Nigel Barker's Eternally Beautiful Face (Oh, And He Has A New Book Out, Too)

Nigel Barker really does have a beautiful face, Glamazons. And can you believe that my fellow blogging buddy Glambr grilled him about his skincare regime to no end and he doesn’t even really have one?! (Just drinks a lot of water..talk about some good genes!) That's him above..signing one of his new books for me. Isn't this an amazing pic?! Don't you love my Michelle Obama hair?! But (per usual), I’m getting ahead of myself..let me rewind back to the beginning.

One particularly stressful morning as I was wondering how the heck I was going to pay my rent for the month, I made my way down to SoHo to hear what Nigel Barker had to say about his new book, Beauty Equation. It was kind of strange that it was at Citibabes, which is basically like a daycare center for really rich parents, but whatever. Who am I to question event spaces? Needless to say, it turned out that having the background noise of screaming children while attempting to listen to this great man talk about his new book was not a particularly awesome experience so there wasn’t much that I got from the presentation.

However, lucky for me and my addiction to E! Television that I caught him the night before during a segment giving some pretty awesome style and red carpet tips.

Side note: You know how sometimes you take a pic and it looks like you have a third chin? Well, he said on the E! segment that you can avoid this by tilting your head back and then bringing it slowly forward right before taking a photo. No more turkey neck..genius!

While he did give some interesting background about himself (it seems like the man is head over heels in love with his wife) all I could think about was the fact that he is just as gorgeous as he looks on TV (if not better). I also thought that what a breathtakingly beautiful child we could have together.

But, all that is beside the point. The point is that his book is not as pretentious as one would think (considering that his main gig is to judge young girls on America's Next Top Model) and that I think that you should check it out. It also just happens to feature pictures of several editors that I know or have worked in the past with so it makes it that much more cooler in my book. (We all know that it would have been even more amazing if I’d have been featured in it as well, but that’s ok. I have high hopes and dreams that we’ll one be working together in some form of fabulous capacity.)

And how awesome is that he signed my book “To the most beautiful woman in the world?!” Yes, Glamazons, true story. (See below)

Beauty Equation retails for about $15 and is available now for purchase at a major bookstore near you (think Barnes & Noble). Be sure to let me know what you think of it after you check it out!

xo

Ferocia

Nine West Runway Relief for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with Nigel Barker, Coco Rocha and Jessica White

One thing Ferocia and I don't get tired of reporting? Fashion for a cause. Nine West is the latest brand to exercise compassion in fashion with their Runway Relief initiative.


The project will raise funds and awareness for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a cause close to my heart as I have one aunt who is a breast cancer survivor and have lost another to the disease. The concept is just as great as the cause.


Participating models were asked to wear the limited-edition Nine West Runway Relief boot, which has an Omron GOSmart Pocket Pedometer (HJ-303) that tracks how many steps each model takes while going from casting to fittings to shows during New York Fashion Week. That's a lot of steps, people (especially for Coco Rocha and Jessica White!).

Each mile will equal a $10 donation to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Don't you just love it?




Last week, famed photographer and CW's America's Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker, hosted a live photoshoot where he shot Coco Rocha, Jessica White, Michelle Alves and more for the initiative. 

As you can see, the photos are just fabulous (love Coco!).

The boot isn't just for models though --- a limited supply of the Runway Relief boot (which costs $199) is available NOW for Nine West Facebook fans exclusively.

Cheers to Nine West for stepping up in the fight against breast cancer. Here's to finding a cure!

Kisses,


Coutura

FIRST LOOK! Pure Energy for Target Plus-Size Collection, Modeled by ANTM Winner Whitney

Behold, Glamazons: an ANTM success story. Whitney Thompson has nabbed her first major campaign modelling Target's plus-size line from LA-based brand, Pure Energy. Wait, you didn't know Target has a plus-size line?

Well, they do and the latest styles are delightfully edgy and chic. Trends like sheer blouses, floral prints and military-style jackets all show up in the Pure Energy for Target Fall collection, which will launch in stores and online in July.

I especially love the denim. Sexy in an effortless, distressed kind of way, the denim hugs full-figured curves perfectly.

Check out pictures from the collection below.

What item are you picking up when it hits Target stores? And what do you think of Whitney's gig? Did she perfect the smize?

Kisses,

Coutura

Source

Lauren Conrad's New Book & TV Show Season Premiers

Spotlight On The Media
Lauren Conrad's Newest Book In The L.A. Candy Series:
I loved Lauren Conrad's first book, L.A. Candy, and was glad when I saw the second one in the series, Sweet Little Lies, on display at Books-A-Million. The storyline is very similar to what Conrad has experienced herself. Its about reality television. L.A. Candy is the name of the reality television show in the book, and the story is about the girls on the show (mainly Jane Roberts and Scarlett Harp). They're really good reads, and I definitely recommend them. Lauren Conrad did a great job.




Gossip Girl Season 4 Premier:
Gossip Girl is one of my favorite shows, so I couldn't wait until the 4th season was going to air. It premiered on Monday, and so I'll give you a basic recap. Chuck met a woman who could possibly be his mother (who was believed to have died while in child birth with Chuck), Nate and Serena's relationship, and Jenny's getting into dangerous situations with her new European friend. What's going to happen? Only time will tell. . . . . .

America's Next Top Model Season 14:
Yesterday was the premier of America's Next Top Model Season 14. They narrowed down the girls and then the girls who made it got makeovers. It was only the first episode, so I'm not sure what all there names are yet, but so far I like the girl who's head is shaved. I think she's going to do go. What do you think?
pictures from harperteen , expressnightout , zimbio , gracemagazine , & dailyradar

WIN IT!: Tyra Show Plus-Size Model Competition

Before curves became en vogue, Tyra Banks was an advocate for plus-size models in the fashion industry. Besides recruiting fly, full-figured models for America's Next Top Model like the beautiful Toccara and Whitney Cunningham (who I met at the party celebrating ANTM's Oxygen move...what a sweetheart!), Banks has faced vicious criticism for her own weight gain as well.


It's not easy for a plus-size model in Fashion and I've always appreciated Tyra's willingness to speak out about it. Finally, she's putting her money where her mouth is.


Banks is launching a plus-size competition on the Tyra show called "The Fiercely Real Model Search." Plus-size models between the ages of 13-19 can enter to win a one-year Wilhemina modeling contract, a cover and fashion spread in Tyra's online magazine and a spread in a major fashion magazine. Click here for details.


Here's what the model-turned-mogul had to say about the competition:

"I've always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty; through 'America's Next Top Model,' 'True Beauty' and 'The Tyra Show' I challenge industry and universal standards by featuring and celebrating non-traditional beauty, and stressing that true beauty is both inside and out," Banks said. "Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman's life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out."

Truly commendable. All beautiful plus-size girls get ready to half-turn, pose and strut for the modeling chance of a lifetime! Tyra will announce the winner on her talk show on March 3rd. 


Good luck from The Glamazons!


Kisses,


Coutura

Reading Material: Miss J.'s Book Launch

Hey Glamazons!

J. Alexander, famed judge from America's Next Top Model, is the latest fashion guru to walk sashay into the world of publishing. His first memoir, "Follow the Model," is a must-have handbook for fashionistas, chock full of style advice and funny anecdotes. "Follow the Model" delivers all the sass and wit (a la his famous saying: 'Walk like it's for sale and the rent is due tonight') we've come to love from the famous runway coach. Check out more fabulous quotables...and those famous legs...in the Glamazon-approved book in stores now.

Kisses,

Coutura

America's Next Top Model Joins the Blackface Bandwagon

Hey Glamazons,

A Glamazon reader brought to my attention that in last night's episode of America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks painted a white and Asian contestant black for their photo shoot. According to the Huffington Post:

"...in last night's episode, Tyra crossed the fine line from tasteless over to offensive when she put the remaining six contestants in ethnic garb and gave them biracial identities."

Tyra shot these six contestants in a sugarcane field in Hawaii, culturally significant because as she puts it, people traveled from different places to work there and procreated to develop blended races. In reference to the ethnic garb, Tyra explained that the clothes chosen aren't accurate representations of the way certain cultures dress, but merely "a fashion interpretation." Hmm. Does creativity negate the need for historical accuracy? Does it justify cultural insensitivity? Interesting...

Given my and lot of your heated reactions to another "fashion interpretation," the French Vogue Blackface photo shoot, I was sure that Tyra's photo shoot would be met with just as much hostility. Until I read another comment about the fact that Tyra has painted white and black contestants with Asian features for ANTM Cycle 3's shoot in Tokyo. See photos below.

I wonder if Asian, and specifically Japanese, women watching the show felt the same kind of outrage that many of our black readers did...or is this practice specifically hurtful to us given the sensitive history of blackface?

What do you think? Are the images from the ANTM photo shoot as offensive as that from French Vogue? Why or why not? Why was there an outrage among black women (and men) for the French Vogue photoshoot while the Asian population remained largely silent about the ANTM photo shoot? What's the line between art and racism? Does it differ depending on the race being "interpreted"?

Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: The CW. antmc3.blogspot.com

Magazine Glam: Tyra to Launch Fashion Mag

Hey Glamazons!

Former Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated supermodel Tyra Banks is going behind the scenes to launch her own fashion title, according to WWD. Tyra: Beauty Inside & Out emerges as the latest business venture from the business mogul, who already has a popular talk show and reality show on her roster. 

The web-only magazine will employ six full-time staffers and feature topics ranging from beauty and fashion to healthy living and relationships. In true, shrewd business-woman fashion, Tyra sidestepped the flailing print industry to explore the burgeoning online media world. The site will launch today at 5PM with a competition for America's Next Top Model Cycle 14, where the winner gets an interview in the final round of the audition process.

Are you excited for the launch of Tyra's magazine? Will you be logging in? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Model Misbehavior

Impossibly skinny women and gay men took over Manhattan as we celebrated America's Next Top Model's move to Oxygen. With Mama Tyra leading the procession, a parade of stilettos, bandaged dresses and flowing weaves moved from the red carpet on Broadway to the inside of NYC's famed Gotham Hall. Saleisha, Bree, Jazlene, Camille, Bianca, Danielle, Stacy Ann, Furonda, Whitney Cunningham all strutted past us clicking their 3-inch heels. It was like being transported into a real-life Top Model marathon...with endless martinis, bbq shrimp and free lip glosses (with the Oxygen logo...soo cute!).

After enjoying some great star sightings---Dawn and Q from MTB4, Miss USA (Crystle Stewart) and Ms. J in all his fabulousness, we mingled and sashayed to the tune of Sexy Back and Prince's Kiss.



Miss J and Coutura reunite!



Okay, I secretly watched every season of Making the Band! I just love these two. Can we get a collabo?



All in together now....Awwwww! Aren't they adorable?



The beautiful ones: Miss America and MAC Make-up Artiste Extraordinaire, Josh Swann


...And we laughed incessantly at the infamous scene where Tyra screams on Tiffany. They played it on the big screen over and over again! Props to Tyra for being able to laugh at herself.

Of course, they had an impromptu fashion show. It was fabou (and made me even more excited for Fashion week!) even though the girls wore the same party dresses they came in. They still proved Ms. Jay's training (walk like it's for sale and the rent is due tonight!!) was not in vain.

















Cute!!

But for all the glitz and glamour, there was a furry pink elephant in the room: the fact that the models just didn't seemed to be working. Everyone arrived with a hungry publicist with comp card in hand and most weren't even signed to an agency. Some had left the industry altogether. And the few models who had secured gigs (a magazine shoot here, a TV commercial there) were treated like royalty. Sadly, I can almost guarantee that the big wigs in the fashion industry (read: the Almighty Anna Wintour and her entourage) don't even know their names.

And what's worse? Arguably the most successful vixens to come out of ANTM, Eva (who's marrying that fine black man...good for you, girl) and Toccara, didn't even show. Ouch. It seems the show itself is the only winner, not the models vying for a spot in the fashion biz.

Even the party's theme, Obsessed, came off as a not-so-subtle plea that viewers will continue to be obsessed with the series after the move to Oxygen. (Interesting that Project Runway, it's cousin, or rival depending on who you're talking to, is making the switch to Lifetime). I personally stopped watching ANTM last season (uhhh...just over it...) but tell me, will you be tuning in?

Oh and here are more pictures of the ANTM girls for your enjoyment. WORK, LADIES! (No pun intended, I swear.)





Camille's tan was from the Cayman Islands!! I could use that glow (the frigid NYC weather makes you paler and paler...)



What do you know about a mohawk with a blonde highlight and supersize bow tie? The world can't handle all this smexy.



My best model pose. My friends made me do it!

Until next time, stay warm (my Northeast friends!!).

Kisses,

Coutura