GLAM OR SHAM?: Tyra's Returns to Modeling with a Tribute to Alexander McQueen

When the news hit my inbox, I had to do a double take. Tyra Banks, who famously retired from the runway and crowned herself Coach of the "Smize," was resurrecting her own modeling career. The press release further revealed that Queen Tyra, who recently announced plans to launch a book series, re-signed with IMG. Hmm...


Here's what Tyra had to say about signing with IMG: "In many ways, this is like coming home. The last time I was with IMG, I was set on taking on the modeling world in the high fashion and commercial sectors,“ said Tyra Banks, Founder and CEO of Bankable Enterprises. “Now I’m dreaming even bigger but this time for my company as well. Aligning myself with brands that I believe in, and helping them achieve the kind of success they’re looking for, helps all of us as we grow our businesses. And I know IMG is the right place at the perfect time. ”


My first thought was 'Who returns to modeling as a middle-aged mogul with a reality TV series, talk show, internet magazine and book company under their belt?' But we all know, Tyra jumps at the chance to be a trailblazer. Though I wish her the most success, I wonder how she'll be embraced in the editorial world/runway at this point in her career. She has the credentials, experience and skill (look at her smize!) without a doubt, but modeling is still considered a young woman's job. What are your thoughts?


Recently, she recruited Andre Leon Talley for a tribute shoot to Alexander McQueen in the May issue of her online magazine. The shoot evokes an aura of fashion royalty with Tyra and Andre posing in Alexander McQueen's regal collection. 

From the facial expressions in these photographs, she's still got it. But you be the judge. Should Tyra have resurrected her modeling career? What do you think of these photos, Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: www.tyrabanks.com.

GLAM OR SHAM?: Laquan Smith's Fall 2010 Lookbook featuring Sessilee Lopez

Designer Laquan Smith has had our hearts since last April, so we are thrilled to see his recent wave of success. From Andre Leon Talley's winning endorsement to a feature in last month's Vogue, Laquan has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the cool kid at the Paper Magazine party to fashion's favorite new designer.

You've seen his avante garde collection with its structured silhouettes, voluminous shapes and oceanic hues in our Designer Crush post. Now for the Queens, NYC native's Fall 2010 lookbook, he's enlisted the help of beautiful budding supermodel, and Glamazon favorite, Sessilee Lopez via Clutch Magazine.

What happens when one of the fiercest models and fashion's designer du jour join together? Pure fabulosity. Check out the pics from Laquan Smith's lookbook below and vote: Glam or a Sham. (We think it's as glam as it gets!)

Kisses,

Coutura

Source

Designer Crush: Laquan Smith

Sure he's famous and Andre Leon Talley-approved NOW, but I've always had the hots for new designer, Laquan Smith.

It was April of 2009 at Paper Magazine's Beautiful People party (where Katy Perry performed...with a blow-up lipstick case) where I first laid eyes on Laquan's work. And his leggings were indeed beautiful.

It was the kind of fashion that's so amazing you can't really describe it. They were sort of metallic, kind of leathery with to-die-for cut-outs. (Rihanna rocked a similar style Laquan Smith jumpsuit in her Rude Boy video). And I couldn't stop staring. And on top of everything, he was tall, skinny and uberfab.

In true Coutura form, I walked right up to him. "Umm, I need your leggings. Who makes them?" While chatting with Prince playing in the background, I learned I was speaking to the designer behind those fabu leggings, Laquan. He was a sweet, softspoken up-and-coming designer from Queens and I was a Fashion Assistant at The Magazine. Match made in fashion heaven.

Though his leggings are the definition of edgy, Laquan is much more than another purveyor of 'downtown cool.' He creates wearable art: one-of-a-kind pieces that warrant a second, and third, look. Since our chance meeting in April, Laquan has had the pleasure of seeing pieces from his line, LaQueue by Laquan, end up on Lady Gaga, Amerie, Jaslene from America's Next Top Model and Rihanna (Andre Leon Talley thinks Michelle Obama should be next).

And he totally deserves the attention. His vision is fresh, creative and brilliant, perfect for the celebrity, or fashionista, who commands the spotlight.

The inspiration for his latest collection? A water goddess. The color palette reflects sand and sea with oceanic tones of blue intermixing with camel hues. The silhouettes range from avante garde (hello puffy shoulder dress!) to red-carpet sexy (I died and was reborn in that blue fitted frock). Oh, and of course he included his famous leggings in blue. Check out his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection pieces below and go to www.laquansmith.com for more info on the designer.

How can you not crush on Laquan Smith with these amazing looks?! Laquan, if you're reading, call me. =)

Kisses,

Coutura

Badgley Mischka, Andre Leon Talley and Pink Peeptoes?

All hail the Voguettes...but what were those pink peeptoe flats about? Were they velvet? And wasn't it raining?

Anyway, today I was blessed to see the Badgley Mischka show and though getting an invite should have been enough, I HAD to have a seat too. I plopped down in the first open chair I saw with my head up (customary fashion week demeanor) but it quickly went down when a pr guy with a walkie talkie told me "these seats are for our sponsors only" in front of the whole standing section...humiliation 101. Luckily, I found a reason to flee when I spotted Jason Biggs (American Pie) being attacked by the Paps.

The Paps

All in your personal space, Jason Biggs!

And then my editor reached her charitable quota for the year by calling and giving me her seat literally five seconds before the show started (Thanks, boo!). And when the lights came on, every garment that hit the runway, from the bikinis to the gowns, was absolutely spellbinding. 

I am secretly in love with fellow glamazons, Mark Badgley and James Mischka...and this year, to the dismay of many of their loyal fans, they shied away from razzle dazzle and gave the sophisticated lady plenty of wearable pieces---from fresh floral prints to tailored coats.

Sidenote: is that a little thickness I see? I was happy a model who eats regularly made it to the runway...my editor, however, was floored.

But their gowns still brought the drama (note to Erin: this is ruffles done right).

Ferosh.

And for kicks, here's Marc Jacobs in a skirt...somebody tell me why...

Photos: NYMag.com.