"Avatar" Star Zoe Strips, Mary J Blige Trips

Film star Zoe Saldana, R&B queen scramble for dollars
By A. Scott Walton
Never mind that most ads for Calvin Klein Underwear are shot in black-and-white.
Calvin Klein Mens for Summer 2010
The label still deserves praise for featuring more models "of color" in its campaigns than any other prestige brand that comes to mind. Other labels should be envious of Klein's track record.

Actress Eva Mendes
At a German trade show this week, "Avatar" star Zoe Saldana (above) was introduced as the next spokesmodel for innerwear that's become synonymous with comfort and controversy. The off-shoot collection is called Envy.
The initial campaign shot of Saldana released to the media leaves a bit to be desired: sure it evokes that fiber-optic sheen of the blockbuster movie she most recently starred in, but it doesn't necessarily distinguish the look and feel from what's already stagnating on retail shelves.
Will the Zoe Saldana campaign come between you and your cash card?
EYES WIDE SHUT?: Somehow, it's hard to envision a day when a sunglass collection "co-designed" by Mary J Blige can begin to compete with the labels (i.e. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Versace, etc.) that she and her musical ilk helped to popularize. Frankly, it's hard not to forecast a quick bootlegging effort chasing any sunglass brand the R&B diva attaches her name to, either. But here she goes: Blige just announced the launch of an exclusive collection of shades (4 styles, $165-$225 per pair) to be sold only at Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman stores starting, according to WWD in October.
(Pardon ESS for asking, but: isn't the prime time for buying sunglasses over by then?; and are those stores really where Mary J's core fans shop?)
Just askin'...
Huffington Post - Mary J's College Decree Bogus?
SCAD - Go fly a kite!
Washington Post - Plus-sized women strike a pose

Big Boi Gets 'Girly', Bruce Willis Gets 'Funky'

By A. Scott Walton
What's the true price of celebrity?
Having to make marketing moves that cast you in a foolish light. That's what.
Take the supreme Dirty South rapper Antwon "Big Boi" Patton, of the duo OutKast, for instance. Dude's been so desperate to get his much delayed solo CD launched that he's reached beyond all the respected critics who rave about "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty", and submitted himself to sideshow acts like the one in Paste magazine.
What a bummer: being teased into thinking you'd be reading intimate secrets about a hip-hop star who prefers to wear bow ties, only to realize the feature consisted of Big looking at a short sampling of product photos and having his description of them cropped to a clipped few sentences.
And (pardon the expression) WTF?? Why does big keep saying in the article that he likes, 'whatever girls like'?
Isn't he married with kids? Can we trace the saggy pants trend back, therefore, to females' approval?
Just askin'...

SMELL GOOD, OR DIE TRYING: Running low on your supply of "eau de action movie hero", fellas? Well, never fear. Bruce Willis is here to spritz you down with a signature scent that must have seemed like as good an idea, at the time, as greenlighting "Lucky Number Slevin".
No doubt, this fragrance launch will provide classic comedic fodder for the next Willis appearance on the Letterman show. But the funniest thing is: if the action hero's name wasn't etched on the sturdy square glass bottle with a cedar wood stopper, we might have considered buying it.


TIME - Cheating: Celebrity Rite of Passage?

CNN - When nail polish goes rogue

Boston Globe - Is it 'Mad Men' or 'Men in Black'?

AP - Are Europe's couture shows 'fur real'?

Atlanta Hawks Star Opens Bar In Buckhead

Zaza Pachulia adds pizazz to Atlanta's nightclub scene
By A. Scott Walton
Look for the white Bentley parked right in front of the new Buckhead Bottle Bar for proof that it's on and poppin' inside.
That'll be the surest indication that owner Zaza Pachulia - the Atlanta Hawks 7-foot center - is in the house. And his high-flying teammates will likely be in tow.
In an exclusive EyeSeeStyle interview an hour prior to the lounge’s grand opening to local lifestyle critics and popular partiers, Pachulia said his prime motivation for diving into the bar scene was to provide fellow players a place to eat, socialize and relax after home games. One of his business partners divulged that he’s nearly done revitalizing a “café” space in downtown Atlanta as well.
At first glance, the Bottle Bar seems like a refreshing departure from the played-out “VIP vs. the public” affectations that have plagued Atlanta too long. It’s an airy space that can cater to sports fans, foodies and poseurs all at once.
If you've got three minutes to spare, click on the video below to see (and hear, amid the last-chance for a good first impression chaos) how Zaza describes the Buckhead Bottle Bar experience himself.


New York Times - Evaluating the NBA draft

USA Today - Hawks' draft pick a safe choice
AP - Wesley Snipes appeals to Atlanta court for justice
File Photo: AJC

Mariah Carey Throws A 'Sucker' Punch

Pop music diva launching Lollipop perfumes
By A. Scott Walton
Mariah Carey has cancelled plans to spend part of her summer in Atlanta, filming a role in Tyler Perry’s next movie. But the pop diva’s aroma will be wafting all around the metro area, starting July 10, when her latest series of fragrances launches at stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s and J.C. Penney.
It’s just been announced that “the Voice”, as she likes to be called, has a novel new deal with Elizabeth Arden and Bazooka Candy Brands to endorse three new scents called Lollipop Bling. Individually, they’re named: Ribbon, Mine Again and Honey.
To promote the scents targeted toward girls who shop in the $35 price range, Mariah appears in ads dressed in what passes for slumber party attire. In a round-about way, the fragrances reportedly were inspired by Nick Cannon’s propensity for giving his wife, Mariah, wedding rings disguised as diamond-encrusted Ring Pop candies.
The Market Watch financial news service reports that sales of the scents will be boosted by fall with gumball machine gift sets and roll-on fragrance sticks. Women’s Wear Daily quoted remarks from Carey stating, “ I’m alwayls looking for unique business models to connect with my fans”.
The question remains: is Mariah’s new scent sensation too sticky sweet for the target market’s tastes?

L.A. Times - Sneak peek at Madonna's fashion line for girls
CNN - Latest rap trend glorifies murder
ET! - Usher, Bieber rule music world
Wall Street Journal - Women hoarding shoes!

"A White Girl, Dipped In Chocolate"?

Documentary questions sanity of modeling industry

By A. Scott Walton
For every one Naomi Campbell or Eva Mendes out there modeling for designer brands, there are about 90 Christy Turlingtons. Or so the controversial new documentary by Canadian filmmaker Elizabeth St. Philip would have us believe.
In “The Colour of Beauty”, St. Philips paints a discouraging portrait of how harshly Blacks are judged by fashion labels, agents and runway show producers. No wonder the vast majority of ads featuring people of color focus on the stars of stage, screen, sports or rap/R&B; the clothes and beauty biz knows they’re already bankable.
But “The Colour of Beauty” suggests that the industry is morally bankrupt when it comes to giving Black models a fair shake. CNN anchor Tony Harris stirred up a small sh*tstorm of criticism when he aired a feature about the film that alleged “institutional racism in the fashion industry”.
When you can find 16 minutes to spare, click to view the short film about one model’s determination to succeed against the odds. Then give us your feedback on whether or not “The Colour of Beauty” proves a point.

US Magazine - Jolie to portray African queen Cleopatra
E! Online - Rihanna speaks out for Black models
NBC - Halle Berry gracing pivotal September Vogue cover?

Atlanta Bars Rated "Best" By Esquire

Holeman & Finch, Fontaine's ranked among nation's best
By A. Scott Walton
Two of Atlanta's most popular hangouts deserve a toast for being added to the precious few listed by Esquire Magazine as the "Best Bars in America: 2010
The June/July "How To Be A Man" themed issue cites as its criteria: "the qualities we appreciate most in the places where we drink." Contributor David Wondrich was entrusted to divide the nation's best bars into five categories.
The Holeman & Finch Public House in Buckhead (left) was praised in the "Very Good Food" division. Esquire recommends the "cornmeal-fried oysters, griddled pork belly, a world-class pasta carbonara, and an impreesive assortment of organ meats."
As for "The Bar You Take A Woman To", Esquire singled out Fontaine's Oyster House in Virginia Highland.

"It's not really romantic," according to the back-handed review. "It's the kind of place that can become romantic", presumably after enough adult beverages.
Would you agree or disagree with the Atlanta bars that made Esquire's list? If you know of sports more worthy of the designation, COMMENT on them below.
The Root - Party never stops in ATL
AP Video - Big Ben's bar 'victim' speaks
Business Week - Pabst Blue Ribbon up for grabs

Halle Berry and J-Lo squabble over money?

Sex symbols simultaneously launching new scents for Coty

By A. Scott Walton
By Christmas, at the latest, we should all know who the true queen of celebrity perfume endorsers is. Film siren Halle Berry and singer/actress Jennifer Lopez will battle for supremacy in the category starting in Auguest, when each leading lady launches a new signature fragrance for Coty.
Reportedly, Berry and Lopez announced within hours of each other that they're launching news scents for fall, and industry analysts expect them each to reap at least $20 million (U.S.) at retail in their first years.
But each star's wattage will determine which _ if either _ can reach potential sales of triple that worldwide when the dust settles.
Berry's newest fragrance is called "Reveal". The new Lopez scent's name is "Love and Glamour".
Which one are you more likely to buy?
Leave YOUR OPINION in the COMMENT box below...

Fashion's Twin Towers Falling Into Atlanta

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2010 to feature dynamic duo!

By A. Scott Walton
Lightning strikes are all too familiar this summer in Atlanta.
But the bolt of news about the pair picked to appear as guest designers for this year’s Jeffrey Fashion Cares fundraiser revives locals' interest in updating their wardrobes going into fall.
Jeffrey Fashion Cares _ the city’s premiere annual fashion show that has raised $9 million for breast cancer and AIDS charities since its inception 18 years ago _ will take place August 30 (7 p.m.-until) at 12th & Midtown.
The announcement of Proenza Schouler’s “special” guest designation occurred at the W Atlanta Hotel Thursday night. Principals close to the event parrot the same word about what’s coming: “thrilled”.
Jeffrey Kalinsky, the upscale retail visionary who calls the shots (ultimately) describes the Proenza Schouler collection to be showcased (along with other top designers' lines) as “outstanding”, and leading critics agree.
The general manager of 12th & Midtown's centerpiece, the Loews Atlanta’s Valerie Ferguson, said: “This event truly puts the face of compassion on the fashion industry.”
Face time is one thing Proenza Schouler doesn’t lack.
Their label’s barely a decade old and yet hogs headlines for its CFDA awards , celebrity endorsements, Target tie-ins, and provocative ads like few others.
Check back here for updates on Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2010 announcements, and for ticket details visit the official event web site or call 404-420-2997.
FEEL FREE TO LOG A COMMENT IN THE BOX BELOW!

Why is Naomi Campbell drooling?

Supermodel causes hysteria at World Cup case debut!

By A. Scott Walton
What's up with that wig? What's up with that pose? What's up with that bandage on uber-model Naomi Campbell's thigh?
Did the volatile mannequin known for assaulting servants get the kick-back she probably deserves for past infractions. Or was she in such a rush to attend the unveiling of the case Louis Vuitton hopes to one day see the World Cup trophy carried around in that she knicked herself shaving.
Make no mistake: these eyes saw Campbell in her prime stalking the world's top designers' fashion runways, and there's no one so definitively fierce in person.
But the question remains: how can someone blessed with the where-with-all to always appear flawless allow herself to come out looking so flawed?
And, how can you not love Naomi's reference to "kick in balls" action at the upcoming tourney in South Africa?
P.S.: The New York media left out a couple of prime places for viewing this month's World Cup matches around Atlanta.

According to a trusted source who shall remain shameless..."Both P'cheen International Pub and Diesel Filling Station will be open (10 a.m. - until) during the World Cup. They are partnering with 'Soccer in the Streets' and Peroni, so for each Peroni pint sold, $1 gets donated to (disadvantaged youth)."
Kick those thoughts around until we next re-visit the World Cup and wonder why all the fuss about the design of the official ball...

Jeffrey Fashion Cares Moves to 12th & Midtown

Atlanta's premiere fashion show finds fabulous new home!

By A. Scott Walton
Atlanta’s premiere social event _ the annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares benefit gala _ has found a new home.
The 18th installment of the gala that’s raised $9 million so far for AIDS and breast cancer charities will take place on August 30 (7 p.m.-until) at 12th & Midtown, the toniest new shopping/dining/stay-cationing venue in the city.
As if the Fall fashion preview that event founder Jeffrey Kalinsky will stage isn’t enough, attendees will be treated to a fabulous skyline view. The show is scheduled to take place on the 33rd floor of a just-completed highrise adjacent the posh new Loew’s Atlanta hotel.
Spanx founder, Sara Blakely, is this year’s honorary co-chair; so the mind wanders about the possibilities of her shapewear getting soaked in the rooftop pool.
Stay tuned for updates here about Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2010, and visit the benefit web site (or call 404-420-2997) for ticket details.