"When you're going into a recession, you need to do things way up and beyond expectation"

I heart Style.com! From the virtual fashion reports of Candy Pratts Price to the latest collections to grace the runway, it's a devine resource for all things of style. For example, check out the style video above with colorful footage of Paris Fashion Week 2008. Paris, another fetish of mine, its like New York Fashion Week on dope and everyone was in attendance, including one of my fav fashion journalist, Michael Roberts, Vanity Fair's fashion and style director ... he is the truth! Do yourself justice stylenistas and catch up on Mr. Roberts, clearly he didn't just fester onto the scene. Read about him here.

Who Says Women Aren't Funny?, Vanity Fair April 2008 issue, styled by Michael Roberts.

Style icon Daphne Guiness, posing in Alexander McQueen, in London. Photographed by Michael Roberts.

The Publication Dip Continues

With the holidays vastly approaching these times are lacking it's "Most Wondeful Time of the Year" feeling, especially when the EcoSlump continues down hill. As the trends amongst the magazine industry dip, if noticed, the publications to receive it's final page turning point are niche magazine spinoffs from its sister publications such as: Suede, Vibe Vixen, CosmoGirl and now Men's Vogue and Portfolio ... it begins to make you place bets on who's up next.

While riding the netwaves, I came across an interesting article on WWD, which reported the various changes within the publishing industry and the number of employees suffering due to the likes, quite interesting to know that the publishing gurus of Conde Nast Publications Inc. share a level of sameness when it comes to their readers. Check out the article below.

Reported by WWD, (On Thursday) Condé Nast Publications Inc., which has so far been relatively insulated by its private ownership and stable of affluent-aimed titles (and which also owns WWD), said it would absorb Men’s Vogue into parent magazine Vogue, retaining only editor in chief Jay Fielden (and reportedly his assistant) to edit a biannual supplement. Also, Portfolio, the ambitious business magazine the company launched in 2006, laid off nearly all of its Web staff as well as several magazine editors and writers, and reduced the magazine’s frequency to 10 times a year. Managing editor Jacob Lewis was said to be going from office to office at the title on Thursday to inform those editors and writers who were being let go, with at least nine being laid off as of Thursday afternoon.

Lil Wayne ft. Bobby Valentino - Mrs. Officer/Comfortable

MRS. OFFICER BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE

A Crooks Gift to You

Crooks & Castles present their 2008 Holiday look book, with the collection soon to follow. Am really feeling the images from the look book. Check out the Audio version here and look for the collection @ Leaders 1354

LeBron teams up with NIKE to design another sneaker

Read the exclusive report by www.footwearnews.com:

NEW YORK — Nike Inc. will launch the Zoom Lebron VI performance basketball shoe Friday, introducing it to retail globally in the U.S., Asia Pacific and Europe.

Working along with Nike designer Ken Link, James, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, created a shoe that would meet his performance needs, including a full-length Zoom Air unit in the mid-sole, as well as a double-stacked Zoom Air unit in the heel for added responsiveness and ease of transition in movement, Nike said in a statement.

James, who along with the U.S. men's basketball team, won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and the shoe is designed to embody the strength, passion and vision he exhibits on the court, Nike said. Aesthetics of the shoe are also geared toward James’ personal beliefs, with graffiti art on the tongue highlighting James' mantras of family, winning and fearlessness.

The shoe will be available in Canada in January.

L'UOMO PLANS ITS "AFRICA" ISSUE

Not sure if you're familiar with Robin Givhan, Fashion Editor of Washington Post, and she won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for criticism, the first such time for a fashion writer and woman of color. Truly one of my fav fashion writers, if not the favorite. I'm always inspired by her fashion reports, not to mention, she's an amazing person who replies back to emails ... gotta love that!

Would like to know more about Robin Givhan? Just Goggle her baby!

Take a good look at this article Givhan scribed this past Sunday about Franca Sozzani, Fashion Mother of L'UOMO and anticipation of the November issue of L'Uomo Vogue, the men's fashion magazine that she also helms, will be dedicated to Africa. And half of all the advertising revenue will be donated to Africa-related charities.

Read more of the article here ... it's the truth!

What's Her Secret?

I don't know about you, but Naomi seems to never age and she's so C.O.C.A from cover to cover. I'm starting to think the potion from the movie, Death Becomes Her is real, lol. Naomi might have a secret behind her ageless beauty - PLEASE DON'T HOLD OUT.

She's as shiny on the cover of Numero 98 - Magnetique issue as the Yves Saint Laurent high-waisted trousers she's wearing and I've informed you all about her being Stefano Pilati's muse for the YSL ads this season ... she's bound by contract to wear these costume getups. Regardless, she's about the only chick who can pull these off, lol.

VEGAS' NEW COVER GIRL

Always One Step Ahead of the Game

As reported by WWD.com: Three years after forming his production company, Fade to Black, Tom Ford is finally in the director’s chair. Pre-production is said to be winding down and Ford is expected to start filming his first feature, titled “A Single Man,” in Los Angeles early next month. The film, an adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name, will reportedly star Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Matthew Goode.

Stay Tuned ...

Boss Black/Selection A/W 2008

Anybody remember this line from Paid in Full: " you dress real nice" ? It was what Ace(Wood Harris) said to Lulu (Esai Morales) when he first linked up him to make his rise to the top. Well Hugo Boss is always a brand to evoke that level of complement! Check out there Black and Selection Collection for this Fall.

A Few of My Favorite Things ...

During the holidays my mind rewinds to all the memories my family and I shared throughout the years; and besides the many cards and packages delivered through mail it was one in particular that I anticipated the most - the infamous, Neiman Marcus' The Christmas Book!

So eloquently published, each year supercedes its previous and there's almost not a page you wouldn't mark to place on your Christmas List or Wish List, lol. The Christmas Book is filled with everything from must-have apparel to the latest tech gadgets. Never thumbed through one? Well, take a look at some of my fav pages and make sure you get your copy for the holidays ... it's always a good look for your coffe table or a decorative touch for your holiday bathrooms!

Swag Bags of the Week: Popular Resort 2009 Handbags

Marc Jacobs - Bruna Shoulder Bag, $995

Dior - Diorita Zip Hobo, $1500

Valentino - Nuage Bow Tote, $1295

Escada - Plisse Leather Boston Bag, $1750

Fendi - Fendi Forever Hobo, $1140

Jimmy Choo - Riki Ring Bag, $3095

Emilio Pucci - Long Weekend Satchel, $840

C.O.C.A Style Supports: HBCU HOMECOMING 2008

C.O.C.A Style definitely supports all HBCU's and with that said it's about that time for the best season ... HOMECOMING 2008.

This is why I must show some TIGER L-O-V-E 2 the best HBCU in the SWAC (you heard - THE BEST) ... don't be surprised you already know J-STATE run it! Our homecoming was last week and as always it was nothing less of boredom.

Don't believe me? Check out the best band perform, (you haterz can stop blowing ya breath, sucking ya teeth and raising eyebrows) SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH aka The Baddest Band in the Land and the Prancing J-Settes buckin' the stands dowwwwwwnnnnn to Danity Kane's Bad Girl ...

Maybe I'm Just A Bad Girl ...

"When the red light comes on I transform" - Danity Kane

CHLOE - Floral Cut-out Suede Low Boots

Dsquared - Lightning Bolt Shiny Pumps

Pierre Hardy - Metallic Strappy Platform Shoes

Find more of these "statement making" shoes here.

Air Yeezy Alert

Chicago's own, GLC was back home last and this week rocking the unreleased Air Yeezy's with laser spat straps. Take an exclusive look at America's Most Wanted Snyx '_"

Keep It On The Low

Here's a look at some of the dopest supreme & premium air force low's to release this season. All of the following will be available November 1'st at SuccezZ.

Air Force 1 Low Supreme WP (olive khaki/white)

Air Force 1 Low Supreme "Slam Jam" (varsity red/white)

Air Force 1 Low Supreme "Slam Jam" (metallic silver/white)

Air Force 1 Low Premium

(boulder/boulder-light brwn)

My New Fav Jewelry Designer

My style is inspired by paradox, controversy, justice and pushing the envelope in showing that you truly can't judge a book by it's cover.
I design to upset the equilibrium.
I design to inspire.
I design to Serve.
I design because I was created to do so - Melody Ehsani

King Tut Earrings, $62

Mercedes Earrings, $62

The Eye See You Earrings, $50

The Inner Wealth Earrings, $50

There's absolutely no explanations when it comes to the designs of Melody Ehsani. You've seen her work on the latest cover of Erykah Badu's album; Nas, Rihanna and Alicia Keys flossin' her 80s-inspired four finger rings; also catch her custom-designed earrings on Ciara's new album cover ... Everyone is in the trenches, so don't get caught out in the rain dollbabies!

You can find Melody on Myspace or click on to her personal moments @ melodysblog.tumblr.com.