"Miami, DC prefer versace..."- Biggie Smalls

Although I caught a mean cold, I harbor no hatred for NYC. Lungs healed, I'd like to show my good will for NY by prefacing my MIA, DC recap with the last few unpublished photos from Manhattan. ;)

Doesn't she remind you of a Hype Williams video circa 1997? All that's missing is the ring of lights reflecting around her iris. I love the rough and girlie look. Construction boots with boyfriend jeans and exposed red seams all wrapped up in a bubble coat--you'd almost cast this young lady into the no-girls allowed club, but then...

...a rhinestone pink and white rose headband and pearl earrings!  It's as contradictory as  straight, blunt cut bangs in the front and waves in the back. Beautiful, unique and undeniably feminine. 

If you can make it here...

Does the city inspire their confidence to step lightly or boldly outside of safe looks? Maybe it bolsters their confidence to do so. Then again, being the one out of 8 million could paradoxically liberate each New Yorker to not give an F-C-U-K...

This look screams internationalista to me. From the uncommonly paired layers up top to the messy ponytail, her attire suggests fun, comfort and a healthy dose of unpretentious style. She doesn't take herself too seriously, which makes this outfit quirky and interesting rather than obscure and complicated.

This adorable, blousy chambray top and B&W patterned maxi reminds me of the city as compared to other earth and sky pairings.  The architectural lines of the skirt's long pattern reminds me of NYC's sky scrapers as far as the eye can see...and, um...am I on glue or is she French Vogue's ex-Editor-in-Chief, Carine Roitfield's, bronzed goth twin? #StrikeAPose!!!

Mermaid hems, like Beyonce's stunning McQueen gown from this years MET Gala, remain a staple of flamboyantly girly evening and wedding attire. This is the first day-time appropriate mermaid silhouette I've seen...ever.  The texture alone thrills me, it's so humble and non-traditional. This day-chic, maxi skirt challenges and conforms to the minimalist maxi-craze Vogue has forecast for spring. 

One of this decades trends has been the body as fashion! While the intriguing pink scarf pops against a monochrome navy background and seersucker satchel, the most provocative accents are the wrist tat and the shaven temples! LOVE IT! Plus I love seeing thick women use colors, ESP popping pinks.

Have you ever seen the "Cassie-Cut" on a round face? I wish I saw it more often. Then again, not all round faces can pull of this look. Her eyebrows--thin, bold and long...dare I say, dainty?--frame her face. The prissy details likethe floral clip holding her mohawk, the gold bamboo earrings, hot pink lip gloss--all highlight her femininity even with a half-shaven head! Well-translated styles and shapes c beautiful on every woman. #BodyAsFashion

Not only is he beautiful, but he's smiling--an accessory New Yorkers are not known to don freely or frequently. *SOMEBODY LIED*

His violently blonde locks danced all around his head each time the wind blew, but they didn't dare  block that gorgeous face. What struck me about him, however, was the subtle allure of his half-way undone button-up. Any v-neck shape on men can be as appealing as women's v-necks. The collar bone= the next frontier in menswear. 

Checkin my fresh, checkin, checkin my fresh

Style infrequently pertains to clothing alone. How you where the look often epitomizes your style, or as 
Jay-Z’s once assured, “Nobody’s built like you; you designed yourself.” 


Don’t bite another’s persona; instead, use your muse’s swag to empower your own. How does your style icon make you feel? What does (s)he exude? Hold onto that image/feeling/fresh...and enliven it with your stride, expression, (im)perfection!




DC in April



Collegiate nostalgia...referencing Kid n Play circa 1992, updated to reflect this season's affair with brights. He's fun and unique with an expirimental length for men's shorts, but if skinny jeans are in for guys, why not?





Fashion in transit...I'm in love with her fish-bone pigtails; they play down the sexiness of a sweatheart top bustier in mid-day. Chic, sweet and effortlessly sexy.

 

 His accessories accentuate a muted cockiness all Howard men exude. The tourquise-y necklace cools and excites those warm pink, red and brown tones. Plus he flawlessly overcame the suspender/belt conundrum. I'm inspired, and waiting for him to slip a thumb under one of those paisley straps #POP!

Durham, NC

Until very recently, locks represented bohemian and earthy aesthetics. In the wake of Lil Wayne's commercialized, and frequently duplicated rapper-with-locks persona, I'm ecstatic to see a classic, chic locks look. The contrast of her classically combined neutral grey and navy--in my opinion, the peanut butter and jelly of color combinations-- emphasizes her curves. The snakeskin pumps and layered necklace entice subtly, seductively. 

Smart, elemental, and clean. I call this look Dwayne Wayne Chic. I predict saddlebags will shed their negative connotations if worn in this manner. The best part, this functional accessory , like the salt and pepper beard on this gentleman, augur only to become more attractive with age and wear.





Raleigh, NC

There's no mistaking this woman's celeb muse, but one similarity is obvious,  beauty. Few women strip themselves down to the elemental; few women can pull this look off. Her head and face shape, the symmetry of her face, her confidence kick this androgynous look into trend-setter status.