Trash to Treasure: Louis Vuitton Trash Bag

A Louis Trash Bag. Literally. Clever, but I'm not sure of its practicality. It would definitely be a conversation starter.

**WARNING - this is a TREND bag.. after one season, you may have to end up actually using it as a trash bag, or framing it as a piece of art. If you don't have $2000 to splurge for something that will only be In for a season, just read the article, appreciate, and move on!

Lady Rih Rih? Rihanna's Style Similarity with Lady Gaga

After seeing Rihanna's dress for the Grammy's, it reminded me of a look I had seen before from another red carpet. The feathers up to the neck. The focus on the eyes. Then it hit me.. Lady Gaga in her Red Carpet look for the 2009 VMA's.

I have always analyzed the style similarities and differences between Rihanna and Lady Gaga, who are both highly anticipated at events such as the Grammy's, just to see how well they represent on the Red Carpet. Rihanna is known for being edgy, but for the sake of glamour, while Lady Gaga's style is truly art (and definitely in the eye of the beholder). The contrast is even shown with these two photos; Rihanna's Elie Saab gown is white, flowy, whereas Lady Gaga's look is dark and exaggerated. Thats kind of how we can explain each of their aesthetics. Against anyone else, Rihanna's looks may be super edgy, but seem pure when compared to Gaga's. Rihanna's look is just a gown, giving me no other thought except for understanding its beauty, but Lady Gaga's look seems as if it has some kind of story behind it, making me want to know more, or score an interview to figure out where she got her inspiration to wear a hat, eyepiece, AND feathered neckpiece.

Lady Gaga has surpassed Rihanna when it comes to shock factor; there was a time where the photogs couldn't wait to see Rihanna step onto the Red Carpet. This is still true, but I think she gets pushed to the side once Lady Gaga steps on the carpet holding a star, or wearing frogs, or turning into an Avatar. Either way, I admire both of their creative teams and encourage both to push the envelope when it comes to their own sense of personal style.

Sneak Peek: Rebecca Taylor Fall 2010 Collection

The Fall 2010 Collection was inspired by a mixture of 70’s Parisian attitude and an urban New York City girl. With a renewed love for classic sportswear, silhouettes have been re-worked with a twist to give subtle edge on signature feminine designs.

Sisley Spring Summer 2010 Ad Campaign

The Sisley Campaign is spot-on with their Spring/Summer Trends; Cut outs and jumpers for women, and denim shirts for men are IN for the upcoming season.

BCBGeneration Spring/Summer 2010 Campaign

Here are shots from the BCBGeneration S/S 2010 Campaign, photographed by David Roemer of Atlier Management

Where is the Love

After seeing the Maxwell and Roberta Flack performance on the Grammys, I felt a bit nostalgic and decided to post the cover from the Dead Presidents Soundtrack, performed by Jesse Campbell and Trina Barnett

Nicole Richie for Marie Claire UK

Can you believe who this is?

Of course, if you read the title of the post, you know that its Nicole Richie, but seriously, she does not look like herself! Post motherhood, Nicole has transformed into this new inspiration of style and beauty. You can check out these photos and more in the next issue of Marie Claire UK.

Lanvin Spring Summer 2010 Ad Campaign

Lanvin Campaign, shot by Steven Meisel and featuring model Jamie Bochert, displays fashion in motion. Its refreshing to see a campaign ad that you can actually feel the motion.. these moves definitely weren't "posed."

Doesn't Jamie look a bit like Cher? I wonder why no fashion house has called on Mrs. Cher to be their face?

Fendi Spring/Summer 2010 Ad Campaign

The Fendi Spring/Summer 2010 Campaign features model Anja Rubik, and was shot by Karl Lagerfield. At first glance, you may not realize just hor artistic this ad campaign is... the Fendi logo work on Rubik's arm is amazing!

Scarlett Johansson for Mango - Spring Summer 2010

The Beautiful Scarlett Johansson is still the face of Mango, which will be hitting JC Penny next season

Prada Footwear S/S 2010

Here are the footwear shots from the Spring Summer Ad Campaign. Looks like jeweled accents are big this season. Good news for you ladies that shop on a wise budget - you can find jeweled sandals almost anywhere! The brown shoes though are crazy! Those shouldn't be duplicated.

Salvatore Ferragamo S/S 2010 Campaign

Featuring Classic Supermodel Claudia Schiffer - Timeless beauty, much like Ferragamo's style

GF Ferre S/S 2010 Ad Campaign

Love this new Ad Campaign for GF Ferre! The ode to color is essential for this season. I'm also loving the idea of shorts and sweaters for guys this spring/summer. Not a new trend necessarily, but definitely on the Swank list!

Prada S/S 2010 Campaign

Giorgio Armani S/S 2010 Campaign

Suit Perfection

Tilda Swinton for Pringle of Scotland

Oscar Winning Actress Tilda Swinton has been known to be arrested by the fashion police on red carpets, but her own sense of style has landed her a role as the new face for Pringle of Scotland

Korto to Show at New York Fashion Week

Korto Momolu, designer and contestant on Project Runway, will make her debut appearance as an official designer during the Fall 2010 New York Fashion Week. We got a chance to see her collections on BET's Rip the Runway last February and she stole the show! I have always been a fan of hers and I am looking forward to her presentation.

Known for her intrinsic creations, Momolu opted for a collection of serene designs that

reflect her lifestyle, cultural and design background. “The fall 2010

collection is an eclectic blend of rich fabrics, detailed beading and

infusion of northern African influences. It holds true to everything I

am as a designer, focusing on fit, structure and detail.”

Her return comes in time for her launch of her new accessory line for Dillard's, in addition to her handbag an jewelry collection that can be found on her site, www.kortomomolu.com.

Olsen Twins Show "The Row" at New York Fashion Week

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are confirmed to present their line, The Row during New York Fashion Week for the Fall 2010 Season. It will likely be presentation style (no runway), which is becoming a normality during NYFW - and I have found these to be just as appealing. Much success to the Olsen twins! The Row is definitely on the Swank List!

Red Carpet Review: 2010 Golden Globes

The 67th Annual Golden Globes aired on Sunday, with a Rainy Red Carpet. The weather didn't stop the stunning looks from walking the Red Carpet, as this year was one of the first years that didn't have any serious Red Carpet Mishaps. Kudos to the styling teams for keeping it relativly simple for the awards show. Shout out to all the PR reps, Assistants, and Dates who were immortalized through photos that evening due to the rain.. Someone has to hold the umbrella!

The biggest trends on the Red Carpet were bare necks, simple tuxedos, and the color Black! In fact, most of my favorite looks were Black. Here are some of my top picks wearing the always "In" color: Heather Graham, Julie Bowen, and Jo Champa.

As always, Red looks great on the red carpet, and it was done perfectly by Cameran Diaz and Amy Poehler:

The true vertans of the screen showed the rest of Hollywood how beauty and talent can be timeless. And they each did it in timeless Black. Sofia Loren, Meryl Streep, Hellen Mirren, and Glenn Close

There were a few looks on the Red Carpet that weren't what we traditionally see for the Golden Globes, but I thought that the looks were awesome! I love Julia Roberts in a short Black dress with that KILLER neckpiece and her hair wild and wavy. Halle Berry turned up the heat at the Globes wearing an ultra sexy gown with some casual wrist accessories.

After all of these amazing looks, I still have a top three:

January Jones - Simple, with just enough "extra" detail. And yes, I even like the headband...

Penelope Cruz - She OWNS the mermaid look, and she got an extra point for her Haiti support ribbon.

Olivia Wilde - Very sleek! She has been owning the red carpet for a few seasons now; She is definitely a favorite here on the Ave.

______

There were a few dresses that I think were too much for the Red Carpet this season. These dresses had the potential to be hits, but it just went overboard at a certain angle.

Chloi Sevigny - Too much ruffle; had it only been on the bottom half, I would have loved the dress.

Drew Barrymore - The detail at the shoulder is nice, but the fact that it wrapped around to her waist make this dress overdone.

Photos: Zimbio

Sophia Vergara - Love the color, but it was way too much fabric bunched in the back of this dress.

The Red Carpet Season is just beginning! Stay tuned for more Reviews!

Scott Brown: Another 80's "Model" In Politics?

Avenue Swank is all about Fashion and Politics, but was is it with the 80's "beauties" (or "hunks" in this case) aiming for Political achievement? First, we had beauty pageant regular Sarah Palin, now we have an old Cosmo "Hunk of the Month" running for Senate. Maybe Palin's fate can serve as a source of what to expect from this trend. Scott Brown, who is now climbing the polls as the Republican candidate for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, is being known for his rather revealing spread in Cosmo, and for his high school "meltdown," in which he verbally attacked high school students regarding comments of him on facebook. I hope he doesn't come to my job to have a melt down about this post.. this is the least of things to worry about when it comes to Politics, my friend.

All of my Massachusetts readers, if you are for Health Care and support the Health Care Bill, you need not vote for the model... it would be wiser to vote for Martha Coakley.

Wale to Headline "DMV Helps Haiti" Benefit Concert

If you're in the DC area this weekend, show your support and attend one or both of these events. If you aren't in the area, consider purchasing a ticket as a form of support, or donate your funding to Yele.

:: From Press Release::

D.C. artists are coming together Monday, January 18th at the 9:30 Club to raise much-needed financial support for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Wale, coming off of two sold-out shows at the 9:30 Club earlier this month, will headline. He’ll be supported by other D.C. area artists including D.C. Don Juan, Tabi Bonney, Phil Ade, XO, Kingpen Slim, K-Beta, Que (formerly of Day26) – and special surprise guests will take the stage as well. The benefit concert will be hosted by Chris Cole of BET’s College Hill South Beach.

Organized by DMV Helps Haiti, all ticket sales will be donated to the foundation Wyclef Jean founded - Yéle Haiti and Partners in Health Organization.

The artists are donating their performances, the 9:30 Club has donated the use of the venue, club employees are donating their wages and the advanced ticket sales service charge will also be donated as well.

General admission and VIP tickets are available at the 9:30 Club box office and on http://www.930.com. The 9:30 Club is located at 815 V St NW, Washington, D.C. Doors for Monday’s show open at 6pm.

Sade - Soldier of Love

A few of my readers have been asking about the new Sade video, so if you havent seen it, here it is. Sade looke great! How old is she? She is timeless!

Sade - Soldier Of Love (Official Video)
by GaGa-Vision

Donation Information for Haiti: Thoughts and Prayers to Haiti

I was just watching Anderson Cooper on CNN cover the catastrophe in Haiti, and although Anderson had on a sick V-Neck Shirt, my only concern is for the safety and resilience of the Haitian country. No fashion or style can compensate for the thousands of lives lost, injured and unaccounted for after the earthquake. So, for this instance, instead of buying a haute outfit, or increasing your shoe collection, send that money to aid Haiti in their effort to rescue and rebuild.

Ways to Give:

Text "YELE" to 501501 for a $5 donation.

www.redcross.org

Wavy TV 10 - Resources to Donate to Haiti

Celebration of Gospel: Awesome Performances, Sub-Par Style

BET's Celebration of Gospel aired on Sunday, and though it showcased some talented performances, the fashion was questionable and scary at times. I sometimes wonder if it is a flaw in the Gospel Industry where their craft blinds them from what's "IN" in fashion. I know for a fact that God looks to our inner appearance. I know it, and I am so thankful. But He also gives us wisdom, understanding, and Discernment. Which means that those who Sing about Him should use these gifts in ALL accounts, to include their sense of style. We had Yolanda Adams in a peace-sign shirt and liquid leggings, Bobby Jones in Bubble Wrap, and Y'Anna Crawley with a terrible repilca of the exaggerated shoulder trend. Furthermore, the night ended with Donald Lawrence in a cream suit with vines and/or Christmas Light embellishment.

Photos: BET.com

The worst of the night had to be Bobby Jones and Y'Anna Crawley who performed together.

We start with Dr. Bobby Jones in bubble wrap - A costume that only Lady Gaga could master..

Then we have the Talented Y'Anna Crawley come out with this Wizard/Snow White/Cinderella play gown - it was a very ameteur attempt to create the exaggerated shoulder. If its too expensive to work a trend, then don't do it! Sometimes DIY goes wrong, and this was definitely the case. Her hair is great, her voice is ALWAYS on point, but I couldn't get past that dress. I had the sudden urge to take a child swimming.. talk about floaties!

I would like to give a kudos to CeCe Winans who wore a very nice black dress - very Halston-esque.

And, to Yolanda Adams for her Red Carpet look - Much wiser than her performance look

Calvin Klein S/S 2010 Campaign

The Spring/Summer 2010 Campaign for Calvin Klein features Model/Photographer David Agbodji

Arlenis Sosa for Harper's Bazaar

The February issue of Harper's Bazaar features Arlenis Sosa in a spread called "Chic at Every Price". The shoot, by photographer Alexi Lubomirski, is styled with looks that span the price spectrum.