BV Life & Style: Celebrity Fragrances
2008 Deaths
Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.
Ray Tamarra , Getty
Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.
AP
Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008
Reuters
Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.
Reuters
Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.
AP
Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.
Getty
George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Getty Images
Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.
Getty Images
Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.
Corbis
Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.
Corbis
In addition to their main gigs, celebrities are cashing in with their own clothing lines, production companies, record labels, and restaurants. But based on how many entertainers and athletes are jumping into the perfume game, nothing beats having your own celebrity fragrance line. Just ask superstars like Diddy, Usher, and Jennifer Lopez.
Gallery by Lauren Williams, Photo Editor: Monica Washington
BV on Style
BV on Style covers black style, urban fashion, and hot celebrity looks; everything the urban fashionista or fashionisto could want!
Filed under: Celebrity Style , Budget Fashion, Red Carpet
Plenty of celebrities came out for the Soul Train 2009 Awards in Atlanta, wearing an onslaught of camera ready frocks. Get a star look for less with the following three recommendations:Get Kandi's feather hemmed cocktail dress...
With this $79 Strapless Feather-Detailed Dress by Rampage.
Find Keri Hilson's Dolce & Gabbana look a like...
In this $20 Cire Slip Dress from Forever 21.
And channel Keshia Knight-Pulliam's grown up style...
With AK Anne Klein's $99 Longsleeve Boatneck Sweater Dress.
Which look is your favorite?
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Filed under: Fashion News
Painting models' face brown or black, or contemporary blackface, has become quite commonplace in recent fashion TV shows and editorials.Paris Vogue painted model Lara Stone a deep bronze for their October issue:
Tyra Banks then followed suit, shooting her newbie contestants as various races for an 'America's Next Top Model' Shoot :
And finally, V Magazine topped them all with Sasha Pivovarova in blackface in their November Issue: 
It seems that the fashion elites are collectively resorting to face paint for their avant garde editorials.
While Paris Vogue came under fire for their photos, Tyra Banks and V Magazine haven't been criticized. It also begs the question: If African-American mogul Tyra Banks is painting people other races for purposes of artistic expression, is the practice truly racially insensitive?
What do you think of this new fashion trend? Are people simply being too sensitive...and missing the inherent beauty in skin painting? Or are the people doing the skin painting remiss in ignoring the historical implications of blackface?
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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Interviews
Right before Halloween, Moet Hennessy invited me and a short list of twenty nine other journalists to come and taste their brand new cocktail, Black Masquerade, featuring Hennessy's new mixable cognac. The drinks were delicious, the vibe festive and the guests charming.
But nothing really compared to the event's co-host , model and actress Eva Marcille (formerly Eva Pigford), who was there with her equally stunning fiance, actor Lance Gross. I know just what you are thinking: " What did they look like in person?" Just as beautiful as they do in pictures! Even more, Eva, who was decked out in sky-high platform heels, wide-leg light blue jeans and a beautifully draped tan blouse (with a daring scoop back), turned out to be more of a fashionista than I'd imagined.
Naturally, I had to scoop her up for my weekly style questionnaire. Read our one-on-one interview after the jump.
What brands can't you live without?Christian Louboutin, Yves Saint Laurent and Giuseppe Zanotti.
What's your everyday bag?
Those change all the time. One day it could be an oversized Baboushka Gucci bag, another a Chanel clutch. But because I'm usually in L.A., I don't have to carry a big bag most of the time.
Stacked wedge or stiletto heel?
Stiletto!
Tailored blazer or leather jacket?
Leather jacket!
Why is fashion important?
It's everything!
What one item is going to be in heavy rotation in your wardrobe this season?
Oooh, these Louboutins I just bought! They have pops of purple and blue! I haven't even worn it yet!
Any advice for BV's fashionista readers?
Stay current! In fashion - and really life in general - those who succeed aren't necessarily better than those who don't - they are just better informed.
Read more from Zandile on her daily fashion blog, The Blay Report.
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Filed under: Red Carpet
You bought the wig, searched the accessories and even sprung for the expensive make up you knew you'd only use just this once. But, just when you thought you served up the best Halloween costume, Hollywood did you one better. From the Simmons sisters to Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, some celebs went all out this Halloween.Nick and Mariah kind of confuse me. Is it just me or aren't they wearing what they always do? As of late, Cannon always seems to be wearing a suit and Carey (since '96) always seems to be wearing ...nothing. 
Ditto Selita Ebanks who is giving us the same look - and cornrowed hairstyle - that we've seen in the past. 
Rihanna and her bff Coco T(did you know they knew each other?) used the season as the reason to do what they always do: wear very little clothing. I get the whole sex appeal thing, but is it just me or did the concept of them being Tigger (from Winnie the Pooh) and catwoman (?) get totally lost in translation?
On the other Angela Simmons' costume (pictured on the right) offered something different from her usual look. I can't actually figure out if she is a mouse or a French maid, and, while it was silly, it was totally sexy too. 
Teyana Taylor, one of my favorite music artists at the moment, echoes the whole silly thing, but it's just not as sweet. What exactly is she? Are they? Is this? We're thinking Sheneneh from 'Martin,' but one can never be sure...
But Terrence J, co-host of BET's 106 & Park, totally took the cake as Lil Wayne. For a second there, I actually thought that was Young Weezy I was staring at.
I wish singer Tyrese could have been more impressive. I get his costume, but I don't get why he chose it. Who was your fave?
Read more from Zandile at The Blay Report.
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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Fashion Files, Fashion News, Budget Fashion
KIM KARDASHIAN COSTUME? Tyra Banks went there! She dressed up as the reality star on a recent taping of her talk show. We think she nailed it! [PopCrunch]
BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE: So why not get a hot deal? From JCPenney to Bluefly, find the top five winter coats under $100. [Budget Fashionista]
TEYANNA TALKS: The music artist spills the beans on virginity, watching Jimmy Neutron and her friendship with Chris Brown. I'ts a juicy interview, to say the least. She also talks about her new lip gloss line, DOPELIPS, which debuts in 2010. [Egypt Says So]
CUTE KID Rapper Kid Cudi gets grown and sexy for GQ Magazine's Gentleman's Ball. We're very into the sophisticated get up on the street style icon. [The YBF]
FAB FASHIONISTAS The search for America's most stylish blogger continues! Cast your vote for which fashion blogger walks the walk as well as they talk the talk. [Stylist]
MILITANT MONICA The R&B singer confuses the fashion crowd in a coat thats a dress or a dress thats a coat...or is it a coat dress? See it for yourself.[ Go Fug Yourself]
STREET WALKING .....would be kind of impossible in these Alexander McQueen "Armadillo"shoes. [The Blay Report]
HOLIDAY DRESSES Those office parties are right around the corner, so it's never too late to start. Check out Kate Moss' amazing Holiday collection for TopShop. [Jeremy Dante]
RAE LOOKS RADIANT After a much-deserved hiatus, Corrine Bailey Rae appeared on the Q Awards red carpet looking super fab. [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]
CUTIE CONTEST The search for America's most stylish blogger continues! Cast your vote for which fashion blogger walks the walk as well as they talk the talk. [Stylist]
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