Lisa Nicole Cloud:

Her designs were breathtaking. We were greeted by two of her models as we entered the cocktail party before the show. Very old Hollywood glam mixed with modern sexy and sultry.

BUSINESS MOGAL, DESIGNER,

FACES OF FASHION GALA CREATOR Lisa Nicole Cloud, a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and former reality TV star from Bravo’s “Married to Medicine, is the founder of the Lisa Nicole Collection, a luxury clothing line for modern women. Her sleek designs have been worn by celebrities and showcased in fashion weeks worldwide, and she’s received accolades for her philanthropic efforts, including the Barack Obama Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Lisa Nicole Cloud serves as an inspiration in both the fashion industry and the world of women’s empowerment and medical mission work.

London Couture:

Oh my goodness!

A combination of mystery and fun!!! Lace and fringe pieces were so different yet so London Couture.

CELEBRITY DESIGNER

London Couture, a fashion designer based in Atlanta, Georgia, is celebrated for his innovative fusion of traditional couture with modern elements. With a background rooted in creative expression a list that includes prominent names like Lil Kim and B. Simone, London Couture’s designs are renowned for their cutting- edge and timeless appeal.

Tracy Nicole Clothing:

This designer gave us pieces we can wear in our daily lives. I call it casual couture. And curvy girl friendly. I’ve been looking at a couple of pieces to add to my wardrobe.

MOTHER, DESIGNER, AUTHOR

Tracy Nicole, a multifaceted entrepreneur and fashion designer, rose from humble beginnings in Atlanta to create a nationally recognized brand known for timeless style. Her include New York and Paris Fashion Week appearances, a presence in the Four Seasons Hotel spa retail, and a commitment to giving back through self-esteem workshops and scholarships. Tracy Nicole’s brand has expanded globally, with plans to introduce swimwear in 2024.

Alani Taylor:

Tailored, menswear inspired pieces with her own twist added.

Fun and sexy pieces by a truly humble designer.

CELEBRITY DESIGNER, OWNER OF THE LAB Timeekah Murphy, an Army Veteran and Celebrity Fashion Designer, founded Alani Taylor Co., a luxury high fashion streetwear brand with a client list that includes Beyonce, Cardi B, and more influential celebrities. Self-taught in sewing during her military service, Murphy’s journey led to the creation of her brand, which has gained recognition in publications like Vogue and Forbes. She’s also expanded into clothing manufacturing and education, aiming to make her mark in the fashion industry through her unique styles and leadership.

Miguel Wilson Collection:

Wow. Just wow!!! This collection was hot!!!

I was blown away by these unique designs.

#1 DESIGNER FOR MENS WEDDING ATTIRE Miguel Wilson is an internationally recognized fashion designer known for his wedding attire and the groundbreaking Wedding Collection for Men. After a successful career serving businessmen and athletes, he rebuilt his business focusing on grooms, chronicling his journey in the book “Peace Over Everything” and establishing multiple locations across the United States.

SHANNON BALENCIAGA:

MOTHER OF THE “HOUSE OF BALENCIAGA”

The finale was much anticipated by me.

Since the 90’s when I first learned of the House Ball Culture, I’ve been intrigued. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to watch a presentation in person. I was beyond thrilled to see the House of Balenciaga!!

The Iconic International House of Balenciaga, established in 2002, is renowned for producing icons, legends, and stars both within and outside the Ballroom Community, notably featured on HBO Max’s Legendary. Shannon Balenciaga, also known as Countess Shay, leads the house and has achieved numerous titles, including Legendary Face and Overall Mother, while also founding the Worldwide House of Royal clothing line.

This experience was one of the top ten best moments of my blogging life. Heck let say top five!!

Once again, The Luxe List Atlanta, thank you for for inviting me to this incredible event.

The invitation read “Imagine a night where the worlds of Fashion, Art, Culture and Entertainment collide.”

I was honored to attend the Inaugural Faces of Fashion Gala at the High Museum in Atlanta last weekend.

The Luxe List Atlanta partnered with F.A.C.E.-Fulton County Arts & Culture, and The Finer Events for a star studded evening.

Atlanta has long been know for its history, it’s music and it’s sports. The goal of the evening was to now establish the city’s presence in the Fashion World.

By honoring many of their locals, this event definitely was the first step in establishing the city in the Fashion Industry.

After a Red Carpet interview, I entered the cocktail party before the event.

My vegetarian diet was catered too during the dinner portion. Beautiful and delicious!!

Cynthia Bailey, actress, model and founder of the Bailey Agency School of Fashion, was the first honoree.

My favorite Real Housewife of Atlanta graciously accepted her award in a glamorous sequined pantsuit.

Americas Next Top Model Eva Marcille was up next. From the Young and The Restless to the runway, I’ve been following her career for years.

This Real Housewife Alum also chose a jumpsuit. The pink background with the black graffiti like flowers was stunning.

Fashion photographer Robert Ector took the stage looking quite fashionable himself. His gold and black brocade robe was on trend for the night. He looked right at home on the other side of the camera.

Actor, HMUA and honorary Housewife Miss Lawrence gave a heartfelt speech. I was particularly looking forward to seeing them. Miss Lawrence inspired me long ago to be myself. Dress for myself. And not care what other people think you should be. They’re unique ensemble will be recreated by me in the future!

Another honorary Housewife, hair stylist and event planner, the Fabulous Dwight Eubanks ripped the runway before accepting his award. In his true over the top nature, Dwight wowed everyone in a white and blue satin blazer, dripping in pearls.

I’m totally in love with this blazer!! And Dwight has always had my full attention while on screen.

Rapper, actor, television presenter, and author, Fonzworth Bentley spoke so eloquently while accepting his award.

He shared childhood stories of his love of fashion and how his grandfather helped mold him into the well dressed gentleman he is today.

To me this man is single-handedly responsible for keeping men dapper throughout the years. Trends come and go. Fashion changes, but style is forever. And this man has style.

He was very approachable and so nice taking time to talk with all of us. Truly a class act.

All eyes were on music mogul Devyne Stephens as he accepted his award in all black, sequins and fringe. Complete with satin gloves.

This talented man is passionate about music but even more passionate about his community.

Lady in Red, Randi Layne, came dressed to impress. The founder of Catwalk Productions arrived in a monochromatic red ensemble featuring a heart shaped décolleté.

Catwalk Productions serves a truly diverse industry base and features over 40 years of industry experience. They’ve been featured in, designed, produced and directed fashion shows from coast to coast.

Songwriter and Producer Rico Wade selflessly praised so many people while accepting his award. He ditched his hip hop attire for a blue suite with a satin bow tie and received much accolades from his peers in the room.

This was truly a high point in my fashion blogging career. And a night I will never forget.

I know, I know, it’s still hotter than Satan’s front porch outside, but let’s manifest cooler weather by talking Fall Fashion!

I have five hot trends for cool weather that seem to take turns making it to our closets every few years.

1. Classic Tailoring:

Face it, classic, tailored looks are always chic and in style.

Prepare to see more of it this coming season.

2. Red:

No matter the shade, this primary color will be a primary part of our wardrobes.

3. Leather:

Soft calf skin and suede will be popular this Fall. Mix with different textures for unique looks.

I’ll stay away from leather pants myself. I’m still traumatized by the episode of Friends when Ross tried them lol.

But I have some faux leather leggings and moto jacket I can’t wait to style. Not together though. No Biker Chick Chic for me.

4. Sheer:

Barely there for those who dare! I have a sheer top from Zara I may try with a nice lace bra underneath.

5. Shearling:

Didn’t we just do this a couple of years ago?? Anyway, it’s back. Bags, jackets and coats mix leather with shearling of all colors.

I’m sure most of us already have these pieces in our wardrobe. Trends come and go but they never go away completely.

What’s your favorite trend?

Whether you’re into fashion or not, you recognize this phenomenal lady and her unique take on fashion.

Iris Apfel recently turned 102.

She’s been a fashion influencer long before we all achieved to become one.

With her giant round spectacles, signature red lipstick and statement necklaces layered over vintage jackets, she leave us expecting the unexpected.

She is the complete antithesis of Coco Chanel’s simplicity.

Although she does have some classic moments. These outfits are classic with an Apfel twist.

She even had a collaborated on a collection for H&M that included everything from brightly coloured brocade shoes to a sea green Jacquard weave appliqué blazer.

To quote Clairee Belcher from Steel Magnolias: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

And accessorize is what Iris Apfel does best.

She’s been quoted as saying “More is More and Less is a Bore.”

In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute honored her with an exhibit displaying her decades’ worth of personal style.

She even had her own Barbie!!!

When asked about the difference between style and fashion, she’s always been clear: “Style is something you inherit, I think it’s in your DNA … Style is attitude and comes from within. Fashion comes from without.”

And she truly defines Style.

Ahhhh Gianni Versace…

My love affair with fashion was fueled by his designs in the 80s and 90s.

Giovanni Maria “Gianni” Versace was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman.

He was the founder of Versace, an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-up, home furnishings and clothes.

He was influenced by Ancient Greek History.

This is evident in the company’s logo, the Medusa head, and recurring motifs like the Greek Key.

He was one of the first designers to link fashion to the music world.

Versace enlisted the talents of legends Elton John, Madonna, and even Jon Bon Jovi for seasonal campaigns.

Fun Fact: Tupac was the first rapper in a Versace fashion show!

Gianni Versace also designed Michael’s iconic gold outfit on the HIStory Tour in 1996.

He also retained complete creative control over all aspects of his company.

Concerning the ‘competition’ between Italian designers, Versace was quoted as saying “Armani dresses the wife, Versace dresses the mistress.”

Versace became known for employing celebrities in his marketing campaigns and seating them in the front rows of his fashion shows. He was one of the first designers to do this.

He is also credited with inventing the ‘supermodels’ of the 1990s, by discovering and featuring major runway models in his shows and ads.

He put the ‘Super’ in Supermodel.

“Before [Gianni], I don’t think many designers let models have personality, nor after. The models should wear the clothes, be very serious, not smile, look in front of you, almost no soul,” his sister Donatella Versace told The Guardian .

“This was totally opposite: it was about the girls, what the girls were thinking, who they were dating. It wasn’t just about the clothes, but about who was wearing the clothes.”

He also believed in men being sex symbols. Not just women.

One of the 90s most memorable moments in fashion history was Elizabeth Hurley in her Versace Safety Pin Dress.

The iconic safety pin dress moment marked not only Liz’s rise to international fame, but the beginning of a lifelong relationship between the actress and the Italian fashion house.

Another favorite Versace memory is of Demi Moore in this iconic lilac ensemble.

Nobody can forget Kate Moss in this Cotton Candy Dream outfit!

He once notably said, “I’m not a fashion designer. I’m a tailor. It’s my job. I can cut and sew clothes. Not everyone can do that”.

Gianni Versace…The man had passion for fashion. And he passed that passion onto me.

While this die hard SATC fan was is thrilled with the return of her favorite fashionistas, the character developments have left me a bit disappointed.

The fashion, however, is on point!

While I figured Carrie would be decked in the most Carrie black mourning clothes, her love life and her wardrobe bounced back rather quickly.

Aiden isn’t the only blast from the past on the show.

Carrie’s Fendi baguette is back!

Carrie’s purple sequin Fendi baguette bag(it’s not a bag, its a baguette!)
which was memorably stolen by a style-savvy mugger in season three of the show, is back.

Along with her vintage Chanel boots!

The Vivienne Westwood gown is instantly recognizable to any fan.

Carrie brings back her Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes and her wedding dress which she repurposed for the Met Gala. Complete with the bird headpiece.

While costume designers Molly Rogers and Danny Santiago had worked on the original Sex and the City series and movies under Patricia Field, the added their own touch to And Just Like That.

The Classic Mrs. Preston Style we saw in the SATC Movies makes appearances.

As well as some very ‘Over the Top Carrie’ pieces.

Like this Blizzard Chic look.

“It appears like it’s a one-piece coat dress, but it’s actually three pieces: a skirt, a jacket, and a hood,” Santiago says. “It’s all quilted, and it does weigh a lot. There are yards and yards and yards of fabric in it.”

And this Valentine’s Day look for her First Date(can we call it that?)with Aiden.

The Pigeon Purse takes me back to the infamous Duck Purse that Big gave Carrie in Season 2.

While Carrie and her crew have aged gracefully(bring back Samantha please), so has her closet.

Her wardrobe shows that her fashion has evolved, as well as keeping some connections to her glorious apartment closet from SATC.

I feel like the costume designers have created a happy medium.

Many Manolos later, Carrie is still so very…Carrie.

The Diva turns two!!!

Two years ago today I posted my very first blog! And my, she is growing quite nicely. 

This year I’ve made myself post on a regular basis. I’ve made myself post more about the events I attend. 

My first year I stressed and panicked over content. This year I’ve pushed my anxieties aside. 

I go to alot of pretty cool places. I’m literally ‘Living La Vida Diva!’ Not everyone may even know they exist. By blogging about them I’m taking my readers along with me. I want to inspire readers to check out these events themselves. 

Of course everyone with a two year old likes to show them off. So I’m ‘showing off’ some of my favorite blogs from this past year. 

The Love Desserts and the Celtic Festivals were two of my favorites. I love my Scotch-Irish heritage almost as much as I love sweets. 

I shared the struggle I feel each time I go home to visit.

Anything that involves shopping is also an immediate favorite. I was fortunate to attend and blog about several events at Southpark Mall in Charlotte. Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Lilly Pulitzer and Banana Republic have each provided me with opportunities to bring my readers into their stores with me. 

This year brought my first chance to be a social media Influencer. 

Banana Republic invited me to ‘Find my Perfect Fit.’ This brought about the most difficult yet most rewarding blog I have written. I was worried about how I would look in the pictures I was posting of my body’s most troubled areas. I was worried about how I was representing such a well known, highly respected company. 

I chronicled my Pants Journey and it became one of my favorite blogs. 

This year also brought about my first blogger ‘collab’. 

@Reaganmyownworld and I teamed up to bring our readers the newest pieces of Target fashion.

My little blog is continuing to grow. We are growing together. And I look forward to everything we experience in the coming year. 

I’ve recently decided to take the plunge and look for white pants.

I’ve accepted the fact that with my body type (short and dumpy) this is going to be a struggle.

Leggings are out of the question. Thin white material on dumpy legs is not a good look.

So my requirements are thick material and inexpensive. Being the “mess magnet” that I am, I know wearing white is risky. So I do not want to invest a lot of money into something that could possibly be ruined so easily.

My first stop was Walmart. $7.97 for white jeggings. Perfect! Until I tried them on.

Big noooo. Tooooo thin. Showed every lump and bump.

On to Target. I tried a pair that was the perfect thickness but they were plus sized and I’ve lost a lot of my “dumpiness” last year. Perhaps a cropped pair from the Denizen Levis line. Those are a definite maybe.

My next stops were Macy’s and Belk, but their options were a little pricier than I wanted to go. JC Penneys only option was in Jr. sizes and that’s just not going to happen.

On to Kohls where I found a pair from the brand Elle that I liked, but they were a size too big. The price was $48, but they were on sale at 25 percent off.

Old Navy nailed it. Their Pixie pants in white were perfect. They’re priced at $39.94 so I’m waiting for them to go on sale before I get them. I also got the Denizen Levis cropped pair from Target.

So the answer is YES!!! Yes, I can wear white pants. Anyone can. You just have to keep trying on options until you find the perfect pair!

After being a vegetarian for over 20 years I’ve never had the urge to be vegan. This girl loves her cheese!! But after hearing some of benefits of going without dairy I started reading up on the subject.

Two of the benefits that interested me were the clearing up of my skin and my sinuses. I’ve battled issues with both a lot in the past few years so I thought I’d give it a go in an attempt to breath better and have clearer skin.

I came upon the So Delicious 21-day dairy-free challenge. After reading all the comments from converted vegans I thought I’d try it.

What did I have to lose?

I never realized how much dairy I consumed daily. I’ve never liked milk, so not drinking it was no problem. But the cream in my coffee, the cheese on my salads and my veggie chili, the butter on my potatoes … wow. I soon realized this was going to be harder than I thought. I replaced my coffee creamer with almond milk or coconut milk. I have yet to find a non-dairy cheese I could stomach so I just avoided my favorite food of all … pizza. And ice cream. I tried various soy, almond and coconut based ‘ice creams’. Again I was not satisfied so I just avoided both.

After the first week I noticed no changes. Week two passed also without any change in my skin or sinuses. Everyone was telling me to just give it up. Even in the last week I persisted. Day 20, I turned down pizza. Even tho’ I knew I would be returning to dairy in the next couple of days. I insisted on following through.

After my challenge ended I did not immediately gorge myself on pizza and ice cream as I’d envisioned. Eventually I ate pizza and ice cream just in moderation. I no longer use dairy creamer in my coffee and I leave the cheese off most of the meals I’d normally consumed it with. Although dairy-free didn’t help my issues I’m sure many benefit from it. I now consume less dairy for caloric purposes.

There are some great dairy alternatives out there. And most stores have their own ‘store brand’. I now consider myself a partial vegan. Anyone else have any success with going off dairy?