Met Gala Red Carpet - Updated!

Enjoy the remaining red carpet pictures from last night's Costume Institute Gala.

Liya Kebede with the designer Rachel Roy

Janet Jackson in Lanvin

Naomi Campbell in Dolce and Gabbana

Rosario Dawson with the designer Giambattista Valli

Chanel Iman in Michael Kors

Liya Kebede Grows LemLem

Liya Kebede's first foray into fashion with her line Lemlem (meaning "flourish" or "bloom" in Amharic) is proving to be quite a success. While Liya initially launched Lemlem as a children's line she is expanding the brand to include women's clothing at the behest of her shoppers. The Ethiopian based manufactured line is providing employment to local artisans while turning out beautifully constructed pieces made of sustainable products. Watch Liya and her model friends at her Lemlem photo shoot:


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Sneak Peak At Fashion Night Out Tee

For any of you who were in New York City last year may remember how crowded the streets were with fashion elites and every day lovers of fashion celebrating the great deals on Fashion Night Out and while the extravagant event is not for another several months, the Fashion Night Out Tee will be available much sooner! See the official new design of the FNO tee above and get ready to race and get yours in mid-August - yes that's some time away - but at least it's sooner than FNO on September 10th!!

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Liya Kebede For Vogue - "Float On"

Liya Kebede is absolutely GORGEOUS -just gorgeous in this April 2010 Vogue spread called "Float On". Stylist Edward Enniful did a beautiful job styling this shoot. If this is any indication, Spring is looking very feminine and pretty!




















Might I also add that April is indeed shaping out to be a great month for black women in fashion!

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.

Does Michelle Obama Help Black Models?

According to Paul Harris of The Observer, a revolution has erupted in the fashion industry! Three black women has graced the cover of Vogue magazine consecutively including Michelle Obama's March 2009 cover. Paul is crediting Michelle with an increase in awareness of black women in fashion. The historical Italian Vogue cover may have been the beginning but Mrs. Obama has taken over the baton.

Michelle has been a force to reckon with in the retail industry, instantly increasing the sales of J.Crew and turning rookie designer Jason Wu into an overnight sensation. In addition Michelle has made it a point to mix budget, bridge and high-end designers in her collection.

Beyonce April Cover

Liya Kebede May Cover

Read the entire article at The Guardian.

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