Essence Beauty Awards: The Bold & The Beautiful!
May 14th, 2012 by Christen
ESSENCE Beauty Director Corynne Corbett; Vice-President of Marketing for Johnson & Johnson, Janis Smith-Gomez; celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan; celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson, L’Oreal chemists Balanda Atis and Janine Cherette; celebrity stylist June Ambrose; ESSENCE Associate Publisher Stella Araya Weil and ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance White
ESSENCE, the preeminent lifestyle publication for African-American women, announced the winners of the ESSENCE Best in Black Beauty Awards, Tuesday, May 8th. ESSENCE Beauty Director Corynne Corbett and celebrity stylist June Ambrose served as co-hosts of the ultimate beauty conversation during this invitation-only event.
Q Parker of 112 attends the ESSENCE Best in Black Beauty Awards at the Dream Hotel in New York City.
The ESSENCE Best in Black Beauty Awards honored beauty innovators who are influencing what’s now and next. The honorees were: Balanda Atis, Group Leader, and Janine Cherette, Color Cosmetic Scientist, of the L’Oréal USA Research and Innovation team; Ted Gibson, celeb hairstylist to the stars and head stylist on What Not To Wear; Janis Smith-Gomez, Vice-President of Marketing for Johnson & Johnson; Lisa Logan, go-to manicurist for Beyoncé; and Pat McGrath, makeup artist who masterminds the runway’s most sought-after looks from New York to Milan. Grammy-nominated artist Janelle Monáe—who is known for her own groundbreaking sense of style—also shared in the awards presentation.
In addition, the evening featured a “live gift wall” showcasing the winning products from the ESSENCE Best in Black Beauty Awards 2012 listing—highlighted in the magazine’s May 2012 issue—in which ESSENCE’s beauty editors and a team of experts highlighted the best makeup, skin care, nail, fragrance and hair picks. Attendees even had an opportunity to sample the products on-site. For more information and to vote for your beauty favorites, which will be revealed as “Readers’ Choice Awards” winners in the October issue of ESSENCE magazine, visit www.essence.com/beautyawards/
Photos: N. Melton / M. Rowe / Essence.com
For more photos visit Essence.com
Celebrity Fashions At The MET…Who Wore It Best?
May 8th, 2012 by ChristenThe Gala Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations exhibition took place last night, and of course fashion industry insiders slipped on their best pieces to celebrate the stylish annual event.
Check out the fashion hits, misses & see who battled it out in similar looks below…
They Call It Mello Yellow…
Coco Rocha plays in pretty pinks and yellows in this vintage Givenchy number, while Solange Knowles plays it safe in sophistication in this gown by Rachel Roy. Who rocked yellow better?
Lethal in Leather…
Rihanna dons this reptile textured gown by Tom Ford while Rosario Dawson ops for a similar sleeveless option by Calvin Klein. Which one killed this leather look on the red carpet?
Flowered Frocks…
Rashida Jones floral look by Tory Burch gave us more matrimony than red carpet flare, while Sarah Jessica Parker stunned in her floral Valentino gown. Who gave up the flower power best?
Battle of the Cleavage…
At first glance, you could mistake these two starlets as the same actress – but Paula Patton shows us what she’s got in a low cut gown by Vera Wang, while Sofia Vergara showcases her goods in Marchesa. Who shined best in this silhouette?
Check out the gallery below of more celebrity arrivals at the MET…
BlackEnterprise.com Black Blogger Month Preview Party (NYC)
May 2nd, 2012 by ChristenLast night (May 1), BlackEnterprise.com had its first Preview Tweet Up to celebrate Black Blogger Month 2012. Held at Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s 40/40 Club New York with an open-bar sponsored by Ciroc, the event attracted many of the Tri-state’s loyal supporters, bloggers and tastemakers. Among special guests in attendance were media personality AJ Calloway, twin designers Coco and Breezy, and Black Blogger Month honorees past and present—Claire Sulmers of The Fashion Bomb, Yoli Ouiya of Yoli’s Green Living, Patrice J. Williams of Looking Fly on a Dime, Abiola Abrams of AbiolaTV, Melinda “The Small Biz Lady” Emerson of Succeed As Your Own Boss, Christian Law of Fresher Than Chris, Wilson Morales of BlackFilm.com, and Slim Jackson, Mr. Spradley and Streetz of SingleBlackMale.org.
Celebrating the launch of Black Blogger Month featuring DivasandDorks.com the kick-off was a viral success with over 2.5 million impressions around the #BlackBloggerMonth hashtag leading up to the festivities. Continue reading up on BlackEnterprise.com’s 20 best Black bloggers throughout May at BlackEnterprise.com/BlackBloggerMonth.
Check out a few candid shots & photos from Black Enterprise below…
To check out more photos visit BlackEnterprise.com.
Black Enterprise Votes DivasandDorks.com Best Of The Blogosphere!
May 1st, 2012 by Christen
Talk about kicking the summer off on a high note! You can’t imagine how happy I am to be selected & actually kicking off Black Enterprise Magazine’s Black Blogger Month Celebration!
Dress by: Calvin Klein (Marshall’s $49.99)
It has been a hard road & it couldn’t have been done without loyal & faithful readers like you! Make sure you check out the full Black Enterprise Black Blogger Month Interview HERE and if you’re in NYC – join me and the rest of this month’s inductees as we celebrate Black Blogger Month in style at the 40/40 club at 7pm.
Fuerza Bruta (Look Up) Starring Usher Is NYC’s Newest Sensation!
April 27th, 2012 by ChristenSeven-time Grammy Award winning superstar Usher has joined the critically acclaimed cast of the Off-Broadway show FUERZA BRUTA as the lead Running Man for two performances which began tonight. This evening’s preview afforded celebrities such as Justin Bieber, the media and friends that opportunity to check out Usher’s debut as well as review new music from his upcoming release.
7Tomorrow, fans will experience an exclusively intimate and electrifying performance of FUERZA BRUTA with one of the world’s most beloved music icons at their fingertips. Shows are at 7 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT at the Daryl Roth Theatre with general show tickets on sale now for $150 at Telecharge.com. A limited amount of special VIP tickets will be available for $200 including a FUERZA BRUTA T-shirt, a special edition program signed by Usher and a digital download of Usher’s upcoming new release Looking For Myself, available for redemption on June 12.
“FUERZA BRUTA is unconventional theatre, no one sits down at our show, so to be able to give audience members an opportunity to experience FUERZA BRUTA with Usher in the action is incredible,” said Stephen Shaw, executive producer for FUERZA BRUTA. “We couldn’t be more honored that a powerhouse such as Usher understands, and wants to be a part of the excitement and awe that is FUERZA BRUTA.”
If you don’t want to miss out on a phenomenal show – get your tickets now! (Before it’s too late!)
Check out a sneak peak of what to expect from tomorrow’s show below…
Are you planning on checking out the show? Make sure you tweet us #FuerzaBruta and let us know what you think!
Divas Drive In Heels: Social Media Believes in the Motor City and so should you!
April 24th, 2012 by Christen
Twitter opened a new office in downtown Detroit on earlier this month to serve marketers — including automakers — and ad agencies in the region.
Twitter’s emphasis on Detroit coincides with stellar sales for the auto industry. Americans bought 1.4 million cars and trucks in March, a 13% jump over the same month in 2011 and the most sold since August 2007, according to Edmunds.com. That rise comes despite gas prices that flirt with $4 per gallon and reflects pent-up demand among consumers, analysts say. Earlier this month, during the New York International Auto – The Women’s Automotive Association International discussed the Power of Social Media with some of the auto industry’s social media powerhouse leaders. Sponsored by Mercedes Benz, the Power of Social Media panel included the following participants:
Melissa Newell – Social Media Specialists / Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Jennifer Suzuki – President / e-Dealer Solutions
Lemore Hecht – Social Media Manager / Hertz Corporation
Kate Alini – Social Media Manager / BMW of North America
Dale Durrett – Director of Marketing Solutions / LinkedIn
Kim Kyaw – Social Media Manager / Land Rover North America
Hedy Popson – Executive Vice President / Productions Plus – The Talent Shop
Discussions of social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and more were the hot topics of panelists, as well as insights into how your favorite automotive brands use these platforms to interact with you – the consumer. More and more auto brands are investing in the Power of Social Media – just ask Facebook! Facebook’s Head Of Automotive, Global Vertical Marketing - Doug Frisbie shares his insight on how social media is a necessary component in the automotive industry as a whole. “Today’s automotive industry is more competitive; however it’s still a people business. Connecting with loyal customers and their friends can create a valuable advantage for your brand. Integrating Facebook into your existing marketing channels and leveraging Facebook Pages, ads and sponsored stories will help you capture this advantage and let people drive your marketing.”
Does automotive brand interaction on social media influence your perception of brands and their products? Does tweeting with your favorite brands, influence a purchase?
Nicki Minaj & Nokia Lumia 900 Times Square Takeover (VIDEO)
April 9th, 2012 by Christen
Nokia brought Times Square to a standstill on Friday as thirty-thousand people watched one of the biggest electronic take-overs of the iconic New York landmark for the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900. Using the latest CGI technology the team behind the massive Hollywood blockbuster, i-Robot, created one of the world’s largest LED displays.
Nokia took control of nine of the square’s famous electronic screens to ensure the crowd was immersed in light and music from every direction.
The light show was introduced by international superstar Nicki Minaj, who sang a medley of tracks from her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.
Dozens of the world’s leading visual artist worked for more than 5,000 hours, day and night for more than three weeks, to create the hundreds of jaw-dropping effects that were used on the large screens.
All of the electronic screens were controlled from a mobile server that was fed by eight miles of cable spread over four square blocks of the city.
Combining real dancers with 200ft high computer generated graphics, a building in the square was turned into a living, breathing entity. It was made to appear as though it was filling with water and then “melting” in front of the crowd.
The ground-breaking visual event, to launch the Nokia Lumia 900 in North America, was choreographed to an exclusive Nokia Lumia remix of Minaj’s hit ‘Starships’, performed live by DJ and producer Doorly.
Watch the full experience below…
Nicki said about the big concert:
“To see the idea on paper was amazing but to see it for real blew me away. It brought Times Square to a standstill. The absolute bonus for me is that my fans, who have been so loyal to me, are now part of the video for the Starships Nokia remix.”
“Performing in my home town of NYC the same week as the release of my new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is amazing and it really is a dream come true.”
The Nokia Lumia 900 will be available exclusively in North America from AT&T from April 8 for $99.99. With 4G LTE speeds and outstanding design, the Nokia Lumia 900 lets customers access their email, music and social media quickly.
Divas Drive In Heels: Behind The Scenes Of The 2012 New York Intl Auto Show (Gallery)
April 6th, 2012 by ChristenEarlier this week, while checking out the New York International Auto Show during press days we got the chance to view the newest releases, concept cars and more! (Did You Know: Auto brands reveal the newest models at different auto shows throughout the year?)
Check out a few of the photos and get your behinds the scenes peek of the New York International Auto Show!
Like what you see? The New York International Auto Show is going on now April 6th – 15th at The Jacob Javits Center in NYC! For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://www.autoshowny.com
Divas Drive In Heels: 2014 Chevy Impala Invades NYIAS (First Look)
April 4th, 2012 by Tech StaffAt the 2012 New York International Auto Show Chevrolet has unveiled the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Far from the Impalas of yesteryear, the 2014 Chevy Impala runs in the lines of luxury sedans unlike any of it’s predecessors before.
In relation to the idea of luxury, the new sedan competes with the likes of the Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300 not BMW 3 series or Mercedes Benz C-class vehicles. However, the suggestive lines and luxe interior definitely relates an upgraded and classier sedan than any of it’s earlier designs. (Don’t expect to see State Troopers or undercover cops in these Impalas either…LOL)
Outside: Much of the Impala’s front fascia has been cribbed from the Camaro — the hood is low and long, the front lights are slim and stylishly svelt.
Interior: The five-seat Impala adopts a version of Chevrolet’s now-familiar dual-cockpit dashboard, which is used in the Malibu and Cruze. The backseat head restraints fold for improved rear visibility, but trunk capacity, while very large at 18.8 cubic feet, falls behind the Taurus’ 20.1-cubic-foot figure.
Engines: 2014 Impala comes with three engine choices, including the carryover 3.6-liter V6 and a 182-horsepower Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with the eAssist hybrid system. According to the automaker, Impalas with eAssist are expected to achieve 35 mpg on the highway. All are paired with six-speed automatic transmissions.
“When I first saw this vehicle in the design studio – probably about 16 months ago – I could not wait for today to come,” said Chris Perry, vice president of global Chevrolet marketing, during a media event last month in Detroit. This new vehicle reestablishes Impala as the flagship passenger car in the Chevrolet lineup.”
Check out the first looks of the new Chevy Impala below…
Divas Drive In Heels: Chevy’s On Point With The Pulse Of First Time Car Buyers
April 4th, 2012 by ChristenChevy is speaking to younger first-car buyers like never before. “Next Gen Customers are not just car owners, they are also tomorrow’s designers, engineers and innovators,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “This generation expects brands to partner with them, and we need to engage with them at every level of our business.”” Unlike other brands, Chevy is specifically about the business of “partnering” with consumers versus “targeting” them.
Several of Chevy’s high impact vehicles popular with younger buyers include the Sonic RS, Spark and the highly popular concept vehicles the Tru 140S and the Code 130R.
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- Chevrolet MyLink for easy in vehicle connectivity with personal playlists, phone books and other media on a 7″ high res touch screen.
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- The 2013 Sonic RS amplifies the vehicle’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features.
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- CODE 130R, one of Chevrolet’s concept vehicles from the 2012 North American International Auto Show
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- Connectivity is a central feature of the Tru 140S concept car, with WiFi and smart-phone integration through Chevrolet’s MyLink and heads up display.
One of the driving forces behind younger consumers is of course “24/7 Connectivity” and Productivity – which is one of the reasons why Chevrolet MyLink was created. MyLink which is featured in the Spark and Sonic, helps them stay connected at a fraction of the price of previous systems.
The Chevrolet Youth Concepts, designed with and for Millennials, serve as an example of how Chevy is engaging the group in the co-creation process. To date, more than 13,000 people have provided feedback on the concepts at global auto shows, through Facebook, and at the annual South by Southwest music, film and interactive conference and festival.
With strong ties to the younger first-time car buyer, Chevy has definitely set themselves apart from their competitors. It’s still a buyers market and consumers are more informed and determined to get what they want. What are you looking for when purchasing a new car? 24/7 Connectivity? Price? Style?
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