VH1 Divas 2009

In case you missed, VH1 honored a new class of Divas Thursday night. Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, and Adele performed to a packed house at the Academy of Music in New York City. Lots of American Idol love, Paula must be proud.

Adele looking classy & stunning, performed to a packed house at the Academy of Music in NYC.

Paula Abdul performed a montage of her hits to open the show. I was nervous for Paula, but she did alright, in fact, she looked great dancing around that set. Paula hosted as well. The evening was all about performance and duets. Jennifer Hudson was the first Diva to peform, showing off her svelte post baby bod. Kelly Clarkson followed with another ballad. Sweet Adele, her performance left me wanting more. Jordin Sparks was forgettable. Then there was Miley.

Miley Cyrus in the black dress, fishnets, and stellar heels on the red carpet...

Miley Cyrus in the black dress, fishnets, and stellar heels on the red carpet was stunning. A bit revealing, but I’ve seen prom dresses worse. Miley can hit that mark just right sometimes, and then *boom* she hits the stage. Girl, when you put that on, couldn’t you tell it was ugly?  The size of that bow in the back of her dress looked like she strapped on a parachute and she was about to jump out of a plane. 1 out of 2, eh.

Jennifer Hudson & Jordin Sparks at VH1 Divas 2009...making Paula proud.

In addition to the Divas, the night played host to some great duets. India.Arie sang with Adele, Stevie Wonder performed with Jennifer Hudson, Cyndi Lauper did a great rendition of “True Colors” with Leona Lewis, Martina McBride and Jordin Sparks performed, Sheryl Crow sang with Miley, Melissa Etheridge and Kelly Clarkson closed the show.

Lauren Conrad dazzled in a green Alice and Oliva sparkler.

Stunners:

Sheryl Crow donned a Dolce Gabbana dress with Neil Lane costume jewelry. Whitney Port arrived in a gauzy La Perla dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Lauren Conrad dazzled in a green Alice and Oliva sparkler, personal pick of best dressed of the evening.

VH1 Divas 2009: Leona Lewis' makeup artist gets high fives!

Highlights:

Keri Hilson finally won me over with an outfit.

Nene from the ATL Real Housewives introducing Adele, sure Kim from ATL and Bethany Frankel from NYC were there, but Nene reigns supreme in Housewive Land.

Leona Lewis’ makeup artist gets high fives for choosing just the right palette to make Leona look dynamite.

Miley’s face when she saw “the fat lady” in the balcony at the end of the show.

Girl Power y’all.

See more on VH1.com!

LA Gear is back thanks to Club Zonder Filter!

The year was 1992. I was almost 7. Sandboxes and snow-cones were part of my daily vocabulary. Clinton had just won the Whitehouse, and it was the holidays. Life was good. But it got even better when I unwrapped a Hanukkah gift box and found a pair of LA Lights, the light-up LA Gears so fly that I truly believe they’ve never been matched to this day! I strapped them on my little size 4 feet (ah, some things never change… literally, I still wear about the same size today!) and ran around terrorizing my little brothers with my infinitely superior ability to “light up”.

For some reason, the popularity of these shoes didn’t last till the end of the century and we all know that other ’90s brands, such as the dreaded Airwalks, took over the sneaker market. But I’ve always held a burning torch in my heart for the original LA Gears, waiting for them to make a comeback. Earlier this year, my prayers were answered when the sneaker brand teamed up with the ladies of Club Zonder Filter to release a revamped version of the “Stardust” model. The shoe was beyond beautiful and was soon selling big in stores across Europe, including the world-famous Patta and Colette. Since then, Club Zonder Filter was flooded with requests to retro other famous LA Gear models, but the ladies decided to go with a lesser known model–the Border Flower.

The Club Zonder Filter x LA Gear Collabo: The Border Flower

Getting its namesake from the perforated floral designs that are featured on the shoe’s side panel, the updated version will feature woven leather and studs, and will be released in white, red and black colorways.  Former LA Gear celebrity endorsers Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul inspired the retro-release’s look and feel, as did current kick-ass chicks M.I.A and Rye Rye.

Set to drop in stores across Europe in December, the shoe will retail for around 90 Euros. Even though it’s not the LA Lights of my childhood, I’m secretly hoping that when I unwrap my Hanukkah present this holiday season, the Club Zonder Filter Border Flower is inside!

Hellz Bellz presents Renegades of Funk for Spring 2009

The ‘80s influences are here to stay, at least throughout the rest of spring! We got our first glimpse of the Hellz Bellz Spring 2009 line back in March when the first installment entitled “Culture Clash” dropped. The second batch of spring goodies is now here – “Renegades of Funk” – and it pays homage to the song AND the electro movement made popular by Soul Sonic Force and Afrika Bambaataa. NO, we are not talking about the single “Planet Rock” that everyone and their mother knows. What the Hellz, you gotta give Lanie some credit – she knows her Bambaataa inside and out, and her sources of inspiration are not the typical, overused examples usually referenced in hip-hop.

Hellz Bellz presents Renegades of Funk for Spring 2009

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