nyc: MEET COCO AND BREEZY

Just when you despair that New York street style is dying. Just when you think the NY kids are no longer mad, bad, eccentric, out there, living, serving and carrying on... comes this fetching team called Coco and Breezy. Viva the New Street Culture

Images by Shameer Khan

HAS THE "OBAMA EFFECT" COME TO BRYANT PARK?

Courtney, Marcus, Domonique and Shawn backstage at Duckie Brown.

This season we've seen a sprinkling of color on the runway but for the most part it's the same tokenism. Designers will say that their concept for this season was Victorian or a summer in Paris, giving them the shield to say : "whites only." It's sad that among the ranks of the many new great black male faces that now exist in New York still go unseen for the most part. The New York Times weighs in on the issue in article featuring several of our favs. Check it out...

FRESH FACE | ATAUI DENG

Looking at Ataui Deng you probably immediately think Alek Wek. That's because this 17-year-old is Alek's niece! And she's already making quite an impression. Born in Sudan, Deng came to New York from Texas just weeks before New York Fashion Week and signed with Trump Model Management. Then she went directly into fittings for Proenza Schouler and Zac Posen. But when Fashion Week ended in New York, Deng flew back to Texas to finish off her semester at high school, skipping Fashion Weeks in Europe. But those select appearances were enough to make an impression on Steven Meisel, who personally requested to see the stunner for himself. We hear V magazine is requesting her for spreads, too. Turns out Alek isn't the only one in her family graced with model genes.”

JAY-Z COVERS TIMEOUT NEW YORK

They’ve ruled the city- and told us why this city rules” Jay-Z along with 39 other celebs, socialites and business czars, appear on the cover of Time Out New York’s 40th Anniversary collector’s issue. The list also includes, Derek Jeter, Mayor Bloomberg, Elliot Spitzer and Tina Fey.

In the article, Jay discusses his wife, Beyonce, and working with Kanye West on Blueprint 3. He even manages to give his rap nemesis a compliment:

You’re the only rapper on this list. We were considering Nas but have this 13-year rule: People on this list had to have had an impact in the last 13 years. And Illmatic was 1994. Should we have included him?

Jay-Z: Ah, wow! [Laughs] That’s a tough question. [Pauses] Yeah, only because of the impact of that album, when it’s considered one of the best albums ever created, you have to document that.

How about Kanye? Has he earned it yet?

Jay-Z: He’s from Chicago, but he’s close. I don’t know if he’s had that one album that’s moved the entire culture, but he’s hit it three times in a row. He’ll be on every list one day.

Are you guys really teaming up for Blueprint 3?

Jay-Z: Yeah, actually. We’re partners right now. Starsky and Hutch right now.

And B? What was your first meeting with your wife like?

Jay-Z: I can’t answer that question. [Laughs] Come on now.

For The Full Coverage, Click Here,

RANDOMNESS | KANYE CAN DRESS HIS A** OFF

I know that this is not exactly news... but Kanye West knows how to put an outfit together (understatement). Kanye, always the taste-maker, has impressed me even more as of late. He has become very comfortable stepping out of the confines of not just the hip-hop stereotype but the pop-star stereotype in general. The pics above reveals one of Kanye's looks from NY Fashion Week. He's sporting a trim plaid grey suit and boat shoes. Not revolutionary, just a dope a** look.

EVENTS: NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN FALL GALA

Last night, the 2008 New Yorkers For Children Fall Gala took place at Cipriani’s 42 Street in New York .

The annual gala honored music executive Kevin Liles, while raising money to assist children in foster care in New York City.

Guests included: Beyonce and Jay-Z, actress Joy Bryant, Lupe Fiasco, Gayle King, Tory Burch, Nicole Miller, Nanette Lepore, Oscar de la Renta and Zac Posen.

SPOTTED: BEYONCE ON THE SET OF NEW VIDEO | "IF I WERE A BOY"

Beyonce was spotted yesterday in Harlem, on the set of the video for her new single, If I Were a Boy, rocking a police uniform. New York Post photogs were on scene to capture her as she made a arresting appearance on 119th and Lenox Anenue. Toting a taser and a pair of handcuffs, she was accompanied by her on-screen partner as she descended from the steps of a brownstone and into a patrol car.

Check out video from the shoot below:

LISA BONET AND ZOE KRAVITZ ARE SOHO COOL

My favorite mother-daughter duo Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz were spotted yesterday looking incognito yet très boho chic, on a casual stroll with the latest addition to her family, 13-month-old Lola Iolani Momoa, in New York, as they window shopped various high-end boutiques and salons before enjoying a midday snack at a vegan restaurant.

BEYONCE IN TRANSIT

Just days after her newest L’Oreal ad was accused of skin bleaching, a calm, cool, collected and seemingly fair-skinned Beyonce was spotted arriving at LAX International Airport on yesterday afternoon.

Looking casual in jeans, a white sweater and laden with oodles of designer bags, the singer was (as always) gracious with photogs, exchanging hellos and thank you's- even after an exhaustive flight from New York City.

BEYONCE SUPPORTS OBAMA

Beyoncé was spotted wearing an Obama t-shirt (and a cute Dolce & Gabbana bag) yesterday as she, along with husband Jay-Z, enjoyed a casual stroll down the streets of New York. The t-shirt was designed by Shepherd Fairey, and is the choice tee for a number celebrities who have jumped on the Obama bandwagon.

SPOTTED: RIHANNA IN NYC

Taking a break from her regular role of Chris Brown’s personal hip attachment, a casually-dressed, but very cute, Rihanna enjoyed dinner solo at Da Silvana restaurant in New York's West Village yesterday.

The Bajan beauty is in New York to rehearse for her performance at the 4th Annual Fashion Rocks benefit at NY's Radio City Music Hall. The star-studded-show, which features Lil' Wayne, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, will air on September 5 on CBS, just days after the live event.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE DOES FASHION ROCKS

Justin Timberlake is well on his way to attaning fashion-icon status. Looking very sophisiti-chic in a white tux, he lends his graces to the new issue of Fashion Rocks magazine. Aside from this. he has recently been named the new face of Givenchy’s men’s fragrance, Play!

Inside the mag, Justin takes credit from pal Ashton Kutcher for launching the trucker hat fad in the late 90s.

Says JT: “It’s funny. I keep hearing Ashton Kutcher say how he was responsible for trucker caps. I’ve heard him make that statement before . . . Trace [his best friend] and I were wearing them when we were seventeen.”

Hmm…. not too sure if that’s something to be proud of or claim at all for that matter. Whatever the case, let’s just hope he goes sans headwear when he hits the stage at this year’s star-studded event in September.

SPOTTED: J. HUD IN NYC

Busy day for Jennifer Hudson. She headed over to BET at the CBS Studios in Midtown Manhattan after performing on Regis & Kelly in the morning, where she was all smiles, as she signed autographs yesterday.

Hudson is currently on a nationwide promo tour for her upcoming self-titled album, in stores and online September 30.

The album features the single Spotlight, as well as collabos with Timbaland, Robin Thicke, The Underdogs, and Tricky Stewart.

MEN'S RUNWAY NY: ORTHODOX

If the latest in men's fashion on display this week in New York is any indication, men should have lots of free time, attend chic parties and dabble in arty jobs where they can wear whatever they want.

The looks on the runway were aimed at the gentleman who aspire to a sophisticated, casual look and lifestyle but doesn't necessarily have one. It was baggy shirts, wrinkled Tees, campus-throwback sweaters and boat shoes.

Orthodox's spring offerings definitely fit the bill. At Tuesday night's show, the three-year-old brand's mute palette of grays, blues, and blacks, complemented the designs much in the same way khaki works for safari gear. In fact, the clothes seemed tailored for a downtown safari, a la severely cut trenches, military-inspired trousers- and a short, electric-blue motorcycle jacket seen here, worn by fav Wendell Lissimore. Uh, ladies? Beware of electric-blue motorcycle jackets.

'FASHION ROCKS' PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is slowly creeping up and the line up for the Fashion Rock’s Fifth Annual Concert has music’s heavy hitters gracing New York’s Radio City Music Hall Stage.

Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Lil Wayne are just a few of the scheduled artist on the star-studded bill to perform. The event, which will benefit Stand Up to Cancer, will go down September 5th.

- Mos

SNEAK PEEK: A NEW LOOK FOR CREATIVE RECREATION

For those who like to plan ahead, the Capsule Trade Show, ongoing now in New York, offers a sneak peek of items you're likely to be wearing next spring. Creative Recreation, the quirky sneaker brand demonstrated its breadth with a new line of footwear, as is pictured above, which features the wearability and elegance necessary to get it carried at, say, Barneys. And yes: That's where they will be available.

SPOTTED: KANYE IN NYC + DENIES GHOST BLOGGER RUMOR

Kanye West was spotted yesterday in the West Village leaving his apartment and entering into a black SUV. Now normally I dont question Ye's fashion logic, however, it was definitely 90 degrees in the city yesterday. Too damn hot for him to be wearing that hoodie. (Pastelle, maybe?!) But I must say, that bag is dope.

In other Kanye news: earlier this week, some random rumor surfaced claiming that Kanye hired a ghost blogger to keep his popular blog up to date. (I always wondered why he was updating so much.) Anywho, Kanye posted pics of himself blogging & surfing the net on Wednesday to play down the critics.

LAST NIGHT IN NYC...

Ryan Leslie, Next Selection Music Group and Universal/Motown Present the Ryan Leslie Experience at the Bijoux Lounge.



At the Sounds Like PAPER party, sponsored by Converse, and featuring a special performance by cover-boy Pharrell Williams' band N.E.R.D. (and special guests Jermaine Dupri and Swizz Beatz), the kids were in a serious frenzy. It was a like a madhouse up in Santos' Party House, as a fast-spreading, non-malevolent happy virus spread throughout the room.


Nas’ Untitled album release party went down at Red Bull Space. LL Cool J, Fabulous, Jermaine Dupri, Top Model reject, Keenya and Fonzworth Bentley, among others were all in the building.

EVENT CHIC: KIMORA LEE SIMMONS' "FABULOSITY" LAUNCH PARTY

Last night, Kimora Lee Simmons' Fabulosity Launch Party took place at Hiro, a club in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking district. The lighting was low, the music was loud and the drinks were free. The tightly packed crowd danced to music and clicked pictures of themselves while awaiting the arrival of the lady of the hour.

The lights went dark at around 9:15 pm, and begins the show... The designer posed on the red carpet with daughters Aoki Lee, Ming Lee and boyfriend Djimon Hounsou. Other guests included: Gabrielle Union, Mashonda, and throwback ex G-Unit member, Olivia.

“I really demand that all my divas look fabulous,” she said of the
sportswear line for Juniors to be sold exclusively at JC Penney's.

MARIO PERFORMS LIVE AT B.B. KINGS

Mario kicked off his Go Tour with a performance at BB King's Blues Club in Times Square on Friday night and you know we were in the building. He hit the stage performing several of his hits - from past to present -starting off with recent joints like How Do I Breathe and Crying Out For Me and taking us back , with Let Me Love You and Just A Friend. The highlight for most was when he put on for a female audience member while singing Lay in my Bed.

Overall, I was really impressed with the performance. He started on time, delivered impeccable vocals, and gave a great show.