AD GLAM: Beyonce Gets Fierce For Her New Dereon Ad

For the new Dereon ad, Beyonce is pulling out shoulder pads, lace cut-outs, diamonds, tattoos, buckles and motorcycles. If that's not fierce, I don't know what is.

Her makeup channels sophisticated, sultry glamour with platinum blonde cut and beautiful cat-eyes, accented by a cluster diamond necklace and chandelier earrings.

That glamour is juxtaposed with tattoos, buckles and a bike; tough luxe, indeed.

What do you think of Beyonce's new rock-glam ad? Glam or Sham?

Kisses,

Coutura

Reebok's Easy Tone Sneakers Will Make Your Body Resemble a Nude Supermodel's (According to the Ad)

I'll wear the Reebok Easy Tone Sneakers in the shower if they can make me look like Helena Christensen. The Danish supermodel, who celebrated her 41st bday, disrobes for the Reebok easy tone ad, putting all 20-something women to shame (or atleast me) via Vogue UK.

Her body is toned, athletic and still feminine, courtesy of the Reebok Easy Tone sneakers (my guess is it's really a result of amazing genes, but that's just my opinion). Created by an ex-NASA engineer, the sneakers claim to tone your leg and rear muscles with every step turning mundane activities into butt-shaping endeavors.

Has anyone out there tried the Easy Tone sneakers? I'm not a sneaker girl (hello...Louboutins) but my neverending goal to achieve a body like Helena's might sway my opinion. Read below how walking around in NYC has helped create her bod:

“Living in New York, I like to walk everywhere, so to have trainers that tone your legs and butt as you walk is fantastic,” she explained. “You can really feel them working and I’ve noticed a difference in just a few weeks. They are comfortable to walk in, it almost feels like you are walking on sand, but by the end of the day you can feel it in your legs almost like you have done a workout.” 

This might be just what I need. Or maybe I can wear them to the gym for double the workout. What do you think, Glamazons? Would you wear the Reebok Easy Tone sneakers? If you already have, please report back and tell us if you've seen a change in your physique. Do you think they'll really work (i.e. make us all look like Helena)? Discuss.

If you're convinced, click here to purchase the sneakers. I, on the other hand, am off to the Louboutin sample sale. Yes, I'm serious.

Kisses,

Coutura

Source

AD GLAM: Givenchy Casts Transsexual Model in Ad Campaign for Fall 2010

Inclusion is in style. The Givenchy Fall 2010 ad campaign will include a transsexual model via WWD.com. Riccardo Tisci, the brand's creative director, opted to cast transsexual model, Lea T., who is also his personal assistant and former fit model. And she looks incredible in the ads!

Tisci noted that including a transsexual model in his ads demonstrates the "masculine-feminine dichotomy" that epitomizes his brand.

I am thrilled to see this kind of inclusion, especially on the helm of the fashion industry embracing plus-size and ethnically diverse models as well. Fashion is for everyone. Bravo Givenchy!

What do you think of Givenchy's decision to include a transsexual model?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Beyonce's New High-Fashion Ads for House of Dereon

A faraway location. A gorgeous, flowing dress. A striking hairstyle. Beyonce pulled out all the high-fashion stops for her latest ad campaign for House of Dereon. 


Shot against a volcano in Santorini, Greece, Beyonce wears a flowing, green watercolor halter dress and a fuschia mini strapless dress with a side ruffle.


I live for her pompadour, but the fit of the fuschia dress seems all wrong! House of Dereon isn't known for their construction, but to attempt an avante garde look, the fabric and fit of the garment must be immaculate. 

The shots of her flowing green dress are stunning. The chiffon dress boasts embroidery around the neckline and a majestic watercolor print that mirrors the land. Just beautiful. P.S. As a dancer, I find her leap with the mountains and sea in the background beyond breathtaking.

She also posed in more casual, everyday clothes for the campaign, wearing a gray blazer flanked with studs and heavy metal chains. In her signature over-the-top fashion, Beyonce wore a studded bracelet, a short denim studded skirt, smoky eyes and a shaggy blonde bang to complete the look. I'm on board---especially since for Fall, gray is the new black. Ow!

What do you think of the new ads, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: BeyonceWorld.net.

Sex Sells, but is T.I.'s Clothing Ad Taking it Too Far?

What does simulated oral sex have to do with jeans?

Everything, according to T.I.'s clothing brand, AKOO. Their advertisement, which graces a billboard in Newark, New Jersey (woot! woot! Sorry, Jersey girl moment), depicts a woman pulling down a man's AKOO jeans, with his hand lovingly dictating what she should do with her head. Sigh.

There's been nothing short of an uproar among Jersey residents about the explicit nature of the ad. Even the mayor spoke up, but his gripe wasn't about the simulation, it was about the jeans sagging off the male model's behind...umm, so simulated oral sex in tight jeans is better?

Anyway, I do agree that the ad is not something I'd want my impressionable, pre-pubescent cousin to see while out and about in Newark.

But as we all know, billboard sex is all too common in the high-end fashion world, with Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana being repeat offenders. They make AKOO's ad look tame. Check out some jaw-dropping risque ads below (NSFW).

Implied gang rape at Dolce & Gabbana.

Simulated orgy at Calvin Klein.

Eva Mendes' boobs at Calvin Klein.

Pretend Masturbation at Emanuel Ungaro.

Simulated oral sex again at Puma.

Yes, I guess it catches your eye when you're stuck in traffic on a city street. But is it socially responsible to put these offensive ads out there? 

And what in the world does it have to do with clothes? Sex sells, yes, but vulgarity won't encourage me to purchase a pair of jeans. Thoughts?

UPDATE: T.I.'s ad has been taken down from the billboard in Newark. Do you think removing the ad is excessive or understandable?

Kisses,

Coutura

Ad Glam: Giuseppe Zanotti, I Heart You!

Glamazons,

I live for these sandals. Giuseppe Zanotti has created the most amazing animal print shoes that are so hot they're bursting in flames, literally. Lovelovelove!

Check their new ad which is a salute to the very best trends of the season---a denim, leather, neon, animal print lovefest! And who better to rock the look than fashion darling, model Anja Rubik?

...and though I was hesitant to accept Cassie as a fashion maven, I have to give her the Glam seal of approval for her outfit at the SoBe Summer Friday finale.

I'm loving the rock star meets Bam-Bam look in the ripped "RIP YSL" cold shoulder top and animal print sandals.





What do you think about the ad (and those amazing shoes!)? Are you feeling Cassie's new look? Can we call her a trendsetter yet? Discuss.


Kisses,

Coutura

Ad Glam: Ne-Yo in Alfani Red for Macy's

Confession: when I first heard Ne-Yo would be the spokesperson for Macy's Alfani Red line, I was skeptical. Though his ever-present fedora adds (slightly) to his fashion credibility, in my opinion, he lacks the innate style and fashion point-of-view of a Kanye, Pharrell or Andre 3000. That is to say he looks like a rerun of Micheal Jackson in Smooth Criminal or the "Rat Pack," (as he likens himself to in interviews) but cannot claim a distinct look of his own.

The unveiling of the black and white ads yesterday at the Metropolitan Pavilion, however, left me pleasantly surprised. Alfani Red and Ne-Yo fit together as seamlessly as Ne-Yo's tailored black suit (he looked very dapper...so much so the fedora didn't annoy me). Alfani Red's new collection brings youth and modernity to the sharp, sophisticated 'Rat Pack' suits of the past and in his brilliant music and timeless style, Ne-Yo aims to do the same. Boasting an impeccable fit and signature red stitching, the collection, which Ne-Yo describes as "bold and sleek," ranges from $49-325. What struck me specifically was the silhouette - the suits taper slightly at the waist and the streamlined look elongates. Truly, it looks stunning on but don't take my word for it - see for yourself.


At the event, Ne-Yo made it clear why he is the face of the brand, charming fashion favorites and photographers and even doing the moonwalk between poses. The year of the gentleman, indeed.



His suave demeanor and affinity for the spotlight were captured brilliantly in the ads by Walter Chin who shot the singer/songwriter in Prague. The unveiling of these ads mark the beginning of a one-year deal with Ne-Yo and the Alfani Red line for Macy's.


What do you think of the ads? Do you think Ne-Yo was the right choice for spokesperson? Will you shop the collection?

Kisses,

Coutura