Black is Beauty

This is your front row pass to the best of this year’s past Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall Winter 2011 at Bryant Park,  Milan Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. As always the RTW collections were brilliant, but these are my highlights this year, and more particularly, a spotlight on the ethnically diverse (and fierce)… [Read more…]

The game of musical storefronts continues: B.Oyama Moves

A game of real estate roulette is happening all over Harlem. First we noticed that Sade Skincare moved into Pollen Nation’s old shop and now B. Oyama has moved into Montgomery’s old shop on Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. Montgomery had been at the uptown location since 2003 when it relocated from SoHo. We aren’t… [Read more…]

Boutique shoe store closed and owner charged with assault

Rashidah Ali has closed the Harlem branch of her shoe store, Bourgeoisie Shoes, after being charged with felony assault back in January. Originally thought to have “clawed” the face of a bouncer in a SoHo club where she and friends were celebrating in the VIP section, the bouncer is now claiming that Ali used a razor… [Read more…]

The Dominican Republic Has Fashion Glitz & Glam

By Stephanie Felix and Gigi LaBelle The upper echelon of Latin and Hispanic fashion were in rare form this past Valentine’s Day, when the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism hosted a private press conference and cocktail reception at New York City’s Latin Quarter promoting the 3rd Annual República Dominica Fashion Week (RDFW). The event will… [Read more…]

Marcus Samuelsson now designing shoes

Per the Village Voice blog and Eater comes word that Mighty Marcus Samuelsson, Harlem’s Top Chef, is now designing a “signature footwear collection” for MOZO, a company that manufactures — chef’s shoes! Is there nothing Marcus can’t (and won’t) do? Who would have thought – combining food and fashion! For more visit: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad Related Articles… [Read more…]

The Obama Skirt Project

Harlem Textile Works is a nonprofit community-based design center dedicated to preserving the traditional art of textile design as well as building a tech-savvy, innovative workforce within our community. Our mission is to provide youth and adults with arts education, training, and career development in the multi-billion dollar fashion, graphic arts, surface design, and related… [Read more…]

Shop N Mingle’s Winter Social

If shopping is a social event for you then Shop N Mingle is a ‘must-do’. The pop up shop is an annual event that gives shoppers a chance to nosh, network, and shop for new and unique items only found online or in specialty boutiques. This year’s Shop N Mingle was sponsored by Metro PCS,… [Read more…]

Dandy Lion Photo Salon

On view through November 28, 2010, DANDY LION takes a glance at urban Black Dandies who like their continental African counterparts, Le Sapeur of Brazzaville, Congo, embody style, sophistication and a commitment to culture via dramatized masculinity. Dandy Lion pays homage to the fashionable urban gentleman – an African Diasporan man of style, an urban connoisseur… [Read more…]

First look: Harlem H&M Reinvents itself

H&M, the Swedish fashion retailer known for trendy clothing and affordable prices, relaunched its Harlem store this morning. The store underwent a five month interior and exterior renovation that resulted in a new stucco inspired facade and a more open layout. The set up seems to be the same – lower level all women’s wear… [Read more…]

Harlem Target Sneak Peek

The official grand opening of the first Target to open on the island of Manhattan isn’t until Sunday, but big name stars and local celebrities couldn’t wait to come see what the mega-chain had to offer on a balmy Tuesday night. Target hosted a red carpet affair unlike any Harlem has seen since its former… [Read more…]

Black Fashion Museum finds home at Smithsonian

Via: Washington Post Lois Alexander Lane, founded, curated and kept on life support for almost 30 years the Black Fashion Museum. The modest monument to African American creativity first opened its doors in 1979 in an unremarkable Harlem brownstone. In 1994, it relocated to Washington. And among its most resonant artifacts are garments created by… [Read more…]

Seen in Harlem: Madonna

Shooting the Fall 2010 Dolce & Gabbana campaign, Madonna was seen uptown on 145th Street using Harlem as her backdrop. See more: www.fashionologie.com

Seen in Harlem: Project Runway

We kept hearing about Project Runway coming to Harlem to shoot an episode, but we didn’t get a chance to check the episode out until now.  Emilio Sosa, a Dominicano who grew up in the Bronx, but now seems to live uptown, chose the historic neighborhood as his inspiration for the weekly challenge on episode 7.… [Read more…]

Harlem Holiday Trunk Show – Part Deux

N Boutique Re-Grand Opening

N Boutique 171 Lenox Avenue (118/119 Streets) 212-961-9117 This weekend N Boutique reopened in a new location after a brief reorganization over the summer. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for holiday shoppers looking to support local businesses during the season of gift giving. Shoppers who visited N over the weekend were able to… [Read more…]

Harlem Pop by Society HAE and Harriet’s Alter Ego

Harlem is the new Black

N’s new Lenox Avenue store won’t be opening until fall, but  that doesn’t mean that you can’t get new items now! Check out N’s new preview t-shirt collection for both men and women. The sexy signature tee is $20 (tax free!) and the first 50 people to order online will get free shipping! Log on… [Read more…]

Harlem Still has Uptown Flavor

Harper’s Bazaar offers a fashion layout in its September issue titled, “Fashion…And all that jazz.” Supermodel Chanel Iman and Arlenis Sosa are dolled up in designs by Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga and MaxMara and framed against popular sites in Harlem.  The photos were shot by Peter Lindbergh and inspired by the uber-stylish period of the… [Read more…]

Helena Greene of Swing in Monte Carlo

Helena Greene, the owner of Harlem based boutique Swing: A Concept Store, was recently in Monte Carlo for the 49th Annual Monte Carlo Television Festival where she was part of the celebrity gifting suite. Celebs walked away with their own eco-friendly reusable Swing tote bag and a “Don’t hate, meditate” tee designed by Greene. See… [Read more…]

Harlem Week 2009 Model Casting

Carol’s Daughter has a Spa!

I happened to wander into Carol’s Daughter the other day since I hadn’t been a while. Many of my long time readers know I was once an avid user of CD beauty products (pre-Sephora fame). As I made my way toward the back of the store I peeked behind a wall to see an assortment of women… [Read more…]

Bottomline Source Closing

If you are ever in the lower Hamilton Heights area then you might have paused to see what neighborhood flavor Bottomline Source had on display in their windows. Passing by the store the other day I noticed that the windows that typically decorated with mannequins dressed in the latest urban fashion are now plastered with… [Read more…]

Bourgeoisie Shoetique set to host private show affair

Bourgeoisie ushers in spring with a showing of beautifully designed and well-crafted shoes from the world’s finest European designers hosted by the beautiful June Ambrose (fashion icon and author of Effortless Style) who has styled for the likes of Jay Z, Ciara, Kelly Ripa, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Kim Cattrall, Mariah Carey, Macy Gray and Mary… [Read more…]

Culture: Harlem

Fashion Exchange

For more information: info@landondais.com

Profile: Harlem Designer Nicole Romano

Harlem is home to art curators, a world-renown chef, famous actors, talented musicians, and fashion designers. Nicole Romano is a Harlem-based fashion and jewelry designer whose work has been featured on “Sex and the City”. Nicole Romano will be showcasing her designs in a Pop-Up Shop at The Plaza through the month of April. For… [Read more…]

Holiday Sale at Bebenoir

Seen in Harlem: Robert Verdi

We haven’t done one of these in a while. Friday night a friend and I were bar hopping in Harlem and popped our heads into Melba’s just to be nosy. Sitting prominently at the table front and center, with signature sunglasses on head, was Robert Verdi and friends. Unless you are a true fashionista you… [Read more…]

Quiet Please, Denim Library Update

During the election frenzy, I received an email from the Denim Library.  Apparently they haven’t closed down for good, but are instead relocating and planning a number of fabulous upgrades. Among them, a section “Where you can have a cup of coffee and read a good book while shopping for the right Premium Jean.” No word yet on… [Read more…]

The Denim Library

*Ed. note: We later received an email from DL that they are relocating. The Denim Library – purveyor of high end denim wear – has been closed each time I’ve passed the store over the last month.  On my way home from Abyssinian on Sunday I happened to notice that the store fixtures were being… [Read more…]

Shoe Shopping in Harlem for a Good Cause

A private shopping event with ladies and friends of the New York Giants Football Organization took place on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Harlem’s designer shoe boutique, Bourgeoisie Shoes. Guests enjoyed 50% off of selected shoes while sipping wine and champagne. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, an organization that… [Read more…]

Harlem-bred Combs Adds Enyce to Portfolio

Despite the tight credit markets and fears over a recession, Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday revealed he has acquired the Enyce brand from Liz Claiborne Inc. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, sources said Combs’ company, Sean John, purchased the flailing urban label for $20 million. The Enyce acquisition also includes all rights… [Read more…]

Skin Tones of Harlem Launches

Skin Tones of Harlem announces it will be presenting at the Circle of Sisters Convention in New York City on October 11, Booth 361. Not only does the fashion line have an award-winning designer at its helm, it also boasts quality that does not equate to steep costs as prices in this affordable custom line… [Read more…]

Friday Freestyle Flavor: Boris Kodjoe

Boris Kodjoe in UPTOWN Magazine

American Apparel Goes Out of Afrika

Toni’s Touch Day Spa (Now closed)

Editor’s Note: Now Closed (2010) People that are new to the neighborhood assume that the only place to get their nails and waxing needs taken care of in Harlem is at the unkempt nail shops located on 125th Street. However, long time residents know that Harlem has hidden treasures tucked away, off of the beaten… [Read more…]

Harlem Week

On Sunday, July 27th, HARLEM WEEK begins its 34th Anniversary celebration by honoring the multi-cultural community with a variety of spectacular events and activities during its “A Great Day In Harlem” event. “A Great Day In Harlem” begins with the festive “Family Unity Day” cultural festival. This event, which takes place from 12:00 PM to… [Read more…]

Support Your Local Bodega

www.twelvebar.com/

One Way to Beat the Heat: Take it Off

“This weekend it’s going to get even hotter, that’s why I’m going to cut it off,” said Marlon Young, 42, a retired correction fficer, waiting his turn with five others in the Sanchez Barber Shop at 1797 Lexington Avenue in East Harlem. “I’m going bald, actually. Even the beard, I’m taking off.” Admittedly, many men… [Read more…]

Harlem Days

Last week we posted about the July issue of Vogue Italia that featured over 100 pages of black models. Interestingly enough, W Magazine has been criticized for their March issue which had a spread called Harlem Days. The interesting thing about the photo shoot was that it featured only white models, which some readers felt… [Read more…]