The Battle For The Title Of "Best, Best Friends"

I was browsing one of my favorite websites, Essence.com when I came across this amazing spread titled "Famous Friends!" The spread showcases some Hollywood's closes friendships and even goes as far as providing insight on how the friendships evolved and how they've kept them current in what is many times considered a fake industry. I'd like to think someday me and my friends will be at this level. So in order to make it happen, I'm speaking it into existence. Let me set the picture for you -- 10 years from now you'll see a picture of The Intellect and I in Essence magazine. The picture will show her and I talking life and luxury over a bottle of Moet. No worries, no cares, just us living life for all it's worth. I know that seems like The Dream World right? Well, Hov said it best.. "It Ain't For Everybody!"

With that said, Below I've included some of my favorites from the spread. Peep all the choices and cast your vote for "The Best Famous Friends" below!

Gabrielle Union and Sanaa Lathan navigate Hollywood’s tough roads together.

There’s no sibling rivalry and plenty of love when it comes to Rev. Run’s daughters Vanessa and Angela. The two are always side by side, as they conquer the fashion world with their special bond.

Gayle King has been Oprah Winfrey’s best friend for more than 30 years. The two met early in their broadcasting careers and remained close. Their friendship has even sparked rumors that they’re gay, which they shot down.

“I have to admit, if Oprah were a man, I would marry her,” Gayle said in O, the Oprah Magazine, where she serves as editor-at-large.

It was easy for Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell-Martin to play best friends on “Martin.” The two have been friends for more than 20 years, having costarred together in 1986’s “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Some call them rough around the edges, and perhaps that’s why we love Monica and Keyshia as BFF’s. The Atlanta residents have plenty in common: soulful pipes and take-no-mess attitudes. Cole is also the godmother of Monica’s youngest son.

Black America has been made richer by intellectuals and good friends Tavis Smiley and Cornel West. The duo met more than 25 years ago at the Southern Christian Leadership Council, when Tavis was just a teen and have remained close ever since.

Best friends Tiny (the Bonnie to T.I.‘s Clyde) and Toya (ex-wife of Lil’ Wayne and mother of one of his daughters) are letting the world in on their friendship via their new BET reality show.

Icons Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan both know what it feels like to charter new ground in their respective sports, and quickly bonded on the golf course.

“I’m able to pick up the knowledge he’s accumulated over the years,” Woods has said about Jordan..

T H E | F A S H I O N | C O N N O I S S E U R

Time On My Hand

I guess you could say this is why the French are always early and never late. Look at the amount of watches this lady has on her wrist -- this is a crime! And to think, you guys call me a show off!

Signed,
The F.C.

To Bob Or Not To Bob -- That Is The Question

Charlie Chan is Anna Wintour's hairstylist. The Vogue editor has maintained her signature bob for decades, and though Chan says he gave her the "short power bob," he possesseth not the power to de-bob. “I tried, but she would not have it any other way," he said of changing her style. "But the bob suits her. It suits a certain face. It works best on a thin, Oriental face, a slim person.”

My question for you: Why change a good thing?

Source

The Fashion Connoisseur

The High Society

Rojas
The Black Bow Tie - $34.00

The Fashion Connoisseur

Kanye Talks Rihanna & Why She's A Fashion Icon

In a recent interview with Hypebeast, Kanye spoke on Rihanna and what makes her the 'hottest chick in the fashion game' right now.

She’s kind of like a genius because regardless of how many stylists she has, I know she does it on her own. That’s an innate talent, having style like that. It’s kind of like the way people play sport, some people just hit the shoots into the net better. Yeah. Fashion is a sport in a way.

Now that was a huge assessment for Kanye to make especially considering Rihanna's previous fashion history. I want to hear from the YGT readers, cast your vote below on Kanye's assessment or feel free to hit up the comments section below.

The Fashion Connoisseur

Morning Motivation

"Take every opportunity you have to make your life as successful as possible"
--Mr. West


The Fashion Connoisseur

Bubble Gum Pop

Photographer:Javier Vallhonrat

The mix of bright colors, cute patterns and subtle detailing is what attracts me to these pictures. It's something about these pictures that give me a mixture of 80's, bubble gum pop intertwined with today's fashion. You see it?

-F.C.

The New Mammy????

By now I hope you have all seen new Popeye's commercial featuring "Annie the Chicken Queen." Yes YGT readers, they really named her Annie the Chicken Queen. At first I really didn't think anything about this commercial, because out of all the Popeye's that I have been to I have never seen a black cook in the back making gourmet chicken for my enjoyment. So in the beginning the commercial was already no believable for I just disregarded it, but as I was watching television last night I really got into Ms. Annie.

Needless to say I was a little insulted and disgusted that racist stereotypes are still being used to sell products. Thanks to my DVR system I was able to really get into "Auntie" Annie and analyze her and here are some of the thoughts I had about her:

1. Why does she talk like that? I have been in the South going on 3 years now and I have yet to encounter anyone sassy Black woman who talks in that plantation-coonish manner. I have ran into my fair share of no nonsense southern women but with our without an accent, they don't sound like Mammy, I mean Annie.

2. Does using stereotypes, racist or not, work in the advertising world?
Apparently they do. Because when you can go into the store and still buy rice with Uncle Ben on it or get you some pancake batter from Aunt Jemima, then I guess stereotypes are not that noticeable to everyone.

3. Why is this women's name Annie the Chicken Queen?
Could she simply not be called Annie, or Annie~Head Chef, or Annie~Popeye's Franchise Owner?

These were just some of my concerns, but what do you think YGT readers? Peep the commercial below and tell me what you think.


The Intellect

You Are The Company You Keep

Get into this crew; aren't they fab? don't they make you want to change you fit real quick? This brings me to the post at hand; Friends! My mom has taught and instilled in me since I was young "you are the company you keep!" I've found that statement profoundly true since attending college. Automatically your peers judge/stereotype you due to who you hang with. That can be good or bad; if you hang with some on-point individuals your good but, it can work against you as well. If your rolling with some chick/dude who has a name for themselves you may get categorized with them before people even learn the real you. With that said, I've made it my day to day routine to surround myself with people who's ultimate goal is success. I don't mean lackluster individuals; I mean the type who see the gold and say "I don't want that, where's the platinum?" I've learned that the word content isn't something that correlates with my name. I aim high and expect the people around me to aim even higher. If your aren't making moves or surrounding yourself with people trying to make moves in 2009 YA WHAT? Say it aloud YGT readers "YA TIYADDDDDDDDDD(another way to say "tired")!"

Take heed and make it your mission to makes moves today, I know you can do it!

Shoutout to "The Roots" I see you.

The Fashion Connoisseur

Eyes Stay Low From The Cheefin

Collection: Cheap Monday Spring/Summer Collection
By: Designed by The Denim Czar Orjan Andersson

I love the diversity in Cheap Monday's new collection; they have shades to suit the girl who wants to tip like Lindsay Lohan or the guy who wants to spaz out like Pharrell Williams. Either way the collection has something for everyone; the trendy, the late, the rich and the poor. When you hit all those classes, you can't go wrong.

The Fashion Connoisseur

A New Look On Life

Fendi
Cubetto sunglasses
$300



Fendi
Aviator sunglasses
$325

The Fashion Connoisseur

The Road To The Dean's List

So you may have noticed I haven't been posting alot lately. Well it's that time of the year I like to call "CRUNCH TIME!" If you're unfamiliar with the term, it's that time of the year when teachers throw out last minute test(s), papers and projects. In the past week, I've completed a deliberative round-table on same sex marriage, turned in a paper on the structure of an organization I'm a member of and started a outline for a speech I'm giving Thursday on the effectiveness of man bags in comparison to book bags. As you can see this collegiate thing is no joke. But, what's the point of pleasure without pain? Everyday I make it my mission to understand I'm here at college laying the foundation for my future. And at this moment my future is so bright I need sunglasses. So, whereas these pictures show a confused Connoisseur, know that when I take that test it'll be an A on deck. Ayeee!





I'm changing my name to The Collegiate Connoisseur!

You like?

Is Aubrey Going Back to DK?

As if everyone isn't addicted to Twitter anyway. This picture above shows just how effective Twitter is. In a recent post, Aubrey O' Day talks about going out to buy the perfect dress for the making the band finale. With Aubrey hype about the finale, should Danity Kane stans be excited for a potential reunion? Cast your vote below and make sure you tune in Thursday, April 23rd at 9pm for the finale.

The Fashion Connoisseur

10 Most Expensive Videos Of 2008

01. Womanizer - Britney Spears ($236.000,00)

02. 4 Minutes - Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland ($197.000,00)

03. Feedback - Janet Jackson ($186.000,00)

04. When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls ($167.000,00)

05. WOW - Kylie Minogue ($152.000,00)

06. Poker Face - Lady GaGa ($149.000,00)

07. Human - The Killers ($124.000,00)

08. Damaged - Danity Kane ($119.000,00)

09. Lollipop - Lil Wayne ($117.000,00)

10. The Fear - Lily Allen ($108.000,00)

Source

The Fashion Connoisseur

We Call This Einstein Swag

I'm currently in search of the perfect spring/summer frame. In order for the frame to be perfect, it must be modern yet chic, rugged yet tailored and flashy yet subtle. Now, I know that's alot to ask but, I'm your Fashion Connoisseur for a reason. As, I've been on the prowl I recently came across this very chic and modern frame by Italia Independent. I love the retro, 70's feel of these frames along with the splash of violet that gives them that "umph" factor. One piece of advice when choosing a frame with a hint of color; always choose a color that's bold but, still conveys business. You have to remember, this frame is not only going to be worn for recreational reasons but for things such as job interviews and business luncheons. The one thing you never want to do is come off unprofessional. Image is everything! With that said, I'm off to continue my search for the perfect frame. These are at the top of my list but, as I continue my search I'll definitely keep you up to date YGT readers.

That is all.

Your Fashion Connoisseur

Equipped With Double G's

Gucci recently unveiled their newest flagship store in London, marking the fifth Gucci flagship store in the world. The store's concept was created by Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini and follows the archetype of New York's Fifth Avenue store. The 20,000 square feet, two story boutique includes open space, natural light and the normal facade of luxury. "I wanted to amplify the luxurious and intimate sensibility of the Gucci boutique environment to create an aesthetic that complements the history of the House, but at the same time ensures that it is thoroughly contemporary" explains Gianinni.

The Fashion Connoisseur

Is Ciara Biting Mrs. Carter?

Now something isn't making sense here. How do two women who are so diverse in their music match up when it comes to the visuals of their music? Now I want to give Ciara the reason of the doubt but, alot of the similar things they've done were completed by Beyonce first. Now, I'm going to leave this up to you, YGT readers. I need an answer to why so many things they've done are so similar; Is it a problem with A&R? Is someone biting someone else? Are they both just that innovative? Help me YGT readers, I'm going crazy. Leave feedback in the comments section below!

Source for photo

Signed,
The Fashion Connoissuer

Welcome To Stankonia

These pictures were taken of Andre 3000 recently and it appears he is going back to the Idlewild days when it comes to his everyday hairstyle. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but am I the only one that can't remember any other hairstyles besides the perm he had in "Hey Ya," and the blond wig from "Prototype." Either way what does his new hairstyle give you?

The Fashion Connoisseur