Islandistas on red carpets across the globe

Islandistas (and an islandisto) hit red carpets from London to Los Angeles last week. Fashion, film and music all collided as island folk graced red carpets for the Elle Style Awards in London, the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles and further down the fame totem pole, BET's Rip the Runway fashion show in New York City.

The Elle Style awards kicked things off with Naomi Campbell, Corinne Bailey Rae and Leona Lewis all attending. Check these and other pics.



[caption id="attachment_2134" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Photo credit: elleuk.com"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2119" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Leona was demure yet hot in Alexander McQueen. (Photo credit: elleuk.com)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2120" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Photo credit: elleuk.com"][/caption]

Check out photos from the NAACP Image Awards and Rip The Runway after the cut.

Islandistas around the tents at NYFW

Islandistas were not just on the catwalks (in abundance!) during the recently ended New York Fashion Week - plenty of them were also in the front rows at shows as well and at the hot parties and after-parties during the week.

It was like CARICOM in de place, with fashionista islandistas from Antigua, Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Jamaica and Grenada just to name a few!

Check out the pics to see the island chicks (and man) we spotted at NYFW.

[caption id="attachment_2021" align="aligncenter" width="280" caption="Antigua-born stylist June Ambrose goofing around with Miss Jay."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2022" align="aligncenter" width="241" caption="...And with half-Grenadian singer Estelle."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2023" align="aligncenter" width="305" caption="Domincana-boricua actress Zoe Saldana taking in a show intently from the front row."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2024" align="aligncenter" width="178" caption="Cayman Islands girl and Victoria's secret model Selita Ebanks at the Rebecca Taylor show after party. She also took in Rachel Roy's show the same day."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2026" align="aligncenter" width="264" caption="Trini-American designer/video director/party promoter Vashti Kola at Rachel Roy's show."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2027" align="aligncenter" width="280" caption="Jamaican-American model Tyson Beckford taking in the G * Star show with a friend."][/caption]

Islandistas on the fashion scene

As the holidays approach, islandistas have been making some moves on the modelling scene - both the professional catwalkers and the celebs.

Selita, Selina and Shena have all been visible recently.

Teenaged newcomers, Martinique's Selina Khan and Jamaica's Shena Moulton, both scored holiday campaigns for Gap. Selina is featured in the American Gap posters, getting skippy with other models in a red flannel look, while Shena is part of the crew backing up rapper Pharrell in the Japanese Gap promo. Check out the pics below.

Estelle is also featured in the Japanese Gap holiday print campaign, on her own, in a menswear inspired look that we really like.

Meanwhile, Selita walked the runway last night with the rest of the Victoria's Secret Angels in their big annual holiday showcase - and looked fabulous both on the runway, rocking out with the Black Eyed Peas and on the red carpet after the event, as you can see below.

More islandistas at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards

So, we were pretty caught up over Rihanna's gorgeous Stephane Rolland couture dress at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

That dress deserved a post all for itself.

Now, onto the other islandistas that were at the event.

Another islandista honouree, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice was also on hand to collect her award in a sleek strapless black dress with a sharp angled v-neck bodice.

[caption id="attachment_1738" align="aligncenter" width="315" caption="Photo credit: AP/Henny Ray Abrams"][/caption]

Stylist June Ambrose rocked out a sparkly Sonia Rykiel short dress with minimal accessories and natural looking makeup - nice look.




And Estelle performed in a black suit that we're not quite sure about. We like the androgynous look, but we find it should be cut a bit closer and more feminine to really work. As it is, it  just looks like she put on a small fella's suit.

[caption id="attachment_1740" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Photo credit: AP/Henny Ray Abrams"][/caption]

Bits and pieces - Leona's race ban, red carpet sightings and Rihanna to speak out

You know every now and then we have to do a pelau post when there's so much going on that we need to put it all in de pot! This is one of those - we have news from all over - on Ri-ri, Leona (Le-le?) and islandistas on the red carpet from Rio to London to L.A.

So to start with - islandistas have been all over people's red carpets over the last week - from the premieres of the Michael Jackson This Is It movie in London and Los Angeles, to Fashion Rocks in Brazil.

Check out a few of the looks below.

[caption id="attachment_1644" align="aligncenter" width="306" caption="Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan was hot at the London premiere of This Is It in a jewel panelled LBD with a jewelled halter neckline."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="222" caption="Nia Long in textured black leggings and a black leather jacket at the LA premiere."][/caption]

For more looks and news on Rihanna's first public interview and Leona's racism run-in, read on.

Islandista Fashion Notes - Fashion Night Out & Alex Burke's saucy dress

Oh islandistas, so much is happening right now in the world where islandistaness (yeh, just made it up), and fashion intersect, that we can scarcely keep up!

New York Fashion Week is on like boil corn and you know we will be giving you the news from the runways and red carpets.

And of course... the parties. Vogue did it big like only they can last night when they hosted the global Fashion Night Out (FNO) - a night of retail therapy, model mingling and retail recovery in every city and country where Vogue is published.

Naturally, some of our fashionista islandistas made appearances at various FNOs - Rihanna and Estelle were spotted at events for the New York City FNO while supermodel preggy Jourdan Dunn was at the London FNO.

Oh Ri-Ri, what have you done? Fools in the club are still stumbling around wearing those Kanye West shutter shades all two years after the 'Stronger' music video - now you give them this?

Hot Islandista style

Islandista Rihanna and Selita Ebanks hit the scene in recent days looking as hot as a Caribbean summer!

First Rihanna was at the London premier of Inglourious Basterds in a black Alexander McQueen jumpsuit. Now we are not real big on a lot of jumpsuits/playsuits out there - too many folks wear them badly and end up looking like either a mechanic or a baby with a disturbingly sexy onesie.

But of course Ri-ri rocked it out... with mounds of pearls, a dramatic pompadour, lace gloves ruby red lipstick and attituuuuude gyal!

[caption id="attachment_1297" align="aligncenter" width="281" caption="photo source: theybf.com"][/caption]

Islandistas at the BET Awards & after-parties

Sighhhh.... oh BET.

BET, BET, B.E.T.

What can we say about Black Entertainment (or is that Exploitation?) Television's awards show on Sunday night?

Well for one, we like others really only tuned in for the expected Michael Jackson tribute.

If it weren't for that, we doubt we would have made it all the way through.

It was especially rough towards the end there when Lil Wayne and the world's most hyped new rapper Drake performed 'Every Girl in the World'.

And Lil Wayne brought his 10 year old daughter and her friends up on stage.

To sing along with the lyrics "I just wanna f*ck every girl in the world."

Leg of mutton dressed up as...

I well tired now and I ent even get to blog about Trinidad Carnival which is reaching its peak this weekend but I promise all you islandistas that I will get to it! Just now! Soon come! And all of that...

But I just got a quick ting to drop pun yuh from the Brit Awards night before last in London.

Our girl Estelle is doing what she does and well...

[caption id="attachment_642" align="aligncenter" width="196" caption="Photo credit: PA"][/caption]

 

I... do not know what to make of this dress. I have been trying to work with Estelle and her crazy-angled dresses but ...

I see what she trying to do and ting ... be cutting edge and fashion forward (though since leg of mutton sleeves are actually circa the late 1800s - so can you be fashion forward if you going back over a century?) but... oh gosh man, she just looking fuh attention now.

And I think Nora here (compliments Wikipedia's nice little entry on 1890s fashion) rocked the look much better back in 1896.

[caption id="attachment_643" align="aligncenter" width="304" caption="Photo credit: Wikimedia commons"][/caption]

Rihanna's dad - "I didn't believe it" and Fashion Week stuff

Rihanna's father, Ronald Fenty has spoken of his shock on hearing of his daughter's alleged assault at the hands of her (now ex we presume?) boyfriend Chris Brown. Speaking to people.com, Mr. Fenty was remarkably restrained and diplomatic for someone whose only girl child has been battered (or maybe they just edited out the part where he said 'if I ever see Chris Brown again, I gine burst he rasshole head... who knows?).

"I know my daughter," said Fenty, 55. As for Brown, he said, "You think you know somebody, but you really don't."

Describing Rihanna's current condition after seeing her in Barbados on Friday, Fenty said, "There is some bruising. She will be alright. I think so."

He adds, "At some point, she will speak out. I hope she will stand up for women all over the world."

Fenty, a salesman and freelance clothing designer, said Rihanna is spending time with her girlfriends in Barbados while she heals. While Fenty said he wouldn't tell his daughter what to do, he did say, "If it were me, I'd move on."

Like we said... restrained. Kudos to Mr. Fenty for taking the high road. 

In other news... it's FASHION WEEK!

New York Fashion Week is having an existential crisis about whether it's appropriate to have the traditional lavish displays of luxury and wealth when the world is in a recession. Several designers, including Ms. Fabulosity herself Kimora Lee Simmons (soon to be Hounsou?) have scaled back their shows in deference to the recession.

But the clothes still cost an arm and a leg ok? And a few toes on the next foot... but at least dey trying.



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Islandista Nia Long looked cute as can be walking the cat walk for the Heart Truth's red dress collection in a dress by top black designer Tracy Reese and a new group called the African Fashion Collective had an all-star cast of black models for their show, including islandista Jaunel McKenzie and guest appearances by Tyson Beckford and the irrepressible Grace Jones.

[caption id="attachment_631" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="photo credit: Young, Black and Fabulous"][/caption]

Saucy text caused Chrihanna bust-up?

And the news just keeps on coming and coming in this Rihanna-Chris Brown assault mess.

Word from tmz.com is that law enforcement sources have said that the fight (well, really beating because I don't know how many licks Ri-ri got in but Chris seems to have gotten in more) between the couple was caused by a text message that Chris received from a woman while he and Rihanna were driving home from Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party.

From tmz:

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ Chris Brown received a text message from a woman while he was driving with Rihanna and that's what started the confrontation that left Rihanna battered and bruised.

We're told the text message was from a woman who wrote about hooking up with Brown later.

Tsk. I guess that was almost inevitable, wasn't it? Not the beating obviously, but the signs of straying. Two such hot young people only just getting the opportunity to explore their youth and hotness is a combustible enough combination for regular folk. When you add the factor of their being basically on their own with no parental supervision that is an even more volatile situation, leading to premature domesticity and kids trying to act like old married couples when they're really young and hormonal - trust me we've seen it - UWI anyone?

Worse, when they are besieged by sexual offers all the time because of their fame and their teen idol/sex symbol status - it could only end in tears.

Ending in blows, however is something else altogether...

In other Chrihanna bust up related news, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office has sent back the evidence which the LAPD sent to them today. Apparently, they want the LAPD to work on it more as they feel there is not enough evidence to charge Chris with at this point in time. Eh? you may say. Apparently they are trying to get him on a whole set of charges including domestic violence, battery etc so they need the evidence to be strong. I thought a buss face was strong evidence but I ent no legal eagle...

In other islandista news (yes, there is actually other news), we have some pics of islandistas and islandistos on the red carpet at various Grammy weekend events. Had them for a while but this Chrihanna bust up has been taking up a lot of time - every time you turn your head, there's a new 'development'.

Soooooooo...

Up and coming Bajan singers Shontelle and Hal Linton both hit the New Era party with Akon.



Love Shon's hot pink skirt, not fond of the black camisole. And you're still too thin hon - please put on a leeeetle more weight.

Actually like Hal's look, even the extra-pointy faux-hawk which is shocking since I DESPISE the trend of faux-hawks - it has generally gotten out of control but Hal rocks it well here - looks funky and like he's doing 'him'. Good church boy that he actually is, he's probably  really doing what the label advises him to do but at least it has the appearance of being individualistic.

Estelle hit up the gifting suite before the Grammys. Again in an outfit that you will either love or hate. I've decided to just embrace Estelle's choices - she's a London chick after all so she's always going to be a bit edgy and off.



And before the madness ensued, Rihanna rocked a very cute blue dress on the red carpet at the Verizon/Blackberry pre-party.

Bits & Pieces: Riri stage sickness, Estelle's EMA dress

We're only just (barely!) coming down off of our Obama high and turning our attention to other pressing issues... like some good, old fashioned suss!

We were so consumed that we actually missed a few things in the last few days - like Rihanna's nearly collapsing at a show in Sydney, Australia and MTV's European Music Awards where islandista by descent Estelle wore a 'love it or hate it' but definitely bold dress for her performance with Kanye West.

Rihanna fell ill at a show in Sydney while performing Umbrella with her boyfriend Chris Brown as the finale of the show.

Apparently, the heat at the venue, a too-tight corset that left her breathless and whizzing around in the air in a harness before she landed to perform, left her in a state. She can be seen leaning over and holding her stomach before scurrying off stage. Chris finished performing the song without her (like a professional) and then ran off to check up on her.

The youtube video is below.



Thankfully, all's well that ends well. Spokesperson Amanda Silverman told media:

"It was very hot at the venue, so after Rihanna's set was over, she went off stage and needed to sit down, catch her breath and have some water. She is perfectly healthy and will be at her show tomorrow."

Next thing... the MTV's European Music Awards. Grenadian-descended islandista Estelle wore a dress that you may well either love or hate.

[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="414" caption="Estelle performing at MTV"][/caption]

 

(photo credit: theybf.com)

At first glance I HATED it, thought it looked ridiculous but on second glance, it is kind of futuristic chic. Still... triangular hips?! Look how Kanye had to struggle to get his arms around this ... structure.



So what do you think islandistas? Hot or flop? Here's one more shot of it to help you make up your minds.



And speaking of dresses that have people torn, not everyone has had my enthusiastic response to Michelle Obama's victory night dress. Again, it seems to be a love it or hate it. A lot of islandistas I've talked to haa-aa-aa-ted it, a feeling that has been repeated ad nauseum in the blogosphere. Folks have been hollering about it all week.

 I wasn't wild about it but I rather liked it, particularly the ombre design, which is already making its mark as the print (?) for next season. I also kind of liked the wrap around section on the waist, though I thought it could have been cut a little closer to emphasise Michelle's great shape, cos de woman got real form, no lie.

Perhaps I like it because I've seen the original on which it is based and it's hot. I see what Michelle was trying to do...



(photo credit: Associated Press via the New York Times)

See? Doesn't that make you kind of go 'ohhhh... I see where she was going?' Thing is, she had some adjustments made to the dress that kind of detracted from the hotness in an effort to be more demure. She took up the neckline for one and got the sheer hemline made opaque and then added the cardigan, which then threw off the criss-cross under the ribs. I think she could have risked at leaving the neckline as a v-neck - Michelle isn't terribly busty anyway so it would not have looked indecent. And instead of a cardigan, maybe she could have had it made with sheer sleeves instead that would have been part of the dress, instead of fighting against the dress.

Still, the fact that we are talking about this at all is an encouraging sign for fashion in the White House. I know no-one can remember a damn thing Laura Bush has worn, whereas Michelle has already inspired  women to run out to to buy the black and white Donna Ricco dress she wore on The View.

And at the end of the day, shoot, Pres. elect Obama looked pretty damn enamoured of her in the dress.

... And ladies, we know that is the second-most important opinion that counts doesn't it? The first being our own.