How I Shop: Retta

We all buy clothes, but no two people shop the same. It can be a social experience, and a deeply personal one; at times, it can be impulsive and entertaining, at others, purpose-driven, a chore. Where do you shop? When do you shop? How do you decide what you need, how much to spend and what's "you"? These are some of the questions we're putting to prominent figures in our column "How I Shop."

On "Parks and Recreation," Retta helped make famous a phrase — nay, a rallying cry — that has been invoked many a time when contemplating whether or not you should buy something: "Treat Yo Self."

IRL, Retta is well-versed in shopping herself: She'll frequently scope out the luxury retail sites for specific handbag styles she's eyed for years (a recent addition to her wardrobe: the Chanel Deauville) and even designed her own dream winter outfit for Eloquii last winter. For the actor — currently starring on NBC's "Good Girls," now in its fourth season —  fashion is all about the confidence and attitude you bring to it |||READ MORE

THOM BROWNE CREATED A CUSTOM LOOK FOR THE HF TWITTER MET GALA

The first Monday in May is a bit different this year, as we won't be treated to a red-carpeted staircase that turns the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a feast of haute couture and bold designs. But, thanks to hf twitter, we're still getting a high-fashion fix on May 4.

The group is hosting the first-ever HF Twitter Met Gala on Monday, a virtual gala that gives the sweatpants-wearing public the ability to marvel at what models and artists of all sorts would have worn to this year's postponed event, through a series of challenges and other content on Twitter. 

One of its leaders is Aria Olson, a 19-year-old senior at the University of Michigan and an active member of hf twitter. Olson not only came up with the idea for the HF Twitter Met Gala, but she also linked up with Thom Browne himself to create a look tied to this year's theme, "About Time: Fashion and Duration." |||READ MORE ….

AN ODE TO KRISTEN STEWART'S FLAT FOOTWEAR — AND UTTER LACK THEREOF — ON THE RED CARPET

Kristen Stewart, like many of us, has a complicated relationship with high heels. The shoes may look good, but they're also often tragically uncomfortable — and for Stewart, discomfort is rarely worth it.

For proof, one need not look any further than the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, when Stewart memorably took off her Christian Louboutins in the middle of the red carpet at a photocall before the "Blackkklansman" premiere. Though press around the initial event focused on the statements Stewart had made about the event's "sexist" shoe policy requiring women to wear heels, the truth is that she's long had a habit of opting to stay flat on her feet when those around her are tip-toeing around in stilettos. (And that year at Cannes wasn't even the first time she's gone totally barefoot at a fancy event, either — she, like many sane women would, chose to kick off her heels under her seat at the Venice Film Festival once all the walking-around and posing was done.) |||READ MORE …

Success Isn’t Just About What You Accomplish – Atawodi

My name is Innocent Evelyn Atawodi. I hail from Akwu in Ankpa local government area of Kogi State Adanawo District of the Igala ethnic group. I was born on 10th of June 1993 at  Ankpa, into the family of  Mr. Thomas  Atawodi and Mrs Sarah Atawodi. I am the fourth child of the five children in my family. I obtained my First School Leaving Certificate from  Demonstration Primary School, Kogi State College of Education Ankpa and proceeded to Demonstration Secondary School, Kogi State College of Education for my secondary education which I completed with a good result in both WAEC and NECO in 2011.

I later proceeded for my tertiary education and I got my National Diploma(ND) in 2013 and Higher National Diploma(HND) in Hospitality Management in (2016) from Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State.  I did my NYSC in 2017.

Am into baking, event management/decoration, and bead making. My brand name is “Evycakes and bridal home” |||READ MORE …

GREAT OUTFITS IN FASHION HISTORY: TESSA THOMPSON IN VOLUMINOUS VALENTINO

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In 'Great Outfits in Fashion History,' Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

It's a commonly accepted adage that looking great does not always mean feeling great, and might even be downright uncomfortable: "beauty is pain," we're told, and "pretty hurts." Well, that might be true at times, but it doesn't have to be universally so — and the Valentino look Tessa Thompson wore to the European premiere of "Creed II" in 2018 is proof.

The dress was so roomy that Thompson could easily have used the train to smuggle a couple pets and perhaps a small child into the movie premiere with her, had the need arisen. Since not feeling constricted is perhaps the highest priority on my personal list when it comes to judging a given item's comfort level, this roominess leads me to believe that Thompson's dress was supremely comfortable. Furthermore, it had no form-fitting bodice to prevent Thompson from fully enjoying a large bowl of pasta at some fancy restaurant after the event, if she wanted; and there was no deeply-plunging neckline or too-short hemline to make her worry about wardrobe mishaps |||READ MORE …

FASHION AND FURNITURE COMPANIES ARE GETTING COZIER AND COZIER

Stylist-turned-entrepreneur Jennifer Fisher is best known for her elegant fine jewelry staples, from charm necklaces to thick hoops that have been worn by just about every celebrity and Instagirl we can think of. Her namesake line was born out of a passion project and designing jewelry is still something she loves doing. (And given that her company is currently in growth mode, with plans to open a Beverly Hills flagship, she's good at it.) But it turns out she's also good at designing furniture.

Despite never having thought about getting into the home category (unless you count her unexpected foray into salt), she couldn't turn down an offer from Ryan Turf, the president of CB2, to create her dream home and furniture collection, which ended up encompassing over 100 products. From spill-proof martini glasses and a chic, clear dog door, to a dining table that turns into an oddly elegant ping-pong table and a surprisingly affordable all-marble coffee table, every piece is functional, thoughtfully designed, understated and aesthetically pleasing in the way Fisher's jewelry is, without looking too much like a jewelry designer made it |||READ MORE …

7 STANDOUT FALL 2020 TRENDS FROM THE MILAN FASHION WEEK RUNWAYS

If there are any key takeaways from the Fall 2020 runways in Milan, it's that we're due for a Renaissance revival in fashion. Designers suggest we should invest in a ruffled collar and do our best to not get lost in layers of tulle. Those opposed to this particular type of opulence can pick up a fringed getup or sport some burnt orange or butter-colored leather come September — as those, too, emerged as major trends for the season. 

As proceedings in Paris are already underway, we'll make this one short: Here's a cheat sheet to the seven Fall 2020 trends that came out on top during Milan Fashion Week |||READ MORE …

FASHIONISTA'S 10 FAVORITE COLLECTIONS FROM MILAN FASHION WEEK FALL 2020

"Quiet" isn't a word often used to describe fashion week — but out of the four major cities on the circuit, Milan isn't always the newsiest. The schedule is stacked with industry mainstays, which showgoers have grown to expect. (Versace will bring bold prints; Prada, understated elegance; Dolce & Gabbana, craftsmanship and embellishment.) But the arrivals of Alessandro Michele at Gucci and Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta have upped the ante — particularly on the "It" item front — making Milan one of the most highly-anticipated stops on the calendar |||READ MORE …