Bandwagon or Trendsetter: LAMB reps for Africa

NYC Fashion Week has come to a close. But looking at the looks for the upcoming Spring 2011 line of Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. collection made us wonder, is this great idea or a fad that will soon fade. While a myriad of African designers recieve little to no international recognition, American designers just may steal what little shine they do receive. Especially within the last 2 years as we've started to see an influx of African patterns, designs and influences hit some mainstream fashion arenas. We're elated that the beauty that is Africa and all of its bold fabrics are getting mainstream love, but what happens to the underground designers and lovers of fashion who don't get honorable mention? We love Gwen Stefani and we know that if she's paying homage, it is out of sheer love and respect but we're just asking? Thank you Gwen.

Fashion Dreams Do Come True: LaQuan Smith

We love fashion fairy tales and the story of fashion designer Laquan Smith, is just that. Denied admissions by our beloved Fashion Institute of Technology, not once, not twice, but three times, LaQuan's frustrations turned his passion for fashion up a notch. With a sewing machine purchased for him at the age of 13 as a Christmas present, Laquan got busy and created the master pieces you see before you. Oh the story doesn't begin there. LaQuan would crash fashion parties and shows wearing his very own designs. LaQuan, 22, being from Queens gives him that extra aggressiveness not afforded to all. And as they say, if you can't make it there (NY that is), you can't make it anywhere. As fairy tales go, fashion publicist Kelly Mills was among one of the many parties LaQuan was crashing and his fashions soon began turning up on the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Take that FIT! Hey LaQuan, we got denied admissions too for fashion design at FIT so we're bitter, even though we went back and got into the FMM program - we understand what a denial is - those bums. Eh em, ok - we digress. Back to LaQuan's fairy tale...before you go thinking LaQuan has made it big time, he works out of his 150 square foot bedroom of the apartment he shares in Queens with his grandparents. Although we're sure he'll be moving on up like George and Weezie pretty soon. Especially since Andre Leon Tally, Vogue's Editor-at-large has taken up mentoring LaQuan. LaQuan Smith will be one to watch and we can't wait to see him take over the world, one fashion garment at a time.

For more info on LaQuan, visit: http://www.laquansmith.com/

Neo Fab Designer You Should Know: Monique Pean

NYC (where else): If you like minimalist goodies, as we do - then you'll love NY Accessories designer Monique Pean. Like some of you, Monique was bored with her day job, staring out of the window of her Wall Street gig, when BAM - it hit her; she wasn't happy. Born from that idea and her love for design, in 2006 Monique launched Monique Pean, a pioneering effort of eco-friendly and sustainable materials and the rest as they say is history. In 2009, Monique was one of the winners of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competion, one of the most prestigious of its kind. Monique has been a guest speaker at the Harvard School of Business as well as Parsons The New School for Design. Monique counts the First Lady, Kerry Washington and Angelina Jolie as her top clientele. And with Oprah putting her in the 'top 10 women on the rise', the sky is the limit.

Photos: (1st) Monique Pean (2nd) Michele Obama wearing Monique Pean jewels (3rd) Monique Pean collection: Bangle Horn with Diamonds sold at Barney's NY.

NY Fashion Week 2010: Who Got It Right?

NYC: Singer, and fashionista Kelly Rowland shows you what you should be running out and fetching for the fall season - prints, sheer madness and suede. That's it, that's all. And Thank you Ms. Kelly. We love it!

Fashion Files: H&M Confirms Lanvin Collaboration

Just in time for this year's turkey day, Black Friday and just your all around chance to shop for something fashionable, H&M confirms it's collaboration with France's oldest couture house Lanvin. The designer label will offer up both a men and women's wear, respectively and man, we can't wait. The fresh pieces will be designed by Alber Elbaz and Lanvin menswear designer, Lucas Ossendrijver and the collection will unveil on November 2, 2010 via a film on H&M's website. The womenswear collection will offer up 30 garments and 15 accessories. Christmas arrives in November for some H&M fashionistas - happy shopping!