alexander the great.

Even though he took his life a little over month ago (and I've blogged probably a lot over a month ago), I still feel the need to pay homage to one of my fallen fashion heroes.

McQueen- the name harbors a royal essence and his designs will go down in fashion history.

He began as the head visionary behind Givenchy for five years. From there, he found his high RTW avant-garde fashion line to his retailer friendly McQ collections, and also contributing to the Puma sports brand. McQueen easily became one of the most revolutionary and creatively bold designers in the biz.

McQueen definitely qualifies to be in my top ten. Some may not grasp the idea and purpose of couture that probably wouldn't be seen worn outside a tent. The way I see it, is that those are pieces of art, models are canvases, and the show is a museum with fashion hoarders ready to buy and sell. His creations were nothing short of masterpieces floating on a runaway. He contained a rare skill for dressing the boldly unconventional, yet sophisticated woman. The skull printed chiffon scarf , which has been worn by plenty of celebs, was one of his signature accessory pieces that were one of my personal favorites. Though McQueen's clothes were known for being somewhat roughly edgy and daring, there was an air of elegance shown through the construction of his gowns and dresses with draping and trains. He understood a simple, but intricately structured silhouette and also knew how to use attention grabbing prints and motifs. His clothes were almost a contradiction, and if you can marry two opposite components to birth something beautiful, you have created something that could be also considered genius. And McQueen was just that- a fashion genius.

Kim Kardashian in a skull printed McQueen scarf.

Thandie Newton in a McQueen gown.

Rihanna in a McQueen jumpsuit.

First lady Michelle Obama in a McQueen chiffon blouse.

His death was certainly untimely, but McQueen's fashions will always be timeless. I wonder if there will be a successor to his empire that will carry on his vision... but that would be a hard, pink soled shoe to fill, let alone walk in.

Dressed in Drama.

Styling, lying, crying... all in a days work with MTV's new fashion series

called "Styl'D" (maybe the capitalized D is putting the emphasis on drama.) Four bright eyed, ego driven junior assistant stylists work to compete for a contract with MMA (Margaret Maldonado Agency) which represents other celebrity stylists. These JAs get trained with other senior stylists of the company by traveling with them to style clients at certain jobs such as photoshoots, award shows, etc. Each JA gets ranked based on their capability to pull successful looks and their work ethic on sets. Each have a golden ticket with the agency, but only one will be offered the fulltime fashion career. Let the stiletto back stabbing and polished nail clawing begin! (Whats a good reality show without it right?)

So far, the show is two episodes deep and I'm enamored with it! There is styling potential in each assistant, but they all also bear some incompetence that makes me question their previous experiences.

The Junior Assistants L to R: Tarra, Cody, Brett, Janna, Gary

Janna, the scatterbrained southern blonde, lacks the most skill and 'fraid to say, style. Apparently the chick lives in Forever 21. There is a time and a place for their clothing, which is not everyday, everywhere. Tarra, whose style I would describe as modern 5os meets 60s retro has a good eye, and is slightly and slowly fishing her way through the competition. Brett showed promised until he got canned for a huge styling snafu that Janna had hugely participated in. Gary is stepping up and gaining his shine after Brett got fired, but lacks professionalism on set. Lastly, there is Cody aka Brett's immediate replacement who comes off as the strong, straight know it all and was born into fashion since his mom was VP of Versace.

Not so sure whos worth betting on to bag the gig...

The Senior Stylists Left to Right: Julie Weiss, Jen Rade, Eric Archibald

The head honcho and premiere stylist, Jen Rade is the head of the Junior Assistant program. Stern and stylish Julie Weiss knows what she wants and how to get it, which should be the attitude of any successful stylist and with clients such as Terrence Howard and Britney Spears under her belt, her talent shouldn't be questioned. And finally the flamboyant but unmistakably fashionable Eric Archibald, who once had a cameo on Keeping Up With the Kardashians as a fashion saint called in to save Bruce Jenner's style.

Read more about the cast of Styl'D. The Show airs on Tuesday at 11 pm after The Hills and The City.

Im obviously not to be disturbed between the hours of 9 and 12.

fashion flick.

vogue magazine hits the big screen.

Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Ms. Anna Wintour is making her movie debut this fall starring in the documentary "The September Issue." The film focuses on vogue editors scrambling to compose their 2008 September Issue (hints the title,) which is a significant edition for the magazine. One editor exclaims "September is like the January of fashion," in which is when most major events happen, including the annual fashion week. The film will peek inside into the world of Wintour, seeing what's behind the designer shades and under the blunt banged bob. I am looking forward to this nonfictional take of the behind the scenes bickering, action, and excitement that goes on while compiling one of the most prominent poshly publications of our time.

"The September Issue" will hit theaters in New York on Aug. 29, and in special cities Sept. 11.

Watch the trailer here.

affordable high fashion.

h&m partners w/ designer labels.

In light of the harsh economic times, H&M has teamed up with Jimmy Choo to release a line of shoes (of course), bags, and clothing priced on the low side (hopefully) for the fall season. The Choo collection will also include accessories, bags, and shoes for men and will launch in over 200 stores on Nov. 14. Needless to say, I'm very excited for the collection, but curious as to how it will look. Hopefully, it won't stray away from Choo's signature sleek and sexy design.

This won't be the first time H&M has married with a high fashion designer. Matthew Williamson created a vibrantly patterned swim and beach wear summer collection and is currently in stores.

Hopefully H&M will seasonally collaborate with more designer brands.

stylista spotlight.

effortlessly fierce: june ambrose.

In my Top 10 Fashionistas Post, I highlighted Ambrose as one of my muses. She has styled the celebrity elite including Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey... the list is infinite. I'm currently reading her book "Effortless Style" in which she gives advice on how to own, improve, and develop your look by looking through a realistic lens. The key word here being effortless, Ambrose provides the blueprint on being simply chic without breaking your budget. Who says you have to drop a ridic amount of bills for a designer garb to look fab? She gives lessons on how to enhance your features with the accurate accessories and educates you on what works for your body from the neck to the hem lines. Ambrose appeals to and writes for the everyday woman who wants to achieve "iconic style with ease." I recommend this book not only to my fashion aficionados but to anyone who is aiming to understand

what owning your style is really about.

And from what I'm learning, effortless style can be attained by starting from within.

After I conquer Ambrose's survival kit to style, my next venture is Rachel Zoe's "Style from A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour." I will definitely provide my review.

Purchase "Effortless Style" and/or "Style from A to Zoe" at Amazon.com.

top 10 fashionistas.

So, I have compiled a list of 10 fashionably influential females who have inspired me to find my sense of style. Ranking these women would be pretty much impossible because each have a distinct way of molding themselves. Overall, they have all equally been muses in my eyes, and therefore wanted to acknowledge them.

Rihanna

If you know me, then you know how much I adore Ms. Rih Rih's impeccably edgy style. I don't even think people even remember her cookie cutter Caribbean image anymore since it's being suffocated by her present fashionable appeal.

Lauren Conrad

I've been following Conrad since her Laguna days, and she has shed her beachy good girl image and developed into one of the most chicly dressed women of my generation. Her involvement and contribution to fashion should not go unrecognized. From starting off as an intern being stifled under the wing of Lisa Love, to being smothered by the bat wing of Kelly Catrone of People's Revolution, to even having her own line (that failed due to the struggling economy,) Conrad's resume should be envied by fashion aficionados everywhere.

Angela Simmons

Spawn of the bishop of Hip Hop Rev Run, the 22 year old has achieved what most people have taken years to in the fashion biz. In partner with her older sis Angela, she has a clothing and shoe line, she's styled and oversaw wardrobe in magazines, and even had her own mag that was short lived, but it's still an accomplishment. Overall, I admire not only her eclectic taste, but her determination to deter from her family and make it on her own.

Rachel Zoe

Okay, so maybe she O.D.'d with the botox, and maybe I'm a little peculiar as to how she manages to wear platforms that weigh more than her, BUT I must shout out Ms. Zoe as being apart of my Alma Mater (she's a GWU Grad!) No one can really deny the fabulousness of Zoe. From her faux (I hope) fur shags to the panther on her finger her style is wild. I just recently purchased her book "Style from A to Zoe," and anticipate reading what she has to say about fashion.

Taylor Jacobson

Not a familiar face, but if you watch the Rachel Zoe Project, you definitely know her to be the bitchy style associate to Zoe. Though her attitude needs adjustment, her style is not to be questioned. Her signature is putting flares of punk with chic designer accessories.

Kim Kardashian

Known to be controversial and a bodacious socialite, Kardashian has somewhat pulled her self from under the dark light of scandal by always being on point for the lights that constantly flash on her. She smartly plays on her sexy curves with shapely silhouette, but also plays them down with conservatively chic shifts.

June Ambrose

Ambrose has to be one of (if not my ultimate) fashion hero. She is the stylist to most of the hottest stars (Jay-Z brilliantly coined her as "The Secretary of Style".) Like most of the fashionably educated should, she has written a book that I am currently reading called "Effortless Style" in which she shares her wisdom on how to be well dressed. (Blog post about that coming soon...)

Zoe Kravitz

I did most of my ranting and raving about Ms. Kravitz in my Up & Coming post. Like Jacobson, she successfully pulls off being punk, yet feminine (which can sometimes be like mixing oil and vinegar.) She's able to stir the two together ultimately making her a toxic fashion force to be reckoned with.

Solange Knowles

Creeping from behind her sister's overtly curvaceous shadow, Solange has managed to make a unique name for herself. Not only has she grown up to be a wife and mother (accomplishing something substantial earlier than Beyonce), she has also sprung into being a fashion forward fatale.

Carrie Bradshaw

I am a loyal Sex & the City fan, and love the lifestyle Bradshaw leads (even though I can't "help but wonder" how a sex columnist could afford to stash couture in her closet?) Although she's fictional, she never fails to put the unexpected together, consistently making her style one of a kind.

So who is a Fashionista anyway?

She ultimately has a distinct and defined style and radiates confidence. She knows trends, but she'd rather set them. She's educated on what works for her, but is never too shy of trying new things...

sneak peak.

swoosh swag. 

So, I've never been a sneaker gal, but this is the year I have decided to step up my sneaker game! By far, my favorite kind of kicks have been Nike Dunks (highs) and next to that, Nike Blazers. I like the construction of the shoes as well as the several different styles, patterns, colors, and customizations. 

I recently bought these Black, Peach, & Pink Nike Dunk High 6.0's with tweed detailing. 

Here are some celebs spotted with some sneaks that I like!

Cassie copped these "Thrashin" Nike SB High Pro Dunks

Lindsay Lohan is looking sporty and sleek in her Black & Gold Metallic Nike Dunk Premiums

Here is Rihanna, sporting Purple Suede Nike Blazer Premium SBs

The Dream is wearing "Kisses" Nike Blazers Premium SBs