Rakia's Style Nation:

Ebony Fashion Fair

February 9 - 14

Macy's Center City

1300 Market Street

This month the world’s largest traveling fashion show, Ebony Fashion Fair, is making it’s way to Macy’s Center City in honor of Black History Month.  This amazing show is known for its display of high fashions for Black America and this fashion extravaganza is something that I do not want to miss!

Ebony Fashion Fair always shows the latest fashions from the world’s best fashion houses.  Macy’s and Ebony will be saluting founder and fashion icon Eunice W. Johnson by unlocking her private archives from the decade.   In 1945, she started Ebony Magazine with her husband and soon after started Ebony Fashion Fair in 1956.  This was to work as a fundraiser for New Orleans Hospital and since then has spent decades traveling the globe to select the most glamorous creations from the world's greatest couturiers and designers and raising more money for scholarships. 

The runway show will be on Wednesday, February 9, and the exhibition will go from February 9 - 14.  For a fun fashion experience and to see some…

Rakia's Style Nation:

Winter Wonderland Sales!

Last week, I was running around the city checking out some of my favorite boutiques, trying on things that I need in my closet, and admiring the winter wonderland wears.

The city is chock-a-block full of winter sales, basement sales (oh yeah, it's going down!), and endless discounts at some of your favorite boutiques. Check out my round-up of where you should be shopping for deals and steals in some of my favorite Philly neighborhoods.

Web Exclusive

Duke & Winston

One our favorite men’s lines, Duke & Winston, is gearing up for their expansion (Polos, dog gear, updated branding), so right now they are offering 40% off  on all current styles (even items already on sale) while supplies last. These are the cheapest you'll be able to get the gear and with only about 100 tees left, these will go quickly.

Insider tip:  Visit the sale site and type in GSTD at checkout for discount

South Street Headhouse District

Bus Stop Boutique

750 S. 4th Street

Warehouse sale, January 28-30

BUS STOP is throwing…

Rakia's Style Nation:

Counting Down My Favorite Looks for New Year's Eve

Everyone is celebrating New Year’s Eve in style this year. Are you spending the night out in the city or celebrating with close friends at an intimate party? Check out these looks to style yourself for your New Year’s Eve plans.

Insider tip: Catch some of the boutiques goods at the Season Finale party Wednesday, December 29, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Boutique 77 located at 777 South Broad Street. They’ll be highlighting designers and selling last minute NYE dresses. 

Little Black Dress

The rosette detailing of this piece creates a romantic twist on the classic “little black dress” for the fashionista hitting the New Year's Eve parties.

Get this look at:

Octavio Miles Boutique

4251 Main Street (Manayunk neighborhood)

Party Dress

For the fun-loving girl partying with friends at the bars, choose this bright flowing vintage get up to stand out in the crowd.

Get this look at:

Reverie Boutique

205 West Girard Avenue

Glitz & Glam

If you are hosting a cocktail party…

La Vie En Rose: A Fabulous Night of Fashion

From daring hair-do’s to stunning stilettos, the La Vie En Rose fashion show and cocktail reception was fabulous from head to toe. If you’re under the impression that it was simply another ordinary fashion show—think again. La Vie En Rose brought together some of today’s hottest stylists and designers to deliver a night of fashion-forward glamour.

La Vie En Rose gathered people from all walks of life for a common cause—to address the need to nurture and motivate young African American girls. Sarah Dash of the trio Labelle, The Honorable Dame Jennifer Smith (former Premiere of Bermuda) and noted designer Loris Diran were all fashionably present to show their support for The Evoluer House. In the spirit of giving, Cheryl Ann Wadlington, Executive Director of The Evoluer House, gave out several fun gifts at the close of the show to thank guests for showing their support. It doesn’t get much better than glitz and gifts.

In case you missed this incredible night, Philly 360⁰ is here to provide you with another exclusive experience. Check out the video below for a taste of the La Vie En Rose fashion show.

P.S. To…

Hip Trips with Cheldin:

Mitchell & Ness history:  

Having been around for over 100 years, Mitchell & Ness is not only a Philly staple, but it is a sports fan staple.  In many cases, it is the only store to offer authentic vintage inspired MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL gear. The store has become a must-stop destination for athletes, musicians…

Rakia’s Style Nation:

Rakia’s Fashion and Beauty Holiday Gift Guide

The countdown has begun! The holidays are 11 days away. Here are some last minute gift items that everyone will love.

Distante

1510 Sansom Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 545-2850

If you’re looking for a great pair of cuff links to compliment that stylish suit in your man’s closet, Distante features a variety of well-made and designed links. They are sure to give a man that extra flair for the holidays.

Vivant Art Collection

60 North 2nd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(310) 612-4636

Need a great gift for the ladybug in your life? Vivant Art Collection in Olde City has a hand painted espresso set done in a red and black lady bug pattern. Too cute!  The gallery displays a cultural art exhibit of works from Africa and the Caribbean so if you are looking for a gift for the art connoisseur, look no further.

Duafe Holistic Hair Care

3502 Scotts Lane

Philadelphia, PA 19129

(267) 297-7636

Duafe Salon has come up with a…

Stacey Flygirrl Wilson:

How to Collect Art on a Budget

 
With the holidays just around the corner, I know you're looking for some great gift ideas and trying to stretch your dollars.  Ideally, we all would love to buy original artwork, but there are some great ways to collect or buy art gifts while on a budget.  So, I have compiled a list of cool and fun ways to build your art collection--or give a unique gift to help build someone else's collection--without breaking the bank!

Thereʼs more affordable art out there than you realize! My picks offer a wide range of items, visually and financially but give you options to find exactly what youʼre looking for.

Happy hunting!  

Upcoming Event Picks:

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. open to PAFA members

5:30 - 8:30 p.m. open to the public

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)

Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building, 6th Floor
128 North Broad Street (Cherry Street Entrance) 

If you’re looking…

Rakia's Style Nation: A Look Behind the Scenes of La Vie En Rose

Friday, December 3

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The University of the Arts

Dorrance Hamilton Hall

320 South Broad Street

Once again, it’s time for Philadelphia’s fashionable elite to rock the runway—and you’re invited! The Evoluer House will host its 3rd annual fashion show and cocktail reception, La Vie En Rose. But, it’s much more than your typical night of glitz and glam—La Vie En Rose is a fashion show with a cause and several of today’s noted celebrity stylists have teamed up to bring you a fabulous night of fashion.

Meet the Style Team:

Cheryl Ann Wadlington  

Producer

Micah Lamar  

Celebrity Fashion Stylist

Debra Ginyard 

Celebrity Fashion Stylist

Anthony Jones 

Celebrity Makeup Artist

Darya Latham

Celebrity Makeup Artist

This extraordinary show will give you a taste of high fashion as well as stylish everyday wear under the creative direction of celebrity stylist Micah Lamar. I met up the Founder and Executive Director of The Evoluer House, Cheryl Ann Wadlington, and she gave me an exclusive peek behind the scenes of La Vie En Rose.

La Vie En Rose is part of the mission of The Evoluer…