Sessilee Lopez Harpers Bazaar June Issue

*I am out of the country and posts have been extremely sloow. I have acquired internet access -yay- so I'm back*

To the good news: I received my Harpers Bazaar in the mail mid May and was delighted to see a full 10 page spread of nothing but Sessilee!!! I thought I must get this scanned ASAP to post, alas time didn't allow. But lucky us, Sessilee herself post her own picks on her site, SESSILEE. A long with a few other day by day happenings in her fabulous life. So be sure to check her site for updates.

Great Style, Great Price indeed! Nothing in this spread was listed over $1,000 not even $800! Yet it still included Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Yves Saint Laurent and others but had a sophisticated mix with Gap and Banana Republic. What more can a girl - on something of a budget - ask for!

Here are my other faves!

The landscape was too luscious!

Liya Takes Notice of More Black Models on the Runway

We reported last week about The Guardian’s article on the effect Michelle Obama has on the fashion industry. Liya Kebede also weighed in at the Cookie magazine's Smart Cookie Awards last week saying,

"I think there’s a lot more black models working and I think that’s because of having Michelle and Barack out there. I mean there’s been this issue, raised last year — how there wasn’t enough black models on the runways — but I think Barack and Michelle have really helped us, hopefully forever, to get over this hurdle for black models."

See the full article at nymag’s the cut.

Monique Péan: Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner

Who is Monique Péan? First and foremost, she is young, extremely intelligent and did I mention gorgeous!

Monique Péan was raised in Washington, D.C born of Jewish and Haitian heritage. Having traveled the world from Haiti, Bali, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, China and Greece, Monique solidified her love for the arts through her heritage and travel. Upon completing her Political Science, Philosophy and Economics studies at the University of Pennslyvania and 3 years in Finance on Wall Street, Monique launched her namesake eco-friendly asseccories line. She decribes her fine jewelry as “unique and hand crafted."

In 2009 Monique became an awardee of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award in Accessories becoming the first jewelry designer to be recognized. Now joining the ranks of Zac Posen, Alexander Wang and other now accomplished designers.

Lauren Bush and Monique Péan

In addition, Monique is heavily involved in charitable work with under-developed countries especially Haiti. Her Ecco Domani award celebration event was sponsored by Charity: Water - where celebrities walked down the runway carrying gallons of water - for each turn down the runway, Péan donated $20. Which goes a long way!


Monique Péan is definitely a rising star so this is not the last you will hear from her! Visit Monique Péan to view her collections and retail locations.

Liya Kebede: From Supermodel to Designer

LemLem by Liya Kebede

Supermodel Liya Kebede has made the successful leap from supermodel to fashion designer on a mission! Kebede launched a children's clothing line called LemLem (to bloom) in 2007. Every piece is handmade from cotton in her hometown Ethiopia - Kebede made it a focus to provide work for the local women through LemLem.

In March 2009 not only did Liya secure an exclusive catalog deal with J.Crew (see above) but also a partnership for J.Crew to carry LemLem in its CrewCuts store and at jcrew.com. Congrats to Liya! You can also buy LemLem at www.lemlem.com!

Jenna Lyons with Liya at the launch for LemLem at J. Crew