Monthly Archives: November 2011

FASHION: FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ACCUSED OF WEARING A DESIGNER KNOCKOFF, BUT DID SHE?

First Lady Michelle Obama is well known, among other things, for her fashionably forward sense of style. She has a knack for being able to mix high end design, with low end practicality. But at the White House’s official Halloween festivities, Mrs. O’s ability to be stylish on a budget might have gotten her mixed up in a little case of ‘did she, or didn’t she’ wear a designer knockoff.

The First Lady donned an orange and black striped dress, perfect for the holiday, paired with black tights, black knee high boots, and a black coat.

On first glance, the dress appears to be from the Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2011 collection. It has the same black, gold, and orange color scheme, and the same diagonal stripes.

Look a little closer though, and you’ll notice a few details on Mrs. O’s dress are off. The orange on her dress is brighter, the width of the gold stripes on the DvF dress vary in size, whereas the gold stripes on her dress are all the same. And Mrs. Obama’s dress has a high circle neckline, but the DvF dress has a boat neckline.

It appears the First Lady is in fact wearing a ‘designer inspired’ dress from online retailer ASOS. You can see the dress in question pictured to the right, and it’s an exact copy of Mrs. Obama’s dress. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Mrs. O was wearing the ASOS dress, as she’s worn the brand on several different occasions. With their reasonable prices, it’s easy to see why she’s a fan.

Her ‘Midi Body-Conscious Dress in Metallic Stripe’ is available from ASOS for $72, versus the DvF dress’ pricetag of $498 at Neiman Marcus.

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ARTIST TO WATCH: DALEY


♫ Daley – Spent

Allow me to introduce to you Daley, an up and coming singer/songwriter from Manchester, England, who spent his teenage years honing his craft and recording tracks in his bedroom while listening to artists such as Imogen Heap, Jill Scott, Maxwell and Prince for inspiration.

After moving to London last year at the age of 21, Daley began building a name for himself performing in clubs and caught the attention of Damon Albarn, frontman for The Gorillaz, who watched Daley’s performance of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings” (see video below).


♫ Daley – Alone Together (ft. Marsha Ambrosius)

Earlier this year, Daley released a mixtape aptly titled Those Who Wait (available for free), which includes “Alone Together”, a collaboration with fellow UK export Marsha Ambrosius. He is currently working on a debut album, so you can be on the lookout for this rising star.
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FASHION NEWS: LEONA LEWIS IS LOOKING FOR YOU TO BE HER NEXT DESIGNER

She got her big break on a reality competition (X Factor UK), and now songstress Leona Lewis is paying it forward by offering some lucky would be designer out there a chance to create a look for Leona to wear onstage. Leona is partnering with Talenthouse for a design contest that will give a fan the opportunity to design an outfit for an upcoming ‘major’ performance.

After the performance, the winning design will then be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary.

If you think you have what it takes to dress Leona Lewis, submit your own original design by November 17, 2011 (10am PST, USA). Winners will be chosen by a team of to be announced fashion heavyweights. Continue

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NEW MUSIC: SHANELL FT. LIL’ WAYNE & DRAKE – “SO GOOD”


♫ Shanell feat. Lil’ Wayne & Drake – So Good

Young Money signee Shanell teams up with her labelmates Lil’ Wayne and Drake for her brand new single, “So Good,” produced by the duo, Cool & Dre.

Shanell, who has been diligently working on her debut album, describes this album is straight up hip hop/R&B. Shanell plans on releasing a second mixtape, Nobody’s Bitch, a follow-up to her previous one, Shut Up ‘N Listen, before the year’s end. Expect her presently untitled debut out at the top of next year.

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