Mirror Image

Welcome to our style blog, Mirror Image.

We thought it was about time that The Inquirer got in on the local fashion blogosphere action since there is just so much to write and so little column space.

That said, our blog will be about style. We aren’t going to push product (sorry, cosmetic companies). And we promise not to over-celebrity you – although we will take note of the ridiculous, like Paris Hilton pledging to change the world, AFTER she got blonde extensions post her jail release, of course.

We want Mirror Image to be your online choice for local fashion happenings and national fashion news. Here is where we will muse and ponder (and occasionally wish) on everything from Theory dresses to Bandolino shoes.
We’ll blog about new hairstyles. Vintage purses. And we’ll rejoice when you all STOP wearing black nail polish.

We’ll give our spin on trends, such as the current swapping mania going on now with high-end shoes and bags. I don’t know why someone would shell out big bucks to rent a bag, but whatever. We’ll write about it.

And occasionally we’ll use this space to spotlight local stylistas who have turned a passion for fashion into a booming business, whether it’s a fancy new boutique or jewelry (although, I’ll warn you now, I’m not a big bead fan).

We’ll also be on the lookout for street style, from Phillies' games to the Market/Frankfurt El to your neighborhood Acme. Because fashion is more than what the big houses in New York, Paris and Los Angeles say it is. It’s what WE wear, no matter how good or bad.

See what we think. Tell us what you think. And enjoy.

Forget about Paris.
Move over New York.
And thank you, Los Angeles.
Japan is on it’s way to be the world’s next fashion center.

It’s been a slow movement that started kicking up about five years ago, but the high fashion world is on its way to being controlled by Japan.

Early this month, Tokyo-based Fast Retailing Limited reported they are in the running to buy Barneys (www.barneys.com) New York for $896 million. This is serious because as all of us stylistas know, Barneys is the clearinghouse for high-end contemporary fashion. That’s why we rejoiced when we learned that Barneys Coop was coming to Rittenhouse Square.

In the last five years, Barneys top buyer Julie Gilhardt has put new designers Zac Posen, Stacey Bendet(of Alice + Olivia) and Philadelphia’s own $100+ T-shirt maker Neal Spearling on the radar.
Fast Retailing Ltd., is a subsidiary of Uniqulo which has a high financial stake in women’s clothing chain, Theory.

Creatively speaking, much of fashion’s cutting-edge developments seems to have its genesis in Japan. Within the last five years, beauty experts and cosmetologists have introduced hair straightening and creams women believe will help them stay young. They have introduced super expensive denim. (Try upwards of $500 for a pair of jeans). Yohji Yamamoto’s sportswear designs for Adidas are runway hits every season. There is even a new book: Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno: Tokyo Teen Fashion Subculture Handbook: (Chronicle Books, $16.95 which talks about singer Gwen Stefani’s influence on fashion.

And every designer from Betsey Johnson to Coach has opened a store there.

Fashion is cyclical and just like styles who has control of it changes hands often. Even in fashion we are on our way to becoming solely consumers. The Japanese have figured out how to sell our own hype back to us at top dollar.

So I was walking around town on Saturday afternoon and everywhere I went, people were reading the latest Harry Potter saga: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/harry_potter.html
The woman behind the counter of the Candle Shop at Liberty Place hardly wanted to take a break from the book to wrap my aromatic confections in tissue paper.
On a walk through Rittenhouse Square, I peeped at least three people holding the orange covered book adorned with the bespectaled teen.
As I drove up Lincoln Drive, I glanced over to the car next to me and the passenger was enthralled with Harry Potter, her feet up on the dashboard reading away.
There was even a copy of the book sitting on the table at the Bubble House Sunday afternoon- that's a weekly block party in West Philly.
I just assumed an orange book cover was the Harry Potter book.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines fashion as the prevailing style.
That means fashion is not what Vogue tells us it is, or the latest episode of Project Runway but it's what people do whether it's wear Crocs (I know you thought they were ugly too.) Or carry Vera Bradley Bags.
And that means Harry Potter - who will probably grow up to be a Dockers wearing wizard - is in fashion; the height of fashion, no less.
Whoulda thunk it?
What do you think?

There is something about patent leather and Birkenstocks that don't quite jive with me. Maybe it's a mental thing. I think it's because Birkenstocks are the epitomy of all things California and earthy. They are the height of granola fashion, if you will.
Therefore Birkenstocks fashioned from material that I-must-be-careful-where-I-walk in is kinda scary. It just doesn't make pratical sense.
However, despite my misgivings, my fashion moles in New York, tell me T-strap versions of the shoes in rainbow shades are walking all through the city. http://www.birkenstockusa.com/styles/43663/manager=ProdDisplay&brand=100&category=10o40o110o140&sub_sandals=Yes&user_id=3564121&store_id=0&page=0&cat=birk
The sandals are $69.95 and in addition to patent leather, there are gold and silver metallics as well as one in exquisite pearl.
They have turned out to be cool alternatives to $1 flip flops for comfortable jaunts from subway stop to subway stop. I'm sure they will be here in Philadelphia at Benjamin Lovell soon, if they aren't there yet.
I think I'll wait for the Payless knock-offs.

From the left Gregory Seitter, Jason Day, Jordan Casale

So I was pulling clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd for the upcoming Fall Fashion section that will run in Image, August 26th when I walked into an interesting debate.
Prada specialist Gregory Seitter was talking about a wealthy customer. This person buys two of everything - including two Mercedes Benz. Anyway, this friend of Seitter's bought two I-phones. The customer was so wealthy, they offered to buy Seitter a phone too.
"Did you get one?" I hungrily asked, "I want one. What did you do?"
Totally unfazed, Seitter, looking wonderfully trendy in a classic, light blue seer sucker suit, opted for the $500 Hermes belt instead.
"What?" I asked.
"Well, it's reversible," he said. "Black on one side, brown on the other."
"But all the things you can do with an I-phone..." I whined.
Now, check this out:
"In two years, " he said, "When the I-phone craze is dead and over, I'll still be pimping out my Hermes belt."
Hmmm.... Maybe he has a point.
Which one would you fashionistas chose?

Andrea Wright. before her lace front was applied and after. See her on video here.

I know this is the latest thing in black hair care trends, and as a fashion reporter, I'm somewhat obliged to write about this.

On one hand it's fascinating. And you can't help but notice all these women walking around with back-length hair that is kind of a weave, but kind of not. Hmmmm????

But I must honestly say, I'm not a fan.

When I was reporting this story that ran in today's Philadelphia Inquirer, West Oak Lane-based, Dayna Cherry-Smith - who is a doll of a woman - let me try on a wig. (Check out her web site at http://www.divacherrylacewigs.com)

For a hot second, I was transported back to being a little girl in the 1970s when everybody - especially little black girls - wanted to throw their hair off their shoulders and tout bouncin' and behavin' hair. Back in the day, we just used one of our mommy's big, soft towels.

Anyway, when I put Cherry-Smith's reddish brown, beyond-back-length lace wig on and ran my fingers through my hair for a split second, I was a different person. I swung my hair. I kept looking in the mirror. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Then, I snapped back to reality. My hair is locked. I started wearing locks because I refused to put any more chemicals in my spongy hair. Why should I let America - and especially other black women - make me feel bad about what I was born with. My hair just isn't supposed to be straight. Point blank.

This lace front wig trend takes black women beyond the press and curl, perms and weaves. These caps cover your whole head and unlike the wigs of the Diana Ross and the Supremes days, these are supposed to look natural. And that's funny because it's as far from natural that you could possibly get.

What do you ladies out there think about the trend? Would you get a lace front wig? If so, tell us why.

There is at least one place you can shop in Rittenhouse Square without circling around the ever-clogged Center City streets.
Starting last week, Kiehl's, located at 1737 Walnut Street, instituted curbside service.
Other big city locations including those in Manhattan, Boston, D.C. and Las Vegas have similiar drive-up perks.
That means all you gotta do is call the friendly, white-coated Kiehl's salesperson. Tell them you are out of Creme de Corps Soy Honey Body Polish or Amino Acid Shampoo and pay for your order over the phone via credit card.
Then, with cell phone in hand, (you want to make sure they don't confuse your whip for somebody else's) you pull up in front of the tiny apothecary and voila! a neat little bag packed with high priced, yet all natural products are yours for the taking.
Unfortunately, if you want to go across the street to Anthropologie, browse at Joan Shepp or lollygag in KnitWit, you are gonna have to park.
Happy Shopping!

Left: Steve Madden. Right: Target/Mossimo

I didn't think I actually wanted a pair until I saw them. (We all know what that's like don't we girls?)

Anyway I was browsing the shoes at the Center City Steve Madden store and saw the most beautiful pair of shiny, black quilted open-toed pumps. I looked at the price - $69.95. That's doable. Maybe I'll come back and visit them... regularly.

However, days later, I received Target's glossy press kit. And there they were... Almost the same shoe - Although I must admit the Madden shoe looked a tad bit more structured - for $19.95.

Here comes the mulling. Maybe the Steve Madden will be more sturdy and comfortable. Maybe the Target shoe will allow me to get another pair of shoes if I don't plan to wear these every day.

Nonetheless, this is the best example of splurge (well, not really) or steal (definitely )to date.

Which one will I buy? What do you think?

Go to our online story about Sarah Jessica Parker to see her Bitten fashions, hear her talk about Bitten, and watch a video of fans at Franklin Mills Mall's Steve & Barry's take in Carrie. She's nice. She wore her hair curly and - gasp!- she was wore fuschia ballet flats! Gotta love them!

My fashion spies are always on the lookout.

I guess you can say we are constantly on the hunt of preserving our childhood, so it's no wonder that these Junk Food T's are a big hit with us. The faded characters on the T's from Sesame Street, Peanuts, Wonder Woman are fantabulously cute - especially when worn with jeans and dancing to old school hip hop. The line was started in 1998 by L.A.-based designers Natalie Grof and Blaine Halvorson and in 2005, it was bought by Delta Apparel Inc. and is in the midst of some savvy expansion.

Anyway, out on an inoccuous early fall fashion jaunt at King of Prussia Mall, my good friend Foxxy Loxxy - that's her incognito fashion name - saw that the same Little Miss Sunshine T was $24.50 at dELiA's and $40 at Lord & Taylor.

Same shirt. Same label. Neither were outlet stores.

What gives?

I guess I know where I'll be buying my Junk Food T's.

Tell us about how price discrepancies in the fashion world worked your last nerve.

The September issues of Ebony and Essence magazine are both well worth reading for the best in fashion and style tidbits and history. As the onslaught of thick glossies heavy with advertisements and fashion spreads hit my desk with a thud, I found that both of these magazines stood out. They were chocked with information I couldn't find anywhere else and celebrated a history that is all too hard to find.

We'll start with Ebony.

Super models Tyra Banks, Iman, Kimora Lee Simmons and Alek Wek are on the cover dressed in satiny black dresses by designers of-the-minute designers Rachel Roy and Tia Cibani of Ports 1961, Zac Posen and Antonio Berardi. (Good choices!)

Beyond writer Keith Reed's cover story on the 411 of these super models/designers, (By the way, Alek Wek's story is the most gripping.) there are eye opening stories about important Americans who toil behind the scenes in the fashion world, unknown to most of us.
Tracy Reese, Kevan Hall, Lloyd Boston and Epperson are among the few highlighted in the interior design and fashion worlds.

The fashion spreads are reality-based with afrordable clothes. There is a neat story on the history of Ebony Fashion Fair. (I learned something) And the magazine even paid homage to venerable fashion journalists including Andre Leon Talley of Vogue, Washington Post Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Robin Givhan, The Wall Street Journal's Teri Agins and E-bay style expert Constance White.

Those interested in the inner workings of the fashion business - black or white - should pick up a copy.

Now on to Essence. Yes, we all know by now the Philly-bred songstress Jill Scott broke up with her husband of five years, Lyzel. And that's sad.

We bet you haven't read about Scott's journey with the biting zing we all love author Teri McMillan for. (I interviewed McMillan three years ago when she broke up with her husband and she really talks just like she writes. It's so refreshing.) McMillan was tactful and tasteful in the interview; she was nosey, but not too. She was thoughtful and I laughed out loud when I read her fashion commentary on Jill's hair.

On a side note, all of you women who write us about plus-sized looks should study Jill Scott. She makes being curvaceous an awesome fashion statement!

This fall's makeup and hair tips should definitely be read.

And a great article on Michelle Obama, illuminated the possible future first lady's elegant style. Obama is a definite role model.

Fashion is nothing if not timely and these September mags celebrate diversity of fashion with a cutting edge.

Heavy hitters Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren will both be offering beautifully tailored, colorful options next spring.

In celebration of Lauren's 40th anniversary in fashion, the icon of American fashion held his show Saturday evening in the heart of Central Park.

And it was amazing.

While I heard a lot of people were heard complaining the collection was too costumey, I think it was beautiful. Lauren took his signature tailored look and jazzed it up with everything from deep black and white stripes, to dots to poppies dancing along the hemlines. (I know we saw this at Milly years ago and saw it knocked off at everwhere from Charlotte Russe to Forever 21, but I digress...)

We were supposed to feel as if we were at a horse race during a warm summer afternoon. These are classic, high society clothes with a pizazz unseen in these parts. Jodpurs sparkled down the runway and body skimming dresses were accompanied with wide-brimmed hats.

The riding motif has been a thread of Lauren's collections for years. But instead of focusing on blacks, browns and earthtones, Ralph Lauren boldly and successfully mixed in prints in colors for an Americana goes to the disco kind of feel.

Michael Kors' shades of chartreuse, watermelon and sunshine created a Sunday morning featured collection, Kors described as "sleek with sunkissed glamour."

The Kors fan will continue to wear dresses next spring, but instead of the trench coat knee-length pieces he does so well, these frocks will have incredibly long hemlines.
Kors surprisingly focused on prints designing very few of his familiar safari-luxe pieces.

Like Lauren, Kors seemed to be inspired by the painters - his collection including hamd embroidered monet floral jersey shifs and Van Gogh floral jersey poncho dresses.

Kors created a beautiful, warm, tailored collection with major bursts of color. Still, at the end of the show, he walked the entire runway in his classic black jacket and jeans.

Gotta love it.

Phillies red is about to replace Eagles green as the city's most fashionable color.

As The Phillies cinched the National League East title Sunday and the Eagles lost their third game of the season (16 to 3) securing an 1 and 3 record for the season, bright red has become a happier color. Not to mention it can move easily beyond the boring uniform sweats we see here in the bull pen.

And that makes us happy because fire engine red is such a better color than Hunter green. A girl has so many more fashion options from the red long sleeved T-shirt she can layer underneath this season's trendy storm cloud grey jumpers to the cute little red baseball caps she can wear with sweats on the weekend. She can carry a shiny patent leather bag and claim her love for the Phillies (even if it's really a love for Kate Spade

But there are still fashion pitfalls.

Here are a few tips:

1. Please don't use as face paint, chances are you'll look more like a flushed clown and there is nothing tough about that. (Phillies roar.)

2. Those sparkly Target ballet flats are not technically Phillies Red. Sparkles aren't appropriate for sports fans. Sorry girls. Go for the matte version.

3. Yes, matte red lipstick is (the rage for Hollywood glamour) back but that shade won't work for all of us. Please try out different shades before you smear your kissers with Phillies-shade red. You could end up looking more like you have a fat lip than a trendy Phillies fan.

4. Please refrain from dying your hair Phillies Red under all circumstances.

Do you have any Phillies red fashion tips you'd like to share?

These may have crossed the line

Not sure how we feel about these T-shirts inspired by CBS 3 Reporter Alycia Lane's alleged bad behavior. But thought you might want to see how fast the fashion industry can work when it wants to.

These pursed red lips are available at Cafe Press. And its not just available in a T's and tanks, but there are sweatsuits and teddybears available too. Talk about saturating the market.

Another less artistic, but just as piercing T is available courtesy of Center City-based apparel company Nb2.

The T's are sort of in the vein of the Angelna Jolie vs. Jennifer Aniston shirts. Remember the T's that poked fun at Lindsay Lohan for her drunk driving offenses? That seems extra mean spirited, if you ask me. Where are the T-s that point out celebrity men's faux pas? Should we use fashion to poke fun at people, or should we just let folks hang themselves? Do you think this is going too far? Would you wear these shirts?

It appears that Philadelphia has a home grown version of shopbop and Bluefly.
ShopBalaGirls.com was launched in September by mom and daughter team Lynne Raymond and Bernice Leibowitz, who ran the brick and mortar version of Bala Girls for 18 years before crossing into the land of the webtique.

ShopBalaGirls.com carries contemporary brands: Alice + Olivia, Michael Stars, J-Brand and Rich & Skinny. While perusing the Web Site, I learned about a brand of funky sweats called Hard Tail. (Can't wait to order a pair.)

So far ShopBalaGirls.com gets about 300 hits a day and the in-store retail team fills at least four orders each day. Last week I interviewed Natalie Weathers at Philadelphia University about the dismal retail climate. She told me webtiques are a great way for local businesses to get new customers locally as well as nationally and internationally. We'll keep our style eyes peeled to see if the Main Line prom haunt can become a princess of internet shopping.

What do you think of ShopBalaGirls.com? What are some of your favorite on-line shopping sites? Are there any others out there locally based? Send us your link!

This past weekend, Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hilary Rodham Clinton hit the beauty salons in South Carolina to compete for the much needed black vote in this week's South Carolina primaries.
This New York Daily News story reported that for the past few months Obama has been leading a grass roots effort that involves pumping people up about politics where they primp. (For those of you who have never dedicated entire Saturdays to getting your hair done in an African American establishment, here is where folks congregate, converse and complain about everything under the sun.)
In response to Obama's efforts, Ms. Clinton mailed out hundreds of cardboard fliers showing her hairstyles over the years and she gave the keynote address at last year's annual convention of the National Beauty Culturists' League, an 88-year-old association of black hairstylists.

That said, I think it's interesting that every time fashion is brought up in politics people cringe. They grouse that it's not important. However, whether it's Republican hopeful Mitt Romney's helmet hair, North Carolina Senator John Edwards' $400 haircuts or John McCain and Rudy Guiliani's adaption of the dotted tie, style is something we all easily relate to. We pay attention to fashion, whether politicians are talking about it, talking to it or wearing it. How much do you think fashion has to do with politics?

There comes a time when repping your school colors can defy taste. On Tuesday night, while munching wings in U-City's famed Cavanaugh's Restaurant and Sports Bar, (By the way, those wings are banging...) I glanced up at TV and saw this man, who I later learned was University of Tennessee Basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, rocking this Sunkist orange blazer - and contrasting tie - H-A-R-D! Can we say pumpkin? Last October when people were all about Phillies Red, I didn't blink. Red is always hot. But sunset orange? As we meander into Final Four Season, I'm sure we'll see other style affronts in the name of school pride. Gladly, Philadelphia-area schools don't have too many color combinations that make for ugly blazers. Do you think school pride should bow to the rules of fashion?

I must say Angelina Jolie always holds it down on the red carpet each and every award's season, as she is a master at pulling together easy-to-wear, sexy looks. This pleated strapless, hombre gown a la vintage Hermes is absolutely smashing. We loved it. And we loved her handsome husband Brad Pitt's look too; he donned a made to order Tom Ford suit he paired with a crisp, black shirt. (There is something about that man that's absolutely yummy.) When a red carpet is this delectable, we can't help but tune in. FYI- Don't forget to turn to the The Inquirer's Daily Magazine tomorrow to see how our own local fashion plates faired at this past weekend's Academy of Music festivities.

I'm not anti-Hillary Clinton. Up until now, I haven't been particularly interested in Clinton's wardrobe even as she elbows her way into my consciousness on her campaign to become the Democratic Presidential nominee (And more importantly, the first woman with a real chance to win.) But as the camera panned through the audience during Monday night's State of the Union Address, try as I might, I couldn't miss Clinton's boringly cut, fire engine-red pantsuit. Doth this lady try too hard! Since the days of Nancy Reagan, red has traditonally been the color of the First Lady. In fact, Laura Bush wore red last night and flanked between her daughters, Barbara and Jenna - known in the fashion world as designer Zac Posen's biggest fans - Bush appeared regal and supportive of her husband. In contrast, Clinton - who I don't remember to be a fan of red when she was The First Lady - appeared tacky and loud. After her big loss in South Carolina this weekend, it felt like Clinton was announcing: "Look at me, I'm still in the race!" She wanted to be seen in the sea of navy and black business suits.

While I'm not a fan of pastels in the dead of winter, I have to say that Nancy Pelosi's tailored lavender option was a much better choice. The lines were clean. The suit was classy. She looked quietly confident. It's true as the first viable woman candidate with a shot at the Oval Office, Clinton has a huge cross to bear. How exactly does a the first woman President of the United States dress? Not like this. Monday night's red suit was the wardrobe choice of someone crying for attention, rather than cooly running for the highest office in the land.

The clothes at Fall 2008's New York Fashion Week are particularly striking this season. I'm not a fan of tulle, but this finale Oscar de la Renta gown was amazing. It's so fairy princessy. This collection brough the fantasy back to fashion with the exception of the dark eyeliner. We didn't like that.

We think the clear, jewel tones give these gowns Oscar potential. But don't think about how skinny you have to be to wear them - especially the forest green one with the rocking fishtail, underscored by the black crinoline. It will only depress you.

After 30 years, Betsey Johnson is still Betsey Johnson. But that's cool because a vintage Bestey Johnson can easily fit in her contemporary collection as we saw in a 30 year retrospective of her work following her fall 2008 presentation.
Talk about staying true to your audience.

And at Ports 1961, designer Tia Cibani made me fall in love with rowan, an interesting word for orange.

Of course Elie Sabb had wonderful clothes at his collection. But as the first Paris Fashion Week show I attended with a REAL seat, here is where I got a chance to network - read commiserate - with fellow fashionistas. Not to mention, here is where I got to ask the pertinent question. "Is my next event a stop on The Metro?"

I had the most fun chitchatting with Eliza Goodman, a 20-something student from California freelancing fashion articles from the shows for a French magazine.

My next show was Wunderkind. After a late night of writing and then waiting around 45 minutes in this darkened room, I almost didn't make it for the shows. Talk about sleepy. Glad I half way woke up for the collection. It was beautiful in a colorful, Mary Kate Olsen kind of way... Some layers but it was fitted and colorful (Sorry, there weren't any pictures on the AP)

And lastly, there was Chloe. I'm sure the clothes were beautiful. At least that was the fact according to pictures on the Associated Press.

....But from this view, I couldn't see much.

Eliot Spitzer resigned from his post as Governor of New York State a few minutes ago.

And Silda Spitzer was by his side wearing a simple black pantsuit that she accessorized with a silk scarf that popped with red, white and blue blocks. (It was probably Hermes, but that's irrelevant.) The suit was black, funeral black, and that was appropriate given the demise of Ms. Spitzer's husband's polticial future, the death of her position as First Lady of New York City and quite possibly the end of her marriage.

But I want to know why she was there in the first place?

I totally agree with Karen Heller, who wrote this morning, that her attorney should be there instead. You, Silda Spitzer, have the right to stay at home and watch the press conference in your fuzzy pajamas. Your only accessory: a box of Kleenex.

You do not have to be strong. You do not need to be crisp in a black suit and perfect pumps. You do not need to wear barely there makeup. You do not have to be perfectly accessorized.

Every time a woman supports her powerful husband depsite his infidelities to her, she is doing a disservice to married women everywhere. Eliot Spitzer chose to break his vows with the ultimate betrayal. She can chose not to stand by him. I'm sorry I don't believe she was there because she wanted to be. Why should she be humiliated? Dressing like a man in boxy non-gender suits doesn't say squat for true women's liberation. Wearing what you want - whether it's flouncy florals or a Juicy Couture sweat suit- and being respected, is the point. She wasn't respected. Dina Matos McGreevy wasn't respected nor was presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton respected.

I'm not advocating that Ms. Spitzer should leave her husband. I'm not even saying she shouldn't forgive him. But a woman should be able to react based on her heart of hearts. And if she's been disrespected no plain black suit is going to make her feel better about herself and her marriage vows. She does not have to mourn in public. There is no need for a united front. There is no need for fashion. All Silda Spitzer needs is fuzzy pajamas.

What do you think?

Easing into the summer months means sleeveless, low cut, backless. Think proms. Think weddings. Think evenings out with warm winds blowing as you sip a fruity martini. Now, in any of these mind's eye images, do you ever see exposed bra straps? Do you see droopy tatas? I didn't think so. Neither did Maidenform.

The company will introduce the Breakthrough Backless in Macy's this month. The bra is the creation of Elaine Cato, 40, of Nashville, TN. Cato is the director of the Miss Black Tennessee pagent and a former Miss Black USA> One day she simply got tired of her ample bust line stopping her sleeveless and backless fashions. Phooey. Last year, Cato came in second runner up on the ABC's American Inventor. Maidenform contacted Cato and the rest just happened.

Awesome! Fabulouso! Can't wait to see how well these bras work. It looks like it works like a sling around your shoulders. And standing erect holds you in place better than slumping. It is reccommended that the larger breasted woman try this ... (As the thinking is smaller breasted women can use the chicken cutlet thingies for form.) The bras are available in sizes 34B and up and at Macy's. Until then, people can preorder them from Maidenform. Happy Lifting.

In other fashion news, Project Runway is threatening to leave Bravo TV for Lifetime Television. Fashion is about to get ugly, stay tuned!