I love it! I have to get some stuff custom designed for my girls, Vitalize Entertainment artists, Nexus For more of her jewelry designs, visit www.AllyMarie.com.

Beyond the unparalleled shopping experience, guests enjoyed complimentary facials, grooming services, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The first 150 people left with a goody bag full of fashionable and free items that inspired you to get fresher for 2010. Event sponsors included Alize (who also provided the open tap for the night), Sprite Green, Baby Phat, Sphatika, Xotics by Curtis Smith, Dr. Miracle and of course, Vitalize Entertainment. You came on a mission to find clothing, jewels and accessories to set you apart from the masses that shop at the same five shopping centers in your area. You left feeling inspired by the display of people just like yourself, who are breaking the limits of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Be sure to visit www.chrisleeannboutique.com and Check the flicks:

MP: Well I got discovered around 2001. It was random. I went to a Phat Farm casting with a friend and long story short, I got chosen and he didn’t.

VE: Sucks to be your friend lol. How did you know that modeling was right for you?

MP: I knew it was my calling was when I did my first job and I saw the check amount. I said “Ok, this is where I need to be.” Lol.

VE: Did you and your family always believe that you would be a success at modeling?

MP: My family always supported me as I made my decisions. They never once stopped me from anything. They always pushed me.

VE: I’ve been told by many male models that the industry for men is 10x harder than it is for women. Would you agree with that statement?

MP: For male models it’s not that bad. I think women models feel it more because it’s more emotional for them than it is for us. I’ve heard it all before “You’re too big, fat, skinny, ugly, tall.” Man I’ve heard it all and yet I never stopped. Now those same people are like “when are we gonna work together?” I’m like hell no! But you know… I kill them with kindness.

VE: True story lol. What is your ethnic background?

MP: I’m from Paterson, NJ and my parents are from Dominican Republic. So for all who don’t know I’m Dominican.

VE: Do you think that has any part to play in the types or amount of modeling
jobs you get?

MP: No, they always think I’m black, but I really don’t care what they type me as because I know who I am. The jobs I get are from my own personality and people always seem to notice me for that. It’s never about my ethnicity so that’s a good thing.

VE: What do you consider some of your biggest accomplishments to date?

MP: Tearing down barriers that they said I couldn’t. That’s why Jay-Z’s song “So Ambitious” is my favorite track because I know what he means.

VE: Essence.com model of the week. How does that feel?

MP: I feel overwhelmed. They shined their light on me because they understand a brother is just trying to better himself, that’s all. And by doing so, I’m just positive at all times. Even though I’ve been through hell and back, I’m great. And yes I’m very much single looking for my queen….where are you? I’m ready. Hello!

VE: Lol. Any fun facts or interesting things about you that want to share?

MP: I’m a damn clown. I love to make people laugh at all times. Everyone that knows me knows that. I do a lot of “ya mother” jokes. But hey, I grew up on In Living Color so I always got a dirty dozen.

VE: What projects are you working on or you want to get into?

MP: Acting. I’m attending school this fall so I will be focusing on that. Modeling will always be my first love so I will continue working and pushing on that.

VE: Where can people reach you online?

MP: You can find me on twitter.com/Mperdomo23 or myspace.com/Miguelperdomo23 or facebook. I’m also on seanjohn.com

Look #1: Sexy Sophisticated

Shut everybody down with the Sexy Sophisticated look. C’mon you’re a grown ass man now, take off those Kanye shutter glasses and that dam Arab scarf! It’s simple: one-button suits, a clean, freshly pressed shirt (solid colors please) and a great pair of hard bottom shoes.

Get all you need from one place – http://www.topman.com

Look #2: The Goth Ninja

I never understood how, but Asian kids always seem to be able to wear anything and it looks great on them. For the Goth Ninja look, think the styling in Run This Town music video.

Here’s 5 Easy Steps to Achieve The Goth Ninja Look:
1. Think dark – Shades of grey and black are classic and you probably already have this in your closet!
2. Hard Metal – Tons of zippers, silver button things etc
3. A big ass scarf! –Remember the arab scarf you bought and only wore 3 times, put it to work this fall or go out and get a new chunky knit scarf but remember black or grey.
4. Shoes – simple black Chuck T’s will suffice
5. Layer it up – wear your black v-neck, grey hoodie, dark grey bomber/military jacket and then your scarf. (Yes, you will sweat!)

Look #3: Military Jackets

The time has come once again for you to break out your Military jacket from 2001. However, instead of wearing them so boxy like before, pick up one that fits a bit closer to the body. These jackets are bad-ass, period. I mean, they make anyone look good. Buy one, get a fresh haircut and pick up a box of rubbers because you’ll be getting some soon enough! lol

BB: When did you first realize you wanted to design clothes?

PA: Well when I was little I used to make those paperdolls *LOL*, with the changeable outfits. Then when I got older I would alter my clothes to make it different. It wasn’t till I was about 19 and got my first sewing machine and wanted to pursue it.

BB: How did you learn how to design/sew? Self taught? School? Apprentice?

PA: I used to sew by hand until I got my sewing machine. My grandmother was a seamstress and always made nightgowns for me so once I got my machine and showed interest she told me what she knew. Then a few years later I enrolled in F.I.T. where I learned a lot about the design process and fabrications

BB: What designers do you think make the biggest mark in fashion today?

PA: Karl Lagerfeld!!!! He’s designed for Chanel, Fendi and Chloe. Also, DVF for sure. Every woman needs a wrap dress that fits perfectly and Diane Von Ferstenberg put the stamp on it. Right now Tory Burch is making her mark. But in the “urban” fashion world, Definitely, Pharell with BBC and Ice Cream, and right now Fabolous is doing it with Rich Yung.

BB: If you could get your clothes on any entertainer, who would it be?

PA: Wow, I could list soo many. It would be heaven to see Gabrielle Union, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chanel Iman or Rihanna in one of my pieces. But I’ll say hmm Roxy from 106 and park.

BB: Why Rocsi?

PA: I choose Rocsi because she has a fun young personality with a little sass and my designs are the same. She also has a great body and would wear my designs well.

BB: What makes your designs different from all the others out there? Like why would someone need to check for your clothes specifically?

PA: Well, because I have a point of view. I’m a contemporary designer with an extra kick. And I also don’t only do party dresses, or only knitted goods. Someone can come to me for a bridesmaids dress, a dress for their 5 year old daughter, or an outfit to wear to the club, and jewelry also. POW!

BB: *LOL* How long does a new piece take to create, from design to final product?

PA: I could finish a new piece in one day. It just depends how intricate the design is and whether or not I need to move from the sewing machine lol. Typically I ask customers to give me a week to two weeks, so I can hunt for the perfect material and we can do fittings.

BB: At what point will you feel like you’ve made it in this industry?

PA: *Sigh* I will feel like I made it when I branch out more. My market is in NYC and Boston right now so venturing to different states successfully would be awesome! And also when I’m not only do custom pieces; but when my designs are in boutiques and stores and are moving. *LOL!*

Visit www.punchinellaapparel.com or www.myspace.com/punchinella_apparel to peep some designs.

PA: Anyone interested in placing an order or just want to say hello *LOL* can send an email to Staff@punchinellaapparel.com and we’ll go from there.

Who Are You Dressing For? Part 1

So the verdict’s in. Tasty’s guest went on the date wearing a simple black A-line dress that she bought for an off day. She went emergency shoe hunting in Malibu right after our lunch meeting and picked up a pair of black pumps from a showroom. Was it worth it?

Well, the date went great! He called the very next day, complimented her on how good of a dresser she was and asked her on another date. No lie, I wouldn’t make this up. So can we conclude that 1) us men are as simple as Tasty said? 2) just some of us are that simple? or 3) it’s a coincidence and he would have liked the ‘Bumble Bee’ look just as much?

I’m going to go with 2. After reading your comments on Part 1, I noticed that many of the females who commented were all about dressing how they felt, point blank. I totally respect that. Especially for the point that if you dress to your personality, and he likes how you dress, he’ll probably like you – well according to trigonometry’s if-then theory.

However, there are tons of women who are sure they would like a boyfriend or husband within a certain timeframe (I’m not judging you.) In this case, do I think it would be helpful to participate in mind games and pull you a mate with a simpler, less abrasive look? Absolutely! Just be prepared to play the part of a simpler woman, if that’s how you’re going to come across visually.

In defense of us men, many but not all of us like simple and reserved women. As I’ve previously stated, I personally like a sassy, driven woman. So I don’t think I would have a problem being with a woman who dressed with less safe, more attention grabbing clothes. In fact, I think it speaks to her confidence level because not everyone can pull off risqué looks. However, I can admit a woman dressed like that is definitely less approachable. My mind is early to calculate how headstrong and overly sassy a woman might be at first glance.

One comment on Part 1 of this post captures the essence of what I’m saying. “You only have one chance at a first impression.” You never know who you are going to see when you go out, so remember, make sure you present yourself the way you want to be perceived. Your fashion should be an expression of who you are and how you feel as an individual.

I’ve pulled some notable red carpet looks from one of our generation’s style icons, Rihanna. See if you can figure out, when she’s dressing for other women and when she’s dressing to catch a man’s eye, according to Tasty’s Theory.

And for those of you who missed the Dawn interview, here’s an excerpt regarding her taste in fashion:

“I’ve always been a fan of fashion. Always! My style icons are Kate Moss, Mary-Kate and Ashley, and of course Zoe Kravitz. Those are my favorites. I’ve always been a fan. I always like a good “Hobo-Chic” moment, big fan of that. I just didn’t have the cash so it would be a “Thrift Store” moment for me. The more my pocket got bigger, the more I got a chance to experiment with more things, you know?”

You can check the full interview here.

BOOM BLOG is the first to deliver these new pics, and by the looks of this impromptu MacBook photoshoot, I say her pockets full grown now. I digs these looks… what yall think?

I first saw these when I was out in Cali, and I knew that I needed them asaptually.  I mean they really made me happy inside just looking at them, imagining how proudly I would walk in them, stunting on all my opponents in the mean streets of NY.  Of course I couldn’t cop them. What happens when you want something that badly?… They don’t have your friggin size *coughs* (size 13, in case you want to send me product to review.)  So my baybro Ryan found them online for me and I bought them with quickness.  They are mad comfortable, but more importantly, they are super exclusive.  I always get compliments and gawks when I rock ‘em.  I mean always!  What say you?