RVN nyc

If you are not familiar with their clothing check their website out here. Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Kelly Osbourne and Kate Hudson have been seen wearing the brand.

Most recently, I spotted Gabrielle Union in a crop top and skirt from the brand. She is wearing a boxy top and pencil skirt in their mondrian jacq print. This set will run you over $400.00. I have found several other printed cropped sweater skirt sets. Check them out below the jump.

An African City

An African City is a youtube web series starring five African woman who after spending much of their lives abroad have returned to Ghana to settle. The show has been described as Sex and the City meets Ghana and after one episode you will quickly understand why. The women are beautiful, smart, and funny and through the episodes you watch them navigate their careers, love lives and the not so easy transition of being a returnee in your home country, all while wearing FABULOUS frocks.

The characters are: Ngozi, the vegetarian, chaste and religious one; Sade, the Harvard Business school graduate whose ambition is matched only by her sexual appetite; Zainab, an entrepreneur whose business exports Shea products from Ghana to western countries; Makena, the unemployed attorney; and Nana Yaa, the journalist and lead actress.

The show is fast paced and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the episodes being that I was once a returnee, and a non-Twi speaking returnee at that so navigating Ghana was not easy kraaa! I could definitely relate and not only could I relate it made me miss Ghana and long for an extended visit. Something I am hoping to make happen soon.

The show has featured designers from the continent like Unknown Collection, Ameyo Fashion House,
Royal Jelly Harlem, Christie Brown, Afro Mod Trends, Kiki Clothing and Osei Duro.

If you're not watching you are missing out!

Hole on to this trend

Have you been noticing the leather trend? Leather is so popular folks are even sporting it casually as track pants. Clearly, we are going to get every  last breath out of this trend because we will be rocking even in hot temperatures, just with holes. Sounds crazy? Well, just think of Perforated leather! In both real and vegan leather and in lovely spring hues, so that the material is not only breathable but is also light colored and Spring/Summer appropriate.. The items below  have caught my eye, I am particularly interested in the perforated Banana Republic Dress and Coach Bleeker Daily bag. The Bleeker daily bag can also be used as a clutch.

Hole on to this trend  

Elie Tahari black dress / Banana Republic vegan leather dress / French Connection pleated skirt / Salvatore Ferragamo real leather shoes / Jimmy Choo patent leather shoes / Tory Burch leather sandals / Loeffler Randall espadrilles flat / Banana republic shoes / Salvatore Ferragamo crossbody shoulder bag / Lauren Merkin clutch / Coach purse

Gold Pumps

Kelly Rowland and Christina Ricci in the Giuseppe Zanotti Fall 2013 gold pump.

I think I need a pair. Actually, I KNOW I need a pair. I've gotten so much use out of my silver mirror pumps that I think gold will be just as useful. I can see it paired with warmer hues that tend to dominate fall and winter fashion. I tried and loved the Zanotti pair but the price is a bit high considering these will not be everyday shoes. I also loved the comfort of the Joan & David  pair but felt they weren't gold enough. I think I will be purchasing the Boutique 9 Justine pump. They are the bright gold that I am looking for and a much more budget friendly option than the Zanotti pumps. I've listed several other options for you.

African print takeover

I have always had a deep love for bright colors and prints. I can't help it, it is in my blood. My parents were born and raised in Ghana and though I was brought up in the US my mother wore her traditional attire when attending Ghanaian events, I grew up eating both Ghanaian and American food and grew up hearing my mother speak in her local language, Twi. How could I not be influenced by the culture? Traditional African cloth is cotton, has vivid patterns and often bright colors. As a child I saw my mom have the cloth sewn into kaba and slits as seen here.

I love that I am now seeing these fabrics made into shorts, dresses, jackets, blazers, etc. And now African prints have caught the eye of non-African designers outside of the continent. Just look at Burberry's Prorsum's 2012 resort collection as one example. I have had several dresses and skirts made by seamstresses and tailors during my visits to Ghana. I've also purchased African cloth garments off at the rack at places like Kiki Clothing. However, for those not traveling to the continent any time soon and not willing to pay Burberry dollars I've found accessible African cloth summer pieces at friendlier price points.

Interested? Find out where to purchase after the jump.

White Out

I was struck by these all white looks worn by Solange Knowles, Iman and Zoe Saldana recently. Solange is pictured at the Cannes film festival in a Stephane Rolland jumpsuit. Iman is a wearing a crop top and wide leg pants at Kerry Washington's Elle cover party and Zoe Saldana is in an Elie Saab jumpsuit at the Mexican premiere of Star Trek Into Darkness.

I've picked out some white separates and jumpsuits to create looks inspired by these ladies' outfits.

tall flat gladiator sandals

No, you are not experiencing dejavu, they are back. It was just two summers ago that these were a big trend and yet here they are again. It does seem that fashion is repeating itself more quickly these days, doesn't it?

Kourtney Kardashian is wearing the Stuart Weitzman Cava sandals in black and the Chanel Resort 2011 Gold Gladiator Sandals.

The Chanel sandals are long sold out but I've provided a link to the Cava sandals and other similar but cheaper pairs after the jump.