[Paving the RUNway: Donyale Luna ]

Before Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, or Iman first stepped foot on a runway, there was Donyale Luna...arguably the first African-American supermodel. Born Peggy Anne Freeman in Detroit Michigan in 1945, she was able to get her start by moving to New York City after being discovered by photographer David McCabe, where she eventually graced the cover of Harper's Bazaar in 1965, and was the first black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue in 1966.

Of her success, she said, “Back in Detroit I wasn’t considered beautiful or anything, but here I’m different… They were looking for a new kind of model, a girl who is beautiful like you’ve never seen before.”

Pop the top to see her Vogue cover...

[The First Black Fashion Designer]

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly was born into slavery in 1818. Keckly's mother, who was also a slave, taught Elizabeth how to sew in between doing various chores on the plantation. And Elizabeth also taught herself how to read. She was forced to work for a seamstress to make money for her slave-master, and in doing so created a large enough clientele to borrow enough money to buy her son and herself out of slavery. She then made her way to Washington D.C. were she started her own business, expressing to her clients that her dream was to be the official "modiste" of the White House. Word spread and Keckly was soon asked to design and construct an inaguration gown for Mary Todd Lincoln (President Abraham Lincoln's wife). The Lincoln's loved the gown so much that Elizabeth was asked to become Mary Lincoln's official dressmaker. Pop the top to see the dress Elizabeth Keckly designed for Mrs. Lincoln...

[Who Wants a Birkin Bag?]

Always wanted a Hermes Birkin Bag, but $15,000 and more is just too rich for your blood? And is getting on a six month waiting list just too much for a handbag? Yeah us too, but we've got some good news, you can have your very own Birkin for just $35. Well, not quite, you can have your very own tote by Thursday Friday inspired by the ever-so-loved Birkin bag. The "Together Tote" comes in red, blue, and camel.

Pop the top to see the colors...

[Aldo Shoes Goes Tribal for Spring]

Aldo and Julian Louie will be releasing these little pieces of tribal perfection sometime in April. Needless to say...WE CAN'T WAIT!!! What do the bazaar bishes think? Who's getting a pair (or two), if so, which ones? I'll take the second pair on the first row, TO DIE FOR!!!

[Praises Due to the Most Fly Prada]

Prada's Spring/Summer 2011 Collection has been catching a lot of attention with it's bright colors and eccentric patterns, but the multi-colored fox stoles are the real stand outs of the collection. This haute accessory has been seen on Rihanna and Anna Del Russo...and we're sure this is just the beginning. Pop the top to see more spottings...



Kei says: Oh oh *raises hand*...I know what I want for Valentines Day...I WISH!!!