Posts with tag bet

BET's third annual Rip the Runway premiered last Tuesday. And it was amazing.

Diddy opened the show by defining fashion, specifically black fashion, saying, "It's not just the clothes; it's the lifestyle; it's the swagger ... Urban fashion is at the forefront of style around the world." BET's tagline for Rip the Runway is "black fashion," but that's really just a label, like preppy or geek chic. The fashions were about attitude and confidence -- traits that aren't bound by skin color.



Collections by Missy Elliott, Zac Posen, Snoop Dogg (and Mrs. Dogg), Nelly, Diddy, and more were showcased by models who truly strutted their stuff down the runway, dancing to performances by artists like N.E.R.D., Flo Rida and T-Pain.

Be sure to check out the galleries from the show. I'm telling you, if I had my choice of runways to watch (or walk -- you hear that, Nelly?), this would be it. The music, the attitude, the passion evident in everyone from the designers to the models to the performers ... it was just fabulous. If you missed it, you can still watch the entire show on BET's website and go through the rest of Styledash's coverage of Rip the Runway.

One of the most talked about portions of Rip the Runway is always Size Sexy -- a collaboration by designers who are committed to dressing women who don't fit in standard sizes. Plus size and really tall women need clothes, too! And, the women modeling these designs were truly the women for which they were made. There weren't a bunch of size 14 models with big boobs -- we had some women with some size out there, and they were working it just as well as their size 6 counterparts.

Three collections were shown, each with its own draw:

Qristyl Designs are from a woman with real curves, so she knows what curvy women want. For the most part, she was right on -- the sexy, flowing fabrics were exquisite, and while I might not have agreed with the choice of the hotpants, I'm sure there are women who have searched high and low for them in a plus size cut. However, I have to draw the line at the tapered legs -- bigger ladies aren't generally trying to make their thighs look bigger.

Monif C. was a little shinier, but the designs were really beautifully done for plus size women. You don't have to be a size 10 to wear a hot little dress, you know!

Six Foota is for really tall women who want to embrace their height and feel empowered through fashion, and I think they did it really well. The designs were gorgeous, with some high fashion touches, but were still totally wearable for the fashionable six foot female.

Be sure to check out the gallery of these designs and others from Rip the Runway!

Some of the swimwear shown by Amaya Swimwear looked like something you might pick up this summer for your neighbor's pool party -- fresh, pretty, flattering, and totally wearable.

Other pieces, however, were High Fashion Swimwear, with capes, cutouts, and details you wouldn't dare get wet -- perfect for days out on the yacht or that A-list pool party in the Hamptons. Seriously fashionable or seriously wearable, all the suits had stunning details and interesting accents.

I loved that they ran the gamut -- it almost seemed like real people could wear even this to the beach, given the proper motivation (like promise of really, really beautiful boys). And, for the most part, the models were beautiful and real; a couple looked underfed, but most of them looked healthy and comfortable in their skin. And that is a Good Thing for those of us feeling just a little nervous about beach season.

Be sure to check out the gallery of these designs and others from Rip the Runway!

BET's 2008 Rip the Runway had a bevy of beautiful collections for women. From sporty and sassy to sexy (or more), each designer brought his or her own idea of what black fashion should be, and the overall effect, as BET promised was "so fly."

Respect M.E. by Missy Elliott and Adidas was the first collection of the night, and it was the perfect choice. Missy performed and models of all shapes and sizes brought a level of energy I've never seen on a runway before. They weren't walking, or strutting -- they were dancing. And the clothes were casual and sporty, but still with a sexy appeal. Guys were dressed in sweats while the ladies sported everything from short dresses to athletic capris.

Zac Posen couldn't have presented a more beautiful, feminine collection of girly dresses (and pissed off looking models). He strives to push glamor's boundaries, and makes a point to show off the female form. From ruffled and flowing to form-fitted and fishtailed, this line is all about looking like a glamorous woman.

CoCo Ri is a soon to be available line by Shante Broadus (aka Mrs. Snoop Dogg), and it offered a bit of everything. In large part, the clothes were really sexy, tight and flashy -- even a few items that looked pretty innocent ended up showing some bar or booty. As a nod to her hubby (whose clothing line, Rich & Infamous, was shown at the same time), her models walked or carried tiny little dogs on the runway.

Nelly and his Apple Bottoms finished out the night strong -- of course, first model walked out to Flo Rida and T-Painand was wearing "Apple Bottom Jeans (shorts) and boots with the fur." A lot of the clothes were really wearable and flattering (although I'm not sure about the holographic silver pants, but who knows). A lot of flattering colors and cuts were shown, but my very favorite (possibly favorite of the night -- sorry Zac Posen) was a STUNNING little black dress that would put every other LBD in the world to shame.

Be sure to check out the gallery of these designs and others from Rip the Runway!