I (HEART) Retail Therapy: Lauryn Hill

Style Icon of the Week: Marni Senofonte

Lately, I have been totally style crushing on Marni Senofonte. (Hence: Style Icon of the Week) I have read her name before in photoshoot credits and was aware of her styling for clients, but my total obsession with Marni started when I followed her on Instagram (@marnixmarni). Her Instagram page has provided me multiple fashiongasms over 2013. Multiple! I really didn't think I had it in me. (smile) What really sent me over the edge however, was her white gown for Ms. Tina Knowles 60th birthday bash. Wow. Of course Ms. Tina, Queen Bey, Solange, and Kelly did their own thing, but I could not take my eyes off of Marni. In every shot. On everyone's Instagram page, who were invited to the bash. If I was there, I wouldn't have taken any pictures with Marni! Yes, it was that real.

The dress...and fabulous mask.

See what I mean? I wouldn't have posed for any picture with her, she looks that fabulous!

Marni Senofonte is a celebrity stylist guru, who has worked with every celebrity who is worth mentioning for the past 15 years. Everyone from Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, Cassie, Diddy, Lauryn Hill, the Kardashians, Monica…you name them, she’s styled them. And oh, how she has styled them!

Work Kelly!

Marni credits her start to Misa Hylton-Brim, also a celebrity stylist guru in her own right, while working at Norma Komali. From an interview with Vibe Vixen, “Truth be told, Misa Hylton-Brim. I was working at Norma Komali, the clothing store, and Misa used to always come in and shop for SWV and Total and all these people. We just formed a relationship, and it was funny because she got pregnant with her second baby, right after she had Justin, and needed help. I was helping her out with a Total video, so truly Misa took me from Norma Komali.”

I have these pants!

“I helped Misa out while she was pregnant right up until she gave birth to her baby, but I was still working at Norma Komali. Then, Lauryn Hill saw something that I did and tracked me down and and it was Salt-N-Pepa and Lauryn Hill. Like, I literally left Norma Komali and Salt-N-Pepa it went on their last tour. It was kinda crazy. It was funny because they were doing a cover shoot for Us magazine, and they wouldn’t get dressed. Marvet [Britto] knew Norma Komali, and I was in Norma’s PR department, so I brought over each one of them an outfit, never knowing that you had to bring racks and racks of clothing. I brought Sandy something, Cheryl something, Spin something and they loved it. It was on the cover, then they’re like, ‘Come work on the tour!’ I was so young, so I left Norma Komali, went on the road with Naughty by Nature and Salt-N-Pepa. It was the most fun I ever had in my whole life That was the beginning of the best stories. From there, I went straight to Lauryn Hill, and I was heavy with Lauryn Hill for years.”

And the rest is fashion history. Marni Senofonte embodies NYC attitude, without all the black, in lots of layers and bold accessories. Some of the best celebrity fashion moments were master minded by Marni. So, without further ado…covet Marni’s style. Be inspired!

Cassie always looks beautiful! I am digging the blazer and gladiator thigh highs!

Cassie

Sean John Ad

Spank Rock on the cover of Fader. Marni did her thing, because this is the best I have ever seen him look.

Lauryn looks so elegant

Alicia looks ethereal!

My future ex husband, styled by Marni

I need that red bag.

Love it. Absolutely love it.

I don't know if I could pull this look off, but I damn sure am going to try!

Kelly looks stunning!

Love Marni's layered look, with the shiny sneaks and top

Lala Anthony

Ciara

Kelly again

Marni

Marni again!

I absolutely adore the way she rocks accessories!

*All photos were taken from Marni's Instagram page @marnixmarni and her Tumblr http://marnimarnimarni.tumblr.com/*

Marni and her style is absolutely amazing. Her stylings are so creative they inspire tons of your favorite bloggers lookbooks...including this one right here. If you are amazed by her accessory pieces and pairings, check out yesterdays Friday Flash Sale here. I have hand picked pieces and styled them with Ms. Senofonte in mind, so you can update your own accessory story. Furthermore, I am running great sales and discounts, so get to shopping while supplies last!

Also, as an ode to Marni Senofonte's pure awesomeness, I put together a style shop on Thred Up! You will find plenty of layerable pieces with the color, pattern, texture and shine that is inspired by Marni's fresh and edgy style! Check it out here:

Style Shop Inspired by Marni Senofonte

I have way more black in this Style Shop than Marni would (hey, I am a New Yorker) but I am sure you will find dazzling pieces that you can mix, layer and accessorize! As an added bonus, you will get most of the name brand pieces for less than $20! Yes, less than 20 bucks! Get yourself a whole new wardrobe today!

As always happy shopping!

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Where's Brooklyn At? Where Has Urban Culture Gone?

There is no such thing as urban radio anymore! While driving, I turned to KYS 93.9 and they were playing a techno-ish song by Rihanna. Yes it is Rihanna, but it's still techno. While I have had my fair share of late nights with glow sticks and red bulls with vodka (the only way to drink at a techno club), I want urban music on my urban radio station! So I switched to its local competitor, 95.5 PGC and they were playing a techno ish song by Dev. I guess her song would be classified as more dance than techno, but again, I want urban music on my urban radio station. If urban music no longer exists, play gogo! I mean this is DC, right?!

This music fiasco got me thinking, is urban culture as we knew it, dead? I was a teenager in the 90's, to me urban music was Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, Mary J Blige, and Monifah (where the hell is Monifah?!) Urban music was hip hop and r&b. Now urban music has merged into the mainstream with pop and techno beats. And the fashion! While some of you may say urban fashion is alive and well, I beg to differ. However, to state my argument properly, we all must agree there is a different between metropolitan urban and country urban. For all you southerners, (remember I am from Phoenix, raised in New York and moved to DC, and yes DC is the south! Mason Dixon line, you DMV'ers forget!) being in the south doesn't make it "country" (so please, you can return your guns to the safety position) some of the countriest places (as far as fashion) I've been are in Western New York, Michigan, and Illinois. Sorry, but it's true. My point is the distinction between metropolitan urban and country urban includes Kool Aid colored weaves with sneakers, belts, shirts, nails, and eye contacts matching. To me that's just country.

With that said, go to a major metropolitan "urban" area (code for...) and the women look like they stepped out of Lucky Mag or People's best dressed list. Urban fashion has become quite mainstream. In my beloved 90's urban fashion was baggy jeans, over sized shirts, Karl Kani, Maurice Malone, Versace shirts, timb's (Timberlands), Air Max, and Up's (for you non-New Yorkers Air Force 1's). While I appreciate not having to look at a mans under wear in public, I am a little leary of men wearing the same jeans as their girlfriends. I'm just saying.

So to wax nostalgic about when urban was urban, here are some of my favorite "old school" looks.

Not necessarily 90's, but it epitomizes urban cool from the era with a funky mix of masculine and feminine street wear. Remember the Manolo Blahnik boots (some of you remember the Steve Madden version better, wink, wink)

Janet Jackson from the "You Want This" video. Yes, baggy jeans and a half top/sports bra! Nothing could be more 90's urban.

Denim everything! Oh the 90's urban fashion was all about denim...and dark lacquered lips!

Aaliyah, may she rest in peace. Who could forget the Tommy Hilfiger craze? You know, when your jeans and shirt screamed Tommy? Even the beautiful Aaliyah wasn't spared.

In my search for more 90's urban fashion I came across an article "’90s Hip Hop Icons and the Fall 2011 Looks They Could Be Wearing" and they have some fabulous examples with their 2011 runway counterparts.