Congratulations President Barack Obama!!

CoCoture would like to formally congratulate President Barack Obama for becoming the 44th president of the United States of America. President Barack Obama is the first African American to hold this elite position and we salute him for carrying out the vision of our predecessors who fought tirelessly to get to this point. President Barack Obama is a history maker and we at CoCoture feel proud to have been apart of the political process by casting a vote to make this possible.

As President Obama and First Lady occupy the White House with their beautiful daughters, Sasha and Malia, we look to them as American royalty. Black American royalty. YES WE CAN!!

January Magazine Issues Do Not Disappoint

Inside this month's Vogue:

My perfect day includes a sipping smooth cappuccino, listening to jazz (I suggest creating a Coltrane playlist on Pandora…it’s splendid) and flipping through the latest issues of Essence and Vogue. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the January issues of these magazines I suggest you snap them up before they vanish from newsstands. Vogue and Essence are chalked with touching Obama tributes.

The staff at Essence decided to dedicate the entire issue to the Obama’s, and include a number of essays written by prominent black figures. This sentimental issue is simply incredible. It is thought provoking, touching and monumental. In addition to written accounts, the magazine also includes photos that trace the First Family on the campaign trail. This is truly a keepsake, and one of those issues that you will want to pull out years down the line to show your children.

The January issue of Vogue did not disappoint. In addition to including Laura Jarrett (Valerie Jarrett’s daughter) as one of the best-dressed women of 2008, the editors drafted a touching letter addressing the president-elect and his wonderful family. The eloquent piece expresses the magazines support for Barack and a fervent desire for change. To top it all off, one of Vogue’s fashion spread includes Jordan Dunn, one of the hottest girls on the catwalk.

Grab these magazines before it's too late!

Need I Say More...

You must check out this article in The New Yorker...It's precious.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/01/19/090119fa_fact_cook

A Recession Proof Evening

A couple of weeks ago, a friend introduced me to The Edison, a swanky lounge in Downtown Los Angeles. Located inside of the former Edison power plant building, this glamorous space has a vibe that channels the opulence of the1920’s. When guests enter the building, hosts in chic flapper dresses greet them.

In addition to the ambiance, I am convinced The Edison has the best happy hour in town. Rescission and all, Fridays at the Edison are not to be missed. For a mere 35 cents, I indulged in a fabulous cocktail appropriately named the “Bailout”, a petite cup of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. In addition, happy hour proceeds are donated to a local soup kitchen. Need I say more… If you are in the Los Angeles area make your way down to the Edison, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

For more information visit The Edison's website:
http://www.edisondowntown.com/

COCO Quote of the Week:

Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress. -Coco Chanel

Pink Shows Black Love

Vicotria's Secret's Pink Collection has recently included HBCU's into its collegiate inspired line. The June debut of the collegiate line featured 33 universities, none of which included HBCU's until a Howard student sent an email to VS expressing her disappointment in the lack of Black college representation. After being dismissed in response to her correspondence, she decided to created a Facebook page entitled “HBCU Ladies wear Victoria’s Secret Pink Too”. Over 400 friends were added within a few weeks who strongly advocated HBCU representation. Howard, FAMU, North Carolina A&T and Southern University are now part of the action!
FAMU bling zip hoodie$78FAMU flip-flop$22.50

North Carolina A&T State University bling tee$39.50

North Carolina A&T State University bling classic pant$58.50

Southern University bling zip hoodie$78

Southern University yoga pant$34.50

Howard University pullover hoodie$52.50Howard University drawstring fleece boardshort$34.50

Behold First Lady Michelle Obama

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You are the beholder." -You

Behold...Michelle Obama, a beautiful woman who epitomizes dignity, poise, grace, class, intellect, compassion, wit and elegance. Yes She Is!

The First Lady of the United States of America is one of the most beautiful and amazing women that this country has ever known. She is fabulously flyy and yes...she's over forty and couldn't be more stunning if she were a day younger.
Though we value youthfulness in western culture, we must be reminded of the fact that Black women are like wine; we get better with time. As we mature, our unique essence marinates and endows us with enviable flavor. We look to women like Michelle Obama with such awe and admiration not only because of her grandiose accomplishments, but because of her impeccable style. As The First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama has single handedly set a new standard of what beauty in America looks like.

Our First Lady represents the new face of the America woman and is the sparkling jewel of the black community. She truly exemplifies what fabulous in the 40+ age range encompasses and that is important for all women to take note of. She dresses for triumph and success. She dresses to win without spending exorbidant amounts of money, a true mark of über style.

Whether she’s casually rocking a head band with a t-shirt and khaki's or "dressed to the nines"; all eyes are on her. So far we have witnessed Mrs. Obama do wonders for J.Crew by revealing an impeccable ensemble on the Jay Leno Show during the campaign trail. After doing so shopping online for the featured "Michelle Obama Look". Even in the midst of this bad economy she can sure boost sales! Lest we forget the purple dress and oversized pearls that consequentially titillated the news media and blogoshpere on a global scale! I could go on forever, but the one thing that can certainly be appreciated about Michelle is her humility and her ease about herself. Self assurance is one of the most integral components of her personal style.
On the night President Barack Obama was elected, we all remember she wore the infamous black dress with a red splash on the front by NarcisoRodriguez. Powerful and bold. Not so much good press for that number…but hey, she now sets the bar so deal with it. Designers and hair stylists will all be vying for her attention from now on because everyone wants to be apart of one of the most significant style fixture’s of all time (CoCoture told you so!). Michelle Obama is officially an icon. Over time we look forward to seeing how her style evolves.

As a true renaissance woman, Mrs. Obama seamlessly juggles her career, family, President and the American people with flawless finesse. She truly inspires much love and hope among women everywhere. CoCoture applauds Michelle Obama and her husband, President Barack Obama for attaining the most preeminent position in the world and becoming the African American family to occupy the White House. Yes we DID!

"Mrs. O" fist bumping her hubby, while wearing a purple dress by her favorite hometown designer Maria Pinto. Michelle Obama in Vogue Magazine

Mobile Chanel

Some say it looks like a flying saucer. Some say it looks like a spaceship. Both are pretty accurate in describing Mobile Chanel, a 7,500 square foot "art pavilion" set to travel from Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London Moscow and Paris.

2005 was the year that Chanel celebrated its 50th anniversary of the quilted hand bag. Chanel’s designer, Karl Lagerfeld, issued a new version of the hand bag along along with a project that took seven years to come to fruition.

Renowned London architect Zaha Hadid created the Mobile Chanel Contemporary Art Container using computer software. This donut shaped structure has a central courtyard and is made of 7.38 feet wide, lightweight panels that can be packed into 51 shippable containers. The challenge, she said, was to create a pavilion that was both visually compelling and could be easily transported.

Mobile Chanel, which featured the works of about 15 contemporary artists each of which were asked to create a piece that was somehow inspired by Chanel’s classic 2.55 quilted-style chain handbag, (named by its February 1955 debut).

“The most important piece of art is the container itself.” - Karl Lagerfeld

“It’s like an alien spacecraft that lands in the park and, before you know it, takes off again.”
- Adrian Benepe, NY City Department of parks

“I like the idea that the pavilion lands, creates a buzz and disappears.” - Zaha Hadid

“We could have inundated the world with ads, but it is a more noble project.”-Karl Lagerfeld

July 2008: The Birth of Vogue

Lately, discussions about ‘first lady fashion’ has been floating about the media and trickling down into everyday conversation: Michelle vs. Cindy. But, surprisingly enough, it is Mr. Obama’s name that popped up in conversation between Franca Sozzani, editor at Italian Vogue, and Steven Meisel, fashion photographer extraordinaire.

Like most people, Ms. Sozzani, is intrigued by this years presidential election. She found Mr. Obama to be the source of inspiration when she and Mr. Meisel began discussing an all black issue of (Italian) Vogue in back in February. This July, brace yourselves. An all black issue of Italian Vogue will be hitting the shelves in Europe next Thursday, and in America shortly after.

Kyle Hagler, an agent at IMG, asserts: “You want to sell the model on the basis of her beauty, not her race.” He further explains that he uses his “beauty perspective” when sending a model to a casting call. The decision to omit any indication of race to a prospective client always prompts a follow up call saying, “You didn’t tell me she was black.” It is no secret that the fashion world is plagued with racism and apparently (some) people have had enough. Nonetheless, fashion industry remains one of the few facets of society that can still practice outright bigotry without any consequences….up until now.

Bethann Hardison, a 60s model turned agent and advocate of diversity on the runway, called for a meeting in Bryant Park to discuss exclusionary tactics and tokenism. Ms Hardison aims to help enlighten people in the industry. “They need to see what they’re missing out there,” she said.

We have yet to see the end results...

Naomi Cambell

“Franca doesn’t realize what she’s done for people of color.” -Ms. Naomi Campbell

Sessilee Lopez

“Here’s this exquisite girl,” he said, addressing no one in particular. “What don’t you get? She’s a beautiful woman. There was no trick to it.” –Steven Meisel, Fashion Photographer

Liya Kebede

"Liya is elegant. To me, she walks like a princess. Now the girls all look the same—from the first to the last."-Franca Sozzani

Tyra Banks

"I have asked my advertising clients so many times, ‘Can we use a black girl?’ They say no."-Steven Meisel

Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves

Welcome! This summer marks the first anniversary of Cocoture. As we welcome you to our fabulous blog, we hope you enjoy the best Cocoture has to offer in art, fashion and lifestyle from our perspectives. Though its been quite some time since we have posted any new articles, we can assure you that we have not lost our luster - nor have we diminished our enthusiasm for great style and fabulous living. In upcoming issues you will be sure to enjoy a broader array of topics and we encourage you to offer your input by posting your perspicacious comments.

Cocoture welcomes the notion of fabulous coco chicks with open arms. Join us as we celebrate our immaculate beauty and grace and all that it entails. --Haute Ciaccolate




Needless to say, it has been awhile, but we are finally back and better than ever. Over the past year we had the opportunity to travel the globe, and are eager to share snapshots as well as our ever-evolving tastes with you. We not only intend to profile fashion and art, but we would also like to use this space to reveal various facets of culture both domestic and global. So without further ado, we would like to re-introduce Cocoture.

Welcome. Enjoy.
Hot Coco