Vote for Your Favorite "Presidential" Look - Inauguration-Style

1st order of business: HAPPY NEW YEAR FASHIONOVAS!!! my apologies for leaving you so long but i'm back...let's rock!


as anxious as we all are for our 44th President to be sworn in, many of us are just as eager to see what threads this FashioNova/Prez-elect will rock. while more designers than we care to acknowledge have reached out to outfit the First Lady-elect and daughters, Malia and Sasha, some of our favorite menswear designers are courting the President-elect Obama's style as well. from GQ's 2008 Designer of the Year Thom Browne and the legendary suit masters Brooks Brothers to newbies Dsquared and Sean John, our next Leader has a suitable (no pun intended) array of styles, for day and night, to keep him in true FashioNova form for all the inaugural festivities.

Ermengildo Zegna

Sean John

Salvatore Ferragamo

Dsquared

Brooks Brothers

act as the new Administration's Secretary of Style - click here to vote on your choice for the "Presidential" look for Inauguration 2009, some of which are shown above. not that this vote will count for anything, but it would still be fun to know how Obama's constituency would dress him if we had that power.

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Malcolm X-style Frames Return Courtesy of Ray-Ban

major eyewear firm, Ray-ban, will relaunch the "Clubmaster" style frame today. first introduced in 1986, the classic design was inspired by the "Browline" frames famously worn by Malcolm X in the Sixties. Ray-ban, acquired in 1999 by Milan-based Luxottica, anticipates the same consumer response seen in 2006 when the Wayfarer style resurfaced. according to Fabio d'Angelantonio, group marketing director at Luxottica, the company seeks to "reestablish and reposition Ray-Ban as a global iconic brand."

the style retails for $129, and will offer seven colors in addition the basic black and tortoise-color frames.

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1950s Swag according to "Cadillac Records"

for those of you true FashioNovas who appreciate official style and charisma, Cadillac Records is a must-see!! the film provides great story about music, including the rise and subsequent fall of Chess Records and its musicians, with top-notch acting from Jeffrey Wright, Adrian Brody, and Columbus Short to name a few. in addition, 'Cadillac's' Costume Designer Johnetta Boone did an exquisite job by taking the audience back into the 1950's, an era when people spoke through their appearance. if you haven't already, go and see Cadillac Records if for nothing other than to take a few notes from the swag seen throughout this flick.

as an added bonus, the Cadillacs in this movie are no joke! here's just a couple out of the many seen throughout the film...

Weekend Jewels: Fun Holiday Shopping for You and Yours

First stop: Saturday, 12/06

visit www.nymag.com/shop for more information

*stop and check out Igloo Island to do some Holiday shopping for the special young lady in your life (i.e. daughter, niece, sister, etc.)

Next stop: Saturday, 12/06 and Sunday, 12/07 (happy 16th bday Khay!)

*check out Harriet's Alter Ego, hosts of the Shop N' Mingle event shopping party

HAVE FUN!!!

Fashionably Charitable G's

'tis the season... to "Shop with a Jock." The Danny Clark Foundation, charitable organization founded by none other than big homie D.C., #55 of the Giants, hosted the event earlier this week. the DCF selected 50 "underprivileged" children whom were each given $100 WalMart gifts cards and escorted by Giants players to shop for whatever they wanted. fortunately, Danny and the rest of his team were not deterred despite the media's distraction of other athletes' extracurricular activities*. check out what Danny had to say about "Shop with a Jock" in his weekly post on Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen, the NY Daily Post sports blog dedicated to Big Blue.

also, visit DannyClarkFoundation.com to learn more about the Foundation and how you can help. additionally, in the spirit of the season, i'll be highlighting a special charity each week.

*if that's over your head, jump next time ;-)

Peace & Blessings!!

Louis V's Tribute to Sprouse

creative director of Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, designed tribute pieces in honor of late designer Stephen Sprouse. Jacobs, who uses the graffiti and Day-glo motifs synonymous to Sprouse, describes the tribute as "Vuitton's work for Stephen" in WWD. the new pieces are thought to be a continuation of the limited-edition collection of LV accessories and ready-to-wear created by Jacobs and Sprouse in 2001. the homage pieces, including the basketball sneaker boot (shown above), are due in Louis Vuitton boutiques early next month.

Vuitton is also extending the tribute to cyberspace, featuring interviews with fashion notables and highlights of Sprouse's favorite NYC spots. welovesprouse.com is expected to go live December 15th.

sidebar: last week was the last issue of DNR, as poor economic conditions have caused media giant Conde Nast to discontinue the weekly industry publication. WWD has designated Thursdays to highlight menswear, and will soon develop an online channel. I'll be sure to keep all you FashioNovas posted. source

"The Incredible Suit-Shrinking Man" is GQ's Designer of the Year

minimalist Thom Browne has been named the Designer of the Year by GQ. if you're wondering why he's know as the "Incredible Suit-Shrinking Man," it's mostly because his suits are to the left of the norm - the pants are shorter than average and the jackets are slimmer than what you're used to seeing. but then again, why settle for looking safe and average? wouldn't you rather look like you're from off-Main St.? but please understand that this is definitely a brand to which you must proceed with caution, and not without guidance. learn more about why Gentleman's Quarterly selected Mr. Browne as 2008's most influential menswear designer.

HumpDay Hottie: Sasha Fierce

she is... Sasha. Fierce. she's the alter ego that inhabits the physical body of Mrs. "Jay" Carter, b.k.a. (better known as) Beyonce Knowles. the 3rd solo album from Knowles, which dropped yesterday, is aptly entitled "I am... Sasha Fierce". the double-disc creatively gives you the artist on disc 1 and her alter on disc 2. though we have known Ms. Fierce for quite some time (think back to "Crazy in Love"), the 8 tracks from Sasha Fierce invite you into her world. cop the album and prepare for the force that is Sasha Fierce as i'm sure we can expect a tour early next year.

you can also catch Knowles in her portrayal of legend Etta James in Cadillac Records.

Leader of the Free World leads GQ's Men of the Year Issue

the GQ motto speaks volumes, and their Men of the Year make it look so easy: LOOK SHARP. LIVE SMART. pick up the December issue, and take note.

First Family Style

FashioNova would again like to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and the First Family - First Lady, Michelle and First Children, Malia and Sasha!! Peace & Blessings to them!

let us all be encouraged to make a change in our personal lives to respectfully honor this historical occasion. in doing so, i urge you to begin with Class - that which is synonymous with elegance, grace, and dignity. the Class that was used so effortlessly by our President-elect and First Lady from the instant they were introduced to the world. after much mud-slinging from his opponent(s), the media, and the public, which included lies and grammar-school style name-calling, to be able to sustain a clean presidential campaign through to Victory speaks volumes.

if we can incorporate just an ounce of Class in true Obama fashion, we would all be instantly upgraded. truly, "THIS IS OUR TIME TO RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM."

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!

THIS IS A GREAT DAY IN HISTORY.

Fashion YOUR Vote!

fashion designer Zac Posen wants to know what you're wearing today with an invitation to fashionably cast your vote for the Obama-Biden ticket. send him a picture of what you wear and he'll post it on www.FashionTheVote.com. join the movement.

HAPPY VOTING!! LET'S Barack!!

The Day is finally here...VOTE TODAY!!

be prepared to endure the lines, and if you encounter any issues that might discourage you, just remember that you are making His-story!!

Note: if some reason you can not vote (i.e. your name is not on the list), request a provisional ballot.

Peace & Blessings!!

On the Campaign Trail: ELECTION DAY, Nov. 4

visit CanIVote.org to find out today all the information you need for tomorrow, Election Day. but more importantly, be sure you vote tomorrow, by any means necessary. the lines are predicted to be long, so go prepared (i.e. lawn chair, snacks, fully charged cell phone). whatever you do, do not let tomorrow pass without pulling the lever.

HAPPY VOTING!! :-)

The NBA Makeover

Sample suit model from Joseph Abboud/WSJ

basketball coaches represent a Sports minority that requires its coaches to wear formal business attire, and JA apparel is using the dress standards to their advantage. this season, we will see the NBA coaches in made-to-measure suits provided by Joseph Abboud. this agreement follows on the heels of a deal between JA Apparel and the National Football League to outfit its coaches off the field. according the the Wall Street Journal, the apparel company hopes to have an impression on the "35- to 54-year-old guys who are sports fanatics."

On the Campaign Trail: In just one week...

...history as we know it will forever be changed, and each of us has the power to affect it. be sure to do your part by showing up to the polls next Tuesday on November 4th and pull the lever for your Presidential pick. in addition, i encourage you to go beyond your vote and encourage at least one person from now 'til Election Day to go VOTE!

to help you out, jewelry designer Renee Frances has created timeless, yet politically-aware pieces to which we all can relate. the "VOTE" ring and "POVERTY SUCKS" necklace shown here can easily serve as unisex items - as a pinky ring on some men, and swapping the pendant to a larger chain for most, or get as a gift for the FashioNista in your life. regardless of how you choose to wear it, you will be making a statement for sure!

you can purchase the above jewelry, and more, at the Renee Frances online store, Stars + Infinite Darkness, or the retail stores listed here.

D. Wade x Converse = Wade 4

sometimes the best revenge is silently, and Dwyane Wade silently "stomps" on his critics with his new signature Converse sneaker, the Wade 4, due in stores next month. the ad campaign will begin airing this week.

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HumpDay Hottie: Meagan Good

her role is generally the same: the hot [girl]friend. but this seems to be exactly the reason ms. Good keeps a job - she's the go-to supporting actress and gets the job done, in addition to simultaneously serving as eye-candy. she's the one the girls love to hate while the boys swoon over her striking features and flawless body.

in theaters Oct. 24th, you can catch Meagan in her newest role as Luba, a city planner, in Saw V, the fifth installment of the franchise thriller.

"Diddy" Acquires Enyce

Sean Combs, the man behind the Sean John clothing line, acquired Enyce from Liz Claiborne, Inc., with L.A.-based financial partner, The Yucaipa Cos. the terms of deal have not been disclosed. in DNR, Combs said of the purchase:

“Enyce is a brand that I have always admired, and they have been a very important player in the young men’s sportswear arena for over a decade...Our long-term plan is to grow the Enyce brand through innovative marketing, expansion of the men’s wear and boys’ lines, and launching into new licensing categories.”

Enyce will join brands Sean John and Zac Posen. we will keep you posted on the growth, or lack thereof, of this label.

Luda's [New] New Era

as announced in DNR earlier this month, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges has designed a fitted cap for New Era. available starting today, only 200 units will be sold exclusively at New Era flagship stores worldwide and online. the studded "A" cap retails for $125.

thanks to Candy's Rayne for the image