Lupita Nyong'o in Miu Miu Spring Campaign

Lupita in Miu Miu's spring 2014 campaign.

Lupita Nyongo's star just keeps on shining brighter and brighter.  As she continues to become the fashion industry's muse, things just got better for the actress and star of 12 Years A Slave.  Miu Miu recently debuted their new spring campaign with the Kenyan beauty featured alongside other notables Elle Fanning, Elizabeth Olson and Bella Heathcote.  The campaign is certainly a bold expression of diversity both in beauty and in the way they convey the fashion sense of the brand.

Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth Olsen, Lupita Nyong'o, Bella Heathcote and Elle Fanning.

STYLE | Gift Bags

Michael Kors Selma Tote in black and sapphire blue.

Holiday gift shopping is one of the most daunting experiences you will have.  Whether you are buying for your mom, best friend or girlfriend, a purse is something that a woman will use almost every single day.  It's a gift that will keep on giving.  If you want to put a smile on her face Christmas morning, get her what nearly every woman wants; a designer handbag. 

If she is a style maven then she's the kind of woman who would embrace something different.  She will appreciate rich color, different shapes, details and mixed textures.  For the traditional woman stick to simple styles like a tote, satchel or clutch.  Avoid all the extra details like studs, jewels and extra hardware since she is more of the simple type.  

Take advantage of all the great deals at this time of year.  Many big brands have outlet stores where you can find some of their best-sellers and favorites for a discounted price.
    

Tory Burch triangle tote bag.

Coach Madison Phoebe shoulder bag.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Tate satchel.

STYLE | A SEQUINED HOLIDAY

Daga Ziober by Matt Irwin (Vogue Japan)

Don't let yourself get stuck in a style rut this holiday season.  It's the perfect time of year to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.  It's your moment to shine and have your very own red carpet moments.  Take style cues from some of your favourite celebrities but don't forget that you also have to consider your body type and what's most flattering on you.   

A simple straight bodice is best when wearing a sequined dress.  Like the ones by BCBG pictured below, you can make a statement with such a simple style.  Keep your accessories minimal when you opt for a sequined dress.  It can be distracting and take away from your outfit.  A pair of chandelier earrings  is as elaborate as you should get when dazzling the room in your dress.  

Sequined dresses are the perfect holiday outfit.

I wearing all sequins is too much for you then opt for an embellished dress like the one pictured below.  A scooped back or neckline adorned with bold jewels will surely make a statement.  Wearing this means keeping your jewels simple too.  Avoid large necklaces because they will only class with the dress and be all too distracting.  Instead wear bangles that complement the jewels on the dress.  Finish your look with a pair of pointed

VOGUE ITALIA - BLACK | MODELS MOMENTS | KIARA KABUKURU

Kiara Kabukuru is one of my favorite models over the years.  I haven't seen much of her recently but she continues to be an important part of the industry.  Ugandan born model didn't think she could be a model because she isn't as tall as most runway models.  Listen as she talks about what she loves about New Yorkers and how they express themselves through fashion.  She also shares her personal style and how her career as a model began and grew unexpectedly.

VOGUE ITALIA - BLACK | MODELS MOMENTS | IMAN

Legendary Supermodel Iman is now an Icon in the fashion industry.  Listen in as she speaks about her early days as a model and the incident that inspired her to start her successful cosmetics line.

STYLE | Ghana Fashion & Design Week Highlights

Ghana Fashion & Design Week has wrapped for another year.  The second annual event once again brought together some of Ghana's best and emerging talent in the design industry.  Fashion designers, writers, bloggers and patrons traveled from the UK, Europe and other parts of Africa to experience the event.  FashionistaGH is one of Ghana's most popular Fashion Blog websites and was there covering the shows.  Take a look at the collection of videos highlighting all the events over the last few days.

Special thanks to FashionistaGH.

VOGUE ITALIA - BLACK | MODELS MOMENTS | ALEK WEK

Vogue Italia interviews model Alek Wek in her neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn NY.

CULTURE | ETHICAL FASHION - MILAN FASHION WEEK

Designer Stella Jean is a rising talent who merges culture with contemporary to create beautiful fashion.

Emerging designer Stella Jean had the opportunity of a lifetime by being selected to present her ethical collection in Giorgio Armani's Theatre at his Milan Headquarters. Using hand woven fabrics made from women from Burkina Faso, designer Stella Jean manages to merge her culture with Italian style.  She says, "We have to understand that we must think differently...there is no African or Italian...they can't work unless they start a dialect together."

Her show was all part of the International Trade Centre Fashion Initiative.  This project aims to help use fashion to get people out of poverty.  They connect fashion designers with local artisans in Africa and Haiti to produce fashion that allows women to feel empowered and earn an income.  Stella Jean sourced some of her materials in Burkina Faso.

STYLE | MILAN FASHION WEEK 4 HOT TRENDS

CULTURE | CARS & FASHION

Zac Posen and Thom Browne have both stepped into a new arena.  They have brought their design aesthetic to the interior of a space many spend hours in; their cars.  Watch this video as they both share the excitement about adding their creative touch to The Infiniti Q50.

STYLE | (Video) TOP TRENDS FROM LONDON FASHION WEEK

STYLE | Sass & Bide

Sass & Bide at London Fashion Week was all about London cool.  Geometric lines in black, white and silver with bursts of yellow is what the collection was all about.  Check out the runway show from State of Style Channel above.

If the video isn't showing CLICK HERE to watch.

CULTURE | MET Ball Style

Sarah Jessica Parker wears a mohican headpiece by Phillip Treacy and her
gown was by Giles Deacon.

This year's exhibition theme at the MET Ball was Punk: Chaos to Couture.  It certainly was very punk and there was definitely some chaos in how wardrobes were styled for the night.  But most of the celebrities managed to pull it off without a hitch.  They went hard and took the opportunity to dish out their inner punk in full force.  Check out some of the hits and misses at the event.  Who wore your favorite look?

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon dress with
thigh high tartan velvet boots underneath. (Photo: Rex Features)

Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her unique fashion sense and that night she stayed true to that.  Stepping out with a large Mohican headpiece by Phillip Treacy and gown by Giles Deacon she didn't stop there.  Underneath her gown were thigh high velvet boots that had everyone talking.  

Beyonce wore Givenchy Couture with a flame motif design on the skirt and a snakeskin corset top.  The look was completed with gloves and over the knee boots to match.  Personally I didn't think the look was the most flattering on Beyonce.  Meanwhile, Nicole Richie stepped out with newly dyed hair.  It was a silver/grey and made her look unrecognizable.  It was certainly a punked out look that made everyone turn their heads.  Sienna Miller really brought out the punk influence in her biker style studded jacket by Burberry worn over an open back white dress. 

Kim Kardashian's peony printed dress seemed to be too much and a little overwhelming on her.  I don't think it was her best look but it was suitable for the occasion.  Although I didn't think it had a strong punk reference as the theme of the event.  But then again how does a pregnant woman go punk? 

Beyonce in Givenchy Couture. (Photo: Rex Features)

Sienna Miller in Burberry. (Photo PA)

Madonna took the punk inspiration literally.  She looked almost like she did
in the early days of her career.  Except do you think this works for her now?

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. (Photo: David Fisher/Rex Features)

Nicole Richie wore a dress by Topshop with a new hair color.

Wedge Sneakers

Wedge Sneaker by KAS, Ash Alex ($248) (www,kickassshoes.ca)

If you haven't already noticed, this season's hottest new shoe is the sneaker wedge.  So many women have been spotted sporting these shoes that give the look of a long lean leg while providing the comfort of a running shoe.  

A great alternative in the summer for those casual days when you're just doing some running around but still want to look stylish.  Check out the video below to see how some women have been rockin' these kicks. 

Beyonce in New H&M Campaign

H&M continues to build it's fast fashion brand and this season they have upped the ante by featuring singer Beyonce Knowles for it's summer campaign.  The singer shot the print ads in the Bahamas and looks radiant in all the photos.  The style and imagery are so reflective of Knowles own personal style.  H&M's head designer, Ann Sofie Johannson said that Beyonce actually had some input into the designs.

The pieces are a perfect blend of vintage, sensual, practical and fun.  Beyonce will be in print ads, billboards and television spots for the summer collection.  Beyonce said in H&M's press release, "I've always liked H&M's focus on fun and affordable fashion.  I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind.  It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island.  It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

Spring's Black and White Trend

Spring 2013 has plenty of fashion trends to choose from.  One of the most notable is the black and white trend we are seeing everywhere.  It looks amazing on everyone and it's so easy to style because the two colours look great together. Watch this video by PopSugarTV for a few looks of the season in black and white.

Jason Wu - Spring 2013

Jason Wu (image Wmagazine.com)

Jason Wu's spring 2013 collection opened with what first appears to be a simple black shift dress.  The details of sheer lace and leather look bra over the bodice were both classy yet sexy at the same time.  It was followed by various combinations with a black and white pallet.  A simple combination that can be worn day or night.  Wu has a way of making a woman look amazing without too much fuss.  A pop of colour was added with pink and the classic choice of navy.

(Watch full runway show below)

Lace Against Time

Lace always makes its way into fashion every season.  It's a timeless fabric that has been used for everything from wedding to cocktail dresses.  This year we're seeing mixed textures of lace and colour giving it a more modern appeal.

Colour blocked lace is a new trend that was spotted on the runway giving a new twist to this classic fabric.  Don't be afraid to mix lace with other textures either.  Lace overlay and mixing it with other fabrics is a trend that has made it big this year.  Contrast colour and varying textures are what make this old fabric seem new again.

H&M Spring 2013

It may be the middle of the Christmas shopping season but retailers are getting geared up for spring.  byt the time it's the end of January expect to see stores almost completely flipped into spring.  Here is a sneak peak at what fashion retailer H&M will be bringing you for the next season.

Ghana Fashion & Design Week: Rebekah Opuni

Photo: Jewette Johnson

Photo: Jewette Johnson