55 Secret Street

Fall 2010 Preview: TJ Maxx and Marshall's

I would have had this up a few weeks ago but my site was mysteriously deemed an "attack" site by Google.  Thankfully, the problem (whatever it is - Google didn't say and Typepad didn't know) seems to be resolved. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Anyway, the shoes!  The shoes in the opening shot are by Jessica Simpson.  TJ Maxx and Marshall's featured the shoes and a ton of other great items that will be in their stores in the fall.  We all know that every TJ Maxx and Marshall's is different around the country but, if you see the Jessica Simpson shoes above or the Kate Spade handbag below in your local TJ Maxx or Marshall's, I would grab them.

A Kate Spade handbag.

A trench and a cute leather clutch.

A pair of Michael Kors shoes. 

$55 and Under: World Cup Flip Flops by Havaianas

    

 
 

 

     

 My custom-made Havaianas flip flops from New York Fashion Week a few seasons ago are still holding up quite well, and that's saying a lot for flip flops. Therefore, I have no problem recommending these limited edition team flip flops - even if your team is long gone from the World Cup (Go #USA!)

Limited Edition Team Flip Flops $24.00.

My Little Brown Eye... Vogue Africa

Along with the best known Vogue editions from the UK, France, Italy and Germany, we have Vogue China, Vogue India, Vogue Australia, Vogue Greece, Vogue Espana, Vogue Taiwan, Vogue Russia,Vogue Korea, Vogue Japan, and Vogue Mexico.

Where is Vogue Africa? 

Yes, Vogue Black exists.  It's a start - but so far it's online only.  There are South African editions of O, the Oprah magazine and Glamour and the aforementioned ARISE, which I love, covers people, places and things from the entire continent.  You should see all of fabulous people at the ARISE show during New York fashion week!  Pop'Africana was also brought to my attention. However, I still love the idea of a Vogue Africa and I've been dreaming about one ever since Vogue India debuted in 2007.  Instead of mis-identifying Cassie as Faith Evans (Faith Evans?!) and describing her as a "pretty girl with Latina features", weathering a new blackface scandal every other week and scouring the schoolyards and distant rural farms of Brazil for a Gisele Bündchen clone within one-twentieth of the nation's population, why not do... something else... 

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I am not the only one wishing Vogue Africa into existence.  Photographer Mario Epanya hopes Conde Nast will take his not-too-subtle hint and make it a reality.  He has been photographing models and creating a new Vogue Africa cover each month.  Click on the thumbnails above for some of his work.


A Vogue Africa would be stellar and there would be no shortage of material, especially considering the vast array of stylish, interesting people that make up the African diaspora.  Imagine: Fashion spreads featuring the usual suspects, Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Arlenis Sosa. All kinds of celebrities.  Feature stories on people like Liya Kebede, who recently had her her film debut in Desert Flower, where she stars as another model, Waris Dirie, who is Somali.  An article about Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson and all of the Marcus Samuelssons you've never heard of.  Writers and editors like Suzanne Boyd (editor of the late, great Suede), Farai Chideya, Veronica Chambers, Lola Ogunnaike, Robin Givhan and, of course, Andre Leon Talley would be wonderful contributors.  

I think the possibilities are endless - but, what do you say? Would you like to see a Vogue Africa?