Emmy Elegance

I must admit I did not check out the 2007 Primetime Emmy's in its entirety last night, but I did check out the fashions.

The standouts were Ugly Betty's America Ferrara. She can definitely wear color. Last year she donned a forest green evening gown and this year, she wore a cobalt blue Monique Lhuillier strapless gown. She looked lovely.

I also adored Eva Longoria's sparkly silver Kaufman Franco dress. I love all bling and she was definitely shining on the red carpet.

I also loved Debra Messing's black and white fitted Ralph Lauren gown that contrasted with her fiery red hair. It was lovely.

Red was also a choice color for some ladies on the red carpet. I love Kate Walsh's dress. A simple crimson, cowl-neck dress set off by gorgeous Neil Lane jewelry. Classic!

MTV VMA's

This year's MTV Video Music Awards was a melting pot of different fashions that ranged from the typical tight, faded skinny jeans of male punk rockers to the ultra sexy evening wear worn by little fashionistas.

Some of the best dressed stars included R&B siren Rihanna who donned a fabulous fuschia Armani Prive gown.

Paris Hilton roared in a sultry leopard Dolce and Gabbana corset dress and Beyonce and sister Solange sizzled in metallic Reem Acra. Beyonce wore a gold Grecian draped dress, while Solange opted for a silver metallic embroidered mini.

Young Hollywood star Hayden Panettiere electrified in a blue satin Roberto Cavalli dress, while actress Jennifer Garner was classic in a white beaded Temperly minidress.

Alicia Keys showed off her hourglass figure in a curve-hugging, strapless, black leather Herve Leger dress.

Mary J. Blige showed that brown can be flattering on some when she wore a brown Roberto Cavalli column dress.

The fashion disaster of the evening,(there is always one), was rap star Lil'Mama, whose ruffled Little Bo' Peep look was excruiating to look at.

All in all, it was a great evening of good music, a few mishaps (Britney Spears) and lovely fashions. What a night.

New York Fashion Week

This year's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York showed a lot of promise for Spring 2008 lines.

I did not attend, but I kept abreast of some of the treasures that were walked down tons of runways. Some of the designers that I liked I will do a quick mention of. I hope one day to sit in one of the white chairs parked in front of the neverending runways where I can take in the excitement firsthand.

But until then, here goes:

One of the first designer collections I took notice of was Betsey Johnson's spring line. She showcased party dresses that were multiplied by 10. I loved the lovely, soft pastels and black and white solids and prints with the frilly layers of chiffon and tulle complimented with sweetheart necklines and a satin sash with flower details. The look was as eccentric as Betsey Johnson is! I love it!

Diane Von Furstenberg, queen of the wrap dresses, showed her Spring line that is something spectacular. Her designs looked like something you would wear while on holiday in Bali or Southern Italy. Her exotic prints and lightweight silk, airy fabrics were something to behold.

The color of fall is definitely grey, but designer Reem Acra's spring designs showcased a grey cocktail dress that carried the neutral beyond the cool seasons. I love the detailing with the ruching in the bodice and intricately beaded cap sleeves. Very classic, very feminine and soft.

One designer that never seems to disappoint is Tracy Reese. Her spring line ranged from a modern take on a black pinstripe suit with large opague white buttons and diagonal prints to a fuschia sequined vest with white collared trim and black pinstriped bottoms. While I loved the yellow safari printed dress with a matching printed parasole, one frock that I truly marveled at was Reese's black and white striped dress with sheer paneling, sleeves and trim. Very classic!

Fashion Rocked

This year's Fashion Rocks highlighted the ongoing theme of how fashion and music compliment each other. Music is highly energetic and fashion paired with rock music is priceless.
Some of the show's highlights included rocker Steven Tyler's animal print head to toe ensemble.
Fergie, who dueted with Aerosmith was sassy in black sequined pom pom shorts. She also dazzled in a silver metallic sheath dress, with black beading that made the ensemble look like a flapper dress.

Punkster Avril Lavigne had a school girl meets goth look. She donned classic white short sleeved shirt and a black vest that was trimmed in beads. She topped her rockstar look with black tuxedo shorts. One touch that I liked with her hot pink highlight in her platinum blond hair.

Supermodel Tyra Banks kept it classic with a short black dress that had black fur cap sleeves. I love how she paired some stilleto ankle boots with her runway look.

Mary J. Blige also followed Bank's lead by rocking black patent leather ankle boots with her sequined mini dress that she finished with some black leggings.

Overall, Fashion Rocks succeeded with an improptu runway show during Maroon 5's rendition of "Be My Little Baby."

History of Fashion

The September issue of Ebony magazine is highlighting 50 years of fashion, with features on the Ebony Fashion Fair and the history of Blacks in fashion that spans over five decades. It was an excellent read and I learned a lot.

One of the reasons I picked up the magazine is because of the front cover. Supermodels Tyra Banks, Iman, Kimora Lee Simmons and Alek Wek graced the cover, which is pretty much a rarity these days. Rock stars and actors have pretty much replaced the supermodel so it is treat to see that the veterans are still in the game.

Kimora Lee Simmons spoke about how supermodels of yesterday have to keep up by becoming more of a brand. She is the mind behind Baby Phat, KLS Collection, her own perfume line and a wealth of other ventures. Tyra Banks has become a media giant, with her successful "America's Next Top Model," now in its eighth year, and is becoming more of a TV icon with her own talk show. Iman's beauty line has put her at the top of her game as she set the bar for supermodels becoming businesswomen and Alek Wek has become more of a political icon with her new book that details her harrowing journey of escaping the genocide in her native Sudan and being discovered.

One of the examples that the supermodel has been bumped off of fashion publications is Beyonce's Sports Illustrated cover. Not only did Tyra make history of being the first Black supermodel to grace the sports magazine years back, but Beyonce made history as being a major entertainer to grace the cover, showing that the tide has changed.

I have much more respect for Ebony's Fashion Fair Eunice Johnson who commanded the world's designers pay attention to her and Blacks in fashion. In fact, I am planning to attend the Fashion Fair this year, to see the same fashions that hit the runways of Milan, New York and Paris.

It will be interesting to see what the face of fashion will look like in 50 more years.

Long live fashion.