Three Top Tips For Building A Sustainable Wardrobe 

Over the past few years, fast fashion has taken over the clothing industry. Instead of concentrating on well-made, long-lasting investment pieces, many popular retailers instead sell poorly constructed garments made from inferior synthetic materials for an extremely low cost. The design of these clothes is often trend-led, meaning that they quickly become dated after only a few seasons and are subsequently discarded. However, the toll that fast fashion is taking on the environment is quickly becoming evident, as well as the poor working conditions and wages of the people employed in making fast fashion clothing. If you would like to help in the fight against fast fashion, read on for three top tips for building a sustainable wardrobe.

Photo Credit:  @brandy Instagram 

  1. Buy second hand

Instead of buying into fast fashion, you could instead buy your clothing second hand. Do not let the fact that these clothes are pre-owned put you off – you don’t necessarily have to spend hours going through a smelly $1 sales rack at Goodwill (although you can find some gems here if you are willing to put in the work). If you know exactly what it is you are after, try searching for it on an online sales platform such as eBay. You can find some real bargains here, with a lot of clothes being either brand new or only worn a handful of times. Alternatively, you could look at specialist vintage clothing dealers, who will be able to provide you with a unique and sustainable piece of fashion history.

  1. Shop from ethical retailers

If you do decide to buy an item of clothing brand new, make sure you buy from an ethical retailer, such as yuniont.com. An ethical retailer will use fabric obtained through sustainable sources, such as recycled fabric, and have the items sewn in an ethical environment that pays workers fairly for their labor. They may also seek to reduce the air miles involved in producing the garment and avoid using materials that could potentially involve putting an animal through pain, such as angora. This information is often readily available on a sustainable retailer’s website so that customers have complete transparency about business practices and manufacturing methods.

 

  1. Create a classic capsule wardrobe

As much as fast fashion is trend-led, you could avoid this pitfall by creating a wardrobe based on classic pieces that will always look chic, rather than constantly chasing after the lastest trends. Garments such as a white t shirt, well-cut pair of jeans, and little black dress can be used to create many different looks suitable for any occasion; however, what garments you choose to include in your capsule wardrobe will depend on your own personal style – you might consider a leather jacket indispensable, whereas someone else might prefer a beige mac, for instance. Buy items that are well made and the best that you can afford on your budget. This way, you are unlikely to need to replace them after only a few wears.

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Pinterest Launches AR Try-On For Eyeshadow

It’s not as easy to shop in-store and try on make-up these days, but Pinterest is introducing the next best thing. The visual discovery app launched AR Try On for eyeshadow, so you can browse eyeshadow shades, try on, and purchase in-stock products based on what works for your skin tone.

Without skin smoothing or image altering effects, Try On shows you authentic results. It’s called augmented reality, but it’s really more actual reality. AR Try On for eyeshadow is also integrated with skin tone ranges, so Pinners can filter results by makeup that best matches their skin tone, and a feature will also show inspirational looks with similar shades so you can see how the colors appears on others.

With AR Try On for eyeshadow, powered by Lens, Pinners can tap into visual search and AR technology to try on and shop beauty products right from the camera on their phone. Simply click the camera icon in search and start browsing different shades of eyeshadow, try on in-stock shades, and purchase. With existing AR Try On for lipstick, Pinners can toggle between lip and eyeshadow looks. The virtual eyeshadow experience is now live across more than 4,000 shoppable shades from brands including Lancome, YSL, Urban Decay, and NYX Cosmetics.

The addition of these AR capabilities allows Pinners to tap into a growing desire to experiment with their makeup looks. Over the last year, Pinterest has seen searches* grow for out of the box makeup looks including pastel eyeshadow (12x), crazy eyeshadow (4x), sunset eyeshadow (4x) and butterfly eyeshadow (2x).

This is just the latest AR offering from Pinterest, which launched AR Try On for lipstick last year. With the addition of AR Try On for eyeshadow, Pinners can now toggle between lipstick and eyeshadow looks until they find the look that works best. You can also send products to friends via text, email or various social apps for them to try on the product!

To access the Try On for eyeshadow feature: 

  • Open the Pinterest app and click the camera icon in search
  • Scroll different shades and watch as they appear on your face (no skin altering or smoothing effects in place!)
  • Click a product to purchase on the retailer’s site

This is the latest update to make it easy to shop the latest trends on Pinterest.

According to a recent story on Glossy.co, “the pandemic has ‘accelerated’ adoption of virtual try-on techniques…leading to a 32% increase in use of makeup try-on…” Pinterest is joining company’s including YouCam, SnapChat and Google, all who are adding these AR try on features for ease of shopping.

Inauguration Day 2021 White House Style: A Whole Movement

The hair, those masks, bold accessories, and tone on tone looks was an entire movement!  Inauguration Day 2021 did not disappoint despite the circumstances. We stood by to witness several firsts. Madam Vice President Kamala Harris became the first African-American and South Asian woman in office, and a member of the first African-American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Everyone showed up to view this monumental event but the tables quickly turned as the Former First Lady Michelle Obama stunned everyone with her gorgeous hair, jumpsuit, and statement belt.

Photo Credit:  @thestylejournal Instagram

Meanwhile, women on social media participated in a phenomenon by wearing a strand of pearls and classic, Chuck Taylor sneakers. It was amazing to see everyone support of this nation-wide, historic moment!

First Lady Jill Biden was a class act wearing a tweed coat, coordinating gloves, and handbag from designer Christopher John Rogers.

Yesterday was a fashionable moment that left a mark on the hearts of those across America!

Join the conversation tomorrow via Instagram Live during the new video series: Lunch with Kim. Instagram @kwest1908

Zoom Backgrounds Inspired by 2021’s Hottest Interior Design Trends

With 2020 finally in the rearview window, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the new year by embracing some of the hottest new interior design trends of 2021.

While you may be itching to redecorate your home in high style (or maybe just tidy up the living room before your next meeting), the online interior design experts at Modsy will spot you one better!

They’ve rounded up their favorite designs inspired by each one of this year’s hottest new home interior trends and turned them into beautiful Zoom backgrounds that are perfect for any virtual get-together, whether it’s a work conference call or a girlfriends wine night.

The biggest emerging style trends of 2021, which are embodied in each of the Zoom backgrounds, are outlined below and can be downloaded HERE.

    • 1980s Style Revival. Sculptural furniture, bold colors, and plenty of drama. The 80s are back—but only the good parts.
    • Natural Materials. Brings effortless texture into your space and gives your home a perfectly layered look.
    • Bold Wall Colors. White walls, be gone! Bold wall colors are the perfect way to bring joy, excitement, and personality to your home.
    • Lighter-Toned Wood. Hello, Scandinavian and Rustic inspiration! We’re seeing lighter-toned and whitewashed woods take center stage.
    • Grandmillennial Style. More and more people are embracing the “granny-chic” style—filled with antiques, wallpaper, and ruffles galore.
  • Rise of Traditional Comfort. Slipcovered sofas. Traditional patterns. Functionality. It’s time to get comfortable without sacrificing on style.

And if you’re feeling inspired after seeing these designs, explore and shop them all at www.modsy.com.

GLOBAL FASHION AND BEAUTY FOUNDER RIHANNA AND RENOWNED ARTIST LORNA SIMPSON COLLABORATE FOR ESSENCE’S JANUARY+FEBRUARY 2021: THE ISSUE CELEBRATES VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT KAMALA HARRIS’ HISTORIC WIN

ESSENCE, the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, kicks off 2021 with a stunning January + February cover art exclusive. Legendary artist Lorna Simpson collaborates with global fashion and beauty founder Robyn Rihanna Fenty (who recently launched Fenty Skin globally in stores in the U.S. and the U.K.) to reinterpret the narrative of modern-day beauty in the gorgeous photographic cover collage, Of Earth & Sky, and in images comprising a 12-page portfolio feature inside the January + February issue. Over the past 15 years of her acclaimed three-decade career, Simpson has created collages that recontextualize images of Black women from vintage pages of Ebony and Jet magazines. Like all of Simpson’s celebrated works, these original pieces are more than what meets the eye.

Simpson channels Rihanna as her muse throughout the spectacular artistic rendering—reimagining the artist in a way that has neverbeenseen before. Rihanna looks ethereal in designer piecesincluding from her signature Savage X Fenty line as well as Prada, Givenchy, Hood by Air, Thelma West, Rick Owens and more.Simpson states:“…I needed to create images of Rihanna to place within the environments of source materials from my archive. For the project to have the same kind of dramatic visual intensity as my collage work to date, I had to consider the atmosphere and lighting of specific source materials before arriving to set. Knowing Rihanna’s charisma and commanding presence, my effort was then to be as present and prepared as possible to capture her exquisite performance for the camera…”

The package also features the piece, Anthems of Possibility, written by Simpson’s daughter, writer and actor Zora Simpson Casebere. She weighs in on how Rihanna helped shape her womanhood at an early age and how serving as a stand-in model on set for her mother was a full-circle moment. She muses:“…At 13, I was deeply grateful that at a formative time in my life, it was Rihanna’s voice and art that became my portals to so many questions about sexuality, sexual exploration and sexual autonomy. Now, on set, I assisted my mother as a model as she explored how she might later place Rihanna within the visual contexts she’d selected from vintage Ebony magazines, old Associated Press photographs and 19th-century lithographs of mineral specimens. When Rihanna arrived at the set—my first time seeing her in real life—I was mesmerized. She was the very definition of grace, charisma and influence. Wearing a magnificent Maximilian black headdress, she requested the song ‘Thick’ by DJ Chose, then met the camera with power and possibility—power in how she moved her body through space, and possibility in how she dismantled and moved beyond institutional boundaries…”

The gorgeous issue will also pay homage to Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris’ historic win with reflections by five influential Black women: Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry, Karen Finney, Star Jones and Minyon Moore. In addition, the issue features an interview with Barack Obama talking about his new book and journey as the nation’s first Black president. Plus, iconic actress Cicely Tyson shares an eye-opening excerpt from her new memoir.

For more on this issue, visit ESSENCE.com or pick up the January + February 2021 issue on newsstands next week. (Photographic Collages, Lorna Simpson)

Let’s Chat: Madam Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and Vogue Cover

If you haven’t seen the recent cover of the Vogue digital issue featuring Madam Vice President-elect Kamala Harris then you’re in for a special treat!

This was the first cover released and has sparked controversial reviews.  Some readers adore the feature, showcasing the Madam VP as relatable, down to earth, and truly for the people of the United States.

Others, would’ve preferred to have seen her styled in a designer gown and no sneakers, grazing the cover like a woman of power!

Vogue critics have even gone as far to say that she did not receive the same level of prestige as the previous covers and argue that it is disrespectful.

Either way, we must not take away from the fact that Madam Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has blazed a new trail that will be left in history books!

It’s stated in the article that set designer Julia Wagner selected the salmon pink and apple green brocade backdrop to pay homage to her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

What are your thoughts of the Vogue Kamala Harris cover?  Share them in the comments section or on the SLF Facebook page.

Celebrity Chef Tanya Holland Announces Season Two of “Tanya’s Table” Podcast w/ Guests Ayesha Curry, Danny Glover, Bonnie Raitt and Many More

Celebrity chef/restaurateur/cookbook author Tanya Holland of Brown Sugar Kitchen (Oakland, Calif.) announces today with producing partner MuddHouse Media the official launch of Season Two of her critically-acclaimed new podcast, “Tanya’s Table.” Season Two follows Holland’s debut as a TV host on the Oprah Winfrey Network with her new show “Tanya’s Kitchen Table” (LINK; November – December 2020). Launching on January 19, 2021, the podcast’s Season Two features Holland in riveting conversations with many of today’s leading innovators and tastemakers: Ayesha Curry, Danny Glover, Bonnie Raitt, Phil Rosenthal, Lars Ulrich, Ericka Huggins, Alicia Garza, Elizabeth Falkner, Jonny Moseley, Lizz Wright, Festus Ezeli, Maneet Chauhan, Edouardo Jordan, and Karen Akunowicz. Episodes of “Tanya’s Table” will air once a week (every Tuesday) on all major podcast platforms through April 20, 2021.

Holland is an international icon and the leading African-American woman chef in the modern culinary arena. She’s wowed audiences with her incredibly charismatic persona on a plethora of national TV shows (Tanya’s Kitchen Table, Selena + Chef, Top Chef, MasterChef, NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, The Talk, Food Network) and has been lauded by critics for her distinct California-inspired renditions of soul food classics. On the Board of Trustees at the James Beard Foundation and a U.S. State Department culinary diplomat, Holland takes listeners on a 45-minute adventure each episode of “Tanya’s Table” by offering both a behind-the-scenes look at her guests’ intriguing lives as well as bringing forth vital issues facing the world.

“Tanya’s Table” spotlights Holland and her guests discussing food, culture, and diverse foodways as podcast listeners peer through the window to experience their candid, and often hilarious, conversations. While food is the center of attention, Holland explores other lifestyle topics such as travel, social awareness, self-help and work/life balance, challenges and triumphs, discovering off-the-radar gems, music, the role of mentors, and more. Episodes further delve into each guest’s individual identity through their sense of taste (with food, design, style, etc.) and discovering foods of their heritage.

Holland is at the vanguard of contemporary California cuisine with decades of accolades to her credit. “Tanya’s Table” offers a critical platform for Holland to connect with influential figures for real-talk conversations. Teeming with idiosyncratic charm and hospitality, Holland is the voice of 2021 that podcast-devotees are destined to love.

For detailed information regarding Tanya Holland and the featured guests for Season Two of “Tanya’s Table,” please download the Tanya’s Table Celebrity Guest Bios one sheet (LINK).

The episode schedule for Season Two of “Tanya’s Table” is as follows:

Ayesha Curry (January 19), Danny Glover (January 26), Bonnie Raitt (February 2), Phil Rosenthal (February 9), Alicia Garza (February 16), Elizabeth Falkner (February 23), Lars Ulrich (March 2), Jonny Moseley (March 9), Maneet Chauhan (March 16), Ericka Huggins (March 23), Lizz Wright (March 30), Festus Ezeli (April 6), Edouardo Jordan (April 13), and Karen Akunowicz (April 20).

Talk of Alabama Style Segment: Dressing for Virtual Meetings and Events #WFH

Before the new year began, I hosted a television segment on ABC 3340 Talk of Alabama discussing how to dress for virtual meetings and events.

The work environment has changed and there are new office, fashion guidelines.

It’s tempting to wear cozy pajamas to zoom meetings but the reality is that we must maintain a professional appearance.

Let’s get ready to SHOW UP in 2021.  It’s time to put away those sweatpants and slippers!  Click on the link below to watch the segment clip: