Source: Rich Polk / Getty If you are a Pose FX fan like me, I’m sure you were looking all over the 2019 Emmy Awards red carpet to see which of the cast members would show up. While we got daring looks from Billy Porter and Indya Moore looked like a dream, we loved this effortless high ponytail that actress and activist Angelica Ross was sporting! Her hairstyle was completed by celebrity hairstylist Cesar Ramirez who commented, “Angelica Ross is not only a good friend, but also a brilliant actress.” We agree! He added, “I jumped at the opportunity to work with her for this year’s Emmy Red Carpet look.” Ross wore a custom Michael Costello gown that Ramirez stated, “was absolutely stunning with all of it’s intricate 3D flowers.” Her dress was meant to be the standout so Ramirez wanted “to keep her hair young, effortless and off the shoulders to show off the full details of the gown.” Ponytails were trending at NYFW and have been a staple on the red carpet for a few seasons now. Cesar Ramirez gave us the step by step details on how to achieve this look at home! Keep reading to find out how you can get the look in 5 easy steps!
Source: Jovanna Reyes / Photo Credit: Jovanna Reyes Name: Althea Smith IG: @iamthequeen87 Agency: Seeking Representation Claim to fame: Smith was chosen as one of five Hello Beautiful readers who graced the runway at this year’s first ever Curvy Noire event. She has also booked herself on segments on The Wendy Williams Show and Dr. OZ without an agent or a manager! “Be yourself everyone else is already taken,” the phrase emblazoned in neon ink on the business cards of model Althea Smith was meant to advocate for authenticity. What she didn’t know was the potential of her authenticity to be isolating. In an exclusive interview with Hello Beautiful the CurvyNoire model search winner and business owner recalled her previous experience model and advocated for the need for diversity on every runway. View this post on Instagram So this was my very first @thecurvycon and I must say, @curvychrisandra was right. It was a great event! . The goal is for me to be back next year WITH A BRAND! . Lemme just speak that into existence from now A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on Sep 12, 2019 at 5:26pm PDT Smith is a self-represented model who hustles on the daily to find out about upcoming gig, combing sites like Craigslist and sharing information with her friends in the business including former Model Monday subject Chrisandra Wells . “I reached out to agencies so I can get signed, right now I freelance so I get all my jobs my self.“ She has no problem looking for work on her own. A former fashion student at a popular technical college she picked up knowledge that she is able to apply in propelling her career to the next level. Some of that knowledge includes being able to see the Despite having a ton of grassroots experience walking and fitting for designers like Michi Knitwear, Classic Royalty, Jibri Online, Elila Full Figure Jordan Taylor, Sasha Uzuri, and Etched Lingerie she still took it upon herself to enter Hello Beautiful’s search on the off chance that it might introduce her killer walk to a whole new audience. View this post on Instagram This weekend I had the opportunity to walk in the @curvynoire @madamenoire @hellobeautiful Style Summit! . In a world where society places so much emphasis on what the standard should be I put my foot down and celebrate MY SIZE! You can take it or leave it, but I love all of me and No society and No standard is gonna change that for me! A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on Sep 10, 2019 at 1:28pm PDT What does pose a problem for her is that after she shows up and shows out at a casting, the designer often does not bother to do the same on the day of the show. She described the experience of finding a designer who hired her has nothing appropriate for her to wear as “very disappointing,” “Especially if I cast for the show because obviously they like what they see so I would think they have something for me to wear.” View this post on Instagram Full Face using @blackopalbeauty Foundation and Concealers. Finished off with @imancosmetics Luxury Pressed Powder. The way these products are set up, you’re bound to have a flawless face. A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on May 17, 2019 at 5:34pm PDT The last of preparation designers can show their plus-size models is not only infuriating, it has a financial impact because Smith could be on other jobs where she is valued. “First of all it’s a waste of my time,” she stated. “If I did my party showing up and providing you with my measurements ,you should have also done your part making sure that you have something that would work with me. So that’s how I feel disappointed.” CurvyNoire was unlike these shows as it was focused on celebrating women of all sizes and not tokenizing them including Smith who stalked the runway like a seasoned professional. “I liked that the designers had fun and fashionable pieces for us, so that was really cool and there was more than one designer that had pieces for us.” View this post on Instagram “Can my Pharoah find some way to entertain his Queen?” . And while you’re at it, go get a bucket to wash my feet A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on Jul 30, 2019 at 4:34pm PDT The show was unlike many others Smith had done in that it presented a variety of women who might have been told their looks were “too similar” to appear on other runways . Often when chosen from a casting she searched for she would find she was the only one to appear with the “straight size models,” and in that triumph was a little frustration. “The power of modeling is so people can see that there’s more than one thing just like how they have the Victoria’s Secret show they could have twenty white girls that all look the same. Five of them look a little different, five of them could have red hair, you know what I’m saying it’s about the diversity of us too. A lot of the times they have one plus girl or one black girl. They want to put us in this category like that one token plus girl that one token black girl and I kind of want to be added to the roster to show that there’s more than one type of curvy girl.” View this post on Instagram Hakuna Matata A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on Jul 20, 2019 at 9:39am PDT In addition to pursuing a modeling career, and promoting fitness from the perspective of a curvy girl, Smith has several other business ventures she is investing into while working to make her dreams come true. “I do makeup, I sell jewelry, and I have a beverages company now.” That fledgling company Queen Beverages is a nod to her Caribbean heritage, something she values. It offers, “Jamaican inspired beverages sorrel and rum punch.” She says, “we’ll probably be expanding to other things next year.” View this post on Instagram Take Pride in How Far You’ve Come. So Much Left to Conquer. A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on May 8, 2019 at 8:29am PDT She started the business after seeing a hole in the marketplace for authentic options. “Where I am in Mount Vernon, New York aloft of places don’t really have it. Or they have a particular brand and it doesn’t taste like the real thing so I just started making it myself.” View this post on Instagram Big Eyes. Big Smile. Big Heart. Big Hair. Big Body. Big Dreams. Big LIFE! . Everything BIG on my side! Have a good day y’all! A post shared by iamthequeen87 (@iamthequeen87) on May 22, 2019 at 8:38am PDT “It’s something that I do for my family. The sorrel is a traditional drink in Caribbean households, especially around the holidays but I like it so much that I drink it year round,” she explained. Friends and family raved about the quality of her offerings and soon she was bottling it up. Her other streams of income are an expansion of her dreams not a pivot away from them. Walking the CuryNoire runway won’t be the last time you see Smith shine. “I feel like I haven’t gotten my hands on the right person so I feel like there’s still some hope. I hadn’t done a runway show in a while, and I like to show curvy girls can do it too.” DON’T MISS: MODEL MONDAY: Lana Ogilvie Went From The First Black Covergirl To Skincare CEO MODEL MONDAY: Tiffany’s Flame Wants To Shine A Light On All Bodies MODEL MONDAY: Iyanla Galletti Is A God In Her Own Right [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3059309″ overlay=”true”]
My husband and I decided to get married at the court house before having a bigger, more traditional and more expensive wedding in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. For my courthouse wedding, I purchased a beautiful dress from a local New York designer D. Auxilly in early July. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. She was prompt, professional and after I purchased the dress, she made sure it fit perfectly to my body. Honestly, 10/10 recommend. Her work is impeccable. View this post on Instagram “I got high hopes for [us], nigga.” • Look provided by Black Women Makeup: @juicylooks_mua Hair: @nappstar_nyc Dress: @dauxilly Earrings: another Black jewelry maker whose name I don’t know. Alla this stuff right here: My Mama @carol_of_the_wells A post shared by Veronica R. Wells-Puoane (@vdubshrug) on Oct 26, 2018 at 5:10pm PDT So I thought I would return to her for my big ceremony dress. But towards the end of the month, Pantora Bridal announced, via their Instagram page that they were having a sample sale. Years ago, a former coworker told me about this Black-owned bridal shop in BrookIyn before I even started dating my husband. And I stored the name in my phone and followed them on Instagram years later. And while I had been swooning over their work since I pressed that follow button, I was hesitant about even going because I had already committed to D. Auxilly. And I assumed that most of their dresses which are ornate and unique would be out of my price range. But my sister, who is the real MVP of this story, told me that I should at least check it out. So on July 28, 2018, the date of sample sale, my sister and I made the hour + long journey from Harlem to Brooklyn. Y’all know the summer in New York is no joke and we stood outside in a short line that had formed outside of the store’s entrance. In case you didn’t pick up on my subtlety earlier, it was hot y’all. And I was truly concerned about being a sweaty, stinky mess by the time I was trying dresses on. Thankfully, the air was blasting once I got inside. And it’s important to mention that the energy of the staff was also excited and welcoming. And there was water. Thankfully, the other brides didn’t do a the frantic mad dash to the racks you sometimes see on bridal tv shows. Now, in retrospect, it seemed like everything happened at lightening speed now. But seriously within 10-15 minutes of looking, my sister found an option. It was a heavily beaded and sequined gown that featured a deep v-neck in the front and a partially exposed back. There was a mesh panel covering the skin on both sides. But what set this dress apart was the fact that it had a cape which was also beaded. I loved it. For year, again before I met my husband, my mother made her mother of the bride wishes explicitly clear. She wanted me in a princess gown, complete with the poofy bottom and all. I’m short. Like 5’1.5 and not only was I not interested in being swallowed up by a dress, I wanted to be able to show my shape. But after my sister found the first dress, I stumbled upon another one. It was poofy like my momma wanted but what made it so different was the fact that the top was entirely mesh. It had small sequins organized in diamond shapes across the front and jeweled accents on the straps and on the back of the dress that formed into the shape of a heart. The layers of tulle at the bottom didn’t dissuade me from having to try it on. Plus, it didn’t hurt that as I was admiring it, the shop owner and designer Andrea Campbell showed me a picture of how stunning the dress looked on an actual person. With those two options, my sister and I sat down, waiting for the next available consultant to see us. In that time, I realized I didn’t wear underwear that day and made a detour to Rainbow. The consultant later told me that most women don’t wear underwear to their fittings but I wanted to be as considerate as possible. I decided to try the poofy dress on first because it would likely take the most time. Source: Vanessa Wells / Vanessa Wells Source: Vanessa Wells / Vanessa Wells Source: Vanessa Wells / Vanessa Wells It was beautiful. My mom, who lives in my hometown, couldn’t be there so we Facetimed her. Seeing me in that big gown was all she needed and she immediately started crying. I would include that image but she was in the midst of doing her hair. So I’ll save her the embarrassment of looking “unfinished” on the internet. But here are a few pics my sister took of me trying this dress on for the first time. Again, this was not what I planned for myself. But when I didn’t want to take the dress off, I knew I had to have it. But I still had another option to consider: the caped dress my sister chose. Source: Vanessa Wells / Vanessa Wells Source: Vanessa Wells / Vanessa Wells I loved that one too. And that’s when I started to panic. I had to make a decision. Seeing the indecision and stress on my face, my consultant asked me what I was thinking. I told her I loved both dresses and didn’t know which one to choose. That’s when she asked me my budget. To be honest, I had gone back and forth about how much I wanted to spend on a dress. There was a part of me that simply wanted to save money. But my sister told me something one day that really. A friend of ours told her that as unique as I am, I couldn’t have a dress that didn’t match that. I told the consultant that I didn’t want to spend any more than $3,000. She told me that with the sale prices of both of those dresses, the total for two of them was $2,900. Boom! I could get both–which was something I’d always imagined doing but put out of my mind once I started taking note of how expensive weddings are. We said yes to the dresses and made our way back to Harlem. It was a triumphant day. Source: Vanessa Wells / Pantora Bridal Staff Later, my mother in law and my new Aunt said that they wanted to have a dress made for me in my husband’s ethnic group’s traditional color/pattern. My sister sent my measurements and they mailed me a mermaid-shaped dress. I decided to accessorize it with a show-stopping, statement necklace from Aphia Sakyi , who I had seen featured on singer Ledisi and after I purchased my own, Ciara, Janet Jackson and one of the members of EnVogue. After three rounds of alterations appointments for the two Pantora gowns, an additional alteration for the South African one, concealer for my areolas and some nipple covers, you can see how it all came together on the following pages.
For his S/S 2020 collection held at Pier 59 Studios on Sunday, Romeo Hunte explored deconstructionism and the definition of “business attire.” Amongst a star-studded crowd, fashion insiders gathered to see what the Brooklyn-based designer would bring to the fashion masses. The juxtaposition of the collection showed Hunte’s desires to blend two worlds together — streetwear and business wear. The collection featured everything from oversized abstract-print blazers over cuffed denim shorts to parka trench coats where one half was a striped blazer and the other half was a denim jacket. Source: Ron Adar / Getty Hunte has always been one to use juxtaposition in his collection, perhaps to show that fashion doesn’t have to be so straight and narrow and that multiple identities can co-exist. While that is understandable and commendable, there was seemingly a disconnect between a few of Hunte’s pieces or rather their pairing, such as a denim shearling-laced jacket overtop an abstract crop top and leather mini skirt. Source: Ron Adar / Getty Some looks, like one male model who walked the runway with a black blazer stitched into jeans one piece, almost would have operated better as separates to co-exist with other pieces in the wardrobe. I constantly reminded myself that this was for the Spring and Summer, but most of the collection felt like a New York block party instead of an accessible way to dress for summer Fridays at the office. Source: Ron Adar / Getty There were models in one-legger fits, the bodice split in half and held together by silver metallic rings and exposed zippers. Again, the idea of merging two very prominent markets is extremely doable, but the main question becomes who is the target consumer or the ideal celebrity clientele. To bring streetwear to the luxury market, as Hunte cites his clientele to be, the fabric choice has to reflect the target market and creatively, a flow should take place. Source: Ron Adar / Getty Don’t get me wrong, there were a few moments of potential with some of his fringe parks, abstract sets, and tailored crop blazers. There was a black-and-white dress that offered promise to the traditional and trendsetter, and he had a bold yellow and a bold red suit make their debut for those of us who love a pop of color. While the pieces individually can be pulled apart to make some interesting connections, I would have loved to see more business-skewed formal sets with a bit of street funk on them to show more accessible opportunities for those who work the 9-5. DON’T MISS: #NYFWNOIR: Why I Couldn’t Find The Word’s For Pyer Moss S/S 2020 #NYFWNOIR: Studio One Eighty Nine Brought The Motherland To New York Fashion Week NYFWNOIR: Serena Williams Brought Out Baby Alexis On The Catwalk & She Stole The Show
Source: Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Owner Of Equinox & SoulCycle Faces Outrage Over Trump Fundraiser The receptionists at Equinox have their work cut out for them this week. Word got out on Wednesday that the owner of Equinox is planning a high-dollar Hamptons fundraiser for the Cheeto-In-Chief himself, Donald Trump. This news lead to outrage online and sparked calls for a boycott of the luxury gym and its associated businesses, SoulCycle and Blink Fitness. Real estate developer Stephen Ross is chairman and majority owner of the Related Companies, which oversees Equinox Fitness. He is set to host a luncheon on Friday, according to the invitation, at which attendees will pay up to $100,000 for a picture with the President and $250,000 to listen in on a roundtable discussion. Imagine the things you could do with $100K…all of them are better than taking a picture with that guy . The Washington Post first reported the news of the fundraiser, sparking some serious online outrage. The news didn’t sit well with a lot of regular folk and celebrities alike who frequent the expensive gym, who don’t want their hundreds of dollars a month used to support Donald Chump. Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Billy Eichner were extremely vocal over their thoughts on the matter, with Billy cancelling his membership and Teigen urging her famous friends to do the same. Hey @Equinox – what’s your policy for canceling memberships once a member finds out your owner is enabling racism and mass murder? — billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 7, 2019 the gym is my personal hell but if you're a member of Equinox perhaps it is time to say peace(out)-inox ayyyyy I'm still sick yes but fuck equinox https://t.co/SJBsBNXT8Q — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 7, 2019 Stephen Ross responded to all of the backlash in a statement to CNN , saying “I have always been an active participant in the democratic process. … I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions. I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental sustainability, and I have and will continue to support leaders on both sides of the aisle to address these challenges.” In addition to that statement, Samantha Bonizzi, a spokesperson for Equinox and SoulCycle, told the publication , “Neither Equinox nor SoulCycle have anything to do with the event later this week and do not support it. As is consistent with our policies, no company profits are used to fund politicians.” She added, “We are committed to all our members and the communities we live in. We believe in tolerance and equality, and will always stay true to those values. Mr. Ross is a passive investor and is not involved in the management of either business.” On social media, people are continuing to post screenshots cancelling their memberships and responding to those who don’t understand why supporting Trump is reason enough to not support a business. Cancelled that membership @Equinox & as if! I never paid those outrageous non discounted ass soul cycle prices pic.twitter.com/L3Pf5N18P5 — Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) August 8, 2019 luckily for me, I've already been boycotting SoulCycle and Equinox due to *checks notes* my inability to pay hundreds of dollars a month for a gym membership — eve peyser (@evepeyser) August 8, 2019 Hey @Equinox I’ve been a member at Equinox for over 14years & I’m shocked 2 hear my membership dues are going to fund a President who is a racist. I call on all my friends (U know who U are) who have memberships 2 #Equinox cancel yours, ASAP! #PassiveInvestorMyAss #KidVicious https://t.co/Q5gm9KgFdH — kirk acevedo (@kirkacevedo) August 8, 2019 Don’t believe this “passive investor” explanation. If you do business with @soulcycle or @Equinox you are doing business with Stephen Ross. https://t.co/l1Y6f1NqcN — Pat Kiernan (@patkiernan) August 8, 2019
Source: GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos / GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos Gucci is making good on their promises after what is being called the biggest faux pas in the fashion industry. The retailer has appointed a new executive to ensure they do right by all cultures. High Snobiety is reporting that the luxury brand has named Renée Tirado as their first-ever Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; previously she held the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer role for Major League Baseball. The announcement is a direct response to the now infamous blackface controversy in February where the Italian brand was selling a sweater with a roll up collar that evoked feelings of blackface. In a statement obtained by The Independent Tirado expressed her enthusiasm at the opportunity. “I am in the business of making human connections that start with the foundations of inclusivity, respect, and diversity to ensure Gucci remains culturally relevant and economically competitive. I am honored to join a company that puts these non-negotiable values at the forefront of their business model, not as a ‘nice to have’ but as a key component of its business strategy.” In addition to the appointment Gucci also implemented a diversity and inclusion program earlier this year that will help foster more diversity within their corporate team and hire more designers of color. 1/3 Gucci’s first four initiatives in a long-term plan of actions designed to further embed cultural diversity and awareness in the company. pic.twitter.com/xMIMn9PNDR — gucci (@gucci) February 15, 2019 Photo: GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos
Source: GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos / GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos Gucci is making good on their promises after what is being called the biggest faux pas in the fashion industry. The retailer has appointed a new executive to ensure they do right by all cultures. High Snobiety is reporting that the luxury brand has named Renée Tirado as their first-ever Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; previously she held the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer role for Major League Baseball. The announcement is a direct response to the now infamous blackface controversy in February where the Italian brand was selling a sweater with a roll up collar that evoked feelings of blackface. In a statement obtained by The Independent Tirado expressed her enthusiasm at the opportunity. “I am in the business of making human connections that start with the foundations of inclusivity, respect, and diversity to ensure Gucci remains culturally relevant and economically competitive. I am honored to join a company that puts these non-negotiable values at the forefront of their business model, not as a ‘nice to have’ but as a key component of its business strategy.” In addition to the appointment Gucci also implemented a diversity and inclusion program earlier this year that will help foster more diversity within their corporate team and hire more designers of color. 1/3 Gucci’s first four initiatives in a long-term plan of actions designed to further embed cultural diversity and awareness in the company. pic.twitter.com/xMIMn9PNDR — gucci (@gucci) February 15, 2019 Photo: GUCCI / Ari Marcopoulos
Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Ludacris And Eudoxie Vacay In Italy Who says all of the fun stops when you become married? Ludacris and his wife Eudoxie Bridges just took a very sexy excursion across Europe together. Seems like the rip started in Paris, stopped in Croatia and ended in Italy, according to their social media posts. The Euro vibes had Ludacris excited about being alone with his significant other for a few days. According to Eudoxie, their conversation got a little crazy when they found themselves alone on this luxury train… View this post on Instagram The things he says when we have any place to ourselves. Dinner on the train. A post shared by Eudoxie (Eh-dox-ee) Bridges (@eudoxie) on Jul 26, 2019 at 2:33am PDT The Bridges had a lush suite to return to after their sexy train car dinner together. And that’s where Luda claimed he was going to go ham on Eudoxie. Don’t they look good? She looks BANGING! View this post on Instagram I’m about to rock this Train off the tracks tonight. #datenight #thebridges A post shared by @ ludacris on Jul 25, 2019 at 6:18pm PDT More of the Bridges and their ‘fun’ time overseas after the flip.
Caroline Vreeland pulled some sort of scam and made friends with the right people at the luxury sugar baby lingerie company this is for…..and is now on of their people…huge tits out for all to see…distracting from her fucking weirdo body that happens when you have monster tits. It’s like the rest of you is trying so hard to be fat and Caroline just keeps trying to fight it. Other big tits have been far less successful…from Kate Upton to others….who had their bodies catch up to the tits while this one still hasn’t quite made it so she’s still hustling…trying to make it – tits out… The post Caroline Vreeland Weird Body for Lingerie Brand of the Day appeared first on DrunkenStepFather.com .
Source: Sheri Determan/WENN.com / WENN Barbara Corcoran’s Brother Died At A Dominican Republic Hotel Back In April Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran’s brother, John, was found dead in his Dominican Republic hotel room while on vacation with a friend back in April, according to reports from TMZ . While an autopsy was not performed, Barbara and her family were told that her brother suddenly died of a heart attack. If true, this story coincides with the scary string of American tourist deaths that have occurred in similar circumstances on the island over the past couple months. Within the last year, six Americans have died at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, all showing nearly identical causes of death. Miranda Schaup-Werner was celebrating her wedding anniversary at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville hotel last month when she suddenly died after having a drink from the mini-bar. Her death came just five days before an American couple from Maryland was found dead at the same resort. As of now, it’s unclear what hotel Corcoran’s brother was staying in the Dominican Republic when he was found dead and it’s also unknown if he had a drink from the mini-bar prior. Kaylynn Knull and Tom Schwander filed a lawsuit against the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel La Romana resort earlier this year after becoming sick during their stay in 2018. The Colorado couple suspects that the release of insecticides into the central air conditioning system led to their sickness. Our condolences go out to Barbara Corcoran and the whole family. Hopefully, this eerie situation taking the lives of those visiting the Dominican Republic gets solved sooner than later.
