When I started watching the film I thought this would be just other documentary a fashion “GOD”. I thought all I would see was the creation of a beautiful line for a fashion show and maybe get to see Mr. Valentino have a few Diva Tantrums. What I did not realize was that I would absolutely fall in love with Mr. Valentino and his wonderful partner in love, life and business Mr. Giancarlo Giammetti and their five fabulous Pugs. I saw this documentary as a love story with a twist of beautiful fashion. It was a surprisingly moving snapshot of the end of an era. I will admit that it made me shred a tear or two when watching Mr. Valentino’s 45 years of fashion being observed by the women and people he’s been dressing for years. To see the reaction of Karl Lagerfield when taken into the Room of Evening gowns helped me understand exactly what the name Valentino means and should mean to women everywhere.

This film was shot between June 2005 and July 2007 and over 250 hours of footage was captured showing Mr. Valentino as true jetsetter, he traveled from his Mansions, went skiing in Gstaad and spent warm days on yachts and still he was able to work on his fashions while Mr. Giancarlo and the Valentino Team planned a massive 3-day extravaganza that cost nearly $20 million, that would commemorate Valentino’s 45th year anniversary in fashion. All the while you get an intimate look at the relationship between Mr. Valentino and Giancarlo. They honestly reminded me of an old, yet absolutely fabulous, married couple from when they argued about where they first met to Giancarlo letting Valentino know he may have been a little “too tan” after one of his interviews. I totally agreed with Giancarlo, Valentino was hitting that Orange Burst tone, but that would literally be my only complaint of the entire 90-minute masterpiece. I believe that the Valentino Fashion House was able to last as long as it did because of the love in this partnership. Not just to each other but to the fashion. Valentino let the world know he just wanted to make the women of the world look beautiful but Mr. Giancarlo the man who handled all the day-to-day business helped Valentino make that dream a reality. I believe they both exposed themselves with a refreshing brutal honesty that comes with years of love and determination to make all of their relationships work. “To be with Valentino as a friend, as a lover, as and employee you need a lot of patience” Is one of the many lines that Mr. Giancarlo stated in one of his interviews and you definitely see the patience that Giancarlo has with Valentino specifically. From calming Valentino down from one of his few rants about the cameras following him to the frustration he showed when putting the finishing touches on the White Ruffled Evening Gown that I fell in love with. Giancarlo always seemed to know exactly what to say to Valentino and this is why I believe They seem to have found a perfect balance between business and personal as well as learned to mix both worlds to work for them. When Mr. Giancarlo stated that in the 45 years that they have been together they have only been apart from each other for maybe 2 months I was simply amazed by that fact but definitely not shocked you can see with the fluid movements of their relationships that Giancarlo is the Yin to Valentino’s Yang. I can only say that this movie inspired my heart to search for that kind of connection that seems like it will last a lifetime.

The conclusion of this movie sadden me because by the end I felt like I was leaving a friend. I felt as though Valentino and Giancarlo were kind enough to let me into their lives to witness genius in action and that they will definitely be a part of my heart and a part of my quest to find a love this divine whether it be with a man or with that lovely White Ruffled Evening gown I know that I am forever changed after experiencing this movie and only can wish that you will come away with the feelings I did.

Tonight, I was perusing the internet hoping to find an early image of Michelle Obama’s dress for the state dinner with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Indian First Lady Gursharan Kaur and I happened upon what will now likely be one of my favorite websites from tonight on out. There is a website dedicated to following the fashion of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mrs. O did not disappoint. They had pictures of what Michelle was wearing when her and First Lady Gursharan stood in the East room

Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Both First Ladies look exquisite. Michelle’s outfit is by designer Isaac Mizrahi, from his pre-Fall 2009 line.

For the actual dinner Michelle looks breathtaking.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

I never get tired of looking at this couple. They exude style, love and hope!

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Michelle’s dress was designed by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan.

We would like to thank Mrs. O for providing us with the images and information so that we could share it with our readers

Queen Bees!

Wanna rumble with the queen huh? We’re giving the crown to the one well, wearing the crown. The first bees outfit is cute. We actually prefer her antennae and bodysuit better than the glitter antennae and bikini top worn by our champ but the skirt, stockings and wings put her over the top to reign as queen bee until next Halloween.

Joker

Hmm, I think the joke is on both of them because neither looks very Heath Ledger to me but if I had to choose I would choose the first. While I give props to a man willing to throw on a nurse’s dress to complete his Halloween look I just don’t think he pulled it off as well as our purple suited super villain.

This is NY’s own DJ Kaos. He was looking great this passed weekend celebrating the 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Charity Event held by Showcase Entertainment & Empire Entity. It is a Pink & Black semi-formal affair. The pink shirt that he chose goes great with his complexion.

His tie isn’t our favorite but it goes well with his look.

Choose whichever side you want when it comes to politics but there is nobody that can say this is not a beautiful family. You can see the love exude from each of them. This is what America needs to see. Our skin color and political beliefs are not what is important at the end of the day. What is important is that we remember to love each other and cherish the moments we have together.

Thank you Mr. President for sharing this with us!

The September Issue honed into theaters this past September having many peoples eyebrows up as to what to expect.

Anna Wintour – the editor at large at American Vogue Magazine, is the real ‘Devil Wears Prada.’ She is not as demanding as Miranda Priestly but sure enough is as chilly and intriguing nonetheless throughout the documentary.

Although the film was clearly about the makings of the most important, largest in size and scale issue of the year, the Fashion issue which is: The September Issue, the previews allowed us to feel we’d get a real taste for Anna. We do -get the Anna through interview and her working the office and the Fashion shows. Anna still is stiff and gives a small amount to a world that she is rather Large in.

Anna’s decision making is a bit chilly -but Anna knows best and even if it can ruffle any of her fellow colleagues feathers, what Anna says, goes.

Head designers and Creative Directors of some of the top of the line Couture houses such as, Donna Karen, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gautier, YSL and new comer Thakoon to name a few, all alike, depend on Anna’s input: yay or nay.

Wintour’s blank stares are classic- they embody some of her disdain for what she doesn’t  approve of- quite comical actually. The bob-toting diva has to be present at high end fashion shows. It’s a must! The emphasis in the film for her to be there is imperative and the show will not start unless Anna is seated front and center. Talk about power in the $300 Billion dollar Fashion industry. Technically we can say Anna run’s this town, the Fashion town that is.

Vogue would be incomplete without the antics and fabulousness that is, Andre Leon Talley.

But behind the doors of Vogue is Anna’s right hand woman and head Creative Director,

Grace Coddington. Grace is responsible for some of the best shoots/spreads in Vogue history.

Be it that Grace has worked for British Vogue and American Vogue for over 40 years.

She began working at American Vogue when Anna Wintour began in 1988. Within the film

we get a closer look into Grace’s life. Her creative direction and loyalty to Vogue is uncanny.

She is a dynamic force, and in her youth was a model whom graced the cover as well.

Her passion for her craft is truly inspiring and is well noted in the film. Truthfully The September Issue embodied Grace far beyond it did Anna. But don’t get it twisted Grace is sweet and great at  what she does, but is no push over and lets Anna know it whenever she can in the most fun mannered way.  You have got to love that when your dealing with someone like Anna. It helped the film move a long and added a softness to the fab/high paced portion of the film.

We never really realize the amount of work it takes to put together a magazine and even more so one like Vogue’s September Issue, this film documented the fast pace, great fashion, creativity and hard work to make it all come together.

If you love fashion you will love the  peak into Anna’s world and love how Grace captured the hearts of viewers with her passion. Definitely a must see for Fashionista’s alike: I’d give it 4 stars!

~Tamina B.

This has to be one of my favorite looks from the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards. I mean seriously, if you’re gonna be over the top at a Hip Hop awards show, is there any better way to do it?

He brought the 80s back Hip Hop style. Slick Rick, Run DMC & Radio Raheem should be proud!