Why He Had to Win: Obama as Prozac for the Nation.

I am young, black, and I did not vote.

But Wednesday November 5, 2008 was a great day. I woke up in the morning and it hit me all over again. How great it was to see the Obamas walk across the stage, hand in hand, beaming from a victory! Did it really happen this soon? The word "change" kept spinning around my head. Is this what we wanted? Is this what change really feels like? I never bought into it before, but what a change is it regardless. Thank you Obama for being the Prozac needed for a depressed and deflated nation.

Obama had to win. He won the presidency because people were tired of it. After 8 years of all the bad news, they wanted to feel something other than dissapointment. They made the right choice. It was amazing to witness the huge shift of consciousness from uninterested citizen to active participant. Hilary could not have riled up enough inner city voters to stand in line for hours on end. And Palin was too much of a one-trick pony for any real woman to relate to.

He had to win because the entire world was watching, waiting and hoping. It would have been near to the last nail in the coffin on our international image if we had yet another four years of tyranny. Whether or not our so-called enemies were hoping for the most inexperienced candidate came second to the fact that the global community really wanted to like America again. And this makes Obama the Prozac for the entire world.

Wednesday felt like the day before Christmas. Subways, workplaces, delis, coffeeshops--all were buzzing from this historic event. "We changed the world," I overheard a vendor say to a customer, "and I never thought it would happen!" He seemed to be foreign but this was his victory too. I wept when he was announced president elect because I felt proud that a eloquent, upstanding, intelligent citizen will now represent and lead my country. Oh yeah, and he's African-American. And to those who are just waiting for him to screw something up, I say that this presidency is unlike any other because now we are ALL take part in the future of our country.

Let us mark this one in the history books as Our First Presidency.

Coming Soon!!!

WOW, its been a while, but I haven't forgotten you. The little elves are tinkering away in my secret workshop! Well, not this elf. COMING SOON: The launch of QueenNRiot: A line of super chic dresses and possibly accessories made of high quality, UP-cycled materials. Expect only one of a kind pieces that will have people stealing from your closet (I cannot be held accountable for that!) These pieces will be exclusively sold on Etsy.com. Stay tuned....ok, I'm getting back to work.

Coming June/July 2008!!!

Spring Dreaming

I cannot wait for Spring, you know that moment, when you head out the door for your awful commute and--wait, what's this?! No biting cold, no frost-bitten hands or struggling to turn up the heat in your car. The birds are chirping, you're pulling off layers and you really really wish you had worn your favorite skirt. And then it stays that way for at least a week!

Well, that may be a few weeks away for some of us, but why not pretend it's here and now? Tomorrow evening, Yours Truly will be apart of the Spring Fashion Trends Showcase happening at The Park at Fourteenth lounge (the closest you will ever get to a decent NYC-style lounge in D.C!) Come check out the spring/summer styles from Lily! Lily! boutique and Yosoy Fashions as well as Love Rocks Boutique and others. You know I'm all about supporting local boutiques, and you should be too! The event starts at 7pm and ends at midnight. Free to attend, 21 & over. Table reservations and discounts available to DC Fashionista members. See you there!!

Yellow or Not Yellow? That is the Question.

OK, I'm really excited. Yellow will make a huge splash as stores unveil all pieces: in mustard, electric, shiny and super sheer. The "It" color for this spring. I say, Be Bold! Be Brave! Be Fierce!

Being the great fashion risk-taker that I am, I will embark on a journey to create the ultimate piece. (Yes I said create!) I believe that there is nothing more fulfilling than being able to make-up your own wardrobe. A winter trip to my local G Street Fabrics surprised me with its selection of summery silks, especially a fabulous bolt of yellow stretch silk. I instantly envisioned a silk blouse and contrasting deep navy pussybow a la the Marc Jacob's Christine top on Shopbop.com.

Queen N. Riot Re-Design:

But does this color work? You cannot just throw on a pair of yellow denim jeans or car coat and hope you won't be mistaken for a traffic cone. I believe you must own this color and in turn you will be rewarded with instant chic.

Bon Courage!

Presidential Makeover

While I await the results for tonight's primaries, I can't help but relate to the masses of Dems who find themselves in limbo. Do I vote for change or do I vote for....? Well, I don't know what Hillary's slogan is nowadays. It seems her driving ambition is to discredit whatever her opponents have to say, thus leaving us with the image of a classic politician, a mannequin in a washed-out suit, with stiff hair and that god**** "thumb." You know what I'm talking about, oh Edwards did it so well. Well, I am completely undecided...maybe this is because both candidates fail to project a personality that I can relate to. Its not what they say, but how they present themselves, off the stage, away from the crowds and bright lights....

Well as you can see, I am no longer "modelstalker," I have changed my name to something I felt better reflected my personality. In my haste (to leave work), I decided to makeover the Democratic candidates, feeling that they might better connect to the lost sheep of their party...dressed in Emanuel Ungaro and Diane Von Furstenberg. Enjoy!

(Please note, these were done IN A HURRY. A HURRY!!)

Before: Brooks Brothers? After: Whimsical GQ Man.

(after Jacket & Scarf: Ungaro, Shirt: A. McQueen, Pants: Costume National Homme)

Before: Dress Barn? After: Fresh & flirty, and in charge!

(after: Jacket, Cynthia Rowley. Shirt, Vest and Pants, Diane Von Furstenberg.)

Substance over Style

Hi! Welcome to Washington D.C., the most under-whelming city in the world.

I am often surprised when I meet people who have moved here from the outer reaches of Middle America because they consider D.C. to be the "Big City." Me, being the international girl that I am (this is an exaggeration), however, find this to be one of the least desirable places to live (to the disappointment of those closest to me.) But lately, I am starting to believe that what this place is lacking in style, it is starting to make up for in style substance!

I am still "high"from my meeting at the fabulous Park on 14th with the DC Fashionistas. All of the people I met seemed to be genuinely interested in upgrading D.C's image as the suit-stockings-and-sneakers capital. I was most excited to hear that Fashion Fights Poverty, one of DC's largest fundraising events will be happening soon. And by "happening soon", I am referring to the Meetup.com Fashionista message board which has posted a model call for February 23rd. Ladies, pull out your stilletos!! While "cattle calls" aren't normally my thing, I may note this one down on my calendar. There is nothing chic-er than socially-conscious fashion. Meanwhile, please check out the website for upcoming information on the event!

(Deep)SleepWalkers

"Art is dead. Genuine creativity is dead. Authenticity is dead. We are all dead."

-modelstalker

Pardon my depressed state of mind...while I am stuck here in an empty office during the only 60 degree day we may see this month, I find myself questioning the future (death) of artistic expression. I know I am not the first to comment, but the recent Fall 08/09 Shows during London's Fashion week (which I anticipated to be a breath of fresh air) felt like an official funeral, complete with anorexic mourners who wore the vestiges of designers whose inspiration died years ago. One phrase came to mind: dead as a doornail.

Photo: SolarPix/PR Photos

OK, I'll be kind and acknowledge one collection that was like a lazy morning breeze....CSM Grad Christopher Kane brought a tamer lot of his sometimes over-embellished dresses that featured large paillettes (heart!) under floaty nude chiffon. Who can deny chiffon and paillettes?

Photos: Marcio Madeira

Reality show DEJA-VUs

If there is any one reason why being on a reality show should be encouraged, it is the possibility of being a DEJA-VU. Just ask the ladies from Cycle 9 ANTM, especially the "freshly-shaven" Bianca who graced her first major catwalk in designer Chris March's finale for Project Runway!











This must be the beginning of a high-fashion career for the girl who bravely gave up her locks during Top Model makeovers. And shall we give credit to Tyra Banks for actually providing a Top Model alumni with a Fashion Week appearance? Why is this the first time, though, that we see any Banks-Klum partnership, the supposed "best friends"?











Also....Dani! Jaslene! and, um, Bears! OH MY!!







Photos:Imaxtree

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Bienvenue!!!!

WAIT! No, this blog is (sort of) not about me stalking models! I do not own a camera, and I couldn't care any less about where supermodels go to get their underarms waxed. BUT this is a forum for all people obsessed with fashion-themed reality shows, various model successes and catastrophes---also the latest news on all our favorite (and not so favorite) fixtures of the fabulous jungle that is FASHION!!