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Fashion /

Michael Andrews Bespoke Launches Custom-Fit Womenswear Collection

Michael Andrews Bespoke (MAB), New York’s premier custom tailor, today announces its expansion into bespoke womenswear. Founded in 2006, the company has earned an international reputation for the fit and style of its bespoke menswear – now it aims to do the same for women.

“There’s an acute shortage of well made, custom-fit womenswear in the marketplace,” says Michael Andrews, the company’s founder & CEO. “While men have long enjoyed the benefits of true bespoke tailoring, we’re excited to now offer this same exceptional service to women. The need for exquisitely crafted attire has never been greater.”

Michael and his team spent over two years developing the new women’s range, which includes investment-worthy suits, separates, shirts, formal wear, and outerwear.

Fittings are by-appointment at the company’s NoHo flagship, tucked discreetly down a private alley and complete with a fully stocked bar. Clients work one-on-one with an expert stylist who guides them through the process, helping select fit, fabric, and design details that compliment the client’s lifestyle and tastes. The stylist then works with the company’s in-house pattern maker and tailors to realize the client’s vision.

Bespoke suits start at $1,995. First-time orders typically require three appointments and take approximately 8 – 10 weeks for delivery, with subsequent orders typically delivered in 6 weeks.

About Michael Andrews Bespoke

Michael Andrews Bespoke is a by-appointment custom tailor in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood. For over a decade, Michael and his team have crafted some of the world’s finest garments for clients who demand nothing less than the best. The company’s master tailors construct each bespoke garment by hand to the client’s exact specifications, delivering garments of remarkable character and peerless quality. This commitment to excellence has inspired loyalty in the company’s diverse clientele that includes Wall Street luminaries, Fortune 500 CEOs, world-class athletes, and award-winning actors and musicians. For more information and to set up an appointment visit: www.michaelandrews.com

Celebrity /

ESSENCE’S “YES, GIRL!” PODCAST TALKS TO ROBYN CRAWFORD: TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH WHITNEY HOUSTON

In the latest episode of ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! podcast, hosts Cori Murray and Charli Penn talk to Whitney Houston’s confidante Robyn Crawford—who reveals a side of the iconic singer that only ESSENCE can share.

While at the height of a whirlwind tour promoting her book, A Song For You: My Life With Whitney Houston, Crawford shares her own truth with the Yes, Girl! team on life with Houston—weighing in on everything from their bond, the first time they met, their friendship after Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown came on the scene and more. She shares with ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! (time codes included):

  • ON WHAT WHITNEY WOULD WANT [12:09-12:35]: “…I asked myself that question, what would Whitney want? What would Whitney want? So my intent is to raise my friend’s legacy, honor our friendship because that’s what she deserves. That’s how I feel…”

  • ON BEING YOUNG, FEARLESS AND FREE WITH WHITNEY [15:06-15:36]: “…We were young, fearless, and ready, and I was a believer. It was happening. Everything she said was happening. She didn’t talk like, ‘I’m going to have a hit record and we’re going to…’ It was none of that. It was like, ‘I’m a singer. I sing. I’m going to get a recording contract, and stick with me and I’ll take you all around the world.’ And that’s exactly what happened…” 
  • ON THE FIRST TIME THEY MET [17:20-17:50]: “…It all happened at that first meeting when I walked in and we met that day. It just clicked, something happened, and it was just a friendship that developed and it kept growing and growing. And it was deep because we were open, we were bare, we were naked. And when I mean naked, with our feelings and we didn’t think about what we were saying, we just said it…”

  • ON ROBYN’S BOND WITH WHITNEY [26:52 – 27:46]: “It was the bond, and the deepness, and the connection that we had. And it was beautiful. Those moments…I know I am very free when I express it in the book. And that’s because that’s what that moment felt like. Whitney used to always say, if you want a friend, you have to be one. If you love me, love me unconditionally. And that was something else for me to strive for, understanding what the word unconditional meant. And the love that I had for her was really deep. And that love she had for me was the same…”
  • ON HER FRIENDSHIP WITH WHITNEY AFTER SHE MARRIED BOBBY [35:42 – 38:04]: “…I did not know Bobby before the wedding. We never really got a chance to know each other. And, when they became a couple, I still really didn’t get to spend any quality time with both of them. But, while I will say about Bobby is she told me she loved him. And his behavior and the way I saw him treat her… let’s just say this about Bobby, Bobby’s behaviors played out in the press. And he and I were not squaring off in Everlast shorts and boxing gloves. That never happened. I was still in the same spot that Whitney always wanted me to be. Bobby never approached me personally and said anything to me about the rumors of our relationship. Not once. But I watched him make a mess of her trail. Bobby was funny. He had a way of shifting the attention to him anywhere, any place, at any time. That was Bobby’s talent….But I wasn’t competing for anything. I had her friendship. I was her friend. And he could have been a better friend too…”

Subscribe to ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! podcast today, available for streaming and download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia and Google. For more details visit ESSENCE.com.

Accessories /

Fashion-Forward Fall with Influencer and Fashionista Stacee Michelle

Style + Life + Fashion had the opportunity to interview Wardrobe Stylist, Stacee Michelle.  Cooler mornings and dropping daytime temperatures are a sure sign that brisk Fall weather is on its way, meaning it’s time to swap out lightweight summer clothes for the cozy textures of Fall.

For fashionistas, there’s no better way to start this fresh new season than with a Fall wardrobe refresh. And for those women who love to stay on-trend, knowing what’s hot as we swing into cooler weather is a must. Here’s a sneak peek into this Fall’s Fashion Forecast:

  • Go wild! Animal prints are this season’s neutral – you’re going to see them everywhere! From leopard print to smooth snakeskin, coordinate with new prints inspired by the jungle. A bold animal print can elevate a knee-high statement boot or the perfect belt bag. 
  • Go powerful! Take a break from relaxed athleisure and power up on all things tailored. From structured blazers to polished, tapered pants, these are classics that will be staples in your closet for years to come. Reimagine the classic button-down and add plaids or pinstripes to complete the look.
  • Go modern! Infuse every inch of your wardrobe with contemporary autumnal palettes led by colorful textures – think deep plums, golden yellows, burnt oranges and emerald greens in your favorite silhouettes.

Social media influencer and fashionista, Stacee Michelle, who’s got her finger firmly on the pulse of Fall fashion. She’ll help you shop for the latest trendy seasonal looks from your local department store, and explain how a few carefully selected pieces can refresh your entire wardrobe.

Interview courtesy: Belk

Accessories /

SHOP THE LIST: LIKEtoKNOW.it Releases the Top Shopped Items of 2019

On behalf of LIKEtoKNOW.it – the first app to provide 100% shoppable inspiration letting users shop real looks from influencers and tastemakers – has announced their curated, data-backed list of the top influencer-driven products of 2019.

Just in time for the holidays, LIKEtoKNOW.it’s Most Loved Products list reviewed billions of products shopped by over 14M users to determine the top shopped products from their favorite influencers from fashion, home, beauty, lifestyle, and family categories.

Birmingham /

BLOOM: Faith, Fashion, and Business Empowerment Series Spotlight: Dr. JeFreda R. Brown

Style + Life + Fashion has launched a new empowerment series!  Titled, BLOOM focuses on faith, fashion, and business; spotlighting dynamic women that are movers and shakers in the community.

Today’s feature will spotlight Financial Literacy Educator, and Business Consultant, Dr.  JeFreda R. Brown.

BLOOM SPOTLIGHT:  Dr.  JeFreda R. Brown

  • Explain why Financial Literacy is such an important topic for women of all ages.

     Financial literacy is competence in personal financial skills and financial education to make effective decisions concerning family, goals, lifestyle, and desires. In many families, women handle the finances. It is important that women be good stewards of what God has entrusted to them. This is why it is vital that young girls receive a strong financial foundation at a young age. The first teachers of finance affect the future financial decisions that young girls will make.

  • How can women empower themselves (or bloom) in the areas of personal finance, budgeting, and credit?

        Women first need to ask themselves if they need to change their financial behavior. If you have trouble making money last for an entire month, that is a clear indication that you need to change your financial behavior. Also, it is so important for women to realize that everything we do revolves around finances. Therefore, a strong financial foundation needs to be in place. Getting financial literacy education is the first step to blooming in all areas of personal finance.

  • What is the biggest misconception about repairing your credit?

         The biggest misconception about repairing your credit is that you have to pay someone to do it for you. You can repair your own credit. I recommend doing it yourself because it helps you to gain a better understanding of how the credit system works. I also want to stress that repairing credit doesn’t help if you haven’t first changed your mindset about finances. Repairing your credit but continuing the same cycles doesn’t solve the problem. I am a featured contributor in a book called, “I Didn’t Learn That in High School: 199 Facts About Credit Scores“, which is available on Amazon. This book is full of details about credit, how it works, how to use it, how not to use it, how to repair your own credit, and much more. I recommend that women get this book to help learn more about credit.

  • What are some of the specific financial obstacles that women are facing?

            There was a sample conducted with 7,000 men and women. They were given a 5-question basic financial literacy test. Only 29% of the women were able to pass the test. That means 71% of the women were unable to answer 5 questions about finances. Also, there are a lot of single women raising children. These women have to take care of their households. Most of them only have one source of income, which still may not cover all the necessary expenses each month. These are critical financial obstacles for women. These are also more reasons why getting financial literacy education is so vital for women.

  • What financial advice would you tell your 20-year-old self?

            If I knew at 21 what I know now about compounding interest, whole life insurance, investing in real estate, etc., I would have really focused on making sure my credit was good. I would have started putting all these things in place then.  I would have start building wealth then. 22 years later at 43, I would definitely be set financially. Thinking about how much interest would have compounded over 22 years! Jesus!

  •  How does faith have an impact as it relates to your personal finances?

          I believe that trying to manage finances without faith will never work. There are over 2,000 scriptures in the Bible about finances. This tells us that God wants us to have the proper guidance in managing finances. Another reason that faith is important is that we must realize that it is not “our” money; it’s God’s. He owns it, and we are just stewards of what He entrusts us with. If someone puts something they own into your care, wouldn’t you take good care of it? Most importantly, we are required to pay tithes. It’s a command, not a choice. I’m a witness to how God has provided for me in tough times because I have been obedient to paying tithes. Tithes are paid on gross income, not net income. Tithes are paid on any money you receive from others, even if it’s $1.

  •  Tell us more about your platform and Provision Financial Education? 

          It is my mission to educate people about finances and help people develop financial health and wellness. My goal is for Xaris Financial Enterprises to be the preferred financial literacy education company in the world. I want to get financial literacy curriculum into schools for grades K-12 and colleges. It needs to be a required curriculum. I want to go into companies and organizations to provide financial education to their employees. It saddens me when I read statistics about how people are developing health problems because they are stressed about their finances. People have to work past age 70 because they haven’t properly prepared for retirement. If people would get rid of their pride and seek help, they can solve their financial problems. It first requires a mindset change. Realize there is a problem first and then make an effort to resolve the problem. Action is required for change. That action is getting financial literacy education. God, Himself said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge“. There is nothing to be ashamed of in getting help and letting someone know your situation. Many of us have had financial hardship; myself included. I’m not here to judge; I’m here to tear down the systems that have kept people in financial bondage. I have the compassion to help you because I have been through financial hardship.

  •  What’s the most important concept that we can take away from this interview?

           A problem is no longer a problem once you take care of it. Financial literacy is the key to having a better, stress-free life. Financial literacy is the key to having the lifestyle that you desire. Nothing happens until you first take action. Provision Financial Education is here and ready to help.

Follow Dr.  JeFreda R. Brown and join her Financial Literacy community on social media:  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“EMPOWERED WOMEN, empower women!”
Accessories /

November Fab Finds Checklist: Tweed Suits, Suede Boots, and Fringe Jeans

As requested, take a look at the November Fab Finds Checklist.  The purpose behind this post is to share trends that are spotted on social media but could easily be incorporated in anyone’s wardrobe.

Several of the items featured are a mixture of high low fashion; meaning luxury pieces worn with budget items.

In my opinion, the best looks are intertwined between designer brands and discount stores.

Fashion doesn’t have to be costly but it’s merely about having a unique personal style!

 

Combat Boots

 

Fringe Jeans

Sherpa Coat

 

White Booties

 

Tweed Suit

 

Suede Boots

Accessories /

Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger Lexy Silverstein Creative Halloween Costumes from Goodwill Industries

Halloween costumes can be scary expensive–but don’t have to be. Fortune reports people spend on average about $70 on their getups, which is terrifying on their own.  The trick is finding the right place to shop. The treat is Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake offering spooktacular savings on all your outfitting needs at all of our retail stores in the region.

We challenged fashion and lifestyle blogger Lexy Silverstein to put together creative and affordable costumes from our inventory. What she discovered will make you the ghost-with-the-most. Among her finds:

  • $10 Brand New Costumes: Midnight Vampire, Pirate, Clown, etc.

  • $2.50 Rosie the Riveter (DIY)

  • $3.99 pet costumes

You may only think of Goodwill as the place to drop off your old clothes and household items. But we repurpose and resell those donations at a fraction of their original costs. The money raised goes back to the people of Baltimore and the Eastern Shore in the form of job training and career services, ex-prisoner programs, and aid for underrepresented people in the community.

Not only can you be fashionably fierce by shopping at Goodwill, but you are also helping us make a difference. So find your costume’s missing link, or discover that statement piece you’ve been searching for. In short, mix and match donated items can make one-of-a-kind ensembles. If a DIY costume sounds daunting to you, have no fear. We get pounds of brand new, never worn, costumes donated each season.

In addition: decorate your home for the holidays with our inexpensive and gently used decor items. At Goodwill you have choices. You can make spine-chilling DIY crafts like a creepy candelabra, or a candy bowl wrapped in cobwebs. Or, you can purchase Halloween-party-ready decor for a small price.

Spend as much as you would on ONE Halloween costume, on decor and costumes for the entire family. Just like a zombie…It’s a no brainer!

Celebrity /

ESSENCE ANNOUNCES ITS 3RD ANNUAL “WOKE 100 LIST” SALUTING WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE CHANGE AGENTS AND INFLUENCERS IMPACTING COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD

ESSENCE, the number one media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, announces the 3rd annual Woke 100 List—its salute to women of color challenging the status quo. Featured in its November “Woke” issue, this year’s list features 100 women who exemplify the true meaning of being change agents and power players and are inspiring communities around the world. ESSENCE’s Woke 100 List showcases visionaries working in areas from social justice, politics, sports, business, activism, entertainment and more, including Simone Biles; Gayle King; Lizzo; Niecy Nash; Bethann Hardison; Beverly Bond; Aunjanue Ellis; Jada Pinkett Smith/Willow Smith/Adrienne Norris; Ava DuVernay; dream hampton; Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Jahana Hayes and Rashida Talib; and many more. For the full list of honorees, visit ESSENCE.com.

ESSENCE’s entire “Woke Issue” is dedicated to stories reflecting activism, political reform, human rights, and social justice. Articles include Free at Last, which features interviews with Cyntoia Brown and Alice Marie Johnson; both released from prison after public outcry and now on a mission to reform the criminal justice system. In addition, ESSENCE’s cover story Enchanting features Queen & Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith—who delivers a powerful performance in a timely tale about the community’s fraught interaction with law enforcement.

“ESSENCE’s November issue demonstrates our commitment to showcasing the incredible strides that Black women are making globally,” said MoAna Luu, ESSENCE Chief Content & Creative Officer. “Each year, ESSENCE’s Woke 100 list highlights the movers and shakers who are taking a stand and making a difference where they are. Whether on the national stage, the boardroom, political arena or the classroom, we applaud their continuous efforts to not only inspire others but also to affect change.”

Beauty /

Rihanna by Rihanna: First Visual Autobiography Featuring Intimate Moments of Her Life Published

Rihanna is a large-format, lavishly produced 504-page book with more than 1,000 photos featuring intimate moments from her life and creative journey.

Look inside the book here

This first book by Rihanna is an exclusive, inside look into her world. Rihanna, a stunning visual narrative from the international cultural icon, is to be published by Phaidon. From her childhood in Barbados to her worldwide tours, from quintessential fashion moments to private time with friends and family, the book showcases intimate photographs of her life as a musician, performer, designer, and entrepreneur. “I am so excited to share this collection of incredible images. I’m very grateful to the talented photographers and artists who contributed. We’ve been working on the book for over five years and I’m really happy to be able to finally share it with everybody,” said Rihanna. Phaidon’s CEO, Keith Fox, said of the project, “We are excited and proud to publish this incredible book by this extremely talented and influential woman.

Rihanna is such an important and groundbreaking artist, style icon, and entrepreneur and we are looking forward to sharing her fascinating life with a larger audience.” The large-format trade edition book (12-5/8 x 16-1/2 inches) includes more than 1,000 photographs, many being published here for the first time. Impeccably produced, this sumptuous 504-page book also contains 11 special inserts, including a removable poster, and 7 gatefolds.

The cover features a stunning color photograph and wrap-around cloth binding. Weighing in at 15 pounds, the book comes in a printed black carrying case and is available wherever books are sold. In addition to the large-format trade edition of Rihanna (October 24, 2019), Phaidon and Rihanna have collaborated with The Haas Brothers on three limited editions. “This Sh*t is Heavy,” the Fenty x Phaidon edition (October 10, 2019), includes a copy of the book that features a cover with two black and white photographs, a cloth binding, and a custom-designed tabletop bookstand inspired by Rihanna’s hands.

The Luxury Supreme edition (November 20, 2019) is signed and numbered by Rihanna and The Haas Brothers. The book for this edition is bound in a custom-made black fabric with an inset, matte black, laser-cut steel grille, completed with the “Drippy + The Brain” stand, a gold-toned, cast-resin tabletop bookstand covered with a bespoke black vermiculated fabric. The book and stand together weigh 126 pounds.

These editions are exclusively available at TheRihannaBook.com. The three artists also collaborated on an Ultra Luxury Supreme edition, entitled “Stoner,” a custom-sculpted marble pedestal to showcase the Luxury Supreme book. Each pedestal, in the edition of ten, is exclusively designed to cradle the book and is hand carved in Nazaré, Portugal from a unique piece of solid Pele de Tigre marble, with a soft eggshell finish.