NOW: THAT's What's "POP"pin...

Lady Tigra of the 80's hip hop duo L'Trimm, certainly has the right idea about showing presidential support, by remixing Obama's iconic "Hope" poster.

And how DOPE is it that in less than 5 days, with one balllot, we have the power to CHANGE the direction of America and our perception across the globe? Now that's what's "Pop"pin!

And you know what else POP's...?



Three aptly titled fall magazine covers featuring Super Duper Models: Oluchi, Jordan Dunn and Naomi Campbell. With winter rapidly approaching, these British mags will 'fall' off of magazine stands real soon--so grab them while you can.

Limited Edition Sweetness: U.S. Postage and 'All-Black' Vogue

(Josephine Baker's Princess Tam Tam gets immortalized in postage)

Classic Black movie fans can now stick their own bold, new signature stamp on things with the recently released 'Vintage Black Cinema' Movie Poster postage from the U.S. Postal Service.

The series of 5 stamps include: 1921's The Sport of The Gods; Duke Ellington's 1929 film debut, Black and Tan; the short Caldonia; the Josephine Baker-helmed cult-classic, Princess Tam Tam and King Vidor's 1929 academy award-nominated Hallelujah.

Get them while their still hot (and if you don't see them, ask! The post office we visited didn't even have these colorful beauties on display. Tsk. Tsk.)

======



(l to r: Legendary models: Gail O'Neill, Karen Alexander, Alek Wek, Iman and newcomer, Arlenis Sosa.)

Another limited edition item to get while it's still on shelves is Vogue Italia's 'All Black Issue,' available on newstands everywhere. Though the price may run you just about $20 here in the United States, $20 is a very small price to pay for equality, and green seems to be the only color any industry responds to these days. And with the amount of Italian Vogues flying off of newstands, the buying public is making itself very clear: DIVERSITY SALES.

According to the Guardian, UK, the magazine is one of the most in-demand yet:

It's nearly August, the retail fashion industry is in an uneasy slump, and summer issues of women's magazines are gaunt for want of advertising. Yet in the past four weeks, the 'black issue' of Italian Vogue has caused such a phenomenal demand at news-stands in Britain and the United States that Condé Nast, the publisher, has rushed to reprint and distribute 40,000 more copies.

You don't have to be an avid magazine buyer to appreciate this monumental issue; besides the cultural significance, the mag will enhance even the most drab of coffee tables and you may pick up an italian word or two...

Ciao!

Project Runway's 5th Strut

(A design from Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway: Season 4)

We thought Season 3 of Project Runway had seasoning, but Season 5 is already simmering with its own pot of flavor.



With the most contestants of color we've ever seen in a single episode, Bravo's last season of Runway (season 6 is saying Aufedersein and moving to Lifetime) is one of its most diverse yet. Designers, Jerell Scott, Korto Momolu and Terri Stevens are hoping a stint at "must see tv" can make them must-wear designers.

Will either of these posh hopefuls make it to New York's illustrious Fashion Week? Watch What Happens.

Season 5 premieres tonight.

Haut Shots: Nefertiti Kebede

Random Haut-ness from the photographic perspective...



Model, Liya Kebede, as Egypt's Queen Nefertiti.

The Black Model Museum: The First American Covergirl

Forty years ago, marked the first time a black woman ever appeared on the cover of a national American women's magazine. The pioneering face on the cover of the August 1968 issue belonged to Katiti Kironde, then a college student at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Though not a model, Katiti's cover was a financial success and would open the floodgates for many model firsts in the years to follow: Jolie Jones, Mademoiselle '69; Daphne Maxwell, Glamour, '69; Jane Hoffman, Cosmopolitan, '69; Elizabeth of Toro, Harper's Bazaar, '69; and Beverly Johnson's coveted, American Vogue cover of '74, struck the last blow to the long-standing tradition of exclusion.

Thanks to Katiti's historic cover and the efforts of women and men in front of, and behind the lens, we've never known a world where diversity was blatantly not welcomed to the publication party. And we think that's something worth celebrating.

Today we're gonna party like its 1968!

Fresh Face [#016 - #017]: Kinee Diouf and Honorine Uwera

Two of the freshest new faces in modeling belong to: Honorine Uwera of Rwanda and Kinee Diouf of Senegal.

Their collective resumes include work for Moschino, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier and coveted positions in magazines from Trace to Elle.

Watch for Kinee walking for Project Runway finalist Jillian Lewis during the final episode of Season 4.

In the global world of fashion, African girls stay rockin' the runway and Haute couture is so much better for it.

America's Next Top Mogul: Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks announces a new show for the CW

When Tyra Banks became a youth correspondent on the Oprah Winfrey Show nearly 10 years ago, whispers began that she was being molded as the next Oprah Winfrey. Some snickered, wondering how the Victoria's Secret model would ever reach such lofty heights.

Fast forward to now and at 33, Tyra Banks is one of the hottest commodities in both daytime and primetime television with her properties The Tyra Banks Show and America's Next Top Model.

Now Tyra is set to add another show to her Bankable Productions line-up: A currently untiltled project from the producers of Top Model and Project Runway. The project is being described as The Devil Wears Prada meets The Assistant and is scheduled to premiere on the CW Network this summer.

The Cocoa Lounge's Best of 2007

From The Cocoa Lounge

Happy 2008!

In the spirit of New Yearness, we'd like to celebrate the occasion by looking back over the passing year at just a few of our fave Cocoa Lounge posts. From Legends, to Look-alikes, and Imus to Idols, the year 2007 was full of muy memorable moments:

They've Got Next: Four of the Hottest New Voices of '07

The Black Model Museum [#003]: The Beauty Dynasty

Don't Worry, Be Nappy!

Disney Animation Crowns First Black Princess

Cocoa Lounge NOW: The Hollywood BBF

Cocoa Lounge NOW: Bezemymailan

Separated at Birth?

Coccoa Lounge Legends [#003]: Kara Walker

America the (Not-So) Beautiful: Model, Gerren Taylor Speaks On The Ugly Side of Fashion

The Cocoa Lounge Remembers: Calvin Lockhart

Iman Sashays Onto TV's 'Runway'

Hold on to your chemise, Heidi Klum! Iman joins the growing list of über-models turned television stars as host of Project Runway Canada, the latest installment of the popular Project Runway franchise.

Iman puts her own stamp on the Canadian version with a no-nonsense approach to judging contestants' designs. But as any model knows, measuring up is a tough job, especially when another (Klum) has worn the 'Runway' look so well.

Does Project Runway Canada measure up to its American predecessor? You be the judge:



Wanna see more episodes? Iman's Runway airs on Canada's Slice network. If you're outside of Canada, don't bother checking your local listings, we recommend scouring youtube instead.

Junk on Your Trunk: Junkprints

The designer's name is Chanel Kennebrew, so it's no surprise that this trendsetter is brewing up her own memorable brand of fashion. Eclectic, pop-art influenced and fun, Junkprints, an online shop on Etsy, reminds of us of the kind of little boutique you might discover in a big city and never stop frequenting.

Check out the online collection, which includes fashion and Chanel's own artwork.

Teyana Taylor: Trace Covergirl

Cocoa Lounge Fresh Face, Teyana Taylor, wasted no time landing the coveted spot of Trace Magazine. Her skateboard-biker-chic m.o. is perfect for the style and culture mag, most famous for its annual Black Girls Rule issue.

Without so much as a guest-hook spot populating the airwaves, this Pharrell Williams protege is quickly becoming underground musics' It-Girl. Keep an eye out for this eclectic teen; but blink and she might just be a superstar already.

Saturday Soul on Sunday: J*Davey in Paris

From The Cocoa Lounge



The French fashion label, Lacoste, recently celebrated their collaboration with designer Michael Young and the launch of Plastic Polo.

One of our favorite new music duos, J*Davey took the stage as part of the festivities, with an off-the-cuff performance of "Hi Sun" that makes us want to pop the wheels and go electric! Weeeeeee!

Le Chic Afrique: Zulu Rose

From The Cocoa Lounge



Zulu Rose has found the perfect balance of African Culture and eye-catching graphics to redefine global urbanwear. These are the shirts chests were made to rock!

With their culturally-aware mission statement (...It is our vision to fuse the strength and intensity of a Zulu warrior with the buttery smoothness and vibrancy of an African rose...) and a talented pair of visionaries to guide them, Zulu Rose will certainly succeed at bringing Africa to a body near you.

We adore.

Cocoa Lounge NOW: Jordan Richardson is a Covergirl

From The Cocoa Lounge

(Jordan Richardson, pictured right, is one model to watch.)

Cocoa Lounge Fresh Face: Model, Jordan Richardson is the face of Colures Magazine's current issue. Jordan makes our list of Models on the Move and we're sure this cover is the beginning of many.

Model Liya Kebede Struts Onto Forbes' Earnings List

Liya Kebede was recently named one of Forbes Top Earning Models joining a list of modeling elite which includes Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss and Heidi Klum.

From Forbes:

[Earnings:]$2.5 million

As the first black model in Estée Lauder's history, the 29-year-old Ethiopian beauty is hailed as a ground-breaker. She also models for H&M, the Gap, Anne Taylor and Givenchy.

From the philanthropic work she does in her home country of Ethiopia to a perched spot atop the prestigious Forbes list, Liya Kebede never ceases to be a pioneer.

Cocoa Lounge NOW: Bezemymailan

From The Cocoa Lounge



| Arresting & Innovative. Bezemymailan, fashion's ecclectic design duo, have their eyes on the global market, and our eyes glued to their unique creations. |

Combining their creative talent to form the ‘Bezemymailan’ clothing line, Mailan and Bezem are two young designers, who between them represent four different cultures. The Bezemymailan brand is inspired from a rich mix of cultures, including their travels to Russia and various countries in Africa, Asia and South America.


Street style.



Mixing Third World Culture and Couture. We love it.

For more info:
http://www.bezemymailan.com

America the (Not-So) Beautiful: Model, Gerren Taylor Speaks On The Ugly Side of Fashion

As few as two years ago, you couldn't miss Gerren Taylor.

Dubbed "Baby Naomi" because of her striking resemblance to the catwalking legend, at only 12 years old, it seemed Gerren had taken a permanent seat on top of the modeling world. Appearances on Oprah, fashion show bookings and media coverage came quickly and then suddenly, almost just as quickly, Gerren disappeared.

Those who had come to know and love the baby-faced sensation wondered what dimmed the light of such a fast-rising star.

Now, the documentary America The Beautiful answers the question: Taylor was shunned by the industry because of her size.

"...at the heart of "America the Beautiful" is Gerren, a teen model who got labeled "obese" by the fashion industry at age 14 — as a 6-foot size 4. With a résumé that includes modeling for international designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Richard Tyler, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Nicole Miller and Catherine Malandrino, Gerren went head to head with an industry obsessed with thinness. She was measured in London with 96-centimeter (37.8 inches) hips and told she had to be 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) or under to model in Paris. (Then as now, she weighs 130 pounds.) Even Gerren's mountains of supermodel media coverage — including appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Entertainment Tonight" and "Extra" — couldn't get her past the power of the tape measure." --Los Angeles Times

Not one to be deterred, Gerren is reportedly focused on continuing to pursue an early passion, acting---she remains one of Denzel Washington's most adorable co-stars--and will be featured in the BET reality series Baldwin Hills.

The Black Model Museum [#003]: The Beauty Dynasty

From The Cocoa Lounge

Three generations of fashion industry giants.

In one historic snapshot, circa 2001, Vanity Fair Photographer Annie Leibovitz captured over 30 years of black beauty from all around the globe. To us, it was one of the most relevant images published in the magazine in years.

(Models pictured. Front Row (l to r) : Gail O'neal, Karen Alexander, Shakara Ledard, Clara Benjamin Naomi Campbell, Iman, Second Row: (l to r) Kadra, Kara Young, Cynthia Bailey, Tyra Banks, Liya Kebede, Beverly Johnson Third Row: (standing) (l to r:) Oluchi, Katoucha, Adia, Noemie Lenoir

Trapped in The Folds: The Problem with Today's Magazine Covers

(Model, Chanel Iman, on the Cover fold of Vogue)

American Vogue's recent "The Worlds Next Top Models" cover got us thinking about a problem that has been plaguing the publishing industry since someone got the grand idea of extending a magazine's cover: The Fold.


"The Fold" has always suggested that the person(s) who occupied that space were either (a) not quite famous enough to carry a cover (b) not quite cute enough for the much-coveted front page or (c) just too "ethnic."


(Actresses Rosario Dawson, Ziyi Zhang and Kerry Washington in the Fold of Vanity Fair)

Whatever the case, literally marginalizing (particularly) black people to the folds is a practice that is not only archaic but slighting. It's gotten to the point where anytime we see a magazine with a fold, we can assume that at least one person of color is included on it. Either an individual makes the cover or they don't, and relegating us to the 'well, you almost made it' space is no real consolation.


(All 3 Heroes cast members of African descent, Noah Gray-Cabey, Leonard Roberts and Tawny Cypress find themselves in the fold)

So to Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair, Emmy and others who come from the 'push 'em to the right' school of publication, we'd like to let you know that we're watching and we're definitely aware...

Nigeria's Next Top Model

From The Cocoa Lounge


African models have been successful on the American and European fashion scene for years. From Somalia's Iman to Ethiopia's Liya Kebede, Ugandan-born Kiara Kabukuru, Alek Wek of the Sudan, and Nigeria's own, Oluchi, African models have helped to define and re-define black beauty for the last several decades.

So seeing a spin-off of Tyra Banks' popular America's Next Top Model head to the motherland is not only fitting but just plain dope.

" The overriding aim is to nurture, encourage, develop, fashion, mentor young ladies into that which they were born to be – superb flag bearers and ambassadors of the great ‘Heart of Africa’ Nigeria!"

We're not sure what stage of production this series is in, or if it will even make it to air, but we'll be watching to see what happens.

For more info about Nigeria's Next Top Model visit: http://www.nigerianexttopmodel.com

Related Posts: South Africa, Stand Up!