Model Moment: Katoucha Niane 1960-2008

We talk about how much we love certain models all the time on The Black Market, but there are a scarce few that we were as obsessed with as Guinean/French model Katoucha Niane. One of THE supermodels of the 80′s, Niane was muse to Yves Saint Laurent and had one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous faces (and bodies) to ever grace a runway or magazine. Her shocking death in 2008 by accidental drowning was deeply heartbreaking to those who followed her career. Here are some of our favorite images of her as well as a silent video tribute to her.

 

 

 

The Market: 5 Men’s Bags We Would Carry

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Alligator Weekend Bag, $24,000, misterporter.com

If you have ever wandered through the men’s department of a luxury boutique or department store, one truth becomes patently obvious upon inspecting the racks: men’s clothes are usually of an overall higher quality than women’s and they often cost less than a comparable women’s piece. One area that we have the guys beat is the endless array of accessories and shoes that are available to us at any given time. But that isn’t to say that we wouldn’t want to borrow our guy’s bags on occasion to change things up a bit. We scoured some of the best men’s retailers to find some beautiful bags that we would have no problem buying for ourselves.

Balenciaga Day Bag, $742, matchesfashion.com

 

Gucci Embossed Leather Messenger Bag, $840, misterporter.com

 

Maison Martin Margiela Leather Shopper Bag, $1,077, selfridges.com

 

Jack Spade Mill Leather Davis Brief, $375, jackspade.com

 

Product Review: Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights

Smashbox, Fusion Soft Lights, $30, http://www.smashbox.com

Imagine there’s a product out there that brightens, lightens and highlights all of your favorite features while giving you that soft, polished look you crave? Well, you don’t have to imagine this dream product anymore because it’s here! Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights is a multi-tasking highlighter that gives you a glow that is truly otherworldly and 100% gorgeous! This product includes five distinct shimmering shades that can be applied individually to eyes and cheeks or can be swirled together for the ultimate highlighter! I absolutely fell in love with this product as it gave me just enough of a highlight on my cheekbones and temples. I also lightly brushed some of the product down the bridge of my nose, swiped some on the top of my cupid’s bow and added a tiny dabble under my brow bone for that chic highlighting effect.

Beauty Addictions: Minx Ramadan Collection

Minx Nails Debuts Ramadan Collection, http://www.minxnails.com

We here at The Black Market believe in celebrating beauty in all its shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities and yes, even religions. So it made perfect sense to showcase this uber-cool Minx Nail collection inspired by the holy season of Ramadan. Minx nails have been one of the fastest rising trends in the nail care industry. Celebs from Beyonce to Rihanna to Katy Perry and Fergie have all been minxed.

Unlike traditional manicures and pedicures, the Minx process adheres the Minx Nail applique to your nail which means no chipping and a unique manicure experience unlike any other. The Ramadan Collection was created by co-creators Dawn Lynch-Goodwin and Janice Jordan. Ramadan is celebrated this year on Monday, August 1 and will last 30 days, although dates are not confirmed until the new moon is actually sighted.

Inspired By: Fashion Illustration Books

"The Beautiful: Illustrations for Fashion and Style", amazon.com

One of the things that is most compelling about the world of fashion is the myriad of ways that mood, atmosphere and attitude can be expressed. Photography is the most immediate medium, with shooters like Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts and Hemut Newton having long since cemented their places as among the most celebrated artists of the 20th Century. But often overlooked by all but the die-hard stylephiles, is fashion illustration.  Artists like Rene Gruau, Antonio Lopez and Jean Cocteau brought a whimsy and lyricism to fashion that is sometimes difficult to fully capture on film.  Here are a few of the most gorgeous fashion illustration books on the shelves. Flipping through them reminds us of why we fell in love with fashion.

"100 Years of Fashion Illustration", amazon.com

"Fashion Illustration: 1930-1970", amazon.com

"Masters of Fashion Illustration", amazon.com

Beauty News: Stila Fall 2011 Collection Set to Hit Stores in August

Stila, Backstage Beauty Fall 2011 Collection, http://www.stilacosmetics.com

In the world of beauty and fashion, we are always three months or at least one season ahead. As a beauty editor, I can rarely rest my laurels and bask in the current season as the world of magazines has me thinking about fall and winter in the dead of summer. As August arrives, most of the fall beauty collections will be hitting counters and stores as August is the transitional month when summer comes to an end and fall begins to ramp up. We are so feeling this gorgeous fall collection from one of our favorite beauty brands Stila. We are particularly excited about the shadow palette which includes 10 beautifun shadows in both matte and shimmer finishes. There’s also several stunning liners that are sure to become cult-classics as they are totally on trend especially in the grey shades which were very big on the fall fashion runways. The peachy blush rounds out the collection and makes us yearn for our cozy cashmere sweaters, leather boots and a brisk fall breeze.

Trend Report: Embellished Nails

Jeweled Nails Are All the Rage

Anything that shimmers, shines, sparkles, glitters or glimmers immediately hits the top of our must-have list. One of the hottest trends in nails happens to be high-wattage shine and sparkle with the help of nail jewels, appliques and bindis. Sephora by OPI recently launched their nail embellishments which come in a variety of styles, colors and shapes including bindis, butterflies and metallic flowers. These embellishments are a great way to add some much need panache to a basic nail look. Check out this super cool tutorial by Sophy Robson, a luxury nail artist and the Sephora by OPI nail curator. She creates the ultimate bejeweled nail with the help of a few new Sephora by OPI products including the nail embellishments.

Our Favorite Luxe Swimsuits

Zimmerman Scallop Bikini, $211, matchesfashion.com

For us, buying a swimsuit is like buying a bag- we never really settle on just one, lest there be a better one right down the street, just waiting for us to scoop it up. So, it makes sense that most girls have more than one suit to get them through the summer, and since we are well into the second month of the season, we thought we would do a roundup of some fabulous and luxe bathing suits to hit the beach in before Labor Day sneaks up on you. Obviously, some are just meant to be seen in, not to actually do cannonballs in.

La Perla Ipanema One-Piece, $451, nancymeyer.com

 

Undrest Sardinia Woven Cut-Out One Piece, $300, net-a-porter.com

 

Norma Kamali William Lace-back Wet Look One-Piece, $175, net-a-porter.com

 

La Perla Indios Halter Suit, $384, nancymeyer.com

The Market: Aurelie Bidermann Jewelry

Camden XL 18 K Gold-Plated Studded Cuff, $1,495, net-a-porter.com

Aurelie Bidermann is a jewelry designer that we have followed with great interest for quite awhile.  The French designer started her career as an art historian, working in the Impressionist and Contemporary Art departments at Sotheby’s. Knowing that Bidermann has an interest in impressionist and contemporary art sheds light on her ability to strike a perfect balance between delicate pieces like her light-as-air mother of pearl bracelets and statement looks like the oversized studded cuff that we are seriously enamored with. Here are a few other pieces that we love. You can find Bidermann’s collections at www.kirnazabete.com and www.net-a-porter.com.

Sterling Silver Helmet Ring, $1,260, net-a-porter.com

Camden 18K Gold-Plated Studded Leather Bracelet, $740, net-a-porter.com

Mother of Pearl Bracelet, $565, net-a-porter.com

Beauty News: Charlotte Ronson to Launch Beauty Collection at Sephora

Charlotte Ronson Will Debut Beauty Collection at Sephora in September

Charlotte Ronson is one of the coolest designers in the industry. She’s known for her downtown cool aesthetic and her laid back approach to style and fashion. She’s also a member of the hyper-cool Ronson clan which includes DJ and trendsetting brother Mark Ronson and DJ and tabloid fodder sister Samantha Ronson who was Lindsay Lohan’s main squeeze during her Hollywood descension. Samantha recently announced her partnership with Sephora and the launch of her lifestyle collection which includes face, hair and body. Everyone is buzzing about how adorable this collection will be as it was inspired by her family and friends including trendsetter Drea Matteo. Stay tuned for the launch as we will certainly be covering this new collection!