White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers to Resign

Every media outlet in America today was reporting that White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers will be resigning her position next month.This news comes on the heels of the Salahi debacle- media whores Micheale and Tareq Salahi crashed the White House State Dinner in November 2009. It is disturbing to me that Rogers is the fall person for this, afterall, the Secret Service is responsible for breaches in security and protecting the President, not Rogers. Rogers was quoted saying "As we turn the corner on this first year , this is a good time for me to explore opportunities in the corporate world...[it was] an honor and a privilege to serve this President and first lady, in what has certainly been a historic presidency." She is so polite.

Don't let Rogers pretty face and fashion forward style fool you-she came to the White House with an MBA from Harvard and plenty of corporate experience with All State Financial. She has come under a lot of scrutiny since November and has never been in the world of politics nor media where it is a dog eat dog world. I'm sure this adjustment, along with the pressures of the Beltway did not make her position any less overwhelming.

Rogers was a symbol at least for me that I too could one day work in the White House; without boring one shaded red suits, a dull haircut, and having been all but bred for the job. This is in every way the White House's loss-they have lost a refreshing face in the crowd.   

I don't think you're ready

Our favorite Grammy winners will embark on an arena tour in Cleveland on May 21st. They will stop in 20 cities including the heavy hitters: New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta. These two neo-soul artists should make a great pair on the road-I've seen both of them live and they are both genius with their art. If you like live entertainment and unforgettable performances you need to go see these artists together. I look forward to seeing more neo-soul artists collaborating and fusing their star power for successful tours. Tickets will go on sale soon at Live Nation. (I will be sure to keep you posted.)

Kanye's New Blog

Everything is recycled; as is this pose that Amber finds herself in (see originals of Grace Jones below) thanks to our man Kanye West. Personally, I find Grace Jone's photograph to be far more artistic, Grace has an amazing skin color that contrasts well with the back round color and has an elegant body. Amber is well built no doubt, but more like a stripper (can't hate on her for exploiting her relationship with Ye to the hills though) This is the fourth or fifth time Amber has channeled her inner Grace or in plain terms just flat out copied her. Check out his new blog www.kanyewest.com - it is off to an interesting start. 

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Our NYC 2010 Fashion Week Favorites

Ralph Lauren 

Alexander Wang

BCBG

Tommy Hilfiger

Diesel

Carolina Herrera

Donna Karan 

Elie Tahari 

Y3

Rag and Bone

Michael Kors

Narisco Rodriguez

Janet Jackson's New Jawn ft. Pitbull "Heartbeat Love"

Love or Hate it? Let us know! Comment below! Is Ms. Janet if ya nasty back!?!

Properly paying homage-Sewn from the Soul

 

Sewn From The Soul from Alejandro on Vimeo.

I'm going to be honest here (big surprise), as of late I have felt that somehow Black History Month has been cheapened with crass attempts at honoring those who pioneered a path, or facilitated a change. With social networking sites like myspace and facebook everything feels mass produced with no sincerity. With television networks like BET exploiting our own people and glorifying stereotypes that those before us and with us (Obama) have fought hard to disprove; I feel as if we are moving backwards. BET is as bad as a slave master selling its own people on the block: that is how opportunistic they have become, it is disenchanting.


Then come the young gentlemen of Street Etiquette who encompass all that is right with our generation: eclectic, unabashedly elite but not cocky, inspiring, humble and refreshingly new & now. I was excited to see that these folks pay homage to a particular group of men who aren't ordinarily mentioned during black history month including; Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole and they did it with an ambiance of propriety and dignity. I cannot say that I personally know these gentlemen, the brains behind Street Etiquette are Travis & J. Kissi, but I will say that I am proud of them-it's nice to know not all is lost.




To see the full editorial please click here, you will not disappointed.

Have you ever been in shoe lust? It comes in the form of Camilla Skovgaard.

www.camillaskovgaard.com

FELA!

I recently saw FELA! on Broadway in NYC and in no way am I new to theatrical performances or the arts: Nonetheless, I was completed flabbergasted at the performance of FELA!-not only is the storyline emotional, reaching both ends of the spectrum but FELA! is/was the most unadulterated illustration of pure energy I have ever seen. FELA! introduced me to the concept of a Broadway show being interactive-involving the audience at certain points in the story. The cast was fantastic, the costumes were exotic, the dancing had me gyrating my own hips in my seat, not to mention a fantastically gifted band. For three hours I was consumed by the design of the set and plight of the protagonist. There wasn't much time during the performance where my head wasn't banging and my foot wasn't tapping. The ambiance enchanted me and with punch packing producers such as Mr. & Mrs. Will Smith, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson there were celebrities abound in the audience enjoying it as much as I. I suggest to anyone able to afford to attend FELA! to purchase tickets immediately and go see this masterpiece.

To purchase tickets and learn more about the performance click here.
To learn more about Fela Kuti: the founder of the Afro-beat click here.

Nike-Human Chain

Human Chain from NikeSportswear on Vimeo.

Hammertime Mob Dance-This is Great!

Happy 20th Anniversary to Hammertime which was released in 1990 on this day. This is the best way any mob could commemorate this day in history.

Alexander McQueen

Today we learned that the great Alexander McQueen was found dead this morning in his home in London from an apparent suicide, he is reported to have hung himself. We lost one of the great fashion icons of our time today and like so many other geniuses -so young, McQueen was just 40 years old. One can only admire the great work that he accomplished while with us and daydream about what could have been.

What many do not realize is that McQueen's mother died last week, February 2nd to be exact and NYC fashion week is also this week. McQueen was set to debut his secondary line this in NYC- McQ, see flyer below. The tremendous stress of debuting a line on a world stage and the overwhelming grief of losing his mother most likely proved to be too much for McQueen - this is my own opinion. But I will say that unless you have lost a parent at a relatively young age you have no idea of the dark places your grief can take you. My he rest in peace.

Diddy going Innnnnnnn

Diddy is straight hilarious. No doubt this is by far the most ignorant video I've posted on YFE but who else can spit rhymes like, "I don't f*&k with fake h&%s, all I touch is J.Lo's"? I don't know about you, but I think it's pure comedy. And I love Diddy for being the corny rapper that he is and just not caring too much about it. Enjoy!

Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh)

Ms. Erykah Badu leaked a song off of her much anticipated album this weekend on Twitter: the album is going to be called New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh), with an anticipated release date of March 30, 2010. Ms. Badu is doing this whole play on the number "3", I'm not sure what that's all about but we'll see. Anyways....I dig her grooves.

Dr. Maya Angelou at Northeastern University

Dr. Maya Angelou 

Frida, March 26, 2010 8pm 

Northeastern University 

Blackman Theatre, Ell Hall

360 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115

Directions

Tickets:

$25 General

$20 WGBH Members

$15 NU Faculty/Staff/Alumni

$15 Seniors/Students

$10 NU student with ID

Purchase by phone at: 617-373-4700

Group sales call Jay Vultaggio at: 617-373-5329

Purchase tickets online click here

Happy Birthday J. Dilla

Someone you know has Lupus, trust me. Please donate to finding a cure by clicking here and learn more about by visiting www.lupus.org.

Fashionably Late Thursdays at Liberty Hotel

Unbeknownst to me the Liberty Hotel holds a fashion event called "Fashionably LATE" every Thursday. Yesterday I was invited to attend the KREYOL 2010 event: a collaboration with the hotel whose proceeds would benefit Haiti. It featured designers whom were two local women: Joelle designed the clothing and V-Anne designed the jewelry. The turn out was impressive with a lot of the local wannabe Tyson Beckfords and Chanel Imans trying their hardest to look like they were from NYC, but when you looked past those people it was a fantastic crowd of industry heads on the come up. Definitely had some stimulative conversations and primarily enjoyed the Haitian/House music mix that the DJ was dousing me with. The fashion show itself was professionally exhibited and executed and I was surprisingly impressed with what I saw fashion, jewelry, and even model wise. As you can see below the clothing has great texture and color. For all of you who know me you know I LOVE jewelry and there were some dynamic pieces displayed last night that were worthy of some envy. Keep your ears and eyes on the pulse of these women; I'm sure after last night you'll be hearing more about them in the near future. 

Holiday Inn

I like to travel, it's no secret. At times I wish I had a travel consultant who could have warned me about where to dine, lodge, party, shop etc. Most of the time it is the trial and error that makes the trip adventurous and fun but when you have an unfortunate experience and you're spending lots of money...not so much. There have been many times where I say to myself, "Next time I visit I'll do this and that differently and definitely stay there instead of here." Below are a few choices,  they are on the exotic, luxurious side of things but you will be on vacation so why not do it big? I have only stayed at some of these resorts, therefore, be sure you do your own leg work before booking.

Las Casitas-The Waldorf Astoria Collection Fajardo, PR

At this hotel if you do not get an ocean view room; it's honestly not worth staying there.  This was the view from top floor one bedroom suite. 

Talking a walk around the sweeping grounds is a treat within itself. 

The hotel was built into the cliff. 

Cons: No nightlife, do not eat at the resort (the food was horrible and uber expensive), far from San Juan (about an hour), no beach (but they have a ferry that takes you to a private island & beach that was too much of a hassle though).

Pros: The views, the views, the views, friendly staff, privacy, seclusion, golf, and 3am trips to the breathtaking infinity pool.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel-Barcelona

This is the Mandarin's only hotel in Southern Europe and it is brand new, they opened their doors in November of 2009. 

With a breathtaking roof deck views for those with enough money to stay in those suites.

Here is an illustration of a "standard" guestroom.

The indoor pool that screams sexy!

The hotel has superior architecture and design-it was designed by Spanish born Milano based architect Patricia Urquiola. The hotel has been a bank building in the past and has now been refurbished on this 98 room dream destination. It is conveniently located on Passeig de Gracia.

W- Hong Kong

The pool is located on the roof-I love when hotels do this while you're swimming you feel like you're getting two for one-giving you awesome views of the island.

This W purposefully brings New York City to Hong Kong as is obvious by the decor of the lounge.

This W is located on a commercial waterfront in the West Kowloon section of the island. Which besides its port is known for its bustling financial district.

Honestly, could you think of a more chic location to be?

I had so much fun putting this post together I will be sure to create a second installation sooner than later. Stay tuned for villas in Belize, get aways in the Dominican Republic and my favorite boutique hotel chain!

Peace & Progress