I think we all knew that the relationship was for the media but even though they are reportedly apart Kanye is still showing love to hairless dime piece with this new, upcoming ad for something he will be advertising.  Dope? What do you guys think?

Recently I wrote an article for Clutch essentially asking, where the hell are all the colored people in the fashion industry? Thai Randolph must have heard me loud and clear. Last month, the former marketing exec left her cozy corporate job to answer a higher calling. Pluralism through phenomenal fashion, and thus, Dezigner’s Den was born.

What is different about this online boutique is that it truly presents a world class shopping experience, with a little multi-culturalism thrown in. The bible tells us we are to be the salt of the earth. If this is true, Thai and Dezigner’s Den are my Lowry’s. This  online boutique and lifestyle site are wholly committed to a more inclusive side of style. Finally, those of us who want an alternative to the alternative designers have a home.

I have to say, outside of a pair of fabulous, but overpriced pumps I picked up at Pieces of Adrene, I have been less than impressed with Beyonce’s House of Dereon, however, the select pieces over at DD, are shall we say, FIERCE?

Other designers, I now love, love, love include Alexis Phifer and her Ghita line. The looks are bold, feminine, very well draped and most importantly sexy.  For a serial fantasy shopper such as myself its really nice to be able to shop by what I need, bottoms, necklaces, earrings, or by dezigner, Gerad Yosca and Melanie Eshani are two new favorites I recently discovered on the DD site.

More than clothes, Dezigner’s Den has a well laid out site including their Culture Corner. Great fashion is inspired by the world surounding us and Dezigner’s Den takes you deep into theirs by spotlighting good music that may be a little left of mainstream but always tres fashionable, icons on the rise and bomb travel destinations for when you feel the need to be stylish overseas. I always enjoy when a site offers me an option aside from spending money.

This site is meeting a long ignored void in the fashion community for emerging designers, especially those of color, who we all know just don’t get the love that they should from traditional brick and mortar retailers. I envision seeing Kara Saun here, Mychael Knight, maybe even Fonzworth Bentley?

Going beyond the design talent, the models come in all shapes and colors, and Thai is looking forward to featuring actual Dezigner’s Den customers online when she unveils the Spring 2009 collection later this year.

A socially and color conscious style purveyor? Change has indeed come.

-Submitted by Nat Nichols

Todo esto se traduce en:

NIKE AIR YEEZY’S

Para los fanáticos de  los botines o de Kanye West, hasta marzo de 2009 no saldrán; pero, ¿y en España? Otra cosa es el precio,  teniendo en cuenta que unas Nike Air Max valen 140 €…

Me pido las negras!

Kanye West & Alexis Phifer hace unos meses

Choose a language, read the book and see the movie. That's an order!

Mark Ruffalo: The actor’s brother is criticially injured after being shot in the head!  And that’s pretty much all we know right now.  Sad.

Pete Wentz: Called newborn son Bronx “a happy accident.” This cannot end well.

Gossip Girl: Apparently one of the characters is preggers.  So is actress Kelly Rutherford (Lily).  Coincidence?

Kelly Ripa: What’s that we always say about tabloids?  Oh, yeah–don’t believe them!  The latest proof: Ripa’s rep is saying a National Enquirer cover story that she and hubby/hottie Mark Consuelos are getting a divorce “100 percent false.”  We imagined so!

Jessica Simpson: Reveals things to Marie Claire that we never knew (and probably didn’t care to) like her love of self-help books, her desire to take a class on religion and her collection of “lucky pennies.”  Maybe celebrities are just like the rest of us!  (Ha!)

Funny Or Die: What happens when celebrities make a “Prop 8 Musical”?  Hilarity and cleverness ensue, of course!  Among those featured: Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Chalke, John C. Reilly and much more!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Holocaust movies are usually stellar and this one was no expection.  We saw it last night.  Incredibly moving. The odds for an Oscar nomination are slim but it’s completely deserving.

Harry Potter: Think the books are finished?  Think again.  J.K. Rowling is releasing a spin-off, called The Tales of Beetle the Bard.  Necessary?  Probably not.  At least the profits–which, we’re sure, will be enormous–are going to charity.

Kanye West: With lyrics about his ex-fiance like “You spoiled LA girl” and “Tell everybody that you know that I don’t love you no more,” is his new album a little too personal?  All we know is we wouldn’t want to be Alexis Phifer right now!

Kid Rock: Thinks a music tour for the armed forces should count as community service.  No way, says the courts.  We’re torn:  it is a nice thing to do but something he’d likely do regardless of whether he had the CS punishment, right?

Kristen Stewart: Surely riding the wave of Twilight’s success, she’s just been cast as Joan Jett in a new biopic.  We don’t see ANY resemblance but stranger casting choices have been made.

Facebook: Lindsay Lohan has got a bone to pick with you (but not with MySpace, she’ll have you know)!  Apparently they shut down LiLo’s account, thinking it was a fake, and now she is PEEVED!

The hip-hop star – speaking at the London launch of his album 808s And Heartbreaks – revealed he wasn’t happy with this year’s choice of winners at the European awards show, held in Liverpool last week, reports the Daily Mirror.

Kanye West wasn’t happy with the MTV Awards winners

He said: “The MTV European Music Awards were fixed. Britney Spears winning over Rihanna? That’s f***ed.

“Jared Leto winning over other people? He’s my boy but he shouldn’t have won.”

It’s also been reported that Kanye thought he only won the urban gong at the awards in Liverpool because he was there.

“I won nothing last year and I’d brought out Stronger. Then this year, just because I was there, I won best urban act. This was L’il Wayne’s year,” various papers quoted him as saying.

The 31-year-old’s new album – out on November 24 — is a collection of songs, not hip-hop raps which he revealed were inspired by his split from his fiancee Alexis Phifer and the death of his mother, Donda West.

Kanye revealed he blamed himself for the tragic death of his mother, who died aged 58 after complications following cosmetic surgery.

He revealed: “I moved to California and my mum moved with me when I became a star. I feel my mum moved to California and did stuff that she wouldn’t have done if she was still in Chicago. I’ve been going through anguish thinking about it.

“This album was therapeutic — it’s lonely at the top.”

Kanye West and Alexis Phifer are engaged again.

If this is true Congrats!

Rumor has it he Kanye popped the question over the phone – while he was in Hawaii and Alexis was in New York.

NoahSife.com has learned that sources are claiming that Kanye is back with his ex Alexis Phifer after they were seen leaving the Knitting Factory in New York where Kanye did a surprise performance. Wow, if this is true this is a good look for Kanyeezeee. He needs some sunshine in his life…

-NoahSife.com is the Best!

Cassie came out looking fabulous, per usual, in her Pierre Hardy shoes. She must be a fan.

Hey Alexis! Where you been? Working? I know girl. Ms. Phifer came out with her ex-fiancee Kanye and some one who seems to be her sister (or some sort of relative, because they look alike).

Kanye made the gruffy look work, for the first time.

Paula Patton came out with her husband Robin Thicke, in her Louboutin’s looking fab.

Zoe Saldana came out looking very plain. What were you expecting I’d say? She could use a little pizazz.

Gossip Girl Leighton Meester also came out in a very plain look, but still pulled it off and made me love it.

I absolutely love pairing dresses with sneakers. It’s girly but still says “I can get dirty with the boys” (not like that!). Seems like Little Miss Sunshine herself got tired of wearing heels while out & about and when unnecessary. Other celebs who have played with this pairing:

See, it’s not so bad after all. Would you wear jeans with sneakers??

The key to making the transition from one season to the next is accessories. It is easy to switch seasons with the perfect bag, shoe or jewelry. The best of those things are just a click away…..

Burberry Cable Knit Shawl $332, Net-A-Porter

Jeffrey Campbell Suede Crank Boot $198,Kitson

Lucky Brand Fringe Fest $158, Piper Lime

Jimmy Choo Fringe Hobo $1495, Neiman Marcus

3.1 Phillip Lim Fringed T-Shirt Dress $296.25, Net-A-Porter

Ghita Brown Suede Fringe Handbag $595, Kitson (this is the bag Alexis Phifer has in the above picture- from her line)

Kettle Black Fringe Clutch $194, Shop Bop (similar to above, but cheaper)

Anna Korte Vintage Jewelry Their Fringe Unfold Necklace $70, Tobi

Ikat Weave Scarf $7.80, Forever 21

SERIOUS SPLURGES:

Gucci Large Babouska Hobo $2495, Saks Fifth Avenue

Gucci Devandra High Heel Booties $1250, Saks Fifth Avenue

Gucci Devandra Mid-Heel Boots $1995, Saks Fifth Avenue

Roberto Cavalli Runway Suede Fringe Clutch $1525, eLuxury

These are just a few picks so you get a feel of it. The last 4 we’re SERIOUS splurges- the type that will have you back on 3 months rent! I recommend if you do decide to play with this fall trend that you don’t over-do it. This detail is very in your face and takes center stage, so don’t have on fringe boots, fringe shall and a fringe hand bag. One at a time! I will have more fall trends coming your way in the weeks to come.

**To see my first Fall Trends feature about Deep Tones click here

I didn’t run my celebrity photo essay on Friday (I was helping a friend out that day. She’s pregnant and I offered to help out around the house.) So this is a make-up feature with some new material from over the weekend. Including an Essence gala feature Kanye West’s ex-fiancee Alexis Phifer, notables frightening me at Canada’s Much Music Awards and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson looking delicious but needing a shave.

Per usual, I encourage you to add your own observations to the hit parade.

Aspiring designer and ex of Kanye, Alexis Phifer kind of looks like MTV’s Real World Los Angeles alum Tami Roman in this picture. I don’t know how to feel about the dress, which is kind of cute on her, but also reminds me of toilet paper.

Keyshia Cole. She’s cute, but I’m not feeling the anything she has on.

I have no idea who this “Mashonda” person is, but she’s in nearly every picture at this event.

I’m going to assume Toyota is some kind of sponsor considering everyone is posing like this is Low Riders International.

It didn’t start out that bad …

Her hair was cute.

Then the “WTF?” alarm started blaring over the weird white harness looking faux suspenders.

And it only gets worse from here.

I’m just going to say it. She looks like she’s auditioning for an all-female version of the Village People, but I can’t tell if she’s a cop, soldier or a sailor in her pleather pants.

As for other WTF moments. Did you know New Kids On the Block are back?

I was never a big NKOTB fan (it’s all about New Edition), but I would be lying if I didn’t admit to liking a few songs (which all managed to get played on BET back in the day).

While the “bad boy” of the group, Donnie Wahlberg (the lesser Wahlberg because it’s ALL about Marky Mark and his Calvins) won me over as a cop on the aborted NBC drama “Boomtown,” my favorite New Kid is/was Jordan Knight because I bought his solo album seven years ago and it was a nice dose of pop. I especially loved his take on Prince’s “I Would Never Take the Place of Your Man” by slowing it down and making it a ballad.

That said, who wanted this? What sick bastard was demanding to hear “Hanging Tough” one more ‘gain? Was it the gays? Was it the 30 year old women who watched that crappy New Kids cartoon back in the early 90s? Who, dammit?

Just get on the floor and do the New Kids dance!

And now for some randomness …

Here’s the pop n’ lock, break dancing crew Jabbawockeez. I won’t make fun of them because I totally have a B-boy fetish that knows no bounds. Even if it’s cheesy. I see a guy do the robot and I fall in love. I honestly cannot tell you why. B-boys are just sexy to me. They can dance and they are always in excellent shape. I’ve never met a B-boy who was a complete asshole. They reduce me to giggles and blushing. In Bakersfield there was a breaker I knew who I called “Farm Boy” in my head because he always wore plaid shirts and had red hair. Alone he looked unassuming. But put down some cardboard and he suddenly came alive the most magnetic man in the world with that big smile and all the spinning.

But I’m going to stop writing about it now because if I go on for too long it starts to get embarrassing and all TMI — too much information. So I’ll leave you with this: I have a B-boy fetish. It is the only fetish I have. I don’t advertise that, lest I have every skeevy guy who studied a Darrin’s Dance Grooves video pushing up on me.

As if the Pussycat Dolls weren’t ridiculous enough, now we have Girlicious. They have a “I’m hotter than you” song called “Like Me.” It doesn’t suck. But then I like crappy dance pop. I own an Eden’s Crush album.

Seriously, it totally did not suck that hard. There were some good tracks on there.

But I have utter disdain for the Pussycat Dolls. Other than their overplayed “Don’t Cha” I’ve found them dull. But hey. If you have abs and you’re willing to be half nekkid all the time, I say go for it.

You could do worse.

And her is Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, gorgeous as ever, but in need of a shave at a premiere event of his new film “Get Smart,” where he stars with Anne Hathaway and Steve Carrell. (I love all three actors so I will be plunking down my $7.50.) This premiere was held in Las Vegas as a part of his charity The Rock Foundation. (The Rock loves the kids!) He received a Brenden Star inside of the Palms Casino Hotel.

Ghita designer, Alexis Phifer came out to show off her clothing line….. looking fab as usual

She kicked it with Mashonda and Keyshia Cole

For more pics from the event, read below the cut….

BET’s “The Black Carpet” host Danella came out to do her hostly duties:

I love that bracelet, Alexis’ accessories always get my attention. Her bangles are always big and she seems to make it work with anything… go ‘head wit yo’ bad self

Keyshia looked fab with her new hair do and Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress:

Work it out girl. She kicked it it with ESSENCE Editor in chief Angela Burt Murray:

Mashonda looked fabulous with the simple red dress and black shoes with the fresh faced makeup.

That’s a good look. Avant and 106 & Park host, Rocsi also came out and kicked it with the Editor-in-chief:

Love the shoes Rocsi Bunny.

All in the name of black fashion…. gotta love it!

As Kanye West is celebrating the triumphant success of his new “Glow in the Dark” tour, new reports are surfacing that rapper and his fiancee, Alexis Phifer, have split.

The couple had been engaged since 2006 when Kanye proposed to her in Italy while on vacation.

An insider told US Weekly that “Kanye is possessed by the tour and everything going on and just couldn’t keep it going. They are still friends and have broken up and gotten back together before, so it could work out.”

Alexis herself confirms the split, telling the mag, “It’s been hard and not been an easy time. I tried to keep things private but yes, it’s sad when things end like this and we truly do remain friends. I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever met, that’s for sure.”

We’re sure Kanye’s not gonna have a problem finding a plethora of women wanting to date him now!

This story found @ Perez Hilton.com

iNPLACENEWS