Next Time Models

New Music: Stella Mwangi's Favorite

Written By: Nani Hapa—Stella Mwangi recently released a catchy new single, Favorite, and it's available to download for free on her website: www.stellamwangi.com. The girl definitely knows how to make hit music; her single Go Getta was used as the promotional song for the latest season of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 14. As for what Stella's up to next, she says, "I'm currently working on my second album and hoping to get signed by a major label." I for one hope that happens so that we can hear more great music from her!

MIMI Related Links: Tracklisting: The Shuga Soundtrack

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

Threadfair Fashion Show

The Threadfair fashion show was this past Sunday and the turnout was amazing! Julia and I put so much work into the event over the past semester, sacrificing school time and homework time and our over all santiy. Around 300 people showed up to view the collections of over ten highschool designers from across Austin. We also raised over $600 for the Austin charity organization, Heart House. Below are a few photos of my collection for the event and I should have some film footage of the other designer's collections up soon!

With the Judges: Maggie Martine, Dagny Piasecki, Myself, and Esti Choi of BuyDefinition.com

The full collection

World Premiere And Debut Music Video: AiRis Without You

Written By: Icy PR—Greatly influenced by Mediterranean, rock, pop and African music, AiRis is truly an international Artist. Born in Cairo, Egypt to a Nigerian Father and an Egyptian mother, AiRis spent her young adult years between Nigeria, United Kingdom, and Egypt. In the Fall of 2009, AiRis moved to Nigeria to pursue her singing/song writing career and in the spring of 2010 she created AiRis Music, her own record label. In creating her music, AiRis tries to convey her feelings, experiences, and those of others in the words and rhythm of her style. Her style of music is alternative pop and soul music with various cultural influences, specifically African. The debut video for AiRis (Without You) was directed by BET’s Hip Hop Award winning director Adam Rush and shot on location in Miami. Watch it below.

Without You- World Premiere from Asmaa Idrisu on Vimeo.

Running With The Fash Pack....Australian Fashion Week 2010

Another of my absolute fav outfits from Australian Fashion Week.....on the stunning Bel from LoveMore blog. Bel is completely gorgeous (both inside and out) and a super hard worker- she is a nanny for 2 kids in Sydney but also interns with the StyleStalker girls, and I think she said she has a third job as well!

p.s. In case anyone was wondering, Sadaf's (a few posts below this one of Bel) top was handmade for her, and her skirt was from Urban Outfitters. I have put it in the comments section as well :)

Running With The Fash Pack....Australian Fashion Week 2010

In Arnsdorf (whose show was just beautiful- the clothes were completely wearable and the models looked really pretty and happy. Loved it).

Running With The Fash Pack...Australian Fashion Week 2010

Natalia De Martin who launched her own label, The Last Romantic, in 2008.

I think she said the dress was Karen Walker.

Running With The Fash Pack...Australian Fashion Week 2010

DD* broken up with a Louis Vuitton scarf and super-bleached hair and brows.

p.s. Is the only way forward the triple denim route??

*Double denim

Running With The Fash Pack...Australian Fashion Week 2010

Love the details here: her thin mustard-yellow belt and that gorgeous, broad-brimmed hat (a must in Australia pretty much all year round).

Melbourne Street Style...3.1 Phillip Lim

Andie, who is an artist, outside GPO in Melbourne. In 3.1 Phillip Lim dress (she lived in NYC for awhile).

Whenever I describe Australia to people who haven't visited before, I say "Oh, you'll love it- everyone is super friendly and laid-back and you will get invited to barbies and parties even if you don't know anyone". And true to form, the lovely Andie (who I had never met before- I was just wandering around with my camera) invited me to her birthday party the next night! How nice is that?!

The Best Of 5 Years Of MIMI Magazine

Written By: MIM!—MIMI Magazine is 5 years old this year. To celebrate this milestone, we have compiled a Best Of issue with our 5 most memorable articles from each of the magazine’s sections—Features, Style, Lifestyle, Heart & Soul, Mambo, and Africana—highlighting the artistic, cultural, and political landscape of Africa and the Diaspora. To learn more about the past 5 years of publishing, including updates from our favorite interviews, a gallery of never before seen photos, and thoughts from some of the talented writers who volunteered their time over the years to make MIMI one of the leading digital publications for African women, visit this space, where we will post our "behind the pages" stories and subscribe to MIMI via Facebook or Twitter.

Louis Vuitton Ads Banned in UK

Hello Lovelies!

Louis Vuitton learned a valuable lesson this week...
a lesson that many of our mothers
taught us as soon as we were old enough to walk.

*Honesty is the best Policy*

It seems that the people in charge of LV advertising thought it would be
profitable to
produce ads suggesting that each and every Louis Bag
is made by hand.

Doesn't the seamstress look angelic with her bees wax, thread, and leather tools?
I'm sure lots of TLC went into each and every painstaking stitch.
Cue the heartwarming music!

There's only one little problem.
Louis bags are not handmade, they're made (mostly) by machine.
LV claims that there are over 100 steps put into
producing each bag, and that hand sewing machines are necessary for
some aspects because this method is
"more secure and necessary for strength, accuracy and durability".
(Scratch the music, my dreams are shattered!)

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA)
deemed the ads "misleading" and pulled them from the market.

Personally, I don't care how my
Louis Vuitton bags are made as long as they don't fall apart.
Obviously, if I buy this handbag,
I'll be able to put my leg behind my head like Madonna.
When did we all begin taking magazine ads so seriously?!

Although, I have to admit,
it's a million times more "poetical" believing that my bag was
made by "angel girl" in the first picture than like this:

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Going Greek

Hello Lovelies!
I'm sure you're all at the movies this evening to see our favorite ladies.

Recently, I've had a real urge to travel the world.
I graduate from my University in December and I've been thinking about
taking myself on a trip to celebrate.

I thought about where I'd like to go for days with no luck. I ruled out Australia because it's so darn expensive to fly there.

Then my friend suggested Greece!
I can't believe I didn't think of that, I'm studying Classics at school!

I love Greek history, and it seems to be such a beautiful place.
Not to mention, I'd finally get to visit Europe!

I'm adopted, so I'm not exactly sure what my heritage is,
but so many people have told me that I look Greek.
That means I should fit right in, until someone tries to talk to me at least!

Here is one of my favorite sculptures based on Greek mythology by Bernini.
Apollo tries to abduct the nymph Daphne and to save herself, she
turns into a tree.
The movement in this sculpture is phenomenal.
Bernini truly made the marble come to life.

Have any of you ladies ever been to Greece?
What did you think?
Maybe you're from Greece. If you are, I'm dying to know,
do all the men over there look like the guys in the next photo?
If so, I've got a one way ticket on the next flight out of here!

I have to send a big thank you to the ancient Spartans
for allowing us to document their awesomeness
through two hours of shirtless men
with insane abs.

Pretty Pleats

Hello Lovelies!
I hope you're all having a wonderful day!

How many of you ladies out there don't love an outfit that makes you look slimmer?
Anyone?

Dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim

I didn't think so, everyone loves to look like they've dropped a couple of pounds without having to spend hours at the gym!

In my opinion, pleats are a girls best friend!
Not only do they make you look taller, they also make you look leaner.
Thank your lucky stars because pleats are all over the runways this summer!

Just look at this gorgeous dress by Maje!
I just love the faded greyish-green color, it really gives it a vintage vibe. I'd pair this with some silver Grecian heels and a delicate arm cuff.

This beautiful piece is by Halston Heritage. The shimmer is so lovely, I would totally wear this on a girl's night out. It's very creative in that it features a faux drop-waist. The top layer of chiffon is completely separate from the bottom. Sara Jessica Parker recently wore this dress in the new film Sex and the City 2!

Phillip Lim is one of my all-time favorite designers.
Isn't this dress adorable?
Just look at the stud detailing on the shoulders!

This sexy little dress by Minx is sure to bring out the vixen in every woman! I am absolutely, 100% in LOVE with this dress!

The illusion that the lines create are sure to make even my petite 5 foot 3 (and a quarter!) inch self look 6 feet tall!

So ladies, be sure to go buy yourself something with pleats. After all, you deserve it!
Buy yourself some new shoes while your at it. Why?
Because you deserve those too!

(All of the items pictured in today's blog are
available at net-a-porter.com)

Shoes by Lanvin

Louis Vuitton's new London store

See http://www.louisvuitton.com/

Now there are two Golf Sale salesmen

Metric play at Shepherds Bush Empire

See http://www.ilovemetric.com/

Terry de Havilland shoe signing

Go to http://www.tdhcouture.com/

Red Carpet Fashion: Stephanie Okereke Dazzles In Cannes

Written By: MIM!—Stephanie Okereke dazzled on the red carpet in Cannes, France for the screening of her movie Through the Glass. View the red carpet photos by clicking on the "Read More" link.

Written By: MIM!—NBC is gearing up for the fall premier of J.J. Abrams' spy drama Undercovers, staring Boris Kodjoe (Ghana) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (South Africa). Watching the preview, available at www.nbc.com/undercovers, we cannot wait for this one.

(Photo Credits: Frank Ockenfels/NBC)

Running With The Fash Pack....Australian Fashion Week 2010

The fabulous Sadaf, Fashion Market Editor, Famous magazine (Australia).

p.s. Am back from Italy and had an amazing time. We spent a couple of nights in Florence (had 2 great meals at Ristorante Il Latini and Trattoria Sostanza, as well as some delicious gelati- my jeans are definitely feeling tighter!) and then headed to the beautiful Tuscan countryside where some friends were getting married. The weather was incredible and watching the sun set during the reception was magical (watching the cavorting on the dance floor to "Down Under"- it was an American/Australian wedding- was rather less so!). After the wedding we drove (not a trip for the timid driver!) via Cinque Terre to Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino on the Italian Riveria which was achingly beautiful-exactly like you see in postcards. The air was rich with the scent of jasmine, the water crisp and clear (I had my first ever swim in the Mediterranean), the churches and buildings hugging the cliffs, amazing, and the food, fantastic. We found a small cafe/bar overlooking Santa Margherita and spent each afternoon sipping drinks and feasting on plates of fresh insalata caprese, salami and prosciutto and melon while watching the super-yachts cruising the bay. I would go back in a heartbeat :)