5 Minute Holiday Party Face: Juli Richmond

eye*like*your*style asks VH1’s “Basketball Wives” newbie, Juli Richmond, “You just received a last minute invite to a holiday party. You only have 5 minutes to glam it up. What beauty items can you NOT live without.”

For a look that’s glamorous yet natural, Juli uses Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation and M.A.C. Gold Dust Pigment. For everyday, she loves Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 and Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder. “It gives me a natural look without looking made up.”

When going for glam, Juli must have eyelashes. “If I don’t do lashes, I love M.A.C. Haute and Naughty Lash Mascara.” She applies a warm-toned, M.A.C. bronze shimmer shadow along her upper and lower lashlines, across the lid and just above the crease. To add depth to her eyes, she uses Lancôme Eyeliner Le Crayon Khôl in Black Ebony.

Juli amplifies her cheeks with a neutral warm-toned M.A.C. Blush.

To complete the look, Juli prefers a natural-toned lip gloss. Like all of us beauty girls, she’ll go from Lancôme to M.A.C. to Sephora at any given moment. “I really like Sephora lip gloss. It’s very moisturizing and I can wear it with anything. My favorites are Sephora Collection Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Sweet Caramel and Desert Gold.”

Juli never leaves home without her M.A.C. Blot Powder to control the shine, Blistex Lip Medex in the little blue pot, and M.A.C. Lip Pencil in Chestnut. “It is a must and goes with all of my lip glosses.”

PIECES OF ADRENE: stylist and boutique owner Adrene Ashford is proof dreams do come true.

She’s one of the most in-demand stylists for Atlanta’s elite. She’s Adrene Ashford, celebrity stylist and owner Atlanta boutique of House of Adrene.

Ashford's dream came true. The Pasadena, California native realized her dream at a young age of running a boutique of her own Pieces of Adrene, then later, House of Adrene in Atlanta's historic Castleberry Hill.

Working behind the scenes, a bevy of beauties rely on Ashford for her fashion sense---helping stars like Jennifer Hudson, Melanie Fiona, Kandi Burrus of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Kelly Rowland look chic at premiers and award shows. Ashford has emerged as a go-to style diva. She produces fashion shows. She walks the red carpet at galas and parties. Most recently, she’s the Fashion Editor at Hope Today Magazine.

eye*like*your*style caught up with Adrene while on location at a photo shoot in Los Angeles.


eye*like*your*style: Tell us about Pieces of Adrene.


Adrene: Pieces of Adrene was born in 2001. The whole concept of getting into retail fashion was came out of the need for me to have money for law school. I was accepted into UCLA School of Law but I had no money to go. My mother got wind of the fact that I was using my student loan to buy clothes and shoes. She made me sell them. She said, if want to go to law school I needed to sell everything in that apartment. So, that summer before law school, I started my first trunk show. I had a tea party on Sunday, and invited four to five of my girlfriends to sell stuff I hadn’t worn. To add value to the pieces, I framed them to show in my apartment in midtown (Atlanta). Before I knew, it grew from 5 to 40 girls and I was doing them every other Sunday! I would invite different types of girls because I had different types of clothes. I called it Pieces of Adrene.

During your first year of law school they don’t let you work. I’ve worked since I was nine years old, I don’t know what it’s like not to work. So I thought, yes, I can move back with my family but I still have to be able to afford to keep myself in law school, pay my bills and eat. I deferred the first year. Second year came around, I still wasn’t ready. They allowed me to defer twice. I felt like I needed to go or I needed to do something more. I decided to rent a loft from a designer in East Atlanta. East Atlanta was one of those areas that were being revitalized. In a year I doubled my space. Fast forward to House of Adrene. I started House of Adrene because a lot of men were coming into Pieces and were like what about us, because Pieces was solely dedicated to women. Pieces of our personality. Pieces of our wardrobe. Pieces that move you. You didn’t have to have the whole outfit, you have to have that piece. I felt that name was very specific to hat cause. I was in a different place and grew as a business owner. My eye grew as a stylist. Although I got into the styling game through men, I opened a women’s store because that’s what I related to. I started to see good things happen in men’s fashion. I started to see guys coming out of white tees, coming out of jerseys. I hated that phase. Right after that phase ended, the nice button down shirts came popular. That’s when I started to believe in men’s fashion. After eight years, I closed Pieces when I was on tour with Jennifer Hudson.


eye*like*your*style: How did you become a stylist?


Adrene: A girlfriend of mine was modeling and I was on a photo shoot with her and volunteered my time with the dresser. Someone from Sean John, a friend of mine who I went to school with, called me the next day and said, ‘you really rocked that photo shoot what’s your rate?’ I started to hyperventilate and told him ‘can I call you right back?’ I’m thinking people get paid to do this? I was floored. I didn’t know what to do. I called the first person in the industry I could think was a makeup artist friend of mine. Totally low balled myself. The fashion show was for Puffy. Sean John. I worked directly with him. That was a do or die experience. Puffy is a perfectionist and rightfully so. Very, very intense. Anything that bears my name on it I’m going to be an ass about it too. He changed the line up 3 minutes before the show. A good stylist can roll with the punches. It was a good experience. I had no complaints about it. That’s where I started building relationships. He hired me the following year to do the same thing. The low ball thing worked for me. I doubled my pay the next year. So it worked.

eye*like*your*style: What fashion trend do you wish would go out of style?



Adrene: I don’t believe in trends. Trends are only what you make them. Trends are what everyone follows. I feel like I’m a person who creates trends. Not for everyone to wear the same thing but to inspire something different. Style is a melting pot. You’ve got your 60’s your 80’s your 40’s all mixed in together. You’ve got your sexy, your sassy and your conservative looks all mixed in. That’s a beautiful thing to me because as a stylist I never want to be put in a box. I don’t go by rules, I make my own rules. Because I’m a free flowing spirit I’m very uninhibited I feel fashion should be uninhibited. That being said, I’ve never been a fan a hammer pants. That’s the one pair of pants I could live without.


eye*like*your*style: What piece of clothing should every woman own?



Adrene: Spanx. I think every woman should have them in her wardrobe no matter your size. We all have our imperfections somewhere on our body. Even if it’s that time of the month, you want to have the security you are being held in. That’s my simple every day. Every woman needs at pair of hot sexy red pumps. Sexy red stilettos is a must! Even if you have no style at all, put on all black and a pair of red pumps. It will change your life!

eye*like*your*style: Who are some of your favorite designers and why?

Adrene: I love independent, up and coming designers. I have a special love for independent designers because I think they are so driven, so ambitious, and so anxious for their talent to be seen. They overkill and I love it. I’ve been on this corset kick lately---I probably have 20 of them. There’s a designer out of New Jersey, Lara Corsets. I love them. I think they are sexy and timeless. You can wear them day or night. You can layer them. Hey, maybe every woman needs at corset!

eye*like*your*style: What is your favorite style of purse (i.e. shoulder bag, clutch, hobo, etc.)?

Adrene: I’m a clutch girl all day long. The bigger our bags the more we put in them. If you’re anything like me, everything is important. You want to have access to everything. Carrying a clutch is sexy, it’s simple. Credit card, ID and phone are all you need.


eye*like*your*style: What inspires you?

Adrene: Everything inspires me. I could have a conversation with someone and an idea will pop in my head. I can see someone walking down the street that put an outfit together considered a so called ‘no no’ and find inspiration in it. I’m always making people over in my mind.

eye*like*your*style: Who is your favorite person/entertainer to style and why?



Adrene: Victoria Rowell because she’s so theatrical. Her energy goes from 0 to 60. She takes on the persona of whatever the clothes say and I love that about her.

eye*like*your*style: What would you say is the best part about having a boutique, in Atlanta specifically?

Adrene: People tend to think Southern Belle’s are Country Bumpkins. Southern Belle’s have a lot of style and swag, actually. I’m happy to be a part of a growing fashion community. A lot of trends are coming out of Atlanta. There are a lot of risk takers in Atlanta. If you haven’t noticed all the stripper gear is hot right now---the five inch platform, the leggings, all of the things exotic dancers wore back in the day is all a part of fashion now.


eye*like*your*style: With the huge success of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, is Atlanta becoming a fashion capital?

Adrene and designer Mychael Knight

Adrene: I think Atlanta can become a fashion capital. You have Mychael Knight. My store was one of the first boutiques to house some of his original pieces before Project Runway.


eye*like*your*style: What advice would you give to an aspiring stylist?


Adrene: Study the art. Pay attention. Read. Understudy with another stylist. Nowadays, there’s such much to learn and so many resources even before my time.

eye*like*your*style: What's next for Adrene?

Adrene: House of Adrene will continue to host in-house fashion shows, we will showcase independent designers, stylists and artists. On the styling front, I have a couple of films coming up, I’m working on a coffee table book, and a couple of other things coming down the pike.

House of Adrene is located at 264 Peters Street, Atlanta, GA 30313

Pavonine Presents ‘Sidewalks’ Spring 2011 Collection

Pavonine Spring 2011 presentation, Los Angeles

Fashion Week Spring 2011

Los Angeles-based Pavonine presented its Spring 2011 collection ‘Sidewalks’ poolside at Skybar inside the Mondrian hotel.

Pavonine, launched in 2009 by twin sisters Jenny and Brie Maletz and friend Jessica Solomon, is designed and produced solely in Los Angeles. The brand is named for the Pavonine Quetzal, which is the only bird that will die if caged. The name defines and symbolizes the spirit and drive behind the brand--beauty, inner strength, and the refusal to conform.



For Spring, it’s all about carefree, comfortable, young, and stylish. Reversible cotton dresses and tops which could easily transform from day to night. Sock-it-to-ya pops of color. Femininity fusing patterns and stripes. Bright rompers and wide leg jumpsuits perfect for seaside living. 

Pavonine is currently sold in boutiques in nationwide and internationally. For a complete listing of retailers or to see more looks please visit the designers website http://www.wearpavonine.com/.

Katy Perry’s Sexy New Fragrance Ad

‘Purr’ by Katy Perry

Singer Katy Perry posed crawling on the floor, in a sexy skin-tight latex catsuit (complete with tail and ears), by a giant hot pink ball of yarn for the first promotional photos as she readies to release her signature fragrance, Purr. The shoot was inspired by the purple feline-shaped fragrance bottle which features bejeweled cat eyes. The pop star’s fragrance is set to release in November in Nordstrom.

Kate Walsh reveals her new “Boyfriend!”

Kate Walsh reveals her new “Boyfriend!”

Private Practice star Kate Walsh will launch her debut fragrance and product line, BOYFRIEND exclusively on HSN on November 11th and 12th.


Inspired by the scent of a “guy on a girl,” BOYFRIEND combines notes of amber and woods, with a bright floral scent that women love. The fragrance has a bright muguet floralcy with dark plum and myrrh on top, with night blooming jasmine.

Spawned out of the idea that every girl has a boyfriend story to share, the BOYFRIEND story will be told through webimercials, featuring Kate and different Boyfriend scenarios. “Just as you tune in every week to watch your favorite television shows …there will continually be a new boyfriend story to entice the customer,” explains Walsh. Consumers will have the chance to tell their own boyfriend stories via uploaded videos.

“Women can take their BOYFRIEND wherever they go.” Kate’s five piece BOYFRIEND kit ($79.95), a luxurious black train case inspired by a classic vintage design will include deluxe miniature fragrance spray, body crème, dry body oil, votive candle, and pulse point oil. The perfume bottle includes ghostwritten names of what else---former boyfriends!


BOYFRIEND is scheduled to launch in Sephora stores nationwide in January.

Fashion Group International of Los Angeles Celebrates 75 Years!

Fashion Group International of Los Angeles celebrates its 75th Anniversary with the preview of

FACES of Los Angeles Fashion Book—100 influential people in LA fashion.

Guests will enjoy a red carpet walk hosted by Los Angeles stylist Laurie Brucker.

Special musical performance by Grammy Award-winning R&B recording artist Faith Evans.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks brought to you by O.N.E. drinks.

For more information and tickets www.fgila.org

Stay fab! Stay cool!



LA Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011: Fashion For Passion hosts CONCEPT LA Fashion Week's Kick Off Party

Celebrate all things LA Fashion Week at CONCEPT Los Angeles Fashion Week Kickoff Party hosted by Fashion for Passion.

Designers will be in attendance showcasing preview looks from their Spring/Summer 2011 collections.

Also, don't miss up and coming fashion designer JEN AWAD performing live! It all happens at the Crocker Club. Downtown LA.

Stay fab! Stay cool!

Korto Momolu arrives in Dillard’s

Little Rock’s beloved fashion designer has truly made the most of her 15 minutes, by turning her Project Runway alum status into a major retail partnership. Korto Momolu recently launched her signature jewelry and accessories collection at Dillard’s. eye*like*your*style was honored to catch up with Korto during LA Fashion Week to chop it up about her eye-catching accessories collection.

eye*like*your*style: So, what is a dope fashion designer like you doing in Little Rock, Arkansas?

Korto Momolu: Well, I always say God brought me here. It was never my plan to live here, but fate stepped in and like Tim Gunn would say I made it work!

eye*like*your*style:  Who is the Korto Momolu customer?

Momolu: The Korto Momolu woman is confident. She takes risks in fashion and she starts trends. She’s never afraid of going against the grain. She embraces her body and is comfortable in her own skin. She’s me!

eye*like*your*style: Your designs are inspiring, and made to fit just about any woman. What inspires you to create?

Momolu: I usually tend to create things I never see when I go shopping. Be it color, textures in fabrics, bold vivid prints or silhouettes to fit the curvy woman.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
eye*like*your*style: What can we expect for your Spring 2010 collection?


Momolu: Lots of color, use of African prints in a way that every woman can be flattering in it. Separates, gowns and a few casual items, I tend to focus a lot on dressy, evening pieces. I’m trying to expand slightly over to sportswear.

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
eye*like*your*style: Congratulations on the arrival of your line in Dillard’s! Drawing from your West African heritage--your color palette, rich fabric and texture selections, do you see this being accepted in mainstream?


Momolu: Yes of course. Dillard’s is launching my jewelry and handbag line first, so I truly believe everyone will find something they love. All of the items are inspired by my original line of accessories seen on my website.

eye*like*your*style: During LA Fashion Week, we experienced the fashion show collaboration, if you will, with former Project Runway alum Jerell Scott. How did that come about?

Momolu: Jerell and I have become like siblings since the show. We always support each other no matter what. There is NO competition there. And when he asked me to show with him, it was a no brainer for me. He’s always been there to support me so that’s what we do.

eye*like*your*style: Tell us about your jewelry and accessories.

Momolu: The lines are both bold and very vivid. I always try to infuse some cultural details whether it’s my culture or someone else’s. There is use of chain, horns, agate, crystals, coral, wooden beads. I try to let the design experience stay as organic as possible. The bags flow with exotic cow hides and bull horn handle details. The end result is a beautiful array of jewelry that truly comes from my heart and soul.

Korto Momolu's collection of jewelry and handbags now available at Dillard's

www.kortomomolu.com