Rihanna Lookbook: Rihanna for River Island Autumn/Winter 2013

Rihanna‘s River Island collection is back, bringing you enough crop and bra tops to keep you motivated at the gym this fall/winter season. With the help of designer Adam Selman, Rih Rih dishes out her trademark aesthetic: athletic tomboy streetwear infused with a serving of sex appeal.





Varsity jackets, abbreviated hoodies, baseball jerseys and basketball shorts are rendered in moody hues like oxblood and black, while camoflauge and stripes take the lead in print motifs.


The range includes a nod to ’90s hip-hop style, with thick underwear band straps printed with Rih’s nickname and slogan, ‘G For Life’ on bra tops, actual panties, tops and accessories.

You can see the influences of some of Rihanna’s favorite designers, most notably KTZ, in a few ornately printed separates.

Shoe options are decidedly sexy. Heels are the name of the game, coming in the form of sleek sandals, thigh high and high-heeled workman-inspired boots. Also included are Riri-emblazoned beanies, to keep your head warm.





Do you see anything here you like?

World Record Holder and Natural Hair Guru

It was only back in 2011 when the Guinness Book of World Records first introduced the Largest Afro category. A huge step for the natural hair community, NaturallyCurly caught up with the New Orleans native who won the title to talk about her hair, her regimen and of course, her life. Two years later, Aevin Dugas still holds the World’s Largest Afro title, and says that as of 2013, her hair is much longer than it was when she first won.
Dugas is a woman who went natural long before the community gained such notoriety. She taught herself how to care for her hair, use protective styles and even deal with negative reactions from society as a whole. She has been natural for the past 14 years (starting about the same time NaturallyCurly did!), and is not only a world record holder, but a natural hair guru in and of herself.
We caught up with Dugas again to follow up on how the title has changed her life, how she continues to take care of her hair and to talk about how the natural hair community has influenced a whole new generation of women, many of whom were able to avoid relaxers altogether.

The Record

What has your life been like since you were named the Guinness World Record Holder for the World’s Largest Afro?
My life has been almost the same, except now being natural is on a larger scale because I meet more people, do more interviews and get to travel because of being natural! So, I guess my life has changed a bit from how it used to be.
Any particular highlights that stand out to you?
I think one of the highlights is meeting the little girls who say they want to grow their hair like mine! I love that the natural movement has gotten to the kids because if we can get to them before they get relaxers, they won’t have to go through the turmoil of going natural, the big chop, transitioning etc.
You’ve been natural for about 14 years now. How have you seen the attitudes towards natural hair change over that time?
Definitely, the attitude has changed a lot! When I first went natural people would give me the strange looks and make rude comments, but now SO many people are loving it, asking questions, and accepting of it. It really does make me so happy!

The Afro

What hair type would you say that you have?
Somewhere in the 4s!! It just depends on the weather and what part of my hair you’re dealing with.
What’s your hair look like now?
My hair is longer, but I don’t wear my fro that much because it gets really tangled and it’s not something you wear out everyday. That style has always gotten a lot of attention, the bigger it gets the more people want to know. So I only wear it for appearances and MAYBE if I’m feeling spicy!
How do you maintain it, keep it healthy? 
I maintain it by keeping it in a protective style 90 percent of the time and maybe wear it out on the weekends. I shampoo, condition, sometimes deep condition and then braid it mostly or sometimes twist it. By Friday, I may take it down. Then by Sunday, it’s back up again.
What are your favorite hairstyles?
My favorite of course is my bun. Then I recently tried a “Nicole Melton bun” and fell in love!! I love two French braids, and wearing it out a twist-n-curl.
How long does it take you to put your hair in those styles?
It actually doesn’t take long for any of them. I’d say an hour is all I need for styling. Now drying time is something totally different!

The Natural Hair Community

Back in 2011, you said that you didn’t mind people touching your hair. That has become a hot button issue over the past two years, with many women claiming that people wanting to ‘touch natural hair’ are treating those with natural hair like animals at a petting zoo. Do you still not mind?
Yeah that’s an “iffy” subject. Even back then I was trying to be nice, but honestly it’s not the most comfortable thing for people to want to touch my hair. Not knowing if their hands are clean, it’s just a little weird. I know it’s something that people are curious about because a lot of us hid our real texture for so long. So of course they want to know what it feels like. Is it heavy? Is it soft (that one kills me)? But at the end of the day, it’s your personal preference if you want a stranger touching your hair. Sometimes I let it slide. Sometimes, I’m not up for it.
Who do you look up to in the natural hair community?
Honestly I don’t look up to anyone only because when I went natural there weren’t all these bloggers, vloggers, gurus, etc. Most of the people who are very popular in the natural community are newly natural and haven’t even gotten 7-10 years under their belt. So besides loving my mama’s ‘fro and a few people way back in the day, I look up to no one. But I have a great respect for the bloggers, vloggers and gurus because they are making it so much easier for the newbies coming into the natural community!
The natural hair movement has really taken off over the past couple years and you being the first awarded the record for World’s Largest Afro (the first time the title has been around) makes you a big part of that history. Did you ever really think that you hair could become such an inspiration, and how do you feel now that it has?
No! I never thought going natural would lead to this. I’ve always been pro-natural, helping people, answering questions on how to go natural, but I didn’t think that the movement itself would get this big and I surely did not think I’d be recognized for having big hair! Never in a million years, but I am grateful and will keep this movement going any way I can!

The New Black Male Models

The fashion industry seems to be slower to embrace black male models relative to black female models and male models from other races or ethnicities.

The good news is we are seeing some consistency with black male models working, though it’s many of the same faces. Check out the following black models that have been strutting down the runways this season.
Best Black Male Models: Rob Evans
Mostly recognized for his Calvin Klein commercial with Cassie, Rob Evans is a black male model on the rise.

A United Kingdom native, Rob Evans was featured in Givenchy’s Fall 2011 campaign. He walked the runway shows of Givenchy and Jean Paul Gautier.

Best Black Male Models: Corey Baptiste

Since being signed to VNY models in 2010, this 21 year-old Brooklyn native has modeled for DKNY, Michael Kors and the Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan. Corey was featured in the shows of several designers including Hermes, John Galliano and Giorgio Armani.
Best Black Male Models: Dominique Hollington

This Bronx native was discovered in Harlem while shopping and almost immediately signed to Red Models Agency. Since he made his debut in the Givenchy show in Paris, this black male model has been walking in runways shows across the globe including Jeremy Scott and DKNY. He featured in shows for Givenchy and Mugler Men’s.
Best Black Male Models: Sacha M’baye

This 22 year-old French Native is a newcomer to the modeling world. After booking his first modeling gig with Calvin Klein, he has gone on to be one of the faces of Esprit and most recently, Burberry. He walked in fashion shows for Ports 1961 and Dsquared2.
Best Black Male Models: Henry Watkins

We first saw Henry on the CENTRIC TV show “MODEL CITY”. Since being signed to Red Models Agency, Henry has been steadily working, walking in shows such as Perry Ellis. He has also booked campaigns for American Eagle and United Colors of Benetton. He walked for Roland Mouret and Versace.
Best Black Male Models: Armando Cabral

This Portuguese model has been working since 2001. Armando has walked the runways of Dior Homme, Louis Vuitton and Dries Van Noten. He’s been featured in V magazine and The New York Times T Style Magazine. He featured in the Kenzo runway show.
Best Black Male Models: David Agbodji

This 25 year-old was born in Paris, and has been a working model since 2008. In 2010, David became the face of Calvin Klein. He also has appeared in French Vogue, V Magazine and V Man Magazine. He’s walked in shows for Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger. 

Snapshot: Robin Thicke and Janelle Monae for Vibe’s 20th Anniversary Summer 2013 Issue

Robin Thicke and Janelle Monae for Vibe’s 20th Anniversary Summer 2013 Issue.
Images: Vibe via the YBF

Hot! or Hmm… Nina Dobrev’s Cosmopolitan Summer Bash Julien Macdonald Fall 2013 Dress, Elie Saab Clutch, and Strappy Sandals

Before the 2013 Teen Choice Awards, Nina Dobrev stopped by the Cosmopolitan Summer Bash in a yellow embroidered mini dress with sheer panels from Julien Macdonald’s Fall 2013 collection:

She finished her ensemble with a teased ponytail, Elie Saab clutch, and $891 Strappy Sandals from the brand.

Check out her dress from the brand’s Fall 2013 collection.

Her leather sandals feature gold-tone bars across the front, gold-tone bar detailing at the ankle straps, rear zip fastenings and 4.7″ stiletto heels.

Hot!

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

*Julianne Hough was also spotted at the bash in a Camilla and Marc dress and $143 B Brian Atwood Merritta Sandals. What do you think of her look?

Be Sociable, Share!