the following scents -- and for all moms -- from the one who holds it down at work to the "fly" mom to the new mom to the grand dame of them all, the grandmom.

TaraSimone is a floral and event design expert and owner of Barbara's Flowers, an innovative flower retail boutique located in Harlem, New York. Barbara's Flowers offers clients extraordinary blossoms with a plethora of design choices. For TaraSimone, the concept is simple - "We should create our environments as the stage on which flowers, food, music and art entertain and enrich our lives. www.harlemflowers.com

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Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter, Africa News

Why, yes there is! Matter of fact there were plenty at last night's Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala. Fashion's Juice Crew, fantastic movie stars, superb journalists and socialites of all kinds came out for the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," exhibit.

In a social situation as this, and especially because of the super, fantastic theme, many celebs did not disappoint and were forced to be creative, empowering and amazing, adjectives, which also describe the superhero.

Andre Leon Talley - The Superman

Venus Williams, in Carolina Herrera; Andre Leon Talley in Giorgio Armani with Chanel cape

Thandie Newton - The Catwoman

Thandie Newton in Chanel

Michelle Trachtenberg - The Wonderwoman

Michelle Trachtenberg in vintage

Zac Posen - The Johnny Storm ; Kate Mara - The Aqua Girl

Zac Posen in his own design with Kate Mara in Zac Posen

Fergie - The Venom

Fergie in Calvin Klein

Iman - The Scarlet Witch

Iman and David Bowie in Dolce & Gabbana

Kimora Lee Simmons - The It

Kimora Lee Simmons with Djimon Hounsou in Tom Ford

Christina Ricci - The Supergirl

Christina Ricci in Givenchy Haute Couture

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style and Beauty, Style Spotter

Naomi Campbell is a pioneer in the realm of diversifying the beauty industry, yet she has sullied her career with a string of violent acts since 1998. While many of her famous accusations center on attacking people in her employ, Campbell's 2008 assaults involve airline workers and a police officer. Campbell has been globally banned from flying on British Airways as a result of these new, alleged crimes. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis, AP)

Tyrese Gibson is a former fashion model who has used his sexy charm as a springboard to music and movies. The ladies find him irresistible, while no man can deny his swagger. But in 2007, Gibson came under investigation for abusing his pregnant girlfriend. Is this bad boy too bad? (Photo: J Records)

Kate Moss became a top model during the '90s for a controversial look deemed "heroin chic," which opponents believed encouraged drug use and anorexia. After hooking up with rocker Pete Doherty, Kate's reputation took a turn for the worse as Doherty's drug busts constantly brought her name into gossip headlines. Then in 2005, London's Daily Mirror ran photos of Kate Moss using drugs herself. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)

Kimora Lee Simmons is fabulous, but more than a little grating on the nerves. Despite this, Simmons has found success taking her diva attitude to the airwaves on her hit reality TV series. But in her mug shot for her 2004 arrest for possessing marijuana, eluding police, careless driving, tailgating and driving with a broken brake light, Kimora is all smiles. See--she canbe nice sometimes. (Photo: Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com)

Tyra Banks has parlayed her beauty and charm into two television series in which she expresses her complete self-absorption. On her daytime television show, Banks is famous for turning every conversation into a discussion of herself. On 'America's NextTop Model,' Banks appears to relish tearing into the young egos of the young women in her care. But it does make for good television. (Photo: KMazur, WireImage.com)

Many believe that Gia Carangi was actually the world's first supermodel, a star of the '70s whose unique posing style is still emulated today. Back then, cocaine use, pill-popping and intense clubbing were the norm at famous locales like Studio 54. Gia's behavior went from bad to tragic as she became addicted to heroin. She died from AIDS at 26. (Photo: Andrea Blanch, Getty Images)

Janice Dickinson, the self-proclaimed world's "first supermodel," has taken bad model behavior to new heights during her recently revitalized career. A fashion star who traveled the world partying and posing in the '70s and '80s, Janice has returned to the pop culture scene as a panty-flashing reality TV star. Dickinson's surgicalized face and outrageous outbursts make people stop, stare and cringe. (Photo: Michael Buckner, Getty Images)

Jenny Shimizu reached the pinnacle of modeling during the '90s as a famous face for Calvin Klein. In 2007, Shimizu has sought to cash in on her experiences by writing a tell-all book describing lesbian affairs with Madonna and Angelina Jolie. Of Madonna, Jenny said: "I was her secret 'booty call' available any time of the day or night for secret sexsessions." Shimizu also stole actress Ione Skye from her Beastie Boy husband, Adam Horowitz. Ain't nothing right with snitching and stealing. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)

This Brazilian beauty is currently number one on Forbes' list of highest paid supermodels for earning $35 million in 2007. But, her tremendous wealth did not stop Giselle from stealing that year. Instead of stealing dollars, Giselle stole someone else's man, famously luring famous quarterback Tom Brady away from actress Bridget Moynahan who was pregnant with his child at the time. (Photo: J. Countess, WireImage.com)

Grace Jones seems to willingly cultivate an image of eccentricity and excess. On her official Web site, Grace states: "I believe in having certain releases,certain outlets. One has to indulge. If you don't indulge you don't live -- might as well be dead." Okay, Grace... (Photo: Evan Agostini, Getty Images)

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Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter

Pierre Hardy is best known, at present moment for teaming up with Gap to design super stylish, extremely simple 2008 spring/summer shoes for the mass market clothing chain. But most folks do not know Pierre Hardy as the Parisian designer of whimsical accessories that are adored by his high end clientele, the shoes especially.

Hardy began his career with Christian Dior's shoe collection in 1988. He was soon recognized for his achievements and began collaborating with Vogue Homme International Magazine, where he was in charge of the show page, editing and illustration. In the summer of 1999, Pierre Hardy launched his successful, self-titled collection. The men's collection debuted in 2001. Pierre Hardy is now the creative director for Hermes Jewelry and also designs the shoe collection for Balenciaga as well as The Pierre Hardy Shoe Collection.

Hardy brilliantly mixes comfort and artistic design in creating what is best described as the perfect high heel for any tomboy. And even though we first saw this look with the Manolo Blahnik Timberland shoe, it was Pierre who took it to another level. Fashionable tomboys applauded, while fashion's girlie-girls shrieked in delight of the hot new trend.

Last year the "tomboy shoe" was revisited, when Hardy created a vibrant shoe that was more sneaker than shoe.

And now in 2008, Hardy has done it once again with his take on what I'd like to call, "the shoe-ker!"

Men, please stop pouting! A similar shoe was designed for you as well - minus the heel of course!

*sick*

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter

From capes to leggings, and masks to cuffs, the style of the superhero has influenced fashion with its exaggerated wham!, bam!, kazaam! costumes.

On May 7th through September 1st, 2008, fashion's heroines will unite at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in Gotham City (New York City) for an exhibition, which will display the abstract similarities between fashion and the superhero. With the assistance of movie costumes, haute couture and high performance sportswear the exhibit will express fashion's power to empower and transform.

Indeed, there is a Catwoman impression when I slip into black, leather Rag & Bone leggings. And in a flash I can withhold my true identity in super enlarged Chanel sunglasses. This look is all about finding the power within, while strutting flying down your own metropolitan streets.

Here are a few superhero staples:

Tiffany & Company gold cuff bracelet. Wear one on each arm and instantly transform into Wonderwoman!

Rag & Bone leather leggings, add black leather gloves for a dramatic superhero look.

Andre Leon Talley stands chic in his dramatic cape.

Oversized Gucci sunglassess will do a fabulous job "masking" your true identity.

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.