Anne Hathaway by Mert & Marcus for Interview September 2011.

This fall, I plan to wear lots of black, using the above pictures as inspiration.

Have a wonderful Friday and stay safe this weekend!

XOXO,

Tawa

photo via style.com

 Beautiful designs from Riccardo Tisci.

Have a wonderful day!

Xoxo

Tawa

Hello there,

I love Mulberry for its well made yet covetable bags. The universal appeal not to mention the big $$$ tags has made it a favorite of many celebrities and the affluent. I drooled when I saw their Autumn/Winter Collection 2010. Check out these pictures of gorgeous models Abbey Lee Kershaw and Hanne Gabby Odiele. All photos by Steven Meisel.

Credit: FGR

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

Happy Friday,

I love paying homage to the continent of Africa by decorating with ethnic and tribal arts.  Many tribal art from Africa have been used by indigenous tribes in different ceremonies generally depicting deities, spirits of ancestors, good and or evil spirits, and other beings believed to have power over humanity.  Beside the history, tribal and ethnic arts are great décor accent and a unique way to give your home’s décor a cultural appeal.

 A little history of the Ibeji twins…

Ibeji is a term in the Yoruba language meaning “twins”. The Yoruba are one of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest surviving cultures, with origins that can be traced back about a thousand years. Located predominately in Nigeria, the Yoruba are known for their diverse and creative artistic production. One of their most distinctive sculptural traditions is represented by these twin figures or ibeji.

Ibeji are created on the occasion of the death of one or both of a pair of twins. This practice is rooted in the Yoruba people’s high regard for twins, whose arrival is viewed as propitious. Not coincidentally, the Yoruba have an unusually high frequency of twin births, as well as relatively high infant mortality rate.  The Yoruba once regarded twins as a bad omen therefore they must be honored.

Once carved, the twin statuettes are placed in a household shrine and ritually cared for by the mother. In addition to honoring them with prayers and offerings, mothers may even bathe and dress the figures. Such care is believed to help ensure the good fortune of surviving family members.

I hope you have some understanding or history behind your tribal or African art. Got any African Art and need to know the history? Holla at your girl and I will try my best to help. Email me at tawa@jeluxury.com   P.S. Akismet will bury the spammers.

All Photos: Farrow Fine Arts

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

Happy Friday,

Remember in 2001 when Karl Lagerfeld claimed he lost 90 pounds drinking Diet Coke and eating only steamed vegetables? (not a healthy diet in my opinion)  His latest collaboration with Coca-Cola involves him using his creativity to design a special aluminum bottle capped in vivid pink with the designer unmistakable silhouette. Lagerfeld also shot the campaign featuring models Coca Rocha and Baptiste Giacobini, are slated to break across France on April 28, including in magazines and billboards. The limited edition boxed version of the Karl Lagerfeld’s bottle, with a matching bottle opener, will be sold for $64 in Paris. It is available on pre-order at Colette. This is a chic present for those that want something with a touch of Karl, love it!

Photos: Styleite

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

“I have done it. I have everything I want. I have made enough money to secure my family and that is all I care about.” – Natalia Vodianova

That is Natalia Vodianova, one of the most gorgeous models from Russia in Vogue China May editorial. I couldn’t resist posting these pictures because it was shot by my favorite photographer Paolo Roversi (he also shot the Hermès Spring/Summer Spring 2010 ad campaign. Check it out here).  Can you believe she has three kids? 

All photos: Fashion Gone Rogue

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

Chanel: Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott

Hi friends,

It feels great to be back here after a brief hiatus. I hope you are enjoying yourself…

I am a sucker for good looking coffee table books. Not only are they great decor accents for any home, they are perfect for leisurely perusing or alleviating boredom. After graduating from college, I took a break from reading and started collecting fashionable coffee table books. Here are some of my favorites.

Posing Beauty: African American Images from the  1890s to the Present by Deborah Willis

Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux

Lanvin by Merceron, Elbaz and Koda

Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces by Margaret Russell

I also have a number of Taschen books, I will add them soon.

All photos from Amazon.

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

Photo: Fanciful Design

Photo: Kariefaerie52

Photo: Stories Divinations

I love Etsy for the endless supply of lovingly crafted goods for sale-jewelry, clothing, dolls, furniture, frames, photography, vintage, patterns, paper goods and books, or just about anything you desire. Above are finds of the day that I thought deserves some love from paper shoe by Fanciful Designs, La Garconne dolls by kariefaerie52 and elite patterns by Stories Divinations.

Have a wonderful day.

XOXO

Tawa

Photo: Tiny Sparkly Things

I don’t know which is cuter; these Giuseppe Zanotti shoes or model Andres Velencoso.  If you had a choice which would you pick? I am picking the shoes!!!

It is gorgeous outside here in Maryland. Have a wonderful weekend.

XOXO

Tawa

The late Alexander McQueen spring/summer ad campaign is not only visually striking; it is memorable, vivid and colorful. Check out gorgeous Raquel Zimmermann wrapped in tropical snakes and the green python shoes. Stunning!

From the Runway..

I am picturing Lady Gaga in these shoes

I see ethnic influences in the prints and fabrics used in the collection

Rest in peace McQueen, fashion will never be the same without you. To learn more about the genius behind the brand, click here.

Photos: Influence & Stardust.

Have a wonderful day.

 XOXO

Tawa